DVC and ADA

[scroot]

We are thinking of buying in. Trouble is that DW is in a wheel chair and we absolutely must have an accessible room. I would like to know if anyone has experience with booking these. How does it go in your "home" vs. other properties? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[dianeschlicht]

All DVC resorts have (and are required to have) HA units of all sizes. When you book your room through member services, you will be guaranteed the HA room via a special needs rep.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I am moving this over to DVC Planning - also, we have a DISabilities board here on the DIS that you will want to check out. I have asked SueM in MN to take a look at this thread too.

 

[SueM in MN]

I happened to be on line when I got the message to put my 2 cents in here.

As was already mentioned, DVC like other hotels and resorts, is required to have a certain number of accessible rooms. There are actually 2 types of accessible rooms. The first has grab bars in the bathroom for the bathrooms that gave a tub (studios). The other type of accessible rooms have a roll in shower with a fold down seat in the bathroom. For either type of room you can also get a portable shower seat. I' m not sure what type of accessible room you mean, so I thought I would include both types. If you want more information about that, you can follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

When you make your reservation, MS will actually talk to someonein the Special Needs department to make sure a room that meets your needs is available for the time period you need. They will not tell you the room number or even the area, but at that point a room is actually assigned to your reservation. There are less fully accessible rooms with roll in showers than the other kind of accessible room, but we have usually not had a problem getting what we needed. When you check in, double check that the room they have given you a key to is an aceesible room. In most cases, everything is fine, but it's better to verify that before you get to the room than to go all the way to the room and then have to return to check in to be re-assigned.
The smaller resorts like BC and WL have less accessible rooms than the larger resorts ( the proportion of rooms are the same, but since the smaller resorts have less rooms total, the also have a smaller number of accessible rooms).

 

[scroot]

Thanks for your answers they are very helpful. We can get by with a but and transfer bench but a roll in is so much eaiser.

 

[Dean]

We are thinking of buying in. Trouble is that DW is in a wheel chair and we absolutely must have an accessible room. I would like to know if anyone has experience with booking these. How does it go in your "home" vs. other properties? Any help would be appreciated.

One thing to note is that while there are X number of HA rooms at each resort, there is no guarantee they'll have a HA when you want to go even if they have other rooms available. Currently overall there are more HA rooms than there is need but that may not hold true for a given week. They do not hold them for HA needs. For example, say there's only 1 room left and it's HA. If Joe Blow calls for that room he gets it even if he doesn't need a HA room. And say you're the very next person to call, there will be no rooms left for you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

One thing to note is that while there are X number of HA rooms at each resort, there is no guarantee they'll have a HA when you want to go even if they have other rooms available. Currently overall there are more HA rooms than there is need but that may not hold true for a given week. They do not hold them for HA needs. For example, say there's only 1 room left and it's HA. If Joe Blow calls for that room he gets it even if he doesn't need a HA room. And say you're the very next person to call, there will be no rooms left for you.

Dean, to my mind, that is a HUGE flaw in the DVC booking system. That should NOT ever happen.

 

[doconeill]

Dean, to my mind, that is a HUGE flaw in the DVC booking system. That should NOT ever happen.

I would assume that the HA rooms in each class are the last to be allocated, in case someone with special needs does call to book.

I wonder if they would even be allowed to hold these rooms only for those with SN, as this might represent an unfair booking advantage.

On our first DVC stay, we booked a studio at BCV, and it turned out to be an accessible room.

 

[CarolAnnC]

One thing to note is that while there are X number of HA rooms at each resort, there is no guarantee they'll have a HA when you want to go even if they have other rooms available. Currently overall there are more HA rooms than there is need but that may not hold true for a given week. They do not hold them for HA needs. For example, say there's only 1 room left and it's HA. If Joe Blow calls for that room he gets it even if he doesn't need a HA room. And say you're the very next person to call, there will be no rooms left for you.

I believe Federal Law mandates that this HA room cannot be assigned to a non handicapped individual, if a handicapped person is requesting it. They would have to move the person out of that assignment (provided he is not physically occupying it at the time) and reserve for the handicapped person. American with Disabilities ACT.....

 

[CarolA]

I believe Federal Law mandates that this HA room cannot be assigned to a non handicapped individual, if a handicapped person is requesting it. They would have to move the person out of that assignment (provided he is not physically occupying it at the time) and reserve for the handicapped person. American with Disabilities ACT.....

I think that is true and I think the DVC situation is that IF all the rooms are booked and you call and ask for a HA room THEN they don't have to accomdate you. So you still need to book early and not assume that you can book later since you need the room.

The other risk is that if there are lets say 10 HA rooms and you are guest #11 who requests one.... out of luck.

This does not appear to be a real problem but as we age it might be.

In ALL the complaints on here about HA rooms I can't recall any about people who NEEDED the room not getting one.

 

[CarolA]

Dean, to my mind, that is a HUGE flaw in the DVC booking system. That should NOT ever happen.

