courtesy wheel chairs airport, towncare rentals, hospitals?

[zumbergc]

Hi All,

My mom is coming to disney w/ us at the end of the month. We are flying from different places, and we won't be arriving at the same time. Mom uses the courtesy wheelchairs.

Here is the question. If we have a towncar pick them up, will the driver help my dad w/ the luggage? I think they are going to try to get most things in one suitcase, but may have carry-ons? Do they meet my parents at luggage claim or somewhere else?
And will the courtesy guy wheel mom out to the town car? How far do those guys push the people?

Just trying to figure out if we need to go back to the airport that night to help out my parents?
Another question. Is there short term parking at the airport that is right near the terminal that doesn't require the use of a shuttle? Just wondering if we drive back w/ the rental car, where we would park. Or if my husband should just circle the airport while I'm helping out the parents?


Hospital question, my mom has cancer, and her condition is shaky, she takes lots of meds, she currently has some swelled feet. A couple of times she goes in to the hospital for chest pains, one from a chemo reaction, another time it was water in her lungs. I'm hoping a visit to the hospital isn't needed but is one hospital more recommended than another?

Pharmacy. Mom is on so many meds, I'm a little afraid she could loose one. We are staying at SSR, does anyone know where one is close by?

Thanks for all your help.
Connie

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi All,

My mom is coming to disney w/ us at the end of the month. We are flying from different places, and we won't be arriving at the same time. Mom uses the courtesy wheelchairs.

Here is the question. If we have a towncar pick them up, will the driver help my dad w/ the luggage?

I had two times last year coming into MCO and needing a wheelchair. The first time I was met by a limo, and the skycap let the limo driver take over outside baggage claim. He got my bags and took care of them.

The other time I was having a friend meet me, so the skycap stayed with me at baggage claim and then took me and my bags out to the pickup area.

I think they are going to try to get most things in one suitcase, but may have carry-ons? Do they meet my parents at luggage claim or somewhere else?

There are two possibilities. One is outside the Security Area. As they would know the flight, they can easily find out which of the two areas. Each only has one exit.

The other would be down at the baggage claim level. They can wait near the carousel for that particular airline/flight.

And will the courtesy guy wheel mom out to the town car? How far do those guys push the people?

They will take her as far as the curb.

Just trying to figure out if we need to go back to the airport that night to help out my parents?
Another question. Is there short term parking at the airport that is right near the terminal that doesn't require the use of a shuttle? Just wondering if we drive back w/ the rental car, where we would park. Or if my husband should just circle the airport while I'm helping out the parents?

There is a "cell phone lot" near Red Long Term Parking, with lots of signs directing people to it. There is no charge to use that lot, but you must stay with your car. It is not really far from the terminal building; it is designed for people to wait and one the arriving passenger has gotten their luggage and is on the way out to the curb they call. Normally it will take less than five minutes to get to the pick-up curb.


Hospital question, my mom has cancer, and her condition is shaky, she takes lots of meds, she currently has some swelled feet. A couple of times she goes in to the hospital for chest pains, one from a chemo reaction, another time it was water in her lungs. I'm hoping a visit to the hospital isn't needed but is one hospital more recommended than another?

I have two recommendations. The first is Orlando Regional Medical Center. This is about 15 miles but it is co-located with the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (which is part of the University of Houston and usually one of the two top rated Cancer Centers in the country). Also they are a Trauma Center. Otherwise I would use Celebration Hospital, which is closest.

Pharmacy. Mom is on so many meds, I'm a little afraid she could loose one. We are staying at SSR, does anyone know where one is close by?

The closest is Turner Drugs, which not only is 24 hour but delivers to the Resorts. From SSR you would head out Hotel Plaza Blvd until it ends at SR 535. Turn left to the first traffic light. Make a U-Turn, pass the Sheraton Safari Hotel and there will be a sign for the Centra Care Urgent Care Center. Turn in there and Turner is in the same building.

Thanks for all your help.
Connie

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Are you all flying into MCO? If so, you can use the Magical Express for free. I've always found them to be very helpful, and they should have no problems putting the luggage on board. If she can't manage the steps, you can request the wheelchair accessible bus for her. She can then either ride the courtesy wheelchair up on the lift (then have it returned to the airport when she's seated) or, if they'll let her, she can stand on the lift (most of them are designed to be used this way, but I don't know for sure).

