Disabled accessible Room Rant

[mikesdisneymom]

I first off apologize to anyone that I might hurt. I am upset because I am trying to book a room for a trip to WDW and find it unfair that the disability accessible rooms are more than the regular rooms. My father needs a roll-in shower and looking at the rates, it is more expensive for a disability accessible room than a non accessible room. I don't see how being disabled makes you have to pay more money for the same thing.

 

[smiths02]

Not to be rude. Are you paying more for the same thing? Does it not cost Disney more to make those rooms have roll-in showers?

 

[Sandi]

I first off apologize to anyone that I might hurt. I am upset because I am trying to book a room for a trip to WDW and find it unfair that the disability accessible rooms are more than the regular rooms. My father needs a roll-in shower and looking at the rates, it is more expensive for a disability accessible room than a non accessible room. I don't see how being disabled makes you have to pay more money for the same thing.

What resorts and dates are you trying? I didn't think this would be the case. I can understand why you're upset.

 

[vicki_c]

I have never heard anyone say that before - you should check on the DISabilities board to see what those experts say. Is it possible that it is due to a discount not being available on those rooms / that resort any longer?

Lots of times folks get put into accessible rooms that don't want them - and they are not charged extra.

 

[Perditamarie]

I thought those rooms were also in preferred locations...will be interested to see the answer to this.

 

[Lizzie-in-Texas]

Hi:

I always book a roll-in-shower room and have never been charged more at a WDW Resort for that type room over a standard room; however, there are a limited number of these rooms and I have had to pay more than the standard room rate for a "preferred location" or a "garden-view location", etc. because there were no standard view rooms available at the time that I booked.

In other words, my brother's room was cheaper than mine because he was able to book a standard room, while I had to book a preferred view room, so mine was not more expensive because of the roll-in shower, it was more expensive because of the location of the room.

Lizzie

 

[a1tinkfans]

if i recall the location of the handicapped access. rooms are the corner rooms, with a bit more space, or atleast having two windows (in our experience) .
I think it is actually a matter of availability rather than being charged Xtra, KWIM. Perhaps a call to confirm your suspicions will clarify for you??
Regardless, sorry its a downer for you and i hope you have a great time...pixie dust your way...

 

[BearcatsFan]

We requested a king room last year at POP and were given a HA room and were not charged extra. Is it possible that the room rate is changing during the dates you are there (ie: going from one rate "season" to another)?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We requested a king room last year at POP and were given a HA room and were not charged extra. Is it possible that the room rate is changing during the dates you are there (ie: going from one rate "season" to another)?

Same experience at Pop. My sister requested a king room at Pop and she and my BIL got a HA King room and there was no extra charge.

OP, what resort are you trying to book and when? Are you trying to use a discount?

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Same experience at Pop. My sister requested a king room at Pop and she and my BIL got a HA King room and there was no extra charge.

OP, what resort are you trying to book and when? Are you trying to use a discount?

This is my experience from several years ago. We requested two rooms connecting, one with a king for DH & me and one for the kids. I also requested a preferred room. Our room was a HA room and we really did like it.

My guess is the added expense is because of the location, and not because of the room being HA.

 

[rock_doctor]

I agree, we also use a HA room. We make our reservations nearly a year in advance to make sure we get the room we need. The room you want many not be available and they pushed you into another view category. How about taking the room and wait listing for the cheaper view category or how about another resort.

 

[LilyWDW]

My guess is because there are no longer any HA rooms that fit your needs in other booking categories. All the HA rooms that are a standard view may already be booked, so all that is left are move expensive views and locations. Disney only has to offer X% of rooms in each category as HA accessible to create equal access.

 

[lisam427]

I first off apologize to anyone that I might hurt. I am upset because I am trying to book a room for a trip to WDW and find it unfair that the disability accessible rooms are more than the regular rooms. My father needs a roll-in shower and looking at the rates, it is more expensive for a disability accessible room than a non accessible room. I don't see how being disabled makes you have to pay more money for the same thing.

i have found the same thing myself. last year and the year before if you needed an accessible room they charged you the same price as someone getting a standard. this year i priced out an accessible room at carribean beach. i was hundreds of dollars more compared to a standard room at the same resort. the only difference is that the bathroom has a shower stall/seat and no tub. the higher prices are also for the other mods (por, fq) i complained to several different cast members when booking my reservation as i couldnt understand why disney charged me more because i am handicapped compared to non-handicapped individuals. i was advised that those were the prices i had to pay, and i could choose not to go to disney if i wanted to. i was charged $209-$229 a night at cbr. i decided for a little bit more i could go deluxe. we are now booked at akl and are not charged anything extra there for a roll in shower.

