Credit: DisneyOn April 9, Disney shocked and angered guests when it announced major changes to its Disability Access Service at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. For years, guests with nearly any kind of cognitive or medical disability could use the parks’ DAS program and wait in a shorter line.
On that day in April, Disney said that beginning in late May, only guests with cognitive disabilities would be able to use the service at Disney World. The changes go into effect at Disneyland in mid-June.
Related: Disney Just Told Thousands of People With Disabilities That They Don’t Count
Well, those changes are now in effect, and dozens of people are sharing their stories of being rejected for a DAS pass, even though they desperately need one. This has been especially upsetting for guests who have been able to use Disney’s disability service in the past.
It appears that Disney knows people will be upset by the changes and is trying to avoid trouble. They are so afraid of getting sued that they are making those who do manage to get a DAS pass agree not to file a class action lawsuit against them. The class action clause is found in the new terms and conditions section of the agreement. If they do choose to sue, they must do so on their own.
The new clause reads:
“I understand that after an individualized decision regarding my personal circumstances I may be offered DAS, alternative accommodations, or no accommodations at all. I agree that any lawsuit I may file, or participate in, challenging this decision, the individualized discussion, or the overall process itself, shall be conducted only on an individual basis and not as a plaintiff or class member in a purported class, consolidated or representative action or proceeding.”
This clause is very similar to the one guests sign when they buy a Magic Key (AKA Annual Pass) at the Disneyland Resort. The class-action clause was added to the Magic Key agreement after Disney settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit.
Magic Key Holders claimed that Disney created artificial blackout dates by limiting the number of theme park reservations available to them at any given time. The Dream Key — now called the Inspire Key — was the top-tier Magic Key and allegedly had no blackout dates. However, by limiting the number of reservations available, those Magic Key Holders found themselves unable to make reservations for weeks at a time.
With regard to Disney’s new disability changes, guests whose medical conditions might force them to exit the line will have to speak to a cast member. That cast member will then let the guest rejoin the queue when they are physically able to do so. The people with the guest must remain in line and wait for the guest with the medical condition to return.
Related: Disney’s Own Greed Destroyed Its Disability Program
Many angry Disney fans have threatened to sue the Mouse House for violating the Americans With Disabilities Act. Disney’s accommodations for guests with medical conditions do not seem like actual accommodations. For guests with certain medical conditions, getting out of line and then getting back in when they are better is not a solution that works.
Do you think guests should be able to sue Disney over its disability service changes? Let us know in the comments!
This post originally appeared on Disney Dining.