[Madchen]

I am sort of mortified about this.

I went to Disney World last year for a week and it was really hard on my back. In fact, I'm on disability due to anxiety and back pain. The last day my daughter and I went to Epcot, it took us about an hour to leave the park because I had to keep sitting down to rest.
We're going to DCA Sunday!

What do you think would happen if I walked around as long as I could (four hours tops, probably) and then rented a wheelchair? 1.) There's nothing wrong with my legs 2.) What if they think I just want to the front of the line?

I'm embarrassed, but to be honest, if I'm going to California, I would like to get my tickets worth and be able to stay at the park all day and see the parade. I don't want special treatment. Does anyone notice if people in wheelchairs can wait in line? Also, have you ever known of anyone in a wheelchair at Disneyland who is in a wheelchair because of pain instead of something being wrong with their legs?

I'm not sure if it's worse to be embarrassed or to go back to the hotel and miss stuff!

[Mickey Crazy]

By all means use the wheelchair . But if I were you I would get it right away before your back problem flairs up .
Wheelchairs can rent out early so getting it right away is the ticket .

As for going to the front of the line , in most cases they will have you wait until your group goes through the line and then will join you . If it not too crowded they will sometimes let you on right away .


I am also going to move this thread to the Disabilites Forum where it will get better attention .

Hold on to all loose items , we are moving this thread to the Disabilities Forum !

[Holly213]

Madchen, first off Welcome to TD!! Now on to your question. We were in a simular situation at DL this last June, meaning that we wanted the most out of our trip but didn't want to take advantage. Let me just say how wrong we were about hesitating. When you go to DCA, after you rent your chair, go to the guest services and tell them your situation they then decide how much help you need. In our case we waited in a seperate line and it was usally a wait but not as long. Also take advantage of the Fast Pass whenever you can. Have fun and keep posting.

[Mad_Hatter]

When I worked at DCA we went out of our way to aid guests and their families so that they all enjoyed the park together. [also, DCA is much smaller than epcot - so that should make it a bit nicer for you]

Please approach a parade cast member and ask where families w/wheelchairs can sit - we always reserved a very nice spot with ropes so that you could have an unobstructed view.

[Madchen]

Thanks so much for the replies (and for moving this to the correct spot!)

I feel bad if I'm walking around for several hours and then ask for a wheelchair... I'll be sure to explain it to them and go ahead and rent one this time. It's going to be such a short Disney trip this time around, I'd hate to miss a single minute because my back hurt too much!

When I went to WDW I went to the chiropractor 3x a week in anticipation, because I knew it would be bad, but this is spur of the moment so I don't have time. I have pain pills but I think I'll be tired enough so don't I want to take more than one or two.

Thanks again!

[MickeyMouse]

I suggest you bring a note from your Doctor explaining you condition. That way there will be no problems. Have a great trip?

[Moodyzblu]

Dont sweat it .. you have every right to use a wheelchair !! Its your vacation .. and you have every right to enjoy it pain free. I agree with the pp .. dont wait for your back to start hurting before you rent one though .. rent it first thing. I plan on renting an electric wheelchair for my mom when we are there in Nov. This way she doesnt have to worry about getting too tired to enjoy herself.

[Dismom]

Whew, I am glad I happened on this thread. I have a severe back problem with lots of numbness now in both legs. I have discussed the possibility of renting a wheelchair as I am unable to even walk the mall without many stops. I was feeling guilty that my family will have to push me around and that it might take away some of the fun for them. Sometimes it just feels good to know your not in the boat alone. In my research I found that if you are going to rent a wheelchair for multiple days, you can prepay and save a couple of dollars per day. You might want to check that out. Good luck on your trip.

[Moodyzblu]

Originally Posted by Dismom

Whew, I am glad I happened on this thread. I have a severe back problem with lots of numbness now in both legs. I have discussed the possibility of renting a wheelchair as I am unable to even walk the mall without many stops. I was feeling guilty that my family will have to push me around and that it might take away some of the fun for them. Sometimes it just feels good to know your not in the boat alone. In my research I found that if you are going to rent a wheelchair for multiple days, you can prepay and save a couple of dollars per day. You might want to check that out. Good luck on your trip.

This is why I rented my mom an electric scooter for the duration of our trip. You call in advance and they deliver it to your hotel on the day you arrive and then they come pick it up at the end of the week. Nobody has to push her .. she has complete freedom to move about on her own.

[TinkerBellBabe]

This is a little different but, I went to Universal Orlando in June, And I was recovering from knee surgery, I had in may. So I decided that a wheelchair was my best option, I could walk but it was painfull. I was 20 at the time, and I sure did get strange looks, but i thought to myself, would it be better if people see me hooble around on crutches all day without a bandage or anything on my knee? I just did what I thought was right and it was a pain free trip for me.

[FirstTimer]

Everyone here is right. It is your vacation too after all!

My father recently had a hip replacement and although he can walk around fine now, he can't walk for long periods of time. As anyone who has ever been to disney knows, you do a lot of walking!

We are leaving in two weeks and we plan on renting him a wheelchair on the days we go to the park. We'll see how that goes. He is a very proud man and probably won't like us pushing him around....... but............ we want him to enjoy it too!

[Mickey Crazy]

Don't forget that it is also possible to rent an ECV and have it delivered to your room.
I will give you a link to a thread that has some info on this .

click here

[FirstTimer]

Thanks for the ECV advice! My MIL is in a wheelchair and we did that in January when we went. It was great! Had a chair waiting for her at the resort that she could use for the whole week we were there!