Handicap Rooms, ECVs and other Questions

[katmigordon]

So, I was thinking it might be wise for us to rent an Ecv for the cruise - making character lines and the like easier for me to deal with with my arthritis.
What do I do with a scooter when in a concierge Veranda room? Not a suite, just the veranda room... no need for more space with only the two of us.
Can I have one delivered to the boat so we don't have to worry about it once in the city?
Any recommendations for rentals out of San Diego?

 

[Lisa F]

I am not sure about the size of the door/room in concierge verandah rooms but in regular rooms they won't fit through the door and there is no room to store them. My mom had mobility issues and there were no more HA rooms so we ended up just getting her a wheelchair instead because it could fold and stow more easily than an ECV. She really didn't need to be transported long distances by herself, there was always someone around who could push it.

They do have a spot on deck 2 outside of enchanted garden for people to leave their ECVs and wheelchairs when they're not using them (they don't want them in the halls). Again I do not know if concierge has a closer/better accommodation if you cannot keep it in your room. we opted for the wheelchair because we were deck 7 forward and it was too far away too store it and too much hassle. But I bet for what concierge charges there is a better option. Maybe someone can weigh in.

We were out of Port Canaveral but did a rental and it was delivered and picked up by the company - left for us outside of enchanted garden and we left it in the same spot. Not sure about SD but I bet there is something similar.

 

[serenitynow]

No, Concierge passengers also have to leave their ECV parked outside of Enchanted Garden when not in use. Any passenger with a mobility device has to either keep it in their stateroom or parked on deck 2 outside of Enchanted Garden (on the Dream).

The only doors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or ECV are those in accessible rooms. Accessible rooms also have an automated door that opens and closes slowly enough to allow enough time to get the device in and out of the room. Standard doors are too narrow and heavy for mobility devices to safely maneuver.

 

[katmigordon]

I am not sure about the size of the door/room in concierge verandah rooms but in regular rooms they won't fit through the door and there is no room to store them. My mom had mobility issues and there were no more HA rooms so we ended up just getting her a wheelchair instead because it could fold and stow more easily than an ECV. She really didn't need to be transported long distances by herself, there was always someone around who could push it.

They do have a spot on deck 2 outside of enchanted garden for people to leave their ECVs and wheelchairs when they're not using them (they don't want them in the halls). Again I do not know if concierge has a closer/better accommodation if you cannot keep it in your room. we opted for the wheelchair because we were deck 7 forward and it was too far away too store it and too much hassle. But I bet for what concierge charges there is a better option. Maybe someone can weigh in.

We were out of Port Canaveral but did a rental and it was delivered and picked up by the company - left for us outside of enchanted garden and we left it in the same spot. Not sure about SD but I bet there is something similar.

You know it would be cheaper to rent a wheelchair, and since I only need it for very long lines, maybe my wife would be willing to push me. Something to think about - thanks =)

 

[katmigordon]

No, Concierge passengers also have to leave their ECV parked outside of Enchanted Garden when not in use. Any passenger with a mobility device has to either keep it in their stateroom or parked on deck 2 outside of Enchanted Garden (on the Dream).

The only doors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or ECV are those in accessible rooms. Accessible rooms also have an automated door that opens and closes slowly enough to allow enough time to get the device in and out of the room. Standard doors are too narrow and heavy for mobility devices to safely maneuver.

That there are no HA rooms available for Concierge seems a bit unfair, not to me - worst case scenario I find a chair and sit while my wife waits in line and I hop in when she gets to the front... (I can do short periods on my feet, just not long ones), but for those who absolutely DEPEND on a chair/scooter of some sort.

 

[lanejudy]

I believe the doorways into regular staterooms (any category, including concierge) are only maybe 23" wide, not wide enough for most mobility devices; some smaller ones may fit. The other issue is the room layout, even if a device were to fit through the doorway it may not fit past the queen bed, therefore sort of "stuck" in the hallway area near the closets/bathrooms/exit. HA rooms have minimum 32" doorways and usually an easier layout to maneuver around the room. There are relatively few HA rooms on the ships and may book quickly, especially for certain categories; though it is possible for an HA room to be "leftover" and assigned as a GTY/*GT. I don't know if DCL maintains a waitlist if HA rooms are not available - it may be worth calling to ask.

