Article: Is Disney Dissing the Disabled?

[Granny square]

You do know that some kids are melting down during each of your examples. At home waiting for dinner it is at least a more private place for a meltdown. Or in the car.

Disney had to make changes and they don't affect me. Really in either end since we travel off season. Our waits aren't intolerable because of the gacs now and we don't use them.

I hope that a happy medium is struck. One that curbs liars and cheats and one that allows families to make good memories.

 

[OurBigTrip]

You do know that some kids are melting down during each of your examples. At home waiting for dinner it is at least a more private place for a meltdown. Or in the car.

Then it isn't a matter of the parents can't deal with it at WDW, it's that they don't want to deal with it at WDW.

If the kid can wait at the grocery store, they can wait at WDW or DL. At least at the latter, they don't have to wait in the line.

 

[Vidia2]

I've been thinking on this while I was eating my dinner. One thing I realized is there has been lots of responses to those who say their child can not wait in line, saying that there are lots of times in everyday life you have to wait...even examples given. However, no one seems to have an answer to that. Which is very convenient, IMO.

So, I am putting it out there. If your child can not wait even 15 minutes in line to ride an attraction at WDW, then what do you do at home when.....

-You have to wait at a stop light? Do you crash into cars, bc your child can't wait? Or run over pedestrians bc god forbid, your child can't wait!

-You have to wait in line at the grocery store?

- Do you provide Christmas or Bdays, or Halloween every day of the year, bc the child can't wait for that one day a year?

-Your cooking dinner and your child wants it now? Or your waiting at a restaurant to be served? Should they get theirs cooked before everyone else at the restaurant, bc they have special needs?

-your child has to use the bathroom and it's occupied? Do you have a bathroom FP?

-when they are at the playground and there is a line for the slide, swings, etc? Do you run over and yell that your child should be first bc they don't understand?

These are just a few examples, and yes some are on the extreme side, but apply none the less.

I assume it hasn't been directly answered and skipped over numerous times, bc the answer is...they wait. Which is in direct contradiction to saying they can't wait at WDW. Thus, you don't have a leg to stand on and it's easier to just not respond to valid, thought out, and common sense questions.

Sure, you can answer with the same old same old of...but we are on vacation, and it's the one place where we can participate like regular folks. Except there is a problem with that theory...regular folks don't get front of the line/immediate access...AND just bc your on vacation doesn't mean life, learning, and parenting cease to exist.

Even in the special needs program my DD is in at school, she has to wait her turn to answer, to play games, to get her lunch, to go to recess, to sharpen her pencil...I could go on and on. If they are teaching it in school, then it must be an important life skill that professionals feel need to be taught. They also wouldn't bother to teach it, if it can't be learned.

Would you ask a parent of a child who needs to use a wheelchair why they can't just make them walk and demand to know how they manage in day to day life and why they need "special" treatment for WDW or DL? Or if they can walk some of the time why can't they walk for the entire vacation?

I think there's an assumption by some that autism is not a real disability and that parents just need to make their children snap out of it as if it's a discipline problem.

The short answer to all of your questions is that families make adjustments to their schedules and activities to allow for the needs of their children, just as parents do for other disabilities.

 

[Talking Hands]

And I have stated in other threads that the new procedure will likely not affect us, EXCEPT that I think it is ludicrous that we should be expected to "find something else to do" for waits that are only 15-20min (which is average at the times of year we visit) because there is NO ride you can do in that time span, you can't repeatedly take a child into a gift store without buying something and you cannot repeatedly shove food or drink at them to distract them. However, I think that Disney will end up going the route of Universal and allowing immediate FP-line access if the standby wait is under 30 minutes.

However, my concern is more for those people who this new system will not work for. Those who have feeding schedules, breathing apparatus, medication schedules, etc., which can mean that they are only in the parks for a very short amount of time or that they may have to leave at a moment's notice. I know that some people say "too bad, so sad" for people in those situations, but I take a different position.

If lines are only 15-20 minutes why are you using the GAC in the first place. It was never meant to be a front of the line pass.

