Pool Access-Beach Club update

[shovan]

Beach Club Pool Access Letter writing update Post 31

I noticed on the another thread about Service dogs, that we have some very knowledgable people here on the DIS people concerning ADA law!

Does anyone know if the ADAAG recreation document has become law or is it still just guidelines?

We have written several letters to WDW, DVC, etc. concerning the accessibility of the pools at the BC/YC. We have yet to receive any "real" reply to our letter. Just that the letters are being sent through the "proper" channels.

Specifically that the guidelines state two means of access should be available with the primary access being either zero entry or a pool lift. Secondary access can be Neither of these is available at any of the BC/YC club pools. The only means of accessibility is transfer steps.

ADAAG:
15.8.2* Swimming Pools. At least two accessible means of entry shall be provided for each public use and common use swimming pool. The primary means of entry shall comply with 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts) or 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries). The secondary means of entry shall comply with one of the following: 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts), 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries), 15.8.7 (Transfer Walls), 15.8.8 (Transfer Systems), or 15.8.9 (Pool Stairs). Appendix Note

Here's a link to that section of the ADAAG:
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#15*%20RECREATION%20FACILITIES.

We are at a loss as to where to go from here with this. The 1st letter went out over a year ago. This was a detailed letter, factual and courteous. We actually received one call complimenting DH on letter. Every few months after long drawn out phone calls, it goes out again to another dept. But still, no true response about the contents of the letter.

Thanks any suggestions dealing with WDW on this are welcome!

[Cheshire Figment]

The link you have provided states that enforceable stanards have not yet been established.

And, of course, once they are in place they will apply to new construction or major rebuild.

It does appear that WDW is making the newer pools, and possibly rehabbing older ones, so they are more accessible.

[shovan]

The link you have provided states that enforceable stanards have not yet been established.

And, of course, once they are in place they will apply to new construction or major rebuild.

It does appear that WDW is making the newer pools, and possibly rehabbing older ones, so they are more accessible.

Yes, I hoping some knowledgeable person would have more info. on that. I'm wondering if Florida has any standards recommended or enforced?

From what I've found just online searching, it appears that all of the ADAAG is just that guidelines & not law. So I don't think we have any recourse there.
It would be nice if WDW or DVC would at least respond to our letters.

[OneLittleSpark]

No real knowledge on the subject here, but I just wanted to say thank you for continuing to fight on this issue, and good luck!:hug:

[shovan]

No real knowledge on the subject here, but I just wanted to say thank you for continuing to fight on this issue, and good luck!:hug:


Thanks! :goodvibes Just don't know what more we can do, other than continue to send letters. :confused3

[OneLittleSpark]

Sometimes I've found that if you keep sending enough emails and letters to enough people, something eventually sticks (either that or they get so sick of you writing in that they figure it will be less hassle just to sort the problem :rotfl:). I've not had cause to do this with Disney, but I've done it on loads of accessibility problems in my local area, and it usually works fairly well. Make yourself so much of a nuisance that it would actually cost them more to employ people to read your letters than it would to install a pool lift ;).

[SueM in MN]

Yes, I hoping some knowledgeable person would have more info. on that. I'm wondering if Florida has any standards recommended or enforced?

From what I've found just online searching, it appears that all of the ADAAG is just that guidelines & not law. So I don't think we have any recourse there.
It would be nice if WDW or DVC would at least respond to our letters.
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
(Access Board) sets the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (the ADAAG) and the Standards for Accessible Design. The proposed guidelines get published in the Federal Register for comments, then committees meet to discuss the comments and come up with the final guidelines and standards.
Once those are final, the Department of Justice is responsible for setting up regulations that are consistent with the guidelines/standards. Once the regulations are complete, businesses must comply with them.

The Recreation guidelines were published for comment in the Federal Register and the final rule was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2002. (http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/final.pdf) So that part of the process is complete. The link above is the final rule and it was effective starting Oct. 2, 2002. That would be for new construction after that date.

