Unexpected Preference for Accessible Room?

[gagirldawg95]

We are scheduled to check into a 1BD at VGF on Saturday 2/18 (through 2/24). Unfortunately, one week ago my 14yo son broke his lower leg - and he now has a hip-to-toe cast and a wheelchair while he recovers. Child of my heart, he agreed it would be better to recuperate at WDW with limited ride options than to hang out at home.

Ordinarily we would not prefer an accessible room, and we didn't request one when booking 11 months ago. I called Member Services, and they said they weren't currently showing any availability for an accessible room, but that I should ask upon check-in. Because we're staying on points, I can't get any help from regular Disney reservations.

I'm fine to ask at check-in, but that feels inefficient. Is there another number I can or should call in advance of arrival to note the request before they assign on the date of arrival?

I'm assuming there *might* be a family who will otherwise get stuck with accessible and would prefer non-accessible. (And if there isn't accessible available, I completely understand. It's a very valuable option for folks who always need that option, and that's as it should be.)
Thank you!

 

[disneynutz]

HA is a booking category and the inventory is separate just like standard or lake view. Changing to a HA room will require a cancel and re-book if the room assigner can find an HA room assigned to a guest who didn't need it for your exact dates and room size. All you can do is try calling the resort, get past the call center to the front desk back room and hope that magic happens.

Bill

 

[Dean]

We are scheduled to check into a 1BD at VGF on Saturday 2/18 (through 2/24). Unfortunately, one week ago my 14yo son broke his lower leg - and he now has a hip-to-toe cast and a wheelchair while he recovers. Child of my heart, he agreed it would be better to recuperate at WDW with limited ride options than to hang out at home.

Ordinarily we would not prefer an accessible room, and we didn't request one when booking 11 months ago. I called Member Services, and they said they weren't currently showing any availability for an accessible room, but that I should ask upon check-in. Because we're staying on points, I can't get any help from regular Disney reservations.

I'm fine to ask at check-in, but that feels inefficient. Is there another number I can or should call in advance of arrival to note the request before they assign on the date of arrival?

I'm assuming there *might* be a family who will otherwise get stuck with accessible and would prefer non-accessible. (And if there isn't accessible available, I completely understand. It's a very valuable option for folks who always need that option, and that's as it should be.)
Thank you!

If the website doesn't show availability, you might be out of luck on getting a HC room. Just call and see.

 

[bumbershoot]

OH your poor son.

Is the HA preference for the wider doors? Roll-in showers?

Not sure how it is at VGF but I remember talking to a mother/daughter pair (both adults) during our first stay at Jambo who thought they needed a HA villa and they got one king bed. Assuming you're a mom, that might be even less acceptable for you than for adult mom/daughter duo. (though my almost 13 year old can be awfully snuggly when he feels like it...but he feels like it less and less)



ETA...nowhere near as bad as a hip to toe cast or a LEG break, but my son broke both bones in his forearm last August, and we had both Universal Orlando and Disneyland trips scheduled just the two of us in September. He rallied and dealt with it FAR more gracefully than I ever could or would have done. He even dealt with the heat in a non-waterproof cast.

I feel for you and for him and I hope you have an amazing trip.

 

[gagirldawg95]

Thanks everyone! Luckily his wheelchair is narrow, so the main benefit of HA would be the grab bars for shower and toilet.
I'm confident we will still have a great time, just at a slower pace. That's nice, too.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks everyone! Luckily his wheelchair is narrow, so the main benefit of HA would be the grab bars for shower and toilet.
I'm confident we will still have a great time, just at a slower pace. That's nice, too.

Did you call the room assigner to give them time to try to help? Waiting until check-in will be too late.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We are scheduled to check into a 1BD at VGF on Saturday 2/18 (through 2/24). Unfortunately, one week ago my 14yo son broke his lower leg - and he now has a hip-to-toe cast and a wheelchair while he recovers. Child of my heart, he agreed it would be better to recuperate at WDW with limited ride options than to hang out at home.

Ordinarily we would not prefer an accessible room, and we didn't request one when booking 11 months ago. I called Member Services, and they said they weren't currently showing any availability for an accessible room, but that I should ask upon check-in. Because we're staying on points, I can't get any help from regular Disney reservations.

I'm fine to ask at check-in, but that feels inefficient. Is there another number I can or should call in advance of arrival to note the request before they assign on the date of arrival?

I'm assuming there *might* be a family who will otherwise get stuck with accessible and would prefer non-accessible. (And if there isn't accessible available, I completely understand. It's a very valuable option for folks who always need that option, and that's as it should be.)
Thank you!

I'd recommend that you ask MS to note a request for an accessible room on your reservation due to a wheelchair. And at check in see if that request was seen and if not if it could be met. Since DVC books all the rooms it doesn't necessarily mean the accessible rooms were reserved by someone needing it, although they may have been, just that all rooms were reserved. So if it wasn't specifically reserved for that feature the room assigner will be able to place you into it.

I had success with this in January at VGC after my sister who uses a wheelchair decided to come along. Since it hadn't been specifically reserved we were able to be placed in the one existing 2BR with a roll-in shower.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ask! We got a HA studio at VGF in December...had not asked for one or needed.

 

[alisonslp]

How did it work out for you? Were you able to get the HA room? Hope you have a great time despite the setback!

 

[gagirldawg95]

I did end up both calling and sending an email. The HA rooms were all booked by folks who wanted that category. But our regular room has worked out well. My son is strong enough to transfer from wheelchair to regular toilet and to the bath chair we brought for the shower. Plus the 1bd at VGF is sufficiently spacious that maneuvering is pretty easy.

At checkin, they did offer to loan us a bath chair. And they gave us a sharpie in case he wants characters to sign his cast. At 14, he's still thinking about that...

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[DenLo]

That is great news. Maybe he can get an artist to draw a favorite character on the cast instead.