Disney resorts with handicapped adult child

[Disney_1derland]

I've tried searching for examples of how this is handled, but maybe I'm just not using the right words!

Today I attempted to add a third adult to our reservation of two rooms, guaranteed connecting. The adult we are adding is not someone who can be 'in charge' of our children. Even though 1 of our children would be sharing a room with her, it would only work because it is a connecting room and we will have the door open at all times. She's coming with us because she has ASD and cannot travel alone. I was basically told it didn't matter, they would no longer guarantee us connecting rooms and expect my husband, children and I to spend 9 nights possibly at opposite ends of the resort, or change to a much more expensive room which we cannot afford.

We really aren't sure what we are going to do, but it made me even more worried about the future.

In a few years we will have custody of my brother-in-law. He's a non-verbal, non-mobile handicapped adult "child" who has a seizure disorder. There is no way we could take the chance at that point of being in non-connecting rooms and there is no way we could afford a suite that would accommodate us.

Are we just completely out of luck here?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

No matter what they told you, the resorts do not ever guarantee connecting rooms. But when you request them, they will do whatever they can to get you connecting rooms or rooms near each other. If that is not enough, maybe look into renting DVC points for a 2 bedroom villa. That is not as cheap as 2 rooms at a value or moderate but renting points can cut way down on the prices regarding suites or deluxes.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Our current reservation, and our last 3 trips have all said 'guaranteed connecting' on the reservation. Its never been an issue. We lose that once we add a third person over 18 no matter what. That is what we were told today. I guess it's time to face the fact that Disney may not be the place for us anymore. Anything over value resorts are just way out of our price range. I'm going to go cry now. Staying on property was really the only thing that works for us due to the challenges we have with our daughter that has noise/sound/movement issues and that isn't going to get better once we add my brother-in-law into the mix.

 

[powellrj]

What about renting a house off-site? It would be much cheaper than 2 rooms at a value.

 

[Disney_1derland]

What about renting a house off-site? It would be much cheaper than 2 rooms at a value.

not an option with our daughter unfortunately. thanks for the idea though. I'm feeling pretty hopeless.

 

[3Gsandme]

How many people will be in your party?

 

[gap2368]

if you can get to the resort very early like at 7 or 8 that way if they do not have a room that is connecting you can tell them that you need one and say why they may bump someone that had asked for a connecting room if that dose not work ask to move to another value resort if they have a room. and if they do not have any value ask for an up grade just say it will not be safe since the adult is not able to be alone and needs someone close bye Disney for the most part dose a good job of accommodating guess with disabilities if they know there is a need

 

[Disney_1derland]

How many people will be in your party?

6 total

 

[gap2368]

6 total

only 4 people can fit in a value room ( or most for that matter ) so you could split up have one adult stay with the disabled adult and the rest stay at the other room that way if it was not connecting it would not matter much I know this is not ideal but it would work unless you have 4 kids your self and the disabled adult

 

[Disney_1derland]

if you can get to the resort very early like at 7 or 8 that way if they do not have a room that is connecting you can tell them that you need one and say why they may bump someone that had asked for a connecting room if that dose not work ask to move to another value resort if they have a room. and if they do not have any value ask for an up grade just say it will not be safe since the adult is not able to be alone and needs someone close bye Disney for the most part dose a good job of accommodating guess with disabilities if they know there is a need

We just can't take the chance. It would be disastrous if we were not to end up connecting.

 

[Disney_1derland]

only 4 people can fit in a value room ( or most for that matter ) so you could split up have one adult stay with the disabled adult and the rest stay at the other room that way if it was not connecting it would not matter much I know this is not ideal but it would work unless you have 4 kids your self and the disabled adult

Unfortunately that doesn't work in our situation. It would matter, it would REALLY matter because I cannot be in two places at once unfortunately.

 

[3Gsandme]

6 total

That is tricky. What about a suite at ASMu? They're less than AofA and still sleep six.

 

[Disney_1derland]

That is tricky. What about a suite at ASMu? They're less than AofA and still sleep six.

