Need to vent about WL

[Diznejen1]

I am a little annoyed with the WL.
After seeing one of the Travle Channel shows on Disney, my father, who is in a wheelchair, asked me if I could book a night at WL for myself, DH and him. He was amazed by the resort and wants to see it in person. I, being the good daughter I am, e-mailed my TA and was told that the WL does not have handicap standard rooms. I hate to complain, Disney is my favorite place in the whole wide world...but this just doens't seem fair. We have to pay extra, for a woods view I think he called it, just to be able to bring my father.
In the end we will do what we have to do. He is my father, I love him and I love Disney.Thanks for letting me get that out of my system...you guys are the best.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Wow, I'm a little suprised by that! Have you called Disney yourself to find out? Not that your TA is wrong, but maybe all that's available in the handicapped are the Woods View room? I would really hate to think that you'd have to pay extra for a room that would accomodate your darling father. I can understand your frustration, but I also wouldn't take having to book a more expensive room for an answer. I would certainly call myself to check that out. I'd be interested to hear what they tell you. And if they do tell you that the handicapped rooms are only Woods View, then I would definitely discuss the matter with them to see if they are willing to offer you a discount.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I am also surprised by that. I think thats to bad.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

That sounds almost illegal. Keep trying and good luck!

 

[iloverags2]

It could be that only woods view is available for the date(s) you selected. The standard rooms are usually snapped up the quickest at WL. Oftentimes we find ourselves booking woods view or courtyard view because standard just isn't available.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I woudn't be surprised if there are very very few standard handicapped rooms, if there are any. Handicapped rooms almost always have one king bed, and Disney seems to prefer to keep king beds in the higher room categories, for whatever reason. The king beds also allow more room for a large bathroom with a roll-in shower.

I had a handicapped room at WL, and it was a woods view room with a king bed. It faced the little otter pond and was next to the loading dock, but it was very close to Roaring Forks. I didn't need a handicapped room, and I paid for a standard view. But since I was solo, they gave me a king bed room so larger families could have the rooms with 2 queens. I felt odd having a handicapped room when it wasn't necessary, and I worried I was using one from someone who needed one.

OP - no matter what, hope your trip with your dad is wonderful!

 

[snowbunny]

I would call CRO myself and find out before taking the word of a TA...sorry but I have been misinformed by too many TAs who knew less than I did in the past (don't use them at all anymore).

 

[yearbook50]

I believe there are Handicapped Standard Rooms but they could have been taken quickly as standard rooms are often taken quickly at WL.

 

[Arvandor_Ilfirin]

It seems strange to me that they'd require you to pay extra, for a company that is usually very considerate and concerned about guests with disabilities, it's just a little odd.

I agree with everyone else, that maybe the woods view is all that is avaliable during your stay because of the other rooms being booked.

Lastly, not to sound mean, but I've heard a lot of horror storries about relying on Travel Agents alone to plan your trip, without double checking everything. I know it's their job, but it pays to do your homework and make sure that everything is indeed as you were told. So before you resign yourself to the "Woods View", I would suggest you call Disney, describe your situation and see if there's another option for you.

 

[slimplaw]

My father, who was also in a wheelchair, stayed at WL many years ago. I just wanted you to know how delighted he was in the easy time he had in moving around the resort. This was in 1994. He really enjoyed his time at this resort. Just be prepared for the possibility of not being able to load onto a boat for the trip to Magic Kingdom. If the water level drops too low, they can not load ECVs or wheelchairs. Of course, if your father can stand and be out of his wheelchair, it could be folded and loaded. My father could not. You will have the option of going to Magic Kingdom on the bus.
We stayed in a handicap room once when there was only 2 of us. We had a first floor pool view and had booked a standard view. It was a room with a king bed and roll in shower.

 

[SpaceGirl]

You need to check with CRO, your TA is correct about there being no standard view rooms that are barrier-free, but about 37 Lodge rooms with King beds double as the barrier-free (handicap-accessible) rooms and have a large shower with no tub.

That only means the Lodge will upgrade (not an extra charge) you and your party. Try calling someone that knows.

