Ground Floor Studio at BWV

[tkd lisa]

I tried calling MS today, but they are closed, so I wanted to see you opinions before I call them tomorrow.

I have a rented reservation at BWVs for a standard view studio Dec 18th. I did this before I bought DVC. I'm now a member, and we're staying at AKL on my points the next day, so I'm hoping MS will talk to me, even though it's a rented reservation.

My mom had knee surgery last Friday. The dr. said that she should be fine at WDW, but that she should be careful with walking a lot. She says she doesn't want a wheelchair. I'll probably force her to get one at least for EPCOT, since that's a LOT of walking!

My main concern right now is at BWVs. I know those hallways are WAAAAY long if we are away from an elevator. If we were on the ground floor (i.e. she didn't have to climb stairs), I wouldn't care where they put us. Do you think I could request ground floor based on medical reasons? And if so, would we be likely to get it?

 

[crisi]

I'm not sure you'd be significantly happier on the ground floor. We had a ground floor SV studio, and I don't think it really saved many steps over having used the elevator - from MGM it did - once.

But it doesn't seem like ground floor is too popular. I wouldn't worry about having it as a request - that's never done us any good in having the requests actually MET.

 

[Lora]

I'm not sure what you mean by the 'ground floor', but do you realized that the 2nd floor is the "ground floor" for the check-in area and the 1st floor is the 'ground floor' for the pool and boardwalk? There is a door at the end of the hallway on the 1st floor that leads out to the bus stop, but then she's going to have a good distance to go to the boat dock on the other side.

I don't know how well she can get around so soon after surgery, but I would probably lean toward the wheelchair or ECV. My mom used one during one trip and it was a big help. It's just amazing how the miles pile up just getting to and from the parks - let alone walking around the parks themselves.

 

[dis-happy]

Did your reservation have many other requests on it? I would just wait until check-in and ask to have a room close to the elevators due to your mom's situation. We had a SV room a couple of weeks ago that was a very short walk from the elevators. I'm not sure a ground floor room will help you that much since the BW is situated on 2 different levels---ground floor for the boardwalk and 2nd floor for the lobby and parking and buses. Either way there's going to be a fair amount of walking to get anywhere.

 

[DVC Grammy]

You can request a room on any floor close to the elevators. Explain to MS that it's medical necessity (your mom's). I have been in that same situation (pre-hip replacement) and they were always accomodating.
In fact, the ground floor in the BWV can only be accessed by elevator if you come in through the lobby (as someone said, the lobby is on the 2nd floor). The least amount of walking for your mom in BWV is a room on any floor, close to the elevators, and the bonus would be a balcony!
Good luck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But, since you are not the owner of the points used to make the reservation, MS might not talk to you about the reservation. Notify the member who made this reservation for you and ask them to contact MS.

 

[tkd lisa]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your help.

I know MS might not talk to me about it, but I figured since I was a member now, it was worth a try. If they don't, I'll just wait until check in.

As far as the walking, my preference is to get her an ECV for our entire 3 day stay from one of the rental places so that we have it for the travel time to and from the parks as well. If we have that, then I don't care where they put us. Right now, my mom is being fairly stubborn in saying she doesn't think she will need it. I do have to say that this type of surgery does have a fairly fast recovery. Her surgery was 1 Dec, and yesterday the therapist told her she doesn't need to use a walker for normal activities. It was arthroscopic, and they repaired tears in both sides of her meniscus.

I think I'll ask for close to the elevators. I was thinking that when we stayed there a couple of years ago, our room was at the end of one of the halls (parking lot view), and a long way to the elevator, but just a short drop down 3 flights of stairs to the bus stop and the path to MGM. I thought being on the ground floor would keep us from having to trek down to the elevators. I even remembered taking that ground floor exit over to the boat dock. And I thought it would be easier to get ground floor than "close to the elevators", since I'm sure lots of people ask for the elevators.

Again, thanks for the help!

 

[Boston5602]

My GrandMother ( who is turning 77 today , HAPPY Birthday Nana ) is coming with us next month and I told her I was getting a wheelchair for her . She told me she didn't think she would need it. I told her I wasn't asking. She NOW has no concerns with walking Disney and is relieved about the WC and cant wait to get to Disney.

The reluctance on her part at first was she never uses one. I talked to her about all of the people who do use one in Disney and why should her vacation be ruined because she has problems walking.

To the OP , can I suggest you go over to the disAbbilities board and check out there stickys and threads maybe that will help you enjoy your trip better with your mom , even if you dont get a WC or ECV.


Have a Great Day

 

[robinb]

Even with an ECV or wheelchair, I would recommend staying on the 2nd floor. It's very nice to just walk/ride to your room when you come back from the parks and not have to worry about taking the elevator.

 

[dis-happy]

Even with an ECV or wheelchair, I would recommend staying on the 2nd floor. It's very nice to just walk/ride to your room when you come back from the parks and not have to worry about taking the elevator.

It sounds good, but if you go to MGM or Epcot you will have to take the elevator or stairs to get back to your second floor room!

 

[kidsister]

I don't like to be near the elevators in a standard view because of the noise from the ME truck bringing in luggage...BUT, it being winter you might not mind having your balcony door closed, and I believe that will block out the noise (I don't like AC and always want my door open so it does bother me.)

Ground floor on the standard side of BW can be a little dicey re privacy issues if you near the valet stand. If you do go ground floor, make sure you ask for one all the way at the end. Then, if you have a car and park your car in the lot nearest the canal (turn left after the security gate and go around the area reserved for valet parking)....you'll only have a few steps to your room I like the top floor and taking the stairs, but this is my fav location insofar as getting to my car and the pools.