There is no way to have a guaranteed camp site for a disabled person.....

[pookadoo77]

There is no way to have a guaranteed camp site for a disabled person! WOW! Never in a million years did I think Disney would not even try to accommodate handicapped people!! I will try to post chat screenshot ( could not figure out how to post pic, its on "The Walt Disney World Resort" facebook page under posts made to this page posted on 6/24/2014).
I called and got same response from reservations and Fort Wilderness attendant! They all say can put in a request, not a guarantee! I even offered to bring Dr. paperwork and book a year ahead to make sure we get a spot close to transport shuttle stop and restrooms. The medical issue is severe back problems. This needs to be fixed or tweaked, even as a first come first served scenario! I am NOT comfortable reserving a spot and having to wait and see until last minute if our accommodations were approved! This is discrimination and not very magical if you ask me, I do not see where I am being unreasonable here as I will book dates according to their openings for what I need if necessary and can bring any needed documents.... Someone please address this!!! Seems crazy!! They even said there are no maps so I can know which spot / loop to request!! So bummed out

 

[JanL]

It may be regulated the same as handicap access is in restrooms. The law requires a certain number of stalls (usually 1 at minimum.) but that stall is counted in the total for all users. In other words, the stall is there but you have to share with non-handicapped as well as other handicapped.

 

[kelsma03]

There are maps online of the campground, just google Fort Wilderness maps.

No spots are guaranteed at the Fort, but you can request sites and I've heard most people get their requests (we always ask for our top three). Fax your site request about 3-5 days before you arrive. If you rent a golf cart you can easily get to the transportation depots, otherwise the stops at the end of the each loop are close by, you can just request a spot close to the loop ends (see map). They just don't reserve specific spots for anyone.

 

[pookadoo77]

thanks, looking for a map... anyone recommend sites for a pop up camper close to transport / shuttle stop and restrooms? Also, anyone know the fax number to send request to? Thanks!!!

 

[KristinU]

No way! This is really disappointing to hear. Can Disney guarantee an accessible room if it were a resort hotel?

I feel like the Fort reservations system needs to be revamped to allow reservations for specific types of sites - handicap accessible, pet, or no pet, and maybe some other things that I'm not thinking of. That's a long way (for most) to haul their cookies only to get there and learn that the type of site they need is not available.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

No way! This is really disappointing to hear. Can Disney guarantee an accessible room if it were a resort hotel? . . .

1) You are confusing two types of handicap.
2) From your description, the back issue is a MOBILITY issue, not an ACCESS issue.
. . . lots of folks say they can't handle long/longer walks
. . . where does one give a site to what individual
. . . is the older guy/lady with walking trouble more important than a bad back or bad foot?
. . . since we are not permitted to look at doctor's slips, how can we differentiate?
. . . thus, requests are handled, when possible, as first-come-first-served
. . . simply no other way to solve the problem of "handicapped" requested sites
3) Regardless where you are place, an ECV or a wheelchair could ease/eliminate the mobility issue.
4) Thus, no site guarantee is made.
5) Hotel rooms are different.
6) There are special devices in a room (ie. roll-in showers and handicap toilets).
7) Such are not particular to an individual camping site.
8) I hope you can see the difference.

NOTE: Every now and then, I will get a complaint or request for a campsite
that is "handicap". There is no such classification. People sometimes can
understand; others still complain. Nothing I can do, especially if all sites are
sold or occupied.

 

[kelsma03]

1) You are confusing two types of handicap.
2) From your description, the back issue is a MOBILITY issue, not an ACCESS issue.
. . . lots of folks say they can't handle long/longer walks
. . . where does one give a site to what individual
. . . is the older guy/lady with walking trouble more important than a bad back or bad foot?
. . . since we are not permitted to look at doctor's slips, how can we differentiate?
. . . thus, requests are handled, when possible, as first-come-first-served
. . . simply no other way to solve the problem of "handicapped" requested sites
3) Regardless where you are place, an ECV or a wheelchair could ease/eliminate the mobility issue.
4) Thus, no site guarantee is made.
5) Hotel rooms are different.
6) There are special devices in a room (ie. roll-in showers and handicap toilets).
7) Such are not particular to an individual camping site.
8) I hope you can see the difference.

