No accessible roll in shower rooms/AKL concierge

[LisaS]

To satisfy the law I wish they would have put it in the studio instead.

I agree. It seems the decision to put the roll-in shower in a 1BR rather than a studio will maximize the number of unhappy guests. Those who book a 1BR expecting a whirlpool tub will be disappointed to get that room. Guests who need a roll-in shower and want to try Concierge will be disappointed that they do not have the lower-point option of staying in a studio. I have to wonder why they opted to do it the way they did? I know it wasn't a space problem because I've seen a floor plan for a studio with a roll-in shower.

 

[Deb & Bill]

This is why retrofits in general suck.

It's also why Disney needs to offer Concierge rooms in Kidani as well. 15 rooms max, in the worst place in an old hotel, is a joke.....

You mean 10 rooms, max. Five two bedroom lockoffs. Or five one bedrooms and five studios.

I think they wanted all the Deluxe fifth floor rooms for DVC. The Resorts people probably offered them the sixth floor as well since those were the smoking rooms if I remember correctly. If they were on the Concierge Floor, they needed them to be Concierge rooms. I'd bet there was never any intention for DVC to have concierge rooms, but it just worked out that way.

Personally, I have no desire at all to stay in Jambo House.

 

[BCV23]

I know it wasn't a space problem because I've seen a floor plan for a studio with a roll-in shower.

Really? For Jambo House? I wonder why too then.

Brogan, good luck with the shower chair. Unfortunately, my daughter can't use one. Her only option if we can't get an accessible room is to wear her swimming suit to shower. Then my DH can help her in and out.

Forgot to say that I disagree about AKL being an old hotel and about the concierge villas having the worst location. They have the best location for the lounge. It is also a very convenient location to access the restaurants, pools, lobby and shop. It's a great location IMO. The only downside is that the views of the Savannah aren't as good as some rooms but that can be problematical in any case. And of course, that some rooms have pool views instead but a quick elevator ride gets you very close to public viewing areas.

 

[LisaS]

The Resorts people probably offered them the sixth floor as well...

I'm not sure whether they "offered" the sixth floor or insisted upon it. Those 6th floor rooms were not popular with AKL Concierge guests, many of whom opted to stay on the 5th floor instead. If AKL was giving up the 5th floor to DVC, they probably insisted that DVC take the 6th floor as well. But then there was the issue of the Concierge Lounge on the 6th floor. Moving the lounge to another floor would result in a loss of rooms on that floor so that wasn't a good option. Leaving it where it is meant giving AKV guests access. So I agree that this is probably how we ended up with a Concierge option.

They aren't the best rooms in Jambo House, but I'm very happy we have the concierge option, particularly because of the safaris. Perhaps my attitude is different because I already knew the issues with the 6th floor rooms and had already accepted the trade off: in exchange for staying in a less desireable room we get to stay concierge level, something I never would do if I had to pay cash. We're staying in a studio so it's costing us an extra 2 points per night, (the equivalent of about $15/night) for continental breakfast, snacks, wine, daily mousekeeping and turndown service with chocolates. I think that's a great deal!

They do need to find a solution to this roll-in shower issue. I think those that need one should not have to upgrade to a 1BR.

 

[LisaS]

Really? For Jambo House? I wonder why too then.

Here is the floor plan for the HA Studio with a roll-in shower. It is a pool view room located near the elevator, just a little ways down the "spoke" off the Zebra trail. The floor plan shows the HA studio and the non-HA studio next door so you can compare the two layouts.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks, Lisa. It really makes no sense to me in that case.

I wonder if it's true that most guests didn't want the 6th floor when it was AK concierge. I saw that posted as well on occasion but when I booked our only stay there a couple years ago, I requested that floor. The concierge replied that they would do their best but there were so few rooms there. I don't remember his exact words but I had the impression that most guests did want that floor...at least the savannah view rooms. As I recall the pool view rooms on the 6th were smoking optional back then.

