3 weeks to go: Tore ligaments in my ankle :down:

[Jen1984]

So, I'm right at the end of my countdown for mine and DBF's first trip as just the two of us, and today I have managed to tear a ligament in my ankle. To say I'm annoyed with myself is an understatement. My doctor has said this can take up to 6 weeks to heal, and we're leaving in 3 weeks. Our plan was to spend a lot of time wandering around Epcot and AK, and hopefully in the waterparks, so I'm really not sure where to go from here! I'm currently on crutches, which although a bit of a nightmare get me from A to B over here, but I'm not sure how I'll cope when in Orlando. We're staying at POFQ, which I know is quite small so I should be fine. What do you recommend for the parks? I don't want to be that 29 year old in a wheelchair, but even the thought of navigating the queues with my crutches is causing stress, let alone actually getting around the parks.

Any ideas? Or has anybody had a similar situation that they have coped with? Thanks in advance as always!

[faline]

Rent a motorized wheelchair from an off-site source and use that. It will make your life much easier, allow you the freedom to move yourself from point a to point b without anyone needing to push a chair, and won't tire you out as much. Don't worry about using the chair - in this situation you need it.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

Rent an ECV from an off-site company. Don't worry about it, or what people think. It is most important that you're able to enjoy the parks and the ECV will be the answer.

We had to rent a wheelchair on our last trip since DD had had ankle surgery. At home she managed with crutches and her knee scooter, but there was no way that would have worked for hours each day around Disney.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Yes my mom had her tendons replaced in her feet and did just fine with a Scooter. I recommend Apple Scooters they are cheaper than renting from Disney and will deliver to your hotel

[Itchy]

I agree with using Apple Scooter. We have used them a number of times. We had break down and responded with a replacement scooter within 30 min.

If order online you get their hazard insurance free.

Hope this helps...

[Disneyfun]

First, don't panic. Torn ligaments will take a good while to heal, I've torn almost every ligament in both ankles over the course of my life. The good thing is that you have 3 WEEKS till you leave! That is a good amount of time for some good healing to happen! You won't be 100%, but you will be much better than you are now!

Do everything that your doctor says - to the letter! What helped me last time I shredded an ankle were ice baths for my ankle - 20 minutes in, 20 minutes out of a bucket half water and half ice! Talk to you doctor about what will help you heal the quickest though cause everyone is different!

A couple days out from your trip, make a judgement call on how well you can get around. Renting an ECV from an off site place is definitely the best idea. You do NOT want to be wandering around the parks on crutches. Make sure to take a look at their websites to find out how much advance notice you need to give.

I hope you heal quickly! There are always worse places to spend your time with a sprained ankle!

[TheDuckRocks]

I'm siding with the rent a scooter from Apple group. I once used crutches on a trip to Hawaii due to a pulled Achilles tendon and I felt off balance and exhausted the entire trip. I like a scooter over a wheelchair as it lets me be more in control.

[PETE FROM NYC]

Another vote for Apple. DW and I are both handicapped, and have our own, but I used Apple several times before I had my own.
Last trip, DWs scooter broke down at WDW so we called Apple to rent one for the remainder of our vacation. It was delivered next morning.
I had researched many rental companies in the past and Apple, by far gives the best deal. And free insurance, too.
Just get comfortable riding it before you hit the park crowds.
Try going to Wallmart, or Target to get some riding experience first.

[Middle of the Map]

First, don't panic.
Do everything that your doctor says - to the letter!

I hope you heal quickly! There are always worse places to spend your time with a sprained ankle!

Good advice from Disneyfun. Couldn't have said it better.

Good luck to you.

[LVT]

You will need to prevent accidental bumps from the crowds as well. They can be painful. Overall a scooter sounds good. Feet in a wheelchair stick out and get hit. If you can walk a bit by then, you will control the swelling better with occasional very short walks onto the rides.

[Jen1984]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply, you've all filled me with a bit more hope for my holiday!

I have checked out Apple Scooters, and they look extremely reasonable to me- especially considering the day by day prices at the theme parks! I am walking slightly better on my ankle (and it looks like a very muddy rainbow at the moment!) but I think I'm definitely going to need to go down the ECV route.

One last question, we had booked a rental car and a night at a Universal hotel. Do you think I'll be better scrapping the rental car and arranging transport to Universal in this case, or just hire something to use for the day at Universal?

Again, thank you so much for all the brilliant advice, it means so much! I'm so glad I joined these boards!

[DonaldDuckUSA]

Everyone has pretty much given great input, but don't worry about being "the 29 year old in the wheelchair" or in this case, scooter. Its better than the miserable 29 year old on crutches.

Honestly, I think if you have the right attitude, you and your boyfriend will get plenty of laughs out of the trip. Hey, it's a new way to see Disney and it will be a good story. "Hey, remember the time we went to Disney and you were in the scooter?" Things like that make a relationship.

[Jen1984]

Everyone has pretty much given great input, but don't worry about being "the 29 year old in the wheelchair" or in this case, scooter. Its better than the miserable 29 year old on crutches.

Honestly, I think if you have the right attitude, you and your boyfriend will get plenty of laughs out of the trip. Hey, it's a new way to see Disney and it will be a good story. "Hey, remember the time we went to Disney and you were in the scooter?" Things like that make a relationship.

I think you're completely right, and my comment was a little mis-spoken- I was a little upset at the time, but I know that we'll have a fantastic time anyway- how could you not, we'll be at Disney after all!

[DonaldDuckUSA]

I think you're completely right, and my comment was a little mis-spoken- I was a little upset at the time, but I know that we'll have a fantastic time anyway- how could you not, we'll be at Disney after all!

I don't blame you for being upset at the time. I'd probably be a little frustrated too. I'm glad you've come around. Have a GREAT trip! I hope you post the report. :-)

[TheDuckRocks]

Keep in mind I am ancient. Years ago I watched an interview with David Lee Roth (frontman for Van Halen at the time). He was discussing the amount of work related time he spent traveling and why he still found traveling to be his favorite downtime activity. When asked about all the go wrong things that can happen when you travel, his answer was, "No matter how bad it may seem at the time, it will always be something that can become a funny story later."
There have been many, many times that I have had down sides when traveling and I always remember his words. So far I am still finding those funny stories.