Resort Accommodations

[Revf]

One of our daughters has Cerebral Palsy and requires an AFO Leg Brace for walking. She wears down pretty quickly from walking, so we tend to take it slow and break mid day. We are staying for the first time this June in the Polynesian Resort (really for convenience with the Monorail and larger room size 5 of us). I messaged them the other day about my daughter and seeing if we could get a room on the ground floor and closer to the main building.

Is this a reasonable request? Should I do anything else or talk to anyone else before we arrive?

Thanks for the help.

 

[lanejudy]

You can make the request. They won't guarantee it. Also, since that is actually 2 requests (ground floor, close to the main building) I suggest that you prioritize in case only 1 is available (ground floor further from the main building vs close to main building but higher floor). And no other requests at the risk of losing one/both of these. When you do online check-in leave the requests section blank.

 

[Evita_W]

I would think the priority would be closest to monorail if you plan on using it frequently, but just my thoughts.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I don’t know how familiar she is with Disney World but the park is HUGE. Like 15k steps would be considered a relatively light park day. Even if she does not use a wheelchair or ECV in real life you may want to consider something like that - even if just as a backup - for her.

The difference in walking between close to the main building and not is trivial compared to a lot of other distances she will have to cover.

 

[Mle8308]

First floor at the Poly may not be a needed request. Even if you have a first floor room, in most of the locations you really can't walk out from the first floor and leave your room to go to a park. There is a lot of grass (it's thick sharp grass, not soft lush grass) and it can be difficult to walk through, and never mind an unexpected critter hiding in it! I encountered more snakes at the Poly last fall than in all my previous trips! And someone would have to exit through the main door to secure the sliding door because you can't lock it from the outside. All the buildings have elevators right near the entrance/exit, so unless it's a preference for a first floor, there isn't really a benefit. I'd make the request to be closer to the Great Ceremonial House (GCH) your only request. If you are in a DVC studio, none of the buildings are next to the GCH, it will be a walk. If a regular hotel room, then you can be close. Look at a map of the Poly to get an idea of what building is closest and as long as you have booked a room category that is in the building you request, you may get lucky. If you booked a theme park view, you will not be close to the GCH. Possibly for a water view. Resort view is probably your best bet to be close.

 

[Disneylover99]

One of our daughters has Cerebral Palsy and requires an AFO Leg Brace for walking. She wears down pretty quickly from walking, so we tend to take it slow and break mid day. We are staying for the first time this June in the Polynesian Resort (really for convenience with the Monorail and larger room size 5 of us). I messaged them the other day about my daughter and seeing if we could get a room on the ground floor and closer to the main building.

Is this a reasonable request? Should I do anything else or talk to anyone else before we arrive?

Thanks for the help.

I’d request ground floor in the Rarotonga or Niue buildings.
They are the closest garden view/resort view buildings nearest The Great Ceremonial house. But it also depends upon the type of room you’ve booked.

You can always request a move to a closer location if you get there and find the room is too far away. A move is not guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask.
Good luck!

 

[Simba's Mom]

One of our daughters has Cerebral Palsy and requires an AFO Leg Brace for walking. She wears down pretty quickly from walking, so we tend to take it slow and break mid day. We are staying for the first time this June in the Polynesian Resort (really for convenience with the Monorail and larger room size 5 of us). I messaged them the other day about my daughter and seeing if we could get a room on the ground floor and closer to the main building.

Is this a reasonable request? Should I do anything else or talk to anyone else before we arrive?

Thanks for the help.

When you put in the request, it helps (I'm told) to add "for medical needs[or medical reasons]" when asking for ground floor and closer to the min building. I really hope her needs can be met.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

You can make the request, but they will not guarantee it. To guarantee location you could book a room that's definitely in a building thats closer. All buildings have elevators. Not sure of her age but getting a stroller, wheelchair, or ECV if 18 would help.

 

[Bete]

For endurance purposes I would try a local zoo first before your trip. Then, you can gage how your day will go needing breaks and such. Keep in mind shows, parades, fireworks, and eating are great ways to have a rest between rides. Keep in mind, there's a lot of waiting time in ride queues. If she can qualify for DAS that could help you in the parks.

I really feel your trip would be better with a mobility aid like a portable transport wheelchair or ECV or power chair if she can handle one. It sounds like you have enough people to help push a transport wheelchair. This would allow for fewer breaks, and all of you will have a better, longer day at the parks. If you go this route your room accommodations may not matter as much. This would also allow you to use handicap areas at the parks for the parades, fireworks and shows.

It sounds like you are flying to Disney. If so, remember airports can be rough, too. It might be best to buy a portable transport wheelchair. They are light weight around twenty pounds and reasonably priced. You can get one for $200 or less via Amazon. You don't get charged for handicap equipment by the airlines. You can use it at the resort and parks, too. Many cars can accommodate these transport wheelchairs.

Also, going somewhere for a day is one thing but going for a week or more is another. What you can do for a day is not the same as a week.