Oxygen at the resort, moving resorts.

[Leash]

Hi,
First I did read the FAQ and did search but none of it really addressed my questions. No one else may be able to answer this either but it is worth a try.

My dad has emphysema and needs to be on oxygen pretty much 24/7. He has flown several times so we have the details of the POC for the flights covered. He has also been to Disneyland with oxygen so we are fairly confident with what to do in the parks, he has a liquid portable tank that fits in his backpack and I have mostly figured what rides he can't go on with it.


The problem I am having is planning for oxygen in the hotel, when my parents go to Disneyland they drive and usually bring the home tank with them. We can't do that for WDW.
The company they use here is Apria and it looks like they have a branch in Orlando so I'm guessing we can use them without too much problem. However we will be doing a bit of hotel shuffling and that has led me to think of some questions that someone might have an answer to.

The plan for now is for us (Me, DH, Mom and Dad) to fly in the day before (11/29) the start of our package (11/30-12/8) and stay at Pop for the night before transfering over to AKL for 8 nights. Then depending on what the flights home look like we may leaveon the 8th in the evening or go back to Pop for another night and fly home on the 9th.

So as far as the oxygen how do we do this? I know we can have the liquid tank delivered to Pop on the 29th and I assume it will be held at bell services like a piece of luggage until we check in and then we will have to roll it to our room (please correct anything that is wrong there). But what do we do when we change resorts the next morning. I have read, here on the boards, that Disney can transfer our luggage from one resort to another but will the transfer the tank? My first guess would be no because it might be a saftey issue or a liability for Disney but I could be wrong. If they won't do it is it possible that the oxygen company would come back and move it for us?

The other question is once we have a tank at AKL (likely in bell services) will there be any way to access it before we get a room, if we can't get into a room right away which I highly doubt we would since we would check in first thing in the morning. The portable tank Dad will use in the park needs to be refilled from the larger unit that would be at the hotel, he can go for about 5-7 hours before it needs to be filled but just in case I would want to make sure he could get to that big tank if need be.

Finally do I need to get in contact with the hotels before we arrive to let them know what the situation is so they know to expect this big oxygen tank to be delivered to the hotel? We are staying on the CL at AKL if that makes any difference.


I'm sure for some of these questions I will need to contact the oxygen provider but you guys are so knowledgeable that I figured I would start here. I'm sorry for all the questions but Dad doesn't like being any kind of trouble to anyone and will be unhappy with himself if his health problems create any inconvience for anyone so I want to plan and arrange as much as I can to try to make it as easy for him as I can. This will be his first (and likely only) trip to WDW and I just so want it to be a wonderful time for him and a great memory for all of us.


Thanks for any help!

 

[bedogged]

I'm certainly not an expert on oxygen, but last year, before she died, my mother was on oxygen 24/7. I got her a portable oxygen machine that makes its own oxygen from the air. It weighed 10 pounds and was cost free for people on Social Security. It could be taken on all airplanes which we did and was easy to take with you. Here is a web site for it: http://www.portablenebs.com/concentrator_ever.htm. I hope that helps.

 

[cm8]

Hi,
First I did read the FAQ and did search but none of it really addressed my questions. No one else may be able to answer this either but it is worth a try.

My dad has emphysema and needs to be on oxygen pretty much 24/7. He has flown several times so we have the details of the POC for the flights covered. He has also been to Disneyland with oxygen so we are fairly confident with what to do in the parks, he has a liquid portable tank that fits in his backpack and I have mostly figured what rides he can't go on with it.


The problem I am having is planning for oxygen in the hotel, when my parents go to Disneyland they drive and usually bring the home tank with them. We can't do that for WDW.
The company they use here is Apria and it looks like they have a branch in Orlando so I'm guessing we can use them without too much problem. However we will be doing a bit of hotel shuffling and that has led me to think of some questions that someone might have an answer to.

The plan for now is for us (Me, DH, Mom and Dad) to fly in the day before (11/29) the start of our package (11/30-12/8) and stay at Pop for the night before transfering over to AKL for 8 nights. Then depending on what the flights home look like we may leaveon the 8th in the evening or go back to Pop for another night and fly home on the 9th.

So as far as the oxygen how do we do this? I know we can have the liquid tank delivered to Pop on the 29th and I assume it will be held at bell services like a piece of luggage until we check in and then we will have to roll it to our room (please correct anything that is wrong there). But what do we do when we change resorts the next morning. I have read, here on the boards, that Disney can transfer our luggage from one resort to another but will the transfer the tank? My first guess would be no because it might be a saftey issue or a liability for Disney but I could be wrong. If they won't do it is it possible that the oxygen company would come back and move it for us?


Hi!, I use o2 and I also have Apria, I had a not so pleasant experience with the POP giving my O2 to someone else but that is another story.
I noticed that you said your DDad has liquid o2, so does that means he is on helios?

