Need photo of HHI villa entrance/steps**UPDATE POST #16**

[jekjones1558]

There has been a snafu with our reservation for HHI. My DH has a scooter but we do not have a HA unit. Does anyone have a photo of the steps at the front of the villas? We need to figure out if he is going to be able to deal with going up and down multiple times/day. Also, is there any kind of overhang near the steps where we could put a scooter to keep it handy but out of the way and out of the rain? I am not talking about the balcony side, I mean the entrance side of the villa. TIA.

 

[iloveokw]

Jean:

You need to make sure you are in the main building....then he can use the elevator....those stairs can be brutal and there isn't a place to store his scooter with the other buildings......I think we talked a few years ago at HH.

Good luck!

 

[jekjones1558]

Jean:

You need to make sure you are in the main building....then he can use the elevator....those stairs can be brutal and there isn't a place to store his scooter with the other buildings......I think we talked a few years ago at HH.

Good luck!

That's the problem. I am booked on cash and was assigned a dedicated room. I did not notice this on the confirmation letter when I made the reservation last summer. When I noticed it and called a few months ago it was too late. Because the lodge rooms are lock-offs, many are reserved as separate units. And because I have a cash reservation I cannot be waitlisted for a lodge lock-off (though I kind of feel like the booking miscommunication should allow for some exception). So it looks like DH will have to decide whether he can manage the steps and if not we will have to cancel. Totally bummed. DH just got out of a one week hospital stay and has been so looking forward to trying HHI. I have been there once and he has not been there. We used to be boaters when he was more mobile and I know he would love hanging around the Shelter Cove marina.

 

[Disney Princess]

I have never stayed at HHI and don't have pictures, but I just wanted to send some your way that it works out and your DH can manage the steps or someone can help you get into the main building. It sounds like this vacation is just what you both need. I hope someone can help you out!!

 

[jekjones1558]

I have never stayed at HHI and don't have pictures, but I just wanted to send some your way that it works out and your DH can manage the steps or someone can help you get into the main building. It sounds like this vacation is just what you both need. I hope someone can help you out!!

Thanks, Disney Princess! We need all the pixie dust we can get because we are booked for Memorial week, so my guess is that the resort is pretty full.

 

[mecllap]

Here's a description I wrote up about my studio in the main building in my trip report blog :
"I think the main bed is a queen-sized, and the sofa is a double, and there’s enough floor space for an airbed. The kitchenette is around the corner by the front door (it’s not all in a straight-line like most so it seems roomier in here). There’s a little table with two chairs, and the TV is a small flat-screen in a small cabinet with drawers -- so it’s not a big armoire taking up lots of space. The closet has a vacuum cleaner, iron and board, broom and mop, and a pack and play. The bathroom has a little better shelf than the Beach Club (HA room) had, but it’s not fully accessible. This room is partially accessible tho -- wide doors -- except there is a ledge barrier to get in the front door (the one that kept out the luggage cart). There’s a bar in the low bath-tub, but no bar by the toilet. The sink is on a pedestal, and there is probably room in there for a wheelchair, but not an ECV. I expect they have some fully accessible units. The balcony is nice, except that it has very little view -- what it has is blocked by the railing."

The area by the door is covered, so might be okay in the rain for the scooter (but maybe a poncho or something over it might be helpful if rain is expected).

You might call the resort again directly and see if they can work something out for you. My memory may not be serving me well, but I don't remember HH as being the most wheelchair-friendly place I've been lately. There are hardened paths to scooter around, and I think there's an elevator at the beach club, but I don't think there's a hardened path very far out onto the beach.

 

[WebmasterDoc]

Jean, have they at least offered to try to give you a first floor villa? It sounds as though you must have a 2BR and they usually do not allow reservations for 2BR lock-offs without the HCA designation. There are only 21 lock-offs at the resort - 16 in the lodge area (Buildings 11/12 with the elevator access) and only a few of those are HCA and not usually reserved as a 2BR unless the HCA is specifically reserved.

If they will give you a first level villa, there are only a few steps to access the entry. I can't think of any place under cover except on the stairs and landings and they may not allow an ECV to be stored on the stairway since those on the second floor will need to use the same stairway. There are no ground level villas due to building codes with flood restrictions. Perhaps some sort of tarp could be used to cover the scooter.

I can't find any photos of the front of the buildings but will look when I get home on Sat.

 

[dis-happy]

Oh, that is terrible news...I remember how much you were looking forward to this trip. Any chance you could talk to the front desk/general manager directly and see if they have a solution? Wishing you the best.

We've been assigned to a HC studio, a l/o 1 bed, as well as a regular studio all in the main building. You'd think someone in a l/o would love the chance at a dedicated room, giving you the main building.

