Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

[DarkRider]

Going back to DL a week from Friday, despite having a nasty stress fracture in my ankle. In order to prevent my beloved from having to push me around in a wheelchair, I'm renting an ECV. I'm ambulatory when necessary (I'll have my cane and the big ortho boot), so getting from the ECV to ride vehicles won't be a problem.

Anyone else been through this before? Any advice?

[stinkerbell]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

I wish I could help you! You might want to search the Disneyland Forum for "wheelchair" posts and sort them by post (not thread, you'll be reading all day). I don't think you can search ECV, because it's only three letters.....or maybe you can.

[poohnpiglet]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

So while at costco I saw that they have a fold-up cane and I was thinking that would be handy at DIsneyland if you need a cane. When at the park last week I did notice that some people were having trouble on the ecvs because of the crowds. If it gets to tight she could probably help clear a path. We did this with our stroller. We had one of us walk slightly in front so no one got their ankels banged and no one could stop in front of the stroller either.
Good luck and have fun!

[Jessicalover]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Never done it at DL but a year ago I had to use one down at WDW. I had a bad stress fracture in my right ankle and I had torn the flesh from my left leg from the knee to the calf during a bad accident on a diffrent vacation. It went fairly well using it down there.

[Shoppingbear]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Darkrider, two things:

1) there was a quite... uhhh... lively thread not long ago, there's much info there: http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37831

2) I have had many, MANY conversations with disabled people at Disneyland and DCA, especially since that thread (I don't mind talking to strangers, and since we're stuck in some disabled line together anyways, I usually end up in conversation with them that inevitably turns to our respective experiences as a disabled person at DLR), and boy, every single one has at least one "problem": getting on a ride, a CM asking inappropriate questions, people running into them because they don't see the ECV or wheelchair in a crowd. Overwhelmingly, the people I talk to seem to feel it's easier with an ECV than wheelchair, because you're a bit higher up and because people seem less likely to run into YOU... if they run into the front of the ECV, at least it doesn't hurt!

[Mr. Dark]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

One tip: practice.

Go to your local grocery store or super Wal-Mart, especially after hours when they're stocking, and ride around in thier ECV's.

Practice turns, stopping, moving through tight spots, parking, etc. They won't be exactly like the ECV's at Disneyland (probably WAY less powerful...those D-Land ECV's can -zoom- from what I've seen) but it'll at least give you a chance at a dry run without having to do it with small children as obstacles. (That's the key to going during stock times...boxes and palettes around, people darting in and out...it's a ready-made obstacle course!)

[DarkRider]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Thanks for referring me to the other thread. Through the arguments over who was being the most insensitive, I managed to learn a few things.

One answer I can't find: Are there electric wheelchairs available? I'd prefer one to an ECV. The other thread talks like there might be, but I don't see them listed in the official DL HA guide.

Mr. Dark, thanks for the info on "trying out" the ECVs. I've done just that at my local Von's a few times.

[Shoppingbear]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Yeah, that other thread got painful. There IS something to learn even from that, though: you have to go into this experience (going to DLR as a disabled person) with as thick a skin as you can muster, because people will be insensitive. Unfortunately, that's just reality.

No, I've never seen or heard of electric wheelchairs being available for rental at DLR (I rented ECVs and manual wheelchairs and that's all they had last February and March), but there might be at some of the outside rental places mentioned in that thread.

I hope your visit is a smooth one, let us know how it goes!

[DarkRider]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Will do! It's definitely a first for me (the HA experience, I mean).

[CUatDL]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Going back to DL a week from Friday, despite having a nasty stress fracture in my ankle. In order to prevent my beloved from having to push me around in a wheelchair, I'm renting an ECV. I'm ambulatory when necessary (I'll have my cane and the big ortho boot), so getting from the ECV to ride vehicles won't be a problem.

Anyone else been through this before? Any advice?

I use an ECV each and every time I go to DL. I used to rent from Disney, but it got to where I needed a scooter (ECV) more often so I got my own. Now I just transport my own to DL, wheel to the tram, then on into the parks.

I also use a fold-up cane for some side-trips (pit-stops, some attractions and what-not). Using the ECV makes all the difference to me when going to DL, in fact it really makes it possible, without it, it just would not be possible now.

The most difficult thing is the buffetteria type eating places. I like to eat at full service places, because it is very difficult to ride the scooter, or use a cane and carry a tray.

If this is a vacation type trip, and you will be staying close to DLR, I would suggest you rent your ECV from a local rental company, instead of Disney. Reason, well, if you have it all the time, you can use it not only i the parks, but to get to/from your hotel to the parks. But, if you are not staying close to DLR (walking distance) where you need to take some transportation to DLR I believe you might be better off renting from Disney.

Have a great time at DL

CU@DL

Andy

[Zeus]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

the good thing about a cane is that it works the same as a GAC card, it will get you priority entrance / fastpass entrance to any attraction...so long as the cast member working at the entrance of the attraction you're boarding is'nt new and knows this & is paying attention

[Loomis]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Play the sympathy card at every chance you get.

Who knows what once-in-a-lifetime perks you may experience!?

[TikiRoomLiz]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

I recently went to DL and rented an ECV. First word of advice is to get there early! They're not going to run out right away, but the line to rent them is for strollers/wheelchairs/ECV's. And they don't have electric wheelchairs, just manual wheelchairs and ECV's.

If it is a crowded day you will have to slow down because of the people not aware that you are coming through, and believe me that the little horn they put there is hardly heard, so you'll be having to say excuse me a lot (or have a friend clear the way for you up ahead).

Having a cane does help you quite a bit, and you'll need it for rides like Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones. The first time I couldn't walk much, so it was fun going into the Haunted Mansion with my ECV ... plus they stop the ride for you if you can't walk on the conveyor ... and let you through the entire ride from the start to get on your ECV. Then you're taken to the elevator to make it back upstairs ... and it was fun being able to race around an empty elevator and watching the pictures unshrink. Indiana Jones is a bit trickier, you'll go in through the exit and then as you get close to the line there will be an elevator you will get on, and you HAVE to get off your ECV. Get on the elevator, walk across and then down another elevator to the ride.

Mostly all the rides at DL have you going in through the exit, and Cast Members have been very good with me in my two times at the park with an ECV. I suggest you stay away from tight, cramped eating places as it is difficult to maneuver through some of them. I don't know what I was thinking going to the River Belle Terrace in one of those things. And the Tiki Room access for the ECV is a bit tricky as well, pretty tight and a tricky turn.

Other then that, I have to admit that even though I was limited I did have fun and was thankful for the accomodations.

Hope you have fun, and let us know how your trip turns out!

[DarkRider]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

Thanks for the great advice, everybody. It's a day trip (I live in San Diego), and I could probably navigate DL blindfolded at any other time, but this is going to be a completely new experience. I'm actually looking forward to this trip because it will give me a different perspective.

My wife will be with me to run interference. The meal thing won't be a problem - we're doing our usual: Blue Bayou for our big meal and snacks the rest of the time. I can barely manage the counter service places when I don't have a cane!

[Dustysage]

Re: Yes, I'm going to be one of those people...

You'll be fine. There are a few rides that are harder to transfer to than others, but since you are a Disneyland regular you'll be able to figure that out on your own. At Disneyland, you usually enter from the exit (unless you want to park the ECV and stand in line). At DCA things are different and you usually go through the main line. If there is any question, please see Guest Services, they have information regarding the accessibility of the attractions at each park.

Have a great day and hang in there!

-Dusty