 

[AndreaA]

Would you ask a parent of a child who needs to use a wheelchair why they can't just make them walk and demand to know how they manage in day to day life and why they need "special" treatment for WDW or DL? Or if they can walk some of the time why can't they walk for the entire vacation?

I think there's an assumption by some that autism is not a real disability and that parents just need to make their children snap out of it as if it's a discipline problem.

The short answer to all of your questions is that families make adjustments to their schedules and activities to allow for the needs of their children, just as parents do for other disabilities.

Yes, all of this. The post which this is in response to is incredibly ignorant and condescending.

Plenty of parents don't take their kids shopping. They don't go to restaurants. They don't go places where melt-downs are imminent. In other words they don't get to act like normal families. The old GAC system allowed them to visit WDW without having it be AS MUCH of an issue so that they could allow themselves, and their kids - including those without disabilities - a good time.

And if you think that waiting for five minutes in a grocery store line ONCE in a day is the same as waiting 30 minutes MULTIPLE times then I honestly don't know what to say to you.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I think there's an assumption by some that autism is not a real disability and that parents just need to make their children snap out of it as if it's a discipline problem.

The short answer to all of your questions is that families make adjustments to their schedules and activities to allow for the needs of their children, just as parents do for other disabilities.

Of course autism is a real disability, but that doesn't mean that children with autism should receive a superior experience to NT kids at the parks.

If families of autistic children make adjustments at home, it seems they should be able to make them on vacation.

 

[minniemous]

I really had no intention of reading posts on his subject just decided to take a look at the rumors section thinking I would see some cool new ride in the works or something like that. I started reading and found myself reading on and on. I had no idea what Disney's prior system was for the disabled. In all honesty I have (especially my last visit a few years ago) noticed some situations where I was fairly certain that the people getting in line ahead of my family and others did not look like they were disabled. I have also noticed on my last trip a crazy number of people on scooters. I would also add that my feet were run over twice while there by two different women on a scooters. To my eye it was as if they normally to do use scooters because they were very bad at operating them. All I can say is this is a debate that is very hard to take a side with. I have also seen many unfortunate children with different disabilities that I would gladly wait on line for them so that they could go to the front and enjoy themselves. One person over and over says that these people with disabilities should not be given special treatment just equal access. That is if I am understanding them correctly. Well, I certainly have no issue giving certain people special treatment. I am a mother as is many of the posters here are and my heart sinks to my feet when I see some of these children at Disney (or anywhere) and I can not imagine what it must be for the parents to just want the best for their child and for them sometimes just to get a smile. That being said I am certain there are many abusers. Also not everyone deserves the ability to head to the start of the line. I do believe that there is a huge difference between a child who has a meltdown and other more serious medical issues. Children undergoing cancer treatments and such just do not have the strength to wait in lines. I know Disney can not rank disabilities and such and it would be impossible. It kind of sounds like this newest solution Disney is or is going to enact (which honestly I am still having trouble figuring out for certain all it entails) is the best solution. I think it is not too much of a hardship to get unlimited fast passes for the day and be able to return to go on the ride. People without the disability will get only three for the day and will wait on most of the lines and people with disabilities will get to sit in the shade go get a drink, go on some other ride that has little wait etc. while they wait for the time to return. It seems fair for everyone. It also will still have abuse I am sure but at least it makes it a bit more fair. I can also see a situation where Disney could make special allowances for truly special circumstances. So, I see both sides. I think some of the peoples attitudes I read should be ashamed. I do not have a child with a disability but YES I feel that sometimes children SHOULD get better treatment on occasion because they have been dealt a bad card PERIOD. Be glad that your child is not the one Disney is taking mercy on and making life a little easier for. This is not directed at those who feel there is a better solution so everyone has a better time, it is directed of some of the posts that have a "too bad so sad" attitude.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yes, all of this. The post which this is in response to is incredibly ignorant and condescending.

Plenty of parents don't take their kids shopping. They don't go to restaurants. They don't go places where melt-downs are imminent. In other words they don't get to act like normal families. The old GAC system allowed them to visit WDW without having it be AS MUCH of an issue so that they could allow themselves, and their kids - including those without disabilities - a good time.

