Question about accessible rooms

[pangyal]

We just completed the first half of our trip in a lovely BLT one bedroom, Lake View. When we entered, we realized after some confusion about different amenities that it was in fact an accessible room. The view was incredible, but we couldn't help feeling a bit worried that perhaps somebody who actually needed an accessible room was shut out of this one, as we definitely didn't request it. When I checked our Vacations listing on the DVC site, it listed the room as Accessible with a number of features described, instead of just the regular room type. Did somebody make a mistake, or how do these things work? I would hate to feel like somebody didn't get a room at BLT that they needed...

 

[hakepb]

A percentage of rooms are accessible.
I believe they are held for actual needs as long as possible, but sometimes there is no actual need. I'm glad you enjoyed the room!

 

[BillPA]

We have had that happen a few times. I let the front desk know we didn't need or request one, to let them know if someone needed the HA room, that we would gladly relocate. Never had to move, but I still offer when ever we get one.

 

[pangyal]

We have had that happen a few times. I let the front desk know we didn't need or request one, to let them know if someone needed the HA room, that we would gladly relocate. Never had to move, but I still offer when ever we get one.

This is a great idea. I'll be sure to do this if it ever happens again!

 

[jekjones1558]

How refreshing to read positive posts about accessible rooms! So often it is people complaining big time because they had to endure being assigned a HA room when they didn't need it. SO thoughtful to offer to relocate if the room would be needed!

 

[Dean]

We just completed the first half of our trip in a lovely BLT one bedroom, Lake View. When we entered, we realized after some confusion about different amenities that it was in fact an accessible room. The view was incredible, but we couldn't help feeling a bit worried that perhaps somebody who actually needed an accessible room was shut out of this one, as we definitely didn't request it. When I checked our Vacations listing on the DVC site, it listed the room as Accessible with a number of features described, instead of just the regular room type. Did somebody make a mistake, or how do these things work? I would hate to feel like somebody didn't get a room at BLT that they needed...

As noted, if one needs a HC room and there IS availability, they'll get one assuming they have not been taken both others. So one can't take a room from one who needed it and reserved. One can take a room from one that wasn't able to get a reservation. They reserve them last unless specifically reserved as a HC room. The other side is the bigger issue for some in that they don't want them and often get upset if they have to have them. But someone does if they're more and there often are more than needed. Some of the worst front desk displays I've seen over the years were about this issue. Cretins all up in arms they had to have one and demanding to be changed. For me personally I'd rather not go than have one and I might nicely ask if I could be changed but no way would I ever complain about it. For those that do truly complain about it, it's simply a lack of understanding of how timeshares work or an entitlement mentality or both.

 

[pangyal]

I'm not clear about why people would have anything to complain about in that room, having seen it...? We just noticed some grab bars in the bathroom, lights for the fire alarms, and a lower cooktop for the stove. Are people really that delicate that they would complain about having those features?

 

[disneynutz]

ADA law dictates the rules for accessible rooms. Accessible rooms are a booking category that a guest should use if an accessible rooms is needed. When booking online there is a check box to access the accessible inventory.

Several days prior to check in the room assigners start matching room requests to available inventory. At that time they may change your room category to an accessible room if accessible inventory still exists.

Bill

 

[robinb]

I'm not clear about why people would have anything to complain about in that room, having seen it...? We just noticed some grab bars in the bathroom, lights for the fire alarms, and a lower cooktop for the stove. Are people really that delicate that they would complain about having those features?

Ive been assigned HA studio 3-4 times. My biggest complaint is the bathroom. The roll in shower is a pain because the water gets everywhere. I use a lot of pool towels to soak up the extra water. Then, the sink is a pedestal one with no where to put makeup or even toothbrushes. I end up bringing in the small patio table into the bathroom so I have somewhere to put my stuff. It's a PITB. So yeah, I'm not happy when I get a HA unit. The only upside is that the location of the villas is always good.

 

[jekjones1558]

Ive been assigned HA studio 3-4 times. My biggest complaint is the bathroom. The roll in shower is a pain because the water gets everywhere. I use a lot of pool towels to soak up the extra water. Then, the sink is a pedestal one with no where to put makeup or even toothbrushes. I end up bringing in the small patio table into the bathroom so I have somewhere to put my stuff. It's a PITB. So yeah, I'm not happy when I get a HA unit. The only upside is that the location of the villas is always good.

