When to book for HA room?

[newtowdw1]

Hi all the helpful Disers!

I've posted here a few times, and lurked many. I've been to WDW twice, but as my back is much worse, I'll need more accommodations this trip. I'll need a shower with seat and hand-held head, a tall toilet with bars, and space in the bathroom for my DH to help me.

When should I book for a mid-August stay 2009? We want to try several hotels (POFQ, BC, Contemporary). Can Dreams Unlimited book this type of room for me, or should I do it all myself. I'd like to use DU as I'll be looking for AP rates, and they streamline the rate application.

If anyone has any particular info about those hotels, that would be great too. I've found the sticky, the FAQ, and a few threads, but more info is great!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

WDW has two different types of accessible room. One has a tub with grab bars, the other has a roll in shower. It sounds like you'll need a room with a roll-in shower. This thread has information on accessible rooms, with pictures and measurements, and this post has photos of one such accessible room (there are others there, this was just the first one I came to).

As to when to book, I would say do it as soon as you can. There are a limited number of accessible rooms, and those with roll in showers are even more limited, so you'll want to get in as soon as you can. You can book accessible rooms through a travel agent, just be aware that they will hold control of the booking, not you. This means that they'll have to be the one to request an accessible room, you can't phone up yourself to do it. A lot of travel agents will set up a three way phone conversation, between you, the TA and Disney. That way you are doing the talking, but Disney is still happy, as the TA is in on the call. If you can't do this, just make sure you tell them exactly what to say (i.e. an accessible room with a roll-in shower), check that it is listed on your booking confirmation and phone the resort a few days before you leave, to confirm that it got through (no harm in double checking on these things).

It won't cost you any more to get a HA room than it would a regular room (that would be illegal), and they will make sure that all of your party is accommodated for the same price as you would without an HA room.

I've not stayed at BC or Contemporary, but POFQ is a lovely little resort. It's compact and easy to get around, but doesn't feel cramped or crowded. There is one pool, towards the centre of the resort, and there are a number of formal gardens and grassy areas dotted around between the buildings. The food court has a fair selection of foods, the shop has all the things you would expect from a Disney resort shop, and the CMs are as friendly as they always are. I don't know if you'll be using a wheelchair or ECV on your trip, but it is nice and easy to navigate on wheels.

There is only one bus stop, but as the place is so small, that doesn't mean there's a long trek to get there. They share buses with Riverside, but I've never really had a problem getting a wheelchair space on the bus (obviously you sometimes have to wait for the next bus, but this is the same with any hotel). They also have a boat service running to DTD, which is frequent and easily accessible. This boat also runs to Riverside, so you can take it to go there for a meal or to explore (PORS is a very nice resort too, and well worth a look, if you have the time).

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, just give us a shout!

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[newtowdw1]

Thank you so much! I'll either be renting an ECV or have my own by then. I'm glad that POFQ is easy to navigate. It looks so pretty on line. I'm really excited to stay there.

I understand about the TA talking to disney. I don't think that will be a problem.

Thanks again. I fell much better, and will put in my info to DU today!

 

[dclfun]

Also be aware that a room with roll in shower will not have a tub if that's an issue for the other family members. The shower seat is also not raised. The alternative would be a room with tub/handrails and to ask for a shower transfer bench. I'm not sure which would work best but thought I'd mention the "no tub" as sometimes this is important to the rest of the family, sometimes it may not matter- but best to be aware.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

There are pictures of the different type of accessible rooms in post #7 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread too.
There is also kind of a summary of accessible room basic information there.

 

[newtowdw1]

Also be aware that a room with roll in shower will not have a tub if that's an issue for the other family members. The shower seat is also not raised. The alternative would be a room with tub/handrails and to ask for a shower transfer bench. I'm not sure which would work best but thought I'd mention the "no tub" as sometimes this is important to the rest of the family, sometimes it may not matter- but best to be aware.---Kathy

Thanks, but we shower at this house! I'm slightly concerned about a low shower seat, but if there are rails it should be ok. I'll look at the pics again.

The tub won't work for me. Many days I can't lift my feet or swing my legs. I need a walk-in shower. Also, I need a very level floor. My balance is iffy. A bench is better and safer.

Thanks for your help!

 

[newtowdw1]

There are pictures of the different type of accessible rooms in post #7 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread too.
There is also kind of a summary of accessible room basic information there.

Thank you. I looked there first, but now I know specifically what to look for.

Thanks everyone on this board. It's so nice to be able to get answers.

 

[LindaDVC]

We found out that a "rollin shower" room also has an ADA height bed.
Some rooms have high beds that make the transfer difficult (for us).

So for those needing a standard height (not high) bed --- make sure you ask for the accessible room with roll in shower!

When we got the wrong type of room Disney sprinlked the pixie dust on my stress BUT I will make sure I ask for the right kind from here on out!

Linda

 

[dclfun]

We recently had a fully accessible one bedroom villa at AKLV with a roll in shower. The bed was extremely high- so I'm not sure if requesting a room with roll in shower will guarantee a lower bed. It's one of the things I mentioned when I talked with the "room designer" as being a problem for someone who needs to transfer, along with the other issues in this room. I felt things were addressed but I'm not sure if it's possible for them to order different furniture. Now when I call either DRC or Member Services/DVC I check details such as being sure which side I can transfer "from" and how the bathroom is laid out. Some people can only transfer from left to right or vise versa. For me I have to have my chair on the right side of me in bed due to my vent hoses having to stretch over. Sometimes rooms are opposites of each other as far as layout and by being sure I ask this question I've not had a problem getting the layout I need.---Kathy

 

[mrsksomeday]

If you get a HA accessible roll in shower room and you feel that the bench that is attached to the wall is too low you can always call the front desk and request a shower bench, or request it when you book the room. The one they gave us the last two trips was adjustable just like the one we have at home .

 

[newtowdw1]

:
Thanks! You all are awesome!
I like the idea of a higher shower seat if necessary.

Now, if I needed the bed higher, could they do that for me too? I have major problems bending. I have nerve damage, and sometimes my muscles don't respond, esp. when I'm tired and have done too much...of course, I never do that at disney!!

 

[dclfun]

Yes, they can raise the bed on wood blocks as long as it's one of the beds with "legs" vs. the entire base being the frame.---Kathy

 

[LindaDVC]

Disney adapted our HIGH bed by taking out the box spring and putting in plywood -- so that the mattress was lower

That made it a good height for the transfer!
It was our 20th anniversary and Disney really made sure we were okay with that plan!

Linda

 

[kaytieeldr]

Dang, Linda! Do you think it's too late (end of September arrival) to cancel my medical request for an accessible room, and ask OKW to do this instead? I got two hotels in Las Vegas to switch out mattresses for me because I couldn't climb into bed - but I never thought of asking for help at Disney

 

[LindaDVC]

Personally I would try to get the right height in an accessible room.
Disney wanted to move us to a room with the ADA height bed but two problems

1) they didn't have any available in resorts they were checking
2) we had chosen Animal Kingdom Lodge to enjoy the resort without the parks for our 20th anniversary. If we had been "parking" all day and just wanted a place to sleep that would have been fine BUT we booked there to relax and watch the animals.

Linda

 

[dclfun]

It was AKLV that we stayed at in a one bedroom villa that would've required someone in a w/c to pole vault into the king bed vs. transfer. Since it was a fully accessible room with roll in shower I hadn't expected the extremely high bed. Fortunately my chair raises 8 inches and I had to raise it all the way to get over into that bed!---Kathy