Have you stayed in a Handicap room - whats your opinion?

[TwirlerGirl]

My mother was in a wheelchair for several years due to ill health. I appreciate the value of a handicap room. Am I wrong for feeling that the handicap room was not what I was shown/brought into from DVC and is not equal to a standard DVC room. It is never mentioned in any of our books. Should I be forced to accept it for my stay if assigned to a handicap room?

 

[lsutigger2]

We had a handicapped accessible studio last year at VWL. While it wasn't what I expected, and I didn't realize it until we walked in, CM at check-in didn't tell us, I was so happy to be at WDW that we made the adjustments. There is not as much kitchenette space (counters are shorter and have the micro on it, instead of above) and there is NO counter space in the bathroom. We turned our icechest upside down and used it in the bathroom for our stuff. Some others have reported that the bath water gets everywhere. We didn't have a problem with this. With all that said, ...
I loved the VWL themeing and our room was large enough to have a dance in it! But, ...
this year when checking in at BCV, I'm going to ask about the type of room (handicapped accessible vs. non) when we check in. I'd rather have a non-handicapped accessible room. We also have a 1-bdrm this year. I appreciate the fact that others have needs that are special and am glad that those needs are provided for.

 

[spiceycat]

I think that DVC has too many of these handicapped rooms, of course that is now - in 30 more years I might be saying I wish they had more handicapped rooms.

I had to stay in one once (OKW was completely filled) and I hated it - I need a tub - the studio only had a shower.

I was told to make sure your reservation request says no handicapped rooms.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I recently was given a Handicapped-accessible room at VWL also without being told at check-in, then, when I asked to be moved, was told that "Of course" I'd have to pay the $25. Needless to say, I wasn't pleased. We didn't like the handicapped room for several reasons-no tub, no counter around the bathroom sink, virtually no closet space (only around TV), no separate vanity outside bathroom (so no one could use sink while someone else was showering). As I wrote to DVC, this was not the type of bath set-up shown when I bought into DVC, and I resent this type of unit being forced on me. If only they'd asked at check-in! And I thought it was wrong to try to charge $25 to move from something you never accepted. Sorry to rant, but I still get very upset when I remember!
BTW, once at POR, at check-in; I had requested an upper floor, and the only one they had, they told me, was handicapped accessible. I took it, and didn't mind. Why? They informed me!

 

[Cinderelli]

We stayed in a handicapped accessible studio last year the Sun - Wed before Thanksgiving at VWL. We, likewise, were not informed that it was handicapped accessible until after we had entered the room. We didn't mind it at all. Had I had a choice, I would have chosen a non-handicapped room. In no way, however, did it compromise our vacation.

Our children were beyone the toddler stage (where a bathtub is a necessity) and taking a "shower" was a neat type of adult thing" to do. The absence of counter space in the bathroom was of little notice. The micro on the counter vs above didn't take away from our ability to cook in the room (tacos, yum!). We were barely in the room but to take naps and sleep at night anyway.

Once again, if given a choice, I would prefer a non-handicapped studio. But, it in no way made our vacation any less magic. If the same situation occurs again, I will check to see if it is a handicap room. If it is, I will probably ask if a non-handicap is available. If not, I will happily accept the handicap room.

Have fun vacationing!

 

[BobH]

While these rooms are a god-send for those that need them you need to specify a non-handicapped room if that is what you prefer. I feel that the members guide should offer information in the guidebook that helps both the handicapped traveler and the non-handicapped traveler learn about the differences in a handicapped room vs a non-handcapped room. I think the $25 fee should not be imposed since DVC has made no attempt to inform their guests that they may get a handicapped room. In fact we received a handicapped studio on our first visit to OKW as a cash paying vacationer. DVC changed our room at our request and no $25 fee was imnposed. The $25 fee should be imposed only when someone changes there room for a less valid reason.
Just my opinion.

