Cheshire Figment
<font color=red><marquee behavior=alternate>Friend
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2001
- Messages
- 38,638
This is one of three threads related to Disney cruises which I am setting up. Please try to keep from too many comments. Descriptions of other staterooms will be appreciated.
Please note that this thread will have a link from Page 13 of the disABILITIES FAQs.
A few months ago I had the opportunity to take a 7-day cruise on the Magic. Due to a special promotion I made a blind reservation with a price where I could have been assigned any Category 4 through Category 7 room. Based on information I put on my medical form related to diagnoses, medications and needs, I was assigned to a Category 5 accessible room, 7636. This is the next-to-stern room on the port side.
To start off with, the accessible staterooms have doors which are 36 inches wide, so a wheelchair or large ECV can be taken into the room. Also there is a pushbutton for a doorbell, that flashes a green light inside the stateroom to handle auditory problems.
The particular room had a sofa bed which would open to a single bed near the door, and a curtain which could go across the room where there was a sleeping area with a queen size bed.
The desk along the wall had an ottoman rather than a chair, so there was no back. There was sufficient room at the desk to bring a wheelchair right up to the desk. The desk was sturdy enough that a person could push up from the desk to stand without affecting the desk.
There was a single electric outlet on the wall at the desk. I found that there were additional outlets behind the television. Below the TV was a refrigerator (about 1 cubic foot) for storage of temperature-sensitive medications as opposed to the cooler box in standard staterooms.
The bathroom was designed to be fully accessible. The sink and vanity area easily has sufficient room underneath so a person in a wheelchair could get all the way up to the sink.
The toilet had grab bars against the wall to its left and also behind it, It was an elevated (17 inch) high toilet. There was easily enough room for a person to back their chair up to the wall on the side of the toilet and transfer to their left. (A person who needs to do a slide transfer between a chair and toilet should be sure to specify how they will need to transfer, so they can be assigned a room that will work for them.)
The shower was a roll-in, and about ½ inch lower than the rest of the bathroom, with a metal drain plate the entire width of the shower separating it from the rest of the bathroom. To an extent, the shower area was trapezoidal. On the back (narrow) wall was a variable height detachable hose, all the controls, and a shelf to keep soap, shampoo, etc. The two sides each had a grab bar running the length of the side. The left side had a fold-down shower seat, There clearly was sufficient room within the shower for a person in a wheelchair to roll in completely, with the drain and a double curtain behind them.
There was also an emergency alarm system in the bedroom and bathroom. There were several buttons with lift-up protective covers, These were on the night stands on either side of the bed, at the desk, and near the sink in the bathroom. There were also pull cords in the shower and near the toilet. Normally this alarm system is not active. I was asked by the cabin attendant if I wanted the alarm system activated for my use. I told him no, so if I pressed any of the buttons or pulled any of the cords there would have been no response.
Please note that this thread will have a link from Page 13 of the disABILITIES FAQs.
A few months ago I had the opportunity to take a 7-day cruise on the Magic. Due to a special promotion I made a blind reservation with a price where I could have been assigned any Category 4 through Category 7 room. Based on information I put on my medical form related to diagnoses, medications and needs, I was assigned to a Category 5 accessible room, 7636. This is the next-to-stern room on the port side.
To start off with, the accessible staterooms have doors which are 36 inches wide, so a wheelchair or large ECV can be taken into the room. Also there is a pushbutton for a doorbell, that flashes a green light inside the stateroom to handle auditory problems.
The particular room had a sofa bed which would open to a single bed near the door, and a curtain which could go across the room where there was a sleeping area with a queen size bed.
The desk along the wall had an ottoman rather than a chair, so there was no back. There was sufficient room at the desk to bring a wheelchair right up to the desk. The desk was sturdy enough that a person could push up from the desk to stand without affecting the desk.
There was a single electric outlet on the wall at the desk. I found that there were additional outlets behind the television. Below the TV was a refrigerator (about 1 cubic foot) for storage of temperature-sensitive medications as opposed to the cooler box in standard staterooms.
The bathroom was designed to be fully accessible. The sink and vanity area easily has sufficient room underneath so a person in a wheelchair could get all the way up to the sink.
The toilet had grab bars against the wall to its left and also behind it, It was an elevated (17 inch) high toilet. There was easily enough room for a person to back their chair up to the wall on the side of the toilet and transfer to their left. (A person who needs to do a slide transfer between a chair and toilet should be sure to specify how they will need to transfer, so they can be assigned a room that will work for them.)
The shower was a roll-in, and about ½ inch lower than the rest of the bathroom, with a metal drain plate the entire width of the shower separating it from the rest of the bathroom. To an extent, the shower area was trapezoidal. On the back (narrow) wall was a variable height detachable hose, all the controls, and a shelf to keep soap, shampoo, etc. The two sides each had a grab bar running the length of the side. The left side had a fold-down shower seat, There clearly was sufficient room within the shower for a person in a wheelchair to roll in completely, with the drain and a double curtain behind them.
There was also an emergency alarm system in the bedroom and bathroom. There were several buttons with lift-up protective covers, These were on the night stands on either side of the bed, at the desk, and near the sink in the bathroom. There were also pull cords in the shower and near the toilet. Normally this alarm system is not active. I was asked by the cabin attendant if I wanted the alarm system activated for my use. I told him no, so if I pressed any of the buttons or pulled any of the cords there would have been no response.
We switched back to 7136 as we don't need room now for the 4th person. The cat 6/11 combo sounds tempting, but I was also going for deck 7 as that is where the "secret" deck is. I figured we could use that as well. Tell me, do you think two manual pediatric chairs will be able to get out to the deck area? And are there loungers and chairs out on that deck area? Is the threshold leading to the deck accessible or at least manageable? My kids chairs are small and light enough that we can lift them up if needed. 
! I know it isn't until 2009, but I will be sure to post back with detailed reviews and pics of the cabins and verandah. Oh, and the switch saved us $200 also! 
