Old Key West - Limited Mobility

[Dean]

I have good news to share. Big thanks to @Dean and @noreenkate .

I got a generic response and I was frustrated so I sent back an assertive email and got a call almost immediately that they were able to guarantee a room for us that will meet my dads needs.

This is such a relief.

My lessons learned:

1) I’ll make an accessible request through interval if I will have accessibility needs moving forward.

2) It sounds like other DVC resorts have enough elevators that it’s much less of a problem, so I would prioritize other resorts over OKW.

3) Disney is a big company and I do think they are trying to do the right thing but it can be hard to get the right people for some certain requests, so I’ll be more mindful of that.

Thanks all!

Glad it's working out and thanks for reporting back. I'm not sure that II can actually reserve a HC unit so I don't think that direction will help.

 

[noreenkate]

@travelhacker really glad you got it worked out

1) I’ll make an accessible request through interval if I will have accessibility needs moving forward.

So I am an oldhat dealing with Disney but a novice with II…How do I make an accessible request through interval?

I knew I was having surgery this year with a long recovery so I dumped almost every TS I own into II & RCI ( of course DVC got blown into a last hoorah trip at California ) Would love to know how or if its possible to request accessible access

 

[travelhacker]

@travelhacker really glad you got it worked out

So I am an oldhat dealing with Disney but a novice with II…How do I make an accessible request through interval?

I knew I was having surgery this year with a long recovery so I dumped almost every TS I own into II & RCI ( of course DVC got blown into a last hoorah trip at California ) Would love to know how or if its possible to request accessible access

I've always seen this when setting up an Exchange Request within II:

I don't recall seeing anything when making an online exchange, but I would assume that if I made an online exchange I could call Interval and make sure that a request was made for an accessible unit.

I try to go somewhere at least once a year with my parents and so it's something that I'll keep in mind.

 

[dioxide45]

I've always seen this when setting up an Exchange Request within II:

View attachment 91233

I don't recall seeing anything when making an online exchange, but I would assume that if I made an online exchange I could call Interval and make sure that a request was made for an accessible unit.

I try to go somewhere at least once a year with my parents and so it's something that I'll keep in mind.

I really wonder how this works. Does II pass the accessible information to the resort or do they only match it if the resort deposits an actual accessible unit?

 

[GrayFal]

I've always seen this when setting up an Exchange Request within II:

View attachment 91233

I don't recall seeing anything when making an online exchange, but I would assume that if I made an online exchange I could call Interval and make sure that a request was made for an accessible unit.

I try to go somewhere at least once a year with my parents and so it's something that I'll keep in mind.

None of these choices addresses the need for a first floor room at resorts with no elevators - I don’t need any of those choices but require a first floor room as stairs are very difficult for me.

 

[Dean]

None of these choices addresses the need for a first floor room at resorts with no elevators - I don’t need any of those choices but require a first floor room as stairs are very difficult for me.

As you know, there is no way to guarantee a first floor unit at OKW or any DVC resort. DVC does give priority to requests for medical reasons and they are very good at honoring those, esp first floor at OKW.

 

[GrayFal]

As you know, there is no way to guarantee a first floor unit at OKW or any DVC resort. DVC does give priority to requests for medical reasons and they are very good at honoring those, esp first floor at OKW.

My comment was a reply to the II "special facilities" choices. Not DVC specific.

 

[Dean]

My comment was a reply to the II "special facilities" choices. Not DVC specific.

Each resort/system will have it's nuances but the principles will hold. I am not aware of a resort where one can reserve a first floor specifically unless it's a HC unit, it's either a request or a HC. There may be circumstances where one can do so by default such as a specific unit type is only on first floor. I don't think resorts would be able to guarantee first floor non HC, it would add too much complexity to the reservation system.

 

[noreenkate]

My comment was a reply to the II "special facilities" choices. Not DVC specific.

This was exactly my reason for chiming in
- Lol 1st rule of tug-

the lesson I learned from my OKW exchange was do my research first…it not only applies to purchasing but exchanging…

so while an exchange may look great, get phenomenal reviews it still may not be a good fit for me or my travel party. My niece is terrified of heights - if she’s traveling with us Rivera is out…

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

If you're at OKW, you can get either boats or buses that will take you to the parks. Buses usually run opening to a couple hours after closing (once the park has guaranteed that no guests are left). We (buses) have ECV ramps and drivers are trained on securing them, so the only time you need a mobility van is if you're leaving WDW. At least one perk of being with a person on an ECV is no matter how many people are waiting, you get on first!