Why? I think what Dean is trying to say is that if all the rooms are booked it doesn't matter if you need a HA or not. You don't get to override a reservation.

Since HA is requestable then the folks who requested it would presumably need it. So if you call and all of the HA rooms are taken then there is very little Disney can do. The ADA also does not allow Disney to do "verification" of your need. Disney has to assume that you requested it you needed it. Otherwise individual rooms are NOT assigned during booking.

So if we have 10 HA villas and 100 regular villas in a booking category and 9 people request HA and 100 people don't request anything Disney has booked 109. If I call and request the last room Disney can't tell me no because I don't need the HA. The system just says OK and then when the person who calls next gets told "no" it's not really a HA or non HA issue, it's a "no room at the Inn" issue. I don't think the ADA requires the hotel to "hold rooms" in case they are needed.

 

[Dean]

Dean, to my mind, that is a HUGE flaw in the DVC booking system. That should NOT ever happen.

I would be the other way, they should NOT hold a HA room open while any member is wanting to book that room. This is not a flaw, it's the way it should be and the way hotels do things as well. However, if there is a room available and all the HA units have not been accounted for, one would be set if they needed a HA room. It could also happen where you needed a HA unit and a room was available but not a HA unit. They should NOT simply hold the HA units open just for those that need one like a parking space is HA or no one.

I would assume that the HA rooms in each class are the last to be allocated, in case someone with special needs does call to book.

I wonder if they would even be allowed to hold these rooms only for those with SN, as this might represent an unfair booking advantage.

On our first DVC stay, we booked a studio at BCV, and it turned out to be an accessible room.

They don't allocate specific rooms on booking except for HA designations.

I believe Federal Law mandates that this HA room cannot be assigned to a non handicapped individual, if a handicapped person is requesting it. They would have to move the person out of that assignment (provided he is not physically occupying it at the time) and reserve for the handicapped person. American with Disabilities ACT.....

That is not true if I understand what you're saying. The rule is that you must have so many HA rooms available with a few other caveats. They only designate certain specific units for HA on booking and then assign the rest at the resort either a few days before arrival or at check in depending on the resort and whim of the staff. They can move unit assignments around but they will not force you to move once checked in to a unit and they will not take away a reservation. If there were 100 units with 10 HA units and all 100 units were booked but only 5 were booked as HA need, one who needed a HA accessible unit can't get a unit because they're all booked already. They will not take a reservation away from someone else. DVC in general has too many HA units overall, this is why those HA are forced on guests not uncommonly. Personally I'd rather not go to WDW or anywhere else than have a HA unit. Someday I may need it and I'd be glad to have the option.

Why? I think what Dean is trying to say is that if all the rooms are booked it doesn't matter if you need a HA or not. You don't get to override a reservation.

Exactly what I was saying, thanks for saying it better.

 

[CarolAnnC]

One thing to note is that while there are X number of HA rooms at each resort, there is no guarantee they'll have a HA when you want to go even if they have other rooms available. Currently overall there are more HA rooms than there is need but that may not hold true for a given week. They do not hold them for HA needs. For example, say there's only 1 room left and it's HA. If Joe Blow calls for that room he gets it even if he doesn't need a HA room. And say you're the very next person to call, there will be no rooms left for you.

I would be the other way, they should NOT hold a HA room open while any member is wanting to book that room. This is not a flaw, it's the way it should be and the way hotels do things as well. However, if there is a room available and all the HA units have not been accounted for, one would be set if they needed a HA room. It could also happen where you needed a HA unit and a room was available but not a HA unit. They should NOT simply hold the HA units open just for those that need one like a parking space is HA or no one.

They don't allocate specific rooms on booking except for HA designations.

That is not true if I understand what you're saying. The rule is that you must have so many HA rooms available with a few other caveats. They only designate certain specific units for HA on booking and then assign the rest at the resort either a few days before arrival or at check in depending on the resort and whim of the staff. They can move unit assignments around but they will not force you to move once checked in to a unit and they will not take away a reservation. If there were 100 units with 10 HA units and all 100 units were booked but only 5 were booked as HA need, one who needed a HA accessible unit can't get a unit because they're all booked already. They will not take a reservation away from someone else. DVC in general has too many HA units overall, this is why those HA are forced on guests not uncommonly. Personally I'd rather not go to WDW or anywhere else than have a HA unit. Someday I may need it and I'd be glad to have the option.

Exactly what I was saying, thanks for saying it better.

Your first post made it sound as if a non handi person would be allotted a handicapped acessible room even if a handicapped person came along and needed it. I can tell you that would be illegal. In fact on DCL, if a party is booked into a handicapped stateroom without disability, and a handicapped person comes along requiring it, they will move the first person out of that reservation and into another stateroom.

Since the DVC resorts use room ready, or assignment shortly before check in date, this usually is not a problem. This is why Special Services has the room allotment of accessible rooms to reserve and assign. If nobody with a handicap is not already booked into one, then they become open season for anyone without handicaps.