The o2 can be delivered to POP by Apria to be held till you arrive. My understanding is that the o2 can then be tranx to another resort for you or when you call in your O2 request, you can make them aware that you are staying at 2 sites and need a pick up from Pop to AKL, or you can ask that another set of o2 supplies and tank be delivered to AKL since technically you are changing sites and on different dates, I think they would be very accommodating. Here, we have to let them know 2 months out when we travel and the names and addresses where they will be delivering so that everything will be there for you when you arrive. Yes, it will be held for you in luggauge ( if someone else doesn't get it first, lol)


The other question is once we have a tank at AKL (likely in bell services) will there be any way to access it before we get a room, if we can't get into a room right away which I highly doubt we would since we would check in first thing in the morning. The portable tank Dad will use in the park needs to be refilled from the larger unit that would be at the hotel, he can go for about 5-7 hours before it needs to be filled but just in case I would want to make sure he could get to that big tank if need be.

I would think that your DDad could fill from the lobby since it is just basically hook and fill. Also, since he is on liquid o2, you may want to consider using the POC if he has one and it can maintain his SPO2 levels while at the park. I only suggest this as when the heat rises and temps go up, the o2 dissipates at a faster rate and he would need a back up , never mind, I just re- read your post and see that you are going in the winter!

Finally do I need to get in contact with the hotels before we arrive to let them know what the situation is so they know to expect this big oxygen tank to be delivered to the hotel? We are staying on the CL at AKL if that makes any difference.

I would make them aware of it, I did for my trip, but it did not seem to make a difference in how things were handled.

I'm sure for some of these questions I will need to contact the oxygen provider but you guys are so knowledgeable that I figured I would start here. I'm sorry for all the questions but Dad doesn't like being any kind of trouble to anyone and will be unhappy with himself if his health problems create any inconvience for anyone so I want to plan and arrange as much as I can to try to make it as easy for him as I can. This will be his first (and likely only) trip to WDW and I just so want it to be a wonderful time for him and a great memory for all of us.


Thanks for any help!

I was able to ride all the rides with my o2!!!! I had a blast minus the first day I arrived . I hope you all have a blast, if you need anymore info or help, you can always ask me or PM me, oh, I'm 30 yo dx with COPD never smoked along with pulmonary hypertension, it sucks, but the man upstairs has plans for me!!!

 

[Leash]

I was able to ride all the rides with my o2!!!! I had a blast minus the first day I arrived . I hope you all have a blast, if you need anymore info or help, you can always ask me or PM me, oh, I'm 30 yo dx with COPD never smoked along with pulmonary hypertension, it sucks, but the man upstairs has plans for me!!!

Thank you for all the info, it is setting my mind at ease a bit. He will have a POC for the plane but from past experience we know it will be heavy and he won't be able to lug it around the parks all day. We will however bring it to the parks and just put it in a locker in case he waits too long to go back to the resort to refil his portable tank.

I know he won't be able to do RNR at DHS becuase the tank can't be turned upside down (we found that out on California Screamin at California adventure a couple of years ago) but he probably wouldn't want to go on that anyway.

Dad is going to be 60 this year and he got the emphysema from smoking for most of his life but he has several other health problems on top of it but the only thing about all of it that will impact him in the parks is the oxygen and not having much endurance. That's why we are going now, in a year or two he probably won't be well enough to make the trip. But all of us know that he will get tired but not want us to slow down for him so we will keep an eye on him and when he looks tired we will take turns finding reasons why we need to stop and rest for a bit. That's also why I booked us on the CL floor, that way when he needs to go back to the resort to rest he can just be like "Oh, I want to go sit in the lounge for a while". :

Thanks again and I sure will keep you in mind when I have more questions.

 

[cm8]

you are most welcome, I had to ride RNR w/o it, they then had it waiting for me on the other side when I got off!!! It was a blast!! I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, I know how easy it is to tire, I use my rollator but as you probably now, it doesn't really help, But I refuse to use an ECV or scooter because I want to "save it" for when I really have no other options. ( I know I should be using one now, but the stubborn person I am won't allow me to and "she's" the boss!

 

[Bete]

It sounds like a scooter would really help your dad in the parks. Outside rentals can be as cheap as $150/week plus tax (Apple Scooters). You can do a per day charge if you are staying a longer time. Most rental places will go about $30 per day. You can arrange this ahead of time and the rental companies will deliver to the resort; it would be very similar to getting oxygen delivered. If you won't do a scooter ahead of time for renting, then please keep in mind Disney has them to rent at the parks, but their cost is like $50 a day. There's probably a way you can have the oxygen tank set up on the scooter; so, he doesn't have to carry it, but it can be with him at all times (I don't know about the safety issues on this one). Obviously, you don't won't the tank left in the scooter if you are not on it.

