accessibility for cabins and activities?

[cupcake]

I usually post on the disABILITIES board and asked my question there, but I thought I would also see if anyone here has any insights.

I have extra bones in my feet. We (my dh and I) were thinking about trying the cabins. I use an ECV and we would be driving. I can walk short distances w/o a problem and my dh can assist me with balance on any uneven surfaces. I have no problems transferring into rides, although I sometimes need a little extra time or my dh's help so I don't stumble.

All I have been able to grasp so far is that the accessible cabins are in loop 2800, which appears to be near the entrance into the resort. I think I need an accessible cabin, although I can manage in a regular bathroom (with some risk if it is a regular tub), to be able to get my ECV inside to charge it at night. The pictures of the regular cabins show steps. In addition, there seems to be a parking pad by each cabin, but from what I can tell, you can't drive around the resort to get from place to place; you drive in and park at your cabin and then need to take the internal buses.

Any comments how the the cabins or activities would work for me would be greatly appreciated. For example, if we did the movies, would I stay in my ECV? Would that block others? Is there a lot of walking or standing for the marshamllow roast or wagon ride? I don't know the activities work.

Thanks!

Cupcake

 

[debster812]

We were in cabin loop 2500 and there were several accessible cabins. These cabins had a nice long ramp to get up to the deck. I will check the disc with our pictures, to see if I happened to take any pics of them, but I don't think I did.

You're right, you would really need to take buses to get from point A to point B at the cabins, but there are bus stops at the end of each loop. Some people have reported problems with internal FW transportation, but we did not ever experience any issues.

I have to run to take DS to CCD this morning, but if you have any more specific questions, feel free to fire away. We very much enjoyed the campground, the extra space the cabins afforded, and kind of 'getting away' from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

Debbie

 

[tim5055]

Disney is to the point now that almost all (if not all) have lifts for chairs and ECV's, so using the busses may not be that much of a problem.

While there are still a few rides in the parks that are not fully accessible, most now are. Some rides have the ability for you to stay on the ECV (i.e. a ride carriage that has open space rather than a seat) while others may require you to transfer to a seat on that rides transport system.

For most movie style attractions Disney has areas set aside for wheelchairs and ECV's so that not only do you get a good view, you do not block others view and there are adjacent seats for your entire party.

Disney now rents ECV's at the parks so their cast-members are well attuned to helping folks using them.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I can give you a bit of information about the campfire program. The campfire is set in the Meadows area of the resort. All of the paths to it seem to be well paved, and are wide enough for a golf cart, so you should have no problem with your ECV. A couple of years ago, they paved the middle aisle of the campfire area with concrete. I think this was done to make it accessible for people with disabilities. I have seen people with wheel chairs in that area, with their families in adjacent seats. You can watch the campfire program and movie from there, and you won't be blocking anyone's view. You can't get to the fires themselves, as these are surrounded by gravel, but I'm sure someone could roast a marshmallow or two for you.

 

[risy]

We have stayed in accessible cabins before, and as mentioned, they do not have steps. There might also be an electrical outlet outside.

Twice when we were at FW last week, the bus driver loaded an ECV/guest onto the bus. No problem. They have several new buses specially designed to accommodate guest in wheelchairs/ECVs.

The movie is very informal, people sit on some scattered benches, bleachers, ground. You will not have a problem.

 

[duranfan]

not handicapped I would imagine the cabins are tip top far as what you need. They DO have wheel chair WIDE ramps and decking. Theres one loop that is practically ALL of these type cabins.
I'm assuming the thing you ride is kind of like one of those scooters. Like the other poster said, the buses WILL pick you up, they have a deck that lowers down to the ground, then they have a special section for wheelchairs/scooters to be secured.
You CAN drive to the Meadows OutPost and park.
If you call and ask to speak to a park manager I am sure they could put your concerns to rest and arrange for special help.
As far as the tub, I would wager its the kind where you can roll a wheel chair in it. I know the resort rooms are that way and the cabins pretty much are designed like any other hotel room.