DCL - Folding the Chair

[xipetotec]

Having just return from WDW with a wheelchair for the first time. A lot of things were "easier" because DW can transfer and fold up the chair when needed. ( getting on busses, no need for special room, etc ).

Obviously Disney is great at providing services for those who don't have this luxury but there can be "limited space".

We are looking at potentially doing a DCL Cruise next year and were wondering if in the case of a CRUISE, we need to book a room with "mobility requirements" ? Keeping in mind that she is able to walk short distances, and does not need a room she can wheel into. If we CAN we'd like to leave those rooms open to those who really need them. However, if there is no room in a regular room to put even a folded chair, that could be a problem.

What do you all think? ( It's probably worth mentioning that we've only ever gone on one cruise before, and it was with NCL, so I don't know what to expect as far as hallways, room doors, etc )

 

[lanejudy]

Hi Steph,

While we haven't cruised with a wheelchair, we did just take our first Disney cruise last month. I think the answer to your question may depend on stateroom type and location, as well as your ability to help maneuver the folded w/c in the room.

We were in a 9A Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom on the Dream. I'm certain a folded w/c would fit in the space between the desk and the wall near the port hole. We stored a suitcase there. The challenge would be getting the folded chair to the far end of the room. All rooms other than interior staterooms have the bed in the middle with the sofa and desk space at the far end. It is VERY tight moving around the foot of the bed. It might be possible to fit the folded chair between the bed and bathroom wall (if it doesn't stick out too far and block the hallway), but the person sleeping on that side would need to enter the bed from the other side or near the foot and scoot up to the pillows.

However, we were in room 7506 (Dream) which was the last room on the side. Room 7504 is the corner room which is laid out differently and has more floor space (likely good space to store a folded chair) and I believe 7502 also had more floor space. The downside to these rooms and others like them is that there are dormered walls/ceiling; I've read reports that very tall people were not comfortable. I think you can find pictures of these rooms on the Internet - unfortunately I don't have the links to share.

Hopefully someone else will respond who has experience with a folded wheelchair in a stateroom. But you could check out the rooms I mentioned, and similar on the opposite side of the ship or decks above/below (same room #s). Good luck!

Judy

 

[Mrsjvb]

an Inside will be problematic, but a balcony or suite would be fine. In fact, depending on which ship, the navigator's balcony may be a viable option as it is mostly enclosed so you could leave it out there without having to worry about it getting wet due to rain or surf.

Luckily DCL offers on average the larges sq footage overall so if she is able to stand outside the room and walk in, you could fold it in the hallway and wheel it into a corner.

you can also always ask the cabin steward to remove the table which will give you more room inside or even the desk chair.

I have only done Magic( navigator's balcony) and I am fairly confident that a folded chair would be fine even if you left it inside.

 

[Lizzy'sMom]

an Inside will be problematic, but a balcony or suite would be fine. In fact, depending on which ship, the navigator's balcony may be a viable option as it is mostly enclosed so you could leave it out there without having to worry about it getting wet due to rain or surf.

Please remember that DLC (as well as other cruise lines) do not allow anything to be left on the verandah. If you leave anything out there, the room steward will bring it inside, and a "nasty" note asking you to not do it again will be left.

Lizzy'sMom

 

[Mrsjvb]

true but it sounds as if they will be IN the cabin any time the chair would need to be on the verandah so that's not really an issue per se. even if they just left it out there during awake periods and bring it inside once they go to sleep it won't be a problem