I Can't Believe a CM Actually Suggested This...

[mjaclyn]

So I'm on the phone with DVC Member Services this morning making my reservations for January and I honestly couldn't believe what I heard.

I made a reservation for a one bedroom at OKW. We have never stayed at OKW so I wasn't familiar with the layout of the resort and that only a few buildings have elevators. HH rooms were not available, so I asked the CM to request a room in a building with an elevator. He then told me that those buildings are only HH. I said that was fine and asked him to request a ground floor room if possible instead. After he had put in the request he told me that he would add another request to my reservation for an elevator building because of Medical reasons. He said that the CMs try very hard to accommodate folks who have medical issues and that would be my best chance to get a room there. I then told him that I don't have a medical reason for requesting anything and that I wouldn't want to take a room like that from someone who actually DOES have one. I just couldn't believe he suggested that!! Does anyone else think that was weird?

 

[BayouMickey]

I don't see nothing out the ordinary about this. Most people who make requests like this are people with medical issues. i dare say probly 99%...
So it would be an obvious conclusion for the cm to assume you had a medical condition..

 

[mjaclyn]

I haven't stayed at OKW before so I didn't realize how limited elevators were. Maybe this question is the norm for others who have stayed here and know the resort better than I do. I just thought it was strange for a CM to suggest that because if I did have a medical reason I would have told him. I don't expect CM's to assume that I have one.

 

[SDSorority]

I don't see nothing out the ordinary about this. Most people who make requests like this are people with medical issues. i dare say probly 99%...
So it would be an obvious conclusion for the cm to assume you had a medical condition..

 

[WaltD4Me]

I haven't stayed at OKW before so I didn't realize how limited elevators were. Maybe this question is the norm for others who have stayed here and know the resort better than I do. I just thought it was strange for a CM to suggest that because if I did have a medical reason I would have told him. I don't expect CM's to assume that I have one.

Just let me tell you if they give you a 3rd floor room it is worth whatever you need to do to get a lower floor. It is a CLIMB up to the 3rd floor and no fun to do after a day at the parks. I LOVE OKW, it's my favorite resort after the Poly, but I would stay at any other DVC resort before I'd do a 3rd floor room at OKW again.

 

[sayhello]

Why in god's name would they do that? Luggage, strollers, TIRED people... WHY wouldn't they put in elevators in a 3-story building???

Sayhello

 

[kaligal]

I wouldn't make a request for medical reasons, either. What if someone who actually NEEDS it doesn't get it because I lied?

I've been to OKW 3 times. Had a first floor each time...didn't even request it.

You might get lucky, too!

Why in god's name would they do that? Luggage, strollers, TIRED people... WHY wouldn't they put in elevators in a 3-story building???

Sayhello

It is cheaper for them if you climb the stairs.

 

[SDSorority]

No elevator in a 3 story building. Wow... I'm surprised that's ADA compliant?

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't see what the issue is about possibly having to climb two flights of stairs for most people. (Yes, I do realize some need help - I'm thinking the vast majority don't.)

OKW meets the ADA provisions that were in effect when it was constructed. That's one of the reasons that the 3 "new" buildings do have elevators. But even without elevators its really not a serious problem since about 1/3rd of all the units are on the ground floor.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I don't see what the issue is about possibly having to climb two flights of stairs for most people. (Yes, I do realize some need help - I'm thinking the vast majority don't.)

OKW meets the ADA provisions that were in effect when it was constructed. That's one of the reasons that the 3 "new" buildings do have elevators. But even without elevators its really not a serious problem since about 1/3rd of all the units are on the ground floor.

I've stayed in first, second and third floor rooms at OKW. The 2nd floor is no problem, but the third is awful. You should have seen our bellman, he was drenched by the time he got all out luggage up to our room. Luckily there are landings so you can stop at rest. One day when we came back from Epcot we talked about going over to Olivia's for key lime tart, but the thought of doing the steps again...even for key lime tart, I passed. I can't imagine what people with strollers do. It's just silly that all the buildings don't have elevators.

 

[DrMomof3]

I don't see what the issue is about possibly having to climb two flights of stairs for most people. (Yes, I do realize some need help - I'm thinking the vast majority don't.)

OKW meets the ADA provisions that were in effect when it was constructed. That's one of the reasons that the 3 "new" buildings do have elevators. But even without elevators its really not a serious problem since about 1/3rd of all the units are on the ground floor.

All of our recent Disney trips have involved 3 young children and 2 strollers (one double and one single). Having to carry those up and down 2 flights of stairs would be a deal-breaker for me. I'm pretty fit but after a long day of pushing strollers in the park, I wouldn't be excited to lug our gear upstairs!

That having been said, I tend to try to assume the best in people until proven otherwise so I'd like to think the CM was trying to be sensitive to a possible mobility problem. Although many DVC members probably know about the stairs at OKW, I'm sure there are some people who are unpleasantly surprised to learn that their 3rd floor room is only accessible by stairs. I'm not a DVC member but we have stayed in several DVC accomodations before and I wouldn't have known about the stairs. My 73 year old mother has COPD and would not be able to climb 2 flights of stairs. Now I know that if we were to stay at OKW with my parents, we would need to request a 1st floor room for her.

