Blind Guest Criticizes Disney World Disability Resource, Calls For Better

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A young woman shows a map of Disney's Animal Kingdom designed for Guests with disabilities.

Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort celebrate all kinds of Disney Cast Members and Guests. Numerous programs are in place to help disabled Guests navigate the Disney Parks successfully, like the Disability Access Service (DAS) – allowing Guests to virtually wait for rides instead of queueing on standby. And almost every line at the Parks is wheelchair accessible.

But some Guests have criticized aspects of the Walt Disney World Resort accessibility program. One doctor argued that forcing Disney Resort Guests to register for DAS penalizes them, while some disabled Guests feel registration should be stricter to avoid DAS Pass abuse. (Guests must register at Guest Relations or online with DAS Advance, then can make selections through the My Disney Experience app.)

family on animal kingdom discovery island trails
Credit: Walt Disney World Resort

Last week, TikToker Natasha Caudill visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and shared her thoughts on a guide map offered specifically for disabled Guests. Caudill is primarily blind and provided constructive criticism on the map in the following video:

@natashac44

having a great time even if I can’t see it all :’) #colorblind #achromatopsia #blind #blindness #disability #disabled #disney #disneyworld #waltdisneyword #disneytok #foryou #fyp #foryoupage #review

♬ original sound – Natasha Caudill

“They have sections for different disabilities, and this is the visual disability,” Caudill explained. “I’m very blind, but the text is so small I can barely read it, which is an issue.”

“This map details a lot of accommodations and accessibility that you don’t find in a lot of other places, so I’m glad this is available,” she continued. “The issue, though, is when you open up the map, the sections of the Park are color-coded, and I’m completely colorblind, so I can’t read it.”

girl at animal kingdom
Credit: Walt Disney World Resort

Still, Caudill praised Walt Disney World Resort’s disability accommodations: “In general, though, Disney is really accessible, so I’m having a good time even if I can’t read the disability map.”

Which Walt Disney World disability resources need improving? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments. 

Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on a personal Disney Parks Guest experience. No two Guest experiences are alike, and this article does not necessarily align with Inside the Magic’s personal views on Disney Park operations.

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