Booking handicapped room

[Erin12303]

Hi-

I called DVC yesterday to check availability for two studios (one handicapped). I would need to use points from a different reservation to book these two studios.
I was told I had to cancel the current room reservation, then book the two studios and then he would call to check for handicapped room availability. I asked him why this is necessary especially since if there aren't any handicapped rooms available I would basically be left with nothing. He replied that I would still have a reservation for two studios but not handicapped.
When I told him my friend cannot walk and needs handicapped guaranteed he had nothing else to say.

Does this seem right?
It seems wrong to me.

 

[rksbb]

What was the outcome? Did you get a handicapped guaranteed room? I'm looking to book next year for a trip with my brother who is paraplegic and we will have to have handicapped also...because of the wheelchair a non accesible room will just not work for us either.

 

[RobDoc]

Unless you have enough available points to keep the existing reservation until the Studios are booked, the only way it can be done is to cancel the first reservation to free up those points and then make the new reservations. In this case, the HCA requirement is a fly in the ointment since that has to be reserved thru Special Services and not just DVC. It does sound like there is availability and tghat everything will work out well for you, but there is a chance the HCA villa would be gone by the time the process is complete so you need to be aware of that possibility.

Do you currently have a HCA villa reserved?

 

[Erin12303]

It did work out but I was not pleased with the process and will inform DVC.
I don't think it is correct to force a reservation to be cancelled prior to verifying handicapped availability for new dates.

I will attempt to change dates tomorrow for a different trip but I will let them know I am making a modification to a current reservation. I saw this mentioned in another post here on these awesome discussion boards.
I want to ask them to use the current reservation # to call the special services area for handicapped availability for new dates prior to making any changes.

I honestly couldn't believe I was told I would still be fine with 2 rooms reserved, I would just not have a handicapped room.
It's not a comfort request, it's a necessity for my friend.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

 

[dclfun]

It did work out but I was not pleased with the process and will inform DVC.
I don't think it is correct to force a reservation to be cancelled prior to verifying handicapped availability for new dates.

I will attempt to change dates tomorrow for a different trip but I will let them know I am making a modification to a current reservation. I saw this mentioned in another post here on these awesome discussion boards.
I want to ask them to use the current reservation # to call the special services area for handicapped availability for new dates prior to making any changes.

I honestly couldn't believe I was told I would still be fine with 2 rooms reserved, I would just not have a handicapped room.
It's not a comfort request, it's a necessity for my friend.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

Are you modifying the dates for the reservation you just made today or for a different set of dates. I'm confused. I travel in a power wheelchair so I also reserve accessible rooms. The process isn't easy for MS as they can't verify the availability- all of that is done through Special Services. I once was booking a grand villa at OKW and went through a few nervous moments as I waited to see if the accessible one was available. I was on hold for quite some time while MS called this department to block the villa I needed.---Kathy

 

[BroganMc]

Hi-

I called DVC yesterday to check availability for two studios (one handicapped). I would need to use points from a different reservation to book these two studios.
I was told I had to cancel the current room reservation, then book the two studios and then he would call to check for handicapped room availability. I asked him why this is necessary especially since if there aren't any handicapped rooms available I would basically be left with nothing. He replied that I would still have a reservation for two studios but not handicapped.
When I told him my friend cannot walk and needs handicapped guaranteed he had nothing else to say.

Does this seem right?
It seems wrong to me.

I concur with Kathy, I'm confused. You were changing the dates of the reservation and needed to check HA availability?

Usually the process is:
1) Book the rooms
2) MS calls Special Needs and blocks HA room for the ressie
3) You get the e-mail confirmation

Special Needs can not give out spec dates for accessibility. They need a reservation number so they can block the rooms. I got plenty worried there'd be no room at the inn for me, but it's pretty much always been available as long as I book early. Last minute ressies are the slim pickings. You learn when to expect more fear.

Usually I book my HA room first then take care of the others if I'm taking a group.

 

[Erin12303]

I have 2 trips.

One trip needed to be changed from a regular studio during Presidents week in February to 2 studios (one handicapped) for any time in Jan or Feb.
I did not want to cancel the Presidents week trip and be left with nothing if the handicapped room wasn't available. This was when I was informed I wouldn't be left with nothing--I would have 2 studios, just not handicapped(which is the necessity).

The next trip is for Oct. I have 2 studios already booked (one handicapped). I would like to push the dates out but I also do not want to lose my current reservation if no other handicapped rooms are available.
I am hoping they can check the new dates for a handicapped room with my current reservation number. I do not want it cancelled unless they can check that the room would be available for the new dates first.

I just don't see how I can be forced to book a reservation with points (and I have to borrow) without being sure what I need is available.
Very frustrating.

 

[dclfun]

They should be able to work with your existing reservation and you probably won't have a problem getting an accessible room unless it is a hard to get room type to start with.---Kathy

 

[Erin12303]

I was very happy with my experience today.
I spoke with a DVC rep who couldn't have been more helpful.
He used my current reservation number to call about the handicapped room. He confirmed that I wanted to change the reservation if the room was available for the new dates.
He came back online after about 15 minutes and I had my new reservation.