If a mobility device doesn't fit into your stateroom, it cannot be left in the hallway. DCL offers designated parking areas on (I think) deck 6 of the classic ships or deck 2 of the Dream class ships.

Special Needs at Sea rents in most, if not all, US ports serviced by DCL. If renting something to be delivered to the ship, be sure to contact DCL and complete the Special Services Form so they'll be prepared to receive the delivery.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[katmigordon]

I believe the doorways into regular staterooms (any category, including concierge) are only maybe 23" wide, not wide enough for most mobility devices; some smaller ones may fit. The other issue is the room layout, even if a device were to fit through the doorway it may not fit past the queen bed, therefore sort of "stuck" in the hallway area near the closets/bathrooms/exit. HA rooms have minimum 32" doorways and usually an easier layout to maneuver around the room. There are relatively few HA rooms on the ships and may book quickly, especially for certain categories; though it is possible for an HA room to be "leftover" and assigned as a GTY/*GT. I don't know if DCL maintains a waitlist if HA rooms are not available - it may be worth calling to ask.

If a mobility device doesn't fit into your stateroom, it cannot be left in the hallway. DCL offers designated parking areas on (I think) deck 6 of the classic ships or deck 2 of the Dream class ships.

Special Needs at Sea rents in most, if not all, US ports serviced by DCL. If renting something to be delivered to the ship, be sure to contact DCL and complete the Special Services Form so they'll be prepared to receive the delivery.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thanks for all the info!
I read that Special service can sometimes be hard to get hold of, can I work this with conceirge insead?

 

[lanejudy]

Shoreside concierge may be able to help you complete the Special Services form. I don't see why not, but I've never worked with them so I'm not sure. If you have questions, I believe concierge can work as a go-between to try and answer...that can get old if the response results in a follow-up question and lots of back-and-forth.

I've never had trouble contacting by phone for questions, but you can also contact Special Services via email: SpecialServices@disneycruise.com And the Special Services form is online, click the link in my email above.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[BCV23]

There are accessible concierge cabins on the Fantasy and Wonder. I imagine that is the case with the Dream and Magic as well. But it sounds as if you don't really need one so it is probably good to leave them for those who can't walk and/or need the rollin shower. They book quickly in our experience.

On the Fantasy, I've seen a spot to park ECVs and wheelchairs in an elevator lobby. I think it was midship elevators on 5, 6 or 7? Hmm, maybe it was forward elevators. LOL....I will need to explore next cruise to locate it. But guest services could help you with that when you board. As noted, there is also an area near Enchanted Garden. Sounds like you will be on the Wonder though. I think there is a spot near the aft elevators on one deck. But again Guest Services, any officer or probably many other members of the crew will know.

Have you considered one of those lightweight walkers which include a seat? They fold and you could store it under your bed when you don't need it.

 

[serenitynow]

That there are no HA rooms available for Concierge seems a bit unfair, not to me - worst case scenario I find a chair and sit while my wife waits in line and I hop in when she gets to the front... (I can do short periods on my feet, just not long ones), but for those who absolutely DEPEND on a chair/scooter of some sort.

I agree that there are not enough accessible concierge rooms on Disney’s cruise ships

 

[Lisa F]

Have you considered one of those lightweight walkers which include a seat? They fold and you could store it under your bed when you don't need it.

that could be a good idea too, plus it's a good thing to use to hold bags and things while you're getting from point A to point B, and you wouldn't rely on anyone to push you.

With my mom, she had surgery and didn't heal as quickly as we expected so by the time the cruise rolled around there were no HA rooms - we just coped with the wheelchair. She would have needed more than a walker though as she truly couldn't walk very far but could walk just far enough to get over any non wheelchair accessible obstacles. I think honestly the ECV would have been a lot bigger/more awkward/more hassle and was glad to not have to deal with it - the wheelchair was adequate and kept her out of trouble.

