HA room-what a difference the CMs make!

[jarestel]

It would be quite simple to solve this if DVC would make HA rooms into their own reservable category. If someone requests an HA room at the time of reservation, the room comes out of the HA inventory, if not the room comes out of standard inventory. Once all of the standard inventory has been booked, the MS CM would be able to tell a member requesting a reservation that only HA rooms are available and would that be acceptable. If not, the member can then book somewhere else or waitlist for a standard room. If it is acceptable, there will no longer be any unpleasant surprises at checkin time. Everyone is happy.

 

[Val]

I don't know why we didn't just get the available rooms right away during our Boston stay- maybe I didn't have the kids scream loudly enough to show how tired they were (;>)....but it all worked out. Did make us realize that, even with all the reports of rude CM's, etc., that Disney is still way above average when it comes to customer service- and that's why we keep returning. We have DVC because we know we can get the accomodations we need for our large family without too much hassle. In reality, we now care less about views as the kids get older- they don't really want to spend that much time in the rooms anyway. The space makes an incredible difference- not on top of each other. As long as I have the whirlpool (need it after a long day of trying to keep up with the kids) and the kids have their OWN bathroom I am happy.

I would, however, like to know ahead of time if I am being assigned to a HA room.....makes for better planning. Would take it if that was what was the only available, but would like to be warned and have the option of saying no rather than being "held hostage" at check in. As the parent of a hard of hearing child, I know that it is important to be inclusive- but its like the closed captioning on the TV....I know that someday my DD will need it (she is only starting to read), but it really irritates me and I want the option of turning it off!

 

[SimbaCub]

For those who think getting a HA room is no big deal, there are some guests, my dad's wife being one of them, who cannot function in a HA due to numerous health issues. Yes, I said health issues. She cannot get up/down from the toilet on her own which is a big deal to me in making her feel comfortable. Having the counters much lower makes life difficult as she had her back fused and doesn't have the same range of motion as someone in a wheelchair or as a "normal" person who can just bend a little to adjust. I suspect one day in the future she will be placed in a wheelchair for mobility purposes but until then I prefer to let her have as much dignity and independence as possible until she requires the extra help. At that point I will be making the request to have one so she can still visit.

SimbaCub

 

[crisi]

That's a good point. Its been made here before that although HA rooms are made for handicapped people, they are not the best rooms for all disabilities. Which may be why Disney is reluctant to book them as a seperate category. If I take the last non-HA room out of preference (and I would have a preference for a non-HA room - I don't mind them, but I wouldn't choose them - any more than I'd choose the dumpster view) and Simba Cub's stepmom calls up and needs one for medical reasons, she should probably have priority.

(My cousin has had her back fused as well - for severe scolosis - it doesn't make life easy.)