Handicap Accessible Room Questions

[Golden Rose]

In the next couple of years, we're might be bringing a family member with us who would need a handicap accessible room, and we have another potential guest who might benefit from one (depending on exactly what the differences are) even though she doesn't currently need a wheelchair. (She already can't walk long distances, can't do stairs, etc, and will be renting a scooter in the parks if we can convince her to join us at all.) We haven't ever booked, or been assigned, a handicap accessible room, so I'm not exactly sure how we get one, and what the differences are.

So, what are the actual differences? I assume the bathtub/shower area is modified? We'd probably be trying to book one of our home resorts, so I guess I'm specifically asking about AKV and BWV, if that makes a difference.

Is this a booking category that gets assigned in advance? Or is this a request that might or might not be granted? (This could be potentially be a major problem, if you aren't guaranteed one.) Do you have to demonstrate need, like with a doctor's note that gets you the plates on a car?

This may never turn out to matter, since both family members in question are iffy about trying to visit WDW as is... and I don't currently know enough to reassure them.

 

[RobDoc]

HCA villas may be reserved by calling MS and they will transfer the call to the special needs department that specifically handles those reservations. It will be a guaranteed villa, based on availability at the time the reservation is made.

HCA villas have roll-in showers, grab bars and accessible counters and cabinets.

Just call MS and they will get the reservation made for you.

Enjoy!

 

[Disneykidsdad]

The above poster is right. When you get your confirmation, make sure it states wheelchair accessible. Also, call up a few days prior to your vacation and confirm. Make sure you make your reservation far in advance because there are not a whole lot of wheelchair accessible rooms available. And make sure you talk to the special needs department when requesting the room.

 

[pag1164]

I will be taking my, then, 15-year-old daughter to Epcot in January. She has cerebral palsy and uses a massive power wheelchair. We're bringing her own adapted toilet seat with us in our luggage and have been calling Disney for weeks asking questions. As this will be my family's first vacation - ever - we've been trying to get it "just right."

Make sure you know what your needs will be. Once you choose your resort, call and ask for an accessible room. If you need one with a roll-in shower, specify it. Make sure you tell them about the person's disability, and they'll help you get into the room right for you. You can also request extra pillows, blankets, towels, etc., if you need any of that. For my daughter, we've reserved an accessible room with 2 queen beds and a roll-in shower. They'll have extra pillows, towels, blankets, and distilled water waiting for us in the room. They've been renovating some of the resorts, so we made sure our resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, was already renovated. There are probably accessible rooms available at each price range. You just have to decide what you want. We don't plan on looking out the window that much, so we just stuck with a standard room.

If you know what you need, they will help you like no one has ever helped you before. My daughter is pretty severely involved, physically, and everyone we've spoken with has been extremely helpful.

We're not going until January, but were told to get our reservations in early.
Enjoy your trip.
It's 7 months away, and my family can't wait to go.

 

[disneynutz]

I would book a HA room for your first guest and a ground floor/close to elevator room for the ECV user. The first through special needs and the second through MS "due to medical reasons". You might also check out the disabilities section here on the DIS for some additional help.

Bill

 

[DenLo]

I don't believe all of the handicapped accessible villas have roll in showers. Some have a tub with handle bars. In fact some of the ones at BLT have two tubs in the Master bath, the usual jacuzzi and the the shower is replaced with a tub with with bars. Others replace the shower with a roll in shower and leave the jacuzzi in the 1BRs if a roll in shower is added to a studio the BLT kitchenette is really changed too.

The beds are lower to make it easier to transfer from a ECV or wheelchair. Countertops lowered. I found some photos that were posted to work2play's thread on BLT's rooms and views.

A BLT 1BR - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33548562&postcount=9

A BLT Studio - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34450468&postcount=419

A BLT studio with a roll in shower - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37262703&postcount=1021