best resort rooms for wheelchairs

[teachbrooks]

We will be taking my sister again to WDW. She is an adult who must have another adult in her room to help her with bathroom,dressing, and preparing her food etc.
We have stayed in the cabins at FW, but since she loves Epcot, I was considering the resorts more convenient to Epcot.
Does anyone have any input or experiences that could help me?
Thanks

teachbrooks

 

[teri]

I really love Old Key West resort. You can park your car right up to the room, there is a kitchen in the 1 and 2 bedroom units, and it is spacious. Boardwalk Villas, Yacht and beach Club, Swan and Dolphin are all convenient to Epcot and MGM as well -- very nice, but not as spacious as OKW. Boardwalk Villas have kitchens in the one and 2 bedroom units. The advantage of these other resorts is that you would not have to drive to Epcot, it is a 5-minute walk/roll.

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[teachbrooks]

Thank you for your response. That quick walk is what I'm interested in acquiring. But of course, only if we can still have the comfort of plenty of room for getting around the room/s in the wheelchair.
I had not thought of OKW or BW. I wasn't sure how spacious Swan/Dolphin would be, and space is very important.
Are the rooms in the Y and B club large?
teachbrooks

 

[SonjaB]

The rooms at the Y&B are pretty standard-sized, no larger than the rooms at the other deluxes. The resort is gorgeous with loads of amenities, but the room size is pretty average. Hope this helps.

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[SueM in MN]

Even the regular rooms at OKW are easy to get around in with a wheelchair. There is plenty of space in the bathrooms to get a wheelchair in there. ›

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[teachbrooks]

Thanks!
We are always leary of the hotel/resorts companies descriptions of rooms as we have booked handicapped accessible rooms before to find that they meant they had a hand rail in the bathroom and nothing more. We've always been pleased with the cabins at WDW, but we are looking as I said for something closer to Epcot.
You comments have given me ideas to pursue for our next trip.
It is so nice to have a place to ask individuals who know through experience what we are looking for as to space etc.
Thanks again.

teachbrooks

 

[Wheelsie]

I can give a couple of DONTS if that will help... I as well have stayed at FW and loved it...course this was b4 they remodeled so I dont know what they are like now... but in any case my 2 donts are DxL and Contemp... the access there leaves ALOT to be desired..

Wheelsie Co-Moderator of disABILITIES
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[teri]

Wheelsie is right... keep in mind that Dixie Landings is now called "Port Orleans - Riverside" and the bridges and walkways there can be difficult for people who roll. However, "Port Orleans - French Quarter" is much easier access, no hills or boardwalks, smaller distances to the main buildings. It would be my choice among onsite moderates at WDW, if I were taking someone in a wheelchair or special stroller again.

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"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
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[HugsForEeyore]

Teachbrooks,
I have a similar situation - I am going in May to WDW with a friend who uses a power wheelchair and needs assistance with most things. She is on a limited budget, so I spent tons of time trying to figure out which resorts had roll-in showers, two beds in a handicapped room, best transportation, etc. We were going to stay at Port Orleans, but got offered a great deal at the new Animal Kingdom Lodge, so that's where we will be! I sure hope it is a good choice, since it is a brand new resort and should be up to code. It also has buses (since wheelchairs can't use most boat transportation, I believe), and everything is in one building and more centralized.

I sure hope Animal Kingdom Lodge is wheelchair-friendly!! We'll find out in May!

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[SueM in MN]

Whether or not wheelchairs can use the boat transportation depends on the water level. Since Florida is in a drought right now (even though we got poured on when we were there last Thursday), you can't count on boats. From what I have heard, the resorts like WL had some other arrangements for wheelchair and ECV users to get to the places the boats would have normally taken them. The water in the waterway that serves Epcot seems to not fluctuate as much in level as the big lake by MK. Also, an ambulatory person who is using a wheelchair because of endurance can probably get out of the chair and have it lifted on. It's not a problem for small, light people like my DD; we just lifted her on chair and all and then saw the signs that said the boats were closed to wheelchair and ecv users.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[Wheelsie]

