Disability at Old Key West

[chunkygal]

My family made reservations at okw 10 months ago. In the meantime early Jan I had to have foot surgery, which has not healed as expected. I am still in a cast. Of course we love okw, but it has the least handicap accessibility I think of any resort. I rented a scooter and requested a ground floor unit. I didn't get it, but found out they have parking spaces for scooters on bottom area and I can heel walk or cane it up the stairs. I won't be doing the up down more than once a day, but doable.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Being the oldest DVC and predating the ADA is what makes OKW so unfriendly to disabilities and even just to older folks, not to mention families with strollers, who find stairs difficult. If you’re going to be there for a while longer, could the front desk maybe move you to a HA villa?

 

[rickandcindy23]

And older folks are the ones that own OKW because they starting selling in 1991.

 

[chunkygal]

I'm doing OK. I wish I'd known the showers had removable wands, could have brought shower chair. We're not here long enough to want to move, they offered. If I can only get better at predicting the future.

 

[Dean]

I'm doing OK. I wish I'd known the showers had removable wands, could have brought shower chair. We're not here long enough to want to move, they offered. If I can only get better at predicting the future.

Guest Services can deliver a shower chair. I'm surprised they weren't able to get you into a first floor unit. They've traditionally been very good when first floor requests are made for the stated reason of medical issues.

 

[AnnieBets]

Guest Services can deliver a shower chair. I'm surprised they weren't able to get you into a first floor unit. They've traditionally been very good when first floor requests are made for the stated reason of medical issues.

I stayed last week on an II exchange. First night had to stay in second floor room but then was moved to first floor.

 

[chunkygal]

Thanks for the info on shower chair. I hope I never have to care again....

 

[Dean]

I stayed last week on an II exchange. First night had to stay in second floor room but then was moved to first floor.

Did you request a first floor room for medical reasons at least a week ahead of time? You also work with DVC to get a HC room if needed most of the time.

 

[AnnieBets]

Did you request a first floor room for medical reasons at least a week ahead of time? You also work with DVC to get a HC room if needed most of the time.

I called about 10 days before check-in. There were no HC rooms available. They did call the first morning to see if I still wanted to switch. I know having to do stairs would impact how much I got out and about so I switched.

 

[Dean]

I called about 10 days before check-in. There were no HC rooms available. They did call the first morning to see if I still wanted to switch. I know having to do stairs would impact how much I got out and about so I switched.

To actually reserve a HC room you would do that as soon as you had the reservation. Did they actually set up a request for first floor specifically stating for medical reasons. OKW has historically been very good at fulfilling that request.

 

[AnnieBets]

To actually reserve a HC room you would do that as soon as you had the reservation. Did they actually set up a request for first floor specifically stating for medical reasons. OKW has historically been very good at fulfilling that request.

They said the date the request was made when I was checking in. I made the exchange on 8 Jan and waited about a week to call in and get reservation number and make HC request. Fairly short turn around this trip.

 

[Dean]

They said the date the request was made when I was checking in. I made the exchange on 8 Jan and waited about a week to call in and get reservation number and make HC request. Fairly short turn around this trip.

Yes, no surprise none were available with that short of a time. OKW is a gamble in that situation.

 

[chunkygal]

Did you request a first floor room for medical reasons at least a week ahead of time? You also work with DVC to get a HC room if needed most of the time.

Yes I did. I called disability services 1 month before and requested on check-in

 

[Dean]

Yes I did. I called disability services 1 month before and requested on check-in

Let me ask it a different way. Did you make the request for first floor specifically for medical reasons to DVC in addition to talking to disability services?

 

[chunkygal]

Yes.

 

[chriskre]

Wow, I'm surprised they were not able to accommodate you unless you checked in late.
I always get there at 3pm or earlier so they can move things around in case they didn't see the memo in my reservation.
If I am unable to request a true Handicap room then I make sure to get there and get a first floor unit.
I own DVC so we are able to choose a Handicap room when reserving so that makes a difference but
if none are available then a first floor unit would need to be done at check in.
So far they've always been able to give it to me by going early.
Was this an exchange?

