ECVs at Swan/Dolphin?

[mulderxcoltrane]

HI everyone,

On our last trip - we stayed at S/D and didn't see a single ECV in the hotel or on the buses or boats.

We're thinking of staying there again on our next trip, but my mother will be with us and has mobility issues necessitating an ECV.

- Can the ECV be brought on the boat to DHS & EPCOT?
- if the dolphin isn't the first bus stop - do they move people to load an ECV?
- Does an ECV fit in the rooms?
- Has anyone else seen ECVs at the S/D? I"m wondering if they're not common b/c it's a conference-heavy property.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A couple of years ago I was attending a convention at the Swan and had no problem keeping my ECV in my room.

And I have had times when, for various reasons, I would be taking the Friendships from one of the Parks to a Resort (or another Park) and I had no problem with the ECV on teh boats. Note that because of the way the bumpers on the Disney ECVs are built, they cannot get on the Friendships on the Epcot Lagoon.

 

[videogal1]

HI everyone,

On our last trip - we stayed at S/D and didn't see a single ECV in the hotel or on the buses or boats.

We're thinking of staying there again on our next trip, but my mother will be with us and has mobility issues necessitating an ECV.

- Can the ECV be brought on the boat to DHS & EPCOT?
- if the dolphin isn't the first bus stop - do they move people to load an ECV?
- Does an ECV fit in the rooms?
- Has anyone else seen ECVs at the S/D? I"m wondering if they're not common b/c it's a conference-heavy property.

1. Yes, if the lake level allows the boat to rise to the level required to meet the dock properly.
2. Now that might just cause a riot...
3. Absolutely.
4. Been there with mine... I wasn't successful in finding out if any concierge level rooms are HA, though...

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

1. Yes, if the lake level allows the boat to rise to the level required to meet the dock properly.
2. Now that might just cause a riot...
3. Absolutely.
4. Been there with mine... I wasn't successful in finding out if any concierge level rooms are HA, though...

My reason for asking about a spot for the ECV on the bus is: we've stayed at POP before, and since that was the only stop, they always loaded my mom first and let everyone get on after (was told it was a safety issue).
Since the Dolphin is never the first stop for the MK, AK, or DTD, what procedure is followed for when she can get on a bus? Would they only put her on if they can move other guests to the front/back? Would she have to wait for an empty bus?

 

[jmartinez1895]

If people on the bus are sitting in the seats that lift for the wheelchairs or ECV then they will be asked to get out of the seat and they will have to stand or find another open seat on the bus. You will see a notice on the bus window above the seat that lifts that clearly states that people in those seats will have to get up if the space is needed for a chair. As for your room I would imagine that you could request an acessable room if you are very concerned over the space.

 

[SueM in MN]

If people on the bus are sitting in the seats that lift for the wheelchairs or ECV then they will be asked to get out of the seat and they will have to stand or find another open seat on the bus. You will see a notice on the bus window above the seat that lifts that clearly states that people in those seats will have to get up if the space is needed for a chair. As for your room I would imagine that you could request an acessable room if you are very concerned over the space.

Here is a picture of the bus sign advising riders that they will need to move if the seat is needed. This particular picture doesn't show the seat that folds up to make room for a wheelchair/ECV, but the sign is the same.

It is easier to get the wheelchair/ECV on the bus before other passengers have gotten on, but as long as people move out of the space, you can get on.

Accessible rooms are almost always the same total size as non-accessible rooms. The space in the room may be arranged a bit differently to allow room for a roll in shower in the bathroom. If the bathroom is large (and it often is in deluxe resorts), there will be enough space in the bathroom; it may just need to be arranged differently for the roll in shower. To make more space in the bathroom, the bathroom wall is often moved toward the bedroom. This makes the bedroom slightly smaller.

 

[Earstou]

I've stayed at the Dolphin with a scooter, no problem! I didn't see any other scooters, but really didn't see a lot of other people there, either. It was fairly quiet when we were there, in July. We had no problem fitting the chair in the room ( it wasn't a HA room).
Boats were no problem, except it can be a little tight getting on and off. If your mother is uncomfortable driving on, maybe someone else in your party can do it for her. As was mentioned, water levels affect this.
I believe the Dolphin is the second stop. We never had any problem boarding, but we also tried to travel at non-peak times. There was never another ECV or wheelchair on board or boarding while we were there.


On a sidenote, are you a Starwood Preferred Guest? If not, be sure to sign up before you go. They will usually upgrade your room. They gave us a balcony room with a wonderful view last time!