Roll In Shower room ?????

[videogal1]

I think it's terrible that some of the resorts do not have roll in shower or even accessible rooms in their concierge floors or buildings. Thus a person who wants to stay at that level cannot stay at the Poly, Beach Club or Yacht Club. I'm not sure about the others...but for certain these do not have accomodations. What do they think...disabled people don't want to stay at the concierge level? Even if a room on another floor is provided there is the inconvenience to deal with and you don't get the same experience as non-disabled guests, which is what the ADA is all about. ---Kathy

That's what started me thinking that I should document the where and specific configurations of all the HA rooms at WDW....All I wanted at the time was to pick out a view, or find out what views were available from the HA rooms. Then, when I started making plans to stay at AKL I wanted to try a stay .at the concierge level...nobody would tell me if any of the concierge level rooms were accessible...When I asked why all the secrecy I was told over and over that it was a question of security...Go figure...

 

[minnie61650]

That's what started me thinking that I should document the where and specific configurations of all the HA rooms at WDW....All I wanted at the time was to pick out a view, or find out what views were available from the HA rooms. Then, when I started making plans to stay at AKL I wanted to try a stay .at the concierge level...nobody would tell me if any of the concierge level rooms were accessible...When I asked why all the secrecy I was told over and over that it was a question of security...Go figure...

Security???
Now what does a CL room have to do with Security?

 

[pugdog]

Were you far from the main bldg?????

just the next building over from the main building.

 

[dclfun]

I was also told it was a "security" issue when I asked where the HA rooms were located at the Yacht Club. I spoke directly to someone in special services and was told..and I quote.." we know where they are but we can't tell you.". I live nearby and frequent the parks so I stopped by the Yacht Club twice and asked the front desk where the rooms were located and if one was not occupied, could I have a look. Each time they were occupied but I was told to cancel my water view room rate and request a garden view as with the HA rooms there WERE NO water view rooms..which I had paid for! When we arrived to check in at the resort the rooms were not accessible to me- you would have to pole vault over the toilet to get to the shower/tub. The front desk agreed with me and moved us to the BCV's where I have already stayed as a DVC member. My goal was to try a new resort. This is how I found out that I can no longer be accomodated at the YC, BC, or Boardwalk as all their HA rooms are configured the same way. We just got back from a cruise on the Magic with pre stays at POFQ and post stay at Coronado. POFQ was wonderful-everything nearby and convenient and no queue lines to maneuver in at their food court. Coronado put me in the Ranchos area and we had a very long hike to the main building. Poor service dog on the hot concrete for over a mile walk...never again. ---Kathy

 

[steffali]

It amazes me that in this day and age the resorts can get away with not being able to give a person in a wheelchair the same room options as everyone else gets!!!
Just becasue my daughter needs a roll in shower does not mean that we wouldn't enjoy a water view,castle view or conceirge level room!!!!

 

[dclfun]

I have not yet gotten a reply to my letter regarding the accessible room location ( no concierge at Poly or any view other than "garden" or even a choice of buildings) written a week and a half ago. I don't know in what time frame to expect a reply. I do know that for myself, the resort is very important. For those of us who cannot make it through the parks all day due to physical or stamina issues, the resort is what "draws" us and we do enjoy the resort location and amenities. For some the resort isn't important at all..it's just a place to sleep. For myself, esp. due to my disability, the resort experience is paramount. ----Kathy

 

[Juliah]

I absolutely agree that people with disabilities should be able to have the same views and the same opportunity for concierge at the Disney resorts as anyone else. Existing buildings are a bit of a gray area under the ADA, but resorts built since the ADA are not. Were any of the hotels people have referenced here built post-ADA?

As for room size at the Poly, I, too, am puzzled by dclfun's post. Maybe he or she has an unusually long or wide power chair?? We have stayed there in the roll-in shower rooms about half a dozen times. They are not only the largest rooms we have stayed in on site (including a standard BC room), they are the largest rooms we have stayed in anywhere. I have two teen DDs in power wheelchairs, and they can get around the room beautifully, except for the narrow area alongside the closets on the way into the room proper; since they cannot open the door, it is a bit tricky to try to hold it for them as they drive by (watch your toes!) The size of the room is one of the reasons we keep going back to the Polynesian.

