Going to Disney for my 40th birthday and have a dilemma you'd all understand.

[*kana*]

Hello,

I have been on dialysis for a year now and planning a trip to disneyworld to celebrate my birthday.  I have a small issue that is really upsetting me and I need confirmation that it is ok.  I am on PD and work full time, however, I don't think I will be able to manage walking the parks for 5 days!   My husband keeps telling me that it is ok for me to rent a scooter, but I don't feel that I am that disabled.  I guess I just can't face the fact that I am to a small degree.  I am a little over weight, look much younger then my true age and I don't want people to judge me and think I am just fat and lazy.  If you all ever going to Disney would you feel bad about using a scooter?  I also like to blend in with the crowd and know I will get more attention.  I just need reassurance that I do have a condition that justifies renting a scooter.  Thank you kindly.   

[RichardMEL]

kana I think you should go and do what works for you to *ENJOY YOUR TIME THERE*

honestly if some bozo that you don't know and will never talk to thinks you're a lazy fat person then SO WHAT? It shouldn't matter (to my way of thinking) what others think! You and your husband know what the deal is and why you need it - besides you may only need it for one or two days if you get really tired!!

The holiday is for YOU to enjoy and get the most out of and shouldn't be about what others think of you I think. So go and enjoy.. if you need a wheelchair or scooter or whatever to help you enjoy your time there.. then I say do it. Fly a flag.... and be happy.

If you really want to make a point, maybe attach a little flag or sign to your rent (or wear a tshirt) about kidney failure or transplant. If people still don't understand stuff them. They won't say anything and you'll never see them again.

enjoy the trip and don't worry! That's what I reckon!!!

[kitkatz]

I used a scooter for a day in Disney land.  You will be so much better off using a scooter. You can use the exits and your wait time will be so much less. You will be so much more fun and be on more rides. You will be much more relaxed afer the day in the park. Remember kidney failure is a life disability and you should treat it as such.

[Rerun]

Get the scooter and while you are at it get the handicap palcard!  You are on PD, but I'm on Hemo and I say... If I have to depend on a machine to live I'll park where I want!

 

[silverhead]

Richard and Kitkatz said it far better than I could, You know why you might use it, who cares what strangers think?

[Hanify]

I used a scooter at Disneyland.  it was fine.  There were so many people using them that noone really took any notice.  I know what you mean though.  I wanted as sign that said I really am sick!  Just do it.  You won't be able to enjoy it if you don't.  Plus, you get to the front of the queues with a scooter.  There has to be an up side to this dialysis crap surely??? lol.

[RightSide]

It's not just the walking, it's the standing:

There are queues of visitors standing on line, waiting to get into some of the more popular attractions.  (Though maybe the ravages of the lousy economy will reduce the number of visitors a bit.)

Make sure you let Disney Land/World know ahead of time that you're disabled, and you would like to request special passes for the disabled.  Those will let you get to near the front of the queue if the queue is long.

[Restorer]

You're on manual PD, right? Have you checked with the people at Disneyworld about that? I've heard they'll give you access to a VIP private room right in the park to do your exchanges.

[RichardMEL]

You're on manual PD, right? Have you checked with the people at Disneyworld about that? I've heard they'll give you access to a VIP private room right in the park to do your exchanges.

gee that's a very enlightened policy if true - good for them!!!

[okarol]

I used a scooter at Disneyland when I was pregnant with my 4th child and was humongus LOL so it saved the day - I was able to keep up with my kids and my back survived!

[mikey07840]

I say you rent the scooter. If you are going to the park for 5-7 days it may be cheaper to rent by the week from a scooter company in FL. The park's daily rate is $45.00 per day.

[aharris2]

Fat? Lazy? Sick? Disabled? Handicapped? No, you simply need an accommodation - a scooter so that you can enjoy Disneyworld. If you are shy about what people might think, I thought RichardMel's idea about a kidney disease/kidney transplant/IHD shirt was an excellent idea!

We have been to Disneyworld here in FL a few years ago and my brother used a scooter. We were able to go to the head of the line (via the exit as Kitkatz said) for all attractions, same with Busch Gardens for this year's Hallo Scream.

When's your trip? It is still hot here (making that scooter that much more important) but it should let up in about 3 weeks.

Happy Trails!

[Darthvadar]

Go for it, Hon....

This is YOUR holiday, you're paying for it, and you should do it YOUR way!... As others have said, it's not just the walking, but it's the standing too... Also when you want to have a coffee, or a meal, the seats in most coffee shops aren't great, and when you're on PD good back support is vital...

So what if some narrow minded person thinks the worst???... It's none of their business... If they have time to worry about what you're doing, their own lives must be pretty empty!...