 

[SINK]

Got one of the "wheelchair accessible" rooms (the politically correct term used by OKW managers) at OKW studio. I hated it.

Long story, DW and I check into a very nice studio (building 26, 2nd floor). Unfortunately, after about 1 1/2 hours our air conditioning still wasn't bring down the room temperature, I've called CM to have them check it out. About 1/2 hour later, they said that the a/c is frozen over, and would take hours before it would start to work. The CM offered to move us, and we took the offer. Repack our bags, lugged it back to our car, drove to building 50 and walk into a nice cool room. But, to my surprised, it was a "physically challenged" room!!!! I immediately called CM and requested to speak to the duty manager. The duty manager informed that they were completely "sold-out" and there was nothing they could do. I informed them that the CM did not tell me I was being moved to an "wheelchair accessible" room, and told the manager it was unacceptable (I was checked in to a "non wheelchair accessible" room). The manager finally caved and moved us to building 53, a non-wheelchair assessible room (having to lug our luggage again back to the car, and into the re-assigned room).

After having a tour of the Old Key West resort all within a four hour timeframe and having to lug our luggage around in the rain, I've realized that my favorite building is 17 (and 16 a close second).

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Why isn't this room information covered in our Member book? According to Jackie Lueders (Member Satisfaction Manager), the Front Desk CMs are required to tell you if
are given a Wheelchair Accessible Room. Some CM's need retraining in that area she said.

Jackie Lueders also stated that a Wheelchair Accessible Room is equal to a standard room and can be assigned as such.

Has anyone ever been told this before? Is this in writing anywhere?

TwirlerGrl

 

[BobH]

Nothing is in the guidebook and I was not told I was being assigned a handicapped room. The rooms are "not equal" no matter what you were told. There is no storage under counters and no tub in the bathroom. It is a problem for DVC since soemone has to use these rooms. I just feel they should advise you before you get to the room.

 

[KNWVIKING]

We have been in a couple HC rooms. While we prefer non-HC, like others have posted,it did not hamper our vacation. I think the actual size of a HC studio at HH is larger then a non-HC, but could be wrong.

One thing to consider: DVC resorts are required by law,(and morally), to have these units. If all the non-HC rooms are booked, what is one to do ? If MS informs you when you try to make a ressie that the only thing availible is HC,would you reschedule ?
If at check-in you were told it was going to be HC & you demanded a non HC,is it fair to the next guest checking in to get your HC room ? Or there is no non-HC is availible,do you turn around and head home ? There is no answer to this delemma. While I don't think it's right the CM's don't inform you at check-in of the HC room,I understand why they don't. What guest isn't going to demand a change. But they know people are less likely to reject the room after getting in & starting to unpack. The CM's are basically just holding their breath you save your rant for boards like this and not them.

 

[Mary Ellen]

While we haven't stayed in a handicap studio, we have stayed in handicap 1-br. at BWV and OKW. I would prefer them to a 'standard' in a heartbeat. The shower is SO much bigger!

There isn't any counter space at BWV in the shower/toilet/sink bathroom anyway and the counter is the same in the sink/whirlpool part. So. being in a 'handicap' gets us a larger shower - NO problem.

We're just so thankful that we don't NEED a handicap room, that when one is assigned to us anyplace we stay, we gladly accept it (we do NOT ask for one as we don't want to deprive someone who need one from getting one).

Now, last December at BWV we were 'upgraded' from a standard view to a 'prefered' view. Words cannot begin to describe how much I HATED that room, I was in tears the first morning. However, I decided that 'someone' had to be assigned that room on on this trip it was us. We have done our time in 'that' room, in the future others will need to take their turn. This is how society works.

 

[mmmcq]

We left an amazing room at the Yacht Club in August Rm 1065 (larger than normal corner room with a studio couch, adjacent to the laundry room, access door to the boardwalk, boat landing and pools - just a perfect location) and traveled down to Vero Beach for the last 5 days of our vacation.