 

[steffali]

I have not yet gotten a reply to my letter regarding the accessible room location ( no concierge at Poly or any view other than "garden" or even a choice of buildings) written a week and a half ago. I don't know in what time frame to expect a reply. I do know that for myself, the resort is very important. For those of us who cannot make it through the parks all day due to physical or stamina issues, the resort is what "draws" us and we do enjoy the resort location and amenities. For some the resort isn't important at all..it's just a place to sleep. For myself, esp. due to my disability, the resort experience is paramount. ----Kathy

I also wrote 2 E-mails and the only response I have gotten is them thanking me for my letter and that someone will be getting back to me.....I'm still waiting

 

[steffali]

I absolutely agree that people with disabilities should be able to have the same views and the same opportunity for concierge at the Disney resorts as anyone else. Existing buildings are a bit of a gray area under the ADA, but resorts built since the ADA are not. Were any of the hotels people have referenced here built post-ADA?

THe POLY is an old resort however they DID just have renovations done and you would think they would have made it possible for all bldgs. to have a certain amount of rooms with roll in showers.

 

[dclfun]

I know that Yacht/Beach and Boardwalk were built after the ADA and they do not have w/c accessible rooms on their concierge floor nor does the YC even have a "water view". BTW my chair is an adult narrow but it is very long so it's not as easy to turn without scraping something. I try to be really careful so as not to damage the walls or furniture. It was mainly the entrance into the room at the Poly and the distance between the beds and the armoire. This was in Rapa Nui. When I was nondisabled and stayed in what used to be Oahu ( now Tokelau) I found the room to be quite spacious. Steffali- you are doing better than me- I haven't even gotten a reply thanking me for my letter. Guess it's time to write again. ---Kathy

 

[steffali]

o.k. here is the reply that I finally got today from WDW.
This still does not help me in any way find out why I am not able to get a CL room at the POLY with a roll in shower Am I asking for too much

Dear Stephanie,

Thanks for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Your exciting WALT DISNEY WORLD vacation is right around the corner!

We are very pleased your family will be vacationing with us. We appreciate your desire to make your
visit comfortable and enjoyable!

For immediate asistance with accommodations that have tubs or walk-in showers, please contact our
main reservations department at:

1 (407) 934-7639

They will be happy to assist you with current availability and other Disney vacation options.

Daily operating hours are: 7:00am to 10:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

Many fond memories of your upcoming magical Disney experience! Have fun! See you real soon!

If we can further assist you, please contact us.

Include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Evelyn Johnson
WDW Online Communications

 

[SueM in MN]

o.k. here is the reply that I finally got today from WDW.
This still does not help me in any way find out why I am not able to get a CL room at the POLY with a roll in shower Am I asking for too much

Dear Stephanie,

Thanks for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Your exciting WALT DISNEY WORLD vacation is right around the corner!

We are very pleased your family will be vacationing with us. We appreciate your desire to make your
visit comfortable and enjoyable!

For immediate asistance with accommodations that have tubs or walk-in showers, please contact our
main reservations department at:

1 (407) 934-7639

They will be happy to assist you with current availability and other Disney vacation options.

Daily operating hours are: 7:00am to 10:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

Many fond memories of your upcoming magical Disney experience! Have fun! See you real soon!

If we can further assist you, please contact us.

Include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Evelyn Johnson
WDW Online Communications

It doesn't appear as if anyone actually read your email. It just looks like the saw "wheelchair" and sent you a form letter.
When I got a similar reply in another situation, I sent a reply to the email and sort of basically said "excuse me, but I think I was misunderstood" and then reasked my question.

Good luck.

 

[steffali]

It doesn't appear as if anyone actually read your email. It just looks like the saw "wheelchair" and sent you a form letter.
When I got a similar reply in another situation, I sent a reply to the email and sort of basically said "excuse me, but I think I was misunderstood" and then reasked my question.

Good luck.

Thanks I am going to send them another email and say that, I will let you know what response I get.

