AAAAAHHHHHHH!!! Getting around Disney with an Injury

GAH!! So sorry to hear about your injury! Grrrr!!!

First, Disney does rent things for you to use - and they have ECVs (Electric Convenience Vehicles). Here's a link with some more info:

http://allears.net/pl/ecv_faq.htm

I'm in need of a knee replacement in the near future (this after 2 not so successful knee surgeries in the past 8 months). My plan for dealing with 10 days of Disney is a cortisone shot tomorrow, my knee ice pack & brace, I start taking Celebrex tomorrow to help with inflammation, and I have pain pills just in case.

Keep us posted!

That stinks. I hope you won't have to have surgery.

You can rent wheelchairs and scooters at the parks. I believe the rental is only for the day and first come first serve. There are outside companies you can rent from for your entire stay, and they will deliver it to your resort. I'll see if I can find the name of the companies.

Just tell your mom "well it ain't gonna cancel it!" You may be able to call WDW guest Services and they can give you more exact info. Here are a few links. I know there is 1 really popular company that rents the EVC's. You see them all the time.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/wheelchair-rentals/

http://www.scootaround.com/rentals/d/disney2/index.htm

http://www.scootorlando.com/

Hoping you have a speedy recovery.

I actually just had knee surgery 2 months ago! Patella Re-Allignment after my knee was dislocated playing football. I hope it isnt too bad and lots of times it can be orthoscopic (i was lucky and got an 8 inch incision lol) I would definetly go by what the doctor says. I had a habit of not listening to doctors and I ended up hurting some injuries a lot more then they were in the beginning by pushing it too far! Im crossing my fingers it will be a quick recovery! At least with a wheel chair or scooter you wouldnt need to find a bench for a seat!

Good Luck!

Also, no matter where you get your ECV/wheelchair from, make sure to visit a Guest Relations on the first day of parks once you get there. They will give you a pass and some advice on how to make the day easier for you and your family!

Hope you are feeling better soon and that Disney still works out for you

I found out a had stress fractures in my leg about three days before one of my Disney trips.
What I did was rent a wheelchair from an outside company that I picked up at my resort the night I got there and kept for my whole stay. I can't remember the company name but I think my mom found out about them by calling guest services at Disney. I would recommend that over renting chairs in the park partly cause of convenience and partly just cause there chairs in the park just didn't seem all that nice to me.
When you get to the parks stop in at guest services right away. They can give you a guide that will tell you which rides are wheelchair accessible, which rides you need to transfer onto, and any rides that do not have a wheelchair accessible entrance.
And I have to say that it was quite easy to get around most places in a chair. A few of the shops were kind of tight though. And Animal Kingdom gets exhausting cause of all the hills, But as long as you have someone to push you sometimes, you'll be just fine.

Oh no!! I hope everything goes well and you're not in pain!

Our son broke his foot a week before our Disney trip and we were going to cancel. His doctor said no way, put him in a waterproof cast and told us to go!

Look into this article on WDWFG about GAC cards!

You'll do great in Disney with an ECV and Guest Assistance Card, don't even stress about it. The scooter place should bring it right to you. Every morning you just hop in and away you go! I find boats and monorails easier to travel on than buses if you have a choice. Disney is very easy to navigate in an ECV, the only problem I ever have is inside some of the stores. Even then though there's usually one main path that you can fit through.

The biggest thing that I can offer as advice in touring in an ECV is that you need to pay *LOTS* of attention to people around you. Quite honestly, people just don't pay attention to what's around them in Disney (too busy soaking up the magic) if you don't pay attention you'll hit them because they stepped in front of you. Other than that you'll still have an amazing time. Oh.. and get killer parade spots. LOL.

You will get addicted to that basket though, it's nice not having to lug things around.

One other tip with ECV's that is obvious but just don't forget it is *Drum Roll Please* make sure to recharge it overnight at the resort.

We rented a wheelchair last year and my dear sweet man pushed me around the park all day. We opted out of one of the motor scooters because Its bulky and we didnt feel it would be good with kidlet. In the end it worked out well. Make sure you go to the front of the park when you get there and go to the concerge desk to get a handicap ride passs. You'll be able to cut most of the lines with your family. That made being at disney on a broken leg pretty slick. I brought a doctors note for this as well.

Also make sure to bring something to distinguish your ride! We added a big pink pirate flag to the back of mine! Made it super easy to point out when we got off the rides.

I love your pirate flag! I've always thought about how I could temporarily personalize the ECV. That's a fun idea!

Before Jan got her own power chair we used these folks with good results.
Walker Mobility Orlando
1-888-scooter
Good luck
Joe

I have back and knee pains from sports injuries and if you're doing long days, I suggest a heat patch. It sticks on to the area and heats it up, loosening the muscles and making it feel better. And it's not too hot that it's uncomfortable. You can get them at Walgreens!

Its like I always say about my bike "Every Pirate Needs a Ride". I figured we're at disney I'm holed up in this crappy chair I'm going to make it fun and easily recognizable. So many people told us the flag was cute. We also stayed in a pirate themed room at the carribean. It was a good trip

Have fun and good luck!