Disney sued?

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

Please tell me the story on the ADA/autism legal action is not true. I have used the guest assistance card for years, but took great care not to abuse it. We called it our "magical fast pass" in jest, but we would never just ride toy story mania over and over, because it just seemed wrong. I can understand Disney changing the old system to stop people from abusing their generosity that was never offered by other parks.

The simple answer to me is that anyone can wait for things. You either waited to get on a plane or in a car to get to disney. To be blunt, your child has autism, someone left a leg in Iraq. Which one of those people are more capable of being entertained in a shop or restaurant while waiting an hour for their time to use the magical fast pass? Where do we draw the line? I have the upmost respect for people dealing with a family member with autism or asbergers or any illness, but if this continues anyone with a broken toe will go to the front of the line, thus making 'the front of the line' an hour long wait.

In summation, please understand that everyone paid a lot of money and spent a lot of time on this very special trip to Disney. Many of those have special circumstances that are often unseen. The people at Disney are doing their best to make it fair for everyone without giving special treatment, this is what the ADA is for. For those who say "I only want equal treatment" try going to any other theme park.

Let the hate begin

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

I'd be remiss if I didn't add something here. Programs like make a wish and give kids the world are a different story to my post. On one hand we are talking about kids with terminal or a life threatening illness that are getting, quite literally, the chance of a lifetime. I will always support the great work give kids the world does to bring joy to children. These are kids who often see the world only through the windows of a hospital.

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

I understand your point. I do sympathize with the disappointment some of those families must be feeling. While I don't have a child with autism, I do have close relatives and friends that do. On past trips when the GACs were available, they expressed that their trip to Disney was such a positive experience for their family because not having to deal with the lines and waits was such an escape from what they experience on a daily basis with their children that it was a true vacation. Their most recent trip with the new system was not as positive, because their children just don't have the capacity to deal with seeing that ride right in front of them and not being able to get on it immediately. This isn't news to these families; it's something they live with every day, but in the past, the GAC allowed them to escape from that for a little while. It's infuriating that abuses from a few selfish people caused those who really benefited to lose out, because I doubt the majority of us minded that these families got on the rides a few minutes ahead of us. It does seem that Disney is trying to do the best it can and that it has sought the input of those affected in creating its new policy, and I think it's unfortunate that a company with such a good track record has to deal with a lawsuit.

Laurie

 

[aaarcher86]

It's not just non disabled people abusing the GAC that lead to the change. Google a few of the blogs back when the change was announced and you'll see families infuriated that they'd ant ride Space Mountain 9x in a row, or can't jump into the Toy Tory mania line on the way out of the park during Christmas week like they were used to.

With increasing special needs individuals, and park attendance being up, the amount of people requiring assistance in the way it was offered was putting a strain on the system.

While I think the lawsuit is preposterous, and the sense of entitlement from the plaintiffs is disgusting, Disney gets used all the time for different things. We just don't hear about it as often.

 

[smiths02]

aaarcher,
I feel like that doesn't get brought up enough. I don't think it is just scamers that caused Disney to change, but also sheer numbers of visitors.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I understand your point. I do sympathize with the disappointment some of those families must be feeling. While I don't have a child with autism, I do have close relatives and friends that do. On past trips when the GACs were available, they expressed that their trip to Disney was such a positive experience for their family because not having to deal with the lines and waits was such an escape from what they experience on a daily basis with their children that it was a true vacation. Their most recent trip with the new system was not as positive, because their children just don't have the capacity to deal with seeing that ride right in front of them and not being able to get on it immediately. This isn't news to these families; it's something they live with every day, but in the past, the GAC allowed them to escape from that for a little while. It's infuriating that abuses from a few selfish people caused those who really benefited to lose out, because I doubt the majority of us minded that these families got on the rides a few minutes ahead of us. It does seem that Disney is trying to do the best it can and that it has sought the input of those affected in creating its new policy, and I think it's unfortunate that a company with such a good track record has to deal with a lawsuit.

Laurie

I get what you are saying but here is the thing - a trip to Disney is supposed to be an escape for everyone, and everyone has challenges in their life even if it isn't a family member with cognitive disabilities that doesn't understand delayed gratification (waiting to go on a ride). What is being implied is that families with an autistic family member have a harder challenge than everyone else, and that Disney World owes it to them to make their trip more magical even if it takes away from the magic of for other visitors who have to wait to ride because someone else gets to walk right on as often as they want. So a person without legs has challenges in every day life, but because he understands waiting in line and can sit in a wheelchair he has to wait while the person with cognitive disabilities walks right on over and over because a cognitive disability is harder to deal with in every day life? The person without legs is on vacation and deserves as much of as escape as the family with the person with cognitive disabilities.