Amanda

 

[sayhello]

I don't see what the issue is about possibly having to climb two flights of stairs for most people. (Yes, I do realize some need help - I'm thinking the vast majority don't.)

OKW meets the ADA provisions that were in effect when it was constructed. That's one of the reasons that the 3 "new" buildings do have elevators. But even without elevators its really not a serious problem since about 1/3rd of all the units are on the ground floor.

Personally, I never take elevators unless I have to (shepping luggage, etc, or injured). But there are times, after walking all day at the parks, standing in line to catch the bus, standing on the bus, walking to my building, I just do not have the energy to walk up those stairs. And this is from someone who pretty much always takes the stairs. I can't imagine if I wasn't used to stairs, or was lugging a small child, or something of that nature. I just think it's short-sighted.

Sayhello

 

[momabbate]

No I can't beleive the cm suggest this. I have a hip replacment plus problems with my foot. Our trip back in Sept I ended up using my cane most nights. I still refuse to use handicap to get ground level. (I did request this and did get ground level.)

 

[mjtm610]

I think the CM was trying to "be delicate". They can't ASK you if you have a disability. When you request a room that's on the ground floor, or has an elevator......I think they have to assume you need assistance or are unable to climb stairs.......which is what I thought reading your post.
Personally, I'm pretty fit. but I have had both my knees replaced. Yes, I can go up and down 3 flights of stairs, but do I WANT to while I'm on vacation?
NO!

 

[FireDancer]

I don't see what the issue is about possibly having to climb two flights of stairs for most people. (Yes, I do realize some need help - I'm thinking the vast majority don't.)

I take the stairs whenever possible so I'm right there with you. Even after a full day in the parks I wouldn't be waiting around for an elevator to go up 2 floors.

I think the CM was trying to be helpful. Perhaps it wasn't the best way to do it but I don't think it was nefarious.

 

[mjaclyn]

Perhaps the CM's aren't allowed to ask if you have a medical issue... but the way he said it made me think he was suggesting that I claim to have one even though I don't. He also sounded kind of surprised that I turned him down.

Regardless of what the motive was, I'm hoping to be able to get a room on the ground floor if possible. It's enough of a pain in the neck to have to fold up strollers for the bus, but then to fold them up again and climb two or three flights of stairs is definitely not what I'm looking to do. I would really like to stay at OKW because I haven't yet, so I hope the room situation will work out.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I've been a DVC member at OKW since 93, when it was the only DVC resort. I've stayed on all of the levels in ALL of the accommodation types and I have also never been turned down with a certain type of request. I feel the staff at the original DVC resort does take extra care to satisfy requests and needs to the fullest.

I also agree that the cast member was trying to feel you out to make sure if really knew that making a medical-based request was the way to get what you needed. Nothing more.

As a side note, to jump on the gun that they did not design and ADA compliant resort is a needless discussion. The buildings are completely designed to be a "neighborhood" and the 2 and 3-story buildings fit that feel. When you drive through the gates, you will know what I mean.

As Jeff said, they met the requirements of when they were built in the early 90s, and those do NOT need to be retrofitted or modified to meet current standards. It's very important to keep in mind that well over 1/3 to 4/5 of the entire resort is first floor accommodations - without any curbs or ledges, , so technically any of those rooms would be considered basically accessible - all they need is the specific ADA bathroom compliance to fill the need. Otherwise, they could be considered to me more compliant than any other town-home community.

 

[PeterPan09]

I think the CM was trying to "be delicate". They can't ASK you if you have a disability. When you request a room that's on the ground floor, or has an elevator......I think they have to assume you need assistance or are unable to climb stairs.......which is what I thought reading your post.
Personally, I'm pretty fit. but I have had both my knees replaced. Yes, I can go up and down 3 flights of stairs, but do I WANT to while I'm on vacation?
NO!

ding ding ding! Yes, this is most likely what the CM was trying to do. Most of the requests for ground floor rooms or rooms close to an elevator are from folks who for whatever reason have problems with stairs. The only way to guarantee that ground floor room is to put medical reasons on there, because there are only so many rooms on that ground floor and LOTS of people want them. It's a lot easier to set up that room as a ground floor now, than to move a guest once they get to the resort-especially if the resort is full.

OKW was built before ADA guidelines, as I understand. They do have ground floor rooms available for those that need them, so they get by that way I guess.

 

[darrengs]

Perhaps the CM's aren't allowed to ask if you have a medical issue....

They are not allowed to ask. It sounds to me as if the CM was just trying to be helpful, as it most likely sounded to them that a first room floor or elevator requirement could mean a disability.

 

[kaligal]

Perhaps the CM's aren't allowed to ask if you have a medical issue... but the way he said it made me think he was suggesting that I claim to have one even though I don't. He also sounded kind of surprised that I turned him down.

Since we don't know what his motivation - other than trying to help you - was, it is rather silly of us to play mind-reading games.

Maybe he was suggesting you request for medical reasons because he thought you might have them. Maybe not.

We don't know.