Accessible rooms at Wilderness Lodge

[MA DVCer]

I have just made a reservation for a wheelchair accessible room with a roll-in shower at the Wilderness Lodge. In searching some earlier posts, it appeared that all accessible rooms at WL had only one king size bed. I was told by cast member that our room had two queen beds and was about twice the size of a standard non-accessible room. Has anyone stayed in these 2 queen bed accessible rooms? We previously stayed at the AKL in 2004 which I also read was set up the same as WL and were given two ajoining rooms since all accessible rooms only had one king size bed and we needed room for 2 adults and 2 children. Has the WL changed some of their accessible rooms so they now have two queen size beds AND plenty of room for a wheelchair? Just don't want any surprises when we arrive in April 2008.

 

[dclfun]

Are you going to be at WL or the WL villas? I'm not sure about the WL accomodations but I've stayed at AKL before in an accessible room with roll in shower and two queen beds several times. I don't know if WL has also been updated to include that bedding arrangement but that resort recently underwent some major renovations. I wouldn't expect any surprises but if the room isn't adequate, then give the front desk a call and ask to be given something that is acceptable. ---Kathy

 

[MA DVCer]

We are staying in WL not the villas. I'm sure everything will be fine. They must have changed the HA rooms to include 2 queen beds and not just king beds.

 

[shovan]

I don't know the answer to your question, but don't just go with the answer from one CM! Call & Call again to be sure you will get the room (beds) you will need. I can't tell you how many times we have been given the wrong info on the # of beds in handicap rooms at the different resorts!

 

[dclfun]

As long as the room type is noted, ie wheelchair accessible with roll in shower, and party size and it's noted via special services ( usually you will be put on hold while this is done) then there's no need to call back or worry. They have to provide enough bedding for the party size one way or another. ---Kathy

 

[shovan]

As long as the room type is noted, ie wheelchair accessible with roll in shower, and party size and it's noted via special services ( usually you will be put on hold while this is done) then there's no need to call back or worry. They have to provide enough bedding for the party size one way or another. ---Kathy

REALLY!!!! I sure wish we would have been aware of that policy! Man, that could have saved me many many calls & headaches & showing up only to find the reservation to be totally wrong & the CM not wanting to do anything about it! If we had been aware of a standard policy on this, maybe we would have had more leverage. We have always noticed on the reservation confirmation that HA rooms are not guaranteed. This is what we have been told repeatedly when problems occur. If I am unaware of a standard policy that will change these problems, please let me know ASAP. This is not just a problem we have had with DVC, in fact they have been a little better about it. The Poly. is where we have had really bad problems. We managed to work out everything at the Beach Club Villas correctly on our last 2 trips, but it was a major headache. Calls after calls, just to be sure which rooms had the roll-in showers. But on arrival the type of room we needed was available. Not so at the Poly, we would make call after call, always told they can't guarantee availability until arrival. On more than one occasion, the Poly, has said they have been unable to provide a room with a roll in shower! We inquired on a daily basis & yet ended up in the "handicap room with a tub."

Kathy, You know me, so please do not misconstrue my response as trying to be ugly or insulting about this in any way. I am not, just that I am really & totally in shock! If there is an easier way to be assured of receiving the accessible room needed, please let me know. No kidding here, we have literally gone through hell & high water to get the type of room we need! I have had to do a 5 day stay with a room with a tub at the Poly. Because even though they messed up & had a non-handicapped person in the room with the roll in shower, their rules meant that could not ask them to leave!!!

 

[dclfun]

Gee, I can't believe all the trouble you've had ( and no, I'd never think you were insulting me). HA rooms are guaranteed and blocked in advance by Special Services. They have to be guaranteed, otherwise someone could arrive and have your experience! The thing that disgusts me about the Poly is that they only have accessible rooms in one building, Rapa Nui, which is the furthest away from the GCH. They have none in the concierge building which means if someone needs a roll in shower and wants concierge, they'd better not plan on enjoying the Poly. I have been told by several people well versed in ADA law that this is illegal and is being fought, but that's another story. The ADA does guarantee that appropriate bedding must be provided for your party size in the room type and resort you wish to book, which is why you will be given a second room if you have a party of four, for instance, and the HA room has only a king bed. For the OP, if for some reason the room she is staying in at WL has not been changed to include two queens, then this will be what they will get so it will still meet their needs. Special services no longer advises guests of this as there was abuse, of course, by non HA guests who know the policy and now just state that your room is for a party of "X". Hopefully others will chime in here who also will reassure you...Bill, Sue, Michigan, etc. Just be sure that the res agent either at DRC or DVC has spoken to special services during your conversation to block the room you need and also to be sure they even have it available. If they have no accessible rooms at a certain resort ( this happened to me only once) they will advise you at the time of booking and ask you to choose a different resort. ---Kathy

 

[BillSears]

Hopefully others will chime in here who also will reassure you...Bill, Sue, Michigan, etc.

Just be sure that the res agent either at DRC or DVC has spoken to special services during your conversation to block the room you need and also to be sure they even have it available. If they have no accessible rooms at a certain resort ( this happened to me only once) they will advise you at the time of booking and ask you to choose a different resort. ---Kathy

Ok I'll chime in.

