After my experience, would you request a tub?

[lenshanem]

I'm wondering if I need to call MS and have them add a request for a studio with a tub for our OKW spring break trip next April.
We just got back (just hubby and I) and were in a handicap accessible studio and I really am worried about getting one again with the kids. I would need a tub for them, cabinet and shelf space would be nice and I really think the toilet would be too high for the kids to get up on by themselves.

I have never requested this before on my ressies since I worried they might glance at it and mistakingly book us in a handicap accessible room, but now...

We book studios to get more trips out of our points now that the kids are little so I guess I'll have to worry about this each trip until we move up to a larger unit or win the lottery and buy more points.

I guess worst case is if we get another studio like this we can have them move us the next day, but it is such a pain to pack up with all our stuff!

Thanks for any opinions!

 

[Scoootch]

You may want to put it as the last request on your list (since you should list requests in order of priority) but as I mentioned on one of the other threads, HOPEFULLY, it was just a fluke and your chances will be slim to none getting stuck with it again. I would hope too that when they see kids listed on the ressie that they wouldn't assign that room to you also. I just wouldn't want to waste one of my requests on it when other things like non-smoking or location may be more important

 

[Simba's Mom]

So far, I haven't requested a tub, even though, like you, I REALLY don't want a HA studio. I've made an effort to know which studios are HA at any resort where I might go. Why? Because at 2 different DVC resorts, I've been given HA studios without being told. However, the reaction of the 2 resorts when I got there, saw it was HA and called, requesting a change was so different at each resort. At the first, VWL, they told me in no uncertain terms, "Well, of course, you'd have to pay the $25 room change fee", and when I went to DVC MS to complain, they told me "They have to give someone the HA room, and you can't guarantee you won't get one". Unfortunately, that was our first visit home, and this left us wondering about this DVC! However, the second time, at OKW, the CM was so appologetic when I called, claimed that the fact that it was HA wasn't in the system (I wonder about that, but the fact was she was so nice and appologetic), and our room was immediately changed-no mention of a fee. So I'd just recommend you learn which studios are HA (I've got some room reports so I can PM you with some).

 

[Beca]

Simba's Mom....I would LOVE to have that list. Could you pm it to me?

Lenshanem...now, I am REALLY new to this, and I KNOW some people say NOT to put "NO Handicap Accessible room" on your requests...but, I did anyway!! I figure...at least if I get one and request a change, I can say "It was on my request"!! The confirmation letter that I got from VWL was worded wonderfully...it said, "NO handicapped accessible room...needs tub for toddler".

I saw that someone else suggested trying the stove knobs issue. Maybe you could get a CM to put, "NO handicapped accessible room...toddler plays with the lowered stove knobs". Now, THAT is a scary statement!!! I cannot IMAGINE getting a HA room after that!!!

But, I guess that wouldn't work in a studio!! Oh well, maybe try and get it worded like the nice CM worded it for me.



Beca

 

[MrsM]

If I were staying in a studio with my young children, I would request a non-HA room. Like you said, you need the tub and it would be a pain to have to switch rooms.

 

[Chuck S]

Do you require a ground floor studio? If not, you could request a 2nd floor location. The only studios on the 2nd floor that could possibly be HA would be in Bldg 62, 63, or 64, since these are the only OKW bldgd with elevators.

 

[dizfanz]

I was wondering. Do you have to be concerned about getting an HA room if you are going to a 1 or 2 bedroom? Or is it that only HA studios are an inconvenience?

 

[TR Denise]

WE were in building 42 at OKW in a 2 bedroom that was HA but it had a tub in one bedroom the other had a HA accessable shower. It was ok but the floor got pretty slippery

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I would call and add that you don't want a HA room.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

We stayed in a handicapped at WLV a few months ago. We were asked if a handicapped room was OK. I thought that this was the standard practice.

 

[lenshanem]

Simba's Mom that would be great if you could PM me that.
Thanks!
I must say your first DVC trip probably didn't leave the best impression then, uh?

I am going to call Monday and see about them adding this onto my requests. Believe me when I say I will ask them to be very specific when typing in this request.

To me a tub for the kids in a studio is more important than the location. We will be there a week and the shower won't do. Plus, there is no way my three year old can climb up on the toilet by herself unless they provided a step stool.

I think I will add my oldest daughter has asthma cause now I'm worried about getting a nonsmoking studio, too.

