Originally Posted By travelbychair have not been to WDW since the early 70's when MK was new & I was a 1st grader. Going to a friends Wedding@Disney next month. She sent us info on getting a discount on Disney hotel rooms as a wedding guest. Want a hotel room with wide door into bathroom/grab bars and first floor room. Needs to be kids friendly as well.Thank you for any info you can share.
Originally Posted By Labuda travel, each hotel should have wheelchair-accessible rooms on the first floor. Each hotel is also child-friendly (after all, they're Disney resorts!), and I think you shoudln't have any issues finding the features you require. Just pi8ck a hotel based on theme & budget and make sure that Disney resertvations knows you need an accessible room.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom In all hotel's on property you will find rooms to accomidate the needs of people in chairs. With this being said. I think you might be better off staying in a hotel that is not so spread out. Perhaps a hotel where you can just drop down an elevator and get to a lobby, food court. As well as one with under cover bus areas close by the lobby. So I would recommend AKL, WL, Swan, Dolphine, BW, BC, YC, Poly, Contemp or GF. Go for the deluxes.. But absolutely call Disney and express to them your needs and see how they can accomidate you. I wonder if there are any resorts I missed? Oh here is a link to Deb's website where she gives recommendations about some of the special rooms on property with pictures. <a href="http://allearsnet.com/acc/acrooms.htm" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com/acc/acro oms.htm</a>
Originally Posted By travelbychair Thank you both for replying. The link was very helpful. We are booked at the Grand Fl., because of closeness to where the wedding will be and a room fitting needs. The person I spoke with was much nicer about questions than any hotel sp. needs service person I have ever dealt with. She even knew the door width to the restroom in the room(big issue when you get a room you can sleep in but can not get in the restroom). Thank you both again.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Every single hotel will be able to accomodate that but request it in advance so you are sure to get one. They fill these rooms with guests who don't need them as the night gets late. I have stayed in such rooms many times.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I stayed in one too once, but that was in Charleston, SC.... what a nice room everything was so handy.
Originally Posted By beamerdog We were told at AKL that the accessible rooms were all on the parking lot side. If this is in fact true, you might not want to stay there in the future since there are much better views at this property IMHO. Although I love this hotel for its ambiance and restaurants, it is the worst property for a guest with a service dog :-( The only problem I've had in an ECV is that not all exterior hotel doors are easily openned which is a problem when I'm on my own. (Of course now my dog can open the door, thank goodness.) You might check with the desk about which doors are automatic before setting out on your own. You made a great decision. Keep checking in here if you have more questions. Have a great time!!
Originally Posted By travelbychair beamerdog, anything catch your service partner(dog) off guard at Disney? My golden "Lady" and I have been traveling partners for 6 years but this will be her first time at Disney. It as been years since she has had anything throw her of guard but since I depend on her-keeping her safe and happy is #1. Lady is good with doors as well.
Originally Posted By travelbychair Many hotels the accessible rooms are on the parking side to make it easier if an evacuation of the hotel is needed. When I was younger I did not mind being on upper floors as much but the older I get the more I do not want to be carried down stairs. Friend told me the monorail is accessible, what else is?
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire My Aunt had a handicap room at Pop Century, and it was located right in front of the pool area. She said it was a great location and she would definitely stay there again.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom The monorail and buses are ALL accessable. If would be wonderful to see an actual lift on a bus being used for a wheelchair rather than a three person stroller for a change. I really like the idea of staying at the same resort as the Wedding. That sure is going to making things a lot easier for you. I was amazed at Deb's website too. Those pictures sure help to give you a perspective as to what those rooms will potentially look like. I really think your going to have an incredible time.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I know first hand that the Boardwalk has accessible rooms on the lagoon side that overlooks the boardwalk and the views are totally incredible. I stayed in such a room last February with my family.
Originally Posted By beamerdog OMG! Another service dog person here! So here's the story. Up until May '05 I was a puppy home/trainer for a non-profit here. Now I have my own, but we haven't gone to Disney with him yet. So I've had puppies who, as you can imagine, have strange reactions sometimes. Here's the conglomerate of them: (Depending on your mobility, only some of this may apply) Moving ramp in Haunted Mansion: They had to stop the ramp (just ask, no problem) because one dog just refused to walk on the moving walk. If you plan to take your dog on Buzz, the front of the vehicle comes down in the front and may catch his tail. Have your companion rider hold his tail in until it closes. Watch for this on other rides. I have had major problems with Asian people talking and grabbing at dogs. I don't know why, maybe there aren't a lot of service dogs back home. If you don't have a seizure disorder, try and get one of those little blinking light charms to put on both sides of the dog's gear so that people will see him. Disney provides walking areas backstage. It's easier to plan your day if you know where they are ahead of time. Special needs guest services should be able to help you with this. If not, I remember most of them in MK and Epcot, but only some in the other two parks. BTW, be very careful of broken glass in some of these areas. If you really want to see Stitch, there is an "exit" seat where you can leave quickly if it is too intense for your dog. They can also seat you near the exit in It's tough to be a bug if that's too intense, also. I'm sure there are more of those seats, just ask. None of my dogs were ever afraid of anything there (except the old Alien attraction), but CPL really screens their animals and mine were always travelling to a lot of noisey, strange places so WDW was no big deal for them. Well, only in the Liberty Bell Pavillion as Wendebird and tm0m can attest to. Not all cms are familiar with service dog etiquette (hm, it's late and I can't figure out how to spell that) and most have been instructed to greet your dog :-( I just ignore it. Please feel free to contact me via email - my address is in my profile. Just click on my name, it'll come up. I don't want to take up too many pages here, lol.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire Aww was hoping the wheelchair accessible cabins were closer to the Marina. I think there are just two back there. We had the prviledge of staying in one of these due to the others being booked and it was perfect! And sooo close to the marina, stores, restaurant, etc. Dont really want to stay in another cabin unless its back there again lol. We had an amazing time at Disney last week. We are trying to find the best hotels for handicap rooms too for my nephew. So far, its Pop Century, because of its location to the pool.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire Aww was hoping the wheelchair accessible cabins were closer to the Marina. I think there are just two back there. We had the prviledge of staying in one of these due to the others being booked and it was perfect! And sooo close to the marina, stores, restaurant, etc. Dont really want to stay in another cabin unless its back there again lol. We had an amazing time at Disney last week. We are trying to find the best hotels for handicap rooms too for my nephew. So far, its Pop Century, because of its location to the pool.
Originally Posted By beamerdog Blazes: IMHO ~ Coronado Sp: No, too spread apart. And getting around the food court would be a nightmare with a dog and chair. We've done that one when I had some vision problems. POFQ: okay on the first floor. This resort is compact, so you're pretty near everything. Fabulous landscaping. My at-the-time 13 yr old loved it. POR: Also very spread apart. I had a dog in Alligator B. where we were near the Food Court, but it was still a little difficult. And I love this hotel. The Mansions are good, but only with your own car. YC: Absolutely awesome. The head manager there went out of his way after our nasty experience at AKL. Their HR's are located 1st floor near the lobby/restaurant/stores and pool. I've had three puppies here. Since I don't need the special room, they put us right near the elevator, which would be perfect for me now. Those are the only ones I've done w/dogs.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire Well he doesnt have a dog - hes only 2! But still in a wheelchair nonetheless and just makes things easier with a handicap room anyways, the main reason being theyre on the first floor and seem to offer wider space. The best would be a monorail resort of course! But funds cant always provide that lol
