Fort Wilderness Cabin-What mobility aid?

[carj]

I visited this board when we were planning our 2008 trip to WDW. I asked questions then regarding rides with my son who has a prosthetic leg. Since I got such great and thorough advice, I thought I would come and ask here again!

I am planning a trip with my parents ages 73 and 69 and my 2 children ages 9 and 7 (then). We would like to go in August, I do realize it will be hot and humid. We have been in June before and live in Texas so the heat is something that we already are prepared for. Travelling in off season isn't an option because I won't pull the kids out of school and I am a teacher so I don't get vacation days.

Here is our situation:
Step-father has COPD, previous back surgery, hearing aids and thyroid cancer (The thyroid cancer was just diagnosed and he will be through with the treatment by the time of the trip.) His biggest issue is that he can't stand or walk for long periods of time.

What type of mobilty aids would you suggest? I am thinking about using the push wheelchair to get to and from the parking lots. (We will have a car.) Then, parking the wheelchair with some of the strollers and renting an ECV. Should we rent a golfcart at FW too? He is going to be spending a couple of days there while we go to the parks.

I thought about renting and ECV from an offsite company but I didn't know if I could lift the thing into my vehicle, and if there was a way to get it into the cabins at FW.

Right now he is planning on doing one day a MK and one day at DHS. I think that with the number of shows at DHS, that would be a great one and he wants to go to the MK.

I should also mention that the kids have been to WDW and DL in 2008 and 2009 so we aren't going to feel that extreme pressure to "do it all". We plan on getting there for rope drop, doing a sit-down meal together for lunch to cool off and then head back for a swim.

GAC- I think that I am clear on this one. I need to ask for what he needs correct? His needs will be a place to sit while waiting and/or a way to remain in the wheelchair or ECV for as long as possible to minimize walking.

I would appreciate any help or advice that you can offer.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The off-site standard rentals break down to five or six pieces, depending on the model. The two batteries weigh 24 pounds each. The motor/rear wheel assembly weighs about 40 pounds and is designed to be lifted. Everything else is less.

If you can rent a transport ECV that does weigh less, but you are not likely to get a full day use out of a charge.

I'm not sure if the cabins have steps, but I do know that many of them have ramps. With the ECV he would have accessibility at FW as well as at the parks.

 

[tobikaye]

I cannot answer all of your questions, but I can tell you that the regular cabins at FW have about 5 steps up onto the deck to get into the cabin. The handicap cabins are the only ones with ramps. If you are going to rent an ECV, then I would suggest that you request a handicap cabin when you go.

As for the golf cart debate, if he is the only one that would be staying at the cabins, then as long as his EVC is charged, he could probably use that and the internal busing to get around without the golf cart. Although the golf cart gets you around the grounds, you still have to park it in the lots and walk to some of the places. If everyone is planning on spending time at the campground, then you may want to still get one. I believe they will fit four people if you rent from Disney. The Camping board has some information on renting from an outside source.

You may already be planning on doing this, but if not, I would strongly suggest that on the day you go to MK that you take the boat from the marina since even if you drive to TTC, you will have to transfer to either the boat or monorail. If riding the monorail is the big draw, then I would suggest taking the FW boat to the Contemporary and getting on the monorail there.

I am going in May, staying in a handicap cabin, so I may post some pictures here on the Disability board when I get back since I think many would like to see what they look like. Here is the only link I have been able to find with an actual picture of what the outside of a handicap cabin looks like with the ramp. It is at the bottom of the page in the link:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/6719/Fort_Wilderness

 

[carj]

Thank you both so much for your responses. I contacted Walker Mobility yesterday and emailed an inquiry about a golf cart as well.

I think that renting an ECV from an offsite company sounds like the best plan. I am going to see if we can get an accessible cabin. I will be very interested in seeing more pictures after your trip!

We are also going to have him do a few trial runs with the ECVs at Wal-Mart or Target and see how that goes.

How difficult is it to assemble and disassemble the rental ECVs? We will have our car and we will probably use it at least some of the time.

Also, should we request an accessible cabin? He is reluctant to take something away from another guest who may be unable to navigate steps.

