Changing my room to a disabled access one

[shaun&miranda]

Hi folks
This summer, we booked our vacation to WDW for December. This was when we were both able bodied. This autumn I took a bad fall which has mashed up my right foot and left me on crutches and waiting for surgery. I will be on crutches for about another 6 months. To complicate matters I developed multiple massive blood clots in both my lungs, and nearly died. Although I am greatly recovered from that, I am very short of breath, which makes using the crutches very hard work!

The doctors have all said I can still come to WDW in December but I have to use a wheelchair. I have never used one before and am a bit apprehensive.

The thing that is really worrying me is that we have a normal able bodied room at POP century booked, but I can't climb in and out of the bath to shower or bathe, nor can I stand on one foot and shower easily. At home I have been using shower stools and our walk-in shower.

Should I ask to be moved to a disabled room in POP where I think there are walk in showers with seats? If so, how would I do that? Do they cost more than the regular rooms?

I did look in the FAQ section of this board but I can't see any info on this, but many apologies if I have overlooked it.

I would also like to express my embarrassment at never having realised how impossible the smallest things are once you can't walk or breathe too well. It has been a steep learning curve for me and I am just in awe of some of the posters on these boards who let nothing stop them enjoying the magic of Disney!

Thanks everyone, would be grateful for any advice and info you can give. Our trip begins December 5th so not much time left!

Miranda

 

[maroo]

First of all - I am so glad you are doing better from the clots! Hope you continue to heal well!

Doing Disney - or anything really - with a disability certainly adds some complications, doesn't it.

As far as the rooms at the POP - you will want to call Disney today and request a roll in shower room. You need to specify "roll in shower" because they also have bathtub rooms with hand rails, but it sounds like you need the roll in shower room. They do have little fold out seats in the shower and a hand held shower head - which should help you a lot!

It is possible that they won't have any available - so you might want to have some other resorts in your mind that would possibly work. Just tell them what has happened and they should be able to fix you up! But I would definitely call now so that they can hold your room.

Are you planning on renting a manual wheelchair that someone will push? Or an ECV?

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry about your need for access.

You did miss it in the FAQs, but there is a lot there, so no apology needed.
It is in post 7 of that thread and there are pictures which will help you visualize a little more what maroo wrote.
You just have to call like she said and tell them you need a roll in shower. It may not look exactly like the one in the pictures, but will have a fold down seat and no step to get into the shower.

If you have not arranged to rent a wheelchair or ECV yet, you can look in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[peemagg]

If you can't get a roll-in shower, you can request a shower chair (or rent one from an outside company) for your room. I believe you can also request a hand held shower head if there isn't one already. Just be sure they know that it is all for medical reasons.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you can't get a roll-in shower, you can request a shower chair (or rent one from an outside company) for your room. I believe you can also request a hand held shower head if there isn't one already. Just be sure they know that it is all for medical reasons.

They will bring a shower bench on request - my suggestion is to check it before using it. One time we got one, the screws were so loose that the bench was very wobbly.

We have also had a handheld showerhead installed; that is done by Engineering.

 

[shaun&miranda]

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful! Sue, the FAQ list is amazing - thank you for compiling it and for directing me to the right part.

I will give Disney a call today and see what they can do to help.

Thanks again

Miranda x

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful! Sue, the FAQ list is amazing - thank you for compiling it and for directing me to the right part.

I will give Disney a call today and see what they can do to help.

Thanks again

Miranda x

You’re welcome.
Have a great trip!