Policy on using resort wheeelchairs

[MK032197]

Has anyone used a wheelchair at a Dsiney resort? If so are you able to take them anywhere on disney property and how long can you keep them?

 

[KPeveler]

My understanding is that the resort wheelchairs are not meant to be taken from the resorts, though I know many people have reported taking them to the parks.

The ones at the resorts tend to be very old and in poor shape. They are not adjustable and many people have reported that they are very hard to drive (bent wheels, broken footrests, etc)

You cannot reserve them ahead of time, and there is no guarantee that you can get one.

If you require a wheelchair, then you should either plan to rent one in the parks, or rent one from off-site. That way should you have a problem, then you can get another one.

there are phone numbers to rent off-site in the FAQs

 

[SueM in MN]

There have been different experiences reported with the resort loaner wheelchairs.
The original intent of them was apparently to have some wheelchairs available so that guests who were injured while at WDW could borrow them.

Some guests have posted they were told they could take the wheelchair with them to the parks.
Others have posted they were told it was just for use at the resort (less people have noted that).
Some had the wheelchair for their entire stay and others posted they were told they could keep it just a few days until they could arrange for a more permanet rental.

They are first come, first serve and can't be reserved ahead of time. A lot of people have reported that the wheelchair that was available was not in very good condition or was not appropriate for them (extra wide when they needed a narrow one or the opposite).

In general, most people feel it is better to rent from one of the off-site companies. There are a number listed in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[dclfun]

This is really old information, but ages ago when I could still walk around and push my ventilator in a manual w/c, I asked for one at POR when we checked in. There were none available, so I had to scramble for an alternative. They aren't able to get more either and as this is not an entitlement, they don't have to. My best advise is to never count on getting a resort w/c and to be sure you have one rented for your entire vacation. This way you are assured of getting a chair that is in good condition that you will have with you at all times and if there are any problems, the vendor will come out and replace the chair.---Kathy

 

[Schmeck]

I've seen the resort wheelchairs - they look like they've been dropped off the Tower of Terror without an elevator! Well, maybe not that bad, but they squeak, they wobble, and appear to be very uncomfortable (sling type seat and backrest, no support). This was at the Beach Club a few years ago. Luckily, my mom's knee got better, and we didn't need to get a chair for her.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We asked for one at the Polynesian in May. Dh told them I would need it for the whole stay. You just have to "sign" it out and "sign" it back in (not daily, just upon issuing it to you and return). We took it everywhere.

Note: we needed an extra wide one, but they only had the regular size one. The one they gave us was not even cleaned out. We found a bottle on ensure in the back pocket!! I alternated between using it as a walker and sitting when I was not feeling well enough to walk.

We are gong to the Yacht Club in Dec. and I know if available they do have wide wheelchairs there.

 

[jlw29]

When we were unloading the car after checking in at Bay Lake Tower, they offered me the use of a wheelchair for the entire stay (I was on crutches). I had already arranged for a scooter, so I declined, but the chair they had was yellow and in excellent condition.

 

[KPeveler]

Bay Lake Towers is a brand new hotel, so I am not surprised that it had a newer wheelchair - I just don't want people to count on getting a good one.

 

[SueM in MN]

Bay Lake Towers is a brand new hotel, so I am not surprised that it had a newer wheelchair - I just don't want people to count on getting a good one.

And, as one person posted in this thread, they might only have a size that is not what you need.

That’s why I have always suggested that if someone is planning on trying to get one loaned from the resort, they should also take along the phone numbers of one or two of the off-site rental places.

 

[Bete]

We had to use one unexpectedly on a trip and it was bad. In our case, the wheelchair was too big and it wouldn't fit into a town car. We couldn't believe it. We must have had a wide one and we didn't need a wide one. I figured beggars couldn't be choosers and I really didn't know the differences at the time. We ended up using Disney transportation instead of driving, but we really would have liked to use our car.

Also, the wheelchair weighed around 34 pounds; we were told this by the CM there. We have a transport chair of our own now that goes 14 pounds and OH! what a difference that makes when you are pushing all day. Also, I agree with other posters that the free wheelchair was hard to handle.