Handicapped Guests - which WDW resort to choose?

[lovelylins]

Hi
We have been to Florida and Disney several times before, but never stayed at a WDW Resort hotel before. My husband is disabled and we plan to take his electric buggy.
My question is how do we choose which hotel (value or moderate only) we stay at! We need to be able to drive up close to our room and park outside - is this possible?
All the hotels say they have handicapped accessible rooms, but that's about as far as I've got
Will he be able to take his electric buggy on the bus transportation?
I'd be very pleased to hear from anyone with advice on this subject - this is my first 'thread' and I have no idea how I receive your answers!

thank you in anticipation

 

[Piglet843]

I really wish I could help...but I don't know...

My advice is to call the Hotels that claim to be handicapped accessible and ask them these questions. If they deal with this type of thing all the time they should be able to answer any questions you have. HTH!

 

[kaylajr]

HI
May I suggest asking your question on either the resorts board

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

and/or the disAbilities board

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20


Either one should be a good place to find some help

 

[MagiKitty]

Did you go to the Disabilities! forum? My BF uses crutches and found lots of help/info/support on there. There seems to be experts on everything here on the DIS!

I'm sorry I can't be of much help to you...we haven't stayed onsite yet. But I will say WDW makes being a tourist with a disability so easy and wonderful! We just got back two weeks ago and everyone there were so helpful and considerate. I'm sure you'll be able to find someone who can answer all your questions/concerns.

Just wanted to chime in and say hello!

 

[safetymom]

The moderate resorts have parking lots at each building. Some of the moderates don't have elevators. I suggest asking on the Disabilities board here on the DIS.

Welcome to the DIS

 

[ohdisco]

All the resorts have to have handicapped accessible rooms. My mother is physically handicapped, and is pretty much confined to her powerchair or her scooter.

Be forewarned about the moderates and the values. A bunch of them only have handicapped rooms for 2 people, and if you're looking to take more than you just you and your husband, you need to look into the deluxes.

The Polynesian handicapped parking spots are right next to the longhouse that has the handicapped rooms in it. Most places the handicapped rooms are spread out, so I'm not quite sure where they are, but I know about the polynesian.

As for the buses, they have handicapped accessible buses, and can accomodate your husband's scooter.

 

[mickeysaver]

The Polynesian handicapped parking spots are right next to the longhouse that has the handicapped rooms in it. Most places the handicapped rooms are spread out, so I'm not quite sure where they are, but I know about the polynesian.

We were in a handicap accessible room in the Hawaii building (concierge level) it had a king bed and a roll in shower. There was no parking outside of that longhouse. Rapa Nui used to be the main source of those rooms at the Poly, but they have been working some pixie dust magic over there. Maggie

 

[lovetoscrap]

Since you say you have a scooter, does your husband need a roll in shower? Can he get himself over a standard tub ledge and into the shower? Does he need grab bars on the toilet and tub? Becuase if he is not that limited then you would do fine in a standard room. There is room for an ECV to be parked and plugged in. I am currently partially disabled and needed a scooter, but did not need the other h/c accomodations.

If he does need those accomodations then just make sure you stress that you must have a handicapped room. All the resorts have them, but you need to reserve early because there is a limited number. When are you planning to go?

Parking is not directly in front of your door at any resort (that I know of) like you get at a typical Motel. But you should be able to find a place to park close enough to your room to be okay. There is generally parking all around the perimiter. You can request a "Parking Lot View" in your reservation if you prefer. Why do you feel you need to park close?

You do need to be careful about the moderates as I know at least one does not have elevators. Just make sure that you specifiy that you must have a h/c room and you have an ECV. Another thing to consider with some of the moderates is that they are VERY spread out. Some have an internal bus system just to get you to the main building. That is a lot of time getting on and off buses with the ECV. The Values are actually quite compact and you can get from your room to the main building and bus stops fairly quickly from any point.

 

[SueM in MN]

if you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, look near the top for the disABILITIES FAQs thread. One of the posts in that thread has basic information that will be helpful. There is also a thread near the top of that board about accessible rooms.

As was already pointed out, if he needs a roll in shower, he does need a handicapped accessible room with a roll in shower (also called a fully wheelchair accessible room). If he can use the bathtub, but needs a raised seat toilet and grab bars, he would need a handicapped room, but not a fully wheelchair accessible room.
If he doesn't need any of those things, he doesn't need a handicapped room at all. Depending on the resort, he may need to/want to ask for a room on ground floor.