Making requests

[choirfarm]

This comes from several people who have made medical requests and then people jump all over them because they did not pay for preferred rooms or whatever. So I have a question... It seems to me, that when the person called to get their room and said they were on dialysis and needed to do less walking that the CM SHOULD have said, you really need to book a preferred room. The person THOUGHT they had made a reasonable request and had no idea they should have asked for a different kind of room. I'm thinking about how you should make this type of request. For example, if I went with my step-dad who had a stroke and now walks with a cane and has no use of his right arm, in a value, what should I request? in a moderate?? How are people supposed to KNOW this especially if they do not frequent these boards. I would think that if I called and said, I am having dialysis and need a room close to the bus stop, then they would give me said room. I would have NO idea that I would need to ask for a different kind of room unless the CM says something!!! So PLEASE all of you experts that are so quick to jump on people. Tell the rest of us that are not nearly so knowlegable what we need to do oh holy ones.

 

[Matt'sMom]

Just a suggestion. If someone has mobility/endurance issues and needs to limit walking... a better solution (than 'preferred' room location) would be to bring along or rent an ECV or W/C. The walking distance from your resort room to the bus stop is minor in comparison to the walking distances routinely involved while touring any of the parks.

We will be renting an ECV for my DD for use during our upcoming WDW vacation. Check out http://www.buenavistascooters.com They will deliver & pick up at your resort--rental fees for W/C are $60 per week, ECV starting at $30 per day.

 

[pumpkinfish]

This comes from several people who have made medical requests and then people jump all over them because they did not pay for preferred rooms or whatever. So I have a question... It seems to me, that when the person called to get their room and said they were on dialysis and needed to do less walking that the CM SHOULD have said, you really need to book a preferred room. The person THOUGHT they had made a reasonable request and had no idea they should have asked for a different kind of room. I'm thinking about how you should make this type of request. For example, if I went with my step-dad who had a stroke and now walks with a cane and has no use of his right arm, in a value, what should I request? in a moderate?? How are people supposed to KNOW this especially if they do not frequent these boards. I would think that if I called and said, I am having dialysis and need a room close to the bus stop, then they would give me said room. I would have NO idea that I would need to ask for a different kind of room unless the CM says something!!! So PLEASE all of you experts that are so quick to jump on people. Tell the rest of us that are not nearly so knowlegable what we need to do oh holy ones.

Personally, I don't listen to people that moan and groan. I make the requests that *I* need due to my health. For instance: this upcoming trip is the first time we will be spending our entire trip at POP. My initial request was for preferred due to health reasons. I wanted to be close to main building and food court (and buses). When AP rates came out, they didn't have any more preferred at that rate so I had to take a standard room. No biggie. I just asked the CM to keep me as close as possible.
As far as wheelchairs/ECV go, I think that is a great suggestion. I know I usually need a wheelchair for one or two days towards the end of our trip. However, I don't think that takes the place of a preferred room. I know that if I limit my walking enough (get a close enough room) I end up not needing one. You would be surprised how much walking one does through the resorts. And if I keep it to a minimum I enjoy my stay better.

I hope I explained myself clear enough and am sorry the OP had a terrible experience . For the most part, the people on the DIS are wonderful, thoughtful people.

 

[choirfarm]

Good idea about the stollers, but how is the ordinary Joe going to be able to KNOW exactly what they should request. They say I have xyz medical condition. Doesn't that take care of it??

 

[safetymom]

You might want to ask your question on the DisAbilities board here on the DIS. I am sure they know how to handle it.

I am sure most people don't say I have XYZ condition. They just say I would like a first floor room near the bus stop. You are making a request and requests are not guaranteed. You also need to mention it again when you check in because it may not be in the notes of your reservation.

 

[wilde_oscar]

I had them not on the reservation that we needed a room with zero access shower, as my grandfather is mobile but stepping over a tub is not an option. What they did was put us on the second floor near the elevator in a room with an accessible shower. I have no clue if the room was preferred but it was fairly close.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This comes from several people who have made medical requests and then people jump all over them because they did not pay for preferred rooms or whatever. So I have a question... It seems to me, that when the person called to get their room and said they were on dialysis and needed to do less walking that the CM SHOULD have said, you really need to book a preferred room.