Our reservation at Vero was already a problem in that we had not come off the waitlist for a 1BR on the 3rd night of our stay which was going to require two moves in the last two days of our vacation. The problem is that nobody was honest with us about what had happened with reservations for Labor Day Weekend until the week before our check-in date. Vero was overbooked by 3-4 1BR units on 9/1.

Well at check-in we alerted the Front Desk to the impending problem and they said I should talk with the manager in the morning. And oh by the way, "did I mind a Handicap unit"? I asked if I should mind and I was told that the "only" difference was that the MBR bed did not have a ruffle on it. Well the room was not up to DVC standards, at least what we have been used to at Boardwalk and other WDW resorts. There was no lip of course on the shower and the shower curtain didn't fit well, which for my kids resulted a lot of water on the bathroom floor. There was NO storage for toiletries. And to be honest, I don't think this particular unit had been used for awhile. There were bugs in the bathroom and in the kitchen.

I was so upset about our reservation, however, that I didn't have time to be upset by the ADA room. I have written a letter to Jackie Lueders about our poor experience at Vero and have included my displeasure with the room as a factor in our not enjoying our stay. It was only a piece of the problem at Vero that weekend.

But from now on I'll make sure I request that we NOT be put in an ADA room. I didn't know that was an option before.

 

[PKS44]

Stayed in an OKW Handicapped Studio--Hated it...others have already posted the main reasons...also they have this flashing light/loud buzzer doorbell that unfortunately my kids discovered made me and my DW jump to their delight and our displeasure, too! If at all possible ask that you NOT be put in a handicapped room if you don't need it... and that way it will be available to those who do need it.

 

[BillM]

The trouble with building to suit the HC is that HC folks come with all manner of difficulties. DVC tries to build a HC unit that would fit the most. Unfortunately almost everyone that is handicapped has difficulty with handicap villas, not to mention hotel=motel rooms.
I have a severe (polio) handicap. Walking is very difficult. Getting up from anything low is very difficult.
These are my problems with HC villas.

At OKW the buildings uner 30 are much more suitable. Over 30 they have Micro on the counter. No disposal. Lower sink. As a positive they have a side by side fridge.
The Jacuzzi or whatever you call it is worthless to me. The roll in shower....never have figured how to use one of those. And the small lavatory in the 1 BR at all the DVC resorts presume that anyone who is handicapped doesn't need any shelf space for toilet articles. The sofas at OKW are easy to get up from.

At HH the bed is the 1 BR is so low I can hardly get up.

At BW in the 1 BR. The kitchen so small that I can't get around in my scooter, unlike OKW. The sink is low, micro on the counter and no disposal. Also at BW the counter is pushed forward into the living area and when you sit at the table you can't see the TV. The sofas are low and hard to get up from.

Will try BCV in a 1 BR HC in November.

Don't get me wrong we love DVC. Beats the heck out of a motel room. But every HC person is going to have problems that are peculiar to them.

And to all my fellow DVC'ers out there who are "temporaily able".
Enjoy while you can and don't begrudge the inconveniences to much of the HC units. As sorry as they are sometime we need all the help we can get.

 

[CarolA]

I may be alone in this, but I find the entire tone of this message out of line. The room is comparable to the standard room, it is the same size and has the same features. Smaller counter space just is not going to be enough to say you did not get a comparable room! If the resort is full your option may very well be handicap or no room.

Under the law Disney is required to have these rooms so you may have to stay in one. I hope that those of you who were so upset with getting one, never need a handicap room and find it is not available.

And yes, I have stayed in a handicap studio. I was not informed in advance and did not complain. I have also been placed in handicap rooms at other hotels throughout the county without being told.

 

[Zurg]

I am sure that it would be a lot more than incontinent if you need an accessible room and can't get one because they were not built

My sister's DD is confined to a chair. By the time the bus get to BWV there is often a lot of people on it. She has missed busses because able body people will stand or move to make room for her DD's chair in the space designed for the chair.

