Disney complaint line

[danalea10]

But all that could have happened just as easily when Free Dining wasn't in play, couldn't it? I mean ... the fact that people were sitting inside longer and not vacating tables was more a factor of the rain than it was of FD. It's not like Disney can go through the restaurant and force people to leave so that the people behind them can sit down. If it hadn't been raining in both of those instances, you probably would have been sat much much more quickly and had no problem at all. I don't think you can blame Disney for the weather! You're talking Crystal Palace and SciFi, both places that are crowded year-round. You could have just as easily run into this scenario on a rainy non-FD day as you did during the promotion.

The free dining isn't really the issue here. If these are crowded restaurants year-round and they know people take an extra long time to eat when it's raining, isn't it reasonable for them to limit the walk-up customers, knowing that they have many more people coming in with reservations? They were still telling people without reservations it was a 20 minute wait when we first checked in. And these were just two of our longer waits, we also had others that we didn't get in for 20 minutes after our reservation even when it wasn't raining. It just seemed like the restaurants were not prepared for the combination of crowds and rainy weather.

 

[swald91]

The answer to this would be more busses. According to ADA wheelchairs must board first for safety reasons. Disney will allow their entire party on for this reason:

When the bus arrives, everyone disembarks except the wheelchairs. They have to wait. In addition, after they are off the bus they would have to wait again for the rest of their party on another bus. It's almost like being punished for being in a wheelchair when all you want is to have a fun Grand Gathering vacation.

Disney does need more busses. Hopefully with the improvement of the economy they will hire more drivers.



That would be "screening" and not permitted by ADA. Think of it as if there would be busses for just men or just kids or just people of a certain race. Wrong all around.

The abusers make it hard on those of us who love Disney for what they offer disabled people. There will always be those like that. Personally, I avoid the busses because I don't want to deal with the "normal" people and their "stupidity" to my invisible disability. Those are as bad as the abusers of the system.

But I can walk around my resort and am thankful. I cannot run with my kids.

I have been around and Disney is a class act for those with scooters and wheelchairs. We went to the beach this summer and I don't think I'll ever go back. The resort was not accomodating, asking for anything was bothersome to the employees and their bus would not accomodate any handicapped accessory. Disney gets my

I'm glad this thread has been decent and not bashing And as an afterthought: Decent disabled peeps do not want to inconvenience anyone else, they just want magic too.

I don't understand why that would be screening...they have entrances for guests in wheelchairs-I saw someone on our trip last week-we stopped at BB to pick up guests at the end of the day. I think we were returning from AK with a good load of people-able to take on some guests-there was a man in a scooter I think may have just had surgery & I felt bad that he had to wait-they couldn't accomodate him & his family b/c of the amt on the bus already-so now I wonder what if the next 2 buses were like that? That man & his family would have to wait for how long? I think the people in these chairs would appreciate a bus for them-no more waiting for a bus at the end of the day that's empty-JMO

 

[WDSearcher]

The free dining isn't really the issue here. If these are crowded restaurants year-round and they know people take an extra long time to eat when it's raining, isn't it reasonable for them to limit the walk-up customers, knowing that they have many more people coming in with reservations? They were still telling people without reservations it was a 20 minute wait when we first checked in. And these were just two of our longer waits, we also had others that we didn't get in for 20 minutes after our reservation even when it wasn't raining. It just seemed like the restaurants were not prepared for the combination of crowds and rainy weather.

OK ... Then I misunderstood. Your post said that you had written to Disney to express your displeasure with free dining. And you then went on to cite specific examples. The way it was written made it seem that free dining was where the complaint was coming from. Sorry!

 

[WDSearcher]

I don't understand why that would be screening...they have entrances for guests in wheelchairs-I saw someone on our trip last week-we stopped at BB to pick up guests at the end of the day. I think we were returning from AK with a good load of people-able to take on some guests-there was a man in a scooter I think may have just had surgery & I felt bad that he had to wait-they couldn't accomodate him & his family b/c of the amt on the bus already-so now I wonder what if the next 2 buses were like that? That man & his family would have to wait for how long? I think the people in these chairs would appreciate a bus for them-no more waiting for a bus at the end of the day that's empty-JMO

yeah ... but not every wheelchair group has only one or two people accompanying the w/c guest. You may have more in the groups than can fit on the special busses. So you're still splitting the party up and having to send one group one way and another group another.