And as the number of guests who can't wait in line for whatever reason increases, it does impact park operations and the vacations of those who can wait in line. And that number is going up as it becomes more socially acceptable to ask for a accomodations and as more people are visiting the parks. It's great that people feel able to ask for the accomodations that they need. It isn't great to expect special treatment from one company because you feel like they owe it to you because you have challenges in every day life that you think are harder than the challenges other people face.

 

[JacknSally]

One thought I had while listening to their discussion on this on the podcast, and before anyone gets upset with me about it, I am not trying to be in any way offensive. No I do not have a child with autism, no I do not first hand understand the trials and tribulations that come with that. To be 100% honest, my experience of someone parenting a child on the spectrum is the Max Braverman storyline on "Parenthood". So maybe I'm out of line with this thought. And so if I offend you, I apologize sincerely.

But.

These parents are crying, "This doesn't work for us, my child doesn't understand, and he doesn't want to wait, and it upsets him." OK. I can understand and respect that. I can understand and respect how hard it must be to walk up to a ride and your child thinks they can ride but then you have to try to explain that it will be another hour, and they can't understand that, and it causes a total meltdown. I can completely empathize with the frustration and heartache that must go along with that...

But when it comes down to it, you're still the child's parents. Yes I fully realize it can be infinitely more difficult to parent, but just because it's MORE difficult to parent a child with autism than a child without autism, doesn't give you a free pass to NOT parent a child with autism, and to depend on everyone else to just give you want you/your child want. Even when you're on vacation at Disney World, you still have to be a parent, just like every parent who is there with non-autistic children.

Not saying this is ANYONE on the boards. It's just the thought I have when I hear about the lawsuit.

Legitimately sorry if I naively offend anyone here. It is no way my intention.

 

[aaarcher86]

Didn't offend me. And I've definitely felt the same way with certain cases I've read. Usually when someone acts like everyday challenges should be irradiated at Disney.

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

What is being implied is that families with an autistic family member have a harder challenge than everyone else, and that Disney World owes it to them to make their trip more magical even if it takes away from the magic of for other visitors who have to wait to ride because someone else gets to walk right on as often as they want.

It was not my intention to imply that autism is a more difficult challenge than any other. I was speaking about autism specifically because those were the families that filed the lawsuit. And I hope that I didn't in any way convey the idea that Disney owes these families special treatment. I was simply relating the personal disappointment of a couple of families who had such positive experiences under the old system. The changes haven't stopped them from planning another Disney trip, and they would never consider filing a lawsuit or asking for additional accomodations.

Laurie

 

[JacknSally]

It was not my intention to imply that autism is a more difficult challenge than any other. I was speaking about autism specifically because those were the families that filed the lawsuit. And I hope that I didn't in any way convey the idea that Disney owes these families special treatment. I was simply relating the personal disappointment of a couple of families who had such positive experiences under the old system. The changes haven't stopped them from planning another Disney trip, and they would never consider filing a lawsuit or asking for additional accomodations.

Laurie

I think they meant the implication comes from the lawsuit, not from your post. That's how I read it at least.

 

[BigAlsGal]

There's no way this lawsuit will be won by the plaintiffs. The accomodation they are trying to get is unreasonable. "My child can't wait in line", is one thing. "My child can't WAIT AT ALL" is another.

God forbid Disney actually be found guilty by the federal courts. There would be no helping ANY business. McDonald's would have to let everyone with a cognitive disability cut to the front of the line. Starbucks could have a mentally disabled person threaten a discrimination lawsuit for forcing them to wait for a latte. If a child with autism had to wait for a swing at the public park....call the lawyer! Any public situation where a person with a cognative disability would have to wait for anything could result in a legal battle. Allow these people immediate access to whatever they desire OR ELSE! How is this a reasonable accomodation?

Really not trying to sound heartless. But come on....

 

[Princess Jes]

I know I will probably be flamed for this, and I'm merely playing devil's advocate here, but, I feel like the type of people who are bringing about this case are probably the same people who also say "we just want our child to be treated normally/like everyone else" but then also want them to be treated differently... I'm sorry, and I mean absolutely no disrespect, however, you can not have your cake and eat it too. you either want them to be treated equally, or you don't. And yes, I'm being hyperbolic, but you see what I mean.

 

[knitngurl]

I don't think the people who brouth this lawsuit really have a case, at least on the federal level. Disney does provide accomadations for individuals with cognitive disabilities. This is all they are required to do. They are NOT required to give them special or better treatment, they are only required to give them accomodations that give them equal access that non-disabled guests would recieve. The DAS does that. Now it may not be the best solution or the one that most people like. In my opinion, it is up to the parent to know what their child can tolerate and plan accordingly.