You know looking at your plan more, it appears that the accessible studio wouldn't/couldn't connect. So there would have to have been more studios on that floor to make one a fully accessible studio. What do you think?

At any rate, I hope something works out for the OP.

 

[LisaS]

I wonder if it's true that most guests didn't want the 6th floor when it was AK concierge. I saw that posted as well on occasion but when I booked our only stay there a couple years ago, I requested that floor. The concierge replied that they would do their best but there were so few rooms there. I don't remember his exact words but I had the impression that most guests did want that floor...at least the savannah view rooms. As I recall the pool view rooms on the 6th were smoking optional back then.

Maybe it's just that those who are unhappy are more apt to post about it, leading to more reports from people who wanted to avoid the 6th floor than from those who preferred it. I see an advantage to being on the same floor as the lounge, but I think the view is better if you are further out along the horseshoe, which means opting for a lower floor.

You know looking at your plan more, it appears that the accessible studio wouldn't/couldn't connect. So there would have to have been more studios on that floor to make one a fully accessible studio. What do you think?

Actually both of those studios are lockoffs. The connecting door in the HA studio is in the living area, just after the kitchenette.

 

[BCV23]

I was so busy looking at the baths!! I wonder if that connecting door in the accessible unit was always in that place. Are they moving connecting doors in the conversion?

I agree about being further out the horseshoe. But I think most club level guests on the 5th floor were placed pretty close to the lobby. Otherwise, it would make for a long walk and then a trip up to the 6th. I know we were close to the lobby and Arusha(sp?) rock and so the view of the animals wasn't nearly as good as a room I had on Uzima Savannah a couple years earlier.

 

[LisaS]

I was so busy looking at the baths!! I wonder if that connecting door in the accessible unit was always in that place. Are they moving connecting doors in the conversion?

Those two studios show the two different locations for the connecting door. It's not clear in this floor plan but in others where the door is in the living area, you can see some structural element marked on the plan that appears to prevent them from putting the connecting door in the entryway.

If I remember correctly, in AKL (the hotel) the connecting door is near the entrance to the room so I believe the connecting door shown in the non-HA studio above is in the original location.

 

[mopee3]

This is why retrofits in general suck.

It's also why Disney needs to offer Concierge rooms in Kidani as well. 15 rooms max, in the worst place in an old hotel, is a joke.

With this happening now so soon after the units have opened I would expect management or whom ever is in charge to do away with the Concierge rooms completely.
Pretty soon it just becomes a huge hassle to satisfy every ones needs/wants. Just my NTBHO.


Moe

 

[LIFERBABE]

I was told by Concierge staff while I was staying there, that those 6th floor rooms were undesireable because they were smaller and did not offer the best views.

I do agree, that it is a nice location to the lounge but I am guessing that was not enough consolation to cash paying suite guests. My neighbor said she stayed at AKL for her honeymoon in a 5th floor suite and it was large and they never even used the lounge. She bought AKV because of Concierge but was disappointed in her 1 bedroom room size and said they would only stay in 2 bedrooms next time.

So although it is possible to have a studio in Jambo with a roll in shower, maybe it was not possible to install them on the 6th floor with the retrofits due to the size.

I forget who posted, but the poster who stayed in 6201 said the bath was very tight and there was barely room to turn around.

I agree that the studios would have been better use of roll in showers for all members satisfaction.

 

[BroganMc]

Here is the floor plan for the HA Studio with a roll-in shower.

Ok now I'm getting really annoyed! To my eye it appears that the HA bathroom takes up the same size as the non-HA bathroom. The only differences are that you get a completely enclosed room instead of nook and one sink basin instead of two. Even the shower takes up the same amount of space as the tub.

So really, for the sake of expediency DVC has forced disabled members to pay more for accommodations. Oh that is just wrong and perhaps actionable. Equal access does not mean "if you pay extra".

