No Standard view, accessible BLT studios

[barrysprot36]

I don't know if anyone can help with my problem; I rang at exactly 11 months yesterday to book 7 nights in an accessible, standard view studio at our Home Resort of BLT. All was going well and as per normal, MS have to contact the Special Needs department to confirm an accessible room with roll-in shower is booked out for us. She came back to me, very apologetically, saying there are no standard view, accessible studios, only lake view or MK view. Not that there is no availability, but that there are no accessible studios with standard views.

I have had to book a Lake view, using 10 more points, to get an accessible studio. Has anyone else had this problem? Surely it's discrimination against disabled guests, making them use more points? I spoke to a manager and he said Disney couldn't be expected to offer a fully accessible room in every single category. He could understand my problem but there was nothing he could do about it and advised me to email my concerns to the DVC member satisfaction team.

I've since learnt that there are not any value, accessible studios at Jambo House either, so that's another of my plans gone wrong

Caron

 

[loadsapixiedust]

We came upon the same problem this year. I called to reserve 6 nights in an accessible 2 bedroom standard view at BLT (also our home resort) and was told there was no availability. I had to book a Lake View instead using an extra 31 points (ouch!). This was our first trip home as new DVC members so I was a bit naive and didn't question it but have since found out that there are no 2 bed accessible standard view 2 bedrooms or studios at BLT so there was never going to be availability

Now making plans for our next trip and needing to try to claw back some of those extra points I wanted to reserve a standard view accessible studio at BLT and a value accessible studio at AKV so I contacted MS to check this would be possible. No - neither of those options exist.

It seems that whatever category we want to book isn't available with an accessible option so each trip we will need to book a category that uses more points. Now if that isn't discrimination I don't know what is. Would Disney get away with charging extra for a room anywhere else because it had a roll-in shower?

Before we bought we were very careful to ask our guide about accessible room options because we will always need one (we have 2 disabled family members, one a full time wheelchair user) and were told that Disney had to provide accessible options in every category at the new build resorts. This was a major factor in choosing BLT as our home resort. I feel we were misled as this is clearly not the case.

There is such secrecy around what is and isn't available. MS have refused to provide a list of room categories at each resort which have the accessible option. I have tried and failed to find this info anywhere in the printed information we have or online. Do any Disers have this info?

 

[disneynutz]

This is a tough situation and I don't see a satisfactory answer.

I would guess that Disney has met the requirements of the ADA and they are not required to provide a HCA room in each category. They also are not required to hold the HCA rooms for HC use only because non HC Guests get assigned a HCA room and they don't think that is fare.

Bill

 

[TisBit]

DVC is required to have a certain number of accessible villa's. They are not required to not book them or provide an upgrade a guest if the accessible villa's are already booked. With so few standard view villas, I am sure there is only one or two accessible ones. If those were booked by someone who was checking in earlier than you....DVC does not have to upgrade you for free.

It is the same with handicap parking, stores are required to have so many spaces. If you arrive with a handicap placard and all the spots are full, you can't just park wherever you want (fire lanes, no parking zones, etc). ADA was set up to ensure that there were reasonable accomodations for people with disabilities...not to require that every villa or every person with a disability be guaranteed an accessible unit.

 

[TisBit]

This is a tough situation and I don't see a satisfactory answer.

I would guess that Disney has met the requirements of the ADA and they are not required to provide a HCA room in each category. They also are not required to hold the HCA rooms for HC use only because non HC Guests get assigned a HCA room and they don't think that is fare.

Bill

And there would be outrage if DVC required some type of proof of disability to book an accessible room. Look at the complaints about service animals, parking area's, GAC cards.....etc

 

[barrysprot36]

DVC is required to have a certain number of accessible villa's. They are not required to not book them or provide an upgrade a guest if the accessible villa's are already booked. With so few standard view villas, I am sure there is only one or two accessible ones. If those were booked by someone who was checking in earlier than you....DVC does not have to upgrade you for free.

