some questions re: BWV and transportation

[luvpooh]

My DH and I have a trip planned next month and he is very limited in his mobility. He had ankle surgery a few months back and really cannot get around well. I have rented an ECV for him, but I have some questions.

1) We are currently in a studio at BWV. He cannot get in and out of the tub so we have a bench at home that bridges from the floor to the tub that he can slide in, and he sits on it during his shower. Do they possibly have these from housekeeping? I hope this description is understandable...it looks like this http://www.medicalproductsdirect.com/lumbattranbe.html

If not, how easy/difficult is it to get an accessible studio that has a roll in shower with a bench? I would really prefer not to take up one of these rooms just so he can sit during his shower/avoid having to climb in and out of the tub.

Or, would it be better for us to upgrade to a 1 BR - they do have the shower stalls at BWV, correct (he could step up that little lip)

2) we are renting an ECV for the whole trip. If they drop it off at Bell Services before we arrive, is it possible that someone at Bell Services would be able to demo how to assemble/disassemble it? I am assuming they deal with these a lot. Or do you think the company would come back to show us? Or do they leave GOOD instructions? LOL. I looked at Cheshire Figment's explanation of how to break down the ECV and put it back together, and while they look very good/thorough, I am really not good at figuring these things out by reading directions...

3) He does NOT want to take any bus transportation. So we will be ok for Epcot and MGM, and around the Boardwalk, but getting to DTD and MK will be an issue (we will be skipping AK this time). I said we can drive and I can pack up the ECV in the car, etc, however he doesn't think I will be able to lift it. We are renting a Revo, and the brochure say the heaviest portion is 48 lbs. I know how much that feels weight wise, but is it really difficult to lift (like, are there handles, is it cumbersome to get your arms around it, etc). Will the valets usually offer assistance with the ECV's (of course I would tip well...)

4) I will call the rental company, but do the Revos usually come with a crutch/cane holder? Or do I need to pay extra generally? Are they hard to come by?

5) How bad are the ramps for the monorail at the TTC and the MK in an ECV?

I apologize if these questions seem silly or 'too much' but it will really help to know in advance so we can try to make the best decisions about our trip. This is all new to us, as a limited mobility person and a person taking care of him, so I thank you in advance for any advice/opinions you can give us.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

1A. You are asking about a shower chair or stool. These are available from Mousekeeping at no charge at all Resorts.

1B. You may want to ask about an accessible room. This will have grab bars at the tub and the toilet, as well as a raised (17 inch) toilet (as compared to a normal 13 inch). They have more of these than rooms with roll-in showers.

2. Disassembling and ECV is not hard. If you rent from Randy's they will actually deliver it to the room while you are there and demonstrate it for you. Some of the others may provide pictures on what to do. In any event, it is somewhat intuitive and the parts (especially the electrical ones) asre designed that it takes real effort to mess up.

3. The valets at the Deluxe Resorts are more than willing to assist; usually you don't even have to ask them. Before getting a lift if I needed ECV assistance I did tip the valets more than normal; if I wanted but did not get valet assistance I would talk to a supervisor. However, there are no valets at the parks. I currently have a Pride Celebrity-X. Every ECV I have seen either has handles or some place on each part which is easy to grasp. The most difficult piece is the main body, where you have to grab it both in front of the wheel and also in back where it has split off from the motor/rear wheel assembly.

4. Usually they will attached a crutch or cane holder if requested. There tends to be about a $10 one-time fee from each vendor.

5. The ramps are not bad at all unless the battery is dying.

 

[luvpooh]

thank you so much! I called Disney and requested a 'transfer bench' in advance.
I will also call the ECV company to request a cane/crutch holder.
Fingers crossed that the assembly/disassembly isn't too hard!!!

thank you again

 

[kaytieeldr]

Cheshire Figment is right - rent from Randy's. While pictures are great, the first time I rented from them it was wonderful to have the rep right there. He took the ECV apart and explained what he was doing, then had me put it back together . Do be sure to request one you can take apart, though - last year I had an Amiga which doesn't officially disassemble.