Questions for travelling with a Disabled guest?

[madonna31]

Hello all!

My DH and I are travelling to WDW May 2003 with my parents. My mother lost her sight do to diabetes last year and this will be the first trip to WDW without it. Since we have never had to travel with a disabled guest - this will be a first. Therefore; I have a few questions that I am hoping can be answered here.

1) Does anyone know how the accesibility is at either the Contemporary or the Wilderness Lodge for the handicapped? How do I make certain we get the *accesible room*?

2) She needs a fridge for her insulin - do the deluxe resorts come with a fridge - or do I have to request/rent one?

3) I heard about the *special assistance pass* - but can someone tell me
more about it?

Any other tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES. I can help some and I'm sure others will be along to help answer your questions.

1) Does anyone know how the accesibility is at either the Contemporary or the Wilderness Lodge for the handicapped? How do I make certain we get the *accesible room*?

We have stayed at the VWL, but not the regular rooms or the Contemporary, so I can't directly address the room question.
I'm not sure what type of accessiblity you are looking for. If her blindness is the major concern, then you might not need an accessible room, but might want to request one in a particular area (like close to the elevators)
For mobility concerns, there are different levels of "accessible" rooms. Some are "handicapped accessible" and have modifications like raised toilet seats and grab bars in the bathtub. There are rooms which are "fully wheelchair accessible." Those are arranged (or at least they are supposed to be) so that someone in a wheelchair can use the sink from the wheelchair and transfer to the toilet and shower easily. If she is a little "shaky" walking or feels more secure with grab bars, a handicapped accessible room might do the trick.
You can call WDW Resort Special Reservations for help with this:
(407) 939-7807
(407) 939-7670 [TTY]

2) She needs a fridge for her insulin - do the deluxe resorts come with a fridge - or do I have to request/rent one?

I don't think the delux resorts have a frig (except concierge level). Maybe someone else can answer that. There is a lot of inconsistency on whether or not they will ask you to pay for a frig for her insulin. They used to always be free for medical needs, but (according to what some posters were told) too many people were lying about medical needs just to get the free frig, so WDW starting charging everyone. Some people recently have reported they got the fee waived. You can discuss this with Special Reservations too.

3) I heard about the *special assistance pass* - but can someone tell me more about it?

They used to have something called a Special Assistance Pass, but they renamed it a few years ago since people misinterpreted the "Pass" part to mean that they would get immediate front of the line access. My family actually witnessed a guy get really mad at the CMs because they would not let his party go to the front of the line.
The Special Assistance Card was replaced with the Guest Assistance Card or GAC. You can request one from Guest Services at any of the parks. It's basically a card of instructions for the CMs on what sort of assistance you need. If she can see some if she's close up, she might benefit from sitting "front and center" in some of the movies and shows. For the rides with moving walkways, wheelchair users board at the exit (usually after waiting in the regular line until just before the line gets to boarding). This allows a little extra space and time to board the CM is usually able to slow or even stop the moving walkway. Boarding at the exit would probably be a lot easier for her. A GAC could allow her to use the wheelchair access if she is not using a wheelchair.
Ask as many questions as you need.

 

[Talking Hands]

You need to ask through special needs about the refrigerator. On my last trip I got one comped for my insulin and sodas since I can't use any aspartame products and have to bring my own supply.

A GAC may be of help but if blindness it the only issue I do not see the need for one. If there are other issues as well then by all means request one and specify her extra needs.

A special room may not be needed either but asking for one near the elevator or on the first floor so easy exit is there in case of evacuation is needed request it through special needs. A lot will depend on how independent she is. If she has a guide dog he may accompany her in all the parks.

 

[madonna31]

WOW!

Thanks so much for all of the info - this will help a lot. I feel much better to know that there is a seperate phone line to call in room requests for special needs.

She is not independent AT ALL - she just lost her sight a year ago and has just recently learned to accept it. She usually depends on one of us to lead her around, she is just learning to use a white cane now. A room request such as ground floor would help her out emensly.

She has very little vision - so to be seated at the front of shows will enable her to possibly see some of the show. Her diabetes also effects her health - put it this way - she take 4 shots of insulin daily...she can not walk far distances, but she does not have a wheelchair - so I was thinking that we could rent a EV/ECV (I probably have the wrong acronym) that would help her endurance for a day at a park. I can easily get a doctor's note if need be for this stuff - would we need one in order to get this *guest assistance card*?

I have one more question - can anyone recommend which of the following three resorts/standard room would be better for her and why?

Polynesian/Contemporary or the Wilderness Lodge?

I was thinking the Poly - 'cause there doesn't seem to be a lot of walking to the nearest building - the walk to the wings of the Contemporary seems far?!? The Wilderness Lodge seems very *dark*...
any tips/ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you can get a room in the Contemporary Tower that would be best. Not only is it a monorail hotel, but all the restaurants, etc., are in the main building.

The rooms in the Contemporary and Poly are MUCH larger than in Wilderness Lodge.

I would NOT advise use of an ECV. It is effectively the same as driving a car! You have to be VERY aware of your surroundings, especially in crowds and with children around. Even with awareness, people do walk in front of you and you have to be able to stop quickly. I normally will not recommend a wheelchair, but in this circumstance a wc would be preferable to an ECV.

When you call Special Reseration indicate the actual needs. It sounds like she does not need a roll-in shower, but probasbly could use grab bars in the bathroom. If she has some vision you can also ask for additional lighting in the rooms if that may help.

Hope this information helps.

 

[Talking Hands]

You will need to get a manual wheelchair for her. An ECV requires good vison as it is the same as driving a car.
A GAC is a must so she can sit close. Sometimes the wheelchair seating is in the back. Insist that they accommodate both needs. I have had an occasional problem with this. Some CM don't see beyond the wheelchair. I am hard of hearing due to neuropathy.
Four shots are day aren't a big deal. It leads to better control. I do 4 a day myself and have excellent control and fortunately few complications.
Contemporary Tower or Wilderness Lodge. Poly is pretty spread out and you may not get the building closest to the main building. Rooms are larger in the Contemporary Tower.
I would also suggest renting the wheelchair from off-site so it is available wherever she wants to go. Although there are normally plenty of wheelchairs available I have on occasion been unable to get one especially at a second park.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others that in this case, an ecv is not an option. You do need to have adequate vision to drive one. I don't have the contact info for the outside rental places on this computer, but I agree that would be your best option for wheelchair rental. Besides, that way she will have one available whenever she needs it and for getting around at the resort and DD. You don't need a physician letter to rent one, but would if you are going to try to get it paid for by Medicare or some type of insurance.

I would agree with you that WL is sort of dark. Not that it's not nice, just that since it is a very "woody-sy" theme with a lot of wood, the lobby and the rooms (at least the VWL ones) seem quite dark. I know people have requested extra lamps or higher wattage light bulbs. THis is helpful for some people with low vision, but others find it is too much glare, so find out what sh'e do best with. You can always request things from Housekeeping once you are there.

You also don't need to get a letter or anything from your doctor in order to get a GAC. Some people feel more comfortable asking if they have a lettter, so if you do, go ahead. As Lisa mentioned, often the wheelchair viewing areas are at the back for shows, so you will need to advocate for her so that she doesn't just get sent with the other wheelchairs users. On the other side of the coin, we have seen people arguing with the CMs at some shows when the CM told them to not follow the wheelchair users because "my son has a right to sit with the people in wheelchairs so he can see," when the CM was trying to send them where he would be able to see.