And imagine this scenario: A w/c bus pulls up to the bus stop just as one w/c guest and his two companions arrive. There are 90 people in the "regular" bus line waiting, but only one w/c and two companions are loaded onto the w/c bus, because it's for w/c parties only. They pull away and the people in the "regular" bus line (who have been waiting 20 min) are angry because the w/c people got "special treatment" -- "they didn't wait in line at all and got on their uncrowded special bus and drove away with all of the other people standing there when there was plenty of room on that bus to take at least a few of the people in the line." You KNOW that would be a thing.

 

[swald91]

WDSearcher..
Funny that you say that...while leaving AK-that's exactly what did happen!!! We were all waiting for the driver after he let on the w/c guest & he left!!! We just thought...hmm..that was strange!!!!
But I do know what you mean & you can never make everyone happy. It just seems like it would be a good thing to have-especially during the busy times of the year. People are going to complain no matter what or what you don't do for them!

 

[jkokbaker]

We made a complaint to DLR and they ended up replacing the hopper tickets that we bought for that trip to use on a futrue trip. They do listen and respond.

 

[KellyNY]

yeah ... but not every wheelchair group has only one or two people accompanying the w/c guest. You may have more in the groups than can fit on the special busses. So you're still splitting the party up and having to send one group one way and another group another.

And imagine this scenario: A w/c bus pulls up to the bus stop just as one w/c guest and his two companions arrive. There are 90 people in the "regular" bus line waiting, but only one w/c and two companions are loaded onto the w/c bus, because it's for w/c parties only. They pull away and the people in the "regular" bus line (who have been waiting 20 min) are angry because the w/c people got "special treatment" -- "they didn't wait in line at all and got on their uncrowded special bus and drove away with all of the other people standing there when there was plenty of room on that bus to take at least a few of the people in the line." You KNOW that would be a thing.

I do not think spliting parties is a good idea. I also never saw a really big party with a person in a wheelchair, how many times it really did happen to any of us that we were left behind because the party was 20 people or more, really?
I do not mind to wait an extra 5 min while wheelchair will be secured and I do not mind if they have people with them. Sending special buses would be a waste, since nobody really knows when wheelchair party will need it. I'm sorry to say it but I believe a little bit of patience would be in order

 

[pbthompson]

Okay I have a question, what is the difference from Disney asking for proof (doctors note or whatever) over say the Dept. of Motor Vehicles? I know they require it, so why isn't that screening? I still fully support the idea that proof should be required to be in a chair/scooter. I'm sorry but if you are really handicapped you shouldn't have a problem showing the proof of it. Isn't it like showing you are 21 or that you are a member of a club? Forgive me in advance for my ignorance, I don't mean to offend anyone, I am just curious of the difference.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Okay I have a question, what is the difference from Disney asking for proof (doctors note or whatever) over say the Dept. of Motor Vehicles? I know they require it, so why isn't that screening? I still fully support the idea that proof should be required to be in a chair/scooter. I'm sorry but if you are really handicapped you shouldn't have a problem showing the proof of it. Isn't it like showing you are 21 or that you are a member of a club? Forgive me in advance for my ignorance, I don't mean to offend anyone, I am just curious of the difference.

When you say proof over the Dept of Motor Vechicles are you talking about handicapped tags? I know in TN that even w/ handicapped tags it is still perfectly legal to ask for ID to match the registration on the tags to prove the handicapped person is actually in/driving the vechile and some places require the additional identification before they will allow you to park.

I think the no proof thing is a good idea b/c what if you just broke your ankle and got an ECV so you could still enjoy your vacation? you aren't gonna have handicapped tags or proof or anything like that to show. I guess you cast would be your proof? and the way I look at it is everyone should be able to enjoy WDW and if I have to wait a few minutes to get on a bus so someone else can have their opportunity then I will.

 

[pbthompson]

I mean proof like a doctors note or if it is a permenant situation you would have proof (i.e. handicap tags etc.)

 

[SnackyStacky]

I mean proof like a doctors note or if it is a permenant situation you would have proof (i.e. handicap tags etc.)

As has been mentioned, Disney is complying with ADA law. It's anti-discrimination and civil rights law. It's more to prevent discrimination because of a disability.

Besides - I 've been on vacation with my family where my wife hurt her ankle during the trip. We put a brace on and rented a scooter. No need to go to a clinic to get a doctor's note to do that.

