Problem @ Kona Companion Restroom

[Nanajo1]

On March 3rd DH and I had lunch at Kona. I use a power chair. I excused myself to use the rest room. the companion room across from O,hana's is the only power chair accessible room I'm aware of. when I tried to transfer back to my power chair my legs spasmed. I couldn't move. I tried repeatedly to move without success. my DH had become alarmed because I was gone so long. He soon realized I was in trouble. He returned toKona's to get help. the staff there notified others. a wonderful CM named Gwendolyn quickly appears and called Engineering. to our dismay Engineering says there is no way to unlock the door from the outside! the door is clad in steel. there was talk of sledge hammers and power saws! I just want DH to come in and help me. I took several deep breaths and tried one more time. I made it on tomy chair and over to unlock the door. I don't know who was more traumatize. DH or me.We have since noticed many of the companion rooms have the same locks. DH waits outside for me now. we did speak to a GM who worried that it is a real concern WDW wide.

 

[SueM in MN]

Wow!
That must have been scary!
That is really surprising that it could not be opened without breaking it, even in emergency.
Obviously, it should not be easily openable just for the heck of it, but I shudder to think of what would happen if someone fell or otherwise could not get out. There would not even be a way to summon someone to break the door down.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Wow! that must have really been horrible. I am surprised Disney has the locks like that. They should get some new locks on them, especially knowing they have a problem. I am so sorry you had to experience something like that.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Wow. I feel like that's a hell of an oversight on someone's part. Maybe because they assume that since it's a companion restroom there will always been a guardian or helper or family member, whatever, there that would be able to open the door.

 

[SueM in MN]

Wow. I feel like that's a hell of an oversight on someone's part. Maybe because they assume that since it's a companion restroom there will always been a guardian or helper or family member, whatever, there that would be able to open the door.

Even with a companion, there might be times when the people inside still need help.
I'm always in with DD, but if I ran into trouble while lifting her or if she had a seizure while in there, I might need help and not be ble to get to the door.

 

[karliebug]

That is disturbing. They should redo the locks and have CM's nearby have a master key to get in if necessary.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Absolutely Sue, I just meant that maybe whoever designed the bathrooms to have that locking system thought what I'd said and figured that was the fail safe.

 

[KPeveler]

Nanajo - Please write a letter to Disney with your experience. This will make sure that it gets routed to the right place within "corporate." The CMs will likely have added this to their reports for the day, but if whoever their supervisor is did nothing, then nothing may change. If you could, please write a letter asking for a response/follow-up, so that there may be a change to this dangerous situation in the future.

 

[Andianna]

So glad you were able to get out. I hope Disney will remedy this as that must have been so frightening for you both. Bless you

 

[Nanajo1]

My DH spoke with a gentleman,James Mullett, from the Eng dept. The same fellow he spoke with when the problem occurred. He was very apologetic that he had not contacted us. It seems there was a skeleton type key to unlock the door but no one knew,not even the engineers! Since our incident all doors with similar locks have been examined and all staff informed of the key. I'm not sure where the keys are kept but supposedly all CMs know. James thanked DH for alerting him to this potentially dangerous situation.

 

[Sparkly]

Wow!
That must have been scary!
That is really surprising that it could not be opened without breaking it, even in emergency.
Obviously, it should not be easily openable just for the heck of it, but I shudder to think of what would happen if someone fell or otherwise could not get out. There would not even be a way to summon someone to break the door down.

Surely that's a fire hazard?!

 

[SueM in MN]

My DH spoke with a gentleman,James Mullett, from the Eng dept. The same fellow he spoke with when the problem occurred. He was very apologetic that he had not contacted us. It seems there was a skeleton type key to unlock the door but no one knew,not even the engineers! Since our incident all doors with similar locks have been examined and all staff informed of the key. I'm not sure where the keys are kept but supposedly all CMs know. James thanked DH for alerting him to this potentially dangerous situation.

Thanks for getting back with more information!

 

[SueM in MN]

Surely that's a fire hazard?!

I would think so.

 

[Nanajo1]

We will be returning to WDW in Nov. It will be interesting to check out if things have changed.

 

[bookwormde]

Great job following up, that is how these sort of issues get fixed.

Not a big deal for emergency services to break the door to get in, but in the time before they get there there as a lot of potential for lost opportunities to help.

I have always been very surprised the the fire department at WDW is not more proactive with their life safety inspection work.

bookwormde

 

[seashoreCM]

There are many ways of making it easy for someone trapped in the rest room to summon help. Hospitals use these methods which include pull strings inside that sound alarms outside. Still it is not foolproof, the nearest pull string might be out of reach.

I like the idea of putting more irons in the fire i.e. letting more people get involved more quickly if what appears to be an emergency situation should happen.

Excepy I think that guests trying to respond should not be held accountable for their actions and a lengthy post mortem investigation that could consume the rest of someone's vacation should not be conducted.

By the way, I feel uncomfortable in rest rooms that have a door latch on the outside that anyone could release easily , some hospitals have this.

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

I'm glad you were able to get out and it all ended well. That must have been scary for both you and your DH.

This similar situation happened to DH & I. DH went into one of the companion rooms and locked the door and nearly fell when he was done. He managed to get back in his scooter and come out. The floor was wet and slippery so we told a CM, which is why he almost fell. After that, I'd go with DH and help him inside and then "stand guard" at the door so no one could go in while DH was using it (leaving it unlocked so I could get in if there was a problem).

Glad to know there is a skeleton key.