They offered us that option...for more than what we are already paying. unfortunately, paying more just isn't an option for this trip, and probably not for any in the future either

 

[chocolatemint]

The inability to guarantee connecting rooms is one reason we're staying offsite.

Have you considered Wyndham Bonnet Creek? They are more "on site" than a lot of the Disney properties, they have buses (not as frequent as the Dis buses, but still, it's an option) and it might be nice to drive sometimes, especially if the crowds have the potential to stress out your DD.

Anyway, just a thought. Hope you can find a way to make it work.

 

[3Gsandme]

I think you can still make it work, OP! You may just have to get creative.

 

[gap2368]

Unfortunately that doesn't work in our situation. It would matter, it would REALLY matter because I cannot be in two places at once unfortunately.

wow you are going to be the only adult with 4 kids and a disabled adult you must be supper woman I sure hope you can find a way to make this trip work for you, can you shorten your trip to pay for a room some where else I know this is not ideal but you could take the money and use it toward another room, also you could bring your own food to save money even if it is just snacks or a meal a day tuna sandwich dose not go Bad neither dose PBJ with 6 of you if you could bring your snacks and one meal a day that could help you with a room up grade to something that fits your needs better

 

[gap2368]

I think you can still make it work, OP! You may just have to get creative.

I agree with this, from April to December I would/ will have stayed at disney for a total of 33 nights and that and the year pass and food ( most I bring my self) I have I have not spent over 4500 for every thing. Doing Disney cheep is the only way I do Disney

 

[Disney_1derland]

wow you are going to be the only adult with 4 kids and a disabled adult you must be supper woman I sure hope you can find a way to make this trip work for you, can you shorten your trip to pay for a room some where else I know this is not ideal but you could take the money and use it toward another room, also you could bring your own food to save money even if it is just snacks or a meal a day tuna sandwich dose not go Bad neither dose PBJ with 6 of you if you could bring your snacks and one meal a day that could help you with a room up grade to something that fits your needs better

no, my husband will be there as well but I would be the person staying with the other adult and my kids would need me, especially if my daughter has a breakdown and has to be taken out of the room, leaving my husband no choice but to leave the two other kids alone. I just cannot handle potentially having to run across the resort in the middle of the night. then I'd be the person having a breakdown. :-/

Unfortunately, at the time we are going availability is extremely limited so there's no amount of cutting down days that would make up the difference.

 

[gap2368]

no, my husband will be there as well but I would be the person staying with the other adult and my kids would need me, especially if my daughter has a breakdown and has to be taken out of the room, leaving my husband no choice but to leave the two other kids alone. I just cannot handle potentially having to run across the resort in the middle of the night. then I'd be the person having a breakdown. :-/

Unfortunately, at the time we are going availability is extremely limited so there's no amount of cutting down days that would make up the difference.

then amy be your daughter you and the adult can stay in one room and your husband and your other children can stay in the other I do not know what kinds of probles your daughter has that causes her to have melt down but ( I have some problems at disney so this is coming from first hand) but maybe know that your daughter will be with you at night ( and this family member) having something from home to comfort her ( I bring a blanked and cocoon my self in it and out my music on at the end of the day to calm my self down)

 

[3Gsandme]

no, my husband will be there as well but I would be the person staying with the other adult and my kids would need me, especially if my daughter has a breakdown and has to be taken out of the room, leaving my husband no choice but to leave the two other kids alone. I just cannot handle potentially having to run across the resort in the middle of the night. then I'd be the person having a breakdown. :-/

Unfortunately, at the time we are going availability is extremely limited so there's no amount of cutting down days that would make up the difference.

How old are your kiddos? I assume the other adult going with you is female which is why you would have to be in that room? Is there a reason why you, your daughter and the adult friend can't share the room with your husband managing the other children? I'm not trying to be a PITA and I'm sure you considered that. It might not be optimal, but in the event you don't get connecting rooms, you'd still get your vacation. Otherwise, I might consider doing a split stay at Bonnet Creek. You can see, over a few days, if the proximity would work for you and it could be a big money saver. It's not perfect, but it still gets you your trip. I'd be willing to give it a go and I am staunchly against split stays because who wants to repack all that crap?

And, I really don't think you'd end up across the resort.