NOTE: Every now and then, I will get a complaint or request for a campsite
that is "handicap". There is no such classification. People sometimes can
understand; others still complain. Nothing I can do, especially if all sites are
sold or occupied.

Excellent points.

And what exactly is a "handicapped" camping site? It's your camper that has to be "accessible" (hence handicapped "accessible" hotel rooms). The campsite is merely a parking spot. As far as mobility, if I'm being honest, if you plan to get around Disney you can probably just as easily get around Ft. Wilderness.

And they do have pet/non-pet loops that you request when you book your reservation.

 

[happycamper47]

Every camp site is accessible. There are no physical barriers preventing anyone with a mobility issue from using any site. Location does not play into the equation per ADA. Many hotels/motels have accessible rooms on the upper floors and are perfectly compliant. Many Disney hotels have accessible room on the upper floors.

 

[pookadoo77]

trying to figure out if the walk to bathrooms and bus stop will be very long. can walk disney, yes. we will have assistance with that seeing if the cost difference will work in our favor, versus a room. it will not if we have to rent a golf cart as well. thought I was clear.....

 

[KristinU]

1) You are confusing two types of handicap.
2) From your description, the back issue is a MOBILITY issue, not an ACCESS issue.
. . . lots of folks say they can't handle long/longer walks
. . . where does one give a site to what individual
. . . is the older guy/lady with walking trouble more important than a bad back or bad foot?
. . . since we are not permitted to look at doctor's slips, how can we differentiate?
. . . thus, requests are handled, when possible, as first-come-first-served
. . . simply no other way to solve the problem of "handicapped" requested sites
3) Regardless where you are place, an ECV or a wheelchair could ease/eliminate the mobility issue.
4) Thus, no site guarantee is made.
5) Hotel rooms are different.
6) There are special devices in a room (ie. roll-in showers and handicap toilets).
7) Such are not particular to an individual camping site.
8) I hope you can see the difference.

NOTE: Every now and then, I will get a complaint or request for a campsite
that is "handicap". There is no such classification. People sometimes can
understand; others still complain. Nothing I can do, especially if all sites are
sold or occupied.

Good points. I've been to many state parks that have handicapped designated sites that are closer to comfort stations, though. I guess that is more of a courtesy than ADA compliance.

Are there parking spots near the comfort stations? I can't remember.

And they do have pet/non-pet loops that you request when you book your reservation.

Right. I know that. But it is a request and not a reservation and a while back there was rumbling that there was a a potential change afoot that would force you to board your dog or find somewhere else to stay if there wasn't room in the pet loops when you arrived.

I'm just saying that the ability to reserve specifics like these (rather than request) would sure ease people's minds.

 

[pookadoo77]

thanks for all the replies and info! I think we have decided to stay at another property, too many uncertainties here.... also, it seems that the transport to MK, etc. requires a transfer and takes significantly longer to get places from this location. ty again! Its between a cars family suite at Art animation resort, or 2 adjoining rooms at pop century resort....

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

thanks for all the replies and info! I think we have decided to stay at another property, too many uncertainties here.... also, it seems that the transport to MK, etc. requires a transfer and takes significantly longer to get places from this location. ty again! Its between a cars family suite at Art animation resort, or 2 adjoining rooms at pop century resort....

In the case of transportation, please keep in mind that even at the hotels, rooms near the bus stop while a request, even a bookable catagory(with extra cost) are not necessarily part of being ADA compliant. Unless you pay for a preferred location you may not be close to the buses or main building, but you would have a bathroom with either a roll in shower or a tub with grab bars, make sure you let the CM know your specific needs. ADA rooms are located throughout each resort, some close to things, some farther away. Also if you want rooms that have a door connecting them make sure to ask for CONNECTING, not adjoining. Again it is also only a request.

