Just have to vent.....

[lizdotcom99]

My father deicided to join us in our annual trip to Disney. He has a bit of a mobility problem, so we rented a scooter from Walker. I would highly reccomend this to anyone who is even remotely thinking about it as it was a wonderful experiance for my father. The part that was not so enjoyable was that when he came to visit me at my resort Boardwalk Villas there were never any wheelchairs for him to use while on the premises. This was very frustrating since he did not want to haul his scooter in the car as it is a bit cumbersome and walking is really a problem for him. On several occasions we had asked if there was a wheelchair for him to use jsut for a short trip from the car to the pool area we were told there were no wheelchair available. This was a huge dissappointment for me and our family as my father was not able to fully enjoy what the rest of us could. I just had to vent and see if this has happend to anybody else? I think I will be writting a note to Disney to let them know of this dissappointment just because I think they need to know that this sort of thing is going on? Does anybody disagree with me?
Thanks...
Liz and Greg

 

[Talking Hands]

Not surprising unfortunately. The resorts have a very limited supply of wheelchairs. I would make Disney aware this was a problem for your father. Was your father staying offsite and not with you? I can see not wanted to carry it in the car as unloading can be a pain if you are on your own.

 

[lizdotcom99]

the moving of the ecv was a pain.......I will let Disney know of my disappointment however. We were very lucky in that touring Disney otherwise was pretty much carefree. We had a great time!!!

Thanks,
Liz and Greg

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I don't know your financial position, and hope you will not take offense at the following.

If at all possible, and your father comes again, have him stay at one of the deluxe hotels. The valets (and there is valet parking at all the deluxe hotels) will disassmble and pack the ECV in the trunk, and will also remove and assemble the ECV if asked. It sometimes is necessary to "supervise" and tell them what to do, but many of them are very experienced.

I have been asked, by valets, to make sure that my hang tag is displayed so there is no question about the valet parking fee; however even without a hang tag they recognize the disability with an ECV in the car and will usually waive the fee.

A consideration is that the position of valet is a "tip position" and the pay is very low; tipping is expected (just as for a waiter). No part of the daily parking fee goes to the valets. I will normally tip $2.00 both on each arrival and departure, and if they have to handle and (dis)assemble the ECV I will usually tip $5.00. (I have had a couple of circumstances where I did not get any assistance with the ECV; in thaose instances not only was there no ti but also a discussion with the parking supervisor.)

 

[SueM in MN]

I think a nice letter would at least get them thinking about it, but I would be surprised if they do anything. Since BW is a location to visit besides being a resort, I think they could potentially have a lot of demand for the "loaner" wheelchairs." They would need a lot of them and each wheelchair could be out amny hours. I could see them having rental wheelchairs available that could just be used in the Boardwalk area, but it would be hard to keep them in that area.

PS. Even if he was visiting, he could have used the valet parking like Cheshire Figment suggested. The valets are very helpful (even to 2 able bodied adults lifting a not very heavy wheelchair out of the back of a van for our DD).

 

[lizdotcom99]

as I did not realize this was an option. I will write a letter and definately remeber this for next time. I did not realize my father would be joining us until last minute....and I never thought to checkout the DISability boards as I do not deal with his disability on a daily basis and it did not even cross my mind. I am very grateful for the opportunity to travel with my father in this capacity as it has opened my eyes to a portion of the population that I have not had much exposure to. Thanks for all the great information and advice.
Liz