This is exactly why handicapped parking spaces cannot be used by non handicapped individuals, even if they are empty.

 

[Dean]

Your first post made it sound as if a non handi person would be allotted a handicapped acessible room even if a handicapped person came along and needed it. I can tell you that would be illegal. In fact on DCL, if a party is booked into a handicapped stateroom without disability, and a handicapped person comes along requiring it, they will move the first person out of that reservation and into another stateroom.

Since the DVC resorts use room ready, or assignment shortly before check in date, this usually is not a problem. This is why Special Services has the room allotment of accessible rooms to reserve and assign. If nobody with a handicap is not already booked into one, then they become open season for anyone without handicaps.

This is exactly why handicapped parking spaces cannot be used by non handicapped individuals, even if they are empty.

Maybe we're talking about different things on different levels. If the resort is full but all HA units were not designated for HA need, you still can't get a room. They will not clear a room and cancel someone else reservation in this situation and they will not hold a room just in case someone who needs a HA unit might call later. My post you quoted was trying to say that there could be rooms available but all HA units could be booked up and thus if you needed a HA unit, you couldn't get one (unless you could do without the HA) because they were all reserved as HA units. It was also saying that they keep booking the rooms until all units are booked even if that means that some HA units will be going to those who don't need them. If there are 100 units and the first 100 people that call for that day don't need a HA unit and # 101 does, nothing will be available for them. They will not tell members they can't have a reservation because all that's left is HA units. If parking spaces worked like timeshares you could park in the HA spaces as long as all other spaces were full. For this type of guarantee you'd need to buy a fixed unit, fixed week timeshare that was a HA unit.

 

[kim_d]

Your first post made it sound as if a non handi person would be allotted a handicapped acessible room even if a handicapped person came along and needed it. I can tell you that would be illegal. In fact on DCL, if a party is booked into a handicapped stateroom without disability, and a handicapped person comes along requiring it, they will move the first person out of that reservation and into another stateroom.
Since the DVC resorts use room ready, or assignment shortly before check in date, this usually is not a problem. This is why Special Services has the room allotment of accessible rooms to reserve and assign. If nobody with a handicap is not already booked into one, then they become open season for anyone without handicaps.

This is exactly why handicapped parking spaces cannot be used by non handicapped individuals, even if they are empty.

What if there wasn't another stateroom (or in villa available)? Wouldn't the onus be on the guest who needed the HA stateroom or villa to ensure it was requested before they checked in?

I am sure WDW doesn't doesn't hold handicap assessible rooms open indefinitely, b/c I know guests (who do not require HA rooms) to be placed in HA rooms.

 

[CarolAnnC]

What if there wasn't another stateroom (or in villa available)? Wouldn't the onus be on the guest who needed the HA stateroom or villa to ensure it was requested before they checked in?

I am sure WDW doesn't doesn't hold handicap assessible rooms open indefinitely, b/c I know guests (who do not require HA rooms) to be placed in HA rooms.

Handicapped guests make their ressies with a special needs department so there should ever rarely be a case where someone just shows up and asking for this type of room. Guests should not be assigned to these rooms upon checkin unless no such reservation on the room exists. Overbooking is common as we all know, and we have seen the stories here on the DIS of those on occasion with a change of villa type or even sent to another resort in a few cases.

In the case of DCL there are some folks who desire to book the accessible rooms since they offer more space and larger verandahs. But, if another passenger books later and requires the HA for a disability, then yes, the original guest will be moved out of the ressie to another room and/or category.

Dean - we may be using different mindsets in our discussions, lol.

Now, how about those people I have seen grumbling on the Disney buses who must get up and relinquish their seats to allow wheelchairs to be brought on board and secured? Oops, wrong discussion board! lol

 

[Dean]

What if there wasn't another stateroom (or in villa available)? Wouldn't the onus be on the guest who needed the HA stateroom or villa to ensure it was requested before they checked in?

I am sure WDW doesn't doesn't hold handicap assessible rooms open indefinitely, b/c I know guests (who do not require HA rooms) to be placed in HA rooms.

DVC doesn't really hold them open at all. They book by room type (number of rooms) but they book HA rooms directly. Once all the rooms are booked, no one can get a reservation unless something becomes available no matter how many HA units are actually formally booked for those that need them. It doesn't matter how many HA rooms are then slotted to those that don't need them since the resort (or that unit type) is full. No room means no room available. DCL will work the same. They will first check to see if there is a cabin available at all. If there is a cabin available in that category, but not ANY HA cabin AND there is someone who isn't officially registered as needed a HA cabin, they may move them around. If the ship is sold out, you can't get a cabin no matter how many HA units are taken by those that don't need them.

Dean - we may be using different mindsets in our discussions, lol.

Likely so, that's why I prefaced my previous post. It seemed like you were saying that DVC had to hold the HA unit open for only those that were registered with special services as needing them even if the resort was otherwise full, which is incorrect.