Using an ECV at OKW?

[Candace]

My husband has decided to join me on my next visit to OKW. He has to use a scooter and cannot climb steps. He can walk inside the unit, just can't do stairs or walk very far at all. Do you think OKW will accomodate us by assigning us to either first floor or an elevator building? Do I need a written medical statement? I noticed online that there is still availablilty at SSR for the same dates as my OKW stay. Anyone think I should change? Thanks.

 

[LauraLea]

I guess it depends on the time of year you are going. My DH broke his foot a few weeks before our stay this May at OKW. We had MS add a note that he was restricted to the ECV or crutches and we either needed a first floor room or a building with an elevator.

No problems at all. Got exactly what we needed. I have found the CMs at OKW check-in very accommodating to help you get what you need. They worked very hard on another occasion to get my DB's family and ours close to each other after MS messed up the travel with request.

Laura

 

[Sammie]

I personally would change, simply because at SSR it will be no problem at all. OKW will do there very best but sometimes there simply is not a room open that will work.

 

[Chuck S]

I'd call member services and make sure that ground floor or elevator building is listed on your reservation for medical reasons, or you could call and get a wheelchair accessible unit. I've never had a problem getting a first floor unit when needed, but sometimes it has been a wheelchair modified unit, even though we did not request a wheelchair modified unit.

But it really shouldn't be a problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Chuck -

Most buildings are 2 stories, so even if you make no request at all, you have a close to 50:50 chance of getting a first floor room.

 

[Candace]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I plan to call MS today to see what they can offer me. I looked online and SSR is available, so I may just change to over there. We own at both; my husband likes the space at OKW better.

 

[k3chantal]

My husband has decided to join me on my next visit to OKW. He has to use a scooter and cannot climb steps. He can walk inside the unit, just can't do stairs or walk very far at all. Do you think OKW will accomodate us by assigning us to either first floor or an elevator building? Do I need a written medical statement? I noticed online that there is still availablilty at SSR for the same dates as my OKW stay. Anyone think I should change? Thanks.

I think Disney does their best to make it work for you. But I would highly suggest you tell them before your arrival. We went in May to Kidani Village and my friend has a heart problem. I called many months before and shared that we needed a room close to the lobby near the elevators to reduce walking. We got exactly that on the fifth floor. Though she had a doctor's note and other documentation, we did not need to show it.

So call. Explain why and I believe they will do their best.

 

[MulanMom]

This is a sore point for me with OKW. DH has MD and uses an ECV. We've requested first floor or elevator consistently. We did encounter at least one occassion where they placed us in a 2nd floor room and claimed no other rooms were available at the resort during a midafternoon checkin. My husband was sitting in his ECV when we checked in that time and the CM never said our room was on the 2nd floor. Only when we were going to the room did bell service person question the number then alerted us. We've gone round and round with guest services because they feel if we need a first floor for medical purposes, then we should request a HC room. However, there are aspects of a HC (accessible) room that actually create a more dangerous situation for my DH. I think the room assigner at OKW must have it in for us, because we always have dreaded checking in to OKW. It's our home resort. We fell in love with it when it was the only DVC resort. But the experience was such a turnoff, we go to other DVC resorts on property that have elevators.

The other kicker with the OKW experience was that a previous manager supposedly made a note in our file so that the incident we had wouldn't happen. The manager we ended up dealing with...who was very good and worked with us...claimed no such notation existed on our file.

You'll probably have much better luck. However, realize there IS the possibility that they cannot accommodate a first floor request. In that case, the ECV can be left in Hospitality house to charge overnight and you can retrieve it in the morning.

 

[dianeschlicht]

My husband has decided to join me on my next visit to OKW. He has to use a scooter and cannot climb steps. He can walk inside the unit, just can't do stairs or walk very far at all. Do you think OKW will accomodate us by assigning us to either first floor or an elevator building? Do I need a written medical statement? I noticed online that there is still availablilty at SSR for the same dates as my OKW stay. Anyone think I should change? Thanks.

Absolutely OKW will accommodate him. I had several trips where I needed an ECV, and we once had a guest who used one. Each time I called MS and said we needed either first floor or elevator for medical reasons. Each time they accommodated us with no issues. It was easiest when we had the first floor units, but elevator buildings are good too. I just didn't care for the parking at building 64 (either across the street or in front of building 15).

