Disney’s willingness to be inclusive to all of those who are disabled has been dramatically decreasing over the last several years. The DAS was indeed a necessary change from the Guest Assistance Card for those that had trouble waiting in the standard queues, but unfortunately, they removed several other tools at the same time that would still be helpful to have.
For example, they had a stamp for those with limited vision that indicated they would need additional light through the queues, be able to sit at the front at shows, etc. without having to explain their needs at every attraction. It was a quick and easy way for a guest with disabilities to communicate their needs. These tools need to be brought back, not as a front of the line pass, but as a quick and easy way to communicate needs.
Some other examples of Disney NOT being inclusive:
There is no ADA boat on Navi River Journey, but that could have easily been done.
There is no alternate seating for Flights of Passage, again it could have been done.
Ratatouille could have been designed to not only accommodate a wheelchair on a ride vehicle without a transfer, but an ECV as well.
Mickey and Minnie’s Run Away Railway could have been configured with say a slightly tamer car that would allow someone in a wheelchair or ECV to ride without transferring.
The list goes on and on of things Disney has been doing to make things more difficult on those with disabilities than they need to be.
I am disabled and use a walker/rollator. We had annual passes to Disneyland for five years while they had the old disabled access card. That system worked, but far too many people were abusing it. I never had any problems with my disabilities at Disneyland and the treatment that I received.
What you experienced is wrong. The cast member should have let you skip the preshow as there are many people who skip the preshow for that particular ride. I can completely understand the feelings of spinning out of control in a chaotic situation.
When Disney changed to the DAS system they messed up a lot of the things that were in place for people with disabilities. I wish Disney would find a way to just require proof of disability and make a system that works for everyone while keeping the people who don’t need the system from fraudulently impacting the system.
Disabled should have their own theme park, then we wouldn’t have to redesign every aspect of the parks for these people. Theme parks are places were physical activity is a must. Imagine if the NBA were handicapped accessible… wouldn’t that be fun? The parks were so much more enjoyable twenty, thirty years ago when the primary focus wasn’t accommodating mentally ill and handicapped people who need every sort of special treatment in the book. They even need their own stations and queues… Jesus.
Abel Bodie are you for real? “Enough already.” You are what is wrong with society you self centered JERK. I think this world has had Enough already of you.
God forbid you ever have a child with a disability. If a theme park accommodates my child, who was born with Kabuki Syndrome, it in no way affects your enjoyment of the attraction, so why do you care, and with such contempt. You could have a horrible accident tomorrow, resulting in a disability, and you would be in the same position. You would want to still enjoy all of the same things that your peers, your family, your siblings or your spouse is able to enjoy. Not relegated like a leper on an island.
How many theme parks do you think you would have to build to be specific for people with disabilities. There are hundreds of different disabilities all requiring different accommodations.
I pray that you never have a child born with, or who acquires a disability. But if you did, it would break your heart to watch your child who you love more than anything struggle with everyday challenges that you will never understand. And I promise you, if you loved a child with a disability, and saw somebody talk to or treat them with the contempt that you showed with your ignorant comments, your heart would break for your child.
You are what is wrong with this world, everything is about you, and not about community. Thank God my child has a wonderful community around him, who support him, and lift him up, and want him to be the best he can be by including him in society. His life is just as valuable as yours, and probably more, because he loves everybody for who they are.
I have two autistic sons. Disney has gotten so bad with accommodating people with disabilities. Their attitudes have gone downhill too. Was much easier when they were young with the old disability pass. I understand there was fraud but my sons shouldn’t be punished for that. Universal treats us so much better, listens and accommodates. Universal to us have become the superior parks.
That is completely unacceptable. I was there last week and found two really rude cast members. Got in line at 10:50 pm to get food and after standing there a minute was told they were closed. I explained that I was diabetic and my sugar was low. She whispered to another cast member who came up and said this is my cart and I decide when we close. I think they need sensitivity training for disabilities/health conditions.
I get BAD vertigo so should I have Disney stop the Buzz Light-year ride in the Magic Kingdom because the last part with the flashing lights that go all around the track really mess with me?? Or do I either close my eyes or just look down at my feet?? If you can’t handle the first part of the ride and have brought other people with you to piggy back off your needs YOU should be able to skip the part and wait for the rest of your party. Or like the cast member said close your eyes. I have seen people bring a person so disabled that they had no idea where they were at all. They were in the wheel chair just getting sun burned so bad pouring sweat not being talked to buy their party had on big sun hats and just fine. Just horrible how the disabled person was being treated just so the rest could cut the line.
I’m all for letting legitimately disabled people skip the preshow but take a look at this person’s Twitter. She reads like a panhandler and a fraud. Just a week before she watched the horror movie Nope in IMAX and loved it lol. I’ll bet the CM picked up on that energy.
But I guess the question is, in what way does skipping an intro to the ride impact others? It doesn’t even seem like she was trying to skip the line, just a part of the ride. I’m just not understanding why people are so upset about this.
Comments for Disney World Cast Member Rudely Refuses Accommodation For Autistic Guest
Chris
Disney’s willingness to be inclusive to all of those who are disabled has been dramatically decreasing over the last several years. The DAS was indeed a necessary change from the Guest Assistance Card for those that had trouble waiting in the standard queues, but unfortunately, they removed several other tools at the same time that would still be helpful to have.