And if you think that waiting for five minutes in a grocery store line ONCE in a day is the same as waiting 30 minutes MULTIPLE times then I honestly don't know what to say to you.

It's a shame that you feel you can't have a good time at Disney unless you're negatively impacting others.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

Would you ask a parent of a child who needs to use a wheelchair why they can't just make them walk and demand to know how they manage in day to day life and why they need "special" treatment for WDW or DL? Or if they can walk some of the time why can't they walk for the entire vacation?

I think there's an assumption by some that autism is not a real disability and that parents just need to make their children snap out of it as if it's a discipline problem.

The short answer to all of your questions is that families make adjustments to their schedules and activities to allow for the needs of their children, just as parents do for other disabilities.

Sorry but comparing wheelchairs and autism are comparing apples and oranges. We again, are not saying that accommodations aren't necessary at all, just that saying they can't wait is not a reason.

And if families make adjustments to their schedules and activities elsewhere, surely it can be done at WDW as well.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I really had no intention of reading posts on his subject just decided to take a look at the rumors section thinking I would see some cool new ride in the works or something like that. I started reading and found myself reading on and on. I had no idea what Disney's prior system was for the disabled. In all honesty I have (especially my last visit a few years ago) noticed some situations where I was fairly certain that the people getting in line ahead of my family and others did not look like they were disabled. I have also noticed on my last trip a crazy number of people on scooters. I would also add that my feet were run over twice while there by two different women on a scooters. To my eye it was as if they normally to do use scooters because they were very bad at operating them. All I can say is this is a debate that is very hard to take a side with. I have also seen many unfortunate children with different disabilities that I would gladly wait on line for them so that they could go to the front and enjoy themselves. One person over and over says that these people with disabilities should not be given special treatment just equal access. That is if I am understanding them correctly. Well, I certainly have no issue giving certain people special treatment. I am a mother as is many of the posters here are and my heart sinks to my feet when I see some of these children at Disney (or anywhere) and I can not imagine what it must be for the parents to just want the best for their child and for them sometimes just to get a smile. That being said I am certain there are many abusers. Also not everyone deserves the ability to head to the start of the line. I do believe that there is a huge difference between a child who has a meltdown and other more serious medical issues. Children undergoing cancer treatments and such just do not have the strength to wait in lines. I know Disney can not rank disabilities and such and it would be impossible. It kind of sounds like this newest solution Disney is or is going to enact (which honestly I am still having trouble figuring out for certain all it entails) is the best solution. I think it is not too much of a hardship to get unlimited fast passes for the day and be able to return to go on the ride. People without the disability will get only three for the day and will wait on most of the lines and people with disabilities will get to sit in the shade go get a drink, go on some other ride that has little wait etc. while they wait for the time to return. It seems fair for everyone. It also will still have abuse I am sure but at least it makes it a bit more fair. I can also see a situation where Disney could make special allowances for truly special circumstances. So, I see both sides. I think some of the peoples attitudes I read should be ashamed. I do not have a child with a disability but YES I feel that sometimes children SHOULD get better treatment on occasion because they have been dealt a bad card PERIOD. Be glad that your child is not the one Disney is taking mercy on and making life a little easier for. This is not directed at those who feel there is a better solution so everyone has a better time, it is directed of some of the posts that have a "too bad so sad" attitude.

Being able to sit somewhere shady or do something else while waiting is an excellent compromise, which is what Disney originally said they were going to do. It's too bad they've apparently been bullied into going back to the same system that is being abused.

As for kids being dealt a bad card, I don't see where that has anything to do with a trip to Disney. How bad somewhat has it 51 weeks out of the year is, or should be, completely unrelated to what they experience in the park.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

Yes, all of this. The post which this is in response to is incredibly ignorant and condescending.

Plenty of parents don't take their kids shopping. They don't go to restaurants. They don't go places where melt-downs are imminent. In other words they don't get to act like normal families. The old GAC system allowed them to visit WDW without having it be AS MUCH of an issue so that they could allow themselves, and their kids - including those without disabilities - a good time.

