Disney trip

[engy]

My family & I decided to take a Disney World trip next weekend for 6 days.

My doctors have all suggested I use a wheelchair.

I do not use one in my daily life so feel kind of strange but they insist I will need it to ward off fatigue & a flare.  I already do not do well in heat & sun so they think this will help elliminate my walking.

Does anyone have any experience using a wheelchair at Disney? Do I stay in it at restaurants?

I plan on getting out of it for rides but this seems so new to me I need some suggestions.

I want to enjoy this vacation with my hubby, daughter & mom but I don't feel disabled.

Thanks wonderful friends for any advice or ideas!

[Gayle]

Hi
It will be good to use. The heat, sun and lines are crazy. Being in a wheelchair you will get different lines and help into the rides, etc. In the restaurants you should stay in it or if it folds, fold it and keep near the table. The restaurant staff will help! You will have a good time but I agree... use the chair! You are not disabled but need some help. You will really need more than a chair if you try walking that place. Take a coolie bag with icepacks and freeze water too. Take a fan, paper or something to fan with, a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen and have a great time!!!!
Gayle

[engy]

Thanks Gayle,
This is a big step for me going on vacation but we really need some time away.

Your post made me feel better about using the wheelchair. I know I couldn't even make it after 1 ride walking with the fatigue & neuropathy & heat. I don't know why I was shocked my doctors told me to use a chair?!

We are bringing a small backpack to carry small fan, ice packs for my neck, snacks, etc.

It feels like a step back because I only briefly used a wheelchair when I was really sick. I know I'm much better but seems like a step back. I'm trying to tell myself to stop worrying about everything & enjoy!
Thanks again, Carie

[Gayle]

Hi Carie,

I am not sure if you have been there before but I think your Dr's have or they know what it's like. I think it actually takes a minimum of 3 days to really see WDW. I lived in Orlando for many years. I last went to WDW in 1990 and while I didn't know what was wrong then, I hated every step after about 2 hours. I wish I had got a chair then but not even knowing anything was wrong... well it didn't happen. (One line I stood in for over an hour!)  You will have a good time if your careful! The chair will be a benefit to you and your family as lines will go quicker for all of you!  We all need help sometimes and this is a great chance for you to have fun with the family. It will be fine! It is not a step back, it is a small leap for your family forward!
Have a wonderful time.... M I C... see ya real soon, K E Y, Why? because we love you! M O U S E.... Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse fa la la la da do!
Gayle

[Joe S.]

A wheel chair in your party gets you to the head of the line at Disney. If we went now I would definitely rent a wheel chair at Disney. The walk from the parking lot to the park can be very challenging. Bring your floppy sun hat. Shade is at a premium.

[slccom]

Please consider renting an electric scooter. It gives you the freedom to do what YOU want to do, not what the pusher wants you to do. Er, chair pusher....

Sharon

[JakeL]

I think an electric scooter would be a lot more helpful.
But I am really glad that you are finally going on vacation that sounds really exciting.
I really hope you have a blast!

[engy]

Thanks everyone!

I'm not sure if I'll do chair or scooter but I'll let you all know!

I'm so excited

[eyeamdry]

I go to exercise with a lady who also has Sjogrens and a half-knee replacement.  I have both replaced.  We both get around, but are not into walking far.  She told me that when she and her husband went to the Mall of America, she rented a motorized scooter for about $60 (part might have been a security dep) and when she wanted to go into a store, she just parked the scooter and had her husband sit on it until she was done.  This sounds so good, I want to make this trip soon.  Lucy

[engy]

I'm enjoying my third day at Disney!
I got a wheelchair at my hotel to use all week & it has been a blessing. Since I have a strong , in shape hubby we passed on the motorized scooter & have done well.

We are getting to parks early & leaving after lunch to rest at hotel during hottest part of the day. It has worked well as our hotel on the monorail system. We have been going back in the evening when its cool but tonight watching fireworks from our balcony.

They have done a great job at getting us gluten free food that has been fabulous!

The lines are ok- some I get on quicker with wheelchair but most same wait time & A Small World was twice as long.

So worth it for me not to have to walk & be more fatigued or get my heartrate up & bp down.

Hope the rest of my trip goes as well & all of you are doing well too.

Never thought I'd be able to make it through Disney but I am & having a blast!!

[Joe S.]

I am glad that you are enjoying your trip!

[Jennyfoo]

I'm new here, but wanted to say that I'm glad you got the chair & that you're having a great time. I went to Disneyland years ago, before I was so sick, but I'd had ankle surgery 2 months prior & had a severe case of plantar fasciitis & achilles tendinitis(due to the Ankylosing Spondylitis, I'd not been dxed w/ yet). I was too proud & stubborn to rent a wheelchair. I was in agony the whole time. Of course I forgot to bring my pain meds too.

We're planning a trip for Thanksgiving week. Our youngest hasn't been yet & he's just barely tall enough to ride almost all the rides now. I'm definitely going to be using a wheelchair this time.

I hope you're still enjoying your trip.

-Jenn

[engy]

I'm home from my trip & it was a blast!

I did use wheelchair the entire time but still overdid it & missed dinner the last night. However, when my family returned I went down to our beach and sat on the hammock with hubby & watched fireworks from there! It was wonderful even being exhausted.

The ride home was very tiring & rough but I'm home & planning on resting a few days now. I have a headache & sore throat starting so that's my que to chill!!

Jenn, use the wheelchair and have fun!

[Bucky]

Carie - glad you enjoyed your trip to Disney World!!   

Hope the weather cooperated for you and it wasn't too hot.

Relax and rest up . . . .

Bucky