 

[KellyNY]

As has been mentioned, Disney is complying with ADA law. It's anti-discrimination and civil rights law. It's more to prevent discrimination because of a disability.

I know many people renting wheelchairs or scooters in parks just because parks are huge and it is difficult for older people to walk so long, same way like parents rent strollers for kids who does not really use it anymore. I do not think anyone suppose to provide any sorts of papers.

 

[shellybaxter]

I believe the reason proof is required for disabled tags is because they allow the user better than equal access. The parking spots are always closer. At Disney the wheelchair bus rider may get better access (being loaded first after little or no wait) or worse access (being denied boarding because the spaces are full or the lift is broken) in an attempt to provide equal access.

As for proof for renting or using an ECV/Wheelchair. If Disney were providing more than equal access (front of line priviledges, special/frequent buses, airconditioned lounges open only to ECV/Wheelchair users) then they would be within their rights to ask for proof. Since they are only trying to provide equal access no proof can be requested

 

[larryz]

But all that could have happened just as easily when Free Dining wasn't in play, couldn't it? I mean ... the fact that people were sitting inside longer and not vacating tables was more a factor of the rain than it was of FD. It's not like Disney can go through the restaurant and force people to leave so that the people behind them can sit down. If it hadn't been raining in both of those instances, you probably would have been sat much much more quickly and had no problem at all. I don't think you can blame Disney for the weather! You're talking Crystal Palace and SciFi, both places that are crowded year-round. You could have just as easily run into this scenario on a rainy non-FD day as you did during the promotion.

Perhaps, especially during Free Dining, Disney should go to a definite "seating" plan for dinners like they do on the ships. Give each seating an hour and 15 minutes, and then move them out so the next wave can eat.

 

[5boyz]

What if the bus fillls up before Dad or Sis gets on board? Should they have to wait for the next bus, while the WC person and attendant have to wait at the other end for Dad or Sis? I believe the ADA wants the disabled to be treated as equally as non disabled people. If non disabled people get to board their whole families together, then shouldn't disabled families get that same privilege? I'm not talking about 20 member families here, but lets be reasonable. Most families today are not that large.

Like I said Nobody wins and I am not getting into a debate.....

 

[Scot-n-Michelle]

Wow.

Considering I work in a customer service organization for a living and have heard every excuse/complaint/whine and cry in the book I find it truely amazing that people here can still just blow me away. I don't know why but I to some degree I just held the people that visit disney in a higher class than the customers I hear every day, guess I was wrong.

Who are you directing this towards?? How are you so blown away??

 

[Dawn68PA]

I don't understand why that would be screening...

From the ADA:

Sec. 12184. Prohibition of discrimination in specified public transportation services provided by private entities

(a) General rule. No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of specified public transportation services provided by a private entity that is primarily engaged in the business of transporting people and whose operations affect commerce.

(b) Construction. For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, discrimination includes

(1) the imposition or application by an entity described in subsection (a) of eligibility criteria that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability or any class of individuals with disabilities from fully enjoying the specified public transportation services provided by the entity, unless such criteria can be shown to be necessary for the provision of the services
being offered;

That's why Disney has to bus the way they do. Personally, I wish there were an underground subway system for all of Disney World and only people staying on property could use it and it could take us to all 4 parks plus the water parks plus DTD! Now that would be excellent!

 

[swald91]

From the ADA:



That's why Disney has to bus the way they do. Personally, I wish there were an underground subway system for all of Disney World and only people staying on property could use it and it could take us to all 4 parks plus the water parks plus DTD! Now that would be excellent!

I just don't see extra buses for w/c &/or any other person with difficulty getting around as any kind of discrimination-but hey, if it's the law...Just would make lots of people happier-I do agree with you about another system though-just b/c of the amount of people & how grumpy they get when they have to wait!

 

[WDSearcher]

Perhaps, especially during Free Dining, Disney should go to a definite "seating" plan for dinners like they do on the ships. Give each seating an hour and 15 minutes, and then move them out so the next wave can eat.

Except that on cruise ships, if it's ... say ... raining outside, you can leave the restaurant and go do a lot of other things without ever stepping outside. Harder to do at a place like CP. At the restaurant, you'd be telling someone, "OK ... you have to leave now" and pushing them out into the rain. Whether the CM leaves the people with ADRs in the rain or pushes the finished diners out to let the ADR people into the seats, they're still going to get yelled at by someone.