Handicapped access rooms?

[jacquek95]

Hi! My family is renting points for a studio room at the BWV in February. The only request that we had on the reservation is non-smoking and boardwalk view (because all they had were preferred views left, I figured why not try?). Anyways, I noticed on a lot of the other "what to ask for" threads, most people request to NOT have a handicapped access room as one of their main request. Could anybody tell me what makes these such undesirable rooms (less space?). Also, do any studio rooms have King beds or just queens? My baby girl usually ends up in bed with us before the night is over when we go on trips and a king bed would be much more comfortable for us.
Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

All studio rooms have a queen bed and sleeper sofa, except OKW (2 queen beds). Handicap studios do not have a bathtub, but have a roll in shower. Also the commode will be a "high" one, like in the HC stalls in most public restrooms. There is little, if any, under counter storage space so that a wheelchair or ECV can negotiate around the room.

 

[DebbieB]

Boardwalk views are no longer a request, they are booked as a separate category. You may want to see how your reservation is setup to avoid disappointment at check-in.

 

[colleen costello]

A HC studio may also be missing a closet. I think this was the case at the Wilderness Lodge as the HC bathroom was large for wheelchair accessibility. So no closet. Also one "big" room for the bathroom; no separate door so one person can be on potty/in shower while the other one is at the sink. We were 4 in a studio so this all added up to trouble and we asked to be reassigned.

 

[Simba's Mom]

In our HA studio in VWL, our only "closet" was the 2 sides of the armoire where the TV is. Also, the sink in the bathroom had no horizontal ledge, nor was there any shelf above it, so we ended up having to put our toiletries on the floor. Also, DH pointed out when we saw a model, that the microwave is on the main kitchen counter in the HA studio, reducing your available counter space. In regular units, the microwave is up on a shelf.

 

[The VWL Five]

Is it true that on ALL HC rooms, they have a symbol on the door outside the room showing it is HC accesable?

 

[colleen costello]

I don't think they ARE marked... I certainly didn't notice until we were inside and then reality set in! I have seen a post somewhere here about the Beach Club Villas. It said if you see TWO peep holes -- one lower for wheelchair access -- it's a handicapped room and you should back away slowly.

Again, I always feel like I am commiting some kind of politically incorrect crime by slamming the HC rooms. I KNOW why they are there, and I thank goodness we live in a world that is slowly becoming more accessible for everyone. That said, trying to put 4 people in a HC studio is a nightmare. It seems like the HC rooms cold have been better designed. For goodness sake, folks in wheelchairs need storage space too! They pack toiletries and clothing, don't they? The HC rooms are just badly designed.

 

[Chuck S]

I didn't realize there was such a difference in the OKW HC studios and the other resorts. Really, I can see why folks that want a bathtub don't like them, but otherwise the OKW HC units aren't all that bad. No MAJOR design changes, like what seems to be the case at the newer resorts. BTW, the OKW unit do have the two peepholes.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by The VWL Five
Is it true that on ALL HC rooms, they have a symbol on the door outside the room showing it is HC accesable?

I believe the "symbol" is the second peep whole at wheelchair height

Sandy

 

[skorpie]

We had a HC 1BR at the VWL thus past New Years. Even though I had asked at the desk at check in if the room was HC they said "no". We were quite surprised upon entry! Because it was the busiest time of the year, we didn't asked to be moved., We also had booked at 11 months. I found only 2 things that bothered me- because the microwave was now on the counter by the sink and the fact that all cabinets were lowered, there was no room for the dish drain stuff. Also, in our unit, there was no counter for eating, therefore, there were less chairs in our unit. For the 3 of us, we had to bring in the balcony chairs to all sit at the table to eat. If we had been a party of 4, we would have had to bring in both chairs from the balcony. From now on, we make one of our requests "non-handicapped!" Interestingly enough, when I updated one of our requests for this June and asked MS to list "non handicapped", she listed our requests reading "regular bathroom". The girl at MS said any time "handicapped" appears on a request in any form, they pick up on the word "handicapped" and you have a BETTER chance of getting a HC room!

 

[The VWL Five]

I'd prefer not to get a HC room since my 3 kids are 5 yro and under. We have a heck of a time keeping them out of trouble normally. Don't need more things in their reach.

Thanks for the help.