 

[steffali]

O.K. so I call up the phone number once again they put me on hold then proceed to tell me that the ONLY roll in shower rooms are located at the Rapa Nui ( which I already knew) I then asked the lady why the POLY did not feel that people with disabilities are worthy enough of a Concierge Level room or at least a room with a good view? Why are we limitied to Rapa Nui????? Her answer was that the POLY was built in the 70's and blah blah blah.... but I then told her they just went under a renovation why didn't they put this into consideration !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, the bottom line was that they could find me other resorts that have CL rooms with a roll in shower. My daughter, who happens to be the one that is disabled, wants to stay at the POLY so another resort is not an option for us.
I guess we will go to the POLY into a far BLDG from the main house and I will cringe and bite my tounge as I watch people being able to stay in a concierge level room and enjoy their view and services
Sorry for this being so long but I am VERY BITTER!!!!

 

[Juliah]

I completely understand your feelings, but I do want you to know that Rapa Nui is not a bad location, IMHO. It's not concierge, it's not water view, and it's not where you wanted to be, but it is close to the TTC with the ferry boat to MK, the monorail to EPCOT, and ticket windows. It's not a long walk from the quiet pool or the lobby--and it's a pleasant walk. It's also close to the laundry and the bus stop. And, as someone else said, it's very nice to have two wheelchair parking spots just outside the door of the building. Rapa Nui also has automatic doors. You are guaranteed to *not* look out at the parking lot, because all of the roll-in shower rooms are on the opposite side of the building. The view is really very pretty.

I hope you find Rapa Nui works out ok for you and that your family has a wonderful trip!

 

[steffali]

I completely understand your feelings, but I do want you to know that Rapa Nui is not a bad location, IMHO. It's not concierge, it's not water view, and it's not where you wanted to be, but it is close to the TTC with the ferry boat to MK, the monorail to EPCOT, and ticket windows. It's not a long walk from the quiet pool or the lobby--and it's a pleasant walk. It's also close to the laundry and the bus stop. And, as someone else said, it's very nice to have two wheelchair parking spots just outside the door of the building. Rapa Nui also has automatic doors. You are guaranteed to *not* look out at the parking lot, because all of the roll-in shower rooms are on the opposite side of the building. The view is really very pretty.

I hope you find Rapa Nui works out ok for you and that your family has a wonderful trip!

Thank you !! I am sure that we will have a great time, it is just frustrating to know that we can not have the same choices as everyone else

 

[Juliah]

Thank you !! I am sure that we will have a great time, it is just frustrating to know that we can not have the same choices as everyone else

Absolutely! With two daughters in wheelchairs, we live this every day--and it's somehow particularly aggravating when it's at one of my favorite places (not just WDW, but the Polynesian). I am extremely disappointed after hearing earlier that Hawaii was getting accessible rooms during the renovation to now hear that it didn't.

 

[dclfun]

Well, I, for one, do NOT like the Rapa Nui building. For someone with a mobility challenge it is a LONG walk to the main building and in the heat I certainly wouldn't consider it a pleasant walk. I am fortunate to have a power chair so it's not a physical challenge for me but if it's raining it is a challenge to have to drive my chair so far in the rain to get back to the one and only building in which I am allowed. To me, each resort is an entity unto itself and to say concierge level rooms are present in other resorts has no bearing on the fact that it's not available at the resort at which I would choose to stay. Just my opinion. ---Kathy

 

[steffali]

Well, I, for one, do NOT like the Rapa Nui building. For someone with a mobility challenge it is a LONG walk to the main building and in the heat I certainly wouldn't consider it a pleasant walk. I am fortunate to have a power chair so it's not a physical challenge for me but if it's raining it is a challenge to have to drive my chair so far in the rain to get back to the one and only building in which I am allowed. To me, each resort is an entity unto itself and to say concierge level rooms are present in other resorts has no bearing on the fact that it's not available at the resort at which I would choose to stay. Just my opinion. ---Kathy

I agree, they keep pushing Concierge Level rooms at the CR when I called WDW. It makes me feel unwatned at the POLY but my DD has her heart set on the POLY. My DH will be pushing my DD in the wheelchair so he will probably be exhausted just from going from the Rapa Nui to the main house for the monorail
I wonder if there is someone I can write too????????

 

[steffali]

O.K. here is my complaint for the day... I called the CR just to see if THEY had any 14th floor CL rooms with a roll in shower and they only have 1. WHich is fine, I would only need 1 room but of course no availability for the time we are planning to go.
So my complaint is this.... why do the monorail resorts not have handicapped acces. rooms for all levels ????? I think there should be more rooms and more choices for us.
Once again just venting..........
Thank you