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Post by sweetequine on Nov 10, 2014 19:37:21 GMT -5
This question is for the wheelers who live in Florida,or anyone who has been for that matter! What beach/city on the gulf coast is the most accessible? My boyfriend and I are thinking of vacationing there this spring. I would appreciate any input you all may have. I personally haven't visited the gulf coast but would love to. Also of importance is the nearby airports...do they have the gates with the jetway/bridge to get on and off the plane? The thought of someone carrying him up and down the narrow stairs to the plane is very frightening and not really an option for us, so that rules out most islands I think.
Thanks!!
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Post by rebel6842 on Nov 10, 2014 21:05:54 GMT -5
First, the easy part. All planes have some sort of connection to terminals, but it sort of depends on where you're flying into. Remember, this is the South you're flying into, so their idea of accessibility and yours may be totally different things. Now, I haven't been on the Gulf since the '80s, so I couldn't tell you exactly what hotels/condos are like, but you're smart in doing your digging now... Good luck
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Post by Emma on Nov 10, 2014 23:34:30 GMT -5
Also of importance is the nearby airports...do they have the gates with the jetway/bridge to get on and off the plane? I really don't think you need to worry about this. I'm not an airline employee or anything but I'm pretty sure all airports that major airlines fly into have the roll up ramps that they can use when a wc user is on the flight. My husband and I have flown all over the US and never have been told that he had to deplane down the stairs, they always had a ramp. |
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Post by matisse on Nov 10, 2014 23:53:35 GMT -5
Hmmmm, well I've actually had to deplane down stairs a few times in smaller airports. But it was no problem, they just bumped me down in the aisle chair.
I have no idea about the Florida gulf coast, b/c it would require a connection for me. But I have been to Miami (specifically South Beach) and it was quite accessible.
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Post by BA on Nov 11, 2014 0:56:30 GMT -5
I live on the gulf coast near some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The gulf coast of FL is more laid back than the east coast. It has more of a Jimmy Buffett/Margaritaville vibe. All in all the suncoast is fabulous, especially this time of year. The Tampa airport is a big hub so no need to worry about plane access. There is a smaller airport (SRQ) in Sarasota proper. Here are some links. www.siestasportsrentals.com/beach_stuff.htmYou can rent beach wheelchairs. The public beach has access for all. www.visitsarasota.org/www.sarasota-florida.org/If you are heading down, message me. I would be happy to show you around. |
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Post by sweetequine on Nov 11, 2014 11:59:59 GMT -5
Thanks BA! I'm thinking its a toss up between the Clearwater and Ft Myers areas but still not 100%. Another plus is the ability to fly nonstop- I know how much of a pain connecting flights are for me. I have a strong suspicion it would be even more challenging for him with the wheelchair and all.
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Post by Pony on Nov 11, 2014 18:27:06 GMT -5
Well, Clearwater is accessible, but I really wish the City would build a concrete sidewalk down to the water,or somewhere near. I've had it on my mind to bring this up to city commision coz I'd love to get near da water. Next best thing is long ass pier over the beach/water...Pier 60!Also, a long beach-walk, mostly flat n hard surface. Any other thing i can help with, just hit me.
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Post by rebel6842 on Nov 11, 2014 21:27:55 GMT -5
Thanks BA! I'm thinking its a toss up between the Clearwater and Ft Myers areas but still not 100%. Another plus is the ability to fly nonstop- I know how much of a pain connecting flights are for me. I have a strong suspicion it would be even more challenging for him with the wheelchair and all. If you can fly nonstop, do it. I know from experience that layovers are MAJOR PITA's |
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Post by hotwheels77 on Nov 13, 2014 18:39:03 GMT -5
Ft desoto is accessible. I tailgate there by myself. I just pull right up to the water. It's nice!
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Post by sweetequine on Nov 13, 2014 19:38:21 GMT -5
Oh that's good to know, thanks. Is there a walkway to get to the water? Would it be safe for a power chair?