Also many guest at the Lodge are in wheelchairs but don't need accessible rooms. Will you need a barrier-free room?

Hope you you have a great trip.

 

[SpaceGirl]

Opps...I believe with your party size they will also assign an additional room at no charge for you and your husband. As the accessible rooms only come with the King size bed.

 

[Kimberle]

There is a great DISability brd here. You should "stop bye". I'll bet they'll have lots of great idead for your Dad!

 

[themudd4]

If you do end up calling Disney, please let us know what you are told!

Hope things work out for you!!!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Please call Disney directly, also check the disAbilities board. I think that if you reserve a handicap room for 4 people, and the only handicap room they have as a king bed, they will, at no extra charge also give you a standard room(usually connecting). They cannot legally charge more for a handicap room than a standard room, and if the only handicap room will not accomodate the size of your party(assuming your party would fit in a standard room) they have to give you the other room.
You may also need to contact special services, since they are the ones who will block of your room.
Do Not use a TA, if you do that then you will not be able to contact special services, since technically the TA owns the reservation, not you.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Opps...I believe with your party size they will also assign an additional room at no charge for you and your husband. As the accessible rooms only come with the King size bed.

1) I have never seen this happen, and I was personally involved.
2) Disney is not responsible for the make-up of your party.
. . . they are required to offer accessible rooms, which they do
. . . the volume of rooms is not mandated, let alone the price category
. . . for a normal room, you would need a second room
. . . for a deluxe room, you could use the other room

3) As for available handicapped "Standard" rooms, they could be sold out.
4) There are not that many.
5) You should be able to get a "Woods'" or "Courtyard" handicap room.
6) To another post, WL does comply with ADA, so there is no foul or penalty.
7) And, they do not have to give a free upgrade for handicap accessible.
8) If they upgrade, consider it Pixie Dust.

NOTE: They usually keep 1-5 handicap rooms unassigned until the day of check-in for people who need them at the last minute. In this manner, a last-minute handicap room can be assigned, although not necessarily in the cheaper categories.

 

[Allison]

Please call Disney directly, also check the disAbilities board. I think that if you reserve a handicap room for 4 people, and the only handicap room they have as a king bed, they will, at no extra charge also give you a standard room(usually connecting). They cannot legally charge more for a handicap room than a standard room, and if the only handicap room will not accomodate the size of your party(assuming your party would fit in a standard room) they have to give you the other room.
You may also need to contact special services, since they are the ones who will block of your room.
Do Not use a TA, if you do that then you will not be able to contact special services, since technically the TA owns the reservation, not you.

I'm curious where this information is from. I have never heard of a giving a room for free to accomodate the size of the group. I'm not saying it isn't true, just that I have never heard of it and now I'm curious.

Just to clarify-Disney isn't charging more for a handicap room, they are charging based on the room view category.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

If you need a room for 4, that is also hadicap, and the only rooms Disney has that are handicap have king beds(not just what is avail but that is all they have), you would need 2 rooms simply because of your need for a handicap room, that would be penalizing room for needing a handicaped room. If you didn't need a handicap room, you wouldn't need 2 rooms, so unless Disney offers a handicap room with the same occupancy rate as a standard room they must make accomodations for you at the same price you would pay for a nonhandicap room that sleeps 4. Double check this on the disABILITIES board, I'm pretty sure I have read that when an extra room is needed, because a handicap room does not sleep the same number of people as a standard room would, it is provided at no extra charge.

 

[JulyGirl]

All I know is that when I traveled to WL with my grandma, who was in a wheel chair, I wanted to book a standard room. They told me no handicapped standard rooms were available, but they would place us in woods view for no extra cost. This was about 5 years ago. I dealt directly with CRO and they even transferred my call to a department that handled handicapped requests. I sure hope things have not changed. I did not ask for a free "upgrade" and would have paid for woods. Disney wouldn't think of it at the time.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

This thread is about a room at POP, but the ADA rules should be the same
see post 3
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1427226&referrerid=&highlight=Handicap rooms