handicapped 2 bedroom at BWV

[Patpat15]

We are bringing my DWs mother, and our four children to BWV next Summer. We are planning on getting a 2 bedroom with a boardwalk view. She may be in a wheelchair at that time and we were wondering whether it was worth it to order a handicapped room or not, if the rooms are smaller, on the first floor, near the elevator or whatever.

Which room should I request.

Please Help!

 

[CarolMN]

In your situation, I would recommend asking for a room near the elevator. If your DW's mother will be pretty much confined to the wheelchair, I would also request a handicapped room to make things easier for her in the bathroom.

You might get more opinions/better advice if you also post this question on the disABILITIES Forum. The posters there have lots and lots of experience helpful to guest that travel in wheelchairs.

Best wishes -

 

[SueM in MN]

You can follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board. We have never stayed in the BWV 2 bedroom, but there are disABILITIES Board posters who have.
In general, there are 2 types of handicapped rooms available at most WDW resorts.
One type is a regular room that has some extra things added like grab bars in the bathroom to make it safer for someone with special needs. Other than that, the room is pretty much the same as a regular room.
The other type of room is fully wheelchair accessible with grab bars, and cut out areas under sinks so a wheelchair user can roll right up and use the sink. That type of room also has a roll in shower - basically a tiled area with a drain in the floor. In some resorts, the room will be the same as a regular room, except for the accessibility features. I've been told the BWV fully accessible rooms are bigger in order for someone in a wheelchair to be able to use the bathroom and kitchen.
Think about what her needs will be. If she's generally steady on her feet, but needs the wheelchair for endurance at the parks, you may be just fine with a regular room. If she might benefit from grab bars in the bathroom, the first type of room might do fine.

 

[Mary Ellen]

We stayed once in a fully-handicap 2-br. at BWV, as DB (also a DVC member) requires a shower with a seat. It appeared to be the same size as a 'normal' 2-br. but with the space re-allocated. The bathroom is arranged differently as the shower is larger (still has the whirlpool in the other part of the master bath). We like the larger shower a lot better than the 'regular' shower. The kitchen is also larger (to allow a wheelchair to turn around in there). This does make the living room a little smaller, but we didn't find this a problem. Doors may also be wider to allow a wheelchair/ECV through easily.

I don't know if there are any fully accessible units with a Boardwalk view. DB has only been assigned the units right next to the elevators (main pool view). He and SIL have been VERY impressed that they haven't been able to hear ANY noise from the elevator shaft.

 

[Patpat15]

Were the rooms on the first or second floor, and were there the regular balconies with the rooms they were assigned. Any floors or room numbers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mary Ellen]

Sorry, forgot to mention the floors. DB has always been assigned non-smoking rooms on the 4th floor (and possibly the 3rd floor). I don't remember the room #s, but they're the first rooms right behind the elevators - impossible to get a closer room to the elevators. I 'think' the 2nd floor is smoking (and possibly the 1st judging by the smell when we use the laundry room).

 

[Patpat15]

Thanks so much Mary Ellen, my 11 month window starts on August 17th so I will request those rooms.

One other question.

Are those rooms behind the elevators preferred or standard view?

Thanks again!

 

[Mary Ellen]

There aren't any standard view handicap rooms. We had a nice view of the main (clown) pool.

As I mentioned, even though the bed in the master bedroom was against the wall with the elevator shaft, DB hasn't heard ANY elevator noise. He was concerned when we first got to the room, as his (then) office was in a high rise - next to the elevator shaft. All day at work he was hearing the elevators and he was VERY pleased not to have to hear elevators on vacation too.

Actually, DB and SIL loved BWV when they stayed there with us that they added on to their OKW points with BWV points too. They've been back a few times on their own and have always been assigned the rooms next to the elevator.

Have a GREAT time!