Disney resorts with handicapped adult child

[SMD]

since connecting room guarantee is a standard in the hospitality industry, you would think Disney could accommodate this. I work in hospitality and its just saddens me that they are willing to lose business over this.

In my experience room requests such as connecting rooms and number of beds are never guarantees, only requests. I have booked a lot of corporate travel, sometimes with multiple adults sharing rooms or blocks or rooms and I've never been left with the impression that anything is a guarantee. Worse than not getting a connecting room, I've had employees walked over to another hotel when we had events or travel arrangements which included them as part of a larger group. Even when a family of 4 books 2 rooms it is implied that if the connecting request cannot be met that the parents will split up one and one with a child, not leave their minors alone in a room. It would be nice if inventory was assigned at booking, if hotels didn't overbook, if people didn't need to switch rooms after check in (changing what's available), if everyone vacated their room on time, if accidents and maintenance issues didn't occur (changing what's available) and if hotels didn't redo rooms and change the number of beds in the year between when you book and when you arrive. But all those things happen, and it's the same risk everyone takes when they book a hotel.

 

[blondietink]

We travel with two adult disabled children in their 20's, one has Autism and the other has Down syndrome. We almost always get a DVC one bedroom so everybody can have some space. Last December we were at POFQ in a handicapped room, which was OK, but a condo is better. We have also stayed at Sheraton Vistana resort and Sheraton Vistana Villages, both of which can be found for a one or two bedroom less than what you are paying now.

I understand where you are coming from. When our children were younger it was difficult to travel, but we worked through all their difficulties, they learned how to act appropriately finally, and now they are excellent travelers. They love cruises, too and we have taken them as far as Mexico and Hawaii for extended stays. If you give up now because of your perception of what "might" go wrong, I think you are relegating yourself and your family to a lifetime of sitting home and not enjoying travel. Perhaps WDW is not going to fit the bill right now for your family, but don't give up. Try something different. Go to a National Park or on a beach vacation where your accommodations can fit your family.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

you would think Disney could accommodate this.

1) If they did, how many people do you think would have an excuse for demanding connecting rooms?
2) There are too many now, let alone if folks knew of a way to guarantee such.

 

[charmed59]

I'm a bit surprised Disney didn't build hotels with every room adjoining the rooms on both sides. I would think Disney would have a huge percentage of families traveling together, and much higher than industry average of clients requesting adjoining rooms. They would have had to re-engineer the basic hotel layouts most hotels use, but they tend to customize anyway.

That said, now that the hotels are built, there are less adjoining rooms than those who would like to have one. They just can't guarantee an adjoining room. I'm sure in their minds they are mitigating this by offering the DVC villas and suites at the value resorts that can hold larger families, but they feel they should be able to charge for the value this brings those families. It leaves those that cannot afford the other options out of luck.

 

[oynk]

I don't know if this would help you at all, but it sounded like part of the reason you need the second room connected is because your child sometimes needs to "escape " While we didn't ever need 2 rooms, we did need that. Our solution was a small popup tent that we setup in the room.


Maybe you could get one and have it as a plan B if you don't get connected rooms

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm a bit surprised Disney didn't build hotels with every room adjoining the rooms on both sides. I would think Disney would have a huge percentage of families traveling together, and much higher than industry average of clients requesting adjoining rooms. They would have had to re-engineer the basic hotel layouts most hotels use, but they tend to customize anyway.

That said, now that the hotels are built, there are less adjoining rooms than those who would like to have one. They just can't guarantee an adjoining room. I'm sure in their minds they are mitigating this by offering the DVC villas and suites at the value resorts that can hold larger families, but they feel they should be able to charge for the value this brings those families. It leaves those that cannot afford the other options out of luck.

Be careful with your phrasing. To Disney "adjoining" rooms are rooms near each other. If you want the door between the two rooms you need "connecting" rooms. I know many people request to not have that inside door, as it does make the rooms a bit more noisy. That is probably why they don't make them for all of the rooms. At any rate, there is no way Disney could engineer a resort that would fit every family and their needs. You have to work with what they offer.

OP--Depending on when you are going, the Family Suites at the Music only cost slightly more than 2 rooms. Couldn't you offset that cost by doing some meals in the room? The Family Suites do have kitchenettes in them. Even doing microwave eggs and bacon, or cereal in the mornings, would save you a bit of money.

 

[HopperFan]

Be careful with your phrasing. To Disney "adjoining" rooms are rooms near each other. If you want the door between the two rooms you need "connecting" rooms. I know many people request to not have that inside door, as it does make the rooms a bit more noisy. That is probably why they don't make them for all of the rooms. At any rate, there is no way Disney could engineer a resort that would fit every family and their needs. You have to work with what they offer.

Agree. I'm at the point I am ready to request no connecting door in my room. The noise coming through there is worse than any other noise. I had one trip it was so bad and uncontrolled I had to bang on the door to let the neighbors know we were in our room trying to sleep. So while it's a plus to some, it's a negative to others.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

To Disney "adjoining" rooms are rooms near each other. If you want the door between the two rooms you need "connecting" rooms.

That's true of all hotels not just Disney there are three terms to describe rooms Agecent (across the hall), Ajoning (side by side no door between them) and Connecting (a door in between the rooms with a lock and handle only on the room side of the door not in between them.)

 

[Marriedbythemouse]

Okay. Hmmm. Disney considers 10 and up "adult" for ticket and dining purposes. So I would state the "mental" age of your handicapped adult. I would list them as a 16-17 year old. That way you will get the guaranteed connection, but it wouldn't affect tickets or dining plan so Disney still gets the money for an "adult". On the other hand I am positive the cast memebers at check in will do all in their power to make sure you are in connecting rooms.
Good luck!!

 

[Disneylvr]

With Disney adding new room categories all the time, why won't they add one for connecting rooms. Sure, I know they would rather sell their suites and DVC accommodations. OP I do think your Disney resort will try their best to accommodate your need for connecting. Would adjoining work as well? When my parents vacationed with us at Disney several years ago we had adjoining rooms, even with them arriving two days after us. The CM checking us in was able to tell us on our check in day. Would adjoining or nearby rooms work for you?

 

[Gracie09]

Okay. Hmmm. Disney considers 10 and up "adult" for ticket and dining purposes. So I would state the "mental" age of your handicapped adult. I would list them as a 16-17 year old. That way you will get the guaranteed connection, but it wouldn't affect tickets or dining plan so Disney still gets the money for an "adult". On the other hand I am positive the cast memebers at check in will do all in their power to make sure you are in connecting rooms.
Good luck!!

Lying about the third adults age won't guarantee them a connecting room. They have two other adults. So one adult can be in each room.

 

[gap2368]

I think the OP is giving up on Disney and I also agree lying is not something I world do people have giving a number of suggestion and none would work for this family

 

[SmallWorld71]

OP - If you are still reading, nothing has actually changed in your situation. If you read the fine print, connecting rooms are never guaranteed. The trips you took in the past they weren't guaranteed (no matter what you were told), you just didn't know this. And, everything worked out fine and there is no reason to think they won't work out fine this time.
My best advice is to make connecting rooms your only request/ top priority. And, try to arrive as early in the day as possible giving you the most inventory. Also, make sure that there are notes on both reservations about the situation. The value resorts have lots of connecting rooms, so the odds are in your favor.
If it stills seems too risky to you, then PP's have posted some alternative resorts.