Treehouse Villas - Handicap - hard to get?

[okworbust]

Hello,

We are interested in getting a Treehouse villa at the end of Aug. - does anyone have experience on reserving a handicapped accessible villa? Is this difficult?

Thanks,

Lauren

 

[Disneypapa]

I've tried unsuccessfully several times trying to get a treehouse villa in June at the seven month window. It is my understanding that there are only four (4) treehouses that are HAC (have ramps to gain access to room).

Good luck. Maybe August (with schools in session), you'll have a better chance.

 

[dzorn]

I think the chances of booking at the 7th month window is very small if not impossible given the low number of units and with SSR owners booking at the 11 month window.

Denise in MI

 

[sweetdana]

I agree I think booking any THV at 7 months is nearly impossible. Once the other 30 are declared it will lighten up a bit, I do not know how many of the undeclared at HA, but maybe 4 more would add assistance.

 

[Rob S.]

I tried booking one for a single Wednesday night in January 2010 (a very slow period) and was unsuccessful at about 7 months out. I was not able to be put on a wait list either since it was not a bookable category. I don't know if that changed with the system upgrade.
I was able to book one for March 2011, but I did it at exactly 11 months. When I called to book it, I was put on hold for several minutes while the CM did something "offline" to secure it for me.

 

[TisBit]

I tried booking one for a single Wednesday night in January 2010 (a very slow period) and was unsuccessful at about 7 months out. I was not able to be put on a wait list either since it was not a bookable category. I don't know if that changed with the system upgrade.
I was able to book one for March 2011, but I did it at exactly 11 months. When I called to book it, I was put on hold for several minutes while the CM did something "offline" to secure it for me.

I am not sure what you mean it was not a bookable category? The THV's are a separate category and can be waitlisted....or are you talking just HA?

 

[Rob S.]

I am not sure what you mean it was not a bookable category? The THV's are a separate category and can be waitlisted....or are you talking just HA?

You can not be waitlisted for a HA treehouse. I was confirmed for a regular treehouse but wanted a HA room. I was not able to be put on a waitlist. The CM told me the only thing she could do was to note the request and I should ask at check-in.

 

[TisBit]

You can not be waitlisted for a HA treehouse. I was confirmed for a regular treehouse but wanted a HA room. I was not able to be put on a waitlist. The CM told me the only thing she could do was to note the request and I should ask at check-in.

OK, that makes more sense...I thought you were saying that the treehouses could not be waitlisted, which the CM would have been wrong about. The HA rooms are not separate in any of the resorts and cannot be guaranteed, if I am not mistaken, so the THV's are no different there. The biggest difference is that there are so few THV's to begin with, the HA's are even fewer to come by.

Also, the design of the THV's are such, that many people who may not require a HA room normally, might need one at the THV's. At SSR for example, there are elevators in every building, so you don't need to do the stairs. If you have limited mobility, but can use a normal shower, etc while in the villa, you may not need a HA room. At THV's because of the staircases that lead to the villa's themselves, someone who can't do more than a few stairs at a time, will need the HA villa for the ramp.....creating more of a demand for them.

 

[Kphoto]

I loved staying at the Treetop Villas but after carrying all our stuff up the steep staircase, I felt like I was handicapped.

Karen

 

[Rob S.]

Also, the design of the THV's are such, that many people who may not require a HA room normally, might need one at the THV's. At SSR for example, there are elevators in every building, so you don't need to do the stairs. If you have limited mobility, but can use a normal shower, etc while in the villa, you may not need a HA room. At THV's because of the staircases that lead to the villa's themselves, someone who can't do more than a few stairs at a time, will need the HA villa for the ramp.....creating more of a demand for them.

That is exactly why I needed one. I was traveling with my mother-in-law. She does not need the HA shower or countertops, she just can not climb stairs. I practically had to carry her up the stairs. It's a good thing we were only there for one night. It was a pre-cruise stay.

 

[TisBit]

That is exactly why I needed one. I was traveling with my mother-in-law. She does not need the HA shower or countertops, she just can not climb stairs. I practically had to carry her up the stairs. It's a good thing we were only there for one night. It was a pre-cruise stay.

While I personally loved the THV's, I would say that is the big downfall, if you have someone with mobility issues or has trouble with stairs they are probably not the best resort option.

