Worried about mobility on honeymoon About This Page:

[Mares75]

I'll give you a brief rundown first...I've had pain in my foot for a few months now, finally went to the doctor today, and got the diagnosis of arthritis. OTC meds don't help so she gave me an rx for Mobic, an anti-inflammatory. They're waiting for x-rays to come back to make sure I don't have any bone chips broken off, then depending on the severity and how well the new meds work maybe a referral to a podiatrist for possibly shoe inserts or cortisone injections.

We're off to Disney for a week next month for our honeymoon and I'm really worried about walking around all day. I was on my feet a lot at work recently and the next day my foot was swollen and walking was very painful. I'm worried after about 2 days of walking at Disney, I'm going to be in major trouble.

Any suggestions? I feel silly asking for special consideration. I don't know why but I feel like I shouldn't need it; like there's plenty of people out there that have much worse problems who GAC's and wheelchairs are for. Then again I don't want to ruin our honeymoon by being stubborn and end up not being able to walk. We'll take it slow and stop for breaks, ice at night should help somewhat to prevent swelling. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[jimmymac]

Have you considered renting a scooter? They're very easy to use

[Disneylover18]

well I understand what you mean about others needing it more I feel the same way about me and my knees the thing for me is there unpredictable and sometimes they end up not hurting nearly as bad as aticipated .... If I was you I would consider renting something only because you dont want to push youself so far and then be in pain for the whole honeymoon I think your best bet really is to get a scooter or a wheel chair I would hate to see your Honeymoon ruined jsut because of your foot have a great trip I hope your foot gets better make sure to keep us posted

[Minnie Lor]

If you need a scooter, then go for it. You can always wait and see how it goes for the first few days. I have something going on in the ball of one foot. It's been this way for a couple of years. When I walk too much or jog on it the pain really kicks in. I'm sure that you will plan on wearing very comfy, broken in shoes with good support. I like those gel inserts. I got some generic ones from Walmart and I use two gels per shoe.

Hopefully your med's will work and the doctor will have good news. for a wonderful honeymoon.

[iamgrumpy]

I used to worry about the same thing, "I shouldn't have to use this, there are others worse off" was my most common saying. I'd skip the scooter or wheelchair and try and grin and bear it but I'd end up in so much pain we spent more time "resting" in the resort just because I couldn't physically do the parks or much else.

After realizing how much time we spent not having fun in the parks because I was too stubborn to take care of myself, I looked at it differently. I do need to use the wheelchair or scooter because if I don't not only will I pay for it physically later, but I'll miss out on things I'd really like to do. I stopped paying attention to other people's reactions and of the times someone has said something or make it obvious that they didn't approve of it I have been very nice and stated "I'll trade you my joints, and you can decide if its necessary or not"

Long Story short (hopefully it made sense sometimes I miss the point ) Go, Use the Wheelchair or Scooter and get the GAC its your honeymoon and you shouldn't be in pain then or ever! that the meds work and they find a way to keep the pain level low for you!

If you do rent a scooter, please look into renting from offsite and having it delievered/picked up from your resort because they are much cheaper offsite rentals then renting in the park! If you need anything PM me anytime!

[mechurchlady]

Marriage is about love despite baldness, dentures, smells, weird looks, and disabilities so he should love you even if you are in an eCV. If not let me give him a good talking to.

Why not decorate the rental ECV. They come with cane holders and crutch holders. Do taht ECV up just like a limo after a wedding. I would put white lace or bunting on the basket and you could make a chair throw like a t-shirt that has wedding info on it for your seat. Heck why not tie some tin cans on the rear. Make it your wedding limo and deck it all out.

My personal ECV will have red white and blue bow and string of stars, numerous green mickey heads, key chains, and other goodies on it. She is unique and my styling. If I got to be stuck in it then I might as well have fun and do her up right.

You can hobble onto the cruise ships for a romantic dinner cruise. Most rides you can drive up and not have to get out of your seat until boarding. I wish I had a mate but am stuck with a Calvin, lol, nice baby brother type of dude. You will have lots of fun despite using a scooter. It is better to be on a scooter than to limp along in pain and finally so tired that you do not care if you ride Snow White 10 times as that is the shortest line.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I would get a ECV, why ruin your honeymoon with a bad foot??????????
Amy is right, being stubborn only hurts you..
I know from years of stubbornness!
Now my ECV goes where I go..

[Tracy M.]

If there's every a time to get in the wheelchair and keep yourself free of pain, your honeymoon should be it.

I don't think you'll find anyone in this forum that will tell you any differently. Do whatever you have to do to be as free of pain as possible and enjoy your time at WDW.