Thanks for all your opinions! I am also going to be emailing MS regarding this issue. I think it is fair to have this request guaranteed in addition to nonsmoking and when they run out of those rooms you'll know what you're getting before arriving.

 

[Laurabearz]

I always put "room with bathtub" on our requests.... busy room assigners could see non HC and think it was a HC request....

With that said... I would also love it if Simba's Mom would PM me the list too

 

[RobDoc]

When we had a similar experience 2 weeks ago (late check-in, HCA room, strong smoke odor in a non-smoking room), we were instructed by the front desk manager, to call a couple of days prior to our stay to repeat our requests. Even though this is contrary to policies stated by DVC, he insisted that the OKW staff wants guests to let them know about requests- even if they have already made the same requests at the time of the reservation.

There are no HCA rooms above the ground floor except for buildings 62,63 and 64 (which all have elevators) and the only smoking rooms are found in buildings 19 and 41 (unless someone chose to smoke in a non-smoking room just prior to your stay).

I'd suggest calling to reconfirm your requests with MS and then calling the resort a few days prior to your arrival.

 

[lenshanem]

I will be doing that Doc, that is for sure! I thought about your experience when we were there. I have learned my lesson for sure.

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by dizfanz
I was wondering. Do you have to be concerned about getting an HA room if you are going to a 1 or 2 bedroom? Or is it that only HA studios are an inconvenience?

There are H/C accessible one and two bedroom units. I believe the newer resorts have more accessible rooms per 100 units. Personally we never considered it a big deal, it was diffierent but not inconvenient. It has been an education to read some of the comments on these boards against getting a H/C room.

Now we find that we need one and certainly appreciate the availability. If we don't get one, the resort usually makes temporary adjustments to accommodate our needs. Again, we make do and go about having a great time.

 

[lenshanem]

Jim, I hope I didn't offend you. The HA studio turned out to be fine for us since we were alone. I did miss the shelf and cabinet space along with more water pressure in the shower, but I think it is wonderful Disney is accommodating. These are really minor things and like you mentioned you never know when yourself or a family member might need these accommodations in the future.

What I am worried about is getting another HA studio when I have my girls with me. Mainly due to the lack of a tub and the higher toilet seat, which my youngest would need help getting up on each time. These two things could make for a long week.
Although we spent little time in our studio this trip, when we have our girls with us we go back to the room everyday for a rest, swim, etc.

Obviously this concern is for the studio, not the larger units as they'll have a tub. (Course, someone mentioned the lower stove knobs being an issue in the larger HA units?)
I wish we had more points, but for now we're stuck in the studios cause we prefer more trips while they are little.

I will now also be more concerned about getting a nonsmoking room since my oldest has asthma. I really don't feel like requests take much weight anymore.

 

[Doug7856]

Originally posted by JimC
There are H/C accessible one and two bedroom units. I believe the newer resorts have more accessible rooms per 100 units. Personally we never considered it a big deal, it was diffierent but not inconvenient. It has been an education to read some of the comments on these boards against getting a H/C room.

Now we find that we need one and certainly appreciate the availability. If we don't get one, the resort usually makes temporary adjustments to accommodate out needs. Again, we make do and go about having a great time.

JimC,

As a couple, my wife and I have had H/C rooms without any problem. When you add in a child, especially a toddler, then you can have real problems. I am concerned about too much accessability in the kitchen in particular. A two year old is ready to explore the world and while he is learning what not to get into, it is a very long process LOL!

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Jim, I hope I didn't offend you. The HA studio turned out to be fine for us since we were alone. I did miss the shelf and cabinet space along with more water pressure in the shower, but I think it is wonderful Disney is accommodating. These are really minor things and like you mentioned you never know when yourself or a family member might need these accommodations in the future.
.........
I will now also be more concerned about getting a nonsmoking room since my oldest has asthma. I really don't feel like requests take much weight anymore.

Shan, no offense taken. I was actually thinking about some other threads while I was typing my earlier response. Our experience has been that the CMs work very hard to satisfy requests. Non-smoking is imporant to us as well and we have not had any problems with that request.

Good luck with your next reservation and trip home (and please give OKW another try )

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by Doug7856
JimC,

......I am concerned about too much accessability in the kitchen in particular. A two year old is ready to explore the world and while he is learning what not to get into, it is a very long process LOL!

"Been there, done that, have the t-shirts" -- two girls, although they are both young adults now.

Wait a minute....that's exactly what my wife says about me -- to much accessibility in the kitchen and still learning what not to get into

 

[lenshanem]

OK, now that was cute!