Should I call reservations?

[ottoshoney]

We are taking our kids to WDW for the first time in January.
Our DS8 has allergies that he takes daily medicine for (molds, pet dander, trees) and our DD2 year old has hypotonia (low muscle tone) and was just diagnosed with sensory integration disorder (sounds, touch and balance issues) and goes to PT and OT twice a week. We are staying at OKW and had our TA request a room close to the bus stop (we'll have a stroller for DD.) I'm wondering if I should have requested anything else: quiet room, allergy room cleaning, etc... We know there are many people with more serious medical issues, so I don't want to request anything that is really for others. Thank you for your responses.

 

[Chuck S]

Since you'll have a stroller, you might want to request a ground floor unit. Only 3 bldgs at OKW have elevators.

However, if your stroller folds and is easy to carry, if you do wind up with a room upstairs, the stairs at OKW hare a gentle rise, with 1/2 flight, a landing, and another 1/2 flight.

 

[Schmeck]

If the mold issue is a big one, request a higher floor - the first floor rooms can be quite a bit more damp than an upper floor. My oldest daughter has a severe mold allergy, and we've only had a problem with a ground floor room.

If you have a stroller, you might not really need a room closest to a bus stop. Depending on the building location, a room near the bus stop can be rather noisy - lots of foot traffic going by. With a stroller it really shouldn't make all that much difference how close you are?

There really is no such thing as a 'quiet room' at WDW - you never know who you are going to get for neighbors, what their sleep patterns may be, etc. Again, being on an upper floor can eliminate some foot traffic, and maybe just make sure you are not near the elevator (if there is one)?

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[mechurchlady]

The best thing you can do is contact the resort to see what they can do for you. Not everything is made public knowledge.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

You might want to request the thorough cleaning for the allergies. You may also wish to request that no bug sprays/products are used in the room while you are there (I read this somewhere recently, I think in the "Walt Disney World with Disabilities" book I just got the other day).

Since your kid will prob'ly be in a stroller, you prob'ly won't need a room real close to the bus stop (they may be noisier). I'd go for the quieter location over the close-to-the-bus location, since it will make more of a difference to your daughter.

Oh - and for medical-based room needs, call the special needs number (it is posted somewhere on these boards) instead of the regular one, as if you call the regular one, your requests are only requests and you may not get any of them. If you call the special needs ppl, they will try very hard to get you what you need and you'll have priority over non-medical requests.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Make sure that any requests are listed as 'for medical reasons', so they know you need these things and that you're not just being picky. They allocate room requests for medical reasons before others, so this way you are more likely to get what you need. Also, check that these details are on at least once before you leave, and ring up about 4 days in advance to check that everything's OK (this is when they assign rooms, so if there was an error, they would have more chance of sorting it out).

I'm guessing, as she's still young, that you don't need any specific requirements for the bathroom (extra grab bars on the tub / roll-in shower, etc), but if you go when she is older, you may need to look into such things.

Good luck and have a magical holiday!

 

[ottoshoney]

Thank you all for your replies Do you think I can call special reservations myself (we booked with a TA)?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Technically the TA "owns" your reservation and Special Reservations is not supposed to talk to you directly. However, you can have your TA set up a three-way call with you and SR (407-939-7807) and then officially they are speaking with the TA.

 

[ottoshoney]

DIS ROCKS! Thanks so much Chesire Figment

 

[Evi]

I called to add a party on my reservation and ask if they had any allergen free rooms. I explained to the reservationist that I have asthma and severe allergies to dust mites, mold and harsh chemicals like bleach. I also asked if they bag there beds for dust mites.

It was funny because she asked if with bubble wrap I did get a good laugh out of that then she spoke with someone and said she could have my bed and pillows bagged as well as have my room extra deep cleaned. Then she asked if fabric softner would be ok for my sheets and it struck me.. Ive adjusted my lifestyle to accomadate my allergies so much that I'm unaware of the changes that I've made. I explained to her that I only use washing detergent on my clothes and no fabric softner and that I'd never given it a second thought. Either way it was very thoughtfull of them to ask about the fabric softner and detergent and for those who suggest disney only cleans with baking soda I'm doubtfull that such a large co would be that uneducated in allergen cleaning methods. But either way I was happy with my phone call.