And if you think that waiting for five minutes in a grocery store line ONCE in a day is the same as waiting 30 minutes MULTIPLE times then I honestly don't know what to say to you.

So...basically, what you are saying here is adjustments are made to deal with the disability in real life...but can't be made at WDW.

Or...that some people don't bring their kids shopping or to restaurants...or places where melt downs are imminent...except for crowdedville and waitville, USA, otherwise known as WDW and bc they bring them, that everyone else should bow down and suck it up and wait? Yeah...that is pretty much the same thing I am saying only in reverse.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

As for kids being dealt a bad card, I don't see where that has anything to do with a trip to Disney. How bad somewhat has it 51 weeks out of the year is, or should be, completely unrelated to what they experience in the park.

Yep, that is bringing it back around to the "pity me and my situation" card. Feel bad for me bc I have it so hard, so I should be treated special.

 

[Granny square]

Then it isn't a matter of the parents can't deal with it at WDW, it's that they don't want to deal with it at WDW. If the kid can wait at the grocery store, they can wait at WDW or DL. At least at the latter, they don't have to wait in the line.

Lol, just saying that you were comparing apples to oranges. Waiting in a crowded space as opposed to one's home are two different animals.

We don't have kids that need assistance but we have a dozen or so kids in our tiny church because it became a place where patience for commotion and a bit of noise weren't looked down on. As kids have become more accustomed there is less crazy. A bit like home

 

[sharadoc]

I've been thinking on this while I was eating my dinner. One thing I realized is there has been lots of responses to those who say their child can not wait in line, saying that there are lots of times in everyday life you have to wait...even examples given. However, no one seems to have an answer to that. Which is very convenient, IMO.

So, I am putting it out there. If your child can not wait even 15 minutes in line to ride an attraction at WDW, then what do you do at home when.....

-You have to wait at a stop light? Do you crash into cars, bc your child can't wait? Or run over pedestrians bc god forbid, your child can't wait!

No he says Let's go or Daddy/Mommy drive and we say "the light is red we can go when it's green" over and over until the light changes

-You have to wait in line at the grocery store?

He doesn't go to the grocery store. Refuses to get out of the car or sits down in the middle of the parking lot yelling NO. So I leave him home with his father and do it myself.

- Do you provide Christmas or Bdays, or Halloween every day of the year, bc the child can't wait for that one day a year?

He doesn't care about them. He doesn't care about presents or dressing up. He does like cake.

-Your cooking dinner and your child wants it now? Or your waiting at a restaurant to be served? Should they get theirs cooked before everyone else at the restaurant, bc they have special needs?

Until we started going to Disney World he couldn't handle a restaurant. Only McDonald's type places. The atmosphere at WDW helped us teach him to order for himself although we generally do buffets or CS to avoid the waiting thing.

-your child has to use the bathroom and it's occupied? Do you have a bathroom FP?

He will hold it or go in his pants.

-when they are at the playground and there is a line for the slide, swings, etc? Do you run over and yell that your child should be first bc they don't understand?

Too old for that but we took him mostly to school playgrounds after hours where he played alone most of the time because other kids couldn't figure him out.

These are just a few examples, and yes some are on the extreme side, but apply none the less.

I assume it hasn't been directly answered and skipped over numerous times, bc the answer is...they wait. Which is in direct contradiction to saying they can't wait at WDW. Thus, you don't have a leg to stand on and it's easier to just not respond to valid, thought out, and common sense questions.

Sure, you can answer with the same old same old of...but we are on vacation, and it's the one place where we can participate like regular folks. Except there is a problem with that theory...regular folks don't get front of the line/immediate access...AND just bc your on vacation doesn't mean life, learning, and parenting cease to exist.

Even in the special needs program my DD is in at school, she has to wait her turn to answer, to play games, to get her lunch, to go to recess, to sharpen her pencil...I could go on and on. If they are teaching it in school, then it must be an important life skill that professionals feel need to be taught. They also wouldn't bother to teach it, if it can't be learned.

