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Vegas for someone with limited mobility

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by abileneblues, Jul 1, 2019.

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  1. abileneblues

    abileneblues Low-Roller

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    We would like to take my elderly parents to Vegas for a couple of days to see some of the shows and just to experience someplace we love to go. My mom is 85 and has to use a walker to get around the house. If she has to move further than say 30-40 yards, she gets out of breath. We have a wheelchair that we use when we're going somewhere that would involve walking more than said 40 yards at a time.

    The thing I'm specifically worried about are the logistics of flying to Vegas with a walker and wheelchair in addition to luggage and possibly an oxygen bottle.

    I'm guessing that a wheelchair and a walker would count as two separate pieces of luggage. I'm also cringing at the thought of them ending up as torn up as our luggage gets when flying.

    Is there a reasonably priced way to rent a wheelchair or even a scooter while in Vegas?

    Since we are in Houston, we'd like to fly. However, I'm afraid the most affordable solution would be to drive to Vegas so we can take our own equipment. Having our own vehicle would certainly be convenient if we were going from one end of the strip to the other.

    Anybody have any experience doing Vegas with someone whose mobility is limited?
     
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  2. bnlphan

    bnlphan Degenerate In Training

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    Leave the wheelchair at home. When you arrive at airport you can get her a wheel chair. Gate check the walker. At TSA they will inspect the walker if it doesnt fit through the scanner if she cant stand without assistance she can just insist they do a pat down without leaving the wheelchair. They will have a wheel chair waiting for her at arrival. With her limited ability to walk should be able to get to bus or taxi or rental car shuttle whatever your means of leaving the airport wheelchair escort will take you there. Contact one of the mobility scooter places and have them have a mobility scooter at the bell desk at the hotel you are staying at. That's pretty well how I do vegas. The Deuce and the SDX are equipped to handle scooters so you can go anywhere they go. Unsure about the other routes. The only issue you will have is exiting the wrong place and having to turn around and find another exit because there's stairs or if a elevator isnt working at one of the pedistrian bridges and may have to reroute up a block but I havent encountered this. Best of luck.
     
    NYNY,Cannery,Sam's Town Jun4-11
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  3. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    If you want a manual wheelchair, look here. We've used them multiple times for a manual wheelchair and no complaints.

    http://www.lasvegaswheelchairs.com/

    They will drop off and pick up at your hotel.

    Same idea with scooters. If you don't have a car and you think she can drive it well enough, a scooter might be better.
     
  4. Happygirl21

    Happygirl21 VIP Whale

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    As stated above, the airport/airline will accommodate with a wheelchair from the curb to the gate, but be sure to let them know ahead of time. This way it is available when you get there, less wait time. I needed one once (wheelchair) and called the reservation number while making my flight reservations and it was easy-peasy. I also had a walker with me. It went through TSA with me, but had to be tagged, so it went with me to the door of the plane. Then as soon as I got on the jet-bridge from the plane when we landed, there was a representative there, waiting with a wheelchair and my walker was there waiting for me too.

    Thanks to the extreme kindness of Gary at Plaza, there was a mobility scooter waiting for me when I checked in. Imagine this: Scooting along Fremont on Halloween, lol. It put my mad driving skills to test! The scooter was a God send!

    I may stand corrected but I believe that medical equipment ie: cpaps, wheel chairs, walkers etc do not count "against you" as checked luggage. I had no issues with any of those items. (I had a second trip with the walker, unfortunately, lol)

    For the two nights we were on the strip I used a walker, it was exhausting and to be honest was just no fun. One other thing, I am not sure the time of year you are thinking of going but I would wait till it's cooler out. Heat and breathing difficulties are not a great combination.

    I think it's really awesome that you want to take your parents! Good luck and have fun!
     
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  5. abileneblues

    abileneblues Low-Roller

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    That makes me want to scoot along Fremont at Halloween (our favorite time to be in Vegas). We've only spent one Halloween on Freemont. Did you mount a cow catcher to the front of the scooter to push people out of the way?
     
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  6. abileneblues

    abileneblues Low-Roller

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    Thanks, everybody for the informative responses. I'm stoked to find out that this is doable and I can share Vegas with my folks. They've never been and I'd hate to get to the point where it is too late to show them everything.
     
  7. fugsworth

    fugsworth VIP Whale

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    On a previous visit my dad did not, but I highly suggest it.
     
    EDC
  8. rsanbal9

    rsanbal9 Tourist

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    Check with your airline about taking an oxygen bottle. Some do not allow. However, small POCs (Portable Oxygen Concentrators) are and do not count against luggage limits. The POCs just have to be airline-rated which many of them are. Using airline wheelchairs is easy. Just make arrangements with airline beforehand.
     
  9. bnlphan

    bnlphan Degenerate In Training

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    On a side note if they haven't seen it Rent a vehicle and take them to the grand canyon. When you get to the check in station where you pay entry explain your situation. Most likely they will give you the code to get through the gate that lets you go around to Hermits Rest. You can just drive that road and stop at the pulloffs for some great scenery of the canyon
     
    NYNY,Cannery,Sam's Town Jun4-11
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  10. tee6395

    tee6395 Downtown Dreamer

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    Medical equipment does NOT count toward your carry-on luggage. Besides manual wheelchairs and scooters, they also have electric wheelchairs. All of this really depends on your "driving" aptitude. I feel (having used both and dealing with a parent having used both) that scooters have less of a learning curve. Also, I have found the setting to be at a snail's pace with them - while learning - and like the increase of speed once you get the hang of it. There are several places where you can rent and as long as you're staying at a major hotel deliver is free. My fav is scooterbug.com
     
  11. BuckeyeOH

    BuckeyeOH Tourist

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    Pushing a wheelchair over all the carpeting in casinos and hotels can be rather exhausting. Recommend consider renting a scooter.
     
  12. Carol1113

    Carol1113 VIP Whale

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    Airlines will not allow an oxygen bottle on the plane as they could blow up--I believe it is a government rule.
    The portable oxygen concentrators are allowed and do not count as a carry on. Also most planes do have electrical outlets so you can plug them in for the flight.
    But check with your airline to see if they require documentation--Delta does AA does not and you also have to have sufficient batteries for the total flight duration.
    There are company's that do rent the POC'S and batteries if needed.
     
  13. abileneblues

    abileneblues Low-Roller

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    Good point I hadn't thought about that. Even the push down the long hall to the elevators would be exhausting. Not that I couldn't use the exercise.
     
  14. azlefty

    azlefty VIP Whale

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    You might consider staying off strip, such as at the Orleans, Tuscany, etc, which are smaller. The distance from the entrance to the room and other amenities will be much shorter than the half mile walk at the big strip resorts. They also tend to be less crowded and have wider aisles through the casino. I haven't traveled with anyone in a wheelchair but we used to take our kids when they were small, and it was MUCH easier to push a stroller in the off strip casinos.
     
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