I guess maybe I should really ask if the Cabins are a good choice. We looked at:
Port Orleans Riverside- but that was 2 double beds and a trundle

2 rooms at a Value but that didn't have as much entertainment for step-father if he chooses to not go to the parks.

The next choice was the cabins. Was that a good choice? I have a PIN for free QS dinding which we are going to upgrade to regular dining. So, while the kitchen will be nice, it isn't a huge deal for us.

 

[Piper]

Do not worry about "taking away" a cabin with a ramp. It sounds like it would be necessary. I know it is hard to "give up" some of your ideas about your abilities, but using resources that are already in place can make your trip much more enjoyable........and more enjoyable for everyone else.

If you rent an ECV offsite, he can use it to get around Fort Wilderness--been there, done that!

 

[tobikaye]

As Piper said, do not worry about taking a cabin as if you have the ECV, it actually is something that you would need. I had the same thought when I requested the accessible cabin for my sister. She can handle the small number of stairs, but the issue with her is the showers. She has trouble lefting her leg to get in and out of the ones with tubs. At home, we have a step in shower that is about 3-4" high and she has trouble some days with that. By the way, they will ask if you need a roll-in shower or not as some of the accessible cabins have tubs and others showers.

Also, just to let you know, the accessible cabins are a bit wider and have wider hallways. Allears has pictures of the insides of the cabins. This will give you more space to leave the EVC so it is not always in the way. That was another reason I decided on these. We will have my sister's rollator and although it folds up, it still can seem in the way at times.

I leave in about 30 days for my trip. I plan to take my laptop with me and will try to upload some of the pictures so that you can see them. That way if you have any questions, I can try and check while I am there. Check back around May 8-9 as I arrive on May 8 and I hope to be able to do some uploads that day or the next.

 

[carj]

I can't wait to see pictures, I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[carj]

I just thought about the accessible cabins and now I am not sure if that will work for us. It looks like they have a roll in shower. My son has a hard time standing in the shower. He usually takes a bath but I guess we could manage for a few days.

Does anyone know if all the accessible cabins have a roll in shower? We seem to be a difficult group! I guess if it comes right down to it, we will just make the shower work.

 

[tobikaye]

I am not sure if all of the accessible cabins have the roll-in shower, but I know that they had me specify that I did need one. Below is a link to a photo on allears that shows there is a seat in the showers:

http://www.allears.net/acc/ftw229.jpg

 

[carj]

I called today and booked 5 nights at the cabins. I explained the needs of our party and the CM reserved a cabin with a ramp and a bathtub! There are cabins with a tub and grab bars rather than a roll in shower. Perfect for our group!

I'm so excited! I made dining reservations while I was on the phone and I think that I may need to make 1 or 2 changes there but other than that, we are all set!!

I will try to report back about our experiences at FW! We will be there July 30-August 4.

We will see how long I can keep it a secret from the kids!

 

[CSHaydt]

hi everyone - we have the same situation going on, however a roll in shower would be perfect - do i need to request that. WE are going in September. So do they have roll in showers? Do i need to specifically request that?

I would love to see photo's of accessible cabins if you post them.

Thanks

 

[peemagg]

Yes you need to request a cabin (or any room) with a roll-in shower. You also need to make sure they note on your reservation that this is not really a request, but a need due to medical reasons. If you don't add that last part, they will take it as just that, a request, not a need and you may not get it. Be sure that it is fully understood and noted on your reservation.

 

[tobikaye]

Below is a link to my post on this thread with pictures of roll in shower at FW. You do need to request a roll in shower as not all handicap rooms have them.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2493721

 

[clkelley]

Another suggestion on the ECV if you really don't want to bring it in the cabin to take up space.

There is an electrical outlet on the front of the cabin by the driveway. Bring a Medium Gas Grill Cover and cover the ECV and leave it parked outside plugged in.

We camp in the regular camping loops with hubby's ECV and that is how we leave it in the evenings.

Also, with the ECV don't fool with the internal buses. It will take less time to just drive the ECV to the various locations around the Fort!!

By the time you wait on a bus, load the ECV, travel to your destination with other stops, then unload the ECV, it is faster to drive it!!

If you do decide to also get a golf cart check out the following:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2148754