Could OKW use a new bridge?

[WDWMom]

Never said I could see HH, I stated looking towards HH. From villa 4532 and 4531 which I have stayed in you can see as far as the lighthouse. And from villa 5522 you can see up the canal to about where this proposed bridge would be. I'll give you 46 wouldn't be affected as it is facing down the canal.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree, you want it I don't. Who knows as age catches up in the years to come I might see your desire for the bridge more clearly.

According to the map I have, building 55 can't see past building 45 down the canal because of the curve. Having never stayed in 55 I can't say for sure, but since it is a map we received from DVC, I believe that it is accurate.

 

[Chuck S]

I wasn't using the HH category as a means of arguing for the bridge, I was using it as a means of telling the poster that he/she couldn't use it as means of arguing against it. Not everyone can get into HH area all the time. We called last year 10-11 months out I think and it was booked for 1 bdrm. If there was a bridge, there would be more room that could be booked as a HH/pool category, thus more people could get their requests. And I honestly think it is rude to tell people "that this is on you, not us." You don't know anyone's circumstances or when they called, or the size of villa. Someone else posted they called at the 11 month window for a GV and couldn't get on in the HH area. Would you be rude about that?

This isn't just about the pool. We use the tennis courts, bball courts, shuffleboard darts, and the pool. Can't find those things by the quiet pools. Again, you don't know that we don't use the quiet pools.

As far as actually construction of the bridge, do you have any knowledge of construction? If not, than you have no credibility as to how a bridge should be built. DH is in construction and is familiar with ADA compliance and building codes. ADA is a federal code not a state code so there is no difference from one state to the next.

To clarify there are tennis courts on Turtle Pond, and the Turtle Pond pool does have shuffleboard.

 

[WDWMom]

I think all of us are making assumptions that may or may not be true. First of all, there is no way for us to know exactly what the ordinances are in the area where walkways, wetlands, or even bridges are concerned. Add to that the requirements for handicapped accessibility, and it could be a real can of worms. Because we don't know the ordinances, it could actually be MORE distance with a new bridge than with the existing one.

Actually DH does know about the ADA requirements since he is in construction and they are federally mandated.

 

[Geezer]

I have done a little looking over this thread, and I counted 23 different responders. Of those, 16 say "no" to a bridge, 5 say "yes", and 2 had no definitive answer to the question.

I think all of us are making assumptions that may or may not be true. First of all, there is no way for us to know exactly what the ordinances are in the area where walkways, wetlands, or even bridges are concerned. Add to that the requirements for handicapped accessibility, and it could be a real can of worms. Because we don't know the ordinances, it could actually be MORE distance with a new bridge than with the existing one.

Those of us who oppose it seem to do so for monetary and esthetic reasons, while those who support seem to want a little less distance to the main pool from the south end of the resort.

I'm a bit too "green" to want to use resources and energy to build something that in my eyes would be redundant. As many have said, we already have buses, sidewalks and one bridge to accommodate people traveling from South Point, Turtle Pond and Peninsular road. I did read one comment about not wanting to take a bus from Peninsular Road bus stop to the HH pool. Frankly, the bridge being discussed would make MORE steps for someone going from the Peninsular road stop, since that area is already in the HH category and is available with the crosswalk.

Make that 17 voting no.

 

[WDWMom]

How did Miller's Road get into this discussion now? I thought we were talking about a bridge to accommodate the people across the canal from the main pool on Peninsular Road.

Typo, he meant Pennisular Rd.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

All of the discussion back and forth, all be it interesting still doesn't change the responses, very few want an additonal bridge! I guess that's why DVC has so many resort options to choose from, you simply can't please everyone!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Typo, he meant [Pennisular] Rd.

Okay, Peninsular Road dually corrected It's a joke. Please take it that way. LOL, it just struck me funny that in your correction you spelled it incorrectly. Maybe a little levity is needed in this thread anyway.

Now that I see that you were meaning the little wooden bridge over the canal down closer to DTD, I understand what you are thinking about. The problem is that I really doubt that could be done for the type of use you are proposing. I say that mostly for accessibility reasons and the fact that the bridge you are talking about is not a general public bridge but part of the golf cart path. Also, the banks are quite a bit higher on that end of the canal then they are near HH.

 

[WDWMom]

To clarify there are tennis courts on Turtle Pond, and the Turtle Pond pool does have shuffleboard.

But where do you borrow the equipment for those??? We travel to WDW by plane and don't have room for rackets and shuffle board equipment in our suitcases. So going to the main pool is the only option for us.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Actually DH does know about the ADA requirements since he is in construction and they are federally mandated.

Yes, but is he knowledgeable about Lake Buena Vista ordinance requirements for bridges used by the public?

 

[WDWMom]

Okay, Peninsular Road dually corrected It's a joke. Please take it that way. LOL, it just struck me funny that in your correction you spelled it incorrectly. Maybe a little levity is needed in this thread anyway.

Now that I see that you were meaning the little wooden bridge over the canal down closer to DTD, I understand what you are thinking about. The problem is that I really doubt that could be done for the type of use you are proposing. I say that mostly for accessibility reasons and the fact that the bridge you are talking about is not a general public bridge but part of the golf cart path. Also, the banks are quite a bit higher on that end of the canal then they are near HH.