Hope it all works out. Hugs.

 

[mecllap]

Hope you get to talk with someone else who can work out a room that will work for you.

 

[jekjones1558]

Jean, have they at least offered to try to give you a first floor villa? It sounds as though you must have a 2BR and they usually do not allow reservations for 2BR lock-offs without the HCA designation. There are only 21 lock-offs at the resort - 16 in the lodge area (Buildings 11/12 with the elevator access) and only a few of those are HCA and not usually reserved as a 2BR unless the HCA is specifically reserved.

If they will give you a first level villa, there are only a few steps to access the entry. I can't think of any place under cover except on the stairs and landings and they may not allow an ECV to be stored on the stairway since those on the second floor will need to use the same stairway. There are no ground level villas due to building codes with flood restrictions. Perhaps some sort of tarp could be used to cover the scooter.

I can't find any photos of the front of the buildings but will look when I get home on Sat.

Doc,
We do have a 2 bedroom reserved. We originally planned to bring another couple but now it looks like it may be only the 2 of us so we could actually do fine with a 1 bedroom, but none is available in the lodge (not surprised). The photos I have found of the villa entrances appear to have a few steps then a landing then more steps to get to the 1st floor villas. But it also looks like some 1st floor units may have fewer steps and some more steps. I wish I would have paid more attention when I was there but DH wasn't having the mobility issues then. DH can walk, just not too far, and he can do some steps, but going up and down many times a day would not work. A higher toilet and grab bars would be helpful but he can get along without them if necessary. He does not need a roll-in shower. So essentially the issue is the steps. I am mad at myself for not researching the issue of cash versus points room booking at HHI because I could have avoided this whole mess. And the CM at MS who booked the room obviously was not up-to-speed because she told me she had requested a lodge room for us, and now it sounds like you can't really get a lodge 2 bedroom unless you specifically book a HA room (which is what I should have done, had I known how this works). I also could have booked a 1 bedroom lodge room had I known this. Live and learn. Yes, I have requested a first floor room.

 

[jekjones1558]

dis-happy,
I have not forgotten about that glass of wine I promised you. If we manage to make it to HHI, I hope to keep that promise! We had a trip to HHI planned last year and had to cancel. I so hope that we won't need to cancel again. And to think that we used to travel without ever a thought about health issues!

 

[dis-happy]

dis-happy,
I have not forgotten about that glass of wine I promised you. If we manage to make it to HHI, I hope to keep that promise! We had a trip to HHI planned last year and had to cancel. I so hope that we won't need to cancel again. And to think that we used to travel without ever a thought about health issues!

Hon, if you guys are able to make this trip I'll be buying YOU a bottle of wine!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for a workable solution.

 

[Sammie]

Buildilng 22: http://allears.net/acc/hh18.jpg

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks, Sammie! I forgot that Allears has HHI photos!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope it works out that you two can go!
Bobbi

 

[jekjones1558]

I called HHI front desk this morning to ask about which building might have the fewest steps. It turns out that after MS called there yesterday a CM at HHI did some checking and was able to give us a 2 bedroom lockoff in the lodge, with the elevator!!!! Amazing!!! I credit the pixie dust from DIS friends and the wonderful CM at HHI. I was so impressed by the HHI staff during my one stay at HHI and it seems that their commitment to guest satisfaction continues. WOOHOO!!! Maybe this is a good day for me to buy a lottery ticket...

 

[WebmasterDoc]

That's WONDERFUL. I'm so glad to hear that you are all set with the villa you'll need!

Have a great trip!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I called HHI front desk this morning to ask about which building might have the fewest steps. It turns out that after MS called there yesterday a CM at HHI did some checking and was able to give us a 2 bedroom lockoff in the lodge, with the elevator!!!! Amazing!!! I credit the pixie dust from DIS friends and the wonderful CM at HHI. I was so impressed by the HHI staff during my one stay at HHI and it seems that their commitment to guest satisfaction continues. WOOHOO!!! Maybe this is a good day for me to buy a lottery ticket...

Great news, Jean! Looks like this is a much needed trip!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We stayed in the lodge with the elevator, and actually had a HA studio when we were there in October. It's such a wonderful resort, and I'm so glad that you got the pixie dust you needed for this trip to work out!!!

Bobbi

 

[mecllap]

Jean -- really glad to hear it worked out for you --congratulations! Did you ask if it has that "up and over" ledge at the front door -- there's probably some temporary double ramp gadget that would clear it for the scooter?

It generally seems to be a good idea to call and talk to someone else, if you don't get the answer you need the first time -- but this time it sounds like they were already working it out for you. The CM's at HHI seem particularly guest-oriented.

Enjoy!