Disney has become very unfriendly ..mobility impaired..

[TLSnell1981]

3 times in three days..I'm unable to use an attraction/ride with my family.

Okay, I'm using FP, (and have DAS), but must transfer to a wheel chair. Uh, there are no wheel chairs. CM informs me, "go find one". Really? My family rides..I wait outside. This happened twice.

Next up, Flights of Wonder.. I'm seated well before the show starts, actually first person. I had food in my lap. "I was told to put that down". Okay, no problem. The performance has started, CM says, "put that down". I said, I did". He says, "no THAT"....and flips my canopy. It doesn't come down. So, I'm told I can transfer to a wheel chair. Well, that would take several minutes. Why embarrass me? Why seat me and then decide something different?

I left crying. Disney doesnt want me, now that I am mobility impaired. Nobody knows, anybody's (CM's name). No supervisor available.

I'm done.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Did you go to Guest Services?

I can understand why they do not want exposed food or an ECV canopy at Flights of Wonder. But they should not have been rude.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I don't think you can accurately cast a blanket assumption that Disney is unfriendly to those that are mobility impaired just because you ran into a couple of uneducated and not so nice CMs. Disney is one of the most accommodating vacation destinations in the world in regards to those who are limited in their mobility. I had a rude bus driver once, but I also don't think it's fair to think that Disney doesn't care about friendly transportation staff.

I do agree with a distaste for the passive aggressive actions of alot of the CMs.

 

[L&Lfan]

I think Disney treats the disabled fantastically. My friend is obese with bad knees and she uses a scooter. The CMs treated her like a freakin' QUEEN! I was the one who felt neglected for being able to walk!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

3 time in three days..I'm unable to use an attraction/ride with my family.

Okay, go for my FP, but must transfer to a wheel chair. Uh, there are no wheel chairs. CM informs me, "go find one". Really? My family rides..I wait outside. This happened twice.

Next up, Flights of Wonder.. I'm seated well before the show starts, actually first person. I had food in my lap. "I was told to put that down". Okay, no problem. The performance has started, CM says, "put that down". I said, I did". He says no THAT"....and flips my canopy. It doesn't come down So, I'm told I can transfer to a wheel chair. Well, that would take several minutes. Why embarrass me? Why seat me and then decide something different?

I left crying. Disney doesnt want me, now that I am mobility impaired. Nobody know, anybody's name. No supervisor available.

I'm done.

Please email. There is no justification for mistreatment.

I don't know how transfers work, but I had always assumed there was a wheelchair at the attraction to help with that. (My mom uses scooters but still is ambulatory so she just parks her scooter and can walk on, so I don't know what they do for those who cannot without a wheelchair.)

With the canopy, you would think someone would have addressed it sooner and appropriately.

I am so sorry this happened and I do hope you will email guest services with as many details as you can provide.

My mom has been many times and always has a great time. I am sorry you were mistreated and hope you give the mouse the opportunity to correct any failures in their procedures.

 

[cakebaker]

Please don't let that go. If there are CM's doing this to people with mobility issues, they need to be reported. Don't let them do it to someone else. If you're there, take the time and make the effort to go to guest services. If not, email them. I am so sorry to hear you had problems, and there's just no excuse for it.

 

[OKW Lover]

Do no leave the park today without stopping at Guest Relations to lodge a complaint. Politely request compensation (perhaps a day ticket) for this inconvenience. I hate to term it just an inconvenience, but its best to be fairly low-key and polite when discussing a huge service failure.

 

[lugnut33]

Wow, what a crappy way to treat a long time Disney fan.

One thing that has gnawed at me are all the constant rules they enforce for every little thing. It just gets irksome.

 

[ttintagel]

Yeah, I've also noticed a decline in accommodations for adults with disabilities.

And I've also run into the same problem with an attraction being out of wheelchairs to transfer into. Luckily, that was one trip when I was walking OK and was able to go over and grab one from another attraction for the ECV user in our party. You would THINK they;d have some kind of procedure in place for when they run out, like a floating CM they could radio for to bring one.

 

[minnie mum]

Was it POTC where you couldn't find a w/c to transfer? I've seen a couple of previous reports of this. There is really no excuse for the CM not addressing the problem of your canopy when you were first directed to your viewing space. I think that you should make a calm, reasoned complaint to Guest relations, preferably in person.

However, I think that making a blanket statement that Disney is unfriendly to the mobility impaired is a gross overstatement. I've visited WDW in a wheelchair for nearly 20 years and can count the number of unfriendly CMs I've encountered on the fingers of one hand.

 

[JoeA]

As others have said, this is more than likely a CM issue and not a prejudice against disabled guests.

While not totally systemic, I do find the amount of rude CMs to be increasing. And even more so, the CM who is simply cashing a check.

But in fairness, they still have a ton that go that extra "magical" way. Sorry they weren't on shift during your ride experiences.

 

[luvsJack]

I am sorry you were treated that way. No onr should be made to feel the way you did.

Please make a complaint. The Powers that be need to know what is happening.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Very quick reply. I have my hands full ...alone with a toddler today. I need some down time and my family needs a stress free day in the parks.

Trips have become increasingly difficult, due to Disney's policy changes AND poorly trained CM's. There is a very distinct difference between newer employees and experienced, long term CMs. Sadly, the changes (GAC/DAS) seem to give some a reason to be insensitive and rude.

Well, after I got over my "boo hoo", I spent well over an hour in Guest Relations, voicing my concerns to a very kind CM, who took these incidences seriously. I did not ask for compensation. I want accessibility and to be treated like a human being. I should be able to enjoy rides WITH my family in a reasonable manner. I was compliant and polite. There's no reason that I, nor anyone else, shouldn't be treated in the same manner.

We experienced issues, last year and finally gave up...chalked it up to frustrated, uninformed CMs and the numerous changes...magic band, FP+, DAS, etc. We were traveling with an Alzheimer's patient and it was too upsetting for her. We cancelled our October vacation for a couple of reasons, but also hoping things would calm down a bit and run more smoothly. Some children's hospitals and organizations actually discourage Disney trips, due to complaints over the last few years. Sad, but true.

BTW.. Guest Relations (different park) originally told me, that I have no need for a DAS because Disney's ques are easily accessible. He hinted extra accommodations may not be available in the future . My health has declined and I have less mobility, so we discussed this a bit more. I was a little uneasy giving more private information, than I felt comfortable sharing...I will admit...it hurts my pride being in this condition, so I get embarrassed by my limitations.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm so sorry. It must be frustrating to wonder if you'll be able to enjoy Disney.

I'm glad you at least made your feelings known.