Hotel options

[Ruthie5671]

I'm getting close to booking our trip for December, 2016, but I cannot decide about which hotel to book. My mom uses her own personal scooter, so that will be with her in her room along with her roommate. She will need a room with two beds and roll-in shower. My DH and I will be next door and I would prefer adjoining rooms. I would prefer a hotel that is as handicapped friendly as possible. Mom has had a rough year and this trip - although a year away - is helping keep her spirits up. Anyone have any opinions as to which hotel would work best?

 

[lanejudy]

All WDW onsite resorts have accessible rooms throughout the resort with various views and building locations. I'm not sure that one resort is any more "handicapped friendly" than another, but there likely could be some aspects causing one to prefer a certain resort. I'd suggest looking at the various resorts and deciding if there is a theme or location that you prefer (or she might prefer). Also, which category of deluxe or moderate or value fits the budget, as that can be a huge deciding factor. You might want to consider the transportation options unless you will have a vehicle and plan to drive to the parks.

Most rooms with a roll-in shower have a single king-size bed. There are a limited number of king+double rooms available at each resort; I believe that may be quite a limited number, so booking early gives you the best choice of room options. Deluxe resorts have larger rooms, value resorts the smallest, but any will have enough space for her personal scooter. Be aware of WDW's terminology regarding "adjoining" rooms -- adjoining means "near" (possibly next to but could be down the hall) and "connecting" has an interior door allowing access between rooms. Requesting connecting or adjoining rooms is just a request and can't be guaranteed, though WDW does their best to honor such requests whenever possible.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

Most of the Moderate rooms with roll in showers have been renovated in the past year to have 2 double beds.
That removed some wall space, so those rooms do not connect with another room.

As was mentioned, there are King rooms with roll in showers that connect to a room with 2 beds, but there are not many of those.

I think first narrow it down to what category of resort you want - Value, Moderate, Delux or Home Away from Home. All have accessible rooms, so narrowing down will be helpful.

 

[stitchlovestink]

All WDW onsite resorts have accessible rooms throughout the resort with various views and building locations. I'm not sure that one resort is any more "handicapped friendly" than another, but there likely could be some aspects causing one to prefer a certain resort. I'd suggest looking at the various resorts and deciding if there is a theme or location that you prefer (or she might prefer). Also, which category of deluxe or moderate or value fits the budget, as that can be a huge deciding factor. You might want to consider the transportation options unless you will have a vehicle and plan to drive to the parks.

Most rooms with a roll-in shower have a single king-size bed. There are a limited number of king+double rooms available at each resort; I believe that may be quite a limited number, so booking early gives you the best choice of room options. Deluxe resorts have larger rooms, value resorts the smallest, but any will have enough space for her personal scooter. Be aware of WDW's terminology regarding "adjoining" rooms -- adjoining means "near" (possibly next to but could be down the hall) and "connecting" has an interior door allowing access between rooms. Requesting connecting or adjoining rooms is just a request and can't be guaranteed, though WDW does their best to honor such requests whenever possible.

Enjoy your vacation!

As far as the bedding in the room, your statement about most rooms with a roll in shower have a king sized bed is not true. Yes, there are some and they are definitely more prevalent at the value resorts. But in the moderates, you have to SPECIFICALLY book a king sized room even the HCA ones as it is a bookable category.
Our roll in shower room at Port Orleans had two QUEEN sized beds. And in the moderate resorts we have stayed at, you would have to get an adjoining room as the HCA roll in shower room doesn't come with an interior connecting door as an option.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I would prefer a hotel that is as handicapped friendly as possible.

1) The only one to avoid is Port Orleans Riverside (the old Dixie Landing).
. . . many of the rooms require you to navigate stairs.
. . . there are rooms nicely accessible, so note the medical need when making the ressie
2) Old Key West is MAINLY stairs
. . . they do have three buildings with elevators
. . . the 1st Floor rooms (ground floor rooms) in any building are fine for chairs and ECV's.
. . . make certain you note the medical need when making the ressie
3) No other resorts have accessibility issues.

 

[lanejudy]

As far as the bedding in the room, your statement about most rooms with a roll in shower have a king sized bed is not true.

Yes, thank you. That was already pointed out. I apologize for my error. My experience has been with values and moderates and has always involved a king; we didn't need another bed at the time so I didn't realize a different option was available. I should have looked more closely at the bookable categories.

OP -- you can view options and book accessible rooms online. Once you determine where you'd like to stay, you can see what room types are available at that resort. If you want/need something different, check another resort. As mentioned, some options are quite limited so booking early is recommended to get the most options.

Enjoy your vacation!