It is the same with handicap parking, stores are required to have so many spaces. If you arrive with a handicap placard and all the spots are full, you can't just park wherever you want (fire lanes, no parking zones, etc). ADA was set up to ensure that there were reasonable accomodations for people with disabilities...not to require that every villa or every person with a disability be guaranteed an accessible unit.

I don't think you understand what I'm trying to say; there are no standard accessible studios in the Resort, not that someone else has booked them. The same with the value studios at Jambo; no accessible ones. I specifically asked this question when I rang and the manager that I spoke to confirmed it. I have to use more points to get an accessible room for my son because Disney haven't built them in the cheaper points category.

Caron

 

[barrysprot36]

And there would be outrage if DVC required some type of proof of disability to book an accessible room. Look at the complaints about service animals, parking area's, GAC cards.....etc

I have no problem with providing proof of my son's disability for an accessible room, GAC card or whatever. I purchase a temporary disabled parking tag when I visit Florida as is the law and provide proof for that.

Caron

 

[CarolMN]

loadsapixiedust & barrysprot36 - I'm very sorry for your situation and understand your desire to book the less expensive options. AFAIK, Disney has met the requirements of the ADA (Americans with Disability Act ). So there may not be any recourse for you. Very disappointing to say the least.

That said, I think it is a reasonable request for you to know which room categories within a resort have accessible options. I think you should make that request to the Member Satisfaction Team. At least you will know your options and can plan accordingly.

A faster way of getting such information may be the "Special Needs" group. (Not sure if MS will connect you to this group, but you can certainly ask.) These CMs in this group actually block / assign rooms for those who need accessible rooms. You get to the group through MS. AFAIK, this special group is the only place where an accessible assignment can be "guaranteed".

To help others in your situation, consider calling the sales group and asking to speak to a manager. IMO, the sales guides should absolutely provide the above info upon request. The fact that they may not even have had the information is disturbing.

 

[barrysprot36]

loadsapixiedust & barrysprot36 - I'm very sorry for your situation and understand your desire to book the less expensive options. AFAIK, Disney has met the requirements of the ADA (Americans with Disability Act ). So there may not be any recourse for you. Very disappointing to say the least.

That said, I think it is a reasonable request for you to know which room categories within a resort have accessible options. I think you should make that request to the Member Satisfaction Team. At least you will know your options and can plan accordingly.

To help others in your situation, consider calling the sales group and asking to speak to a manager. IMO, the sales guides should absolutely provide the above info upon request. The fact that they may not even have had the information is disturbing.

Thank you for your advice. I emailed the Member Satisfaction Team this morning but don't expect to hear back for a few days with it being Sunday today. The manager at MS was going to put forward my concerns as well.

Caron

 

[loadsapixiedust]

I had this reply when I asked for information about which resorts and room types were available with the roll-in shower option. I thought it would be easier to choose based on what might be available rather than have to keep calling (from the UK) and changing plans because what we wanted didn't exist.

We do not have a list of the Types of Villas that may have a roll-in shower, some of the Resorts may not offer all Views.

Because accessible accommodations are not guaranteed to be available when you book your reservation, please consider reserving your reservations as soon as possible.

It's not really helpful is it? I just can't understand why it needs to be such a big secret I am now busy scouring the net for info to try to compile my own list it's a work in progress but I'm happy to share that info with anyone who needs it.

 

[Chuck S]

I can kind of understand the lack of value class ADA rooms at Jambo House. The value class rooms are smaller in square footage than standard and savannah view rooms. There may not be sufficient turning radius in the bathrooms for a wheelchair.

But there should certianly be some standard view units at BLT. The problem maybe that the building plans were completed and approved before any point requirements/booking category charts were compiled.

 

[castleri]

I do know there is a least one fully accessible studio unit at BWV overlooking the main pool. We were assigned it the first time we stayed there and we didn't need it. It did meet my request to be near a pool however. Again it would be more points than a standard view but maybe less than some of the other options.

