Tell me about OKW handicapped accessible villas

[Caren]

It looks like our family trip in 2013 may include someone who needs an HA room. What are they like at OKW? How many are there and where are they located. Are there any HA grand villas?

 

[RobDoc]

Here is a map, provided by GDUL, showing the building locations for HCA villas. There are only two HCA GVs - one located in Building 48 with ground level access to the first floor and one in Building 63 with elevator access to the first floor of the villa. Neither HCA GV has access to the 2nd floor of the GV.

HCA villas are found in Buildings 13, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 42, 48, 50 and 63. GVs are located in Buildings 15, 16, 19, 22,25, 29, 43, 48, 49, 51, 53 and 63.

Buildings 62, 63 and 64 are the only buildings with elevators.

 

[jekjones1558]

Doc,
We will be checking into a HA 1 bedroom that is HH category. It looks like this will be building 25? Or do they sometimes consider 63 as HH also? I am a little worried about being below the GV in building 25. It can be pretty noisy because of the floors.

 

[disneynutz]

FYI - HC rooms are now available via online booking.

There is a small check box in the "Where Would You Like To Stay" section. Selecting the check box will present you with the different HC room types after you select your resort.

Bill

 

[SueM in MN]

Doc,
We will be checking into a HA 1 bedroom that is HH category. It looks like this will be building 25? Or do they sometimes consider 63 as HH also? I am a little worried about being below the GV in building 25. It can be pretty noisy because of the floors.

As was already mentioned, the only handicapped accessible grand villas are in building 48 and 63. Those are not only handicapped accessible grand villas, but also are the only ones you can reach without going up a flight of stairs.

There are 2 types of handicapped accessible villas - one type has a roll in shower, with no step into the shower. The other has a regular tub in the studio with grab bars.
Building 63 has villas with grab bars, but none with roll in showers.

Building 25 does not have handicapped accessible villas. Doc listed the locations of Grand Villas by mistake.
The buildings with handicapped accessible villas are:
13, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 42, 48, 50,

 

[RobDoc]

As was already mentioned, the only handicapped accessible grand villas are in building 48 and 63. Those are not only handicapped accessible grand villas, but also are the only ones you can reach without going up a flight of stairs.

There are 2 types of handicapped accessible villas - one type has a roll in shower, with no step into the shower. The other has a regular tub in the studio with grab bars.
Building 63 has villas with grab bars, but none with roll in showers.

Building 25 does not have handicapped accessible villas. Doc listed the locations of Grand Villas by mistake.
The buildings with handicapped accessible villas are:
13, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 42, 48, 50,

You are right, Sue - Thank You for the correction! I have corrected the information in my post above.

Jean, in the HH area buildings 13, 23 and 26 are HCA. Building 25 has 2 GVs but they are not HCA. Your 1BR will be on the ground floor in 13, 23 or 26 and all are convenient to the Front Desk, store, dining, pool and bus stops. Sorry for any confusion!

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks, Sue and Doc! We really would prefer NOT to have a roll in shower but DH needs a higher toilet with grab bars. I am so excited to be staying at OKW again! I will miss the quick walk to Illuminations from BWV at night and seeing an Illuminated Spaceship Earth as I fall asleep, but I am really happy to be in the wonderful OKW 1 bedroom with a great balcony. And the OKW parking is so much more convenient for DH. We may try to leave his scooter in the minivan if we can get parking close enough. My back starts to scream after loading and unloading that thing multiple times per day!

 

[Caren]

As was already mentioned, the only handicapped accessible grand villas are in building 48 and 63. Those are not only handicapped accessible grand villas, but also are the only ones you can reach without going up a flight of stairs.

There are 2 types of handicapped accessible villas - one type has a roll in shower, with no step into the shower. The other has a regular tub in the studio with grab bars.
Building 63 has villas with grab bars, but none with roll in showers.

Building 25 does not have handicapped accessible villas. Doc listed the locations of Grand Villas by mistake.
The buildings with handicapped accessible villas are:
13, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 42, 48, 50,

So if I'm understanding all this correctly, building #48 has a ground-level grand villa with a roll-in shower. We may need that grand villa, so we'll have to book it at 9:00 sharp eleven months out. Hopefully in a few months when it's booking time, we'll have a clearer idea of who's coming and what their mobility will be.

Does anyone know if you can book something on-line early in the morning before the phones open? In other words do on-line bookers get an early-morning advantage over people who phone in?

