Accessible Room -- argh

[LisaS]

But what I think is very poorly done by DVC is the design of the HA rooms - most specifically in the older resorts. I mean really, what were they thinking? No storage or shelving in the bathrooms? Because people who require HA rooms don't have toiletries? Huh? Or no safes? Because they do not care to lock up valuables? Huh? From what I've seen they have at least done some improvements on the HA design in the newer resorts and personally I think that when they are doing room renovations in the older resorts they also ought to update to newer standards and designs for the HA rooms. That won't mean adding tubs to rooms that are fully accessible with roll in showers but there are easy things that can be done so that the rooms are not so dramatically different and that are also improvements for those that need the design differences. Frankly - these rooms have design issues for everyone.

I agree. Someone who needs an HA room deserves better. And if the rooms were nicer, many of the guests who didn't need an HA room but ended up in one would be fine with it.

 

[Dean]

I just checked our reservations for this weekend and it appears that somehow we are in an 'accessible' studio at BWV. I do not think we want this--other than being pregnant, we are both able bodied and I think my DH will be totally weirded out by an accessible bathroom. Any insight? I am on hold with MS-- I am surprised they have it assigned this far out (we don't check in till Friday).

We have had rather bad luck in the past with BWV even though we love the location--last time we were only there for two days but we had plumbing issues and the maintenance staff left dirty paper towels everywhere-- we are relatively new members and I'd really rather my DH doesn't have to deal with a funky room category as well (he is less 'adaptable' than I).

***

Also before you think I am a needy monster--I am 31 weeks pregnant and I REALLY need my baths!!!! Maybe I can get a Drs note?

Did you book rather late such that your priority would be less?

If the OP did not request an accessible Room she should request a FREE upgrade if they do not have a studio available at checkin. She booked a normal studio with set amenities. I would not settle for the junk room because they're sold-out.

Be sure to complain to managers if needed.

Please keep us updated and best of luck.

The risk of a HC room is part of the deal we all signed up for whether we knew or considered it or not. IMO no special compensation is appropriate for those that get those rooms. Technically all they booked was a studio with no distinction of the specific amenities. Asking is reasonable, complaining is not. For anyone that is unwilling to take this risk, they should not be a timeshare owner or they should owned fixed unit timeshares.

I'm having trouble with this one.

Disney made HA rooms a booking category, not listed separately as far as points go, but listed separately on reservations and in the booking database.

If I booked a BWV, Boardwalk View and a few days before check in the room assigner changed it to a garden view, I would be upset. Changing a reservation to a HA room seems the same to me.

The OP is paying full points and being forced to stay in a modified room, doesn't seem right.

IMO HA rooms should be left empty if not specifically requested. They could be offered to guests not happy with their rooms view or available for last minute reservations.

Bill

It's only a booking category in one direction. The rooms cannot be left empty routinely unless someone is willing to fund those points.

 

[Millionaire2K]

Can someone explain how to give a bath to a 3 year old in a HA room since they have no tub?

Does anyone know of a list of the HA room numbers? I found an old list but it had like no info. Thanks.

 

[Dean]

Can someone explain how to give a bath to a 3 year old in a HA room since they have no tub?

It's possible to bath a 3 y/o with no tub. There simply is no guarantee of a tub in this situation though I realize it's more important to some than others but if it's a deal breaker, one shouldn't own. I also own at a timeshare where there is only a large shower and no tub in the master for all units.

 

[delilah]

It's possible to bath a 3 y/o with no tub. There simply is no guarantee of a tub in this situation though I realize it's more important to some than others but if it's a deal breaker, one shouldn't own. I also own at a timeshare where there is only a large shower and no tub in the master for all units.

Yes, hypothetically, you could give a three year old a shower. Unfortunately, your child could be like my son, who absolutely would go ballistic if we tried to bathe him in a shower, and wouldn't even go into the aquatic building at our local zoo, because it had a waterfall that sounded like a shower.

When my son was young, we also were "upgraded" to a HA room at All-Star sports. It had a king size bed, a small refrigerator, and faced the pool. It also had one of the funky showers. Fortunately, we were able to sweet talk my sone with much cajoling to take a shower. Thereafter, he was able to take showers, he was about 6 at the time. We were OK with the king bed, because he just slept between us at the time while we were on vacation, but, technically, I don't think a family of three should have been placed in the HA room with only one bed.

 

[Nanajo1]

If the H/A rooms could be made more user friendly for everyone. Shelving in the bath, more storage space and a safe would minimally improve the room. Those are not major renos. I need a H/A room but won't book a studio because I feel it is not up to D C standards.

 

[Chuck S]

I've always had safes in OKW HA studios.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Did you book rather late such that your priority would be less?

Nope, not at all. Booked it a LONG time ago, at 7 months maybe.

The annoying part is that I called RIGHT away when I saw this was assigned to ask to be moved, and I just KNOW there are probably a billion check ins tomorrow, so they should be able to switch this given the early attention.

Giving MS a call again to see if they have any rooms available now to switch. The rep is SO FREAKING NICE--she has four boys and said she spent her insomniac nights pregnant in the tub so she completely understands my angst. She's getting high survey marks regardless of outcome. Also, weirdly--NO WAIT for MS. Last call it said 16 min wait and I finally got someone at 25 minutes.

***

Can't get no satisfaction. She said the front desk staff blamed them and said when DVC overbooks they have to put people in the HA suites. She said to ask for a manager tomorrow am when we check in, which I definitely will.

 

[wildforgoofy]

Not sure if this will help you when you talk to the manager, but I read this on another post and thought of you.