Go and enjoy your hoiday, use the scooter (or better still, powered wheelchair, they're smaller and easier for 'Learner Drivers'  to use)... Get every little bit of joy you can from it... God knows, you've earned it!...

By the way, I should declare an interest here... I use a powered wheelchair and wouldn't be without it!...

Have a great trip....

God bless...

Darth....

[KICKSTART]

Just think of it as another ride !!! ps its always been my dream to go there ..lucky you! hope you have a fantastic time !

[peleroja]

My goodness, Kana, why on earth do you care what others think of you?  I surely don't.  What people think can't hurt you.  Since I started using a cane due to balance problems, I find that many people actually do things for me, like holding doors, delivering my trays in fast food places, etc. Go, rent a scooter, and have the time of your life.   

[thegrammalady]

rent the scooter and enjoy yourself!!!!! who cares about other people, the park will treat you like a queen. last time i went it was 90 degrees. i had an asthma attack and couldn't walk from one side of the path to the other. i remembered about the scooters and went to get one. yes, they run your credit card, however if you return the scooter when you leave there is no charge. they only charge you if you leave it somewhere in the park.

things to remember:

 if you are moving people don't see you. so watch out for them because they will step right in front of you. if you are stopped they will give you lots of space.

you can get the scooter into most stores easily to look at stuff. if you can't the sales help will bend over backwards to assist you in whatever you may need.

you can access all rides through the "wheelchair" access which usually is the exit. they stop the ride for you and you get to go next. that took a bit of getting used to, because i was more than willing to wait and take my turn, i was just wheezing to badly to walk through the lines.

enjoy yourself, have fun

[glitter]

LOL I use a scooter in Walmart- and I am not disabled, but my knees hurt real bad. When I went to Grad night at Disney as a chaperone, I used a scooter, it was 45.00, and it made my night easy and fun. I am fat, but I don't care what people think, I only care what I think. And a scooter is the difference to my having fun or being miserable. I don't think you have to justify it to anyone. 

[Hanify]

And yes they have private rooms at Disneyland where you can do your exchanges.  they were absolutely fantastic when I was there.  I could have just gone there for a lie down had I wanted.  The staff even knew all about dialysis, so it was no problem explaining what I needed.

[Goofy]

I have a great idea for the sign RM suggested.  Put a sign on the scooter that says........I'll trade you my scooter for your kidney!!  I think they'd get the point.

[RichardMEL]

I have a great idea for the sign RM suggested.  Put a sign on the scooter that says........I'll trade you my scooter for your kidney!!  I think they'd get the point.

now THAT's a great one! I love it!!! 

[lizabee]

My mom always got a wheelchair (we went to FL every year) and even though she was embarrassed about it, she didn't have a choice, that is a lot of walking!  I wouldn't feel bad about renting one if it's what you feel you need to do to get around, however you are comfortable and can enjoy the parks.

[marti824]

http://www.rentascooterinorlando.com/

this is one of the many rental places.  Last time I rented one, it was about $200 for the week. It may be slightly higher now, however, it helps not just for the parks but if you want to go to the malls it's wonderful.

I don't rent them anymore, because I broke down and bought myself one.  Best money I ever spent. They're not as expensive as you may think.  I have a hard time walking and standing for long periods of time, and the scooter allows me a great amount of freedom.  You will find that most people do not even pay attention to you, they will walk right in front of you, you're just another body in their way.  Don't feel embarrassed to ride the scooter, it will make a world of difference in the time you'll have at Disney.

Anyway, I am babbling, but, point is, think about you and your family.  If you have to leave the parks early because you can't walk anymore, what good is it to them.  Have  wonderful time and happy Birthday!

[Wenchie58]

Easy response for me....it's YOUR birthday....it's YOUR time at Disney.  Do what you need to do and enjoy yourself!  And...last but not least....TAKE ME!!!  We could get two scooters and race!  Enjoy your trip!
 

[petey]

I vote that you get the scooter!  It will make your visit easier and more enjoyable for YOU.  And this trip is about you and about your having fun.  I do, however, like the sign of "I'll trade this scooter for a kidney."  If anybody looks at you funny or stares like they're wondering if you really need a scooter, wave to them -- or better yet, shoot them the bird.  Go and have a ball!  Enjoy every minute you can!

[*kana*]

I can't thank you all enough for the caring support that you have shown me.  I have been doing a lot of reading about Disney and they say that it is grueling even for a healthy person. 
I will go ahead and rent that scooter and be proud that I am doing it for me and I deserve to have a fun "relaxed" vacation. 

We are going in January. 

Yes, I do manual exchanges and wondering how that all worked.  I read they let you exchange at the first aid station, but I like the VIP suite better.  I feel that Disney really does care about people with disabilities and look forward to getting away! 

I wish I could take you all with me!  I love the scooter race idea.   

Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me!