Wilderness Lodge EHV Report


Karen and Joseph Plescia December 1999


Our family stayed at the Wilderness Lodge November 26 through December 5, 99. We would like to share a few of the pluses and minuses of the trip.

We arrived at 5:30PM on Friday night after taking a 1:00PM out of NY. We found the Lodge to be peaceful and service to our room fast and friendly. Dinner at Artist Point was delicious.

As we took a night stroll we were surprised to find out that my husbands EHV (Electric Handicap Vehicle) would not be able to take any of the boat transportation. Signs were posted as we walked toward the dock. When I made our arrangements in April 99 I spoke with the "Guests with Special Needs Department" numerous times and frequently asked when making priority seating about the transportation. Beware not everyone is aware of the constant changes.

This transportation dilemma made getting to the Contemporary, Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness very unpleasant and time consuming.

I spoke with the front desk and manager to be told several times sorry, sorry, sorry. That does not help during a 9-day vacation. If I were informed I would have made arrangements elsewhere.

I spoke with the transportation department and was informed that buses would do just fine.

After a late night at Epcot, which was fantastic (comments at a later date) we took the monorail to the transportation center to transfer to a bus. We had to wait for 2 buses. The buses on the Boone route did not have handicap accessibility.

When I returned to the Wilderness Lodge I called Steve again and was told 95% of the buses were handicap accessible and they were sorry. After much complaining I was advised that some type of arrangement could be made if I let them know 45 minutes in advance.

Physically challenged individuals sustain enough with out being made to feel they are a burden. Disney is slipping.

We have been visiting Disney since 1973 some times twice a year. We have had the pleasure of being a most of the hotels with happy experiences. The truly physically challenged individuals are having a very difficult time due to the inappropriate use of EHV's and wheel chairs by family members who think it is a game to swap members a try to cut the lines.

Contemporary California Grill food is out of this world. The staff is outstanding. The elevator to the monorail is a blessing. We were able to leave the MK by monorail and stop at the Contemporary for the first time in all our years of visiting Disney World. Thank you for this wonderful addition.

Than you to the Bus driver "Alice" who took us straight to the MK after waiting for the handicap bus to arrive at Wilderness Lodge. What a great gal!

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Last Updated:12/30/99