How likely? (Special requests)

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

I know that the official line is that "requests can not be guaranteed" but I was wondering how much luck some of you FW veterans have had with requests.

My requests would be -
1. cabins close together (we are considered a "grand gathering" we will have two cabins, does GG guarantee that we will be next to each other?)

2. As close as possible to the bus stop. Dad had a stroke last year and gets worn out easily. We will rent a wheelchair in the park, but will not have one at FW. I hope he will not have to walk far at the end of the night. (and renting golf carts is an expense we hope to avoid)

Based on your exeriences with special requests at the Fort, how likely is it that I will accomodated? (We will be there Aug 26-Sept 2 if that makes a difference)
TIA

 

[awswilson2007]

I would definitely suggest getting a golf cart! Sometimes the walk to the bus stops can be pretty long!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

You may want to check over on the Disabilities board, they have a number for requests that are made for medical reasons. Another suggestion is to rent an ECV for your dad from an offsite agency(again you will find a list on the other board). Disney is alot of walking and in Aug/Sep it is also very hot, whoever is lucky enough to push the wheelchair will likely need lots of time to rest. If you rent an ECV for the length of your stay, dad will not have to depend on anyone for his mobility, and since all Disney buses can carry upto two ECVs, and the boat from FW to MK is wheelchair/ECV friendly it may be best for everyone.

When you make the request make sure they know it is for medical reasons.

 

[We4mickey]

If you are a grand gathering your ressies will be linked together with your grand gathering number. Call and request your cabins be near the bus. You should not have a problem.

 

[tim5055]

As has been pointed out, you will probably not have a problem. Being part of a Grand Gathering will help a lot, but the medical necessity should almost guarantee you a cabin close to the bus stop.

Obviously you are aware that when making reservations you can ask to be assigned to a specific loop, and they will even note a specific favorite site, but nothing is guaranteed, but medical reasons are almost always granted.

I would suggest two things:

1. Make sure that your reservation is noted that one of the persons in your party is recovering from a stroke, and for medical reasons yo are requesting a cabin close to a bus stop.

2. About four days before your arrival, fax a request directly to Fort Wilderness. FW are the folks who actually assign the sites/cabins.

While I could give specific instructions, I would just recommend reading one of the best articles I have found regarding site/room requests is "Faxing Your Room Preferences To Your Disney Hotel" by Jack Marshall. The following is quoted from his article (my emphasis):

Figure your 4 days prior to arrival this way:

Thursday - Arrival day/check-in
Wednesday - 1 day prior
Tuesday - 2 days prior
Monday - 3 days prior
Sunday - 4 days prior

Faxing after 4 pm is usually best only because the morning Room Assigner is usually bogged down with checkouts and the evening Room Assigner is usually dealing with check-ins until 4 pm. Honestly though, if you are faxing it doesn't matter when you send it. If they are busy they will file it and the evening Room Assigner will get to it when they start blocking requests.

Yes, the resorts do room assignments 7 days a week. Many Disney resorts will assign their rooms to medical needs and groups first followed by regular guest requests. Oldest reservations will usually have priority but that isn't always the case.

 

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

Thank you for the info!

We talked about renting an ECV for the week, but dad is resisting the idea. He thinks he will be fine for the first half of the day, then need the wheelchair for the afternoon/evening. (He's never been to WDW, or experienced FL in Aug., so I'm afraid he might be overly optimistic about his stamina)

We will make our requests and hope for the best.
Thanks again!

 

[mickeyluvr004]

I know that the official line is that "requests can not be guaranteed" but I was wondering how much luck some of you FW veterans have had with requests.

My requests would be -
1. cabins close together (we are considered a "grand gathering" we will have two cabins, does GG guarantee that we will be next to each other?)

2. As close as possible to the bus stop. Dad had a stroke last year and gets worn out easily. We will rent a wheelchair in the park, but will not have one at FW. I hope he will not have to walk far at the end of the night. (and renting golf carts is an expense we hope to avoid)

Based on your exeriences with special requests at the Fort, how likely is it that I will accomodated? (We will be there Aug 26-Sept 2 if that makes a difference)
TIA

hi i was told that if you ask for a wheelchair when you check in the resorts have some to rent for free but its on a first come first serve basis so make sure you ask (i did call and that is what i was told) we are going sept 11-18 and my mom is having knee surgery in july so i wanted one just in case she needs one, we did reserve a golf cart for the length of our stay also. so remember to ask you can take them every where you go all parks and everything so why not hope this is helpful