Could use advice and suggestions..... About This Page:

[B.M.]

My dad is going to join us on our upcoming trip (in less than a week!) He has rheumothoid arthritis and he also has a serious heart condition. The arthritis causes him a LOT of pain when walking for very long (especially stairs) and his heart condition causes him to tire easily and he is prone to fainting when he gets over tired or standing too long. He does NOT want to rent a scooter even though I know he needs it. I also think a GAC would be great for him, but I know with out even mentioning it that he would be dead set against it. He says he will just head back to the hotel when he is tired. Any suggestions? Also can someone tell me the cost of scooter and wheelchair rentals at the park? I'd like to have a rough cost in case he changes his mind once he is at the parks. Thanks!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

ECV Rentals at the parks is $45 per day, with a $20 refundable deposit.
They are first come first served & do run out..
Wheelchairs are $10 per day.
Why are Dad's so stubborn , My Dad was the same a few years back, Now he rent's a ECV off site before he goes Because he realizes it is just too much for him.. (Off site rentals are only $30.00 a day)

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by B.M.

He does NOT want to rent a scooter even though I know he needs it. I also think a GAC would be great for him, but I know with out even mentioning it that he would be dead set against it. He says he will just head back to the hotel when he is tired. Any suggestions? !

Your concerns are so common! I hear that story all the time.

It looks like our ECV expert answered much of your question, but I had a little suggestion to add.

It sounds like the ECV and the GAC were made for your Dad's situation, but it sounds like he may not go for it right away. Even if he outright refuses, he can change his mind about either at any time. If he decides that going back to the hotel is causing him to miss out on too much fun, you can bring up the ECV and the GAC then.

I was thinking, while leaving the parks to go back to the resort, maybe you can suggest stopping by guest relations with Dad on the way out, just to discuss what they might do for him. You never know!

I'm sure, whatever happens, you'll have a great time!

[Mystic]

Another suggestion is to have the numbers of a few off property ECV rental places like Walker Mobility, Buena Vista Scooter and Care Mobility with you so that if he changes his mind mid-way through the trip, you can give them a call and get your dad an ECV for the remainder of the trip and you don't have to worry about getting one at the park every morning. I know Walker will deliver it to the hotel within a couple hours of your call.

[B.M.]

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing- I'm definately going to have some #'s on hand in case he changes his mind half way through, I can call and get him one delivered to the resort. I'm going to try to talk to him about it again....... because w/ the arthritis, it just causes a lot of pain; but if he over does it with the heart condition, he could literally pass out (it's happened more than once)...

[SueM loves WDW]

I've been out for a while and am just catching up

I just wanted to point out that using a GAC would allow him to use entrances that avoid stairs, but in most cases would not shorten the distance walked at all. And many of the attractions don't have stairs but do have ramps, which can be as hard as stairs fir someone with heart problems. Plus, a great deal of the walking is done out of lines, going from place to place. Just to walk around Worls Showcase at Epcot is over 1.1 mile.

For stubborn people one thing I have suggested in the past that worked well was to pick out a place he knows well that is about 2 miles from home and ask if he could walk there. He will probably say no, but if he says yes, ask if he could walk there and back. At thst point, he will probably look at you like you sprouted a 2nd head and say no.
If he says yes, he could, then ask if he would be able to wall there and back every day for as many days as you plan to go to the parks.

Many people have given me feedback that using that 'story' helped their loved one to see they needed an ECV or wheelchair since the average person walks between 3 and 9 miles per day at WDW. Many people really underestimate the distance or think if they get a GAC, it will really help, but there are many places you stand in line (bathrooms, restaurants) and a GAC won't help at all with that. And there are attractions like most shows, where you will stand for at least the length of the show while you wait to go in. Some have a few seats, but many have no place to sit unless you bring your own in. Even the places that have benches have no guarantee there will be a seat for you, even with a GAC.
The other think to think about isjiw long the walk is in some queues, even ID the wait is short. Soarin's line has been measured at over 1/4 mile. And that's just going in to that attraction; it's an equal distance coming out and to get into the Land building in the first place requires a walk ( or ride, if you have an ECV or wheelchair) up a very long, steep ramp. Going up that makes me short of breath and I have only a very mild heart problem.

In my experience, a GAC would really help very little and he really needs an ECV or wheelchair. WDw basically days thatin their publications and website where they suggest guests who have concerns about their ability to walk ir stand in lines should rent an EXV or wheelchair because the distances between attractions are much greater than the distances in line.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by SueM loves WDW

For stubborn people one thing I have suggested in the past that worked well was to pick out a place he knows well that is about 2 miles from home and ask if he could walk there. He will probably say no, but if he says yes, ask if he could walk there and back. At thst point, he will probably look at you like you sprouted a 2nd head and say no.
If he says yes, he could, then ask if he would be able to wall there and back every day for as many days as you plan to go to the parks.

.

Great reality check, Sue! It's good to see you again.

[mom2twingirlies]

Good suggestion with the "story". My DM was with us on our last trip and she too was stubborn. She doesn't have the heart problems, but does have the arthritis. She stuck with it for the entire vacation, but she was so SLOW, and even though she didn't complain, I know by the end of the trip she was hurting. I don't really understand why. Even if she had agreed to an ECV a couple of days I think it would have really helped, but she insisted. Good luck.

[mzozzietj]

That is a great idea with the story. MY friend's mom is wheelchair bound and didn't want to rent an ECV but for others to push her around while walking all those miles is too much on them. Luckily she finally gave in!