 

[KristinU]

thanks for all the replies and info! I think we have decided to stay at another property, too many uncertainties here.... also, it seems that the transport to MK, etc. requires a transfer and takes significantly longer to get places from this location. ty again! Its between a cars family suite at Art animation resort, or 2 adjoining rooms at pop century resort....

Have a great trip!

 

[Pooh2]

If you have difficulty walking/standing, you may want to try taking your car to the parks rather than dealing with the bus.
We rented a car on our last trip and found it to be much easier all around. You can come and go as you please without waiting in line for the bus, as well as you do not have to worry about standing room only on the bus. We will definitely do this on future trips.

 

[Napria]

Coming late to this thread and I know OP has made other plans, but just in case, here's my .02 cents...

We have an RV because my son is disabled, both physically and mentally. Among other things he has cerebral palsy that affects his ability to walk any distance. He is also epileptic and both heat and stress can trigger seizures. Depending on his state (physically tired from walking or postdictal from a seizure) he is in a wheelchair.

We've been camping at Fort Wilderness off and on since he was 10 years old. We had stayed at WDW resort hotels prior to (and since) that.

I know the unknown is frightening when you're faced with challenges in the familiar world. Believe me I speak from experience. But I've got to tell you that we've had better experiences at the Fort. That's why we keep coming back.

I remember requesting a room close to elevators in a WDW hotel one time and having to return to check in before even getting to the room because my son was having so much trouble keeping up on the looooooong walk there! I know we could have put him in the wheelchair, but he wants to walk if he can. We've never had a problem at the Fort like that.

When we're camping at other campgrounds I do request handicapped sites. The difference between a regular site and ADA site is that ADA sites are on concrete pads (all Ft. Wilderness pads in the premium & preferred loops are concrete) and proximity to the comfort station. Mostly I request an ADA site because my son can be very unsteady and the level concrete of an ADA site gives me peace of mind that he's not going to trip on a root or stone in the ground.

So you see, by the definition of all other campgrounds we've stayed at all of Fort Wilderness premium and preferred campsites are "handicapped"

Have a wonderful trip! I hope you'll consider trying the Fort one day. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

thanks for all the replies and info! I think we have decided to stay at another property, too many uncertainties here . . .

1) That is truly a shame.
2) The Fort is just such a great CAMPGROUND, let alone WDW Resort.
3) We hope your alternative is all you anticipate.


NOTE: I used to be semi-snobbish and stayed at Wilderness Lodge and/or
Grand Floridian for the great service. After working at The Fort and staying
there a few times, it has becomes our favorite WDW Resort! (Yes, we do
"camp" in the cabins, instead of an RV or Tent. My idea of "roughing it" is
when the batteries in the TV remote die.)

 

[North of Mouse]

NOTE: I used to be semi-snobbish and stayed at Wilderness Lodge and/or
Grand Floridian for the great service. After working at The Fort and staying
there a few times, it has becomes our favorite WDW Resort! (Yes, we do
"camp" in the cabins, instead of an RV or Tent. My idea of "roughing it" is
when the batteries in the TV remote die.)

Trust me, we 'do not' rough it in our RV!! It's our personal 'rolling' hotel that goes wherever we want to go, and we get to keep our personal bed and bath!!

Had to LOL, overheard a young girl say to her mother on boat going to the Hoop de doo, 'We have to go to a campground to get there'??!! What a hoot!!!
Will take 'our' FW and RV over their hotel any day!

 

[Napria]

This is my living room when I'm roughing it...



P6170380 by napria, on Flickr

And here is my kitchen...


P3220281 by napria, on Flickr



P6030357 by napria, on Flickr

I get to have my cat with me, and before we lost our dog, she came with us too. My "hotel" room is bigger than standard WDW resort rooms, I can cook in or eat out and my husband & I are the only ones who have ever slept in our bed. My kids are the only ones who have ever slept in theirs. We are the only ones who have ever used our bathroom.

And that's just the benefits of inside our RV. Add the great atmosphere of the Fort and it just doesn't get any better!