 

[Dean]

Wow, I'm surprised they were not able to accommodate you unless you checked in late.
I always get there at 3pm or earlier so they can move things around in case they didn't see the memo in my reservation.
If I am unable to request a true Handicap room then I make sure to get there and get a first floor unit.
I own DVC so we are able to choose a Handicap room when reserving so that makes a difference but
if none are available then a first floor unit would need to be done at check in.
So far they've always been able to give it to me by going early.
Was this an exchange?

From what I understand, at least from a few years ago, one still needs to cross reference handicapped services because the room can be changed by the resort in some situations but it can be locked in from the other department though maybe this has changed. In my experience OKW has always been very good at accommodating requests made for medical reasons for first floor or elevator building options. That's why I was pushing back to see if all available steps were taken including requesting specifically for medical reasons for a first floor units at least 1.5 to 2 weeks ahead of time specifically through Member Services. Certainly checking in later increases risk for unit assignments OF ALL TYPES.

 

[chriskre]

From what I understand, at least from a few years ago, one still needs to cross reference handicapped services because the room can be changed by the resort in some situations but it can be locked in from the other department though maybe this has changed. In my experience OKW has always been very good at accommodating requests made for medical reasons for first floor or elevator building options. That's why I was pushing back to see if all available steps were taken including requesting specifically for medical reasons for a first floor units at least 1.5 to 2 weeks ahead of time specifically through Member Services. Certainly checking in later increases risk for unit assignments OF ALL TYPES.

Hmmmm.
Well I'm glad you posted this because I reserved a Handicapped room at Vero for this summer and I definitely need it
because my Mom is in a wheelchair and we need the true handicap room.
Now you've got me paranoid. LOL

 

[TheHolleys87]

Hmmmm.
Well I'm glad you posted this because I reserved a Handicapped room at Vero for this summer and I definitely need it
because my Mom is in a wheelchair and we need the true handicap room.
Now you've got me paranoid. LOL

OP didn’t reserve a HA room - at the time they booked the reservation, they didn’t need it. They requested a ground floor unit when they were closer to check-in, and the request was not granted. If you reserved a HA room, you’ll get one.

 

[Dean]

Hmmmm.
Well I'm glad you posted this because I reserved a Handicapped room at Vero for this summer and I definitely need it
because my Mom is in a wheelchair and we need the true handicap room.
Now you've got me paranoid. LOL

I'd check with MS to make sure you don't need to cross reference with HC services.

 

[chriskre]

OP didn’t reserve a HA room - at the time they booked the reservation, they didn’t need it. They requested a ground floor unit when they were closer to check-in, and the request was not granted. If you reserved a HA room, you’ll get one.

I sure hope so although at Vero it isn't as big of a deal since there are elevators but the bathroom situation is surely more of a challenge if not HA.
Either way I'll definitely call ahead to be sure. I don't need any surprises.

 

[chriskre]

I'd check with MS to make sure you don't need to cross reference with HC services.

I'll definitely call them to make sure.
So far they haven't failed me yet but lately the usual Disney service magic is a little slacking.

 

[Dean]

I'll definitely call them to make sure.
So far they haven't failed me yet but lately the usual Disney service magic is a little slacking.

I’ve seen a couple of reports where people lost their HC unit that was booked though it’s been a while

 

[chunkygal]

Wow, I'm surprised they were not able to accommodate you unless you checked in late.
I always get there at 3pm or earlier so they can move things around in case they didn't see the memo in my reservation.
If I am unable to request a true Handicap room then I make sure to get there and get a first floor unit.
I own DVC so we are able to choose a Handicap room when reserving so that makes a difference but
if none are available then a first floor unit would need to be done at check in.
So far they've always been able to give it to me by going early.
Was this an exchange?

No, owners, got there early

 

[jackio]

I just returned from OKW. I requested a ground floor unit a month in advance due to medical reasons (husband is a heart patient) and then called again a week before check in to make sure my request was in the system. I was told it was, but that there are no guarantees.
Our flight was delayed a little, and we arrived around midnight. There were no ground floor units available, but they did move us the next day.