 

[barrysprot36]

I had this reply when I asked for information about which resorts and room types were available with the roll-in shower option. I thought it would be easier to choose based on what might be available rather than have to keep calling (from the UK) and changing plans because what we wanted didn't exist.



It's not really helpful is it? I just can't understand why it needs to be such a big secret I am now busy scouring the net for info to try to compile my own list it's a work in progress but I'm happy to share that info with anyone who needs it.

We've had accessible studios at BCV and BWV - preferred view, if that helps.

I can kind of understand the lack of value class ADA rooms at Jambo House. The value class rooms are smaller in square footage than standard and savannah view rooms. There may not be sufficient turning radius in the bathrooms for a wheelchair.

But there should certianly be some standard view units at BLT. The problem maybe that the building plans were completed and approved before any point requirements/booking category charts were compiled.

Yes, I guess I can understand the lack of value accessible studios although there must be some accessible rooms in the main Resort.

I do know there is a least one fully accessible studio unit at BWV overlooking the main pool. We were assigned it the first time we stayed there and we didn't need it. It did meet my request to be near a pool however. Again it would be more points than a standard view but maybe less than some of the other options.

We had a room similar in October, it was a preferred view but overlooked the pool. I was told there were not any standard view accessible studios available and just assumed it was because I was booking at 7 months and someone else had booked them, so fair enough.

Caron

 

[Disneycouple99]

DVCNews.com has room finders under DVC resorts. You can select H/A rooms as an option to look for room size and views.

 

[barrysprot36]

DVCNews.com has room finders under DVC resorts. You can select H/A rooms as an option to look for room size and views.

Thank you, I'll have a look over there now.

Caron

 

[barrysprot36]

I've just had a look on the site recommended and I wouldn't even be able to get a MK view at BLT, even if I wanted one, as there are not any. That is discrimination, only one view available for an accessible studio

Caron

 

[DenLo]

I learn something new everyday on these boards. I just looked at work2play's thread on BLT views, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082 and no one has reported an handicapped accessible room in any category other than lake view. It could be that since only 10% of the rooms are standard view and only 20% are MK that the ADA requirements couldn't be met on just a small number of villas.

Hopefully you can get more details through member satisfaction.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

I've just had a look on the site recommended and I wouldn't even be able to get a MK view at BLT, even if I wanted one, as there are not any. That is discrimination, only one view available for an accessible studio

Caron

That is correct, it was confirmed to me by Member Services that there are only Lake View studios that are accessible - so you have no choice of view if you need an accessible room

There are no MK view 1 bedroom accessible villas and no standard view 2 bedroom villas which are accessible.

They would only give me details of accessible rooms at BLT which is our home resort. They would not confirm details of what is available at the other resorts. I believe that the minimum requirement under ADA is for a fully accessible room to be made available when the room count exceeds 51 so I guess that is not met by all categories and views at each resort. DVC could of course have exceeded the requirement had they chosen to. It doesn't explain why they will not give out information on what they do provide.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That is correct, it was confirmed to me by Member Services that there are only Lake View studios that are accessible - so you have no choice of view if you need an accessible room

There are no MK view 1 bedroom accessible villas and no standard view 2 bedroom villas which are accessible.

From things that I have seen posted the Lakeview accessible units are on the north side and do have the partial view of the MK. I of course can't guarantee that there aren't others on the south side or inside but so far every report I've run across has been that northside that many consider the best lakeview. It doesn't help for not having the units in all the categories of course.

 

[hakepb]

The accessible room situation does appear odd in BLT. Especially when 1 of the 5 AKV concierge units is accessible.

I recall hearing a mention before BLT opened, of someone deciding, hey this parking lot view is actually a castle view. I wonder if the BLT view determination was actually made during construction.(After plumbing rough-in) and a conversion deemed too expensive?