Complimentary Wheelchair?

[surfer_ed]

Hi all maybe I should post this on the disability board...not sure.

I heard last time I was at AKL that they have a limited number of wheelchairs that can be used by DVC members available first come first serve? My mom is coming with me and she needs a chair sometimes.

Last time I rented one for the week but I am thinking she des not need one for the whole week.

Anyone know the details on this?

 

[Chuck S]

Most resorts do have a small number of complimentary manual WCs available. They aren't always in the best shape, and you probably need to leave a CC imprint as a deposit. When Mom was living, we used the ones at OKW from time to time when we flew in, but we usually drove and took our own wheelchair from home.

You can not pre-reserve the resort wheelchairs, and not all resorts may have them. And again, they may not be in very good shape, so be pepared to rent one if need be.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We borrowed a wheelchair from OKW on a trip that we brought my mom along. She went to visit her sister for the first few days of our trip, so for the days before she came to OKW, we went every day to try to get a wheelchair. We finally got one and they took a credit card imprint of $250 in the event that we did not return the chair.

 

[emacek]

I just got back from a trip last month--I broke my foot on the way down to DW.
The Poly did have complimentary wheelchair and with a cc deposit (of $250) we used it for the week. While I'm glad we had it--I made much more use of the scooter I rented. I used Walker Mobility and they delivered and picked up from the bell desk.

emacek

 

[LauraLea]

I have gotten a complimentary one at AKV before.

Laura

 

[SueM in MN]

Most resorts do have a small number of complimentary manual WCs available. They aren't always in the best shape, and you probably need to leave a CC imprint as a deposit. When Mom was living, we used the ones at OKW from time to time when we flew in, but we usually drove and took our own wheelchair from home.

You can not pre-reserve the resort wheelchairs, and not all resorts may have them. And again, they may not be in very good shape, so be pepared to rent one if need be.

Chuck hit all the common points about borrowing from a resort.

They can't be reserved ahead of time.

There is no guarantee that any will be available.

Many people have reported the one they got was not in good condion.

If you decide to take your chances, I would recommend taking some phone numbers of rental places with you - you can find a list of off-site place post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

If she needs it only sometimes, you might also consider renting at the parks.

 

[disneynutz]

I may be wrong here but I was under the impression that the resort chairs are for use at the resorts. If someone falls ill at the resort or needs it for getting around while at the resort.

The parks have there own chairs and as noted, you can rent from a DME company.

Is this another case of Disney not wanting to tell Guests no?

Years ago our DD had a case of bad food while at Disney. On our way back from the Hospital after a two night stay, we were told that the resort would have a chair waiting out front. When we got there there was no chair to be found and we were told that all the resort chairs were missing. She was very weak but we made it back to our room with several rest stops along the way.

Bill

 

[Desnik]

On our last two trips at AKV Kidani Village we needed a wheelchair for DD. One was given to us with no questions asked for free and no CC was taken for deposit. We used it for the resort only but we saw a few people taking theirs(it says AKL on the back) to DtD. We didn't go to the parks on either trip but next time we do we will just rent one from the parks.

 

[spiceycat]

I may be wrong here but I was under the impression that the resort chairs are for use at the resorts. If someone falls ill at the resort or needs it for getting around while at the resort.

The parks have there own chairs and as noted, you can rent from a DME company.

Is this another case of Disney not wanting to tell Guests no?

Bill

the wheelchairs in the resorts have been for use of guest on Disney property - not just the resorts. some resorts especially the values have say that it was only at their resorts. when I say call the person who told you this - it was strange they looked at each other and got me a chair for mother.

have been using the wheelchairs at the resorts since 1995 until 2007 (mother last trip) and always gotten one and there is no problem takiing them to the parks.

some resorts don't seem to understand that Disney property is the entire place not just their resort.

the paper you have to sign says you will not take the wheelchair off Disney property - so visiting the malls or other theme parks is what they are talking about.

now the last time did not sign any papers either.

sometimes the wheelchairs were not in great shape and few times they were brand new. so that just depends too.

since I am cheap we always got the free one - never the one you had to pay for at Disney or offsite.

 

[acourtwdw]

I had back surgery last week and we are leaving for WDW/DCL in 15 days. Last week my Dsis who is traveling with me called DVC to change ressies from a standard studio to HA. The CM who handled the change asked my Dsis if I needed a wheelchair so that one would be there for us when we checked in. I'm not sure if the CM was "reserving" one for me or not. But I would call the resort and see if this is possible.

PS We are not using the WDW wheelchair since we are renting one in our hometown since I will need to use it at the airports, etc. from Airway Oxygen Medical Supply store and it is only $65 for the month.

 

[Plutofan]

Every year that we go we get a complimentary wheel chair with no problems. They have always found one fo us.