Accessible Treehouses - not so much

[SonicGuy]

Just returned from an awesome two week trip - sailed one way on DCL from Galveston to Puerto Rico and then flew to Orlando and spent a week at WDW. We took DD24 who is special needs and were able to book an accessible treehouse at Saratoga. We own at Animal Kingdom and Bay Lake , so had never stayed here before.

Just wanted to throw out there in case anyone is planning on staying in an accessible treehouse any time soon, I was very unimpressed with the accessibility.

The ramp going up to the treehouse was nice - but VERY, VERY long. We left DD's wheelchair in the van and she used her walker to get up to the room. It almost wore her out, and then one morning she almost lost control walking down. We quickly reversed that plan.

The front door was SO heavy that I (265 pound, 44 y/o man) had trouble getting it open. Someone in a wheelchair would NEVER have gotten it open.

Not only no shower, but the tubs were so high that DD could hardly get her legs over the side. She ended up basically sponge bathing every day.

Don't get me wrong - we still enjoyed our stay - but if DD had been by herself, or with someone in a similar situation, the stay would have been disastrous.

Just my PSA for the year!

 

[DisneyOma]

That is odd that they don't have an accessible shower in the accessible treehouse. Did they have the accessible toilet in any bathroom?

I get why the ramp is long though - it's going up an entire floor, isn't it? Or even more? It has to have a certain angle, or not be ADA compliant.

From what I have heard, all the doors at WDW are 'heavy' - it's the spring load on it for fire control. I don't know how they could get around that?

 

[GranJan]

I use a walker & as soon as I got to the point that I was using it for support & not just for balance, I couldn't handle ramps...even very short ones. Going downhill while leaning against a walker is unsafe. I don't think the treehouse ramp is intended for use by someone using a walker, or shouldn't be. Did you have the option of a roll-in shower when booking the room? If not, a tub transfer chair would have been helpful. That's what I prefer over a roll-in shower. To me, the showers aren't safe unless you're going to be rolling into them. Trying to get up from a wet slippery bench on wet floors & get to a walker is risky. Without the needed equipment, either a tub or shower may not meet the needs of everyone. You just have to know what will work for you & book the room that meets most of your needs & bring or rent anything else you need. The doors would be a problem. I often wonder how disabled people travel alone since I frequently encounter doors I can't open. If it's in a public area such as a restroom, a kind person will always help. Not being able to get in & out of your room is a problem. I think I've read here that some people have them remove the part that makes the door difficult to open...not sure about that.

 

[clm10308]

When I stayed at the Treehouses, the shower and tub in the master bath are in one large enclosure. I don't remember how wide the door is to know if it is truly a roll-in shower, but there was very little lip if any at all to get into the shower area.

 

[blondietink]

I would think they would be able to put in electronic door openers; slip in your key in a slot and the door automatically opens.

 

[DisneyOma]

I would think they would be able to put in electronic door openers; slip in your key in a slot and the door automatically opens.

Which would be great until a power outage caused by a fire, etc.

 

[SonicGuy]

Which would be great until a power outage caused by a fire, etc.

Thats what the accessible rooms on Disney Cruise Line do - WE LOVE IT!!!!