If you get an outside rental get a travel, portable scooter. Those will work easier getting on and off the Disney buses. Someone else can take the scooter on and off the bus for your dad, too if he's scared about it. Your dad can practice for free with the store scooters that are available at Wal-mart, Target, many grocery stores, etc. The way this works with the parks is you stay in the wheelchair line for bus boarding with the scooter. Most of the time you board on the Disney bus first with your family and you get off last.

Your dad will love this and he will last much longer with a scooter. WDW is harder than Disneyland. For one there are more parks. Also, some parks are very large. I'm assuming you will be at WDW longer and that can present a challenge, too. With a scooter you have handicap access to shows, parades, etc. You don't have to have a handicap placard.

Become familiar with the first aid stations in the parks. I believe they will hold your dad's tank (not needed perhaps if you scooter) for free. Usually, it will be closer than going back to lockers. The first aid stations have their own oxygen (I believe), but I believe if you use their oxygen they will call an ambulance automatically.

Others may chime in more about the topics I've discussed.

Please let your father rest and do not do WDW combat style. It's really good to mix it up at the parks by going on rides and alternating with attractions and shows. Eating is a nice rest, too. Give him a chance to recoup here and there. A rest at the resort for him while you all take advantage of the pool there may help, too.

If I can help more with anything I stated here please just ask.

 

[Leash]

Thank you for that reccomendation, I did consider that but my Dad will not use a scooter. He is very touchy about "looking sick" and really doesn't even like the oxygen (but he really has no choice about that) so he would never ride a scooter or even let us push him in a wheelchair. That's why the rest of us (mom, me and my DH) already have plans to get him to rest without making it seem like he is resting. We have at least one TS scheduled per day and for CS DH and I will get food while Mom takes Dad to "find us a table". DH and I have been to WDW before so we know how much bigger it is and we really aren't "commando" style even without Dad but we will certainly take it slower since he is with us. We will be there for 9 days so we have plenty of time to take it slow and see everything at a relaxed pace.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask him the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[LindaBabe]

PLEASE read Cheshire Figments post again! It's IMPORTANT!

 

[SueM in MN]

We will however bring it to the parks and just put it in a locker in case he waits too long to go back to the resort to refil his portable tank.

You can leave medical supplies at First Aid in any park. He could also go there to rest if he needs to.
There is no charge to use First Aid.

It sounds like a scooter would really help your dad in the parks. Outside rentals can be as cheap as $150/week plus tax (Apple Scooters). You can do a per day charge if you are staying a longer time. Most rental places will go about $30 per day. You can arrange this ahead of time and the rental companies will deliver to the resort; it would be very similar to getting oxygen delivered. If you won't do a scooter ahead of time for renting, then please keep in mind Disney has them to rent at the parks, but their cost is like $50 a day. There's probably a way you can have the oxygen tank set up on the scooter; so, he doesn't have to carry it, but it can be with him at all times (I don't know about the safety issues on this one). Obviously, you don't won't the tank left in the scooter if you are not on it.

I would suggest that if he won't let you order one ahead of time, you should take along the phone numbers for one or more of the rental companies with you. That way, if he decides he will use one, you will have several resources to get what you need.
I know you can get extra things like crutch holders and may also be able to get an oxygen tank holder.

One thing I've suggested in the past to help convince people to use an ECV is to find a place that is well know to the person that is about 2 miles away from home.
Ask if he could walk there. He's likely to say no, but if he says he could, ask if he could walk there and back. At that point, he would probably agree that he is not able to walk at the park. 4 miles is a very low estimate, even if not doing Commando Touring. Most guests estimate they walk closer to 9 miles per day (there is a link in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread to people's estimates.)
DL is a much more compact park than any of the WDW parks. There are long distances between attractions, but some of the queues are quite long distance too, even if the wait is very short. For example, the queue for Soarin' is over 1/4 mile from the queue entrance to the boarding area - and it is an equal distance to get out.
There are many queues with similar distances and most don't have anywhere to sit and wait unless you have an ECV, wheelchair or rollator.
Just the distance around World Showcase at Epcot is between 1.1 and1.3 miles!

Become familiar with the first aid stations in the parks. I believe they will hold your dad's tank (not needed perhaps if you scooter) for free. Usually, it will be closer than going back to lockers. The first aid stations have their own oxygen (I believe), but I believe if you use their oxygen they will call an ambulance automatically.

I do not know for certain, but people have posted that they were told that an ambulance would be called if they needed oxygen.

 

[Leash]

I did speak to my mom about dad using a scooter and while she doesn't think he would go in for renting one for the whole trip she said he might be open to getting on in park if he finds he needs it. Or we could get a manual chair and take turns pushing between the three of us, dad is really like a skin covered skeleton so he will be easy to push. Also it will likely be more trouble than it's worth to transport the scooter between the park and hotel and he really wouldn't need it for that anyway. Thank you so much for the tips, they are really helping get an idea of what to do to make it easier for all of us.