Hey Shannon,
Welcome to planDisney! I’m so glad you’re here with this great question about your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort vacation. First and foremost, Happy Birthday! I can’t think of a more magical way to celebrate. I know you're going to really enjoy spending your birthday at Disney World, even if your mobility is temporarily limited.
I’m so sorry to hear about your femur injury - what a bummer! I know that must have been a huge personal setback for you. The great news is that with some smart planning I do think you’ll still be able to have a great time during your trip. I’m happy to help you figure this out.
The first thing I recommend is that you consult with your doctor to make sure that a trip like this will be ok for you considering where you’ll be in your recovery. Disney World is a massive place (it’s the size of two Manhattan islands!) and typically involves more than your normal daily amounts of standing and walking. Ensuring that this level of activity will be ok for you is the most important step.
My next recommendation would be to consider renting a
wheelchair or an
ECV during your trip on your park days. My mom uses an ECV during every visit and they have proven to be a lifesaver because they give her the freedom of mobility without dependence on others to push her around. These are available as daily rentals within the parks, but if you feel that you might need one to get around the resort outside of the parks you can always rent one from a third party for the duration of your stay. A quick internet search should show you some great local options.
While we’re thinking about your mobility needs during your stay Shannon, be sure to review the
Services for Guests with Mobility Needs page on the Disney World website. This page provides you with details on what to expect while you’re visiting and using an ECV or wheelchair.
You'll definitely want to plan your itinerary around your comfort levels and keeping them high. Consider checking out shows and theater-based attractions throughout the day to give yourself (and your legs) a break. There are so many great ones to choose from, but a few of my favorites are
Festival of the Lion King in Animal Kingdom,
Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Magic Kingdom, and
Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage in Hollywood Studios. These attractions are a great way to stay entertained while you take it easy during the day.
Shannon, I hope you have an amazing birthday trip. Don’t forget to get and wear your celebration button so you can receive all your well-deserved birthday wishes while you’re at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Have a wonderful time, and come back and see us here at planDisney if you need any additional planning help. See ya real soon!
Sakinah