Are there any DVC HA rooms with door-opening “buttons” ??

[HappyDisneyWife]

This might be a weird Q, but with my current physical situation I’m needing/hoping for a room where I don’t have to open a heavy door (& I use a wheelchair). I still like to travel solo occasionally, but may not be able to if the doors continue to pose a significant challenge. Does anyone know of a DVC resort that has the wheelchair-accessible door-opening buttons? (& if so, do they work both ways- from inside & out?)

I know for sure that the Riviera does not, but I haven’t asked at other resorts yet.

Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[RoseGold]

I've stayed at several DVC accessible rooms in several resorts over the years and have yet to see one (BC, BW, BR, VGF, Kidani). Heck, the Beach Club lobby was tough, until they put in the push button last year. More than one incident knocking on the lobby door to kind strangers.

The doors are heavy, and I can see how this could be a significant mobility challenge.

If this room exists, I would guess it's on the cash side. DVC is not exactly proactive in this area. Actually, I'd call Marriott. This seems like exactly the kind of thing the new Swan would have put in.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

This seems like exactly the kind of thing the new Swan would have put in.

Super interesting idea! I would rather stay on my points, but I do want to stay at the Swan Reserve too- so this may be the perfect excuse Thanks!

 

[Groot]

I know of two.

Copper Creek and the revamped handicap rooms at Saratoga.

To get in from the outside, there’s a magic band reader next to the door (it has a red light at the top.) hold your band up against it and the door opens automatically. To leave the room, inside is a regular handicap door open button next to the door.

The reason for the card reader on the outside instead of a button is that as soon as a kid sees a butt that opens up something, they’ll just constantly push it lol.

 

[RoseGold]

Interesting. I tried to find any evidence of this on Youtube and nope. That is a very cool feature for (some of?) those rooms!

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I know of two.

Copper Creek and the revamped handicap rooms at Saratoga.

To get in from the outside, there’s a magic band reader next to the door (it has a red light at the top.) hold your band up against it and the door opens automatically. To leave the room, inside is a regular handicap door open button next to the door.

The reason for the card reader on the outside instead of a button is that as soon as a kid sees a butt that opens up something, they’ll just constantly push it lol.

That is fantastic news!! (& so true about the “button” & little ones )

Thanks so much for sharing!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

At least they're a couple of places! I was also wondering, since I often travel solo, and am on an ECV. Doors are getting harder and harder to open.

 

[Her Dotness]

The refurbed Poly studios have a button on the interior side wall to make exiting somewhat easier.

When you unlock the door, there's a "door assist" that swings the door slowly open with a slight push. It holds open for a couple minutes to allow time to roll into the room.

Definitely a useful feature.

 

[mamabunny]

We just stayed in room #1530 in Hawaii at Poly (Hawaii is a Club Level building) and it had the automatic door button.

The buttons are nice, but we don't like how some of them have very long "open" times - it makes me nervous to go on down the hall until I see the door actually completely close.

We have also stayed in the roll-in shower room #1703 in Niue, and it had the door button at the time, however it has been 5 years since we last had that room.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

The refurbed Poly studios have a button on the interior side wall to make exiting somewhat easier.

When you unlock the door, there's a "door assist" that swings the door slowly open with a slight push. It holds open for a couple minutes to allow time to roll into the room.

Definitely a useful feature.

On the DVC side or hotel side… or both? Just in HA/WA rooms?

Honestly, even that would be a huge help!

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

We just stayed in room #1530 in Hawaii at Poly (Hawaii is a Club Level building) and it had the automatic door button.

The buttons are nice, but we don't like how some of them have very long "open" times - it makes me nervous to go on down the hall until I see the door actually completely close.

We have also stayed in the roll-in shower room #1703 in Niue, and it had the door button at the time, however it has been 5 years since we last had that room.

Oh, I can definitely see that. I’m sure I’d just sit there until I knew it was shut

 

[MulanMom]

We had the button in a HA Yacht Club room. Not DVC, but the room had it. Great location. The room was just off the lobby.

 

[Evita_W]

Oh, I can definitely see that. I’m sure I’d just sit there until I knew it was shut

Sounds like there should be a door close button on the outside and maybe inside as well for safety sake.

 

[mamabunny]

Sounds like there should be a door close button on the outside and maybe inside as well for safety sake.

There have been a couple of times when I was glad for the longer open time - one memorable morning when it was like a fire drill trying to get everyone out the door; people kept forgetting things, hitting the button to hold the door open, and dashing back inside! LOL We made the 3 Stooges look dignified that day...

I think that a door close button might be too confusing; the door open button is identical to most of the ones used in public spaces, and everyone who needs that button knows that it *opens* the door. I'm not sure how you would set up a door close button so that it wouldn't be confusing?

It doesn't take super long for it to close - I'm just that worrywart who will sit there and wait for it to fully close and latch before we go on. And shoot, over the course of 2 weeks, I figure we waited a total of 10 minutes max for that door to close (cumulatively). I was still at Disney World, so it wasn't a hard task if you know what I mean

 

[MinnieMSue]

We stayed in an all star accessible suite (I know not dvc sorry) but it had the button inside the room and the door easily opened with just a push after taping magic band on outside. It stayed open a really long time which was usually fine but at times I wished there was a way to close it faster because I went to get breakfast and my daughter was asleep literally right by the door. It was awkward.

 

[DanielleC]

I have found that some times the opener device at the top of the door is not turned on. There is a toggle switch on it. If yours doesn't work, try changing the switch position or ask a bellman to do it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I’ve had a studio at BCV that had the buttons to open the door.

 

[Her Dotness]

On the DVC side or hotel side… or both? Just in HA/WA rooms?

No idea if there are any in Poly hotel rooms. We stayed in a DVC HA studio there.

Definitely better than BRV's HA 1 bedroom we had. That door was heeeaaavy and awkward to get open even though I'm not a chair user. Didn't bother DH, who's the chair user, as he's got far more upper body strength. Sure do hope that adding the button will be part of BRV's upcoming renovation.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I’ve had a studio at BCV that had the buttons to open the door.

That both surprises & delights me!!

 

[mamabunny]

That both surprises & delights me!!

So far, I have never seen the door buttons on any room at WDW that was NOT considered to be an accessible ("handicapped") room. So if you require the door button... book a roll-in shower room at a Resort you know has them.