I do realize it is higher around the golf course, but it doesn't need to be any wider than that one. ADA regulations state a walkway/bridge needs to be a minimum of 60" so 2 wheelchairs can pass or one can turn around. Now I have no idea about local codes, but they would have to meet ADA regardless.

 

[WDWMom]

Yes, but is he knowledgeable about Lake Buena Vista ordinance requirements for bridges used by the public?

I would find it hard to believe local code would be tougher that ADA. Not that it can't be possible, just hard to believe.

 

[Geezer]

I do realize it is higher around the golf course, but it doesn't need to be any wider than that one. ADA regulations state a walkway/bridge needs to be a minimum of 60" so 2 wheelchairs can pass or one can turn around. Now I have no idea about local codes, but they would have to meet ADA regardless.

I think construction codes, not ADA ones. It is the aproaches that would be the problem for ADA because of the rise. The width is not the issue.

 

[WDWDad]

Actually no you don't get to say it's a bridge for Golf carts. It doesn't matter what the primary use is, if it is in a public location you have to allow for the possibility that a handicap person will walk over it in some context. That bridge would have to be handicap accesssible unless doing so would cause some other kind of unforseen obstacle. There are exceptions to even ADA rules, but labeling a bridge a golf cart bridge would not be one of them.

Also ferderal ADA rules would trump any local jurisdictional rule. So local is not of greater importance. Regardless I'm telling you that the building of the bridge code wise would not be a major impediment, cost may, but not code issues.

 

[Geezer]

Regardless I'm telling you that the building of the bridge code wise would not be a major impediment, cost may, but not code issues.

So you are familiar with construction ordinances in Lake Buena Vista?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Really, though, it does seem far more people on this thread are not in favor of an additional bridge. Frankly, I was surprised a bit when I realized it was buildings 27-29 that we were talking about. I have always considered those to be fairly close to the HH area. Definitely an easy walk when compared to Turtle Pond. Maybe that's why Turtle Pond has their own tennis courts and shuffleboard.

 

[WDWMom]

Really, though, it does seem far more people on this thread are not in favor of an additional bridge. Frankly, I was surprised a bit when I realized it was buildings 27-29 that we were talking about. I have always considered those to be fairly close to the HH area. Definitely an easy walk when compared to Turtle Pond. Maybe that's why Turtle Pond has their own tennis courts and shuffleboard.

This isn't for buildings 27-29 it would be advantagous (sp) to anyone stay in 27-55. Just that construction would be in front of 27-29.

I stated that those buildings (27-29) could be added to the HH category as they would be closer to the pool or maybe a pool category but I really don't want to debate categories here.

 

[Chuck S]

But where do you borrow the equipment for those??? We travel to WDW by plane and don't have room for rackets and shuffle board equipment in our suitcases. So going to the main pool is the only option for us.

I have no idea about tennis, as I have never played. The shuffle board equipment is either 1) obtained from the Turtle Shack snack bar or 2) on a rack in the shuffleboard area. It seems to vary.

 

[tor]

I have done a little looking over this thread, and I counted 23 different responders. Of those, 16 say "no" to a bridge, 5 say "yes", and 2 had no definitive answer to the question.

I think all of us are making assumptions that may or may not be true. First of all, there is no way for us to know exactly what the ordinances are in the area where walkways, wetlands, or even bridges are concerned. Add to that the requirements for handicapped accessibility, and it could be a real can of worms. Because we don't know the ordinances, it could actually be MORE distance with a new bridge than with the existing one.

Those of us who oppose it seem to do so for monetary and esthetic reasons, while those who support seem to want a little less distance to the main pool from the south end of the resort.

I'm a bit too "green" to want to use resources and energy to build something that in my eyes would be redundant. As many have said, we already have buses, sidewalks and one bridge to accommodate people traveling from South Point, Turtle Pond and Peninsular road. I did read one comment about not wanting to take a bus from Peninsular Road bus stop to the HH pool. Frankly, the bridge being discussed would make MORE steps for someone going from the Peninsular road stop, since that area is already in the HH category and is available with the crosswalk.

I hardly think the vote count here could be considered scientific particularly in light of the attacks on the supporters.

Being green myself I would like to see the walk being made easier and reducing the need for those busses that belch black smoke and make a lot of noise.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I hardly think the vote count here could be considered scientific particularly in light of the attacks on the supporters.

Being green myself I would like to see the walk being made easier and reducing the need for those busses that belch black smoke and make a lot of noise.

Attacks on the supporters? I do believe the members opposed to the bridge were stating why they were opposed to the bridge and not to those proposing the bridge. Attacks on posters on the DIS isn't permitted.

Plus the buses are actually green using biofuel and would still be required to to go the theme parks. I doubt this would reduce the buses going back to South Point and Turtle Pond.

 

[Disney Doll]

Actually WDWDad, I have owned at OKW since 1997 (430 points) and that is one of the things I have always said...that they should put a bridge right where you are suggesting.

I am quite sure that DVC would do it in such a way so as to fit it in to the theme etc.

However, it appears that we are outnumbered....