A little angry about HDDR

[GrumpyC.Hook]

I'm a little upset with reservations and the pricing at the HDDR I understand why they went to category pricing but what i can't understand is why people with disabilities are being forced to pay the highest prices. If it was up to me i wouldn't be disabled but i am not by choice but by necessity. I wouldn't mind if they would have offered a discount or gave category 2 seats for the 3's price if your disabled. But no AP discounts, or Disney Visa Discounts.

So i guess i'll never get to see HDDR because fried chicken and ribs isn't worth $60 a person. $50 is pushing it but i would have liked to see the show.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Yes and no.
2) They have ALWAYS hold two tables in the middle of the room.
3) These were for handicap people who were booked on the balcony.
4) They get released just before show time.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Just butting in here. They actually charge you more ... to take care of sitting you at an accessible table? I've never heard of anything like this. At first I thought maybe you had to have different food because of a disability (like no sugar or no nuts or something like that which would cause extra work for the chef).

But just to seat you comfortably and get you out without being knocked over == I don't understand? Explain to me please. Just wondering

 

[ElizabethB]

I think you get an AP discount for the 9:30 p.m. show. We went to the 9:30 p.m. show with two 10-year-olds in tow and it was fine. We enjoyed it. We chose 9:30 p.m. because it was less crowded and we thought we'd have a better chance of getting up front seating. (This was before they tiered the seating/pricing). We were right. We were on the second row center. That was much better than going at 7:30 p.m. and sitting at the back.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Oh - I get it now. It is tiered seating and the better the seat the more the cost -- is that it? And since the accessible seating area is one of the "good seats," there is an additional cost.

Well - ... good seats do cost good money. Sorry Grumpy - I sympathize with you, but I don't see any way out except to pony up the cash if you want to see the show.

 

[Brian Noble]

Unfortunately, this is one of those "darned-if-they-do" situations. If they made a policy allowing disabled folks access to floor seating at lower prices, how long would it be before able-bodied folks rented themselves a wheelchair to take advantage of the situation, seating their party-of-10 in seats meant for those who are truly disabled?

Just look at how out of hand the Guest Assistance Card situation got in Anaheim a few years ago before Cast Member Matt adpoted Florida's model there...

 

[hmp2z]

Unfortunately, this is one of those "darned-if-they-do" situations. If they made a policy allowing disabled folks access to floor seating at lower prices, how long would it be before able-bodied folks rented themselves a wheelchair to take advantage of the situation, seating their party-of-10 in seats meant for those who are truly disabled?

Too true! My gosh, I was horrified at UNCC's graduation this past May. We sat in the front row on the upper level, so had a prime view of the handicapped reserved seating.

We noticed elderly people & actual handicapped people having to slowly make their way to the far side of the section, because of people like the 20-something couple with a baby. Never knew having a baby qualified you for handicapped seating. It also made it easier for them to take turns leaving the ceremony when their cell phone rang. Or the middle-aged couples with large groups of tenns & older children, all sitting in the handicapped section and watching as the genuinely handicapped people were forced to go farther out to find a seat. Disgusting...

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[emma'smom]

Isn't it illegal to charge people more because the folks at HDDR are not able to offer accessible seats at the more inexpensive level? I'm not a lawyer...but it sounds like discrimination to me!

 

[Twende]

Another future problem with the categories for HDDR is that in the 2007 Dining Plan brochure it is listed as a 2 TS meal but if you follow the "*" and the "+" symbols you discover that only cat 2 and cat 3 seating will be offered on the dining plan!

I wonder if they will allow you to pay the couple dollars difference?

I am glad we went to see the show in May. It may be a long while before we could go again with these changes.

 

[Laurafoster]

Isn't it illegal to charge people more because the folks at HDDR are not able to offer accessible seats at the more inexpensive level? I'm not a lawyer...but it sounds like discrimination to me!

If thats the only seating that is available to people with disabilities due to an existing layout then there is not a whole lot that can be done about it. Its not right and its not fair but it can be done!

 

[angelmav]

You know I hadnt really given the 'tiered' seating much thought, but it is a bit rediculous that 2TS credits wont buy the best seating!

 

[Hugpug]

I only have to say one thing . 60.00 for fried chicken is crazy. I quick going to HHHD when they started charging 50.00 . I loved the show but not at these prices. You can get the same food at Trails End far less minus the show. If I'm going to pay 60.00 I want steak and Lobster. I do agree with the accessible issue. I had this proble 1 year when I had knee surgery and could not walk up stairs. They do tent to put Handicap people in the most inconvient places as well as single dinners. This is very unfair.