Funny I have never once heard her say she "hated" working around the limmitations they face every day, everywhere, unlike some who seem to have rather disproportionate sence of what constitutes a problem worthy of the word.

While it may be unfortunate to faced slightly less couter space than expected in the grand scope of things I am happy I can walk, talk and feed myself. My neice can't.

I am meeting her at BWV for MNSSHP. My sister has made a little mermaid costume and one that fits over the chair to make it look like a rock. I look forward to doing some stuff with her and my neice.

They love Disney because Disney make an effort to meet them half way. I don't expect we will get to do as much as we would if we were not touring with someone in a chair but we will do okay as Disney makes a few minor considerations to make their daily effort less difficult.

I expect we will see plenty of magic.

 

[TiggerFreak]

Originally posted by Zurg
incontinent

I hope not!

But seriously, DW and I have stayed in a HC studio at OKW.
No problems, just different.
The doorbell was a suprise and mystery on the day of check out because of the infamous "are you checking out" visit by Mousekeeping It wasn't until reading about these bells/lights on tthe boards that the mystery was solved
The shower felt like home, as we have a walk in shower.
Personally, I have no disabilities and have tripped on the bathtub walls when entering "standard" tub/showers before I am fully awake
Glad we don't need one and also glad that they are there for those that do.

Sometimes I feel that we are all just spoiled

 

[PKS44]

I will stand by my original assessment without apology to anyone. The self-righteous tone of some people is what I find out of line...self-righteous as in those who presume they have the right to tell others what is or is not important enought to them to spoil their room experience. I described what I hated. When I have a choice to stay in a HC room or not an HC room I will stay in a non HC room because I hated the HC room...Last time I checked I am entitled to have an opinion about what things are enjoyable to me- even if I do not yet have any handicaps requiring an HC room. All the finger-wagging, count your blessings BS is not going to convince me that someone else knows better than I do about what my preferences are in a vacation accomodation. I want counter space...I don't want to live out of suitcases if I don't have to...My four year old doesn't take showers-period. trying to get him to do so when he should be having a bathtub for a bath is no fun...I know what words mean to me and funny I don't remember anyone being appointed chief appropriate-use-of-the-word-hate when used in this context...these references to those who need the rooms are not only irrelevant to the discussion they are used in a lame attempt to try to make others feel guilty for their own desire to enjoy themselves the best they can. That HC people have difficulties has nothing to do with whether a non-HC person may or may not enjoy or hate staying in an HC room. If you don't mind it- good for you... mind your own business when it comes to other people expressing what they like or don't like...the original poster asked others for their opinions about staying in these rooms...they did not ask for anyone to criticize people for having an opinion. You could play this stupid guilt trip game about anyone saying they "hate" anything from brussel sprouts to the weather to a movie..."You should just be grateful you can taste/see/feel anything" Why ever concern yourself about how things could be better when you should feel guilty for forgetting that things could be worse? In fact having a whole board dedicated to DVC is obscene when there are people in the world who live on dirt floors and have starving children!

Horsefeathers!

Paul

 

[mmmcq]

The one thing I don't like about this board is that it's so easy for people to turn your words and thoughts into something they are not. The author of this thread was not making light of the need for ADA rooms or people with handicaps. Nor do I think did that the individual felt that being assigned the ADA room was an enormous problem any more than I did. You had one other author say they were upset because they had a "preferred" view instead of a "standard" view. I apologize if I offended anyone unintentionally, but I resent being called spoiled because I shared concerns I had with a room or a particular stay. That's what people do all day long on this board.

I have read many other threads that I found personally a lot more offensive. I've also seen a lot of simple discussion such as these turn into a war of words.

 

[Dean]

No insult to those that need them, but frankly I'd rather not go than have one of the HC rooms. It's that important to us and the rooms are that much worse from our standpoint. For those of you that don't mind them, that's great. I too hope I don't need them some day but you never know.