No Standard view, accessible BLT studios

[barrysprot36]

I've put this over on one of the DVC Forums here but wondered if I would have any more opinions from on here.

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 in the Resort. Surely with it being such a new Resort there would be at least one accessible studio for each view category?

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, which I have done today.

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

 

[Michigan]

Under the ADA all categories offered must have at least one accessible room. If it is true that they don't have an accessible room in that category I would call them back and explain that you don't have to use the extra 10 points just to get an accessible room.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

We had to use an extra 31 points (ouch!) this year for a 2 bed at BLT as they do not have any standard view accessible rooms in that categoy either, we had to book Lake View. Being new to DVC I did not appreciate that it wasn't just that there was no availability of the standard view because they had already been reserved by other guests but that there were actually none ever built.

More recently 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 also no MK view 1 bedroom 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.

Having planned to try to save some points on our next trip by booking a standard view studio at BLT and a value studio at AKV we were less than thrilled to find neither of these options exist either if you need accessible accommodation. We are not very happy DVCers at the moment.

 

[Mama Who]

Under the ADA all categories offered must have at least one accessible room. If it is true that they don't have an accessible room in that category I would call them back and explain that you don't have to use the extra 10 points just to get an accessible room.

I *think* that in the case of smaller "categories" they may be allowed to offer accessible studios of some variety and have that count. If there are a limited number of studios then the subject categoy may be "studios" rather than "X view studios."

My ADA is limited and out of date, but that's what I remember.

 

[SteveMouse]

I *think* that in the case of smaller "categories" they may be allowed to offer accessible studios of some variety and have that count. If there are a limited number of studios then the subject categoy may be "studios" rather than "X view studios."

My ADA is limited and out of date, but that's what I remember.

The issue is comparable access and price. See Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities- http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/about/aiacourse/ADAAG/adaag2.htm#9.1


-steve

 

[kaytieeldr]

Regarding the Jambo House Value Sudios, I think there are only eight of them and they were all created from standard (not accessible) rooms. There was no substantial modification, just a kitchenette unit added and a furniture change. No or very minor construction, so those units would be exempt from any having to be made accessible.

BLT, I can't see any excuse for them not constructing accessible units in all sizes and views. On the other hand, there's absolutely an issue with the point cost if members who want a standard view are forced into, and to pay for, a more expensive view.

 

[KPeveler]

I would be interested to know exactly how this works - my understanding is they have to offer "comparable" levels - but I wonder what they consider comparable. I would think cost would be factored into that comparison. If no accessible suites are offered at the lowest cost ever (if none were built), then that does not sound entirely legal... But I am no legal expert. I wonder what how the law would be applied in this situation.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

To update your list; no standard view studios with roll in shower at BWV either. Also as in; none in the whole building, not as in "those available is/are booked".

Or to put it totally correct; so a DVC-member was told when exploring availability for me for a rental.

 

[barrysprot36]

To update your list; no standard view studios with roll in shower at BWV either. Also as in; none in the whole building, not as in "those available is/are booked".

Or to put it totally correct; so a DVC-member was told when exploring availability for me for a rental.

Thank you, we had to get a preferred studio last October, I just assumed there were not any standard view roll-in shower rooms available.

Caron

 

[robinb]

To update your list; no standard view studios with roll in shower at BWV either. Also as in; none in the whole building, not as in "those available is/are booked".

Or to put it totally correct; so a DVC-member was told when exploring availability for me for a rental.

Thank you, we had to get a preferred studio last October, I just assumed there were not any standard view roll-in shower rooms available.

Caron

My story will (and should) honk you off. I booked at Standard View studio and I was placed in one of the accessible studios looking to the back of Leaping Libations with a roll-in shower. So, DVC substitutes those "Preferred View" studios for Standard View studios when they want. I thought that they were actually Standard View since the actual view was so crappy!

Personally, I think it sucks that people who need those units are forced to pay more in points for them.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

My story will (and should) honk you off. I booked at Standard View studio and I was placed in one of the accessible studios looking to the back of Leaping Libations with a roll-in shower. So, DVC substitutes those "Preferred View" studios for Standard View studios when they want. I thought that they were actually Standard View since the actual view was so crappy!

Personally, I think it sucks that people who need those units are forced to pay more in points for them.

so you book a standard view and get an accessible room (which I presume you didn't need)
I ask for an accessible room (which we need) and have to fork out the extra points for a preferred view

very fair indeed

 

[robinb]

so you book a standard view and get an accessible room (which I presume you didn't need)
I ask for an accessible room (which we need) and have to fork out the extra points for a preferred view

very fair indeed

Yup. They didn't even spin it as an upgrade. I think they were just glad that I didn't come back to the desk pitching a hissy fit as many people do when they are assigned a HA room that they don't need. It *is* a bit of a pain with the shower spewing water everywhere, the lack of counter space in the bathroom and the lowered height of the microwave ... but I don't mind it and I was happy with the better view. I was a surprised we were assigned it, though. It was over New Year's Eve and I would have expected the room to already be taken by someone who needed it.

 

[barrysprot36]

so you book a standard view and get an accessible room (which I presume you didn't need)
I ask for an accessible room (which we need) and have to fork out the extra points for a preferred view

very fair indeed

I totally agree, something is seriously wrong soemwhere.

I'm still waiting on Members Satisfaction Team getting back to me.