Using your example: I disagree BECAUSE, frankly, it's unreasonable to expect the standard Cast Member (or hotel reservationist anywhere, or really ANY random person) to know what dialysis is or what it involves or how it stresses the patient, physically or mentally or emotionally. It is the responsibility of the GUEST, in this or any other similar situation, to be proactive.

Good idea about the stollers, but how is the ordinary Joe going to be able to KNOW exactly what they should request. They say I have xyz medical condition. Doesn't that take care of it??

Again, no - if the average Joe doesn't know what they should request in relation to a hotel room, how in the world should a person WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE of that condition or its effects, be expected to know what 'Average Joe' needs????? Again, using dialysis: it affects/stresses different people differently. Actually, using this treatment (because it's NOT a condition) as an example) - the Guest/patient would probably be BEST served by having or arranging private transportation to and from the treatment center... so the BEST room location for that person would be one very close to where the passenger vehilcle could drop them off. NOT necessarily a Preferred location room.

 

[RMulieri]

As a pp stated, disney personel are not medical professionals.A lot of them do not know what certain health conditions entail, and quite honestly it is not their job.If you have condition xyz and need to be close to the front desk or whatever, it is best to say I have xzy and can not walk long distances so I need to be near whatever.If on check-in the room is not what you asked for explain again to the front desk what your needs are.If it is indeed a medical need they have to accomodate you.But don't assume that because you say I am on hemodialysis that this translates to the cro cm as i get tired and sick easily and need a 1st floor room.They don't know that( unless they are familiar with said condition).heck, I am a nurse and sometimes people with medical conditions do not meet a textbook definition of the condition either.

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

Personally, I would suggest you consult with your step dad's physician and ask what would be the best measures to take while on this vacation. He or she is be able to better tell you what your step dad can and can't do or how much activity he should endure. Then take that info, call the WDW reservation line and fill them in on what the doctor suggests and make the request. I would assume the CM's would be more accomidating about special requests when it's a medical condition than someone who just wants a specific room in a certain location or what not. I know that there are people that try and act like they have "medical conditions" to get over on people at the parks but in the instance of a "real" case such as yours I would think you would have no problem with your request. To add truth to your request, you may even offer to fax proof of said condition from step dad's medical record to the reservation department even though I highly doubt they would ask you to do that. Just my 2 cents. Good luck and have a great time on your trip.

 

[Allison]

Using your example: I disagree BECAUSE, frankly, it's unreasonable to expect the standard Cast Member (or hotel reservationist anywhere, or really ANY random person) to know what dialysis is or what it involves or how it stresses the patient, physically or mentally or emotionally. It is the responsibility of the GUEST, in this or any other similar situation, to be proactive. Again, no - if the average Joe doesn't know what they should request in relation to a hotel room, how in the world should a person WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE of that condition or its effects, be expected to know what 'Average Joe' needs????? Again, using dialysis: it affects/stresses different people differently. Actually, using this treatment (because it's NOT a condition) as an example) - the Guest/patient would probably be BEST served by having or arranging private transportation to and from the treatment center... so the BEST room location for that person would be one very close to where the passenger vehilcle could drop them off. NOT necessarily a Preferred location room.

I completely agree.

In the example the OP is giving, it actually sounded to me like they didn't mention the medical issue until they arrived at the resort. I believe they requested to be close to the food court.

Regardless, people need to be their own advocate and do the research when dealing with issues like this to know what will work for them. I do feel lucky that I don't have to deal with these issues at this time in my life.

 

[Allison]

Tell the rest of us that are not nearly so knowlegable what we need to do oh holy ones.

This seems to be argumentative. Are you really looking for a discussion?

 

[dzone1]

I don't think it takes a genius to realize if someone calls & says they have a medical condition, to put them in a more favorable location. Hmmm, let me see this person has a medical condition, should I put them in a closer building or further away. It's pretty much common sense.

 

[Zeebs]

You don't have to have a medical degree to offer up "would your condition require less of a walk if that is the case then I suggest you look at a preferred room"

Part of customer service is to listen to what the customer says and offer up suggestions not just follow the standard script.

Yes it is also the customers job to research a little but you don't always get the full information the Disney site for example doesn't say "lovely resort with a 10 minute walk to breakfast.."


Kirsten

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

Good idea about the stollers, but how is the ordinary Joe going to be able to KNOW exactly what they should request. They say I have xyz medical condition. Doesn't that take care of it??

ok, I know the thread that your talking about and got closed.

