All Star Resorts, pools and wheelchair access

[angelbearmom]

I'm going to post this on the resort board as well but thought some here might have some info for us. I'm going to DW and staying at *** for a week in Sept. I know that the pools at *** don't have a zero entry pool but that one of the other AS resorts do. I'm new to all this. What exactly does zero entry mean? I understand that it means you can wheel a chair into the water. Do they have water chairs there that can be used? My ds is 16, 130 lbs and doesn't bend except at the waste. So there is no way I can lift him out of water myself or off of the ground. We're hoping that there's a way to get him at least near the water a couple of times. He doesn't really like getting right into water so would be happy at the edge or just getting his feet in the water. He'd also be happy if we just put a container of water on his tray. Is there anything like that available at any of the AS resorts/pools? Or could I just wheel his chair into the water enough for his feet to be in the water? Thanks

 

[Talking Hands]

I don't believe that any of the All Star Resort pools are zero entry. They do have bump down steps where someone could concievably lift him down each step after sliding him over onto the top step which is pretty much at seat level.

 

[angelbearmom]

Can you describe the edge of the pool near the steps a bit more? Do you mean I could just slide him off of his chair to the steps? How steep are the steps and how long are they in the water? I'm just wondering if I'd be able to pull him up the steps enough. It would be pretty bad if we got him in and then couldn't get him back out. I'll have someone with me but she can't go anywhere near chlorine so most of the moving will be done by me. It might work if he's in water most of the way up the steps. DS loves water more than just about anything and with us moving this summer this may be his only chance to get in the water for awhile. Thanks for the info

 

[Talking Hands]

Step platform is at seat height for a standard height wheelchair. Steps are about 4 down to the water and then 4 to the bottom of pool if I remember correctly. There is a rail on the right side to hang onto and help pull yourself up. Also I think Disney's pools are not chlorinated but use bromine instead. You could check that.

 

[BroganMc]

I didn't think bump steps were a good entry method for someone without upper body control. Enough to pull yourself up and ease yourself down. I don't use them because I can not easily "slide" steps anymore. Too big a strain on my arms and my feet slide on the wet concrete.

A zero entry pool is one with a gradual incline from 0 depth to the max depth. Imagine a beach with a much gentler incline and solid ground. No steps but also no railing.

The pool at SSR has a zero entry. They also have a PVC pool wheelchair that can be wheeled right into the pool. And they have a powered pool lift chair. (You slide into the seat, buckle yourself in then use the remote to swing yourself down and into the pool.)

There are zero entry pools at the Poly, Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge as well. And I believe the pool staff at the Contemporary were working on installing a pool lift there.

Maybe Disney will let you try out one of the other pools one day just to see what it's like. I know they are in the process of making all their pools accessible with the lift.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are no zero entry pools at the Value resorts.
I have not stayed at any of the AS resorts, but the information I have is that all the pools have a set of 'bump steps' (the actual name of them is a 'transfer tier', but 'bump steps' is more descriptive.
I have some pictures of bump steps, but had some trouble finding them. I was able to find one and I'll look for more. Here's a picture of the steps at one of the quiet pools at OKW.

This is looking at the steps straight from the back. The steps go down the side, just like a stairway.
They are most useful for someone who has good balance and good upper body strength. The top step is the height of an average wheelchair seat. The person parks the wheelchair right next the top step, facing the water and then transfers from the wheelchair to sit on the top step. In this pool, the wheelchair would be parked on the right side of the steps.
The silver handle on the left side of the step is for the person to use if they need it for support or to pull themselves onto the step. Once the are securely on the top step, the person bumps their butt down step by step until they are in the water.
Here's a website that shows a whole transfer tier.

 

[SueM in MN]

A zero entry pool is one that has a gradual entrance - like a ramp - to get into the pool.
Here is a picture of the zero entry area at SSR, along with the water wheelchair.

Here's another picture that shows the other side of the same pool. The zero entry point is off the picture at the top left side. The bump steps are on the right side of the picture:

This is inside the pool, looking toward the zero entry point at the top of the picture.

 

[rastika]

Wow! Thanks for these great images. I was having a hard time visualizing the "bump step" This should be perfect for my sister to transfer into. She'll be so excited!