Using crutches at the parks... can it be done?

[SoCalTinkerbelle]

Yikes! Ugh thats what I get for posting at wee hours of the morning... sorry this is on the wrong part of the board! Forgive me!

Well, I posed a similar thread 4 years ago but my situation is different this time..

I had knee surgery 7 weeks ago and I am at the point when I'm at home/on flat ground, I can walk pretty well without crutches (Yay finally!). I use one or both crutches when I'm out and about, just in case I get bumped or encounter uneven ground. I am going to Disneyland tonight for a few hours with a friend. She does not want to push me in a wheelchair (she is a lot smaller than me) and I don't really want to cough up the money for an electric chair for 3 hours, or be a burden.
Is going to the parks on crutches *possible*? I know everyone's reaction is that it's silly and to just get a wheelchair.. But really, I am pretty mobile with the crutches. I just can't do stairs (well, I can, just verrrrrrry slowly) and I would be a little slow getting in/out of ride vehicles (like, I know I'd have to use the special rocket for Space Mountain since I wouldn't be able to get out of my seat as fast as they want you to in the stand by line), but I can get around.
What do I do with my crutches while I'm on a ride? Does the CM at the loading area "watch" them?
I guess I'll see how tomorrow goes.. If I need to, I'll probably break down and rent a wheelchair and hope for the best... I guess I am feeling the need to prove "I can do this" and not need any help, and also not want to force my friend to push me around.
If anyone's at the park tonight (Friday) and sees a tall blonde on crutches, say hi ;)

[WITron]

When I was at DL in OCtober, I was using both crutches and a wheelchair. When I would go on an attraction and had to transfer from my chair to the vehicle, the CM would take the crutches, once I was seated.

The biggest concern about being at DL on crutches right now is the crowds. With the bleachers set up for the premier, the walk ways in and around the Rivers of America are very congested.

[Drince88]

I think it really depends on what kind of day you're planning. If it's a park storming time - get a wheelchair or ECV. If it's a 'chill with my friend at DL day, and ride a ride or two', then you might be ok.

But also think about how you're going to feel tomorrow.

And WITron's right, the crowds/congestion may be a bigger issue for you than your mobility.

[trypticon]

It depends entirely upon how confident you are getting around with your crutches. If you're not used to them yet, or feel uneasy during certain moving situations, then consider what types of situations may occur in a park brimming with foot traffic. If you're confident you can get around just fine, rain or shine, then take the crutches: they will allow you to get around more quickly than the ever popular and widely abused wheelchairs.

[nbaum]

I think that would be different for everybody, it depends on how comfortable you feel doing it. Personally, I would get a wheelchair. Trying to navigate a large crowd on crutches would worry me.

[SoCalTinkerbelle]

Thanks guys :) I have been on the crutches for 7 weeks so I'm pretty comfortable walking with them. I have a horse and I'm out there daily walking the horse around and traveling around the ranch on crutches.
We are only going for a couple hours so I think I might be ok. We both have passes so it's not like we will be in a rush to get our money's worth.
I'll report back tomorrow!

[SoCalTinkerbelle]

Well I did it! The park wasn't too crowded, either. We got there a bit after 6, did Space Mountain and then walked over to Haunter Mansion past the ROA and checked out the Pirates bleachers and setup. Then Big Thunder, watched fireworks on main street, and then we walked the back way to Fantasyland and did most the rides there. Most the CMs were really great and even helped me with my crutches. The only problem I ran into was having to ask the CM on HM to slow down the walkway, since it apparently isn't the same speed as the doom buggys and I tried to step off and tweeked my knee. Other than that, I didn't regret skipping the wheelchair. Planning on going for a bit on Tuesday again, so I'll see how I do on a little longer trip.

[Malcon10t]

The only problem I ran into was having to ask the CM on HM to slow down the walkway, since it apparently isn't the same speed as the doom buggys and I tried to step off and tweeked my knee. Other than that, I didn't regret skipping the wheelchair. Planning on going for a bit on Tuesday again, so I'll see how I do on a little longer trip.If you tell them at the top of the stairs you need the walkway stopped, they will take you to the HA wait area, you will wait til the buggy 7-9 come around, then they will stop the buggies to load you, put a marker on the buggy and you will ride all the way around and unload at the loading area.

[SoCalTinkerbelle]

If you tell them at the top of the stairs you need the walkway stopped, they will take you to the HA wait area, you will wait til the buggy 7-9 come around, then they will stop the buggies to load you, put a marker on the buggy and you will ride all the way around and unload at the loading area.


Ahhh, see, no one told us that. The info paper they gave me at City Hall just said to enter through the regular line, and I even went up the porch steps (I can do stairs, just very slowly)... The CM there didn't say we should do anything different, and I didn't know to ask/tell them ahead of time. I walked with the crowd to the moving walkway, and when we got to it, asked the CM to slow it down, which he did right away, and that was no problem. I took my crutches with me, and when we got to the unloading area, I told the CM there I needed to take the elevator back up (even though I'd never done it, I knew thats what I would be doing), he said no problem. When we ended up back at the loading area, I tried to step off, went "ouch thats not gonna work, hey can you slow it down again?" and the CM there did. No big deal, I just wasn't told to go anywhere different on the way in (or to tell them I needed it stopped). I kinda think some CMs may see the crutches and think I'm faking, cause we saw a few people (with canes or knee braces) we weren't sure were legit, but I know we don't know for sure and shouldn't assume. I could have stood in the regular lines on most rides, I'm just slow to get in/out of vehicles, kind of have to drag my bad leg after me when I step out. Like on Space, I was glad to not be rushed. I was able to do Big Thunder, even after being a little worried when the CM said I had to get in or out in 30 seconds. It ended up being more than enough time.
If we do HM on Tuesday I will be sure to mention that to the CM at the stairs :) thanks!