hotel requests

[mnmom22]

We are going to WDW next week. I made reservations at POR. CRO told me that there were no rooms available anywhere so I was very happy to get an AP discount. Now I've read that the only rooms open are in Alligator Bayou. It looks like there are no elevators in this section. I will be using an ECV for the first time this trip. Is there anywhere to call and request an ground floor room for medical reasons??

 

[Wheelsie]

I will tell you something about PO (part that used to be Dixie Landing) they ARENT accessible...depending on your access needs...

first off the layout of the property has A LOT of bridges that are VERY steep on either end and can't be traversed by a chair unless you have someone REALLY strong to push you.

the "handi" room we were supposed to stay in had 2 queens and a roll in shower.....BUT YOU COULDNT ROLL INTO TO!!! the toilet was in the way....it was like and old fashioned water closet to go with the motif and you are NOT able to take a shower if you want to stay in this particular room. I was told that there is either a king bed non access room (which the king was standard hight for the motif) or the accessible room ......neither of which a you are able to shower in......my husband couldn't even help me.

And don't even get me STARTED on our "upgrade" given to us by PO (old Dixie Landings) for Contemp.....that was a horro story for another day!!! LOL

again this is my experience as a wheelchair using non walking at all person.

 

[teri]

Here is the phone number for WDW Resort Special Reservations at (407) 939-7807 (voice) or (407) 939-7670 (TTY). They can help you with answers to any questions about resort accessibility.

 

[mnmom22]

I can do some walking ---just not enough to keep up with my kids. I know I need a ground floor to get the ecv in to recharge and would want to be close to the eating area and pool area, especially if it would be hard to get to by ecv. I was told this was the only resort that had any openings at all. Is there a special number to request things that are medically related? I also probably need a frig to keep insulin in. Wheelsie, I'm really sorry you had such a hard time with them. If they call something handicap accessible you should be able to shower. If anyone has any suggestions for me I'd love to hear!!

 

[Wheelsie]

if (again my experience) you want to be close to eatting and pool thats not going to happen PO is really sprawling.....if you can walk good then your ok.....don't sweat it! Do call the numbers Teri gave...see what they say

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi, welcome and here's the number you are looking for:
WDW RESORTS/SPECIAL RESERVATIONS
(407) 939-7807 [voice]
(407) 939-7670 [TTY]

If you are using an ecv, you may not have as much trouble as Wheelsie had at PO. The bridges that she had problems with are steep for a wheelchair, but evcs typically can handle steep ramps better than a wheelchair can. If you can walk around in the room, the room layout and bathroom shouldn't be a problem.
We have stayed a number of times at POR and liked it very much, but we were traveling with a child in a wheelchair, so we didn't encounter the problems that Wheelsie did.
Here's a link to the map of POR. Alligator Bayou is the area on the left side of the map. Staying in those will avoid most of the bridges (you can see them crossing the "river" on the map).
Have fun.

PS> I'm editing this just to say that when I posted this, only Wheelsie's first post was there. That's why I'm repeating information.
Also, we have stayed in Buildings 14, 18 and 27 with DD in her wheelchair and my MIL and FIL, who has trouble walking -hip and knees are bad. He didn't have a problem walking to the Food Court or the bus from those buildings (well, maybe #27 is kind of far).

 

[mnmom22]

Thanks for all the info. I've learned so much from this forum!!! I don't know how I managed to plan a vacation before I found these boards!!!! I'm bringing my 10yo neice to help with my 7yo son who has pdd, adhd etc etc. I hope it will work with an ecv. Walking has just gotten too hard for me these days to even think about keeping up with him at a park. A few years ago he had a meltdown getting off of "Small World"and I had to carry him, kicking and screaming all the way to the front of the park. It wasn't pretty. He actually does pretty well at WDW. All the stimulation actually has a calming effect on him --- most of the time.

 

[lisapooh]

Sue you are wrong about your info on POR. Unfortunately plenty of the Alligator Bayou rooms require crossing a bridge if you go by the most direct route. The other ways are very long. They do not guarantee putting you close in. In fact, where I was was about as far as you could get from the amenities and many nights I had to resort to in room pizza because I could not get to the food court. It was miserable. And going acroos the bridges because of the non-slip strips on them were very painful.
My experience there makes me leery of all the large moderates and of course it only acceptible one was closed. POFQ was the best as far as access to amenities was concerned for someone in a wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree that POR is not the best place for someone using an ECV or a wheelchair and I agree that PO-FQ is a good resort because of its size. But if you can get a close in room (which I know they don't guarantee) you can avoid most of the bridges when staying in Alligator Bayou. Some of the rooms are very far away though, I will agree. The most direct route may require going over a bridge. You can see all that on the map and we have stayed there a few times. If someone has no choice of hotels, knowing which rooms are closest will help.
I also agree that the bridges are also not wheelchair friendly, although we have had posts in the past from people who use ECVs and saw no problem. If you are in the mansion area, the right side of the map, I don't think there is a way to get to the food court without going over a bridge (I can't get the map to open at work, the page is blocked).

 

[momejay]

I refuse to ever stay in Alligator Bayou again! Mom had manual wheel chair, at the time. My ds has manual chair (used like a restraint at times because he would rather dislocate arms than walk). DD has PDD autism spectrum disorder. She tends to wander. My dad & a babysitter all stayed there in 2 rooms in need of new carpet. (It was sticky) The food court couldn't be any further away & it is past the pool. (with 2 tantruming children get used to cold food) The buses were few & far between & when they finally came didn't have room or a lift for 1 chair, & we had 2.
On the up side, it was quiet & the gardens were beautiful. My ds loved the pool at 'ol man island, but the slide became an obsession. (he wanted to climb up it of course) They were painting & fixing buildings in the area when we left.

 

[JudithM]

I am sorry you did not have a good experience at POR. Personally I will not stay at Riverside either - my reasons go back several years. How was the rest of your trip with the wheelchairs?