As for hospitals, I think the nearest one is Celebration. I've not been there, but have heard positive reviews of it from others.

It might be best to check with her insurance provider, to see which pharmacies they cover in the Disney area. I don't know the American system too well, but I thought I heard that insurers will only deal with certain pharmacies. Once you've found that out, check if any of them do delivery services, so you could just order them then pick up from the front desk.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[zumbergc]

Cheshire Figment thanks for the tips.

Connie

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a picture of the steps for the DME bus.

Because it is a tour style bus, with the luggage stored underneath, it is much higher from the ground to get up to the seating area.

This is a picture of the lift up at the top of the bus for loading:

I don't have a picture loaded onto the internet that shows the CM standing at the bottom, but when the lift is in its uppermost position, it's almost head height for the CM standing on the ground. There was a sticker on the lift telling what position a standing person would need to be on the lift, so it's probably possible to stand on it to be loaded and unloaded. It might be kind of scary, especially for someone unsteady.
While she might be able to use an airport wheelchair to get on, there is no guarantee that one would be available at the resort to unload.

 

[zumbergc]

I don't think my parents are going to dme because it will have been a long trip of flying. My mom may not be able to take the noise and well its disney and well lots of kids. It will be a quiter ride to the resort by themselves.

Yes, I know disney can noisey, but my mom will probably only be in the parks a couple hours a day at most. She'll be spending most of her time at the resort.

Another question about the lime/town car. We are going to stay at SSR. Do they just drop you off at the check-in place? Then are you left to fend for yourself to get your lugggage to the room? or will they wait til you get your room key, and drop you over there, they aren't arriving until after 8pm so, the room should be ready.
We always do car rental, so we just park, and then drive over. As I type this, I think we at least may need to be at the resort when my parents get there. Still deciding about the airport..

 

[leanan]

The one thing I can help you with is hospitals. Celebration is right against Disney. It is the town that Walt built err designed. Anyways they have a branch of Florida hospital there. Florida hospital is owned by religious folks and they are extra compassionate because of it. They do not push religion there. They just use their religion as an example of how to integrate more compassion into their care.

Their staff is friendlier and better mannered. When Dad had to go to the ER a few weeks ago we were in and out quickly considering they had to install a new pic line on a Saturday. Also because we were there for a while they brought both of us a cold lunch to eat. Sandwich, grapes, apple sauce, and a diet sierra mist for each of us. Not just my Dad. I was so happy to see that baggie. It meant I did not need to run across the hospital to the cafeteria leaving Dad alone. It is just those little bits of thoughtfulness and caring that make it the better hospital chain.

 

[SueM in MN]

SSR uses sort of golf cart like vehicles to deliver you and your luggage to your room. When they get to the resort, they can have the town car driver unload their luggage and bring it to Bell Services to be held for them. If they can check in right away, it will be held a short, but it can be held until whenever the room is ready. When they are ready to go their room, they just go to Bell Services to claim their bags. Someone from Bell Services will take them and their bags to the room. The Bell Services CM will carry the bags into the room and place them where ever directed - like if they want them brought to the bedroom, that's fine. We usually tip at least $1 a bag.

There is no service to bring people who are in wheelchairs or ECVs to their rooms, unless the person can get out of the wheelchair, the wheelchair can be folded and put onto the cart.

 

[zumbergc]

Thanks sue for the info.

I'd had always wondered how that worked. Since we are arriving earlier in the day, and my parents late in the day(after 8pm). We have a 2 bedroom reserved. I'm hoping its a matter of them showing ID, getting keys and heading over to the room.

 

[SueM in MN]

We've been to SSR several times. Luckily, we were pretty close to the check in (10 minute or less walk). I rode with the luggage, but DH had too push DD's wheelchair since they said they have no wheelchair accessible way to take people to their rooms (other than getting on the bus).

 

[zumbergc]

I have one other question. We are going to sea world. Do they have a first aid place like at disney? just in case?

TIA
Connie