#1 If the OP of the original thread knew to post the complaint then I think the OP should of done there homework on the dis boards, the OP had plenty od posts under her belt to know there is so much info.

#2 I have went on about 6 WDW vacations before I found the dis boards.....which means I lived and learned.......

And another thing I thought of is this the company of which the OP of the Original thread must have known that the employee had medical issues.......why didn't they MAKE SURE IT WAS A perfered room.

I think that the OP of the Original thread didn't do there homework, and expected to be in a perfred with out paying, or maybe the OP just didn't know..................I think it's unfair to post a negative complaint about an entire resort because of a bad experience you had that was not the resorts fault.

 

[RMulieri]

You don't have to have a medical degree to offer up "would your condition require less of a walk if that is the case then I suggest you look at a preferred room"

Part of customer service is to listen to what the customer says and offer up suggestions not just follow the standard script.

Yes it is also the customers job to research a little but you don't always get the full information the Disney site for example doesn't say "lovely resort with a 10 minute walk to breakfast.."


Kirsten

Agree to a point.But a lot of cm's do not do this.Some of them can't even be reliable to give accurate information regarding WDW .Also many peoplewith a medical condition may just say i have lupus( example) many cms don't know what that may be and don't think to offer up suggestions.I think if it is a medical condition, and you need certain requirements , it is best to be as detailed as possible.You simply can not rely on disney cms to do this for you.Some do, some don't.

 

[RMulieri]

I don't think it takes a genius to realize if someone calls & says they have a medical condition, to put them in a more favorable location. Hmmm, let me see this person has a medical condition, should I put them in a closer building or further away. It's pretty much common sense.

Yes, it is...sort of.But not all medical conditions require a closer building, handicapped accessible room etc.Example, I suffer from severe allergies and anxiety disorder.They are both medical conditions but neither require me to be on a ground floor room or handicapped accessible room.So to have a Cm assume that all medical conditions require a more favorable location is not really plausible.It should lead a Cm to ask what needs aperson may have , but that does not always happen.

 

[Lynne M]

I don't think it takes a genius to realize if someone calls & says they have a medical condition, to put them in a more favorable location. Hmmm, let me see this person has a medical condition, should I put them in a closer building or further away. It's pretty much common sense.

Yes, but close to what? The buses? Food? The pool? The boat dock? At many resorts, they're not the same thing.

I think the lesson to take away from all this is to specify what you need, and not leave it up to the CM to guess or interpret. If a member of your party has a disability that requires the use of an elevator, say "I need to be close to an elevator for medical reasons". And so forth. No CM is going to know all the things your particular condition requires. If a guest has specific needs, it's up to the guest to spell them out.

 

[soccerdad4]

Ok.

I am the OP of the "other" thread. And just to clarify things once again:

1) I am a male. Please quit saying "she should have.."

2) The company I work for does know about my medical needs and does very well at accomodating them. But, I am responsible for all my travel arrangements, UNLESS, they are direct bill, such as a rental car, airfare, and a limited number of hotels where our offices are located. Those items are booked for me.

3) I never asked for a "prefered room". I simply asked for an available room close to where the conference shuttle bus picked up, which happened to be where to food court was. Please quit saying that I was asking for a prefered room. There are standard rooms that were closer.

4) I did not expect the CM to understand what Dialysis does to me. That is why I told her, that after my treatment, I am generally weak and tired, and walking can be difficult. Upon making the reservations, I told the CM a very similar thing.

5) I did not reserve a "prefered room" since I was getting the conference rate. I was not given too much of a choice.

Now to recap:
Yes, I requested a standard room
Yes, I told them about my situation when making the reservations
Yes, I told them again at checkin.
No, they did not seem to care
No, I did not ask for, or expect a prefered room

There are some out there that will take advantage of their disabilities to get what they want. I am not one of them. I really don't believe that Dialysis is a disability, but rather a slight diversion of my normal daily routine. I go where I want, when I want to, do what I want and when I want to, with some modifications.

Any other questions or comments?

 

[Allison]

Hey, soccerdad4, it's too bad this thread was started by talking about your specific situation rather than phrasing it as a generic question. Especially since the last thread was already closed. I think it was discussed in enough detail there. Hope you like the next resort better.