I was holding back abit because you were specifically told about a room type I've never seen or even heard of at the WL or even anywhere else on Disney property. A room with a roll in shower that is larger then the standard room for that resort. I was thinking that it is possible that they did change things in the renovation they did last year at WL.

My trip to the WL was in September of 2006. I needed a roll in shower room and we had 3 people in my party. Me, my Mom who uses an ECV and my Aunt. I had heard that ALL of the roll in shower rooms at the WL had king sized beds and while I love my Mom and Aunt I didn't really want to sleep in the same bed with them. When I made my reservations I was told my needs would be taken care of but they absolutly would not say whether it would be one room or two connceting rooms. I was worried but in the end it all turned out fine and we had 2 connecting rooms.

I agree about the room being set aside for you at the time you make your reservation. I believe at that time they actually have assigned a specific room to your reservation.

 

[MA DVCer]

I'll have to call and double check accomodations. They did put me on hold during my call and checked with special services for the HA room and I specifically asked what the room setup was because I was under the assumption that HA with roll in showers had king beds only. They did indicated that the room was larger than a standard room and had two queen beds with roll in shower. I will call and see what their answer is.

 

[shovan]

A phone call can't hurt that's for sure!

We really have had some problems in the past. Very happy with the DVC though! We now know which rooms work at the BC & can book & get confirmation on a specific room.

We have had problems at the Poly on several trips. It's a shame because we really do love the place. The location, the atmosphere still makes it one of our favorites. When they do get the room right, it's absolute heaven for us.

It wasn't the number of beds either but just getting a HA room at all. Even before we needed a room with a roll in shower (and before the Poly actually had them.) we were put in a non HA room & would have to wait & change rooms during the trip.

One one trip we had trouble getting a room with a roll in shower at the Poly, actually went through a whole trip with a tub & DH having to do "sponge baths". Only to see that they had non handicap people in at least one of the HA rooms! Griped, complained, asked for supervisor, nothing worked. We were told over & over that a HA room is not gauranteed, they did nothing to compensate us for the problem either.

We had problems at the Dolphin too. Booked & confirmed a roll in shower room with 2 double beds. Called twice before the trip to confirm it. Only to arrive, be given a room & be brought up to the room to find one king bed! They did take care of that quite well though. Gave us a connecting room at no extra charge.

Not to bash Disney alone though, we have had trouble at numerous different hotels, motels, etc. Calling to confirm the HA room before hand, asking upon check in again for it & then walk into a room that either is not an HA room or only has one bed. Traveling actually causes anxiety for me, because we have had this happen to us so many times!

 

[dclfun]

Just a note of warning to the OP...when you call regarding your reservation and ask how many beds are in the room with the roll in shower, they will NOT tell you. You can only be assured that there will be enough bedding to accomodate your party size, period. This is to cut down on those who would scam, cheat, lie, abuse the system- and unfortunately there are plenty of those people out there, some who read this board as I've been told to find out what they can glean. As long as you were put on hold and the CM you spoke with contacted special services, then your room is already blocked. Of course on the flip side this keeps any of us with special needs from ever being offered a comp upgrade upon arrival at a resort unless it's from a standard to preferred location type of situation which also would have been assigned at the time of booking when your room is blocked. Also certain resorts, esp. the BC/YC/BW/WL/Poly have accessible rooms in only one location so there isn't much choice of view. I was once charged for a waterview room at the YC and requested a HA room...only to be told by a saavy and kind CM at the front desk to call and get a refund, as the HA rooms were ONLY in garden view. If I'm paying for water view, courtyard view, etc. and it's impossible for me to get it, then I expect to pay the lower rate. ---Kathy

 

[MA DVCer]

I did give them another call and they did indicate room had two queen beds with roll-in shower. I did ask them if room was larger than standard room since two queen beds might be difficult to manuver with WC and they would only say "you will be comfortable and accomodated" so I guess we'll see when we arrive.

 

[shovan]

I did give them another call and they did indicate room had two queen beds with roll-in shower. I did ask them if room was larger than standard room since two queen beds might be difficult to manuver with WC and they would only say "you will be comfortable and accomodated" so I guess we'll see when we arrive.

Yeah! I hope it works out well & you have a great time!

 

[pugdog]

NONE of the resorts have bigger handicapped rooms, period. They are actually smaller because of the bigger bathroom because of the roll in shower. But yes you will be accommodated for your size party no matter where you are staying.
Second the ADA requires by law that the handicapped room HAS to be guaranteed when you make your reservation. Several chains (i.e. Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Motel 6) have been sued over this and lost big time. So for them to say otherwise is wrong on their part and opens them up to legal action on your part if you want to.

 

[disneymiss]

I stayed at the VWL this xmas. we had a HA room it had a king or queen size bed and a sofa sleeper, and the sofa sleeper was more comfy then the bed it had the roll in shower and the room was small but did not cause a problem even with the scooter and we were located on the first floor. not sure if that helps