Disabled accessible Room Rant

[mickeye]

Some years ago when I went to the CBR, they asked if I had any special requests or needs. I told them no, I needed nothing special from the hotel itself, just that I need to rent a power chair at the parks. I have a neuromuscular disease and although I feel very blessed that I can still walk, I can't do long distances anymore, especially in the heat. They asked if I needed a HA room and I told them that I didn't; I was able to use a regular shower and didn't want to take away a room that someone else might need. Without my asking the Disney CMs themselves said to me that they were going to switch me to Martinique as it put me closest to Old Port Royal (OPR). It was a very nice consideration of them. Next trip I was put into Trinidad, North, also right next to (OPR).
This went on for several trips with the whole situation initiated by the Disney Cms and I appreciated such consideration and wonderful service. Then one year when my walking was getting much worse and I was put very far away, I asked them about the villages I had been put in in the past and why it wasn't done this time. I was told that they were 'preferred rooms' (Villages) and they never heard of that being done for a disabled person. I was very shocked to say the least, but realized that these were different CMs used to a possibly different (new) policy and I didn't argue with them.
I think too many guests have 'taken advantage' of disability allowances and over the years it has hurt those who really are disabled and need the extra consideration. Now I just use a power chair the entire time I'm there (my walking has gotten worse), not just in the parks, so it doesn't matter where they put me. Being on disability I can't afford the extra cost of preferred rooms.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

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.

I was referring more to the "more paperwork involved so the price is higher" part than the preferred vs non-preferred. If a disabled guest is asking to be closer to certain amenities due to their disaibility, I can see why WDW would suggest paying extra for the preferred room. But two rooms in the same room category, shouldn't cost different because one is HA. And to say it's a paperwork thing is asinine.

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

Have you booked thru Special Services? If not, they do indeed choose which part(s) of your requests they can meet. If you book without going thru special services your requests are treated the same as anyone else's.

And Disney has added many different bookable room categories. Probably to cut down on the number of guests that are irate when their request for a room near the pool/by the bus stop/by the food court wasn't met. If you need to be close to the main building, most resorts now have a preferred category that you need to book.

 

[livndisney]

Have you booked thru Special Services? If not, they do indeed choose which part(s) of your requests they can meet. If you book without going thru special services your requests are treated the same as anyone else's.

And Disney has added many different bookable room categories. Probably to cut down on the number of guests that are irate when their request for a room near the pool/by the bus stop/by the food court wasn't met. If you need to be close to the main building, most resorts now have a preferred category that you need to book.

I have booked with Special services every time. Each time the needs noted were medical.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I spoke to the official individual - face to face - at the XYZ resort (which shall remain nameless) last July.

I was told that if I had special needs to be met, then I needed to pay more for this (in the preferred category). I will pay for preferred ONLY if I want preferred, not because a CM told me that I had to pay more for my HC needs.

Sorry to all - but - inequities DO exist in SOME places at Disney.


And - for the record - I used to LOVE ther XYZ resort. Now - I will never stay there due to their HC policy. No sweat - there are other great places!

 

[LilyWDW]

I have booked with Special services every time. Each time the needs noted were medical.

Special services also can ONLY guarantee the type of room. They will not guarantee room locations. Those are still only a request.

 

[I Love Pluto]

HC room - NOT location

 

[livndisney]

Special services also can ONLY guarantee the type of room. They will not guarantee room locations. Those are still only a request.

Who is talking about location? I was asked if I spoke with the Special needs department.

 

[livndisney]

I spoke to the official individual - face to face - at the XYZ resort (which shall remain nameless) last July.

I was told that if I had special needs to be met, then I needed to pay more for this (in the preferred category). I will pay for preferred ONLY if I want preferred, not because a CM told me that I had to pay more for my HC needs.

Sorry to all - but - inequities DO exist in SOME places at Disney.


And - for the record - I used to LOVE ther XYZ resort. Now - I will never stay there due to their HC policy. No sweat - there are other great places!

I have to agree.

 

[dzorn]

I spoke to the official individual - face to face - at the XYZ resort (which shall remain nameless) last July.

I was told that if I had special needs to be met, then I needed to pay more for this (in the preferred category). I will pay for preferred ONLY if I want preferred, not because a CM told me that I had to pay more for my HC needs.

Sorry to all - but - inequities DO exist in SOME places at Disney.


And - for the record - I used to LOVE ther XYZ resort. Now - I will never stay there due to their HC policy. No sweat - there are other great places!

If you waited till you were at the resort then it is very possible that you needs could not be met as specific needs would be booked by special services at the time of booking and those rooms may have been sold out (they are blocked off at booking time). If the only rooms they had left were in the perfered category as you did not book a special needs HA room ahead of time then you would need to pay for a perfered category room.

Denise in MI

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

If the issue is occuring at the Mods, could it be because all the HA rooms are king rooms and king rooms are a bookable category at Mods that cost more than standard 2-bed rooms?

