Accessible Room Types?

[BudgieMama]

We're looking at taking a trip to WDW with my mother-in-law, who is an amputee. She wears a prosthetic leg (with a knee that doesn't lock)

I've been looking into the different accessible rooms that are available, and am a tad confused by the types of rooms.

What are Florida Special Accessible rooms? Are they only available to Florida residents? How are they different to Wheelchair Accessible rooms? (They come up as different options when I do a room search)

Many thanks for your help!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hi there. I asked this a while ago and got a great response from Sue on the disdisabilities board. Basically the Florida special rooms have grab rails, a raised toilet seat and a bed frame that is open. It has a tub and a shower over it with some grab rails. If your mil needs a wet room/roll in shower like me then this is a seperate room type. I would recommend this for her because it has a seat in the shower and level access to get it. There is no bath in the room just the shower. Also it has grab rails and a wider door for a wheelchair. Hth. Paula

 

[lanejudy]

I believe Paula is correct. The Florida Special Accessible rooms are not wheelchair accessible, but have other "accessible" features -- for someone like my father who walks with a cane or walker and needs handrails for balance, etc. If you are in a wheelchair and will need a roll-in shower, you want a room that specifically states such.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[BudgieMama]

Ahhh, that's good to know. It'll be a tough choice though! She used a wheelchair first thing to get ready, but climbs in and out of a bath with handrails on her own at home (and hates showering!)- normally, once she's dressed, the prosthetic stays on all day, and she walks on it... but with the size of WDW, and the humidity, she may opt for an ECV and not wearing the leg... At least I can describe the options! She'll fight tooth and nail for one with a bath though!!

 

[SueM in MN]

We've never exactly figured out why some rooms say Florida Special Accessible rooms. I have a feeling that the name is something to help the CMs doing room assignments instead of guests.
Post 6 on this thread is about resorts and accessibility.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

A great resort is Grand Floridian Villa's. We are DVC members. I am wheelchair user but can walk a small distance. I can book a non accessible studio room there because there is a seperate shower cubical virtually no step with a lovely stone seat in it and a tub for my wife to enjoy in the side of the bathroom! It's a spilt design like DCL. I understand the new Poly DVC units are the same but not stayed yet. You don't have to be DVC members depending on your budget you can book these rack rate but they are at the higher end of the wallet I would think.