For example, they had a stamp for those with limited vision that indicated they would need additional light through the queues, be able to sit at the front at shows, etc. without having to explain their needs at every attraction. It was a quick and easy way for a guest with disabilities to communicate their needs. These tools need to be brought back, not as a front of the line pass, but as a quick and easy way to communicate needs.
Some other examples of Disney NOT being inclusive:
There is no ADA boat on Navi River Journey, but that could have easily been done.
There is no alternate seating for Flights of Passage, again it could have been done.
Ratatouille could have been designed to not only accommodate a wheelchair on a ride vehicle without a transfer, but an ECV as well.
Mickey and Minnie’s Run Away Railway could have been configured with say a slightly tamer car that would allow someone in a wheelchair or ECV to ride without transferring.
The list goes on and on of things Disney has been doing to make things more difficult on those with disabilities than they need to be.
SarahELuvsDisney
I am disabled and use a walker/rollator. We had annual passes to Disneyland for five years while they had the old disabled access card. That system worked, but far too many people were abusing it. I never had any problems with my disabilities at Disneyland and the treatment that I received.
What you experienced is wrong. The cast member should have let you skip the preshow as there are many people who skip the preshow for that particular ride. I can completely understand the feelings of spinning out of control in a chaotic situation.
When Disney changed to the DAS system they messed up a lot of the things that were in place for people with disabilities. I wish Disney would find a way to just require proof of disability and make a system that works for everyone while keeping the people who don’t need the system from fraudulently impacting the system.
Abel Bodie
Disabled should have their own theme park, then we wouldn’t have to redesign every aspect of the parks for these people. Theme parks are places were physical activity is a must. Imagine if the NBA were handicapped accessible… wouldn’t that be fun? The parks were so much more enjoyable twenty, thirty years ago when the primary focus wasn’t accommodating mentally ill and handicapped people who need every sort of special treatment in the book. They even need their own stations and queues… Jesus.
Enough already.
Travis Weberling
@Abel Bodie, BY FEDERAL LAW Companies have to have accessibility for EVERYONE, otherwise they’re opening themselves up for a discrimination lawsuit.
Jesse
Abel Bodie are you for real? “Enough already.” You are what is wrong with society you self centered JERK. I think this world has had Enough already of you.
KabukiWarriorMom
God forbid you ever have a child with a disability. If a theme park accommodates my child, who was born with Kabuki Syndrome, it in no way affects your enjoyment of the attraction, so why do you care, and with such contempt. You could have a horrible accident tomorrow, resulting in a disability, and you would be in the same position. You would want to still enjoy all of the same things that your peers, your family, your siblings or your spouse is able to enjoy. Not relegated like a leper on an island.
How many theme parks do you think you would have to build to be specific for people with disabilities. There are hundreds of different disabilities all requiring different accommodations.
I pray that you never have a child born with, or who acquires a disability. But if you did, it would break your heart to watch your child who you love more than anything struggle with everyday challenges that you will never understand. And I promise you, if you loved a child with a disability, and saw somebody talk to or treat them with the contempt that you showed with your ignorant comments, your heart would break for your child.
You are what is wrong with this world, everything is about you, and not about community. Thank God my child has a wonderful community around him, who support him, and lift him up, and want him to be the best he can be by including him in society. His life is just as valuable as yours, and probably more, because he loves everybody for who they are.
YourWifesBull
Children are a disability in and of themselves. Life was better when you people were just thrown from the mountain peaks
Sara Thomas
I have two autistic sons. Disney has gotten so bad with accommodating people with disabilities. Their attitudes have gone downhill too. Was much easier when they were young with the old disability pass. I understand there was fraud but my sons shouldn’t be punished for that. Universal treats us so much better, listens and accommodates. Universal to us have become the superior parks.
Lisa
That is completely unacceptable. I was there last week and found two really rude cast members. Got in line at 10:50 pm to get food and after standing there a minute was told they were closed. I explained that I was diabetic and my sugar was low. She whispered to another cast member who came up and said this is my cart and I decide when we close. I think they need sensitivity training for disabilities/health conditions.
Leslie Brown
I’m diabetic, plan for it. It’s not any ones responsible but yours.
Leslie Brown
I get BAD vertigo so should I have Disney stop the Buzz Light-year ride in the Magic Kingdom because the last part with the flashing lights that go all around the track really mess with me?? Or do I either close my eyes or just look down at my feet?? If you can’t handle the first part of the ride and have brought other people with you to piggy back off your needs YOU should be able to skip the part and wait for the rest of your party. Or like the cast member said close your eyes. I have seen people bring a person so disabled that they had no idea where they were at all. They were in the wheel chair just getting sun burned so bad pouring sweat not being talked to buy their party had on big sun hats and just fine. Just horrible how the disabled person was being treated just so the rest could cut the line.
Lawrence
I’m all for letting legitimately disabled people skip the preshow but take a look at this person’s Twitter. She reads like a panhandler and a fraud. Just a week before she watched the horror movie Nope in IMAX and loved it lol. I’ll bet the CM picked up on that energy.
Jay
But I guess the question is, in what way does skipping an intro to the ride impact others? It doesn’t even seem like she was trying to skip the line, just a part of the ride. I’m just not understanding why people are so upset about this.
Comments are closed.