Need Honest Opinions Please

[Andrew Bichard]

Again it has absolutely zero to do with handicapped people, nothing at all. These rooms are built for a specific purpose, if they are so perfect for everyone then why isnt every room in every resort across the world built HA. Its because these designs are not the most comfortable, efficient, and safe rooms for everyone. Why should anyone be inconvienced for something they pay top dollar for. doesnt matter if you are handicapped or not, you should be entitled to the best accomidations possible

Handicap accessible rooms could be comfortable and safe for everyone, not just the handicapped, if they were designed properly. Wheelchairs need more space to manoever, so to do it properly, you need more space. Ideally a handicap accessible room would be about 15% bigger than a regular room with two queen beds, not one king, a roll in shower and a tub. The washbasin could be set into a large counter with plenty of space for toiletries and still have space for a wheelchair use to get his or her knees under,

The problems come about because hotels try to create a handicap unit into the same overall shell size as a regular unit. Something has to give, so there is only space for one king rather than two queen beds. There is less space in the bathroom, hence a lack of counter space. If hotels were willing to spend a little more, you cound even have roll-in showers that didnt wet the entire bathroom floor.

If you want an example of handicap rooms that work, look at those in the Boardwak Inn (across the lobby from the Villas). These rooms are 25% to 30% bigger than regular rooms with space for two king beds, a roll in shower that mostly containas its water and a long counter top with two basins set into it, all at the right height for wheelchair users.

Andrew

 

[colleen costello]

I am with the previous posters here. If I knew I was getting a HC room, I would pick a different resort. After reading all these recent posts, especially Andrew's, I was recalling the HC studio we were assigned to at the VWL. I swear it had NO CLOSET! I think that the area where the closet should have been was in fact part of the bathroom. This would not have mattered so much, perhaps, if I was traveling alone. But there were 4 of us. What to do with no tub, no vanity and no closet? Given the opportunity, I'd have gone elswehere that time.

 

[Beca]

I am with the previous posters here. If I knew I was getting a HC room, I would pick a different resort. After reading all these recent posts, especially Andrew's, I was recalling the HC studio we were assigned to at the VWL. I swear it had NO CLOSET! I think that the area where the closet should have been was in fact part of the bathroom. This would not have mattered so much, perhaps, if I was traveling alone. But there were 4 of us. What to do with no tub, no vanity and no closet? Given the opportunity, I'd have gone elswehere that time.

I think you are right. The closet seems to be in the "armoire cabinet" with the TV.



Beca

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Handicap accessible rooms could be comfortable and safe for everyone, not just the handicapped, if they were designed properly. Wheelchairs need more space to manoever, so to do it properly, you need more space. Ideally a handicap accessible room would be about 15% bigger than a regular room with two queen beds, not one king, a roll in shower and a tub. The washbasin could be set into a large counter with plenty of space for toiletries and still have space for a wheelchair use to get his or her knees under,

The problems come about because hotels try to create a handicap unit into the same overall shell size as a regular unit. Something has to give, so there is only space for one king rather than two queen beds. There is less space in the bathroom, hence a lack of counter space. If hotels were willing to spend a little more, you cound even have roll-in showers that didnt wet the entire bathroom floor.

If you want an example of handicap rooms that work, look at those in the Boardwak Inn (across the lobby from the Villas). These rooms are 25% to 30% bigger than regular rooms with space for two king beds, a roll in shower that mostly containas its water and a long counter top with two basins set into it, all at the right height for wheelchair users.

Andrew

good points but this doesnt take into account the differences in bed types and heights which many have noted(unless you mean 2 queen beds wit different characteristics, which I personally have never seen but i guess it might be possible)

Also you hit the nail on the head when you said "all at the right height for wheelchair users" While this is great for those in wheelchairs it can be a potenial nightmare for others. This height is potentially dangerous to those with children with specific regard to stoves and counter tops where children may be burned more easily or be able to reach some items they shouldnt.


which brings everything back to square one. these rooms are built for a specific purpose; to meet the needs of specific issues. The design is not the best overall for those who are not in need of a HA room

Also problem is although HA rooms could be built bigger and better they werent. The dvc rooms are already built and i dont see them going in any time soon to do an overhaul to these rooms to make them bigger and better

 

[drakethib]

I'm sorry you didn't realize that HA rooms were required to be built and included in the resorts by the ADA...I mean, unless you never, ever read or see the news. Since you obviously consider all ADA rooms "sub-standard", why didn't you ASK about them at the time of purchase? I'm not sure any company takes you on a tour of those rooms, unless you request to be shown one.

