Strategy for waterparks & WDW - question with HFA

[bookwormde]

You may want to check your facts, the ADA was signed into law in 1990 with an effective date on or about July 1992. Typhoon Lagoon was opened in 1989. Blizzard Beach opened in 2005. I'm sure the highly educated team of Disney lawyers has made sure that BB (since Typhoon Lagoon is a moot point (not mute btw)) has complied with the ADA to the extent it needs to. Since the lines are also a safety issue (crowds of people on hills in a wet environment) they can and are obligated to design lines that are safe. So they design them to control the speed of traffic and access.

Yes the variable construction dates is part of why I put the caveat in my post

Here is the regulation

Sec.36.401 New construction.
(a) General. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, discrimination for purposes of this part includes a failure to design and construct facilities for first occupancy after January 26, 1993, that are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

(2) For purposes of this section, a facility is designed and constructed for first occupancy after January 26, 1993, only --

(i) If the last application for a building permit or permit extension for the facility is certified to be complete, by a State, County, or local government after January 26, 1992 (or, in those jurisdictions where the government does not certify completion of applications, if the last application for a building permit or permit extension for the facility is received by the State, County, or local government after January 26, 1992); and

(ii) If the first certificate of occupancy for the facility is issued after January 26, 1993.

The intended cut of was 1993, but since they used and in the a1, and some jurisdiction has 2 year permits that did not expire until 1994 there was some leeway allowed so that is why I try to be safe and use 1994.

Hope this clarifies it

Also ADA is always evolving, so just because something is complaint today does not mean if will be complaint tomorrow.

The whole issue of non physical disabilities was not even in people's minds in the 1990s but now is a major portion of the compliance issues

Sorry if I was not clear initially

 

[SueM in MN]

The OP has come up with a strategy for how their family will handle the water parks.
Any other suggestions along the lines of what they plan to do - watching videos, social stories, assistance with figuring out which attractions might be anxiety producing, descriptions of attractions etc. are on topic for this thread.

Other subjects are off topic and will be deleted or the thread closed.

 

[aaarcher86]

OP, with your example of Splash I think with a good plan your son will be fine. If your DH is with him he could do one of the more tame rides first and work up from there. If he's as proud of himself after each ride as he was with Splash he,will probably work his way up to the bigger things in no time. Sometimes we are so worried about our kids we forget what they are capable of! Good luck!

 

[squirrelgirl]

again - thank you to all!

Aaarcher86 - you are absolutely right...he does need to spread his wings a little and show all of us, including his parent, that all these years of work have made a difference. I am just so accustomed to planning and thinking of every possible option and 'what if' scenarios. We can and do have some setbacks and they can really be hard to take. I tend to look at every angle of things to protect him, myself, etc.

Sue M - I shared this thread with my husband. The videos on line and your suggestions are, once again, wonderful! That I am going to have my DS watch videos of the different rides today is going to thrill him too!

I also am planning to get my husband and son matching rash guards. I figure that will help in situations where it becomes what I call 'human soup' in the wave pools and such.

Again - much appreciation for the supportive feedback!

 

[Pamlur]

oops, I think I went off topic. Sorry.

 

[Taterella]

again - thank you to all!

Aaarcher86 - you are absolutely right...he does need to spread his wings a little and show all of us, including his parent, that all these years of work have made a difference. I am just so accustomed to planning and thinking of every possible option and 'what if' scenarios. We can and do have some setbacks and they can really be hard to take. I tend to look at every angle of things to protect him, myself, etc.

Sue M - I shared this thread with my husband. The videos on line and your suggestions are, once again, wonderful! That I am going to have my DS watch videos of the different rides today is going to thrill him too!

I also am planning to get my husband and son matching rash guards. I figure that will help in situations where it becomes what I call 'human soup' in the wave pools and such.

Again - much appreciation for the supportive feedback!

OP, I'm not clear on your child's abilities, but it may help someone else. When dd was small, we made a tag at the pet store with our names cell numbers on it, then she chose beads, and we made a necklace she could wear in the parks so if we were separated, she had our numbers with her, if she couldn't remember. For a boy, you could make one that looked like military dog-tags, or an id bracelet. It was cheap and easy.