We're going! Still some heart-to-heart questions...

[smallworld0]

Can you believe it?! We booked a non-stop flight from Columbus, OH to Orlando and back, leaving March 18, returning the 23rd. We got a great deal on a mid-size SUV (Ford Escape) for 5 days at Budget for $164 - total w/fees and taxes. We're staying offsite, but at our favorite Radisson Resort Parkway, about a 5 minutes drive to WDW, with lots of restaurants up and down the 192 strip. YAY!!!!!

Anyway, Gary is still tired and recovering slowly. I think if we take it slow and us FastPass he should be good to go; however, if we're in line and he gets tired is there anything we can do or any CM we can ask for help? I know there's a special line for people with disabilities, but this doesn't really qualify and I don't want to take up precious space there. However, does anyone have a suggestion of things we should/can ask for to keep him from getting overtired?

Thanks,

Nancy

PS - I'm really going again????!!!!

[MissBianca]

Wow! Yay! Sounds like it's going to be a blast! I'm so delighted Gary feels up to the trip. It should certainly help him feel like a kid again.

If your budget stretches far enough, you could consider an ECV. By not walking between attractions, Gary would save his energy for the queues. Just leave the ECV with the strollers. I've been on two trips when I didn't have the energy to do a whole day and an ECV is the way to go!

Another suggestion is that he considers bringing along one of those folding chair-canes. They can be used as both a cane--if he's only a little tired he can help himself along with it--and a seat. They're quite narrow so would fit in most queues without trouble.

Otherwise, avoid crowds and "standing" attractions. Crowded lines are most likely to have extra Cast Members, but you can't count on there being a place to rest that won't lose your place in line. Work on Moley's famous "Lazy Butt" touring plan. And think about visiting some of the less crowded attractions and soaking in the atmosphere!

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Miss B has a great idea with the ECV. That way he will not over do it.

LindaC :sun:

[sandar]

Nancy,

I can't top the ECV and Lazy Butt Touring suggestions, which I think are perfect. :D

Just wanted to jump in here to say that I'm really glad for you and for Gary that you're able to go! I hope that you have a wonderful vacation together. :sun:

Sandi

[Barb D]

My husbnad has muscular Dystrophy and he doesnt like to use wheel chairs or EVC but I think it would be a great idea if he is up to it. His reason for not liking it is people tend to cut him off and he feels like hes being walked all over. he once used a wheel chair in MGM. We have instead taken a more lazy butt way to see things lately.

Our touring plan is to get there early. We ride a few rides. Then we try to get in a show so that we are sitting. If nothing is around to sit and watch we sit and people watch with an ice cream or something yummy. Often He will sit in a location while i run and get us both a fast pass for later. We always go back to the hotel about noonish and rest/swim until about dinner time. Then we tend to do a few things in the evening. Its not uncommon to do at most 5 attractions in a day since we sit a bit more. I try to stand in lines when possible and have him join me later in the line. FOr example if we go to a show like the Lion king in Animal Kingdom if he isnt up to standing I will do the waiting in line and he joins me later when its time to go in, or he has been known to sit down in the line (LOL we are 40 something too) I have to help him up though.

Also my husband finds it helps to take some of his pain medicine with us and he takes one before we leave for the park. The most important thing is take it slow and be satisfied with doing less. Once you discover people watching you will feel like it is an attraction in itself :-)

Barb

[Smiley]

Just in case you are curious about ECV rental places, I rented a heavy duty ECV from Randy's Mobility for 1 week for $180.

Of course there are other places, plus you can rent them onsite if you do not want to have to take it apart and lift it in an out of your rental. You should note though, that the ones on site are rented quickly, so the earlier that you arrive, the better chance you will have of getting one...

The other choice is a manual wheel chair, which they should have plenty of for onsite rental.

Have fun!

[BetsyAnn]

Yea, nancy - you get to go to WDW! Have a great time!

I have agree with the ECV suggestions -- My story comes from my uncle who kind of stopped doing things with the family because he was in so much pain from a car accident injury. After much suggesting, gathering of information, and a few stories about WDW from his Disneyloving niece :winking: - he gave in and decided to come to WDW and to "try" a EVC.

He loved it :D - it allowed him to tour as long as he wanted to. He usually parked the EVC with the strollers and entered the line. A couple of attractions - the CM's had him drive in his EVC in. He would not have had the same fun experience without the EVC.

I have had the honor of touring with BarbD and her DH and their pace is almost perfect with the way I love to tour parks -- Hit one area, do what you want there then move to different area -- not always the fast way to get "everything" done but keeps oen from taking unnecessary steps!

[smallworld0]

Thanks everyone. All great suggestions, but I think we'll have to try BarbD's way of touring this trip. I suggested the 'Jazzie' mode of transportation, but M-E-N don't like to think they're incapable of getting around on their own. (Ladies, you know what I'm saying!) And, like BarbD mentioned, I have watched people with wheelchairs and EVC's being cut off. Sad in a place so 'magical' that some forget the true tenet of sharing it with everyone.

We've been Lazy Butt-type tourists for years at WDW anyway. I think we know every porch with rockers in MK and every hidey-hole for sitting in EPCOT. ;-) Thanks, BarbD for the good suggestions of how to manage line waiting.

Thanks again,

Nancy

[Rosebud]

BarbD wrote:
Once you discover people watching you will feel like it is an attraction in itself

You mean it's not?!? Silly me, I've always thought it was - and one of the better ones too.