Question Re: back problem and room request

tlhbdm

1354.40 miles away from the mouse
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
1,339
We are staying at VWL in May for 7 days, I've never had this problem before, so I don't know what the policy is. In late November/early December I fell on some ice and injured my back. I have been to a chiropractor and have gotten a few massages and hasn't helped. At times walking is very painful and the pain shoots into my hip, after long days in the parks it would be nice to have a room close so I don't have to do anymore walking. Here is my question, if you have a note from your doctor about a back problem, are they more likely to give you your room request.

Thanks in advance for your assistance
 
No physician's note is needed (or would likely be read) when requesting a room, however proximity to central facilities may not be recognized as a medical accommodation/ special need.

You may seriously want to consider renting an ecv for the duration of your visit, as you will be on your feet alot at Disney without one. Attraction lines do not have benches, and there are othe waits or long walks all over property, such as DTD marketplace to west side or around the lake at CSR.

If you elect to rent a ecv, you may want to request a first floor room (or at least no stairs). The ecv will take up a bit of the room, but will fit. The ecv will charge overnight (plug it in before you go to bed) you shouldn't have to charge it during the day. Disney transportation is accustomed to people in wheelchairs and on Ecvs- it's one of the most accessible places on the planet.



Please also be aware that there are a number of rides that may be inadvisable to go on. Consult appropriate guides.
 
I answered on the resort board also, not sure where you would look so I will answer here also.

I have a back injury and Disney's theory is to get a wheelchair or rent an ECV. You can request it, but from experience, I can tell you that it only worked 1/3 of the time. I would get the rental. Hope you feel better.
 
have what's called preferred rooms which are closer to the food courts in the resorts, bus transportation, ect. These rooms have an upcharge like $15/day and it usually has to be arranged ahead of time via your reservation. You can make changes without extra charges I think up to 45 days ahead of time with Disney.

If you don't want to pay the upcharge for a preferred room, then you can do requests when you get there for the best room possible. Sometimes, you can get a better location if you are willing to wait for a better room. In that case you wait it out at the time you arrive. People come and go throughout the day; so, the choices change a lot.

Disney is a lot of walking all day long and you may want to consider a scooter, as the other poster mentioned.

Also, you may need to get involved with your doctor to see what's going on; falls are not good. X-rays, scans, ect. can determine if there's something serious going on or not.
 

have what's called preferred rooms which are closer to the food courts in the resorts, bus transportation, ect. These rooms have an upcharge like $15/day and it usually has to be arranged ahead of time via your reservation. You can make changes without extra charges I think up to 45 days ahead of time with Disney.

If you don't want to pay the upcharge for a preferred room, then you can do requests when you get there for the best room possible. Sometimes, you can get a better location if you are willing to wait for a better room. In that case you wait it out at the time you arrive. People come and go throughout the day; so, the choices change a lot.

Disney is a lot of walking all day long and you may want to consider a scooter, as the other poster mentioned.

Also, you may need to get involved with your doctor to see what's going on; falls are not good. X-rays, scans, ect. can determine if there's something serious going on or not.

We are renting DVC points, so I can't get a preferred room, there isn't a category at VWL. I've been to the doctor but with my new insurance I can't get x-rays. I lost my job at the beginning on February so I have a very simple health insurance policy until I get a job that I can get benefits again, I'm working now but I'm a temp and they don't offer insurance.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I may have to go with a scooter or something because I don't know how I'm going to do for 8 days.
 
I haven't stayed at WL since my honeymoon, but it used to be that the ferries running between WL and CR/GF/PR/MK were ones that were not accessible and/or water level impacted access. The alternative transportation was the bus, which, while always accessible, seemed a little infrequent compared with traffic at other resorts.

You may want to enquire at the desk regarding current accessibility and possibly save yourself the roll to the dock (assuming you rent an ecv for length of stay.)
 
We are renting DVC points, so I can't get a preferred room, there isn't a category at VWL. I've been to the doctor but with my new insurance I can't get x-rays. I lost my job at the beginning on February so I have a very simple health insurance policy until I get a job that I can get benefits again, I'm working now but I'm a temp and they don't offer insurance.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I may have to go with a scooter or something because I don't know how I'm going to do for 8 days.

Have you called around to different labs to find out how much xrays actually cost? Last time I had to get xrays (an ankle granted), the pre-pay amount was around $33 without insurance. Then you can negotiate costs with doctors for follow-up. You really do want to get this looked at. You CAN get xrays done without insurance; you just have to pay OOP for them. Have you considered downgrading your resort or cutting back on other aspects of your trip (less TS meals, eat in the villa, cut hoppers, etc) to pay for the medical care that you desperately need?
 
We are renting DVC points, so I can't get a preferred room, there isn't a category at VWL. I've been to the doctor but with my new insurance I can't get x-rays. I lost my job at the beginning on February so I have a very simple health insurance policy until I get a job that I can get benefits again, I'm working now but I'm a temp and they don't offer insurance.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I may have to go with a scooter or something because I don't know how I'm going to do for 8 days.
If you decide to rent a scooter - you can find more information in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is near the top of this board (or you can follow the link in my signature to get there).

Even if you can walk a bit, the average guest walks about 6-9 miles per day!
I haven't stayed at WL since my honeymoon, but it used to be that the ferries running between WL and CR/GF/PR/MK were ones that were not accessible and/or water level impacted access. The alternative transportation was the bus, which, while always accessible, seemed a little infrequent compared with traffic at other resorts.

You may want to enquire at the desk regarding current accessibility and possibly save yourself the roll to the dock (assuming you rent an ecv for length of stay.)
Even if you are able to get a closer room, none of the DVC villas at WL are really that close.
This is a link to a map of WL.

The DVC villas are the long part of the building near where it says 24. The bus stop is fairly close, but the dock is quite a walk - at #16.
 














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