But, because the Department of Justice has not yet set up any regulations that include the new final rule, the enforceable standards are these from 1994, which are from the Department of Justice Enforceable Standards list. (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adastd94.pdf)
I don't know why the Guidelines published 5 and 1/2 yrs ago are still not law, but they are not. Many companies actually follow final guidelines, even before they have to; they already know what the final guidelines will be and it's safer for them to follow the new ones. I believe WDW actually exceeded the final guidelines for the main pool at SSR, with zero entry, a pool lift and transfer steps.

Beach Club was built in late 1990, so they would not have even had to meet the older guidelines.

[shovan]

Sometimes I've found that if you keep sending enough emails and letters to enough people, something eventually sticks (either that or they get so sick of you writing in that they figure it will be less hassle just to sort the problem :rotfl:). I've not had cause to do this with Disney, but I've done it on loads of accessibility problems in my local area, and it usually works fairly well. Make yourself so much of a nuisance that it would actually cost them more to employ people to read your letters than it would to install a pool lift ;).

Thanks for the tip! :laughing: I guess that's what we'll have to do. Annoy the heck out of them!;)

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
(Access Board) sets the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (the ADAAG) and the Standards for Accessible Design. The proposed guidelines get published in the Federal Register for comments, then committees meet to discuss the comments and come up with the final guidelines and standards.
Once those are final, the Department of Justice is responsible for setting up regulations that are consistent with the guidelines/standards. Once the regulations are complete, businesses must comply with them.

The Recreation guidelines were published for comment in the Federal Register and the final rule was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2002. (http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/final.pdf) So that part of the process is complete. The link above is the final rule and it was effective starting Oct. 2, 2002. That would be for new construction after that date.

But, because the Department of Justice has not yet set up any regulations that include the new final rule, the enforceable standards are these from 1994, which are from the Department of Justice Enforceable Standards list. (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adastd94.pdf)
I don't know why the Guidelines published 5 and 1/2 yrs ago are still not law, but they are not. Many companies actually follow final guidelines, even before they have to; they already know what the final guidelines will be and it's safer for them to follow the new ones. I believe WDW actually exceeded the final guidelines for the main pool at SSR, with zero entry, a pool lift and transfer steps.

Beach Club was built in late 1990, so they would not have even had to meet the older guidelines.


Sue, Thanks so much for the correct info!!! :thumbsup2 I don't know how you always seem to have all the answers! :worship:

We sort of figured that it wasn't law yet & that even if it was it wouldn't apply to the BC. Disney has always been so on top of accessibility we were hoping that they would consider what seems to be a very easy solution to problem. They do have pool lifts at the main pool & hot tubs at SSR, I'm not sure about all of the pools there. But since they complied we the guidelines there, you would think they would be interested in bringing the older pools up to date. The type of lifts that they have at SSR would not be very difficult to install at all pools, spas, etc. Just would like to give them a little push to do it!

I think we will go on another letter sending spree & see if we ever get a reply.

[OneLittleSpark]

Maybe they could allow you to sponsor pool lifts, like you can paving slabs. Have a little plaque attached saying "This pool lift was sponsored by the disABILITIES board to help make your life a little easier". It would probably end up cheaper than all the postage for the letters! :lmao:

[shovan]

Maybe they could allow you to sponsor pool lifts, like you can paving slabs. Have a little plaque attached saying "This pool lift was sponsored by the disABILITIES board to help make your life a little easier". It would probably end up cheaper than all the postage for the letters! :lmao:


:rotfl: :lmao: Funny! We will have send all those letters via email! It will cost too much in postage! Besides Disney has already gotten SOOO much of our money!!! Woo, I don't even want to think about how many pool lifts we could have purchased with all those trips to the Poly & then our DVC Beach Club purchase!;)

And when I start thinking about that, I just get MAD again! :mad: My husband ought to be able to get in that darn pool!!! :headache: Oh yeah, I feel a letter writing spree coming on!! ;)

[SueM in MN]

Sue, Thanks so much for the correct info!!! :thumbsup2 I don't know how you always seem to have all the answers! :worship:
I have been in health care for a long time, and I was in Public Health for about 14 years. The regulations work the same for health stuff as it does for ADA stuff.

