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[TinkerbellsBFF]

My DH has his own Jazzy wheelchair which we are taking with us this upcoming trip. These wheelchairs do not have a key - they're just turn on/turn off. My question is, has anybody had any problems leaving their chair outside of a ride? I'm alittle freaked out about leaving it in the open. Besides tagging it with our name, address, etc is there anything else we should do?

[Jolin]

is there a bike lock that would lock the wheels in place and immobilizes it until you return?



:Edit: oops, power chairs... hmm

I think since you'll be leaving your chairs at the exits, the Cms will probably guard it in the sense that the visual of a Cm standing there by the chair unloading riders is a deterrent to theft. who'd be stupid enough to take a power chair in front of 200 people in the case of ISAW while getting off a standard boat.

[Sandra Bostwick]

I see chairs and scooters all over the place, and I've never heard of any being taken.

There are always CMs around, and you can ask one to keep an eye.

I wouldn't imagine that would not be the place anyone would steal a chair. There are cameras all over. ALso, one CM could send out a message to search for a certain chair and, in moments, every CM in the park could be looking,

Still, just for peace of mind, I might get a little bike lock, though. THat way you won't have to worry at all!

Hope you have a nice trip!

[taylan1]

We left our son's wheelchair outside POTC and had to use one of their wheelchairs and the CM's said they would keep on eye out. It was no problem. They have since changed the ride and you can take your wheelchair through the queue(?). Most of the rides let you do that now and keep the chair close by the exit. But we have not had a problem at all. The above posters are right, within minutes every CM all over the park will be looking for that wheelchair.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Still, just for peace of mind, I might get a little bike lock, though. THat way you won't have to worry at all!

Hope you have a nice trip!

I think you made the same mistake some of the others of us did and thought it was a manual wheelchair.
For a power wheelchair, just turning it off is often enough that most people would not know how to turn it on. If you disengage the motor so the wheelchair can be pushed, most people who do know how to turn it on may not know what to do to make it run. I know that has happened several times when my daughter has come home from school. (Make sure to re-engage the motors again before getting into the wheelchair so it doesn't roll).

BUT, I agree with the other posters that it is unlikely anything will happen to the wheelchair. There are some attractions that have wheelchair cars where his wheelchair can go right on the ride car with him. For other attractions, the wheelchair will be where he will be getting off (either he will board at the exit or the wheelchair will be moved there).
In most cases, the guests getting off will not even see it (even though it may be in plain sight). I have had 2 experiences where I was waiting at the exit with my daughter's wheelchair and can verify most people don't even see the wheelchair parked there. One experience was on Primeval Whirl where the rest of the family went on and I didn't. The other experience was at Haunted Mansion where I had gone in a different ride car than my husband and daughter. I got off at the exit and they didn't, so I stood at the exit waiting for them to complete a 2nd trip around. Possibly as many as 100 people walked by me - I would bet that none of them saw me or my daugher's wheelchair. Most people are so focused on getting to the next attraction that they don't see anything at the exit they are leaving.
Even if someone does see the wheelchair, they have no idea when the person the wheelchair belongs to will be coming. As far as they know, it might belong to the person in the next ride car. Also, for most attractions, the CM has a way to flag the ride car that someone with a wheelchair is in. THis is for fire safety/evacuation reasons. So, they would know if someone is taking the wheelchair before it should be gone.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Never had any trouble with leavong my ECV outside a ride either..

[tigger_03]

We left our jogging stroller while we went on rides/attractions last August. We only had it moved one time from where we left it (there were LOTS of other strollers/wheelchairs/EVCs left in the same place but when we came back out our stroller was no where to be found). I started looking all over the area and DH went to find a CM to help. Within a few minutes it was found and back in our position.

I had printed a sign, laminated it, and attached it to the stroller with zip ties.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by tigger_03

I had printed a sign, laminated it, and attached it to the stroller with zip ties.

Great tip!

[Laughaholic]

Great suggestions everyone! I think you can put your mind at ease if you plan on using the chair right up until loading.

To be honest, I would be nervous too, especially since the chair doesn't have a key. As Sue said, is there any way to switch a button on/off to make the chair a "manual" chair?

[jimmymac]

It will be fine outside the rides

[mechurchlady]

i agree that there is little chance of any chair being stolen. The worst that could happen is some kid playing on it or taking it for a spin. i have never had my ECV messed with any nothing taken. If you are worried about people messing with the controls then cover them with a towel, out of site out of inquisitive hands.

[taylan1]

Your chair should be fine. There is a possibility that a CM might move it because they do sometimes move the strollers, etc. so don't panic if it is not in the exact spot you left it but other than that it should be fine. Have a wonderful trip.