Please don't think I'm a jerk but...

[Jamie77]

I just had to ask this question. I've stayed at Pop Century twice and notice that many disabled people stay there. I was wondering if the value resorts have more people in wheelchairs staying there than say a deluxe resort because of the cost. I only notice this because almost everytime I get on a bus from Pop to any park, people in line have to wait for those in wheelchairs to get on first. So, being that I like to people-watch, and never really see people in wheelchairs getting on the Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk/Swan & Dolphin bus, etc. I figured a value resort was the cheapest way to go. I didn't know if whether people spend much of their money on healthcare during the year and when they get to Disney they just don't have the funds to stay somewhere more expensive. I did see two people at Port Orleans who were disabled get on a bus that I was already on. It was neat to see how the bus driver made sure all the safety belts and everything was in place before he pulled off. This guy was kinda rude to them though. I couldn't make out the things one of the women was saying but she was kinda gruffy to him as well. Maybe if I had heard the rest of the conversation I might have known what was going on. I was thinking, "I would hate to have to be in a wheelchair and get mistreated by the bus driver or have people upset with me because they have to wait to get on a bus." I really felt for these folks. One year a lady in an electric wheelchair took it all in stride and was joking around with people in line while the ramp was going down so she could get off the bus. If anyone has travelled with a disabled person in a wheelchair, what were your reasons for choosing a value resort? Why does it seem like I never see a deluxe resort bus with a disabled person on it? Just curious.

 

[helenk]

Hmmmm

I was wondering if the value resorts have more people in wheelchairs staying there than say a deluxe resort because of the cost

I'm sure that really has nothing to do with it. The value resorts are usually just so crowded that you may notice the wheel chairs loading more frequently.
During my trip last week, I stayed at the Allstar Music and we did not have to wait once for a wheel chair to be loaded.
Our bus stop was near the POR and POFQ and they seemed to have quite a few in the evening.
I did not notice the deluxe resorts because their bus stops were so far from the value resorts bus stops

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, I think for starters the deluxe resorts are more conveniently located to the parks - by monorail, or boat, or a pathway...

Okay, now I'm going to start sounding less than polite but - aside from that the financial situation of any person is not the business of any other person who does not know them... disabled people exist in all income/wealth categories. And how much anybody spends on health care is also not the business of anyone not financially connected to them. If my healthcare costs were so big a part of my income that I had to stay at a Value resorts, well, I probably wouldn't be going to Disney in the first place. I choose to stay there for my next, unexpected trip.
Maybe POP has a higher ratio of handicap-accessible rooms than, say, Wilderness Lodge. It (or the combined All Stars) has more rooms than the other, more expensive properties, so it only makes sense that it has more HP Guests.

If anyone has travelled with a disabled person in a wheelchair, what were your reasons for choosing a value resort? Why does it seem like I never see a deluxe resort bus with a disabled person on it? Just curious.

Rather than addressing your questions to "anyone who has travelled with a disabled person...", you should address these questions directly TO disabled persons. Being in a wheelchair doesn't mean one can't speak for oneself.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Just because they are in a wheelchair and pay for their insurance doesn't mean they can't afford to be in the deluxes. I'm sure some even stay at the DVC resort and owns one too! The folks you saw just wanted to stay at the value so they chose to be there. You just probably happened to be there when you saw the dissabled at the value and not the deluxes.

They probably go on cruises and travel around the world and own a vacation home. They probably have done GF concierge!

 

[Jamie77]

Well, I think for starters the deluxe resorts are more conveniently located to the parks - by monorail, or boat, or a pathway...

Okay, now I'm going to start sounding less than polite but - aside from that the financial situation of any person is not the business of any other person who does not know them... disabled people exist in all income/wealth categories. And how much anybody spends on health care is also not the business of anyone not financially connected to them. If my healthcare costs were so big a part of my income that I had to stay at a Value resorts, well, I probably wouldn't be going to Disney in the first place. I choose to stay there for my next, unexpected trip.
Maybe POP has a higher ratio of handicap-accessible rooms than, say, Wilderness Lodge. It (or the combined All Stars) has more rooms than the other, more expensive properties, so it only makes sense that it has more HP Guests.

Maybe that is the case. I was only asking out of curiosity. I do know that disabled people come in all income brackets and thanks for reminding me that I should have included that. My reason for asking was because I feel that if was disabled (and being that I'm a person that likes to zip in and out of places) a crowded place like a value resort would get on my nerves whereas a place that was more expensive would seem to have less crowds (of course that is not always the case). It's just that I never seem to see a long line for the bus or monorail at other resorts and it would seem quicker to get to the parks from these.



Rather than addressing your questions to "anyone who has travelled with a disabled person...", you should address these questions directly TO disabled persons. Being in a wheelchair doesn't mean one can't speak for oneself.

Maybe I should have rephrased my question. I was thinking faster than I could write. I did mean to include those who were disabled as well as those travelling with those who were.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have stayed at everything from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Pop Century with my electric wheelchair. Concierge to value. It really depends on my mood and how long I will be staying. It is a room and unless there is a special occasion or something special offered by the deluxe resort why pay the extra dollars for something I will only sleep in.

 

[aubriee]

I'm sorry, but yes you are coming off as a jerk. Other people's financial status is the last thing I'm interested in when I'm on vacation. I was at WL and AKL in Jan and at POP in May and to tell you the truth I don't remember seeing anyone with an ECV on any of the buses I ever rode on.