I answered in your questions. In the quote box but I don't think I can change colors on my phone. I'm glad your DD can handle those things. My son's IEP is mostly one on one so he doesn't go to school in a class, but a room with other kids doing one on one. I'm sitting here typing as he paces around the family room. He barely sits for more than 30 seconds.

 

[OurBigTrip]

So...basically, what you are saying here is adjustments are made to deal with the disability in real life...but can't be made at WDW.

Or...that some people don't bring their kids shopping or to restaurants...or places where melt downs are imminent...except for crowdedville and waitville, USA, otherwise known as WDW and bc they bring them, that everyone else should bow down and suck it up and wait? Yeah...that is pretty much the same thing I am saying only in reverse.

What I've gotten from some people on this thread is a) because my kids are NT, they already have it good, so I shouldn't care about the negative impacts of GAC abuse by some families with ASD children and b) my kids aren't deserving of as much fun at WDW as a child with ASD.

 

[delmar411]

It's a shame that you feel you can't have a good time at Disney unless you're negatively impacting others.

There is going to be no difference in your 'negatively' impacted day with this new system. If you are in line and a bunch of ppl with this DAS card all decide to return at the same time, you are going to be waiting longer. Longer than if they had all arrived at different times like would normally happen.

There is actually no difference in terms of ride impact. The CMs won't be adjusting the wait times based off how many stamps they have given out and they won't be making ppl wait longer who have gotten a stamp.

The only people who will be negatively impacted will be those who need this card. I know that's fine will lots of people and that's their/your prerogative to feel like that but don't think for one second your day won't continue to be impacted.

And this card is ripe for abuse. FPs all gone for the day? Might as well pick a DAS and go enjoying a meal while we wait for xyz prime attraction. Those who were abusing the GAC will be able to be in the parks all day and do all the waiting required for this new system. I don't really see how it will cut down on abuse or other guest impact.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Lol, just saying that you were comparing apples to oranges. Waiting in a crowded space as opposed to one's home are two different animals.

We don't have kids that need assistance but we have a dozen or so kids in our tiny church because it became a place where patience for commotion and a bit of noise weren't looked down on. As kids have become more accustomed there is less crazy. A bit like home

I wasn't comparing anything - I'm not the one that asked the question.

 

[sharadoc]

Yes, all of this. The post which this is in response to is incredibly ignorant and condescending.

Plenty of parents don't take their kids shopping. They don't go to restaurants. They don't go places where melt-downs are imminent. In other words they don't get to act like normal families. The old GAC system allowed them to visit WDW without having it be AS MUCH of an issue so that they could allow themselves, and their kids - including those without disabilities - a good time.

And if you think that waiting for five minutes in a grocery store line ONCE in a day is the same as waiting 30 minutes MULTIPLE times then I honestly don't know what to say to you.

That's the hardest thing to deal with - the siblings WITHOUT the disability. That is what truly makes me cry.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

Yes, all of this. The post which this is in response to is incredibly ignorant and condescending.

Plenty of parents don't take their kids shopping. They don't go to restaurants. They don't go places where melt-downs are imminent. In other words they don't get to act like normal families. The old GAC system allowed them to visit WDW without having it be AS MUCH of an issue so that they could allow themselves, and their kids - including those without disabilities - a good time.

And if you think that waiting for five minutes in a grocery store line ONCE in a day is the same as waiting 30 minutes MULTIPLE times then I honestly don't know what to say to you.

I would also like to add here, that while you and I don't share the same opinions...calling me ignorant and condescending is well....pretty ignorant. No where did I attack or call you names nor say that what you wrote was ignorant. Funny though, that the people who want the compassion and understanding, and not to be called names...resort to name calling when they don't have a valid leg to stand on in their argument.

So basically, if I am reading your response correctly...unless you have front of the line/immediate access, it's not a good time for you. Even if that is at the expense of other children's good times, bc you have it so hard, you deserve it.

I have a few words I could use to describe what I think of your posts and opinions, but being the lady I am...I won't actually write them down as you did. Thank you.

 

[Objectivity]

Fine - then they can wait in line for an hour like everyone else does. Simple fix!

Then you're violating section ii.

It might help if you read and understood the legal document you're quoting.