Help me decide

[peemagg]

We are going in March and staying at OKW in a studio. I use a scooter and have other issues with walking. Should I contact Disney and put in a request for first floor room? I know there are only a couple of buildings with elevators, but I just am not sure whether to request it now or wait and take my chances.

For the record I don't need a accessible room as long as I have room for my scooter, which I don't see as being a problem.

Just not sure whether to wing it or have our reservation flagged for the first floor room due to medical conditions.

 

[bidnow5]

Put in the request now and check on it a few weeks before then 2 weeks then the week before then the day before you leave. Our reservations magically changed several times over the years that's why I check a lot and it came in handy a few times

 

[Chickenlady]

I don't know that it makes much difference whether you request it or not. We had a med. request in for a ground floor room at POR (ECV). When we went to check in they not only didn't give us a ground floor room, the CM actually asked if it wasn't possible for us to carry the scooter up the stairs since the Alligator Bayou buildings don't have elevators. Took several min. of us shaking our heads and repeating that it was not possible to carry the scooter up the stairs for the CM to relent and give us another room.

 

[SueM in MN]

OKW is our home resort for DVC since 1992.
In the last 5 years or so, we have reserved an accessible room with a roll in shower.
Before that, we requested First Floor or building with elevator for "Medical Reasons" at the time we made the reservation. Except for one time when we arrived after midnight, never had a problem getting first floor. Since almost all the buildings are only 2 stories, you have pretty much a 50:50 chance of getting first floor even without making a request at all. (The building with 3 floors are either the ones with elevators or those which have the 2nd floor of Grand Villas).

We have been told that Medical Requests are filled before 'general requests' for the same thing. We've also been told that the order of requests is important - they assume whatever the guest lists first is most important to them.

Another thing that is really only a factor at OKW is the way the buildings are arranged. All rooms have the entry door on the front and a porch on the 'back' side. Since the porches are surrounded by greenery, many people actually request 2nd floor so they get a view over the top of the greenery.

 

[peemagg]

Thank you everyone. I went ahead and made the request. Thought better safe than sorry.