BA- do you have any recommendations on where to stay in the Sarasota area? We would like to find a house/condo to rent for the week, but having a really hard time finding a reliable website.
I find it very annoying how some websites claim that places are wheelchair accessible, then when you look at pictures there are stairs to get in along with horribly cramped bathrooms! I cannot believe how many of those I am seeing.
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Post by matisse on Nov 13, 2014 19:50:45 GMT -5
I find it very annoying how some websites claim that places are wheelchair accessible, then when you look at pictures there are stairs to get in along with horribly cramped bathrooms! I cannot believe how many of those I am seeing. This site often has pictures of the rooms, I have used it as a resource when traveling new places. Not sure what part of FL is covered, just search for Florida and see what you get. When I travel to new places, I always ask the hotel for a pics. That's the only way to know for sure, because strangely enough it's not uncommon for people not to really understand what a roll-in shower is. Even after I get pics, to be honest I am never sure I will actually have the right room until I open the door to the bathroom. This is true even with multiple calls to double check. The only exception is Wynn in Vegas, because all their roll-ins have are numbered a certain way. |
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Post by sweetequine on Nov 13, 2014 20:01:59 GMT -5
I find it very annoying how some websites claim that places are wheelchair accessible, then when you look at pictures there are stairs to get in along with horribly cramped bathrooms! I cannot believe how many of those I am seeing. This site often has pictures of the rooms, I have used it as a resource when traveling new places. Not sure what part of FL is covered, just search for Florida and see what you get. When I travel to new places, I always ask the hotel for a pics. That's the only way to know for sure, because strangely enough it's not uncommon for people not to really understand what a roll-in shower is. Even after I get pics, to be honest I am never sure I will actually have the right room until I open the door to the bathroom. This is true even with multiple calls to double check. The only exception is Wynn in Vegas, because all their roll-ins have are numbered a certain way. Good idea about requesting pics, it would have saved me from spending hours on the phone last summer to get someone who knew about roll-in showers! You are right about being unsure until you open the bathroom door, it's a scary feeling. I'm new to traveling with a wheeler, and I have learned the list of criteria that we need and it really is hard to find somewhere that meets the entire list. |
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Post by matisse on Nov 13, 2014 20:23:18 GMT -5
Is your SO an experienced traveler? I ask because the risk of you doing all the planning is that there is a screw-up, and then you feel bad or he gets angry. If he has traveled a lot then he knows there is an inherent, unavoidable risk of a screw-up that cannot be eliminated. (unless you are going to Wynn in Vegas ;-)
BTW if anyone every tells you that all their ADA rooms have roll-in showers, that is a good indicator that the person does not know what a roll-in shower is.
During the summer I checked into a hotel and said to the receptionist, "roll-in shower, right?" She said yes. Then I said something like "no tub?" and she got this "oh, shit" look on her face. Yep it was a tub ADA room. I couldn't help myself and decided to be Captain Obvious: "well, I really can't roll into a tub......"
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Post by hotwheels77 on Nov 13, 2014 21:09:08 GMT -5
There isn't a walkway right to the water but there is a level path to the sand and a short distance to the water with some assistance. There is a great walkway along the shoreline that's viewable from the chair. There's also 2 piers that go out into the gulf and a historic fort that's accessible.
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Post by sweetequine on Nov 15, 2014 14:43:53 GMT -5
Good point, Matisse. Yes, he's pretty experienced thank goodness! He actually experienced having his wheelchair trashed by an airline- that scares the hell out of me! From what he says, that's the angriest he's ever been while traveling and understandably so.
We usually split the planning 50/50, but he can be a bit of a procrastinator (which I am not!!) so once or twice I have just taken care of it for my own piece of mind. When I took care of the hotel I think I called 3 different times to make sure it was a roll in shower, and took names of people I had spoken with.
We've never flown together so I'm a bit nervous as to what may or may not happen to his chair, going to have positive thoughts though.
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