[mechurchlady]

Maybe they could allow you to sponsor pool lifts, like you can paving slabs. Have a little plaque attached saying "This pool lift was sponsored by the disABILITIES board to help make your life a little easier". It would probably end up cheaper than all the postage for the letters! :lmao:

Great idea, lol. I think we need a thread with a list of stuff we would sponsor just to have it available. That or Randy's could start renting them out. I personally would not pay $50 a day for a pool lift but then again I still can waddle into a pool just the getting me out is the hard part.

[SueM in MN]

Great idea, lol. I think we need a thread with a list of stuff we would sponsor just to have it available. That or Randy's could start renting them out. I personally would not pay $50 a day for a pool lift but then again I still can waddle into a pool just the getting me out is the hard part.

That's a good idea, but wouldn't work because pool lifts need some installation. You can't just park them and use them like Hoyer lifts.

[shovan]

That's a good idea, but wouldn't work because pool lifts need some installation. You can't just park them and use them like Hoyer lifts.

Sue, There are actually a few portable pool lifts out there!

Here's a link to just one: http://www.aquacreek.com/portable-pro-pool-lift.htm

[zaksmom]

Pools are a problem for us as well. My son's favorite pool is Stormalong. But about 8 or 9 years ago it got too difficult for us. When I mentioned this to someone booking for us last fall from special reservations, she said that all the pools were going to be made assessible starting in 2008. Hadn't heard or seen anything else about this until today I saw a picture of the Carribbean Beach pool. It is being totally rebuilt. Reopening in the fall according to the caption. So maybe there is hope.
Have fun.

[SueM in MN]

Sue, There are actually a few portable pool lifts out there!

Here's a link to just one: http://www.aquacreek.com/portable-pro-pool-lift.htm
I did know about them, but they are kind of only portable if you also happen to have an empty pickup truck with a ramp to get it on with.;)

(although, if they bought one for each pool, they could probably find a place to wheel it in for storage when no CMs were manning the pool to make sure it was used correctly).

[SueM in MN]

Hadn't heard or seen anything else about this until today I saw a picture of the Carribbean Beach pool. It is being totally rebuilt. Reopening in the fall according to the caption. So maybe there is hope.
Have fun.
Do you have a link to the picture?
I'm interested to see what it looks like.
When they renovated the main pool at OKW, I was hoping they would do something to make it more accessible, but all they added was bump steps (unless they added a lift recently).

[mechurchlady]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1698427&referrerid=93883

They have a list of pool picture construction photos.

[shovan]

Pools are a problem for us as well. My son's favorite pool is Stormalong. But about 8 or 9 years ago it got too difficult for us. When I mentioned this to someone booking for us last fall from special reservations, she said that all the pools were going to be made assessible starting in 2008. Hadn't heard or seen anything else about this until today I saw a picture of the Carribbean Beach pool. It is being totally rebuilt. Reopening in the fall according to the caption. So maybe there is hope.
Have fun.


Well I hope that's true. But if it were already planned & in the works, I would think someone would have responded to one of our letters. I'm glad you mentioned that SAB wasn't accessible for you. We need to make them aware that those transfer steps do not provide accessibility for many disabled persons.

