Tub vs rolling shower - individual with fatigue from chemo/radiation - Grand Californian

[GaryDis]

We’re planning a trip to Disneyland during the four week break between my husband finishing his radiation and initial chemotherapy and then starting a new course of chemo.

We have no way of predicting his level of fatigue. So we’re planning on renting an ECV and assuming we’ll need a wheelchair accessible room for that. Even if we don’t need it for the ECV, I want to be sure the tub/shower has grab bars and preferably a seat, so I think that means a wheelchair room.

They have a choice between a tub and a roll-in shower. Obviously he won’t be rolling in an ECV, but I worry about him tripping over the tub. I can certainly join him either way to help out. But on the other hand, I don’t know whether the wheel in would even have a seat.

Currently he uses our walk-in shower, which has a built-in seat, but our understanding is that his fatigue will get worse over the course of radiation/chemo.

So I’d like opinions on which sort of room to get, tub or wheel in.

Many thanks.
Gary

 

[leebee]

Can't help with tub/shower choice, but we have these in our shower stall at home and travel with them. They have a lever for pulling the suction, not just stick-on, so they attach pretty well. They aren't strong enough for you to pull your whole body weight up on, but they definitely work well for balance and stability. As long as the wall is smooth, they work pretty well. I got them on Amazon.

 

[Marrila]

We choose a roll in shower room when we travel for dh. It's can be used as a walk in shower. The shower has installed grab bars and a seat.
Accessible tubs are much harder for him to step into. (They also have installed grab bars )
Just to add, he's disabled but not confined to a wheelchair.

 

[Evita_W]

If you rent DCV points and a get a two bedroom, you will get two bathrooms and one will have a tub and one a roll in shower. If a one bedroom, there will be a roll in shower and a Jacuzzi tub. That is of course if you get an accessible room with roll in shower.

That being said, there are A LOT of good hotels within easy walking distance to the parks, some closer to Disneyland entrance than Grand Californian is (obviously Grand Californian is closer to DCA than any) and they are A LOT less expensive, many with even nicer rooms. Since the main benefit you get is one lightning lane pass per guest next year, which is largely useless if you are planning to get purchase lightning lane anyway, there really isn't a reason to spend the extra for on property at Disneyland anymore.

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't rent DVC points. You have the risk of needing last minute changes or even cancelation.

Walk in shower makes sense YMMV. I second the suggestion of booking a hotel within walking distance.

A lot of mid range properties on Harbor Drive.

Watch the parking fees. You can rent ECV at the BW directly across the street from DL

 

[elvispursley]

I’d book the wheelchair accessible room with the roll-in shower (maybe call and ask if thee is a flip down seat). I would not rely on the suction cup grap bars—my mom has those in her shower at home and it doesn’t take much for them to slip. You’ll want real grab bars both in the shower and by the toilet.

 

[Hippomom]

We’re planning a trip to Disneyland during the four week break between my husband finishing his radiation and initial chemotherapy and then starting a new course of chemo.

We have no way of predicting his level of fatigue. So we’re planning on renting an ECV and assuming we’ll need a wheelchair accessible room for that. Even if we don’t need it for the ECV, I want to be sure the tub/shower has grab bars and preferably a seat, so I think that means a wheelchair room.

They have a choice between a tub and a roll-in shower. Obviously he won’t be rolling in an ECV, but I worry about him tripping over the tub. I can certainly join him either way to help out. But on the other hand, I don’t know whether the wheel in would even have a seat.

Currently he uses our walk-in shower, which has a built-in seat, but our understanding is that his fatigue will get worse over the course of radiation/chemo.

So I’d like opinions on which sort of room to get, tub or wheel in.

Many thanks.
Gary

You don’t need an accessible room necessarily just for the ecv. However in your instance it sounds like a good idea.
In terms of tub vs roll in its an individual thing. But it sounds like you use a shower with chair seat so if getting an accessible room id request that.

 

[Debbie Jean]

You don’t need an accessible room necessarily just for the ecv. However in your instance it sounds like a good idea.
In terms of tub vs roll in its an individual thing. But it sounds like you use a shower with chair seat so if getting an accessible room id request that.

I agree. While I use an ECV at Disney, I book the accessible room so I can have a step in shower. I am at risk of falling with a tub, even with grab bars. Also, I find the beds are lower which makes getting in and out much easier.

 

[cobright]

I build custom mobility tech, something I've found that helps my clients is this simple platform step like you can get at Harbor Freight. I can rattle off a dozen uses for this thing, but the one that jumps to mind is a tub/shower transition bridge. It's 40" long. Set one end in the tub or shower and it serves as an uninterrupted support across whatever transition there may be (tub wall, shower pan, even roll in showers sometime have trip hazards)

The transition out of the mobility device can now happen in what's usually a little less cramped quarters. Scooching along the bench is usually not a problem. The thing's aluminum so it's light but extremely rigid and it won't rust. I kinda recommend this thing 100% of the time. It always gets used. And I have no financial stake here. I own no shares in the company.

Whatever you settle onto, good luck to both of you.