Years ago I blew my hip out one my first day on a WDW trip (bursitis) and I didn't rent a wheelchair. Looking back on it now it was totally unnecessary to be in that amount of pain for almost 2 weeks. I would rent a wheelchair in a heartbeat now if my hip made it too painful to walk around WDW.

[Mares75]

Thanks for the advice everyone! You've all made me feel much better. The x-rays came back ok, no bone chips or anything. The new meds are wonderful!! I've only taken them for a couple of days now but my foot is pain free! I can even bend it normally again. The only drawback is the meds make me feel kind of light headed and slightly queasy for about 5 hours. It's weird but both times I've taken it 5 hours later I feel fine. I'm going to try and start taking them at night so I'll sleep through the not feeling so good part. We're going to our local Six Flags next week so I'm looking at it like kind of a test. I'm seriously considering getting a GAC. Hopefully I won't need it at all but it would be nice to have just in case. I know people abuse those things but personally I'd rather not need it at all. Right now I'll see how it goes next week at Great America, and if I need to use a GAC or anything at Disney then so be it. I shouldn't worry about dirty looks from other people because from the outside I look completely fine. They can think whatever they want, they don't have to try and walk on something that feels like it's being stabbed with every step. Thanks so much everyone, you've been a great help!

[cindybelle]

I'm glad you're feeling better, but I still urge you to rent an ECV. I rode one in 2005 and only got a couple of "looks" because, like you, I appear to be fine and can walk and everything.

Will you have a rental car? My ECV could be folded down to fit into our car's trunk, so we took it from one park to another. We had it dropped off at CSR for the beginning of our trip, and then had it picked up at AKL which is where we ended our trip. We stayed one week, and that ECV made it possible for me to enjoy myself.

Have a terrific honeymoon, and enjoy the freedom an ECV can bring you!

[Laughaholic]

I know how you feel!

As stupid as I felt (and as dumb as it sounds) back a couple months ago I decided to wear flip flops EVERYWHERE in the parks. Bad idea! Our last day, I got a humongous blister on my foot and it was excruciating to walk. I rented a wheelchair, and DBF volunteered to push me around. I felt terrible renting one, as I really didn't have a medical condition, just was in a ton of pain.

Try not to feel bad if you decide to rent. What I did was just use the wheelchair and then park it with the strollers and walk through the lines, so it didn't look like I was abusing the system.

Have a great honeymoon!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Mares75

Thanks for the advice everyone! You've all made me feel much better. The x-rays came back ok, no bone chips or anything. The new meds are wonderful!! I've only taken them for a couple of days now but my foot is pain free! I can even bend it normally again. The only drawback is the meds make me feel kind of light headed and slightly queasy for about 5 hours. It's weird but both times I've taken it 5 hours later I feel fine. I'm going to try and start taking them at night so I'll sleep through the not feeling so good part. We're going to our local Six Flags next week so I'm looking at it like kind of a test. I'm seriously considering getting a GAC. Hopefully I won't need it at all but it would be nice to have just in case. I know people abuse those things but personally I'd rather not need it at all. Right now I'll see how it goes next week at Great America, and if I need to use a GAC or anything at Disney then so be it. I shouldn't worry about dirty looks from other people because from the outside I look completely fine. They can think whatever they want, they don't have to try and walk on something that feels like it's being stabbed with every step. Thanks so much everyone, you've been a great help!

First off, congrats on the wedding! Be sure to post some wedding photos for us to see.

I have to tell you that, from what people tell me, guest relations will ask you to rent a wheelchair or an ECV. Their reasoning is that walking around the parks is the real physical strain for some mobility issues, and standing in line is just a small part of the challenge. When you describe your pain it is "stabbing with every step", which sounds like you really do need the help with walking and not standing. A scooter will help with that!

Also, just as a suggestion if you decide not to get a scooter, while standing in line you can shift your weight off the involved foot by bearing most of the weight on the non-involved foot. You can lean on the rail to help you with that. Many of the attractions have a few benches in the queue that might provide seating, though you may have to nicely ask some kids to scoot over.

While walking, though, it is impossible to really keep the weight off the involved foot unless you hop around. You don't want to aggravate the foot to the point that it becomes painful and spoils your trip!

Hope your wedding and your trip are magical. Please don't forget to post those photos!

[mechurchlady]

You will pay for over doing it and meds make the problems stop hurting but the problem may exist. Get the GAC at the beginning of your trip and use it only if you need to use it. Rent an off site scooter to avoid the stress on the injured food.
I am paying today for Sunday at DLR, lots of walking and sun.

[Teresa]

I'd rent the scooter. You can then choose to not use a GAC. You can park the scooter, and wait in line with everyone else - meaning, no thinking "I can't use the GAC - someone out there is worse off than I am."
If that proves too much, then the GAC would be an option. Although, you usually don't need one if you have a scooter.