You can imagine how those who must book a HA room feel. I am a hopeless Disney lover but whoever designed the HA rooms did a really LOUSY job. I regret not making a BIG push to fix the HA room inadequacies when the recent rather extensive refurbishments were done at BWV. Disney does such a good job of trying to accommodate special needs in the theme parks. It is sad that they have given very little thought to the design of HA rooms, at least in the DVC resorts.

 

[hakepb]

There are also degrees of HA rooms. Some only seem to have the grab bars and a hand-held shower...others allow full roll-in accomodation and may have lower beds (which may reduce storage)

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm not clear about why people would have anything to complain about in that room, having seen it...? We just noticed some grab bars in the bathroom, lights for the fire alarms, and a lower cooktop for the stove. Are people really that delicate that they would complain about having those features?

We stayed at Jambo the first time and were assigned such a room. It was the end of a long trip, we were getting sick, it was cold (December 2010). I was a lot heavier then and needed to soak at least my feet in a tub so I could walk the next day.

We got there late and had to rush off to Sanaa after literally dropping bags in the room. We weren't told the van service between J and K ends at a certain time and with tired adults and a 6 year old* and no understanding of the resort setup and it was night and cold, we had to find our way to the bus to get back. To say I was dreaming of that tub and a desperately needed epsom salt soak as I hobbled back to that room is an understatement.

And then that Jambo accessible room didn't have one. To say that I, tired and hurting and sick and cold (I have always gotten extra cold and need warm water to warm up), burst into tears, is an understatement. We had been the last in a long virtual line of people assigned that room but WE were silly enough to not check it. When DH went downstairs to complain he was NOT the only one with a young child who had been assigned a room without a tub. (In our case DS wasn't the issue as he didn't care for baths by then but he's not typical...how do other families deal with that, and how hard is it for families that both need the ha room *and* have young kids who need tubs?)

We couldn't change that night but changed the next day. And there was compensation (and I know bc of the experience that if they offer late checkout until the next room is available just don't take it bc it's boring to wait)

It's not just grab bars. Those aren't the issue at all.

There are also degrees of HA rooms.

Absolutely.

We've had ha rooms since that were just fine.

But I don't think they are really well thought out.

At Jambo that time I met two women who booked an accessible room because one uses a scooter and they figured they needed it, only to find out there was just the one bed. It was an older mother/daughter pair and the bed wasn't appropriate for them. And they didn't need the rollin shower etc. apart from a wider door they didn't need an accessible room at all.

 

[Hopefully]

We stayed at Jambo the first time and were assigned such a room. It was the end of a long trip, we were getting sick, it was cold (December 2010). I was a lot heavier then and needed to soak at least my feet in a tub so I could walk the next day.

We got there late and had to rush off to Sanaa after literally dropping bags in the room. We weren't told the van service between J and K ends at a certain time and with tired adults and a 6 year old* and no understanding of the resort setup and it was night and cold, we had to find our way to the bus to get back. To say I was dreaming of that tub and a desperately needed epsom salt soak as I hobbled back to that room is an understatement.

And then that Jambo accessible room didn't have one. To say that I, tired and hurting and sick and cold (I have always gotten extra cold and need warm water to warm up), burst into tears, is an understatement. We had been the last in a long virtual line of people assigned that room but WE were silly enough to not check it. When DH went downstairs to complain he was NOT the only one with a young child who had been assigned a room without a tub. (In our case DS wasn't the issue as he didn't care for baths by then but he's not typical...how do other families deal with that, and how hard is it for families that both need the ha room *and* have young kids who need tubs?)

We couldn't change that night but changed the next day. And there was compensation (and I know bc of the experience that if they offer late checkout until the next room is available just don't take it bc it's boring to wait)

It's not just grab bars. Those aren't the issue at all.



Absolutely.

We've had ha rooms since that were just fine.

But I don't think they are really well thought out.

At Jambo that time I met two women who booked an accessible room because one uses a scooter and they figured they needed it, only to find out there was just the one bed. It was an older mother/daughter pair and the bed wasn't appropriate for them. And they didn't need the rollin shower etc. apart from a wider door they didn't need an accessible room at all.

A scooter will fit through the doorway of a regular, non handicap accessible room just fine.

 

[pangyal]

It seems we got a very "lightly" accessible room. I was not aware there were so many variances! There was no roll in tub, for example, and I totally do understand now why an issue such as not having a tub at all would be a huge problem for those with bath-needing kiddos! I just wasn't aware there were HA rooms different from what we had.