DVC rental: wheelchair request

[cornandacobb]

Hi

For the first time ever, I will be staying at the Beach Club Villas via a DVC rental.
My 82 year old mother-in law will be joining us for the first time ever, and we will need a wheelchair for her.

My question is: am I able to make the request through the Beach Club or does the DVC owner have to make the request?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dreamfinder]

Any request would need to be made by the owner as it is technically their reservation, not yours.

 

[cornandacobb]

Ok, so I presented the situation to the vacation club owner who said he'd look into it. He just replied to me that DVC does not supply wheelchairs for the rooms. I can rent one through the park or I call call a couple of places that rent wheelchairs with delivery.

Ok, now I have only stayed at resorts in the past, and I know for a fact that they offer free wheelchairs(while supplies last...first come first serve). We did this for my 8 month pregnant sister-in law 6 years ago. I checked online, and yes, they still offer this with a $315 refundable deposit.

Does Vacation Club operate differently from the resort? I figured the services would be the same.
Is my best bet speaking with the concierge upon arrival?

 

[dreamfinder]

I didn't think that DVC or the resorts provided Wheelchairs. The resorts may have a few on site that you can use for the short term, but most people who will need them end up renting them from an outside vendor. Anything the resort has I believe needs to stay on property, so your MIL would need to leave it in the lobby, board the bus under her own power, and possibly stand (I hope someone would offer her a seat) to and from the parks. At park you would need to rent one there.

DVC typically operates out of the same check in desk, with the same amenities available to any resort guest. (BLT/Kidani are exceptions as they have their own desk) The concierge/bell services would most likely be the people on property to assist with that. However, if you NEED to have one, I would strongly suggest renting one in advance from one of the outside companies. That's the best way to guarantee you have one. Also cuts out the need to get from the bus to the wheelchair each day.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Ok, now I have only stayed at resorts in the past, and I know for a fact that they offer free wheelchairs(while supplies last...first come first serve). We did this for my 8 month pregnant sister-in law 6 years ago. I checked online, and yes, they still offer this with a $315 refundable deposit.

What would you do if you went to get one and their wheelchairs were all out for the day?

Personally, I would use Walker Mobility - it would be delivered to the resort before you arrive, you get to use it for the length of your trip and always have it with you.

 

[cornandacobb]

Well, my mother in law does not use a wheelchair. And she won't necessarily need one for the trip.
However, knowing how much we'll be walking iver 8 days, including numerous visits to expansive Epcot, we would like to have a
wheelchair on hand in the room. I'm sure she is going to need a break. Plus, although she walks fine on her own, she isn't exactly swift at 82.

So, in regard to your question....did you mean if they were out at the resort or the park? If you meant park, then we'd just skip it for the day, deal with it, and if we decided she's need it daily, we'd make alternative plans for the remainder of the week. We're not going during hidtorically crowded times, so I'd like to think we'd be able to snag a wheelchair at the parks if necessary.
But I'm still banking on theBeach Club coming through for us. We''ll see.

 

[DisneyJoe]

did you mean if they were out at the resort or the park?

At the resort - as they only have a few per resort. The parks have many more, but they aren't free.

 

[cornandacobb]

At the resort - as they only have a few per resort. The parks have many more, but they aren't free.

Ok. Yes, I understand that. So, if the resort was out, then we'd either go with a daily rental at the parks if needed, or if we decided we need this thing all week we'd call for a weekly rental.
Obviously, the preference is a free rental from the resort to have use of all week.
But back to my original inquiry, I was wondering if they are available to us as a vacation club renter.

 

[DisneyJoe]

But back to my original inquiry, I was wondering if they are available to us as a vacation club renter.

Yes, they can be used by any resort guest. Have the request made on the reservation, but you will need to ask again at checkin, because the note on the reservation will not reserve one for you.

 

[cornandacobb]

Yes, they can be used by any resort guest. Have the request made on the reservation, but you will need to ask again at checkin, because the note on the reservation will not reserve one for you.

Thanks. As I mentioned previously, the DVC owner I am dealing with claimed he made an inquiry and the DVC does not supply them....hence my confusion.
I'll deal with the concierge upon arrival and hopefully it will all work out. AOr hopefully my mother in law will be up for trekking 8 miles a day with no problems.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Thanks. As I mentioned previously, the DVC owner I am dealing with claimed he made an inquiry and the DVC does not supply them.

Correct, DVC does not supply them or have any control over them at all. The resort (Beach Club) front desk or most likely Bell Services would have a few that are available for those who need them, first come first served.

 

[Spikerdink]

I have had this situation before, and as a DVC owner, it is what others have said.... you can not have one put on hold for you through the reservation. When you check in, ask for one as they may have one available...if not, keep checking back....

Other than that, the parks have plenty....this past trip I rented one for one of my party members who had difficulty in walking and was tiring easily...she resisted at first, but my 'exceptional' driving skills rival the best thrill ride in all of Disney! (Plus she was able to keep her energy level up all day). I did the two day rental to make it easy for the group....

Good luck!