We Got a Handicapped Room

[RweTHEREyet]

I am posting here because this is where I have seen most threads on getting handicapped rooms and not being told about them.

Just got home from WDW tonight. We did not stay at DVC, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. My only request in advance was a non-smoking room. When we got there Friday night to check in I inquired about a king room, was told that there were none available. Asked about a corner room, told that we probably had one. Asked if it was close to the main building, told very definitely yes it was very close by.

Come to find out, after we leave check-in and find our building, our room is in the very back of the resort, it was a king room, non-smoking, and I was so thrilled when we walked in. When I checked out the bathroom, I then discovered it was a handicapped room.

This is the first non-DVC handicapped room I have stayed in. The only thing obvious to me was no tub, different vanity area to accommodate a wheel-chair and it seemed that the bed was lower to the floor. Having the king bed instead of 2 doubles left lots of extra floor room

I was disappointed the front desk did not tell me that it was a handicapped room, but I was thrilled it was a king bed with no additional charge, and we did not ask to be moved. Hubby loved the huge shower and it was nice being in the back of the resort where it was really quiet, at least until the deamon child next door started screaming at 6:30 in the morning, but that's another thread.

So, it doesn't happen just to DVC people, it happens in regular Disney Resorts, too.

 

[Pa@okw95]

It should not happen anywhere!!

 

[CarolA]

Just an FYI your chances of getting a handicapped room at Non-DVC resorts actually increase with the request for a king size bed.

Personally I think the only time you should be notiifed is if you need a handicapped room and one is NOT available. The room is not actually called handicapped, it is considered universally accessable and everyone is able to access it. One way to solve this problem would be to make all hotel rooms accessable.

 

[InstImpres]

I know this has been debated many times. For a couple it is generally fine. I found though, as a couple with a young child it was nice to have the King bed while she was still in a pack n play. As others have said, it than creates a bathing issue. We actually took my DD across the hall to use the tub in my brother's room to get around this, which was obviously a slight inconvienience. Had we been there alone though, I would have needed to request another room.

JMHO
Sandy

 

[RweTHEREyet]

CarolA, sorry if I am not politically correct in my terminology for this type of room. I disagree about letting people know. I think if the room is different, such as no tub, from what people are expecting, they should be told.

 

[CarolA]

Actually the terminology does not bother me. What bothers me is the fact that people seem to think that getting these rooms is horrible.

Yes, with small children I can see bathing could be an issue. (Although I was very surprised the other day when my boyfriend's 3 year old niece announced she was taking a Shower and did!) However, for most people that is the only issue.

So even if they tell you if that is the only room available are you packing up and going home?

I have received handicapped rooms in Disney and at lots of other hotels. I have never been told and don't know why I should be. When you book a room you normally request bed type, smoking etc... there is nothing on most major hotel requests including Disney's regarding bathroom layout. The only major issue I ever had was the fire alarm which turned out to be a flashing light over my head. Scared the you know what out of me! Of course the honking noise in the hall and the fire engines didn't help (this was NOT at Disney.)

 

[Simba's Mom]

Personally, I strongly agree that you should be told if you're going to be given a room that's different from what you expect. Suppose you have kids that need a tub, or are looking forward to soaking your feet after a long day. The 2 times I've been assigned a HC room and was told, I didn't mind a bit. The one time I wasn't told, I was upset. BTW, one of the times I was told was at POR-the CM was extremely nice. The room had 2 double beds, one obviously much lower and no tub.

 

[nanajoyx2]

I had a handicapped room once at WL. I didn't know at the time that a room without a tub was considered handicapped accessable. Because I needed a tub to soak my knees each morning I requested another room. When I called the front desk to make my request I was told there was nothing else available with a king bed (I didn't request this BUT my travel agent did-I guess she thought she was doing me a favor). We got a great room with a pool view for no added cost. Again my travel agent requested woods view to save money. By the way, the view from the first room was a construction fence, behind which was the future VWL, my home resort.

 

[vernon]

What bothers me is the fact that people seem to think that getting these rooms is horrible.

With the greatest respect, what business is it of yours as to what people think is important in their vacation? People spend thousands of $$s on a vacation and many people (me included) think that a handicap room is an issue. It is a major change in room layout, and generally there are a number of points that are different to a "regular" room.

I do not think it is difficult, unreasonable or wrong for the CMs at check in to inform the guest that this is the room type that have been assigned. People like yourself will obviously not have a problem accepting the room, and people like myself that do will not have their own time ( and that of a number of CMS) while I get reassigned. I guess much of my objection is that, coming from the UK I often would have a room for 7,10 or 14 days but as a matter of principal I do feel it is good customer care to inform a guest of what many people feel is a major change in their room layout.

 

[dianeschlicht]

In January of 2002, we spent one night at AKL before our DVC ressie started. We had gotten a good AP rate, and were anxious to stay in this resort even for a night. We had airline troubles, so didn't arrive until nearly midnight. They did still have our Savanah view room, but it was handicapped. They informed us of this at check in, but we said that was fine. As it turned out, we were only there a few hours anyway with such a late arrival The only dissapointment to me was that the bath was a bit sparse, but I kind of like the high sink, and huge shower. We were on the first floor and had a GREAT savanah view!

 

[KNWVIKING]

... And I'm sure I'll get one in the future. When I do, I'm going to request a HC parking permit. If they can put me in a HC room, it must mean a HC person is not on the property needing one,therefore that HC space is availible. I WANT IT.

I am of course joking....... but I'll still ask ;-)

 

[TCPluto]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
And I'm sure I'll get one in the future. When I do, I'm going to request a HC parking permit. If they can put me in a HC room, it must mean a HC person is not on the property needing one,therefore that HC space is availible. I WANT IT.

I am of course joking....... but I'll still ask ;-)

As the father of a 9 year old with CP, who is confined to a wheelchair, I find this and similar comments about the horrors of a handicapped accessible room particularly offensive.

Think about what you are saying as you walk around your room.