Caron

 

[SueM in MN]

There is one other wrinkle.
The ADA says they have to offer comparable views/locations.
Because the actual number of accessible rooms required for the total number of rooms is small, a resort may choose to put many or all of the accessible rooms in a higher category, in terms of view or location.

If you ask for Standard view, you should be charged for Standard view as long as there are any Standard view rooms available (not just any accessible Stamdard view).
Many of the resorts have few non-accessible rooms in the Standard view available. When guests who don't need an accessible room call and all the Standard view rooms are gone, they have a choice to pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.
When guests who NEED an accessible room call and all the NON-ACCESSIBLE Standard rooms are booked, it is legal to give them the same choices; either pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.

 

[robinb]

There is one other wrinkle.
The ADA says they have to offer comparable views/locations.
Because the actual number of accessible rooms required for the total number of rooms is small, a resort may choose to put many or all of the accessible rooms in a higher category, in terms of view or location.

If you ask for Standard view, you should be charged for Standard view as long as there are any Standard view rooms available (not just any accessible Stamdard view).

Many of the resorts have few non-accessible rooms in the Standard view available. When guests who don't need an accessible room call and all the Standard view rooms are gone, they have a choice to pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.
When guests who NEED an accessible room call and all the NON-ACCESSIBLE Standard rooms are booked, it is legal to give them the same choices; either pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.

Ah! That makes sense! I am still confused why I was placed in a Preferred View studio when I booked a Standard View at a time when the entire resort was sold out.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

There is one other wrinkle.
The ADA says they have to offer comparable views/locations.
Because the actual number of accessible rooms required for the total number of rooms is small, a resort may choose to put many or all of the accessible rooms in a higher category, in terms of view or location.

If you ask for Standard view, you should be charged for Standard view as long as there are any Standard view rooms available (not just any accessible Stamdard view).
Many of the resorts have few non-accessible rooms in the Standard view available. When guests who don't need an accessible room call and all the Standard view rooms are gone, they have a choice to pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.
When guests who NEED an accessible room call and all the NON-ACCESSIBLE Standard rooms are booked, it is legal to give them the same choices; either pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.

That makes some sort of sense but to see whether this is the case you'd need to first check on availability for non-accessible rooms in the category you want then ask for an accessible room. I wish I'd known this when I called to book at BLT, not asking for the accessible room first could have saved us 31 points. I will be so much smarter in future, thanks for that info Sue

 

[barrysprot36]

There is one other wrinkle.
The ADA says they have to offer comparable views/locations.
Because the actual number of accessible rooms required for the total number of rooms is small, a resort may choose to put many or all of the accessible rooms in a higher category, in terms of view or location.

If you ask for Standard view, you should be charged for Standard view as long as there are any Standard view rooms available (not just any accessible Stamdard view).
Many of the resorts have few non-accessible rooms in the Standard view available. When guests who don't need an accessible room call and all the Standard view rooms are gone, they have a choice to pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.
When guests who NEED an accessible room call and all the NON-ACCESSIBLE Standard rooms are booked, it is legal to give them the same choices; either pay for an upgrade or chose another resort.

Thank you for your information but that isn't what has happened in my case. I was able to book a standard view studio, it was just when they came back to me after talking to the Special Needs team that I was told there were not any standard view accessible studios and I would have to book a Lake view.

That makes some sort of sense but to see whether this is the case you'd need to first check on availability for non-accessible rooms in the category you want then ask for an accessible room. I wish I'd known this when I called to book at BLT, not asking for the accessible room first could have saved us 31 points. I will be so much smarter in future, thanks for that info Sue

That wasn't what happened to me though I was told I had to book a Lake view, using more points even though there were normal standard view studios available.

This angle still doesn't address the lack of MK view accessible studios, what happens if I want to book one of those? I can't because there isn't any.

Caron

Caron

 

[seashoreCM]

Thank you for your information but that isn't what has happened in my case. I was able to book a standard view studio, it was just when they came back to me after talking to the Special Needs team that I was told there were not any standard view accessible studios and I would have to book a Lake view.

That wasn't what happened to me though I was told I had to book a Lake view, using more points even though there were normal standard view studios available.
Caron

Caron

Then they goofed. They should have refunded the difference upon your application, even after you got back home.

The ADA being as stated above, it is kosher to book a standard room first and the next day call back and say, "oh, could you make that handicappped". But don't wait too long; all of the handicapped rooms of every description could be gone.

 

[barrysprot36]

Then they goofed. They should have refunded the difference upon your application, even after you got back home.

The ADA being as stated above, it is kosher to book a standard room first and the next day call back and say, "oh, could you make that handicappped". But don't wait too long; all of the handicapped rooms of every description could be gone.

We haven't travelled yet, I made my reservation on Saturday for August '12.

I did ask for a standard studio first of all, which was confirmed. It was only when I mentioned needing an accessible room and MS spoke with the Special Needs Department was I told there no standard accessible studios and I would need to book a Lake view using an extra 14 points.

I'm surprised no-one else has come across this problem although probably other members are like me and think because we are told there is no availability, it means they have already been booked out, not that there physically isn't any.

Caron

 

[dclfun]

There are also no accessible club level studios at Jambo. It's a huge points difference to have to get a 1bedroom villa if you need a roll in shower, and then you get NO jacuzzi for the rest of the family.--Kathy