Planning a Walt Disney World vacation for late January and early February 2011. I am hoping to secure a Boardwalk Villa Studio by renting from a DVC member. If that's not possible, I am considering the POP value resort.
I am a C-5 quadriplegic. What are the pros and cons of each from the perspective of a power wheelchair user?
Thanks in advance!
Hello, Lewis. I just wanted to say welcome to the DIS and I hope that you get more personal responses from other DISers using a wheelchair like you do and that have stayed at the BWV and Pop.
I just use my own mobility
scooter so I am able get out of my device.
But I have stayed at both Pop and I have stayed at BWV Accessible rooms on those occasions when in the past I needed a rollin shower and higher commode for personal reasons.
I have also rented points at BWV and I had a wonderful experience and I thought that it was a great deal.
I have also only stayed in a studio, so I don't know if you will be a BWV one bedroom or a studio.
I think that the one bedroom might give you a lot more room.
So I can only give you my experience using a BWV studio.
The standard BWV accessible studio room needs are more available than the BW preferred BWV accessible studio room by a very large number.
And since the preferred BWV accessible studio room is not located on the ground floor, there is only a balcony with a somewhat difficult lip to roll over to get outside and very limited space, but the view is wonderful if you don't get a solid wall like above the grocery store.
The standard BWV accessible studio room needs to be confimed with a rollin shower or you may get a standard BWV accessible studio room with just a tub and hand rails.
The standard BWV accessible studio room did expand the bathroom so that their is more room for the rollin shower and curtain and folddown wall builtin chair (which I do not like because I think that it may bend to far, but that is my opinion).
The standard BWV accessible studio room room is very nice but may be to small for manuevering around.
You enter the standard BWV accessible studio room and the lower sink, microwave table is on one side and the inwall sliding door entrance to the bathroom is on the other side.
Then you pass the taller bed and TV center with adapted clothes storage drawers and clothes hanging closet builtin to the TV center.
Then, you pass the foldout sofa and coffee table on the same side as the bed and on the other side the dining table with two frame chairs.
Then finally the sliding glass door to the ground floor concrete patio or balcony.
I do know that turning around in the standard BWV accessible studio room is somewhat limited. Actually very limited depending on what kind of space that you are used to, but I really like it.
And the sofa is very heavy to move and I dont know if you can transfer easily on and off of it.
But you can move the coffee table and dining chair and two chairs around to creat a lot more space.
And they can remove the coffee table or chairs from the room is you ask,
They also have several transfer chair sizes but they are pretty cheap, but I don't know how stable they might be to transfer to in the shower.
I really like the standard BWV accessible studio room.
And the resort is wonderful.
The resort room is usually pretty close to the elevators that go all the way down to the ground floor, but the lobby is on the next floor up if that makes a difference to you.
And ther is another two floor elevator on the other side of the lobby past the restrooms and accross from the bar that can take you to Boardwalk.
Both of the resort side exit and this exit have accessible automatic door openers.
Unfortunately, the other Boardwalk restaurants and stores are regular doors.
I can usually easily open the door and enter using my mobility scooter, but I have the advantage of using the electric motor to move forward and backwards while opening the door and entering. I am also fortunate to be able to use both of my arms and hands, etc..
But you absolutely love the Boardwalk.
I love walking down the Boardwalk during the day and night.
I love visiting ESPN and watching a football game.
I love getting a lunch or dessert from the bakery and eating outside by the lake at one of the tables.
I love using the WDW boat launches which are accessible with the captain using a portable ramp to load.
If you have someone with you and you can transfer to the hard, rear, outside boat bench and sit on either corner, I would try this if it is not to much trouble. Then someone could move your wheelchair inside to be stored.
Otherwise I hear that they make all wheelchairs/mobility scooter to roll inside the cabin and park in the open area next to the baby strollers. Bummer. They used to let me drive in and all the way accross and stay outside. I love the breeze and and being in a boat on the water.
These boat launches transport any guests in tow directions accross the lake between Epcot and DHS and stopping at each resort on the lake.
From BW the boat launch goes to either Epcot, back to BW, Beach and Yacht Club, Swan/Dolphin and the DHS and reverses in the same direction.
Or the boat launch leaves BW to Beach and Yacht CLub to Dolphin/Swan to DHS back to Dolphin/Swan to Beach and Yacht Clube to BW and then finnally to Epcot.
It is a nice walk from BW to Epcot or around the lake.
It is also a nice, wide, sidewalk walk from BW to DHS that is also lighted and on the BW side of the lake and canal.
Both the boat launch and the sidewalks are great to tour and enjoy.
The International Gateway is another entrance to Epcot with ticket center and guest services like the front of Epcot.
The bus service from BW to MK and AK and DTD has a covered sidewalk from the BW lobby down to the BW bus stop.
Just park near where the rear door of the bus may stop and have someone get the attention of the bus driver as he drives up to you whether you want his bus depending on whether he is going to MK, AK or DTD.
He will tell the other guests at the bus front door that he will come back and let them on so that he can have more aisle space to tie down your wheelchair without them standing in the way.
Be persistent in having the bus driver tying down your wheelchair properly as a few bus drivers may not have a good experience at this.
And have your spouse watch the bus driver tie your wheelchair down properly and snuggly just in case you get the odd inexperienced bus driver.
You will usually be departing last at the parks so that the walkers can get off and out of the way from the aisle so that you can exit.
You may get on first, but get off last which is O.K. with me in my opinion.
When you return you may have different experiences loading and don't be shy to ask a Castmember for help at MK or AK or DTD.
I also like Pop Century with the room being similar except for having one bed instead of a sofa. But the table can be moved aound and chairs removed to create extra space.
Pop has outside hallways and uncovered bus stops.
You roll into your room and see the table and twi chairs next to wall in front of the window with the bed on the other wall.
As you pass the bed, the TV center has the buildin storage drawers.
Then past the bed and TV center/storage you will see the sink area in front of you and a open closet area on one side and roll in shower on the other side.
Also very limited area to move around but very nice.
I am not sure about the bed height.
Most of the time it is very low as compared to the very high beds at BWV.
I enjoy Pop Century and visiting the different designed buildings and sidewalks.
I enjoy going by the lake at Pop, too.
And the main building has automatic doors to enter and exit.
If going to eat, there is a separate door that also has a push button automatic door opening to outside tables or entering near the drink section of the restaurant if you don't want to walk around.
I couldn't get a BWV studio this year so I am staying at Pop Century this December.
I hope that what ever you chose that you have fun.
Both are great resorts, but I would rent BWV points if you can get a reservation there and enjoy your studio and resort and the lake and walking around the lake and using the boat launch.
Hopefully, I can stay at BWV next December.
If money is no option, I would chose a one bedroom at BWV over a studio just for the extra space and kitchen and washer/dryer.
I will be down at WDW in December.
Let me know if I can physically go somewhere and get specific information for you or even a photo to help you in trying to visualize what I have just said while I am down there for your January trip.
Lots of great restaurants between Boardwalk, Beach Club and Epcot. 
---Kathy
