I have a question for all of you wonderful people out there. I am going to be at DLR 12/6-12/9 with my family (10 of us including myself). My grandmother is 72 and has a bum foot but is refusing to let me get her a wheelchair to use. Can anyone suggest some pluses/minuses to using a wheelchair in the parks as I have not ever done that. I am looking for a way to convince her, as I would really like her to enjoy what will probably be her last trip to Disney (her words not mine).

Thanks in advance.

Well, obvious plusses: Grandma doesn't get tired from walking around and standing in line all day. That's tough when you're 25 and in perfect health, let alone 72 with a bad foot. You get a SAP (special assistance pass) which allows you special access to all attractions, skipping long lines. Grandma's lap makes an excellent shopping bag holder :D

Obvoius minuses: Someone's gotta push. That can be tiring. If you have more than one person with her, you can share duty. It's can be more frustrating to navigate through crowds. It costs money, though it's reasonable. There's a steep deposit ($75ish, if memory servers), but you get that back if you return the thing, and all tolled, it's about $25 (or less?). And, of course, the largest potential negative, angry Grandma. If she really doesn't want it, forcing her into aint going to do you much good. Tell her the advantages, but if she says no, smile and say okay.

Take a look at the FAQ in my signature line - there is a section in there about wheelchair and ECV use, and convincing people to let you help them when they need it. I would strongly recommend an ECV, but....

As someone who has traveled to Disney with elderly and special needs relatives, in addition to dealing with my own limitations, I have to remind you... people get set in their ways, and sometimes logic does not work. You may want to Share the Magic, but they may just want to hang out and watch Jeopardy instead.

But if this is really her "last trip to Disney" and you want to help her make it special, please remind her that she is there to be with the family, not to test her endurance or her pain threshold. Being with the family is the number one goal -- not riding the rides, not eating at the best restaurants, not buying the best souvenirs and collectibles. If it is going to be her last trip, then by gosh, make it special! And make sure she is as comfortable and included as she wants to be.

Thank you all for your advice. I will take all of this into consideration...

Geez, my mom is the same way. She needs a chair and won't accept it. I have thought about getting her drnk and placing her in a chair but then who wants an angry drunk old woman being pushed around the park. ECV would be a better choice so that she could feel in control. I think the easiest thing though is to write off the day as a oss. YOU are not going to be able to do the things you want to and if you do, you will feel guilty as hell and not enjoy it. If this is for Grandma, go with her at her own speed and remember she will probably wqant to rest occaionally. I think you wll find that Main Street alone will be the most satisfying for her. Unless yo pick a busy day, it will be the most quiet. You know, you migt find a lot more in Disneyland taking it in at her speed. Kind of that stop and smell the roses type thing.

Originally posted by Ghoulish Delight
There's a steep deposit ($75ish, if memory servers), but you get that back if you return the thing, and all tolled, it's about $25 (or less?).

That's only for the ECV, isn't it? I've never rented one of those at the DLR. For a regular wheelchair, I believe the cost is about $7, with a refundable deposit of about $20.

It is about $7 for a wheelchair, if I remember correctly. But the park wheelchairs can only be used at the park, not outside the gates. That can definitely be a problem for some people, so outside rentals, or wheelchairs available on a first-come-first-served basis from the onsite resorts are a better idea. I believe the park rate for an ECV is around $35 a day, plus refundable deposit, but again you have to leave it in the park. There are no ECVs available through the hotels, but you can rent from outside agencies that deliver to the resort.

For everyone who thinks that your day with your elderly relative will be shot and you should just write it off, your reading assignment for the next week will be Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573227846/pixiedustinnc-20) by Mary Pipher. :)

I absolutely love spending time with my grandmother. She is a wonderful woman and I am looking forward to going to the Magic Kingdom with her and the rest of my family. I just know how bad her foot can hurt and I am trying to do what is best for her. Hey, she still plays 18 holes of golf (with cart) at least once a week. I am just going to do Disney at Granny's pace and I might just see something that I have not seen before. :p

Originally posted by golfgreg74
I am just going to do Disney at Granny's pace and I might just see something that I have not seen before. :p

That sounds like a great plan. Have fun!

If she can handle a golf cart, an ECV will be a piece of cake. :)

Originally posted by teri

For everyone who thinks that your day with your elderly relative will be shot and you should just write it off, your reading assignment for the next week will be Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573227846/pixiedustinnc-20) by Mary Pipher. :)

Thanks Teri, I ordered the book. I guess I was a litle harsh when I said to write off he day. If I can give my elderly mom one day of leasue it is well worth it. Besides, like I said, takinit at her speed helps me enjoy the park that much more.

Such a good son. :)

It is about $7 for a wheelchair, if I remember correctly. But the park wheelchairs can only be used at the park, not outside the gates. That can definitely be a problem for some people, so outside rentals, or wheelchairs available on a first-come-first-served basis from the onsite resorts are a better idea. I believe the park rate for an ECV is around $35 a day, plus refundable deposit, but again you have to leave it in the park. There are no ECVs available through the hotels, but you can rent from outside agencies that deliver to the resort

At the Disneyland Resort, if you need to use the wheel chairs to get to/from the tram, a cast member will walk out with you, after checking your chair back in and take it back, this also works if you need to go to the other park and can't walk that far, although it's fairly close. The other option is if you are staying in one of the Disney owned hotels, they have thier own wheel chair rentals available, which can be used throughout the resort.