"Originally Posted by DebbieB
There is a note on the member website to call under 10 days for availability. They can call the resort to see if there are any cash rooms they want to open up for points."

If they overbooked the DVC side of the resort maybe the manager can call and get a non reserved cash room released back to DVC for you.
Is this a busy time for WDW? Would everything be booked up, including the cash reservation side?

 

[magicaldisney]

Not sure if this will help you when you talk to the manager, but I read this on another post and thought of you.

"Originally Posted by DebbieB
There is a note on the member website to call under 10 days for availability. They can call the resort to see if there are any cash rooms they want to open up for points."

If they overbooked the DVC side of the resort maybe the manager can call and get a non reserved cash room released back to DVC for you.
Is this a busy time for WDW? Would everything be booked up, including the cash reservation side?

Chances are they are all booked up, but this is a good thing to have in your back pocket if another DVC unit isn't available.

Would you be willing to go to a different DVC resort?

What ever you come up with, watch your account to make sure your points don't get messed with. Once they do that, it takes a lot to fix it.

Just my personal word of advice....don't complain as previously suggested. That will not get you anywhere. Stay strong on what you are wanting, but keep a good attitude. (A few tears might help and that won't be hard to do with being so far along in your pregnancy!! ) Ultimately, DVC has a right to put you in that room, you just are hoping they can help make your vacation a little more magical.

 

[Dean]

Yes, hypothetically, you could give a three year old a shower. Unfortunately, your child could be like my son, who absolutely would go ballistic if we tried to bathe him in a shower, and wouldn't even go into the aquatic building at our local zoo, because it had a waterfall that sounded like a shower.

When my son was young, we also were "upgraded" to a HA room at All-Star sports. It had a king size bed, a small refrigerator, and faced the pool. It also had one of the funky showers. Fortunately, we were able to sweet talk my sone with much cajoling to take a shower. Thereafter, he was able to take showers, he was about 6 at the time. We were OK with the king bed, because he just slept between us at the time while we were on vacation, but, technically, I don't think a family of three should have been placed in the HA room with only one bed.

My point was that it's a risk that all of us take with the system. There are no legal requirements or reservation procedures that will remove this risk currently. One's personal situation or nuances really are not applicable no more than are the HC villas guaranteed to fulfill the needs of someone actually reserving a HC villa. Personally I'd rather not go than get a HC villa but I also realize it's a risk of playing. IMO I'd like to see it become a true booking category so you know you are or are not getting a HC unit up front. Until that happens anyone who cannot accept the risk should not participate. Asking to change is reasonable, "insisting" on a change or refusing to accept a negative answer is not.

 

[Millionaire2K]

"insisting" on a change or refusing to accept a negative answer is not.

But it is not until we say NO will Disney make a possible change. Remember WE are the owners, we can make our voices heard. If you just roll over to "sorry you gonna bath that 3 year old in a shower, best of luck" Disney will not know this is a problem.

IF Disney made the HA rooms a separate room option I'm sure people will book them up when nothing else is available. This way that guest will know what he's getting in advance.

 

[Dean]

But it is not until we say NO will Disney make a possible change. Remember WE are the owners, we can make our voices heard. If you just roll over to "sorry you gonna bath that 3 year old in a shower, best of luck" Disney will not know this is a problem.

IF Disney made the HA rooms a separate room option I'm sure people will book them up when nothing else is available. This way that guest will know what he's getting in advance.

I have no issue with pushing for the change appropriately. Pitching a fit, making a scene, refusing to accept the room is simply not appropriate or reasonable and that's where I feel the line should be drawn. Anything beyond that is simply entitlement thinking IMO and we are not legally, morally or contractually entitled to a non HC room. This is NOT an issue of right and wrong or principle. I'm open for POS language or legal precedent to show otherwise.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I have no issue with pushing for the change appropriately. Pitching a fit, making a scene, refusing to accept the room is simply not appropriate or reasonable and that's where I feel the line should be drawn. Anything beyond that is simply entitlement thinking IMO and we are not legally, morally or contractually entitled to a non HC room. This is NOT an issue of right and wrong or principle. I'm open for POS language or legal precedent to show otherwise.

You can be assured that is not my style I am generally in the camp of "nothing's either good or bad but thinking makes it so". Verdict will be in soon, we're at the airport!

 

[Sur]

Get immersed! Your time is here!

Have fun!

 

[Chuck S]

But it is not until we say NO will Disney make a possible change. Remember WE are the owners, we can make our voices heard. If you just roll over to "sorry you gonna bath that 3 year old in a shower, best of luck" Disney will not know this is a problem.

IF Disney made the HA rooms a separate room option I'm sure people will book them up when nothing else is available. This way that guest will know what he's getting in advance.

Considering such a discussion thread has been on/off these boards since DVC started in 1990, I would think any policy change would've been made by now.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Just looked at our reservation--we were switched back to a regular room!!!!!!!!! We're about to take off but I wanted to reassure you all that it seems to have been resolved. And did I mention we were upgraded free to 1st class on our flight!? I have nothing left to complain about...except of course pregnancy

(and even that I can't complain about because I am so excited to meet this third mousketeer )

Thank you all for commiserating with me along the way

 

[mrsgoose8]

Yay for you! I've been following!

I was wondering though where were you finding this info on your reservation-- I'm still a newbie

I am running a higher risk I know on this trip of getting a HA room bc we requested ground floor in OKW but I'd rather have HA than lug a stroller to the third floor

 

[wildforgoofy]

That's fantastic news! Have a great trip & make sure and soak in the tub! You worked for it!

 

[DVC Jen]

fantastic