[SueM in MN]

Well I hope that's true. But if it were already planned & in the works, I would think someone would have responded to one of our letters. I'm glad you mentioned that SAB wasn't accessible for you. We need to make them aware that those transfer steps do not provide accessibility for many disabled persons.
I still have not seen pictures that show the planned accessibility features for the pool at CBR, so I'm not sure what they are doing.
It had been hoped that the pool at OKW would be more accessible after renovation (I think it was completed in 2006), but all that was added for accessibility was a set of transfer steps. We will be going to OKW in April and I will look whether they have also added a lift, but there was not one when we were there in April 2007.

[shovan]

I still have not seen pictures that show the planned accessibility features for the pool at CBR, so I'm not sure what they are doing.
It had been hoped that the pool at OKW would be more accessible after renovation (I think it was completed in 2006), but all that was added for accessibility was a set of transfer steps. We will be going to OKW in April and I will look whether they have also added a lift, but there was not one when we were there in April 2007.

We walked around OKW last October & I don't remember seeing a lift. But maybe we missed it.

We've checked into lifts for our own pool here at home. (We have one that was made by my DH's Dad, it works but is a bit difficult to manuever.) They really aren't all that expensive (especially in the Disney scope of expenses).

They have permanent lifts installed at SSR, so they are aware of that type of equipment. Why they are not being installed at ALL of the Disney Resorts is beyond my understanding.:confused3

[shovan]

Oops! It took out where I copied and pasted the web site. I'll try to type it like so it doesn't look like a link -- hope that works.

I was able to find & see those pics. With a project that extensive, I would think they would follow the lastest ADAAG guidelines. Which should mean a zero-entry & or a pool lift, but we'll see.

[BroganMc]

Shovan, thanks for continuing to push this issue. One of the reasons I was eager to buy by DVC ownership at SSR was for the pool accessibility. I can not use bump steps in anyway, but have admired the zero entry pools for years.

The pool lift at SSR is my favorite thing in the world. I'll hobble my way in and out of the zero entry pool and over to the hot tub lift. (I wouldn't be able to get into the hot tub eitherwise.)

FWIW, when I talked to the lifeguard manager working SSR's pool last October he told me interesting things about Disney's plans for pool accessibility. They were pilot testing the lift at SSR then planned to add them to other pools. He believed Caribbean Beach and VWL were next. All new pools (and some retrofitted pools) were to be zero entry. Hopefully the pool construction at CBR is evidence of that.

Beyond the lift, I'm not sure how they'd handle SAB. Zero entry seems out of the question since they'd have to close it and re-excavate.

[Schmeck]

SAB is sort-of zero entry in the sandy area. Of course, it's very shallow and you'd need a beach chair to get through the sand.

Since it is really 3 separate pools, I don't think they'd be rushing to tear it all apart and make it zero-entry. A lift would work well in the main pool though - but the hot tubs are up above the pool - and it's very narrow up there, no space for a lift that I can remember seeing. Maybe a lift at the quiet pool's hot tub?

[zaksmom]

Just saw on another disney web site that a permit was filed for the Boardwalk quiet pool to install "two new deck anchors for chair lift." I looked at the permit linked. That's all it said. Sounds like that could be an adaptation. We'll see.
Have fun.

[zaksmom]

Sorry. I know so little about the computers etc that I don't know how to reply to the warning that I got for trying to go around the rules by identifying where I saw the pictures of the swimming pool rehab. I want to apologize. I was so worried that people were saying that they couldn't comment etc because they couldn't see the pictures I referred to I just kept trying until I could find a way to get the info to those asking for it. Before I read the warning I had already posted another piece of info about swimming pools (this is our biggest issue at Disney now) so I went back and was able to edit out an identifiable reference. Your website makes that so easy, It just says "edit." :-) Please once again accept my apology. I am so thankful for all the information I get; I thought others were trying to get me to give them a way to find the pictures so they could see. Hope I didn't cause any major problems. thanks for the "warning." Thank you for all you do. Many times the people here have made our vacations much better/easier than we could imagine.
Have fun.

