CBR ECV first floor room

[Lewisc]

I called and added first floor room as a preference. The CM was unable to note it as a medical request. I was given a phone number for CBR. The CM suggested calling the day before. I'll be calling a few days before.

I searched DIS. There doesn't seem to be a way to indicate the need for a 1st floor room as more then just a preference. Is there a different number to call? Fax?

I'm arriving early in the day. Worse case I can try and get the resort to switch rooms.

Renting a transportable scooter, disassembling it at the end of the day and carrying the parts up the stairs doesn't seem like a realistic solution. Might make for a good video.

 

[Bjkandma]

Requesting first floor is just that, a request. There are no guarantees. Most resorts (never stayed at CBR), have elevators. You will not be required to disassemble a scooter each night.

If you are assigned a room, not on first f loor, you can request one upon arrival.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Check the WDW FAQ. There should be a phone number ther for Disability Services.

 

[Lewisc]

CBR doesn't have elevators. My comment about taking apart an ECV was tongue in cheek. I know I can ask for a room change.

I was asking if I could communicate my reason for requesting a first floor room

 

[lanejudy]

I have always just had it noted through the regular request process - called and requested first floor for medical reason. Maybe try back. Or as PP posted, try the Disability Services line. Just be aware that it is still just a request and not guaranteed regardless of reason.

As for calling the resort — that isn’t possible, it still goes to a call center who simply answers with the resort name. Rooms are generally assigned 5 days out but may change. I’d call at least that far in advance.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[mamabunny]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/
For more information, please contact Disability Services at (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can understand your frustration. Whenever we stay at OKW (which has only a few elevator buildings), they say they can't guarantee a first floor room. And although I haven't contacted Disability Services, I did contact DVC member satisfaction. They told me that's the way it is. So I always sweat it out until we get there and get our room assignment. The good news is that we've always gotten our first floor request, and every other OKW person (that I've heard from) has also. But I do wish they'd be willing to make first floor a guarantee for ECV users, or anyone who can't climb stairs. No need for a HA villa just because of an inability to climb stairs or need for an ECV.

 

[mamabunny]

I can understand your frustration. Whenever we stay at OKW (which has only a few elevator buildings), they say they can't guarantee a first floor room. And although I haven't contacted Disability Services, I did contact DVC member satisfaction. They told me that's the way it is. So I always sweat it out until we get there and get our room assignment. The good news is that we've always gotten our first floor request, and every other OKW person (that I've heard from) has also. But I do wish they'd be willing to make first floor a guarantee for ECV users, or anyone who can't climb stairs. No need for a HA villa just because of an inability to climb stairs or need for an ECV.

I agree fully. I know that many people prefer first floor rooms because they are easier - no elevators to wait for, no stairs to climb up and down (especially at the end of a long theme park day!) BUT if someone calls and says "I will have a mobility device with me, and I need a first floor room" (regardless of type) that should be something they would be able to block out in the system, like they block out the HA room types. It's very stressful to not know if you will be accommodated before you arrive.

 

[Lewisc]

1. The reason for my post. Online check in for CBR doesn't offer an option to ask for 1st floor. Disney reservation CM can add a first floor request but are unable to list a reason. The room assignor has no way to prioritize 1st floor requests. All but a necessity for guests with an ECV. Important for a family with an infant in a stroller. Carrying an infant up a flight of stair while the other parent carries the stroller isn't a great way to start or end a day. Not as important for a guest who would prefer not to walk up steps but who has no real issues. Absent a real need I prefer a second floor. More likely to be bothered by noise from above then below.
2. I thought I must be missing something.
3. I understand room requests are only a request but a 1st floor room is more then a preference for a guest with an ECV.
4. I'll arrive at CBR around 10-11a I have no doubt CBR will accomodate my requirement for a 1st floor room. I might have to turn down an available room and wait until late afternoon. In the, very unlikely, event that's not possible I'll ask for an alternate moderate resort. My original flight wasn't going to get me CBR until almost midnight. Glad I switched.
5. I understand calls we make to the hotel don't literally go to the hotel. Some posters, in other threads, obsess over the distinction. Does it really matter if the CM who answers the phone front desk CBR is literally at the front desk? Does it matter if they're even in the hotel? The question is if we're talking to someone who can solve our issue.

I want to thank the posters who responded. I might call disability guest services otherwise I'll just deal with it when I arrive.

 

[lanejudy]

The reason for my post. Online check in for CBR doesn't offer an option to ask for 1st floor. Disney reservation CM can add a first floor request but are unable to list a reason.

The requests with online check-in range from wrong (i.e., options include sections at a different resort) to non-existent (no options to select). Call. And call again if necessary. As I mentioned, phone reps have absolutely taken my reason for a request. I suggest trying again.

3. I understand room requests are only a request but a 1st floor room is more then a preference for a guest with an ECV.
4. I'll arrive at CBR around 10-11a I have no doubt CBR will accomodate my requirement for a 1st floor room.

They will try to honor a request. Just be aware it if it isn’t possible, they won’t be able to do so. There was a post back maybe in the spring by someone with an ECV assigned a 2nd floor room at Alligator Bayou at POR. I don’t recall specifics but they could NOT get a first floor room, at least not the first night (maybe they moved later in the stay).

5. I understand calls we make to the hotel don't literally go to the hotel. Some posters, in other threads, obsess over the distinction. Does it really matter if the CM who answers the phone front desk CBR is literally at the front desk? Does it matter if they're even in the hotel? The question is if we're talking to someone who can solve our issue.