Saying that, I'm hoping my 73 y/o mother will come with me to WDW when I go in Dec (she can't make her mind up). It would be her first ever trip to WDW. She does not use a wheelchair or even a walker at home, but for WDW we would definitely have to rent an ECV. I'm already booked for a split stay at POFQ and CSR, so that's where we would stay. It has nothing to do with her financial situation as she could afford the GF if she wanted. Unfortunately that's not happening for this trip (it will be my fourth trip this year and I can't afford it at this time). I used to work with an RN who had phebitis in his legs really bad, but loved WDW. He went twice a year every year and always stayed at the Polynesian or Contemporary resorts. For his trips he always rented an ECV.

 

[CarolA]

Sorry, but I can't believe you thought this was a good question to ask. Are you implying that disabled people make less then others and that is why they are there or what??? Your assumptions are fairly rude. Do you want people thinking this way about you?

 

[WDW_DV]

Um, I think the actual question can be rephrased in a single sentence if I read it right. How about this: "What reasons apart from money would lead disabled persons to choose a value resort?"

I think that's the essence of the OP's question.

 

[Jamie77]

I have stayed at everything from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Pop Century with my electric wheelchair. Concierge to value. It really depends on my mood and how long I will be staying. It is a room and unless there is a special occasion or something special offered by the deluxe resort why pay the extra dollars for something I will only sleep in.

Thank you for answering my question. I myself feel the same way about paying for a room I will only sleep in. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings and I'm glad you didn't see it that way.

 

[Jamie77]

Um, I think the actual question can be rephrased in a single sentence if I read it right. How about this: "What reasons apart from money would lead disabled persons to choose a value resort?"

I think that's the essence of the OP's question.

Thank you, thank you! I spent a lot of time writing and rewriting because I didn't want to offend anyone but I guess I managed to do just that. I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[DisneyBee]

We were at AKL last summer and there were two different families with folks in wheelchairs. One, apparently, was a young (in his 30's) father with his family. I have no doubt all of the Disney resorts are made accessible to those in different situations, so that probably isn't their primary deciding factor - unless Disney does have some resorts with more accessible rooms and we just don't know about it. I'm sure folks in wheelchairs, along with their families, choose their resorts the same way everyone else does - based upon the theme they desire as well as their financial situation.

 

[Karalynn]

I just had to ask this question. .

WHY??? Sorry, but WHY??? I would agree that there is probably more accessable rooms at these resorts, and also the ONLY way to get to a park is by bus. (no monorail, boat etc.)

So.... to answer one of your burning questions, we are going in January and my dd who is 5 and in a wheelchair, will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge(deluxe resort). Yes, she will be 'one of those people' waiting to get loaded on the bus.
Please don't think I'm being a jerk, I'm just having a little fun! Sometime, I'm touchy about my dd's abilities, but for the most part, questions are really great! Education is knowledge right?

 

[Jamie77]

WHY??? Sorry, but WHY??? I would agree that there is probably more accessable rooms at these resorts, and also the ONLY way to get to a park is by bus. (no monorail, boat etc.)

So.... to answer one of your burning questions, we are going in January and my dd who is 5 and in a wheelchair, will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge(deluxe resort). Yes, she will be 'one of those people' waiting to get loaded on the bus.
Please don't think I'm being a jerk, I'm just having a little fun! Sometime, I'm touchy about my dd's abilities, but for the most part, questions are really great! Education is knowledge right?

Exactly! Education is knowledge. It's great you're taking your daughter to Disney. Too bad my first trip was at the age of 24! I think that's why I'm so obsessed with Disney today. I remember being promised at the age of 8 that we would be going that year. That time never came. Sometimes I feel a pang of envy for kids who get to go when they are a kid. Everything just seems so much more real to a child. I hope y'all have lot's of fun! What some people don't know is that the bus can fit 2 wheelchairs on it. So if you see one person with a wheelchair get on you can get on, too. I like seeing a child experience the magic of Disney. This weekend a father was standing with his son to get on the bus and I told him that he and his son can go on next. He was going to wait for the next bus and I felt he shouldn't have to do that being that his son was sooo excited to get to the MK. The young boy said, "Hurry up dad! Tell him we're next!" It is so much fun to spread the Disney magic with others.

 

[Lewisc]

POP is the newest value resort, in fact the newest non-DVC resort.

Wondering if Disney did something to make the HA rooms better than the other resorts would certainly be a better question.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I don't beleive the OP meant any disrespect in asking this question, just was curious. When I stayed at the All Star Movies resort back in 2002 I was given a handicapped room. It was very spacious and easy to get around in. The bathroom I think was the best I had seen.

There was no lip by the shower and it was quite large, so maybe the Handicapped Rooms are bigger at the Value Resorts so that might be why she had seen more during that time period.

 

[Tinkbell]

There happens to be more rooms and more people at the Value resorts, which is probably why you see more wheelchairs.

 

[tlbwriter]

Sorry, but I can't believe you thought this was a good question to ask. Are you implying that disabled people make less then others and that is why they are there or what???

I read it as implying disabled people have higher expenses, not lower income.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I read it as implying disabled people have higher expenses, not lower income.

I also thought that's what the OP was implying.

 

[simpilotswife]

Well obviously you missed my friend and I riding the busses last December. We were at the Boardwalk and had a wheelchair.