Handicapped accessible question

[CarolynK]

Hi. My parents will be joining us on our March trip, we've reserved a BWV 2-bedroom standard view. My parents will be in the studio portion, and my mom just mentioned last night that she needs to be able to sit down in the shower.
Are there accessible studios connected to non-accessible 1-bedrooms? My family wants to be able to have the whirlpool in the master. If this is possible, how will this limit us in terms of where the rooms are located?
TIA

 

[BillM]

I don't know much about BWV. Have only stayed in a HC 1 BR preferred view at BWV. Don't know about the standard villas. That said, at OKW, our home resort, I always get a 1 BR HC villa and a few times a 2 BR lockoff. the lockoff is always a HC villa also. Not so sure that this holds tru at all DVC resorts.
Best to ask MS I guess.

 

[Merilyn]

We stayed at BWV in a handicapped room and it had a sit down shower in the second bathroom. The whirlpool is in the master bedroom. Just be sure an request a handicapped room. The one we stayed in was larger to accomodate a wheelchair so that was nice. We are asking for one in Sept. I don't think many want handicapped rooms so you shouldn't have any trouble getting one. I do believe the shower in the master was also handicapped but you still have the whirlpool.

 

[Mary Ellen]

We've also stayed in a BWV handicap 1-Br. The whirlpool/vanity part of the bathroom is the same as you are used to, so don't worry. It is the part of the bathroom that also connects to the living room that is different. This is the part with the commode, pedestal sink and shower.

We really prefer the shower set-up in the handicap units. The shower is larger and the large bench folds up against the wall when not needed.

We were also told that the bathroom in the 2nd br./studio is also handicap accessible - as the entire until is accessible. Now what that means to Disney, I'm not sure. At BC my DB (requires a stall shower with a bench) had an 'accessible' room with a tub.

Anyway, you 'may' have some flexibility as to which bedroom/bathroom you give to your parents.

I just noticed you mentioned a standard view. ALL handicap villas are preferred view. There aren't any with a standard view. When BWV was built, there weren't any standard or preferred views, so it wasn't a concern.

You should ask MS about the possibility of getting a portable seat for the shower - but that will be pretty tight spacewise. It would be better in the 2nd bedroom tub - if she can get in a tub.

As to location if you decide to go for a preferred view, all the times my DB has stayed at BWV, they have had the units that are just around the corner from the elevators overlooking the main pool. He has been very impressed with how quiet the bedroom is, considering the head of the bed is against the elevator shaft. They have never heard ANY noise from the shaft. (He once had an office next to an elevator and HATED the noise all day long.)

 

[Merilyn]

We found the handicapped rooms we stayed in were all close to the elevator. That is very nice since some of the rooms require a hike to get to the front. We stayed in one next to the elevator and also found it to be very quiet. It over looked the pool, too.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most of the WDW resorts have different levels of handicapped accessible rooms.
There are handicapped accessible rooms that have raised seat toilets with grab bars and grab bars in the tub area. Some of those have pull down shower seats in the bathtub.
Then there are fully wheelchair accessible rooms, which have raised seat toilets with grab bars, roll in showers with fold down seats and sinks with cut out areas underneath so that someone in a wheelchair can roll right up to them.
If you are a DVC member or renting with points, Member Services handles special needs requests.
If you are booking a room thru Disney, you would use WDW Resort Special Reservations:
(407) 939-7807
(407) 939-7670 [TTY]
for special needs requests. You can also call them about what is in an accessible room.

 

[CarolynK]

Thanks for all the information. My mom is not in a wheelchair, so the room doesn't have to be wheelchair-friendly, (though we'll be renting an ECV from offsite for her) but she just doesn't trust the strength of her legs that long in the shower.

We have requested a standard view, so it looks like we'll be requesting a seat for the shower.

 

[Dean]

The plastic balcony chairs might do nicely for her in the shower.