AKL with mobility issues?

[wasabi girl]

Hi guys,
I'm getting ready to book a 2008 trip for a sort of family reunion. I'm thinking of the AKL, I stayed there last year and I love this hotel. My Dad will be with us on the 2008 trip, and he has a blood disorder that limits his walking. I will be renting a scooter for him. Are the buses at AKL an issue with the scooters? I thought of staying at the Poly or YC for the transportation convenience, but saving a bit of money by staying at the AKL would be a help to all going...and it is a nice place to come back and watch the animals if you get tired during the day. Any experiences? Will he be okay with AKL or should we do the Poly?
Thanks for any help!

 

[helenabear]

All buses are equipped to handle a scooter. AKL will be just fine for having one. Unless you want to be at the Polynesian for other reasons, there is no need to switch.

If you are uncomfortable getting the scooter on the bus yourself, tell the bus driver. My aunt wasn't very comfortable so she would have the driver do it for her as she walked on (knee and ankle problems, so she can walk, but not far)

 

[disnut8]

There won't be a problem with the buses. You should check out the disabilities board for more information on all the Disney buses, though.

The lobby at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is on the third floor. You will enter that at what you think is the ground floor but it's actually the third floor. Since your father will have a scooter, it will be much easier for all of you if you requested a room on the third floor. That way, none of you will have to deal with an elevator either coming or going during the day.

 

[shovan]

The buses are all the same, so you will be able to load the scooter on the buses. But be aware that it takes time to load the scooters & from AK that is the only mode of transportation. My DH uses a WC & I would recommend either the Poly or the Beach Club for ease of getting around. Check the disabilities board for lots more info. on this!

 

[wasabi girl]

Thanks guys!

I appreciate your help. We are new to the disabilities issues with travel, and all of the information is a help to us in our planning.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are uncomfortable getting the scooter on the bus yourself, tell the bus driver. My aunt wasn't very comfortable so she would have the driver do it for her as she walked on (knee and ankle problems, so she can walk, but not far)

Dirvers are actually not allowed to drive or push the scooters onto the bus or manouver it into place on the bus according to bus CMs who post on the DIS Boards, so I would not count on the bus driver either driving or pushing it on for you. Once it is on the bus, the driverr is responsible for tying it down and safely securing it for the trip.

The scooter can be pushed or driven on by another member of your party though if the actual user of it is not comfortable doing it.

There is a section about buses in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board.

 

[Donald&Tinkerbell]

The rooms at AKL are not the largest, but you are allowed to park your scooter in the hall & plug it in there. They just ask that you not leave the key in it. We traveled to WDW 4 times w/DM using a scooter. It is quite doable and allowed her good times beyond her physical ability without it. By the end of the day, you may be having hi-jacking thoughts.

 

[helenabear]

Dirvers are actually not allowed to drive or push the scooters onto the bus or manouver it into place on the bus according to bus CMs who post on the DIS Boards, so I would not count on the bus driver either driving or pushing it on for you. Once it is on the bus, the driverr is responsible for tying it down and safely securing it for the trip

That is intereseting to know. I wasn't with my aunt when she tried that... I was just told they did it for her (we were at separate resorts). I only saw her when she would go up onto the ramp, but the driver would move it around the bus so it would be situated correctly. I admit it's been too long for me to read the forums to know what was said there. I just know that when she asked for a little help, she got it. Hopefully she won't have to put the CMs in a bad situation ever again. She is now buying her own scooter and should be a lot more comfortable with it than she was on this trip.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Leaving a scooter in the hall or outside a room is a BAD idea. even without the key the keys are interchangeable on many scooters AND kids and teenagers think nothing of playing with scooters they find unattended. some people here have had them damaged that way.
there is room in every room to get them in even if you need to have the table and chairs removed to do so.