Help on room request at Poly for elderly parents

[franw]

My elderly parents are joining us at WDW in November. We have a ressie for them to stay at the Poly as I thought it would be a lot easier on them to get around as well as a nice place to hang out if they are too tired to go to the parks. I have requested a handicap room since they couldn't climb into the tub for a shower. Any ideas on a room/bldg. request that would minimize walking too far to get coffee, monorail, etc.? My dad is having a lot of health problems but this trip means the world to them and I'd like it to be as easy as I can make it for them. I'd appreciate your input.

 

[Grumpy92]

A few days before your arrival fax the front desk. Explain that you have two parents who are disabled and you will need a room as close as possible to the main bldg. That they have difficulty walking long distances. Make sure to note your Confirm. #, dates, name & phone number. The RA usually gives these high priority when assigning rooms.

Here are some great samples:
http://www.wdwig.com/cro1.htm

You also might want to stop into Gst Relations or the FD when you arrive and pick up a Guide for visiting wdw for the Disabled. It is very handy giving you great tips.

 

[BCV23]

Did you explain why you were requesting an accessible room? When we request a rollin shower we are usually transferred to the Special Needs Dept who handles the request. Once we were put on hold while the CM took care of it with that dept. If you work with this dept. you will be assigned a room and only that dept. can change it. So you won't need to worry about faxing.

We've stayed at the Polynesian many times and almost all the access. room are in Rapa Nui. I know Tokelau has at least one such room because we saw it once years ago but I don't remember if it had a rollin shower? Rapa Nui has a little parking lot directly in front of it which is great. It makes it easy to drive to AKL and MGM. For Epcot and MK it is a short walk to the TTC or to the GCH for able bodied folks but if your father is having a lot of trouble walking the distances at WDW can be overwhelming. Have you considered renting a ECV or wheelchair? An ECV would make them feel more independent I think. You can also borrow a wheelchair from the resort that you can take anywhere at WDW.

Rapa Nui is not one of the closer buildings to GCH...maybe a 3-5 minute walk.

If you ask over on the DisAbility Forum, you'll get lots more help I think. I would be glad to answer any other questions too. Have a great trip!

 

[franw]

Thanks for all the great information. I will look into renting the ECV for my dad while he is there and perhaps a wheelchair for mother who has never driven and wouldn't get on one. I am hoping they will be able to enjoy this trip and I am grateful for your time and ideas.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's the phone number for WDW Resort Special Reservations:
(407) 939-7807
(407) 939-7670 [TTY]
This is the department that takes care of special needs requests.
Here's a list of the places that DIS posters report renting wheelchairs and ecvs from:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
Phone (407) 856-2273 • Toll Free U.S and Canada (800) 741-2282

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html
(800)747-0246

And, there's a link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES Board.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Grumpy92
A few days before your arrival fax the front desk. Explain that you have two parents who are disabled and you will need a room as close as possible to the main bldg. That they have difficulty walking long distances. Make sure to note your Confirm. #, dates, name & phone number. The RA usually gives these high priority when assigning rooms.

Here are some great samples:
http://www.wdwig.com/cro1.htm

You also might want to stop into Gst Relations or the FD when you arrive and pick up a Guide for visiting wdw for the Disabled. It is very handy giving you great tips.

Due to the large number of faxes being received, Room assigners have been instructed to note only requests from the actual reservation as sent to them by CRO. You will need to call CRO and have them note your special requests.

Too many people sending faxes has made this a logistics nightmare for resort personnel.