But she is dangerous on an ECV anyway... she had an incident at costco with a huge display, I will leave it to the imagination, but it was the stuff of sitcoms

 

[katmigordon]

that could be a good idea too, plus it's a good thing to use to hold bags and things while you're getting from point A to point B, and you wouldn't rely on anyone to push you.

With my mom, she had surgery and didn't heal as quickly as we expected so by the time the cruise rolled around there were no HA rooms - we just coped with the wheelchair. She would have needed more than a walker though as she truly couldn't walk very far but could walk just far enough to get over any non wheelchair accessible obstacles. I think honestly the ECV would have been a lot bigger/more awkward/more hassle and was glad to not have to deal with it - the wheelchair was adequate and kept her out of trouble.

But she is dangerous on an ECV anyway... she had an incident at costco with a huge display, I will leave it to the imagination, but it was the stuff of sitcoms

Your poor mom, yeah getting the hang of them can be a bit tough. =)
That said I've been driving them for over 10 years now, mostly in the grocery store and at WDW, so I've actually gotten pretty good at it.

 

[Lisa F]

Your poor mom, yeah getting the hang of them can be a bit tough. =)
That said I've been driving them for over 10 years now, mostly in the grocery store and at WDW, so I've actually gotten pretty good at it.

I think she's been getting into trouble on them for longer, lol. She had had both hips and a knee replaced and more recently had the ball on one of the hips replaced a second time - her recovery took a lot longer than the first time 20+ years ago (go figure). But she has definitely used them on and off, like at Costco when it was too much to walk and at the parks with my sister for quite some time. she's still not good at it. She was just fine being pushed around too though, then she'd get up at the entrance to the venue (restaurant or theater) and go sit down while someone stowed it for her. Again it's just tons easier with a smaller folding wheelchair but it definitely does rely on help to get it around! My dad is not happy unless he is caretaking so it worked out for both of them, haha.

 

[Starwind]

You know it would be cheaper to rent a wheelchair, and since I only need it for very long lines, maybe my wife would be willing to push me. Something to think about - thanks =)

I found for many of the character lines there was seating nearby that I could sit and wait in while another member of my family waited in the line. In one area, I moved seats every so often to get closer as the line moved forward. I then rejoin my family when they are close to the front of the line.

I would think that if you are only needing it for long lines [eg character lines] on board the ship so that you have a guaranteed place to sit, a wheelchair would be fine. Also, you could push it empty yourself [kind of like a walker] and then just use it to sit.

For that matter, would something like a Rollator work ?

SW

 

[ahain]

You know it would be cheaper to rent a wheelchair, and since I only need it for very long lines, maybe my wife would be willing to push me. Something to think about - thanks =)

Since you only need it for very long lines....what about using one of those wheelie walkers that have a seat on them? They are smaller and more easily stowed, but would still provide you with the ability to sit when needed.

 

[katmigordon]

Since you only need it for very long lines....what about using one of those wheelie walkers that have a seat on them? They are smaller and more easily stowed, but would still provide you with the ability to sit when needed.

Honey I am a big FAT woman, renting one of those that would hold me would probably cost more than the ECV.

 

[BCV23]

But she is dangerous on an ECV anyway... she had an incident at costco with a huge display, I will leave it to the imagination, but it was the stuff of sitcoms

Your poor mom!

 

[BRC6C]

I had to call special services twice with related questions. Once I got through with only seconds on hold, the other time I was on hold for a minute at most. Both times I called about 10am eastern time in case that helps! They were awesome at answering my questions!!

 

[katmigordon]

I had to call special services twice with related questions. Once I got through with only seconds on hold, the other time I was on hold for a minute at most. Both times I called about 10am eastern time in case that helps! They were awesome at answering my questions!!

So call, don't Email?
I E Mailed two weeks ago - still haven't heard back

 

[serenitynow]

So call, don't Email?
I E Mailed two weeks ago - still haven't heard back

I’d make a follow up call to confirm your email information