 

[Nancyg56]

I wonder if they will allow you to pay the couple dollars difference?

No, it is either the DDP or OOP. I booked it for January and I want to make sure my family has level 1 seating, so I paid the entire amount OOP. I have the DDP, but needed to pay in full. If I used the DDP I would not have had to pay ahead of time, I think I would have just needed to gaurantee with a CC.

ETA that the dinner show I reserved was the SOA, but I imagine that the policy for paying the difference would be the same.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am completely lost. If you are on the dining plan you get charged more for certain seats?

because it has been long known that to get 1st floor seating at HDDR you have to book EARLY. its first come, first serve.

I have been to HDDR 7 times and never paid for different seats. the earlier I made our ressies the better our seats...(right smack in the middle of the first floor)

so this whole post has me lost.

 

[Kycha]

I am completely lost. If you are on the dining plan you get charged more for certain seats?

because it has been long known that to get 1st floor seating at HDDR you have to book EARLY. its first come, first serve.

I have been to HDDR 7 times and never paid for different seats. the earlier I made our ressies the better our seats...(right smack in the middle of the first floor)

so this whole post has me lost.

Recently, they changed that. It is now a tiered system. Similar to La Nouba. Category 1 tickets(prime seating) are more expensive than category 2(probably balcony), which is more expensive than category 3 and so on. I don't know the correct break down, but this happened a few months ago.

ETA: The new pricing is effective January 2007. Here is the breakdown:

"2007 Pricing:

Category 1 will allow you and your party to be seated on the first floor level with your table nearest the stage and in the middle of all the action and excitement.
$58.99 - Adults, $29.99 - Children (3-9)

Category 2 offers either a great table on the first floor behind the Category 1 seating below the balcony or in the center of the balcony on the 2nd floor. Either way, you're still facing the stage so you can get a wonderful view of the entire performance.
$54.99 - Adults, $26.99 - Children (3-9)

Category 3 offers tables that are located on the right hand side or left hand side of the balcony on the 2nd floor. You won't miss a moment of the fun and excitement as you enjoy the panoramic view of the entire stage production.
$50.99 - Adults, $25.99 - Children (3-9)

Guests in need of wheelchair accessibility may only be seated in Category 1 for the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. Category 2 and 3 areas of Pioneer Hall are not wheelchair accessible. Guests seated in Category 2 or 3 areas may be required to ascend one flight of stairs.

Please Note; For guests utilizing the dining plan seating is available for Category 2 or 3 only and is subject to availability. Two Table Service meals for each person dining at a Dinner Show will be redeemed from your meal plan balance."

 

[BillSears]

Yep it's a pretty bad decision for a company that usually is good about accomidating wheelchair using guests. For now I'm just boycotting the HDDR until a change is made. I can afford to pay for the higher tiered seating but it's not right to force people to pay that price just because they use a wheelchair.

 

[GrumpyC.Hook]

I'm not saying give me the better seats at the cheapest price but maybe give a discount or something to offset the price rather then force us to pay higher costs because they don't want to figure out out to put an elevator in.

So yes while i can afford $60 a person I will not be spending it at HDDR for a meal that is worth maybe $40 since it includes a show.

 

[DaisyD]

What happened? When I said this last month about handicapped having to pay the higher price I was told that I was wrong and would never happen. Has something changed?

 

[Cass]

So i guess i'll never get to see HDDR because fried chicken and ribs isn't worth $60 a person.

the 60.00 isn't for chicken and ribs, it's for a live dinner show, entertainment, service, beer, sangria, wine, salad, + dinner + dessert.

I'm sorry you think it's too much to pay.

 

[Lisa F]

Disney could have a lawsuit on their hands over this one. ADA says that they have to provide reasonable accommodations at all pricing levels. If they cannot do that, if someone wants to book the cheapest accommodations, Disney must upgrade them for free to the section where they CAN accommodate them. It's that way for pretty much everything... you can't have a hotel and make only the most expensive rooms ADA and then charge people in wheelchairs the more expensive price. If someone in a wheelchair wants to book a less expensive hotel room they need to be upgraded for free.

Those who are angry are ABSOLUTELY right, what Disney is doing is against the law.