Please compare SSR to OKW

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by spiceycat
[B
handicapped rooms are on the first floor no matter what resort you are staying at in WDW.

[/B]

I used to think that too. Makes sense, doesn't it? However, I found out when I got one at POR, that's not true. I remember standing at the check-in desk, questioning the CM-"Are you sure that's a handicapped one?" (she'd just told me that the only unit they had available on the second floor was a handicapped one). But it certainly was HA-shower leaking on the floor and all! I also got one at ASMusic, this time on the third floor at Jazz. POR one was right around the corner from an elevator, but for that one at ASMusic, you had to go down the exterioir corridor a ways. ANd I don't remember that the exterior corridors at ASMusic were very wide if you're in a wheelchair. Just wanted to mention this since I used to be very sure also that all HA rooms would be on the first floor.

 

[spiceycat]

boy that is news to me - My brother had a operations and was confined to a wheelchair - so I asked and CRO, as well as DVC, told me that all handicapped rooms were on the first floor - this is a big surprise.

what happens to these people if the power goes out????

 

[Lisa F]

Most places do not confine accessible rooms to the first floor because people in wheelchairs also like to have the nicer views that upper level rooms afford them. When designing a public building to be accessible, the exit stairs are fire rated enclosures (basically they will take a few hours to burn through) and for accessibility reasons, there also needs to be a fire rated area where someone who cannot take the stairs by themselves can wait for rescue (generally a very large landing in the stair tower, but it doesn't have to be). In the extremely unlikely event of a fire, firefighters would help people who cannot take the stairs out (generally by carrying them down, although they do make really cool "rescue" wheelchairs that can be wheeled down the stairs, not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it does the job).

 

[KyBill]

Spicey Cat
I have stayed at BWV in a HC villa that was only accessible by elevator. Likewise at DVCHH.

 

[spiceycat]

boy learn new things every day - thanks everyone - so next time I should definitely ask for 1st floor for him - thanks again!!!

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by spiceycat

OKW was surpose to be more like home - if you live in an apartment/condo does you apartment/condo have elevators - mind certainly didn't it.

What kind of apartment/condo complex did you live in??? We have many beachfront apartment/condo residences where I live. Each building has at least one elevator. Also think of the the condo/apartments in NYC or really any city, they ALL have elevators.

 

[Lisa F]

Gotta disagree with you there, DeeP. Garden apartments (smaller buildings in clusters, 4 floors high or less) do NOT generally have elevators. We have lived in this type of setup in a few cities and have never had an elevator (though in newer complexes they generally have a building that is fully accessible with an elevator, but people with accessibility issues have priority on the waiting list for that building). I'm not talking about cheap apartments/condos either.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by Lisa F
Gotta disagree with you there, DeeP. Garden apartments (smaller buildings in clusters, 4 floors high or less) do NOT generally have elevators. We have lived in this type of setup in a few cities and have never had an elevator (though in newer complexes they generally have a building that is fully accessible with an elevator, but people with accessibility issues have priority on the waiting list for that building). I'm not talking about cheap apartments/condos either.

True, the buildings I am referring to are hi rise condo/apt buildings that are located on the water or beachfront.