Wheelchair Accessible BWV rooms

[Disney Kim]

Hi Everyone!

I just booked a 1 bedroom Wheelchair Accessible room at boardwalk villas, garden/pool view for January, MIL is coming and is in a wheel chair,
Does anyone know how many Accessible rooms there are, should I still make a room request (like quiet pool view)

Does anyone have a pics of these rooms?
MS said the shower was a roll in and that things are lower, I'm assuming she ment light switches?? is there any other difference in the rooms??

Thanks

Kim

 

[CarolAnnC]

You may receive a better response if you post this on our DISabilities board here on the DIS.

If you request quiet pool view, then that will be a long walk from the elevators. I am thinking handi rooms are probably located closer to the elevators anyway?

Good luck!

 

[Disney Kim]

thanks I will check over there

 

[blizzard]

When we booked an accessible room at OKW, because it was guaranteed accessible, they block off an actual room for you. I'm not positive it works the same at all resorts, but that was our experience. What this means is that you should let MS know your preferences at the time of booking, and they will block off an appropriate room (or let you know that it is not available).

Hope that helps.

 

[Disney Kim]

Basically I asked to have a Wheelchair Accessible room because my MIL has had issues (not at Disney but at other resorts) with the width of doorways,
MS said the room would have a roll in shower, which is fine.
Our main concern was the width of doorway. I think your right, Because she had to put me on hold a couple time, I think she has to "reserve" a perticular room.
I think I will call tonight and ask the actual demenions.. just to make sure, This is her first trip to Disney and I want to it be magical

 

[blizzard]

My MIL, who is in a wheelchair due to a stroke, was very happy with the accessibility of the DVC unit. I think the doorways (even in the non-HA units) are wide enough for wheelchair use. (We have run into problems before with hotels where they were retrofitted to try to be accessible, but the doorways were still narrow - Disney designed their rooms to be somewhat accessible even when they are not designated as such)

The biggest difference I found in the room was the roll in shower. My MIL requires a roll-in shower, so we were happy to have to use one in our side of the suite too. Most of the other differences are not significant, but can make a big difference if you are in a wheelchair. (like grab bars, and space under the counters for a wheelchair)

We were extremely happy with the accessibility of the units, as it allowed MIL to be somewhat self-sufficient, and not have to be overly dependent on everyone else when she needed something.

Enjoy your trip

 

[BCV23]

We haven't stayed in accessible rooms at BW but have at BCV. The beds are lower. The microwave is on the counter. Electrical receptacles should be raised although I've not noticed if they are but that is recommended. At BCV, both studios and master baths have a rollin shower but the master also has a whirlpool. The kitchen sink doesn't have a cabinet under it to allow for a wheelchair. A studio bathroom is one large room instead of the sinks being located outside the shower room.

 

[BCV23]

Forget to address another point. Does she actually need the rollin shower or just wider doors? There are accessible rooms without roll in showers and perhaps that would fit her needs better. They too have wider bathroom doors, grab bars in the shower and by the toilet. If she only needs that type accommodation, it might work better for her and leave a rollin shower room for someone who really needs it.

Oh, and accessible rooms are actually blocked when you make the reservation.

Happy planning!

 

[jekjones1558]

At BWV the kitchen area is also a little larger, to allow a wheelchair to maneuver. This means that the counter is pushed out a bit into the living rooms area. It is possible that the refrigerator is slightly different. We were in a HA room and that frig seemed a bit lower to me, but maybe it was my imagination.

 

[BCV23]

At BWV the kitchen area is also a little larger, to allow a wheelchair to maneuver. This means that the counter is pushed out a bit into the living rooms area. It is possible that the refrigerator is slightly different. We were in a HA room and that frig seemed a bit lower to me, but maybe it was my imagination.

Forgot that. It is also true that the kitchen is a bit wider at BCV. In fact, as a result the dining counter is missing at BCV since there is less room in the LR area.

I wonder if the difference in fridges might have been an illusion since the kitchen is a bit roomier? I have not noticed a smaller fridge but will check it out next time we're in an accessible unit.

 

[jekjones1558]

The counter was also missing in the BWV HA unit. The roll-in shower has no ledge for putting shampoo, etc and I don't know whether the hand-held shower apparatus would even allow for a hanging thingy for putting shower stuff.

 

[Disney Kim]

Thank you for all the information.

Sounds great they accomodate people so well at Disney, I'm very glad to hear it!

 

[SueM in MN]

My MIL, who is in a wheelchair due to a stroke, was very happy with the accessibility of the DVC unit. I think the doorways (even in the non-HA units) are wide enough for wheelchair use. (We have run into problems before with hotels where they were retrofitted to try to be accessible, but the doorways were still narrow - Disney designed their rooms to be somewhat accessible even when they are not designated as such)

The doors are the same width in the accessible rooms as in the non-accessible rooms.