TS

There are no boats at OKW that go to any of the parks, they only go to Disney Springs. It’s bus transportation only for the parks. A boat to the parks would literally be impossible as there are not waterways that connect to any of them from OKW. The only resorts at WDW that have boat transportation to the parks are the MK area resorts which have it to MK (Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge & Ft Wilderness), and the Epcot area resorts that have it to Epcot & HS (Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swolphin).

 

[TheHolleys87]

The only resorts at WDW that have boat transportation to the parks are the MK area resorts which have it to MK (Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower,

Note that CR and BLT do not have boats to MK, only monorail or walkway. There is a boat that makes the rounds between CR, WL, and FW in the afternoons/evenings, I think starting at 3:30 PM.

 

[noreenkate]

Note that CR and BLT do not have boats to MK, only monorail or walkway. There is a boat that makes the rounds between CR, WL, and FW in the afternoons/evenings, I think starting at 3:30 PM.

And if using a mobility device - boats out of wilderness are iffy at best for wheelchairs and ECV accessibility - poly and grand floridian are not accessible…OKW boats that I have been on have ramps that you must ask for - for what it’s worth the transfers are sketchy at best and again eye- rolling must be endured…

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/water-transportation-bring-resorts-wheelchair-accessable-224286/

The boats that go between the Magic Kingdom to the Polynesian Resort and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are not wheelchair accessible because they are smaller boats that you have to walk to step into them (if you are able to transfer, then you could use this type of boat). Also the boats that go from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort are not wheelchair accessible (the same style of boats as in the previous sentence). Every other boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge Resort is wheelchair accessible (every other boat is a larger boat that a wheelchair or scooter can roll onto).

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Note that CR and BLT do not have boats to MK, only monorail or walkway. There is a boat that makes the rounds between CR, WL, and FW in the afternoons/evenings, I think starting at 3:30 PM.

Yeah, you’re right, the boat from CR only goes to those other resorts, not to MK itself.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

And if using a mobility device - boats out of wilderness are iffy at best for wheelchairs and ECV accessibility - poly and grand floridian are not accessible…OKW boats that I have been on have ramps that you must ask for - for what it’s worth the transfers are sketchy at best and again eye- rolling must be endured…

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/water-transportation-bring-resorts-wheelchair-accessable-224286/

The boats that go between the Magic Kingdom to the Polynesian Resort and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are not wheelchair accessible because they are smaller boats that you have to walk to step into them (if you are able to transfer, then you could use this type of boat). Also the boats that go from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort are not wheelchair accessible (the same style of boats as in the previous sentence). Every other boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge Resort is wheelchair accessible (every other boat is a larger boat that a wheelchair or scooter can roll onto).

To anyone who might need to use those and cannot transfer, also important to note that you do not need to use the boats to get to MK from poly or GF as you can use the monorail (which is accessible). At the poly DVC buildings it’s also actually likely just as close/closer to go to the TTC and take the boat (or monorail) from there as it is to go to the boat launch at poly. The boats from the TTC definitely are accessible as they are gigantic and have ramps.

 

[ljmiii]

There is a boat that makes the rounds between CR, WL, and FW in the afternoons/evenings, I think starting at 3:30 PM.

Yay! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear that the boat from BLT to FW is back up and running. I’ll be making some FW dinner ressies on our next trip!

 

[TheHolleys87]

And if using a mobility device - boats out of wilderness are iffy at best for wheelchairs and ECV accessibility - poly and grand floridian are not accessible

In recent months Disney has started using the larger boats - scooter and wheelchair accessible - on the MK-GF-Poly route (I confirmed this elsewhere), especially during high traffic times. Like the boats between MK and WL or FW, sometimes they alternate the larger ones with the smaller. But it seems they’re recognizing the number of guests needing scooter/wheelchair-friendly transportation and adding new boats (as well as new buses) that can accommodate them. So the situation is changing.

 

[noreenkate]

In recent months Disney has started using the larger boats - scooter and wheelchair accessible - on the MK-GF-Poly route (I confirmed this elsewhere), especially during high traffic times. Like the boats between MK and WL or FW, sometimes they alternate the larger ones with the smaller. But it seems they’re recognizing the number of guests needing scooter/wheelchair-friendly transportation and adding new boats (as well as new buses) that can accommodate them. So the situation is changing.

That’s makes a big difference for when I travel mostly on my own- we have only stayed once at cooper creek and with the new cabins coming in that will be helpful