Edited to add: and exactly what halfwit thought it was a good idea to put a swinging door on the balcony for a HA room instead of sliding? Obviously someone who's never driven a wheelchair out onto a balcony and then tried to turn around and close the door (or pull it closed behind them as they went back inside).

 

[LisaS]

I was told by Concierge staff while I was staying there, that those 6th floor rooms were undesireable because they were smaller and did not offer the best views.

I thought the rooms on the 6th floor were the same size as the deluxe rooms on the 5th floor. This got me wondering so I just measured the floor plan for a 6th floor studio and one for a non-Value 5th floor studio and they are exactly the same size. But I agree about the view!

I forget who posted, but the poster who stayed in 6201 said the bath was very tight and there was barely room to turn around.

The bathrooms in the studios appear to be unchanged as a result of the conversion. From the floor plans and the photos I've seen, they look just like the bathrooms in the AKL hotel rooms and I've read that same complaint about the hotel bathrooms! From my stays at AKL, I do remember it being a bit tight to get in and close the door behind you.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Edited to add: and exactly what halfwit thought it was a good idea to put a swinging door on the balcony for a HA room instead of sliding? Obviously someone who's never driven a wheelchair out onto a balcony and then tried to turn around and close the door (or pull it closed behind them as they went back inside).

The medical center director where I work is a triple amputee and his remaining hand is missing fingers and flexibility. (He is, however, a speed demon in his powered chair.) Do you think they thought the swinging door would be easier for a person with this type of disability than the sliding door? I know some of those sliders don't always slide so easily.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

we had a bedding problem before at AKL and it was not an issue. we simply were moved to an acceptable room and still retained our club access.

If they can not accommadate you on that floor. I am sure they will work to ensure what you need.

 

[dclfun]

Thanks for everyone's support and for the "technical info" also. Unfortunately I really can't transfer with a bench. I am ventilator dependent so that equipment has to stay "attached" to me plus don't have that much head and trunk control. I suppose I could splash off in the sink if I had to. Usually when these things happen I have to suck it up and not ruin the trip by crying over everything once I'm there. I'll get my crying over with beforehand I guess since it really does bother me. When did they put the roll in shower rooms in the Hawaii building at the Poly?. I know they weren't there last Dec. when we had to cancel a ressie there for that reason. I was offered a chance to stay in the one building, Rapa Nui, that also ONLY has garden views to get a roll in shower and then have access to the concierge bldg. It wasn't a feasible option for me to have to trek back and forth, swipe a card, etc, to enjoy the lounge so once again, my kids were denied something they had looked forward to, all because of me and my needs. That's what's tough, feeling like you're a burden on your family.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

so once again, my kids were denied something they had looked forward to, all because of me and my needs. That's what's tough, feeling like you're a burden on your family.---Kathy

 

[LisaS]

I think it's worth asking if they can put you in the studio with the roll-in shower. It's not very far from the lobby so getting to/from the lounge might be do-able for you. There has to be a way to make this work. The problem is finding the right person who can make it happen.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think it's worth asking if they can put you in the studio with the roll-in shower. It's not very far from the lobby so getting to/from the lounge might be do-able for you. There has to be a way to make this work. The problem is finding the right person who can make it happen.

I agree. You need to keep at this, but do it ahead of time and not after you arrive.

 

[BCV23]

That's what's tough, feeling like you're a burden on your family.---Kathy

More from me, Kathy.

We were in Hawaii (without our daughter) in Oct of 07 and CMs confirmed that those rooms were completed. I don't think they had been finished for very long at that point. Two years ago or so, a Polynesian CM told me it was going to happen. The two rooms I'm aware of are gardenview on the first floor of Hawaii. I think those are the only two.

Lisa, what I meant was if connecting doors are not being changed in the conversion, perhaps there were no rooms on the 6th floor with a connecting door in the proper spot for an accessible room. We have never stayed in an accessible room in AK so I don't know where the door is in those rooms.

I so hope this works out for you,Kathy.