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a sore point for me with OKW. DH has MD and uses an ECV. We've requested first floor or elevator consistently. We did encounter at least one occassion where they placed us in a 2nd floor room and claimed no other rooms were available at the resort during a midafternoon checkin. My husband was sitting in his ECV when we checked in that time and the CM never said our room was on the 2nd floor. Only when we were going to the room did bell service person question the number then alerted us. We've gone round and round with guest services because they feel if we need a first floor for medical purposes, then we should request a HC room. However, there are aspects of a HC (accessible) room that actually create a more dangerous situation for my DH. I think the room assigner at OKW must have it in for us, because we always have dreaded checking in to OKW. It's our home resort. We fell in love with it when it was the only DVC resort. But the experience was such a turnoff, we go to other DVC resorts on property that have elevators.

The other kicker with the OKW experience was that a previous manager supposedly made a note in our file so that the incident we had wouldn't happen. The manager we ended up dealing with...who was very good and worked with us...claimed no such notation existed on our file.

You'll probably have much better luck. However, realize there IS the possibility that they cannot accommodate a first floor request. In that case, the ECV can be left in Hospitality house to charge overnight and you can retrieve it in the morning.

If you are renting an ECV, you will want to check out post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is about renting wheelchairs and ECVs (link to that thread in my signature).

There was a change as of November 1, 2012, which involved WDW designating some ECV/wheelchair rental companies as "Preferred Companies".
Only these companies are allowed to drop off and pick up ECVs and wheelchairs from Bell Services. Other companies will need to arrange directly with the renter for delivery and pick up.
Bell Services will also store ECVs for guests renting from the preferred companies.

Asking for 1st floor for Medical Reasons usually works fine. When making requests, whatever is listed first by the guest is what the room assigner will think is the most important. THe more requests, the less likely it is that all the requests will be filled. So, list the most important first and limit the number of requests.
The only way they will guarantee a room is for the accessible rooms (that is required by the ADA because there are a limited number of accessible rooms and people who need one need to know ahead of time that they will have one).
Since OKW is only 2 floors for the most part, there is a good chance of getting first floor even without requesting it.

If you want to be totally sure, the only ways are either with an accessible room or going to a resort that does have elevators. Keep in mind that OKW is much roomier than the other DVC resorts. We always have to move furniture at SSR to get DD's narrow adult wheelchair from the entry area into the dining area/living room. There is a lot more room to get an ECV into the room and some place where it can be charged at OKW.

 

[Disneypapa]

If you are renting an ECV, you will want to check out post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is about renting wheelchairs and ECVs (link to that thread in my signature).

There was a change as of November 1, 2012, which involved WDW designating some ECV/wheelchair rental companies as "Preferred Companies".
Only these companies are allowed to drop off and pick up ECVs and wheelchairs from Bell Services. Other companies will need to arrange directly with the renter for delivery and pick up.
Bell Services will also store ECVs for guests renting from the preferred companies.

Asking for 1st floor for Medical Reasons usually works fine. When making requests, whatever is listed first by the guest is what the room assigner will think is the most important. THe more requests, the less likely it is that all the requests will be filled. So, list the most important first and limit the number of requests.
The only way they will guarantee a room is for the accessible rooms (that is required by the ADA because there are a limited number of accessible rooms and people who need one need to know ahead of time that they will have one).
Since OKW is only 2 floors for the most part, there is a good chance of getting first floor even without requesting it.

If you want to be totally sure, the only ways are either with an accessible room or going to a resort that does have elevators. Keep in mind that OKW is much roomier than the other DVC resorts. We always have to move furniture at SSR to get DD's narrow adult wheelchair from the entry area into the dining area/living room. There is a lot more room to get an ECV into the room and some place where it can be charged at OKW.

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Good info and suggestions Sue. Thanks. My wife has and uses an ECV when we are at Disney and we have had no problems obtaining a 1st floor room for medical reasons when requested in advance .

 

[Dean]

first floor and elevator buildings are only requests. I'd recommend you either go with SSR or get a HC unit instead so you're guaranteed what you need. Otherwise there's a real chance of a negative outcome.