 

[Nicolepa]

THV are very hard to get, period. I tried booking for last August about 9 months out and couldn't get one. Not complaining though, we ended up at BLT and loved it!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Any idea when the other 30 will be declared?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Any idea when the other 30 will be declared?

When people buy up all the points they represent directly from DVC. If sales are flat, it could be a long time.

 

[shortfieldno1]

My MIL is paralyzed from the ribs down. So, if she had to have a Handicap Accessible room, would it be just a request? She needs a ramp, bed rails, accessible bathroom. Showers aren't a bid deal, because she needs a special set up anyways.
It has been 2 1/2 years and she used to go to Disney at least every other year. She hasn't even asked to go since. We want to encourage her to visit, but not if she is just going to be on a waiting list. It seems like Disney may have accommodations for people like her.

 

[CarolAnnC]

There is a special place to call for Handicap reservations at WDW, so that you are assurred of receiving the appropriate accommodations. I am moving this thread over to our DISabilities board where I am sure you will receive more input. Good luck all!

 

[bouncycat]

I was able to book a regular treehouse with the military 40% off discount earlier this month. I have a w/c for the parks, but can climb SOME steps with the aid of DH. He will probably help me quite a bit for the time we go up, down isn't an issue. I do require a stand up shower, which the regular THV does have. I'm worried about the steps, but will manage, Even if DH has to carry me!! My first choice was BLT, and that was booked solid for our dates.

 

[SueM in MN]

OK, that makes more sense...I thought you were saying that the treehouses could not be waitlisted, which the CM would have been wrong about. The HA rooms are not separate in any of the resorts and cannot be guaranteed, if I am not mistaken, so the THV's are no different there. The biggest difference is that there are so few THV's to begin with, the HA's are even fewer to come by.

Also, the design of the THV's are such, that many people who may not require a HA room normally, might need one at the THV's. At SSR for example, there are elevators in every building, so you don't need to do the stairs. If you have limited mobility, but can use a normal shower, etc while in the villa, you may not need a HA room. At THV's because of the staircases that lead to the villa's themselves, someone who can't do more than a few stairs at a time, will need the HA villa for the ramp.....creating more of a demand for them.

My MIL is paralyzed from the ribs down. So, if she had to have a Handicap Accessible room, would it be just a request? She needs a ramp, bed rails, accessible bathroom. Showers aren't a bid deal, because she needs a special set up anyways.
It has been 2 1/2 years and she used to go to Disney at least every other year. She hasn't even asked to go since. We want to encourage her to visit, but not if she is just going to be on a waiting list. It seems like Disney may have accommodations for people like her.

Handicapped accessible rooms are definitely guaranteed if a guest requests one- that is required by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) because if someone needs that type of room, they usually can’t make do without it.

When you call to make your reservation, let the reservation CM know that you need a handicapped accessible room. The CM will connect to the Special Reservations Department to check on whether or not a room that meets your needs is available. If it is, a reservation will be made and the room will be blocked for you. They will not tell you the exact room number or location - just in case something happens (could be a problem with the room, such as a need to shampoo the carpet or make a repair).

For the Treehouses, there is only one type of handicapped accessible villa and, as was mentioned, there are few of them. From what I have read about the Treehouses, it’s hard to get reservations at the 7 month point for any villas, much less the handicapped ones.
For other resorts, there is more than one type of handicapped rooms. Some have roll in showers and are fully wheelchair accessible. Other rooms have grab bars in the bathroom, but don’t have roll in showers. There is more information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
After your reservation has been made, you can call Special Reservations to ask further questions. Unless they have changed in the past 3 months, the Special Reservations CMs can’t see DVC reservations, but will be able to still help you.

 

[dclfun]

Unfortunately people with strollers will also request these THV's knowing it will be easier for them to not have to haul their children up the stairs. I wish they had more villas with ramps to start with.---Kathy

 

[loadsapixiedust]

When I made our 2nd week reservation for June at 7 months out we could have had 3 nights in a HA Treehouse so the availability was there, just not enough nights for us. I would have loved to stay there but 3 resorts in one trip was just too much for us to manage so we have chosen to spend the whole second week at Kidani instead.

It seems to me it would be a relatively simple thing for Disney to add ramps to more (even all?) of the Treehouse Villas which would work fine for those who don't need a fully accessible setup but just can't manage stairs. This would free up the fully accessible units for those who really need those adaptations.