[shovan]

Shovan, thanks for continuing to push this issue. One of the reasons I was eager to buy by DVC ownership at SSR was for the pool accessibility. I can not use bump steps in anyway, but have admired the zero entry pools for years.

The pool lift at SSR is my favorite thing in the world. I'll hobble my way in and out of the zero entry pool and over to the hot tub lift. (I wouldn't be able to get into the hot tub eitherwise.)

FWIW, when I talked to the lifeguard manager working SSR's pool last October he told me interesting things about Disney's plans for pool accessibility. They were pilot testing the lift at SSR then planned to add them to other pools. He believed Caribbean Beach and VWL were next. All new pools (and some retrofitted pools) were to be zero entry. Hopefully the pool construction at CBR is evidence of that.

Beyond the lift, I'm not sure how they'd handle SAB. Zero entry seems out of the question since they'd have to close it and re-excavate.

We stayed at SSR on our last visit in Feb. but we were there for the Daytona 500 & didn't have a chance to try out the pool! I'm glad to hear the lift works well & really hope Disney will follow through on installing them at all pools!

SAB is sort-of zero entry in the sandy area. Of course, it's very shallow and you'd need a beach chair to get through the sand.

Since it is really 3 separate pools, I don't think they'd be rushing to tear it all apart and make it zero-entry. A lift would work well in the main pool though - but the hot tubs are up above the pool - and it's very narrow up there, no space for a lift that I can remember seeing. Maybe a lift at the quiet pool's hot tub?

That's exactly our issue with SAB. We were told before we purchased DVC there that it was zero entry. But only that little sand play area, for an adult that is not much access. On our first visit there, they did not even have a pool wheelchair for access to that area. We were informed that they now have one. A lift would be a simple solution for the other areas of SAB & the quiet pools, & hot tubs.

Just saw on another disney web site that a permit was filed for the Boardwalk quiet pool to install "two new deck anchors for chair lift." I looked at the permit linked. That's all it said. Sounds like that could be an adaptation. We'll see.
Have fun.

:banana: :cool1: Wooo-hoo!!! Well I certainly hope this is in the works for all pools at every resort! That is great news, thanks for posting that info!!! :thumbsup2

We are still working on re-writing our letter and sending it out. I'll post it when it's finished and let everyone know when & if we receive any reply.

[wildeoscar]

The link you have provided states that enforceable stanards have not yet been established.

And, of course, once they are in place they will apply to new construction or major rebuild.

It does appear that WDW is making the newer pools, and possibly rehabbing older ones, so they are more accessible.

i haven't read the whole thread so if this was mentioned before sorry... but as I understood it the reason the CBR pool refurb is so long is to make it zero entry, which I assume would make it compliant. As the AKL pool is zero entry, doesn't have lifts, and was built after the recommendations came out?

but it would make good sense to have a Moderate with Zero entry and a value with zero entry, at least I guess it would.

[SueM in MN]

Sorry. I know so little about the computers etc that I don't know how to reply to the warning that I got for trying to go around the rules by identifying where I saw the pictures of the swimming pool rehab. I want to apologize. I was so worried that people were saying that they couldn't comment etc because they couldn't see the pictures I referred to I just kept trying until I could find a way to get the info to those asking for it. Before I read the warning I had already posted another piece of info about swimming pools (this is our biggest issue at Disney now) so I went back and was able to edit out an identifiable reference. Your website makes that so easy, It just says "edit." :-) Please once again accept my apology. I am so thankful for all the information I get; I thought others were trying to get me to give them a way to find the pictures so they could see. Hope I didn't cause any major problems. thanks for the "warning." Thank you for all you do. Many times the people here have made our vacations much better/easier than we could imagine.
Have fun.
I kind of made the problem by asking you for the place you saw it. I didn't realize if was on a website that can't have links posted to on this site.
Sorry.
As the AKL pool is zero entry, doesn't have lifts, and was built after the recommendations came out?