I'll have to post back after check in to tell you all if the room was as described.

Now if only I could get the adr receptionist to understand that my food allergies are not me being picky and that I'm not asking for special foods just to ensure that the ones that couse anaphalxis or not in any way near mine. When I explained that I was severly allergic to avacados, kiwi's and bamboo shoot she thought I was joking.. ah and when I explained the avacado allergy goes hand in hand with a latex allergy she said shes make a note that I was lactose intollerant. I began to try to explain the difference and then I just stopped myself and asked if there was someone I could speak to and she gave me a phone number.

Im just hoping I dont have to to do the whole chef thing. I mean there busy enough and from what I've read about people comming out and talking to you premeal. I just dont want to complicate my trip for those that I"m with I'll be with a teenager and my df and there men there not very sympathetic to my special needs as they see them as me being difficult oh well I"ll just let them know that if they want me to suck it up they just may have to cut there park visit short and come with me to the er lol just kidding I wish that on no one much less myself.

Evi

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

It was funny because she asked if with bubble wrap

Well, if you go and you have trouble sleeping due to a strange popping noise every time you move, you'll know why!!!

 

[SallyfromDE]

I have severe allergies and Smoke is one of my triggers. I was worried about getting a previous smoking room as I would be able to still smell it. I called and asked to have it on my ressie about the above. And they did. I also asked if I could bring an ionizer. Making sure that it is not considered an appliance. And they said that it would be alright. As it is, I forgot it, but the room was fine. Perhaps a small ionizer could help with her allergies.

 

[hematite153]

Now if only I could get the adr receptionist to understand that my food allergies are not me being picky and that I'm not asking for special foods just to ensure that the ones that couse anaphalxis or not in any way near mine. When I explained that I was severly allergic to avacados, kiwi's and bamboo shoot she thought I was joking.. ah and when I explained the avacado allergy goes hand in hand with a latex allergy she said shes make a note that I was lactose intollerant. I began to try to explain the difference and then I just stopped myself and asked if there was someone I could speak to and she gave me a phone number.

Im just hoping I dont have to to do the whole chef thing.

As much as it seems like you're adding to the chef's busy day and slowing your party down I'd recommend that you have the conversation.

All of my conversations with the chefs have been great and I've gotten exactly what I needed--which is usually just detailed ingredient information.

But, the noting of information on my ADR reservations has been spotty. Sometimes it's correct but sometimes it's horribly off--even with multiple calls to confirm that it is listed correctly.

For our trip last month we were eating at several buffets (we usually only do BOMA which is great for me) and so I was worried about hidden ingredients and not only asked for allergy information to be listed on my ADR but also called the number for special dietary requests and had a long conversation about my needs.

At Marrakesh they seemed to know nothing about my request and basically told my DW that she couldn't eat any of the entrees without violating her dietary needs and told me that I couldn't get any protein. When I persisted that I had called in advance and that I had an ALLERGY and that I had been allowed to speak to a chef in other restaurants our waiter (reluctantly?) agreed to get a chef. The chef said that they could easily make the adjustment that my DW needed to get her preferred meal and was creative about options for me.

All of our other ADR had information in the computer about allergies but it was completely wrong! I am allergic to meat products (chicken is the worst and a single hidden drop of chicken broth can make me seriously ill). But, the computer kept printing out that I was allergic to dairy, eggs and seafood. So, imagine the reactions I kep getting from chefs when I wanted to order salmon with a non-bacon dressing and cheesy potatoes as long as they didn't contain broths.

Talking to the chef is the only way to be certain that you are getting the right information.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Also, the chefs at almost all the restaurants are supervising and only working as fill-in when there is a need for them. So when one comes out of the kitchen to talk to you, walk you through the buffet, or determine what to make that you can eat that chef is actually fulfilling major requirements of the job. If they do not do the actual cooking of the special meal, they will closely supervise the people doing the cooking for you.