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Credit: Disney Taking a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is a very expensive experience, with guests paying thousands of dollars to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth. From the travel costs to the theme park tickets, food costs, merchandise, and extras like Lightning Lane, things can add up very quickly.
As a way to make their vacation more affordable, some guests will do things like bring their own drinks and snacks, purchase a cheap stroller so they don’t have to rent one every day, and the like.
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As their trip comes to an end, some guests find that they have a lot of leftover food, drinks, toiletries, and more. Since they can’t or don’t want to travel with those items, they will often post on Disney World vacation groups, letting others know that the items are free for the taking.
They will leave the items outside their Disney World Resort hotel room, and others can grab what they would like on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Paying it forward has become increasingly popular in recent years, and guests are grateful for the free items they receive. Those who are giving the items away are happy to be able to help others and not have to worry about items they no longer need.
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However, while Paying It Forward seems like a kind thing, one guest pointed out that leaving free items outside your hotel room can cause an issue for certain guests.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, one Walt Disney World guest pointed out that blocking off parts of the hallway can create a real obstacle for guests in wheelchairs. If they are traveling down the hallway and items are in the way, they could find themselves unable to pass if no one is with them to move the items out of the way.
The anonymous poster asked guests to please take those who are disabled into account when piling items into the hotel hallways.
As a full-time wheelchair user (non-ambulatory), I am writing this post politely and in good faith, knowing that most people engage in this practice out of kindness and a desire to help others. I fullt believe that if people knew the unintended consequences, they would reconsider.
Many of you have probably noticed or participated in the growing trend of leaving unused items in resort hallways for other guests to take — items like packs of water bottles, unopened snacks, diapers, baby formula, or even larger things like strollers. This is often framed as a way to “pay it forward” and help other families, especially with the rising costs of Disney vacations. The intention is undeniably good.
However, as a full-time wheelchair user and a parent, I want to share another perspective that might not be as obvious. For people like me, out wheelchairs are not just tools – they are our legs. When hallways are blocked, even partially, it creates significant barriers. Unlike ambulatory guests, we can’t simply step around obstacles. Instead, we’re forced to find alternative paths or ask others to move things for us. Simply existing in the world is already difficult enough for us, and Disney World vacations are about ten times more exhausting for us than for other guests, so this added, unnecessary barrier to safe access in our accommodations becomes hurtful and frustrating.
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Before the post was deleted, it created a flurry of conversation and some debate. Some of those who commented said that they had not thought about how wheelchair users could be impacted by other guests trying to do something nice.
There was also a discussion about those who use electric scooters, but it was pointed out that those who use EVCs can typically walk, unlike many wheelchair users.
Of course, with every debate, there were those who did not take kindly to the post. They argued that people shouldn’t be shamed for trying to do a nice thing for other guests. They also said that the hallways are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and items piled up next to a door.
Paying it forward is a very kind thing to do during your Disney vacation. There are guests who really appreciate the free items that other guests leave for them. However, if you are going to pay it forward, please make sure that your items do not block the hallways or exits. Not only can it become a fire hazard, but it makes it much harder for disabled guests to go to and from their rooms.
Have you ever paid it forward while on a Disney vacation? Do you think the Facebook post makes a good point that a lot of people might not have considered? Share your thoughts in the comments!