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Low energy should not stop you from having a nice vacation!

You can have a perfectly wonderful vacation at Walt DisneyWorld or Disneyland with low energy, or even no energy, if you...

• Take it easy
• Pace yourself
• Plan for plenty of rest breaks and time to relax
• Just say NO to turbo-touring or commando-style touring
• Rent an ECV if you need to
• Make plenty of use of the resort services
• Ask for help if you need it - the Cast Members will do all they can
• Make an effort to understand why you are so low-energy and resolve to deal with it
• Accept and love yourself just the way you are, without feeling bad because you are not going at the pace of the people around you or that you are used to going yourself
• Let the people around you nurture you
• Eat well, rest, relax and take good care of yourself.

You will be OK, and your vacation will be very good for you.

How to pace yourself...

• If you have any kind of medical or physical condition that slows you down in your normal activities you should plan for fatigue at the Disney parks. Don’t let it stop you from going, or enjoying the attractions – make plans to accommodate your own level of energy, stamina, and ability to cope.You might need to plan on seeing about 1/2 to 1/3 of what others will see in the same amount of time, but you can see it more in depth and with more of a sense of enjoyment.
  
  
• Plan for several rest breaks in the form of sit-down restaurants, sit-down attractions, and air-conditioned pavilions. Use vehicles and mobility equipment that make transportation easiest for you in going long distances.
  
  
• Plan to return to WDW a few more times, so that you don't feel you have to see everything in one trip. Plan your trip, read all the guidebooks in advance so that you are aware of what the attractions are, their history, their features - it will not kill the spontaneity, believe me.
  
  
• Just say NO to commando/turbo touring.If others in your party are planning to 'attack' the parks, then take 2-way radios or cell phones so you can meet up with them later. Don't let them wheedle you into trying to keep up with them. Just say NO. There is plenty for you to see and do -- you don’t have to ride the rides to have fun at Disney World.
  
  
• Stay cool- take mister fans. You can cool off in restaurants, shows and pavilions.
  
  
• Never stop in the sun.You might consider taking an umbrella to use for instant shade.
  
  
• Try not to schedule too much into any day.Understanding that energy reserves are limited will make the trip better... some people try a little too hard to pack too much fun into a day, and it backfires.

• Consider renting an ECV for the entire length of your stay if you tire easily.The walking distances between attractions at the parks or within the resort can be enough to tire you out before you even get a chance to see the attractions. Using adaptive equipment does have social consequences, and you should be sensitive to the issues and not take it lightly. However, your goal is to have a vacation that is refreshing and restful and fun – try not to let pride or embarrassment keep you from having the vacation you need.

What if someone does not want to use a wheelchair or ECV?

I am going with a friend who has been ill, but she is embarrassed about using an ECV or letting me push her in a wheelchair. What should I expect?

Some people don't want to use an ECV or wheelchair, and you have to respect their decision. That probably also means that you are going to have to go at a slower pace, and pace your entire day around rest breaks and activities that involve being relatively stationary... which is fine, because you can do that at WDW, in style. I would recommend driving a car rather than using a bus, particularly if your friend feels achy. You can tell the parking attendant that you need to park next to the tram stop because your friend has special needs, which will cut the walking to a minimum. Get a GAC at Guest Services at the entrance of any of the parks for your length of stay, which will allow her to rest rather than stand in the queue if lines are long.You can also use this to let the parking attendants know that you need to park close; they will be even more accommodating. It is usually better this way than parking in the disabled lot. And if your friend does crash in the park, you can ask almost any CM for assistance, get a wheelchair then. It costs about $7 a day rented at the park. An ECV will be about $30 per day at the parks.

We are taking my father-in-law to Disney for the first time. While he is generally in good health, I have a feeling his knees will give out before he wants to call it quits. I brought up renting an EVC or Wheelchair but he keeps insisting he'll be fine. How can I convince him to try an ECV or let me push him in a wheelchair?

It is his vacation, and his knees, and if he wants to try it on his own, fine... however...

• EPCOT stands for "Every Person Comes Out Tired"
  
  
• The average person walks 6 miles in a day at WDW
  
  
• It is YOUR vacation, too.

• If you are having to stop early and go back to the resort because he has exhausted himself, being too proud to let his dear family give him a ride for the day, then he is not making life any easier for you.When people have special needs, they have to pace themselves. That means you conserve your energy throughout the day so that you will have a full day and evening's vacation time.

• Use the packhorse argument... "We have so much gear to take into the park, we are going to need to carry it somehow and so we will need to get a wheelchair anyway just to crate this stuff around"... using the handlebars to hold the bags and gear, of course... but someone has to sit in the seat as ballast. Besides, having the wheelchair means that is one less seat you have to worry about, when it comes time to watch the shows.
  
  
• Appeal to his sense of fun and adventure... get him to try an ECV. Describe it as a ride with no lines, your own private roller coaster without the plunges and splashes...
  
  
• Try appealing to his thrifty nature. If he's not able to walk thru the parks to enjoy things, he isn't getting the full value of his ticket.

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Last revision June 3, 2002
Copyright 2002 by Teri Doolittle, PA, MHP
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