online check in for special needs requests?

[KPeveler]

I know there has been a lot of excitement about online check in, and how people generally get their special requests and such... Has anyone heard anything, from Disney or otherwise, about online check in when you need an accessible room, or a first floor room, or other medical needs?

I don't mind taking a few minutes longer at check-in, but I would like to know what the general rule is for us and online check-in. I would hate to use it, and find out they didn't give us an accessible room, for instance...

Has anyone gotten any word about medical requests? Thanks!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I won't be using it? Why? Because even a simple request can not be added when checking in online. Now first of all let me state that they do pre-assign the accessible rooms, which makes me confident that they will not assign a non accessible room any more than they did before online check in. However, there can be more to an accessible room than just being accessible. There might be a need for more. I prefer the normal way, never mind if I have to wait in line a little longer (which doesn't tend to happen, my flights tend not to get in until the evening hours). Why? Because you can talk to a CM, instead of only being handed out your stuff and byebye or if you need to change/discuss anything; still have to get in line for the normal routine. I like the option of being able to discuss the location, room, my needs at the desk. And it helps out a lot that I'm not one of those people that have the 'I'm checking in later, will I get stuck with a poor room?'-angst. I've always checked in late (last time it was about 11 pm) and gotten GREAT rooms.

Next trip I'm doing a CL stay, so that defeats the purpose of online check in anyway.

 

[SueM in MN]

No one has posted about using it yet, so I can't directly answer your question.
One thing I do know from calling the Special Needs phone number and just asking some questions about how things work is that when you make a reservation on line, they do get the ones that indicated special needs. There is a spot for explaining your special needs. When someone fills that part out, I was told that gets communicated to Special Reservations for them to follow up with the guest. I would make sure that you put in that part that you need someone to contact you. You can also call Special Services - the phone number is in the disABILITIES FAQs thread - after you make your reservation.
The roll on shower rooms are distributed throughout the resort (the ADA requires they not be all stuck in one area, but distributed in different areas and views ).

Since no one has reported about on line check in, I have no ideas if it gives you any specifics about your room. My guess is that it won't. Even when you check in in person, they don't tell you what your room number will be. They give you the keys and a phone number to call back

 

[KPeveler]

Thanks for the replies - that's what I thought...

I am the resident "disney expert" on a couple of other forums dealing with chronic illness and disability, so I wanted to check when I heard about online check in before i recommended it to others...

Thanks!

 

[Windjammermay]

Hi All;
I did the "on line check in". It was very easy and I am all set. Well, after reading this post I got concerned. So, I called Sports and asked them if they had gotten everything and my request for a HP room. They were so nice, it was wonderful. They have me down for a HP room, roll in shower, and first floor. So far, so good. I will be there next Monday and I will see.

Now I have another question. They said there is a king size bed in the HP room. I don't need such a big bed. My chair is 32X48 and I am more concerned with my chair having the room than I am with the size of the bed. Plus, were do I park the chair to charge it. It sounds like a small room.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi All;
I did the "on line check in". It was very easy and I am all set. Well, after reading this post I got concerned. So, I called Sports and asked them if they had gotten everything and my request for a HP room. They were so nice, it was wonderful. They have me down for a HP room, roll in shower, and first floor. So far, so good. I will be there next Monday and I will see.

Now I have another question. They said there is a king size bed in the HP room. I don't need such a big bed. My chair is 32X48 and I am more concerned with my chair having the room than I am with the size of the bed. Plus, were do I park the chair to charge it. It sounds like a small room.

Just FYI - when you call the phone number for a resort, you are not actually talking with someone at the resort. The calls go to a call center where they are answered for the resort. They can check the computer to see what is listed for you, which is what they apparently did.

The king size beds are in many of the handicapped accessible rooms with roll in showers to make enough room to get around in a wheelchair.
You will have at least a 36 inch wide space to get around to each part of the room.
Most people move some of the smaller things (like table and chairs) to make room for plugging in their wheelchair or ECV. I'd suggest you take an extension cord/power strip. That way, you can park your wheelchair in a convenient spot and still be close to an outlet. When ylou plug it in, just be sure the end is where you can reach. If no one in your party is able to plug it in for you, you can call Housekeeping or Engineering to do it for you.

If you find that the room is too tight once you get there, you can request Housekeeping to remove furniture that you are not using. You could even ask if they would be able to switch your King bed for one smaller bed (I believe the All Star resorts use full size beds, so if they can switch it, you would be going down to a much smaller bed. Not just down one size to a Queen).

 

[Windjammermay]

Sue, that 36 inches sound like a tight manuver. You know how big a TDX is. I use a hospital bed, I sleep sitting up. As much as I am a big person a single bed is ok for me. I need to hang the cath bag off the side of the bed and remember not to go too far away from it while sleeping. It is not a thing I would like to do

Can I request a smaller bed before I arrive? Is that something that is ok to do? I won't be in the room until after the illumination at Epcot. The Magical Exspress will pick me up at Orlando. The arrival time is 6pm for Delta. I don't know how long it will take to get to Disney from airport. But as soon as I get there I am suppose to meet everyone over in front of Italy at Epcot. Is there time for Sports to switch out the bed?

 

[SueM in MN]

Are you planning to rent a hosital bed?

If so, I would arrange for the bed to be switched out when the hospital bed is delivered
In the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find the phone number for Special Reservations/services. Call them and ask to have the bed changed out to what you need.

Hopefully that will get everything taken care if so you don't have to worry.

 

[Windjammermay]

Sue, I did not even think of renting a hospital bed. I use a bi-pap and thought I would even sleep in my chair, it has a nice tilt on it. If I could I was going to try and prop myself up in the bed if the cath and bi-pap can reach me. The thought of such a big bed in the room and wondering if I could tilt out the chair was more in mind.

I guess I should do a little more thinking.