The reason for pointing it out is your OP indicated the phone rep gave you a number for the resort to call. Others read these threads, and may not realize there is no way to call direct.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[arminnie]

I am in a wheelchair and absolutely cannot do any stairs at all - not even one. What this says to me is that Disney doesn’t care at all about my reserving a room onsite. If they don’t honor my request for a 1st floor room will they still charge me a fee for not checking in?

 

[DisneyOma]

I agree fully. I know that many people prefer first floor rooms because they are easier - no elevators to wait for, no stairs to climb up and down (especially at the end of a long theme park day!) BUT if someone calls and says "I will have a mobility device with me, and I need a first floor room" (regardless of type) that should be something they would be able to block out in the system, like they block out the HA room types. It's very stressful to not know if you will be accommodated before you arrive.

That would make sense if the resort has upper floors and no elevators. Otherwise, people can just use elevators, right?

Guests can always book at a resort that does have elevators as well. To be honest, I'd stay far from CBR. They've gutted it, put support poles in the middle of everything (ugly) and the gondolas go over half the rooms. They've turned a beautiful, quiet resort into the tenements next to the train tracks, IMO. It's so sad.

I am in a wheelchair and absolutely cannot do any stairs at all - not even one. What this says to me is that Disney doesn’t care at all about my reserving a room onsite. If they don’t honor my request for a 1st floor room will they still charge me a fee for not checking in?

If the resort has elevators, then what difference does the floor level make? If you book at a resort without elevators, and can't get a first floor room, they will move you to an accessible room. They will give you a room on property that meets your needs, to the best of their ability.

 

[mamabunny]

I am in a wheelchair and absolutely cannot do any stairs at all - not even one. What this says to me is that Disney doesn’t care at all about my reserving a room onsite. If they don’t honor my request for a 1st floor room will they still charge me a fee for not checking in?

I don't think that Disney doesn't care if you don't reserve a room (far from it - at the rate they are adding rooms they *want* people to fill them!) but it seems like - at the moment - they are will only "guarantee" certain room types; mostly HA rooms.

I don't honestly know if they would charge you a fee if you didn't check in because you couldn't be accommodated at your preferred Resort - and you left the property to stay offsite. Minimally, I would imagine you might forfeit your deposit? Unless they had absolutely no rooms that could accommodate you.

I do know (from what we have seen here on the DIS Boards, and what I have experienced first hand) that if you arrive and your HA room is not available for any reason at the Resort you reserved, they will work to find you the correct room at another Disney Resort. But first floor is always a *preference* not a guarantee, because almost every Disney Resort has elevators that serve every building (the one exception I can think of is OKW has a few buildings without elevators)

I understand why you want first floor - personally, I prefer it as well. But as long as there is an elevator, and I can get the HA room type I need, that's what I need to be able to travel.

 

[lanejudy]

almost every Disney Resort has elevators that serve every building (the one exception I can think of is OKW has a few buildings without elevators)

There are 3 resorts that do not have elevators in all buildings -- as mentioned, OKW has a few buildings without elevators, CBR has no elevators for any buildings, and at POR the Alligator Bayou section does not have elevators.

Disney's room reservation system is not set-up to block out specific rooms based on "requests." They absolutely do their best to accommodate requests, particularly when stated simply and not a long list. However, as @mamabunny stated, a request is considered a preference and not guaranteed. There are other resorts that can accommodate access to upper floors. HA rooms are handled in a different manner and you are guaranteed the room-type you book -- if for some reason they have had to remove a room from inventory (maintenance issue, etc.) they will move you into a comparable room-type at another resort.

Would they "walk" a guest to another resort if a request cannot be accommodated, particularly a request for first floor due to access? Possibly. I have not heard of it happening. But the resort computer systems are individual and the CBR front desk doesn't necessarily know what's available at POR or POP. And I would expect to pay rack rate if you ask to change resorts based on requests.

I do think Disney does their best to accommodate requests. We have requested "first floor for medical reasons" and received it, but we have also been prepared to do stairs if the request couldn't be granted. If someone absolutely cannot manage stairs, I recommend booking at a resort with elevators and avoid the stress of worrying about room location.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[doubletoast]

I think I am missing something, why didn't you just request an accessible room?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think they don't need (want?) the features of an accessible room - raised toilet, roll in shower, maybe lower beds? They just need a room they can ride the ECV into.

 

[doubletoast]

I think they don't need (want?) the features of an accessible room - raised toilet, roll in shower, maybe lower beds? They just need a room they can ride the ECV into.

Sometimes you may only need one of the accessibility features and not being able to climb a staircase is definitely one of them.

 

[Simba's Mom]

But it isn't a HA feature of the ROOM. Not all first floor rooms are HA. So why request a HA room when you don't need anything to be HA in the room?

 

[doubletoast]

Because you need to get to the room. The HA feature of the room is zero-entry.

My wife uses a manual wheelchair and can't climb stairs, and the only feature of the room she needs is to be able to get there in a wheelchair. If the person who started the thread can't climb stairs and needs to be able to get to their room in an ECV, I see no difference.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't need any of the features of an accessible

I think they don't need (want?) the features of an accessible room - raised toilet, roll in shower, maybe lower beds? They just need a room they can ride the ECV into.

+1 I don't want to take a HA that might be needed by another guest. I never thought for even a minute to book a HA room.

I started this thread because the CM I spoke to was unable to list the reason for my first floor request. The room assignor has no way of knowing the reason for my request.

I'll either call again or fax. I'll be at the resort by around 10a. I doubt I'll have any trouble getting a room change, if necessary.

A moderator can close this thread. I know my options.
Thanks to all.