Building request

[joanncanary]

This was my first RCI reservation and I got a 1 bedroom at Old Key West in Disney for first part of October. I called RCI and have the reservation number, etc and i need to ask about putting a location near the Hospitality house because my husband can not walk much due to a cracked vertabrae. I have been going to OKW since 1993 when we joined DVC and I know I would prefer building 14 but would like 11-14. Any idea how I could go about getting this request into my DVC reservation that was made thru RCI/Wyndham?

 

[Cheryl20772]

This was my first RCI reservation and I got a 1 bedroom at Old Key West in Disney for first part of October. I called RCI and have the reservation number, etc and i need to ask about putting a location near the Hospitality house because my husband can not walk much due to a cracked vertabrae. I have been going to OKW since 1993 when we joined DVC and I know I would prefer building 14 but would like 11-14. Any idea how I could go about getting this request into my DVC reservation that was made thru RCI/Wyndham?

I am no expert in such things, but have you considered calling the resort directly and telling them of your "special need"?

 

[rrlongwell]

I am no expert in such things, but have you considered calling the resort directly and telling them of your "special need"?

In addition, do not forget to tell them the request is being made pursuant to the Americans with Disability Act and any applicable state and local laws.

 

[pt181]

A few years ago, buildings 11, 12, 13, 14 and 23, 24, 25, 26 were made the separate booking category of "Hospitality House" so cannot be requested unless your reservation is actually in that category.

You should call DVC (1-800-800-9800) and explain your situation. Start by telling them it is an RCI trade; they can look up your reservation and note requests for you.

Probably you already know the following because you've stayed there before but, just in case...

The best building for the least walking will depend on whether you'll have a car or be using Disney transportation. If you'll be using Disney busses, your walk to a bus stop can be short even if you're not near the Hospitality House. For example, buildings 52, 53 or 27 are actually closer to a bus stop than 14. There are 5 bus stops at OKW so you can get to the HH from anywhere. I'll agree that being near the HH in the first place would be easiest.

We stayed in building 56 once and loved it because it had a quiet pool right behind and was close to a bus stop.

I see online that buildings 62, 63 and 64 are the only resort buildings with elevators - that may be important to you also.

 

[JimMIA]

Another possibility would be Bldgs 62 or 63.

Both of those buildings have elevators and are NOT part of the "Near HH" booking category. As pt181 explained, unless your exchange was for "Near HH," you're not going to get those buildings. 63 is about the same distance from the bus stop as 14, and 62 is actually closer -- right across the street from HH.

Also 62 and 63 look like they would have better views than 14, unless you get lucky.

 

[JimMIA]

In addition, do not forget to tell them the request is being made pursuant to the Americans with Disability Act and any applicable state and local laws.

That may or may not help. Obviously, OP would need to provide proof of qualification under ADA.

In addition, OKW has handicap-accessible rooms in 12 OKW buildings scattered throughout the property, only one of which is in the "Near HH" booking category. Exercising rights under ADA might actually result in a less-desireable HA room far from HH.

You have to be careful what you wish for.

 

[rrlongwell]

That may or may not help. Obviously, OP would need to provide proof of qualification under ADA.

In addition, OKW has handicap-accessible rooms in 12 OKW buildings scattered throughout the property, only one of which is in the "Near HH" booking category. Exercising rights under ADA might actually result in a less-desireable HA room far from HH.

You have to be careful what you wish for.

You are correct, in part, if requested under the ADA, if the resort offers a reasonable accommodation that is all they have to do, it does not have to be in the form the requestor asked for. However, many business enities do voluntary compliance with the intent of the law and this is not a problem.

 

[JimMIA]

You are correct, in part, if requested under the ADA, if the resort offers a reasonable accommodation that is all they have to do, it does not have to be in the form the requestor asked for. However, many business enities do voluntary compliance with the intent of the law and this is not a problem.

Of course, and DVC is certainly one of those.

However, the question for OP is what they really need or want.

If they base their request on ADA, they will almost certainly get a HA room...which in fact, they may neither need nor want. There are LOTS of HA rooms at OKW, and a lot of people who do NOT want HA find themselves in one. So I'd think that anyone citing ADA will definitely get HA.

If they get pigeon-holed like that, there are 12 buildings at OKW with HA rooms.

Three of those are technically in the "Near HH" booking category, but only Bldg 13 is actually close to HH. 23 and 26 are great locations (actually the area we prefer), but they're several hundred yards from HH. And, as stated above, in all probability they will not be able to get "Near HH" anyway because it is a separate booking category even though the points costs are the same as the rest of the resort.

Pt181's suggestion of requesting a building with an elevator is another good option. That's 62, 63 & 64. The farthest of those buildings (64) is about the same distance from HH as 23. They can explain to DVC MS that the husband doesn't need or want an HA room, but can't climb stairs, and they'll probably get one of those buildings.

 

[joanncanary]

Thanks Everyone. I have tried calling but to no avail. They will not put us near the HH so I did ask for the Turtle Pond area near the pool. We will have a car, never travel without one because of distances, so we will have to drive to the front area. They were insistant that they could not under any circumstances put us in the HH area and the 60 buildings are considered HH area buildings. I figured i would ask when we check in and explain the situation and see what happens.