Accessibility and OKW Resort

[faeflora]

Hi
we are in the early planning stages for a possible trip to WDW in January 2003. We are thinking of staying at OKW and were wondering if anyone could give us an idea about the accessibility of this resort. I use a wheelchair and my mom will be using a scooter/cane.
We've been to WDW before but never to this resort so any help would be great.
Thanks
Julia

 

[chris1gill]

We stayed there in December with my wheelchair... We had a first floor Handicapped unit... it worked out very well, but I didn't need the roll in shower...

The Accessible units have lower counters (but not too low), a lower king size bed, and the space under the sinks is open as opposed to having a cabinet (so you can roll right up to the sink). Of course all the Accessible units are on the first floor... You can either request an Accessible unit which is guaranteed, or you can request first floor for medical reasons, but that's not necessarily guaranteed, so I don't do that... I go for the accessible units just to be 100% sure... you can't carry a powerchair upstairs to the second floor LOL... there are no elevators at OKW except the new buildings they put in a few years ago...

Going around all the grounds & everything was very easy, the sidewalks are very nice...

Anymore questions, just ask!

 

[teri]

I have stayed there in a regular 2-BR unit, ground floor for medical reasons, with elderly relatives who used wheelchairs for distances more than 10 yards but otherwise walked. It was very spacious, convenient and comfortable. Another thing that I love about OKW is that you can park your car right up to the unit. That made things so much easier for us.

I also stayed one night in a wheelchair-accessible studio with a roll-in shower. It was very nice, but we needed a tub, so we moved.

I have always been granted a ground-floor unit for medical reasons at OKW. I have stayed there 4 times. OKW is my favorite onsite resort.

 

[SueM in MN]

We've been DVC members since early 1993 at OKW and have stayed there at least 12 times, asking for first floor for medical reasons. One of the very first times we stayed, we ended up with a second floor unit. But, we just had "first floor requested" on our reservation, not "for medical reasons".
We have been told that the "medical reasons" requests are filled first, then they fill the general requests, so even if not guaranteed, you are almost positive to get first floor. Make sure that "First floor needed for Medical Reasons" is listed on your confirmation sheet.
This year, I noticed our reservation said "First floor or building with elevator guaranteed for medical reasons," so it's possible they may have changed their policy. The past 2 stays, we have actually ended up being on the second floor in the newer buildings with elevators.

If you don't need the roll-in shower, raised toilet seats and full wheelchair access for the sinks, you will still find the rooms are very spacious and easy for manouvering a wheelchair around.

 

[faeflora]

Thank you all for your replys. I am so excited to be possibly able to try another WDW property.

 

[LindaDVC]

We just got back from a combination stay at All Stars, OKW, and Vero!

All stars was very crowded.
They gave us a king size bed with a cot for son!
Once cot open (after we rearranged table etc) no room for Dan to move.
OKW was great! No problems to report there!
Vero floor plan is awkward with a lot of turns required but it does have the accessibility features!

Linda