Poly Hawaii Bldg ?

[dclfun]

I wonder if the reason the various resorts don't have to offer club level accessible rooms is because they are all components of the larger WDW resort?

I was told that THIS is what is illegal...that each resort is supposed to be a different entity and must have accessible rooms in all room types available. One resort cannot substitute for another, as we certainly all know. There is no way to compare as all are themed differently, all have different appeal. ---Kathy

 

[BCV23]

I wonder though, Kathy. I imagine WDW is pretty careful about legalities. All the hotels are part of the WDW resort. Who knows how they are set up legally? I can see it being like one tower of a hotel having accessible rooms while another doesn't.

And of course the bottom line for my family is that with two with special needs, WDW has always been the most accomodating place to vacation for our whole family.

 

[dclfun]

I agree that WDW is a very accessible place and also has a good team of lawyers. The ADA consultant I addressed this with though has an excellent track record and has written many of the laws in the state of Florida. He is certain that this is the case and that the WDW resorts are out of compliance with this issue. Each property is considered a separate entity when it comes to their specific accomodations. I have a feeling this has not been challenged via legal channels as most people just suck it up and move on to choose a different resort. ---Kathy

 

[dclfun]

I did want to add to my above post that to me, it doesn't matter whether it's legal or not. Having accessible accomodations in all room types is the RIGHT thing to do, and I hold Disney to a high standard to do the right things. While perhaps the renovations of the Poly would have been at a higher expense to modify some of the rooms in the Hawaii concierge bldg, it still would have been the right thing to do, esp. since some folks on this board were told that it was going to happen. The expense, in constrast to the guest satisfaction that would've been generated had it been done, would've been worth it, IMO. The world will see many more disabled guests travelling, or even elderly guests who need those accomodations as the population ages. It just makes good business sense to factor that in, esp. when a major renovation is undertaken. To deny a disabled guest to have the ability to plan and execute the same vacation as a non disabled guest, esp. with Disney's track record of accessibility at the theme parks, to me is a major slap in the face. ---Kathy

 

[shovan]

Kathy,
I'm in total agreement with you on this. Even if they are within the legal requirements WDW can do better than that! Disney has always been in the forefront on "political correctness" & having an "open door policy" for many different types of groups or organizations. Why should the disabled be any different?! Especially with baby boomers aging, more HA just makes good economic sense!

In researching info. on this lack of pool access at BC, we found that Disney Imagineers were actually involved in developing guidelines for pool accessibilty with the ADA. Yet they are not following the guidelines they helped develop! See the site below:

http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/guides/pools.htm

I think we need to be more pro-active when we come across these roadblocks. I know many times it's just one more headache (we don't need) when dealing with the daily issues of having a disabled family member. But if we don't speak up for ourselves, who will?!
We are waiting to hear from them on the pool issue. I will post when (& if) we hear something.

 

[dclfun]

Yes, sometimes instead of being proactive Disney will base their decisions on "guest demand". If people who have been denied their requested accomodation (not by lack of availability but because their request does not exist) do not write in to complain and let someone know how this affected their family, then nothing will change. As far as the argument that it is "all Disney World" then how would it feel if we were told we could not stay at Pop Century because there were no accessible rooms there since they "put enough at the All Star properties to meet the quota at value resorts". It is not legal to deny access at ANY Disney resort even if another one exists that would meet the needs of the disabled guest, unless of course that room type is already sold out/reserved by other guests. I also agree about pool access which should be factored in to every Disney resort, otherwise there are no real choices involved if someone has to choose a particular resort just to enjoy the amenities that should be available in each. Sorry to be on my soapbox on this, but anyone who is involved with such issues needs to write in, make your ideas and needs known, and don't take "no" for an answer.---Kathy