 

[I Love Pluto]

If you waited till you were at the resort then it is very possible that you needs could not be met as specific needs would be booked by special services at the time of booking and those rooms may have been sold out (they are blocked off at booking time). If the only rooms they had left were in the perfered category as you did not book a special needs HA room ahead of time then you would need to pay for a perfered category room.

Denise in MI

This was a trip booked by an experienced AAA agent - who was i contact with the Special Services line SEVERAL TIMES.

Yes, we do know what we're doing.

As I stated - inequiities at WDW DO exist.

 

[maxiesmom]

This was a trip booked by an experienced AAA agent - who was i contact with the Special Services line SEVERAL TIMES.

Yes, we do know what we're doing.

As I stated - inequiities at WDW DO exist.

Sorry, but your first mistake is booking thru AAA. I have AAA, but I would never ever use them for a Disney trip. They just don't know all there is to know! I find it way easier to believe AAA is doing things wrong than I do Disney gets away with charging more for HCA rooms. There would have been a lawsuit by now if it was true.

 

[SteveMouse]

According to the ADA regs, HA rooms are supposed to be distributed across the various category of rooms (price levels) offered by the hotel.

I haven't looked, but I wonder as they've created new "categories" of HA rooms (roll-in shower vs grab bars, etc.) are they trying to wiggle through and end up charging more for Rollin showers because they built them only in certain locations.

(I need a roll-in shower due to a fused leg).

-steve

 

[Mama Who]

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.

This. It is very frustrating to be in the OP's position but until every room at every resort is HA (unlikely) there will be the possibility of having to upgrade (or downgrade) and price changes apply.

OP, I am sorry the rooms you wanted are all booked and the only available ones are above the price point you expected. It is aggravating to have to spend more on a "better" room for any reason.

 

[dclfun]

I recently booked a FD trip online, requesting a roll in shower, and noticed that there are many categories of accessible rooms. At first I did not look carefully and ended up with a room rate that was $550 more than if I had made a different choice. There are upcharges that apply to EVERYONE for king bed and preferred location, also for different views such as standard view ( least costly) up to, at some of the deluxes, MK view. Once the standard rooms are booked, then you will either have to choose a different resort in your category ( value, mod, deluxe, villa) with a preferred view or whatever is left with a roll in shower.

Per ADA, Disney cannot charge more for the same accommodations and accommodations must be available in all room types. Standard rooms are often booked first, and once they are gone, then you have no recourse but to book something else. It's not because you need a roll in shower.

 

[I Love Pluto]

You can quote all of the rules you can think of. You can explain how things are supposed to be done. BUT...

the "extra" charges for a HC room were explained TO ME IN PERSON by a CM at the XYZ resort.

I am an annual passholder - I am educated, and I DO know how to read - and I HAVE had the unfortunate circumstance of being told that I MUST get preferred in order to get a HC room.

I don't care how many ADA rules you quote - this HAS HAPPENED TO ME. My adult daughter was also present when we were told this. I WILL NO LONGER STAY AT THE XYZ RESORT.

 

[maxiesmom]

You can quote all of the rules you can think of. You can explain how things are supposed to be done. BUT...

the "extra" charges for a HC room were explained TO ME IN PERSON by a CM at the XYZ resort.

I am an annual passholder - I am educated, and I DO know how to read - and I HAVE had the unfortunate circumstance of being told that I MUST get preferred in order to get a HC room.

I don't care how many ADA rules you quote - this HAS HAPPENED TO ME. My adult daughter was also present when we were told this. I WILL NO LONGER STAY AT THE XYZ RESORT.

And you could have very well been told that because all of the cheaper HC rooms were booked.

If that was really the case, why haven't you called a lawyer or alerted the media to this going on? You would have an obligation to do so, imho.

 

[rn448698]

You can quote all of the rules you can think of. You can explain how things are supposed to be done. BUT...

the "extra" charges for a HC room were explained TO ME IN PERSON by a CM at the XYZ resort.

I am an annual passholder - I am educated, and I DO know how to read - and I HAVE had the unfortunate circumstance of being told that I MUST get preferred in order to get a HC room.

I don't care how many ADA rules you quote - this HAS HAPPENED TO ME. My adult daughter was also present when we were told this. I WILL NO LONGER STAY AT THE XYZ RESORT.

You know that a lot of CMs say pretty ridiculous things, right? And people on this thread are giving you reasonable options for the future, right? And the CM you interacted with was incorrect, right?

So, I really don't get what the deal is.

 

[livndisney]

You know that a lot of CMs say pretty ridiculous things, right? And people on this thread are giving you reasonable options for the future, right? And the CM you interacted with was incorrect, right?

So, I really don't get what the deal is.

The "deal" is when the CM saying the "pretty ridiculous things" is the one who is supposed to meet the need. For example, we travel with a person with a limb difference (no fingers). The CM at the turnstiles said "you need to put your finger on the scanner" the person holds up their hands and shows they don't have fingers. The CM INSISTS no fingers no entry! They were not going to let her in!

In the case of the room, we too have been told "ridiculous" things. We can know the law, we can have "reasonable options for the future", but when you are standing at the front desk talking to the hotel manager (who is the CM saying the stupid things) it is frustrating.