 

[CdnKayDee]

You need to look at this from a different point of veiw.Disney has a limited number of these rooms available. Disney has a limited number of rooms available period.Disney then applies demand to their supply to come up with a price.If demand is heavy for special need rooms then the price has to go up.

 

[LilyWDW]

You need to look at this from a different point of veiw.Disney has a limited number of these rooms available. Disney has a limited number of rooms available period.Disney then applies demand to their supply to come up with a price.If demand is heavy for special need rooms then the price has to go up.

Actually, that would be considered illegal. They can not charge more for a HA room then they charge for a COMPARABLE non-HA room.

I still stand that the category or view is sold out, thus bumping the OP (and others) to the next rung.

 

[dzorn]

I first off apologize to anyone that I might hurt. I am upset because I am trying to book a room for a trip to WDW and find it unfair that the disability accessible rooms are more than the regular rooms. My father needs a roll-in shower and looking at the rates, it is more expensive for a disability accessible room than a non accessible room. I don't see how being disabled makes you have to pay more money for the same thing.

I believe that would be a violation of the Americans with disabilities act. They should be the same price as long as they are in the same booking category. They may be out of the standard booking category and only have HA in a prefered view still available.

Denise in MI

 

[I Love Pluto]

I have a reservation in June for a STANDARD HC room. It's at POFQ, and it costs the same as any other standard room.

So - I would say that the view must have something to do with the price being higher. Some resorts have a huge number of VIEW categories now. Hmm....I wonder why. (Pay more for ???)


I was told - last year - at a resort which I love - that if I wanted a HC room, and if I wanted to be guaranteed to be given what I need - then I should pay for "preferred". If I did this - I was assured that ALL of my HC needs would be met. The person further explained that - in order to give me a HC room, there is more "paperwork" involved than is usual - so the price is higher.

Yes, it's illegal. Yes, it is happening at Disney at some resorts. No, I'm not going to fight the "big boys" all by myself. I'll just move on to another resort where I am treated FAIRLY.

 

[CdnKayDee]

Regardless of the law the supply and demand rule still got them.With all the HA rooms gone at the values then you try the mods.You are still paying more because of supply and demand that is what I was getting at.
Also after reading many US laws on this there is nothing preventing a hotel from building more HA rooms in higher charging catagories then in lower charging ones if the demand for better catagories is there in HA rooms then they will get built thus the appearance of charging more for HA rooms on purpose.However it is simple supply and demand.Also nothing in any law I saw said you had to rent HA rooms to only those with a special need for that room so once again as overall demand for Disneys rooms regardless of HA or not increase so will your price.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I have a reservation in June for a STANDARD HC room. It's at POFQ, and it costs the same as any other standard room.

So - I would say that the view must have something to do with the price being higher. Some resorts have a huge number of VIEW categories now. Hmm....I wonder why. (Pay more for ???)


I was told - last year - at a resort which I love - that if I wanted a HC room, and if I wanted to be guaranteed to be given what I need - then I should pay for "preferred". If I did this - I was assured that ALL of my HC needs would be met. The person further explained that - in order to give me a HC room, there is more "paperwork" involved than is usual - so the price is higher.
Yes, it's illegal. Yes, it is happening at Disney at some resorts. No, I'm not going to fight the "big boys" all by myself. I'll just move on to another resort where I am treated FAIRLY.

Sorry, but whoever told you this didn't know what they were talking about. As others have stated, according to the ADA they cannot charge more for a HA room than for a comparable non-HA room. The "preferred" rooms are closer to certain amenities, but WDW charges more for that category whether it's HA or not. As you've experienced, given your June reservation, the HA rooms do cost the same as the non-HA rooms in the same category. The issue with the OP must be that there aren't HA rooms left in the standard room category.

I would suggest the OP contact the Guest Services department which assists guests with disabilities. The number is (407) 824-4321. They might be able to help in regards to the room reservation.

 

[livndisney]

Sorry, but whoever told you this didn't know what they were talking about. As others have stated, according to the ADA they cannot charge more for a HA room than for a comparable non-HA room. The "preferred" rooms are closer to certain amenities, but WDW charges more for that category whether it's HA or not. As you've experienced, given your June reservation, the HA rooms do cost the same as the non-HA rooms in the same category. The issue with the OP must be that there aren't HA rooms left in the standard room category.

I would suggest the OP contact the Guest Services department which assists guests with disabilities. The number is (407) 824-4321. They might be able to help in regards to the room reservation.

I have been told the same thing on several occasions. Yes, I know WDW is not supposed to charge more to have needs met-but all the way up to the exe offices told me the same thing. In fact I just had it happen again in Dec when the manager at Pop told me they "choose" which needs to meet. So far there has been no resolution.