AKL was opened in April of 2001, so the standards that the OP quoted in the first post did not apply to the construction at AKL.
The current standards are from 2002; they are final standards, but can't be enforced because the law that would make them enforceable was not yet passed.

[dclfun]

For someone like myself a lift would be feasible but zero entry would not. I doubt I could really use a lift though due to my ventilator and other equipment but for someone who is in a power chair and doesn't get enough support from a pool chair or can't transfer into a manual type chair a lift would be a great option. I'm really glad to see this happening. I had heard years ago that DCL was considering a lift but that there wasn't enough space for it not to be hazardous? Hopefully the new ships will have that feature. There are so many disabled/elderly people vacationing that our dollars finally mean something- we wanna play too!---Kathy

[shovan]

Update:

Well we sent the letters off again. I got a call this morning from a very nice lady, Joy in the DVC Correspondence dept.. She said that she spoke with her supervisor & our last letter sent in July had been forwarded to the Beach Club Review Board. And is currently under review.

I asked if we would get an answer on that anytime soon & was told that was not policy. That the Correspondence dept. would not even get an answer.

I told her I had heard of lifts being installed at some of the other resorts & was hoping to hear that the Beach Club would eventually be on that lists. She told me she did not have any information on that. But of course we are welcome to call & write again.

I didn't know what else to say, without being rude. So that's where it stands. The same place as when we started our writing campaign over a year ago. :sad1:

I will post this as a new thread also.

[zaksmom]

FYI - for what it's worth I saw this on another website. They have a regular contributor who seems like he/she works at WDW, generally only puts info up when it has been announced. Saw this, it included the beach club, so maybe you have some hope!

"Over the last few months an unprecedented number of resort pool refurbishments have been announced for Spring/Early Summer 2008 potentially impacting Guests staying at the All-Star Sports, Boardwalk Inn, Boardwalk Villas, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Beach Club, and Yacht Club resorts."

Maybe it's the lifts that I was told about about a year ago from the special reservations CM. She said within a year or so I wouldn't have to worry about the pools anymore when I make reservations.

Have fun.

[pumpkinboy]

Just saw on another disney web site that a permit was filed for the Boardwalk quiet pool to install "two new deck anchors for chair lift." I looked at the permit linked. That's all it said. Sounds like that could be an adaptation. We'll see.
Have fun.I'd love to see a lift at the BWV pools, as that is our home resort. We love the Zero-depth-entry pool at AKL, which so far is the only pool our DS has used at WDW. He was thrilled that in a water wheelchair he could join the rest of us in the pool (though the temperature was a bit alarming for him). We have intended to try the one at SSR, but those low Std View point costs and the convenience of Epcot and the Studios keep taking us back to BWV.

DS has not tried using a lift before, but if they put them in at BWV, we'll give it a shot.

[shovan]

FYI - for what it's worth I saw this on another website. They have a regular contributor who seems like he/she works at WDW, generally only puts info up when it has been announced. Saw this, it included the beach club, so maybe you have some hope!

"Over the last few months an unprecedented number of resort pool refurbishments have been announced for Spring/Early Summer 2008 potentially impacting Guests staying at the All-Star Sports, Boardwalk Inn, Boardwalk Villas, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Beach Club, and Yacht Club resorts."

Maybe it's the lifts that I was told about about a year ago from the special reservations CM. She said within a year or so I wouldn't have to worry about the pools anymore when I make reservations.

Have fun.

Thanks for posting the info! We are hoping!!

[shovan]

I'd love to see a lift at the BWV pools, as that is our home resort. We love the Zero-depth-entry pool at AKL, which so far is the only pool our DS has used at WDW. He was thrilled that in a water wheelchair he could join the rest of us in the pool (though the temperature was a bit alarming for him). We have intended to try the one at SSR, but those low Std View point costs and the convenience of Epcot and the Studios keep taking us back to BWV.

DS has not tried using a lift before, but if they put them in at BWV, we'll give it a shot.