The solution you offer, again, would probably wind up in a substantial number of the HA rooms being unused, even though they are required by law...so again, who picks up the building and maintenance cost of those rooms?

Getting a little fired up there eh dude?

I do think DVC has (or should) have the responsibilty to tell people when the room is being booked that they will be asigned to a HA or Smoking room.

We as DVC members forked over a good deal of $$$ upfront an were told we were going to recieve X benefits.

Personally, it doesn't bother me if I get a HA room or not, as long as it is non-smoking. I will say that if someone request a non HA room and they do not get it, I think DVC should try to put that member in a room to thier liking if it becomesa avaiable at a later time.

 

[drakethib]

do you guys read the posts? shes not complaining about any of that. Her main problem is that ms said there were plenty of rooms of available for the switch and when they asked for a different room other than a HA room they were then told tere were no rooms. The manager instead of solving the whole problem that instant by coming over and explaining it the guest, decided to handle it in a different manor. One that I feel is not appropriate. This is Disney not some run of the mill chain hotel. Get your butt over from behind the desk and use some Disney charm and make the guest feel a little bit more magical. Is that asking too much

If this is asking too much, the manager needs to find a different line of work.

 

[drakethib]

Umm... one of the deals with DVC is that you did not buy a specific accomodation. You can't have it both ways. (i.e., you want to be able to move between studio, 1 BR, 2 BR etc) So it's either a dedicated unit or a run of room deal. You signed up for a run of room deal.

And by the way, those of you who think Handicapped rooms are "awful". What kind of life are you living? Apparently only able bodie people can be your friends considering that those other poeple live in "awful" conditions.


If you can't live with the "inconvience" or the awful neighbors click at the top of this page. They will help you out!

I don't think any said the word awfull conditions (maybe they did), I think the biggest complaint is that the manager could have handled the situation a little better.

 

[offtheice]

We met another couple with 2 small boys staying in a 1 bedroom. They checked in the same day as we did and were not members but paying cash. I thought members would be assigned before cash customers. Am I wrong in thinking this way?

According to many on this board. Yes you are wrong for even thinking that way.. lol

 

[offtheice]

IMHO it is bad buisness sense on Disney's part to put ANYONE in a handicapped room without a specific request or approval from the guest.

Obviously, the occasional disabled guest needs the room (I am assuming there are only a few at each resort)- and the average guest does not want one and will assume the room they are getting is a typical room unless stated otherwise.

And yes....you are the customer and this notion that guests need to accept any room(problem or not) or bad attitude of the CM is ridiculous...that is why it is called customer service. Guests at Disney, especially DVC'ers have paid LOTS of money for that so called (just a room) and the least they deserve is a room with standard features unless otherwise requested a ha. room or notification that is all that is available.

Customer Service employees that act like the customer is bothering them when help is needed drives me nuts. Yes, I have worked in the service industry my entire life. The attitude that you should just take what ever you get and shut up is also ridiculous. Would you go to a store and purchase a $2000.00 stereo that did not have the features listed on the box and then not return it? Would you just say ... well, next time we might get the right one. Oh, and you should also just be ok with the sales rep who laughed at you when you pointed out the mix-up.

Of course, all of this is assuming the customer is acting civil and not insulting or overly demanding.

You hit the nail on the head. We as DVC Members are couple decade customers at which disney can now gurantee on us spending money at there property. She started this post not asking much . As usual I see many are quick to jump on people here . Again, would many of you be this rude if you werent behind a pc??
Remember we are customers!!! Disney cant survive without us.

 

[Dean]

You hit the nail on the head. We as DVC Members are couple decade customers at which disney can now gurantee on us spending money at there property. She started this post not asking much . As usual I see many are quick to jump on people here . Again, would many of you be this rude if you werent behind a pc??
Remember we are customers!!! Disney cant survive without us.

Not agreeing with the OP or even thinking they are ill informed, is not being rude. I don't know why people think it's rude if you simply disagree or even have a different opinion. And even if there are 100 posts and they all disagree, this is still not rude.