Disney with Disabilities Tip for the Day: Speak up for yourself!

[KPeveler]

As things happen when I tour Disneyland, I am going to start posting tips and tricks as I think of them...

For today, my tip is to speak up for yourself when necessary! In this particular instance, I am talking about speaking to other guests when you have a need they can address.

When I was at Disney on Saturday evening after Fantasmic, there was a line for the Ladies Room in Adventureland - hardly surprising. I waited in the line, and when I was in the front of the line, I wheeled down the bathroom and waited in front of the stall I needed.

The stall was occupied, and I suspected that it was being used as a changing room instead of as a toilet - After 5 minutes of waiting (I looked at my watch), I knocked on the door with no response. After another minute of waiting, I knocked again and told them I required that stall and I was approaching "emergency status." At this point a woman was having a debate with her 4 yr old about whether or not she had to wear shoes... So they were not using the toilet.

The woman immediately grabbed the clothes and her daughter and proceeded into a regular stall to finish changing her daughter.

If she had said that she needed that stall for any reason I would have gone elsewhere. I totally understand that there are so many invisible and diverse needs that I cannot judge from feet alone the medical status of this woman and her child. I definitely would not have called security like that family did to Sue and her daughter that time.

My point is, there is no harm in asking for what you need. Sometimes the answer will be "no." Sometimes it may be a different answer than you want. But you never know until you ask!

(Disclaimer: I am NOT advocating rude behavior. I AM saying you should always be polite and respectful when asking for services, and that you should never be judgmental if you do not get the answer you want.)

 

[pampam]

This can quickly become a hot debate.

I feel since one has a choice they should leave the wc stall for those who need it, unless it's the only one available.

When there is a line, I politely excuse myself and go directly to the wc stall, and wait for it. I don't wait in line for stalls I cannot use.

 

[KPeveler]

My point is not whether or not they should use it. I personally feel that if there is another choice, a person should use it. If there is a line, you should use the toilet and get out.

I do not feel that the handicapped stall is a changing room for your child, a place to place a phone call or finishing texting someone, a place to do hair or makeup, or a place to bring a stroller simply because you do not feel like taking the child out of the stroller. It is also not the place to argue with your child about whether or not she needs shoes, or the place to do the "pee pee dance."

I know there are many invisible needs, which is why I always wait for several minutes before asking if they can possibly use another bathroom.

But none of that is my point.

My point was that, if you find yourself in an emergency situation (in DL at night there is "one way traffic" due to Fantasmic, fireworks, parade, and snow traffic - I could not have gotten to another accessible restroom for probably 10 minutes), there is nothing wrong with speaking up for yourself. If the person said "I need this stall," then I would have found another alternative.

I do the same thing when someone tries to cut me in the accessible lines. I get a lot of reasons "But Grandma can't wait!" "But it's little Johnny's favorite!" etc. I show them where the line is and if they still argue, a CM usually steps in.

You cannot force a person to do anything, and sometimes the answer will be one you don't want (for instance, if I was unable to access that restroom). But, if you are polite, there is really no harm in asking.