Which resort?

[Disneycrazymom]

We would like to go to Disney World in November of 2000 and take along my dear sister who is in her chair at all times. She also needs 2 helpers in the restroom with her. My question is which resort would be the best for her? I am a teacher and was told the $129.00 rate is available for that time. The resort looks wonderful but I have no information about the handicapped rooms. She needs a roll in shower and a bathroom large enough for the chair and 2 helpers. Has anyone stayed there in an accessable room? How was your experience? Is one of the other resorts better? I am also concerned about transportation for her to the parks. I know we can walk to Epcot which sounds great, but will she be able to ride the boats? Where is the drop off at MK? Thank-you so much for your wisdom. <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome. I can help out with some of your questions and I'm sure other people will jump in too.
All of the parks have Companion Restrooms which are separate bathrooms, outside the ladies rooms, for use by people who need assistance in the bathroom. They will fit a wheelchair and several helpers easily. At AK, all the ladies rooms have one extra large handicapped stall that can also accomidate a wheelchair and 2 helpers. Many of the ladies rooms at the Studio are that way too.
CLICK HERE for a thread about Companion Restrooms. THer is a list of where to find all of them.
For the boat question; the reason wheelchairs can sometimes not ride on the boats is the water levels. If the water is too low or too high, the ramp from the dock to the boat will be too steep for a wheelchair. It seems to be less of a problem for the waterways by Epcot. I think they can regulate the water level more easily there in the canals than they can at the large lake at MK. If your sister has a manual chair and she is fairly light, she may be able to ride on the boats even if the water level is not the best. For example, we can lift my DD in her wheelchair on to the boats where someone larger might not be able to make it.
I don't quite understand your question about where you get off at MK. The boats, monorails and buses all deliver you very close to gates just in front of M ain Street. If that didn't answer your question, I'll be happy to try again if you can clarify it a little more.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[teri]

Hi, Disneycrazymom, and welcome to the disABILITIES Board. I will look around for more information for you, but in the meantime ... Here is a link to a post about resorts good for wheelchair access to Epcot in which we recently discussed this very topic! I will look for more information, in the meantime, please come look at our new disabilities FAQ - just click on the link in my signature below.

I hope you have a great trip

DIS disABILITIES Discussion Board FAQ under construction!
"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thank-you for the help. What I was tring to figure out with the transportation at MK was if the bus from the Swan/Dolphin would go to the TTC or if we would be dropped off at the front of the park. When we were at ASM we went to the park directly but the next year we stayed at the Hilton and the bus went to the TTC. It would be better for us not to have to take the boat or monorail at all since my DS is not as light as she was in her younger days and pushing up the ramp would be difficult. She could not be lifted onto the boat.

Do you know anything about the rooms at the Swan or Dolphin for her? Are the bathrooms large enough at the hotel for helpers and the chair?

You guys are the best! Thanks

 

[teri]

The bus will drop you off at the front of the park.

DIS disABILITIES Discussion Board FAQ under construction!
"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks Teri! That makes me feel better to know we will be at the front.

I read both threads and found lots of good information. Thanks!

I am still unsure if we should stay at the Swan/Dolphin. They look so nice but the wheelchair room has to have a big enough bathroom. Has anyone stayed there with a chair?