That's why we keep going back to BCV, the location! Super easy access to 2 parks! But we really aren't getting the full benefits of owning at a great resort, since DH doesn't have access to any of the pools there.

[SueM in MN]

When we were at OKW earlier this week, we used the quiet pool near our room. That did have a set of bump steps, but since DD can't use them and they would not really help us to get her into the pool, she could not swim. (Most pools are too cold for her anyway - her idea of ideal pool temperature is a hot tub).
Anyway, when we were by the main pool by Hospitality House, we looked for accessibility there. I didn't even see a set of bump steps, so I asked a lifeguard and another CM working in the area whether there was a portable lift or any other accessibility. They said there was not and suggested we could pool hop to SSR if we needed to.
I don't remember exactly when the main pool at OKW was renovated to add the big pool slide, but it was within the last 5 years. So, it is kind of disturbing that they didn't add anything to make it accessible.

[Schmeck]

I don't remember exactly when the main pool at OKW was renovated to add the big pool slide, but it was within the last 5 years. So, it is kind of disturbing that they didn't add anything to make it accessible.

Was the entire pool renovated, or just the pool slide added? Isn't there some clause in the code that states what renovation level something has to be to be compliant under ADA? If they don't change the pool layout, for instance, just redo the liner, then it doesn't have to be made ADA compliant, does it? But if they were adding a new section, then they'd have to make that section accessible, right?

[BroganMc]

Anyway, when we were by the main pool by Hospitality House, we looked for accessibility there. I didn't even see a set of bump steps, so I asked a lifeguard and another CM working in the area whether there was a portable lift or any other accessibility. They said there was not and suggested we could pool hop to SSR if we needed to.
I don't remember exactly when the main pool at OKW was renovated to add the big pool slide, but it was within the last 5 years. So, it is kind of disturbing that they didn't add anything to make it accessible.

In talking to one of the pool supervisors at SSR I was told OKW is one place they can't put in the pool lifts. The reason is that the pool has a lip that interferes with the mechanism. I'm not sure if that applies to all the OKW pools or just the main one. (I never paid much attention to the lip.)

I was also told Contemporary has lifts on order (SSR pool super is friends with Contemp pool super) and all SSR pools have mounts for the lifts. They also own two pool lifts. I guess the experiment with SSR's pool lift last year was successful. I know I enjoyed it and complimented them profusely.

I can confirm lift mounts at HRS pool, Grandstand and Paddocks pools and their adjacent hot tubs. I took pics on my walk yesterday looking for the mounts. I'll be checking out Congress Park pool today.

[SueM in MN]

In talking to one of the pool supervisors at SSR I was told OKW is one place they can't put in the pool lifts. The reason is that the pool has a lip that interferes with the mechanism. I'm not sure if that applies to all the OKW pools or just the main one. (I never paid much attention to the lip.)

I was also told Contemporary has lifts on order (SSR pool super is friends with Contemp pool super) and all SSR pools have mounts for the lifts. They also own two pool lifts. I guess the experiment with SSR's pool lift last year was successful. I know I enjoyed it and complimented them profusely.

I can confirm lift mounts at HRS pool, Grandstand and Paddocks pools and their adjacent hot tubs. I took pics on my walk yesterday looking for the mounts. I'll be checking out Congress Park pool today.
Yep, I noticed that big lip at the OKW pool. That was what makes me think that they didn't actually redo the whole pool like I thought they were going to when they announced their renovation to add the slide. The half of the pool without the slide actually looks exactly like it did before the renovation.

I can't make this picture bigger, but it shows the end of the OKW pool and you can clearly see the big lip - it's about 6 inches high.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/28293dvc1.jpg

We swam in the OKW quiet pool by building 22 during our trip several times on our recent trip, but I can't recall whether that pool had a lip or not. I have pictures, but they are from my last 'batch' and I haven't downloaded them to my computer yet.