 

[RobDoc]

Right at 11 months I think online reservations can be made beginning at 8am.

As already noted above, you can reserve HCA villas during the online process by checking the box in the "Where Would You Like To Stay" section so that HCA options may be viewed for your dates. If there is any hassle doing that though I'd still suggest calling MS since HCA villas are handled thru Special Services - even MS will transfer you to that department for assistance making that reservation.

Good luck!

 

[Caren]

Right at 11 months I think online reservations can be made beginning at 8am.

As already noted above, you can reserve HCA villas during the online process by checking the box in the "Where Would You Like To Stay" section so that HCA options may be viewed for your dates. If there is any hassle doing that though I'd still suggest calling MS since HCA villas are handled thru Special Services - even MS will transfer you to that department for assistance making that reservation.

Good luck!

Thanks. Fortunately we're going to have a lot of flexibility in our dates.

 

[NancyDVC]

We were in 2 HAs in January. My DBF/co-member, my Mom and I were in a 2 bedroom ground floor in building 50. The rest of the family was in the ground floor GV in building 48.

The toilets are slightly higher in the 2 bedroom with a grab bar along the side and rear of the toilet. The roll in showers take up more room in the master bath than the regular stall showers. The roll in showers have a seat that folds and a long grab bar. My DBF has had both hips and one knee replaced and my Mom has mobility problems and uses a walker.

I can say that since our last stay in a HA the roll in shower curtain is better and there was less water 'leaking' under the curtain this time. I am a physical therapist and found the toilet height to be fair. The grab bar for the toilets is on the side and rear.

The ground floor HA GV in building 48 has a HA bathroom (elevated toilet seat and grab bar) in the master bath but a regular stall shower in the bathroom next to it off the foyer. The second floor bath is a regular one.

Sorry but I don't have any pictures of the bathrooms.
The one problem was the peephole and extra locks for the door in the GV are all wheelchair height. My niece was concerned because her children ages 5 & 2were able to reach them. A second safety latch higher would be an asset for someone with young children. The advantage to this GV is that is is right across from the South Point bus stop. Building 50 is a 'fair' walk from the bus. Luckily my DBF used a scooter and we had a wheelchair for my mother.

It was a lovely trip and the HA units made it easier for my friend and my mother.
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[jekjones1558]

We were in 2 HAs in January. My DBF/co-member, my Mom and I were in a 2 bedroom ground floor in building 50. The rest of the family was in the ground floor GV in building 48.

The toilets are slightly higher in the 2 bedroom with a grab bar along the side and rear of the toilet. The roll in showers take up more room in the master bath than the regular stall showers. The roll in showers have a seat that folds and a long grab bar. My DBF has had both hips and one knee replaced and my Mom has mobility problems and uses a walker.

I can say that since our last stay in a HA the roll in shower curtain is better and there was less water 'leaking' under the curtain this time. I am a physical therapist and found the toilet height to be fair. The grab bar for the toilets is on the side and rear.

The ground floor HA GV in building 48 has a HA bathroom (elevated toilet seat and grab bar) in the master bath but a regular stall shower in the bathroom next to it off the foyer. The second floor bath is a regular one.

Sorry but I don't have any pictures of the bathrooms.
The one problem was the peephole and extra locks for the door in the GV are all wheelchair height. My niece was concerned because her children ages 5 & 2were able to reach them. A second safety latch higher would be an asset for someone with young children. The advantage to this GV is that is is right across from the South Point bus stop. Building 50 is a 'fair' walk from the bus. Luckily my DBF used a scooter and we had a wheelchair for my mother.

It was a lovely trip and the HA units made it easier for my friend and my mother.
Have a wonderful trip!

I especially appreciate hearing about the bathrooms. Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have pictures of the handicapped accessible grand villa in building 48, but don't have access to them right now.

Here is a picture of the master bedroom roll in shower in a 2 bedroom OKW villa:

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks for the photo, Sue! I see that there is still some counter space by the sink, also. So helpful!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Does anyone know if the HA Grand Villas at OKW have different bed heights, or any other differences besides the master bath and door locks/peep holes?

We are trying to make up our minds on one with our mother coming.. thanks all!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I thougth the bed was higher, but I do know that if you need the bed height adjusted just call housekeeping/engineering and they will come do it. They do it everytime for a friend of mine.