Im not EVEN talking about the grounds for PO/DxL I mean the rooms are HIGHLY inaccessible for someone like myself that cant transfer...the "roll in shower" room we were given was only roll in if my chair had been to inches wide LOL (I joke but its no joking matter) And Contemp was even worse... the handi room we were....and I use the term lightly...upgraded to was right outside the maid's closet so every morning at 6am we were awakened by people screaming (and the housekeeping shouldnt do that 6 am or not) back and forth to each other... the bathrom was ODDLY accessible in that there was a roll in shower on one wall and a reg bath w bars on the other wall..but you cant see it as you walk in.. you have to go in and close the door to see the roll in... and THEN our room had a big HUMP in the middle of it...so DH put a room table there so I wouldnt forget that it was there... I woulda fallen outta my chair if he hadnt....and no I was NOT impressed with my Contemp upgrade... but I didnt need to tell you guys that now did I?

Wheelsie Co-Moderator of disABILITIES
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DisneyTips
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[teachbrooks]

Thanks everyone for your help.
Wheelsie thanks for the input on the restrooms and rooms size.It is very important (the space in the bathrooms and the shower or lack of . . ) My sister cannot transfer herself from the chair to the bath so a shower is a must. Also, transportation is important. She isn't a large woman, but she is a 53 year old woman so lifting her out of the chair and transferring her can be difficult.
Also,HugsForEeyore, about Ak lodge, I would love to read about your experience upon your return.
I'm not sure when we will get to go, but I'm beginning my planning now. Of course, budget is important also.
My 80 and 76 year old parents will be going also as well as my DH, DD, and DS.
Hopefully with this great board's help we will be traveling within this next year.

teachbrooks

 

[Wheelsie]

well Miss Brooks I tell ya! Anything we all can do to help you we will! And I AM a large sized woman so since no one but me (and sometimes thats iffy LOL) can lift me a roll in shower is a MUST HAVE

in the room we were supposed to stay in at PO/DxL the bathroom was set up like an old time water closet....a dressing area w 2 sinks..then the potty area ...yes it HAD a roll in shower...but NO I couldnt get my chair past the potty to get into it...by and large it was even too small for my able-bodied DH to potty in himself!! it was that darn small...and THEN they didnt have a king bed...which I need for balance purpose...they said the only kings the had were staandard to mathc their old time decor so Id have to CLIIMB into it (grrrr) well in any case I shoulda stayed at ASMo LOL but you live and learn

Wheelsie Co-Moderator of disABILITIES
and
DisneyTips
wheelsie@mail.wdwinfo.com

 

[teri]

The wheelchair accessible studio I stayed in at Boardwalk Villas had a fine roll-in shower with bars and a bench, plus the hand-held shower. No obstacles that I could see - we didn't have anyone in a chair on that visit, I don't know why they gave us that room. The sink was roll-up, the minibar was lowered. I think it would be an excellent choice. It was not far from the elevators. The 1 and 2 bedroom units are even larger - I think it would be a good choice for you if you want to be near Epcot. The rooms are not as large as OKW, but it is a good location, and the bathrooms are spacious.

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"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
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[Disneycrazymom]

How are the Swan and Dolphin for wheelchairs? We are trying to plan a trip for Nov. I called today and got a teacher rate of 129.00 which is great but only if the room will work. My sister also needs a helper in the bathroom. Is there room? How is the walk to Epcot? Are the boats always usable? Where does the bus drop off for MK? At the TTC or at the park enterance? So many questions, Thanks for all your help!

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[teachbrooks]

Wheelsie, I thought maybe you knew I was an Okie from the tone of that last answer. It almost had a Texas drawl to it or as we would say a Southern Oklahoma drawl.
I had considered the teacher rate at the Swan/Dolphin as a plus if it would work size wise for the wheelchair and bathroom showers.
I've got a lot more ammunition to work with now after receiving your wonderful suggestions and comments.
Thank you all.

teachbrooks