I am the parent of an autistic child. We are going to Disney for the first time in her life (she will be 19) because up until this point I didn't think she could handle the crowds, noise, waiting, etc. It was not Disney's responsibility to make it quieter and less crowded for her. She needed to mature and be able to handle it better. I am also a single parent with other kids, and if I'm going to spend the money to go, I want everyone to have a good time. FWIW we will not be getting a DAS unless she really has a hard time beacause I want her to try waiting in line if she can. She has to live where there are lines in the real world, so Disney is a great place to practice waiting. We will also be going with my elderly mom in her wheelchair, so added fun for us. Yay.

I know each family has their own needs and struggles, and I cannot judge what another family goes through. But people who abused the old GAC system, and those that are demanding special (not equal) access now are making it harder for all of us.

 

[Yoshiandi]

I know I will probably be flamed for this, and I'm merely playing devil's advocate here, but, I feel like the type of people who are bringing about this case are probably the same people who also say "we just want our child to be treated normally/like everyone else" but then also want them to be treated differently... I'm sorry, and I mean absolutely no disrespect, however, you can not have your cake and eat it too. you either want them to be treated equally, or you don't. And yes, I'm being hyperbolic, but you see what I mean.

I don't think the people who brouth this lawsuit really have a case, at least on the federal level. Disney does provide accomadations for individuals with cognitive disabilities. This is all they are required to do. They are NOT required to give them special or better treatment, they are only required to give them accomodations that give them equal access that non-disabled guests would recieve. The DAS does that. Now it may not be the best solution or the one that most people like. In my opinion, it is up to the parent to know what their child can tolerate and plan accordingly.
I know each family has their own needs and struggles, and I cannot judge what another family goes through. But people who abused the old GAC system, and those that are demanding special (not equal) access now are making it harder for all of us.

I have two kids with Down Sydrome and I agree with both of you. It's hard some times to deal with meltdowns, but it's part of the diagnosis/child. You (should) know as the parent what the triggers are. If they can't handle the waits any other place, they won't at Disney. We waited until our kids were a bit older and did test runs at local amusement parks and fairs and THEN we tackled Disney.

The sense of entitlement is almost overwhelming by those suing Disney over this.

 

[minniemouseforever]

I have a daughter who is "cognitively impaired", the new buzz word. We get her involved with all kinds of groups and activities to make her life experiences as "normal" as possible. Making things as close to normal does not mean better. We all have dissapointments in life and so will our children with special needs. My daughter has a very lengthy IEP at school. Academics she needs it. Socially she soars, wasn't always this way. She looks like a normal pretty 19 year old girl and a lot of people don't even know that she has a problem until they know her better. My point is PLEASE don't lump up all in together. It will bring the whole system back to square one.

 

[Tonyz]

It's an absolutely ridiculous lawsuit. It's Disney World... the most popular freaking vacation destination on the planet! You're gonna wait in line, Autism or not. And to think that having to wait a half hour or so is cause for suing Disney? Disgusting.

Kevin summed it up perfectly on the podcast; it's not asking for equal treatment... it's asking for special treatment.

 

[Tonyz]

Oh, and I must say bravo to the comments here so far. A very intelligent discussion being had by everyone!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I agree with everyone here so far and the way your making the arguments are extremely articulate.

We should do everything we possibly can to make sure that equal treatment is provided...and you know some sometimes those with handicaps DO deserve a bit more special treatment, and that to make is making them feel exactly the same as everyone else.

The lawsuit has no merit - it's not discrimination or inaccessibility to anyone handicapped.

It just sucks that such NONSENSE lawsuits takes away from all the wonderful things Disney does to make handicapped people feel special

 

[JacknSally]

I also hate the position that the lawsuit puts Disney in, merited or not. Disney is really in a damned if you do situation with t, IMO. Either they fight the lawsuit and come off as "Disney hates autistic children and their families and wants to make their trips awful", or they don't fight it and just give in, which will set a precedent for many other businesses.

I imagine it's a PR nightmare on Disney's part.

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

It seems most people here agree, and I'm glad that parents who deal with this understand and are respectful. I personally used the old system with care, but know (and saw) people abuse it.

What i found on our January trip was with the new card only one person needs to get a time for the Fastpass. This may not work for every family, but it's better to send everyone on the people mover and go get a time stamp for space mountain. Whether it is fast pass or the old or new disability card, there is still some waiting, but doing something is better than waiting. Disney does a great job making their queues interesting and entertaining compared to other parks, and it's not just about the three minute ride.

Finally, I want to stress my point on the abuses of any system. Fastpass and Fastpass plus do limit what you can do or when you can do it, but if every person with a disability was given instant front of the line access, then that line would be and hour wait. This seems to me to be the most equitable and time effective system they could have made. Imagine 200 people with assistance cards, plus those with scheduled fast passes, all getting in line for the mine train at the same time.