Here now .... wow so disappointing from 20 years ago

[van_axl]

So living in the Pacific Northwest we always went to Disneyland...and then discovered "The World". It beat the "Land" hands down in each and every way and although I became a single parent I always dreamed of coming back to the "World". Well, now is the time...I have come with my 29 year old daughter who is disabled and in a wheelchair. Here is what we have experienced in 3 days here compared to Disneyland.
Customer service right from the car rental agency to Walmart, there is an unfriendliness and feeling of just get your things and leave
Cast members at the World are soooo much more unpleasant as well as unhelpful with disabilities. They do the bare minimum and sometimes not even that.
Wait times are 95% of the time longer for us with a disability compared to if we were not. We are not asking for shorter wait times, however when it becomes our turn we are ushered to another place to board and then have to sit and wait at least another 15 minutes if not more because they can't have more than 1 disabled person on the ride at a time
Cast members look like they are barely tolerating you - they literally watch as you try with one hand to keep the disability exit door open while pushing the wheelchair with the other
The bathrooms are filthy and some you have to spend all kinds of time trying to even get the wheelchair in and around the door
Tonight at Epcot we somehow missed a turn off for Nemo and ended up at the exit. We saw there were people walking on the other side of the rope and thought it was the path up to that side. I ducked under one (there were two) and realized that it was outside of the entrance and immediately ducked back and started to push the wheelchair back up around the building. A cast member came running and yelling at us to see if we have just "jumped the line". We said no and explained. She told us we have to leave through the proper exit and come back in and re scan our ticket. As we were doing this, another cast member glared at us and yet another said "the rope is there so you can't jump in". At this point I turned and "lost it"...I am pushing a wheelchair!!! DO I LOOK LIKE I WOULD JUMP A LINE??? I told her she was rude. After 3 days of rude people we left. We have another 4 days here and if I could leave tonight I would.
Disney World has lost its charm and is no longer a class act. Sad to say but I will never come back. Disneyland has got this place beat in all categories

 

[Anabelletoronto]

That's too bad. It must be a hard to have to always deal with the extra steps. I am shocked because in most places, rightfully so, they usually try to accommodate disabled people as well as possible

 

[van_axl]

This the worst experience I've ever had and we had traveled to a number of places. In Disneyland they were extremely pleasant and helpful, Universal Hollywood they went out of their way to make the experience enjoyable. We are NOT in any way asking for special treatment or less wait times, we would simply like to get on the rides when it is our turn rather than be sent to the side, and not given attitude when, NO, she cannot walk for 3 or 4 minutes to the boarding platform so you don't have to move the wheelchair! People can be rude everywhere you go, but when it comes to people working in the tourist industry, especially Disney with it's policies on equality I find it an insult to be treated as a lesser than.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I'm sorry that you and your daughter are having such a terrible time. I experienced being in a wheelchair at Disney last trip for one day at AK. While I found the cast to be very pleasant and more than accommodating, many of my fellow guests were just the opposite.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

This the worst experience I've ever had and we had traveled to a number of places. In Disneyland they were extremely pleasant and helpful, Universal Hollywood they went out of their way to make the experience enjoyable. We are NOT in any way asking for special treatment or less wait times, we would simply like to get on the rides when it is our turn rather than be sent to the side, and not given attitude when, NO, she cannot walk for 3 or 4 minutes to the boarding platform so you don't have to move the wheelchair! People can be rude everywhere you go, but when it comes to people working in the tourist industry, especially Disney with it's policies on equality I find it an insult to be treated as a lesser than.

Are you sure you're reading the cast members right? They are asking those questions just to ascertain their next move. Some people in wheel chairs are able to stand and walk for short distances. They ask because if she could they could load your party faster. Otherwise, they need to wait until the wheelchair accessible ride vehicle makes its way back around. They can't make it arrive any faster, and if there are others there before you who need it as well, you will be waiting.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I'm so sorry.

Maybe they were just having a company wide bad few days?

We just came back and I was commenting to my husband how every single Cast Member was friendly and helpful. And although I am not in a wheelchair, I did use a scooter for the entire trip.

 

[Anabelletoronto]

I feel like there should be faster line for disabilities. They shouldn't have to wait through the entire line for all the seats when only 1-2 seats will work for them. And then wait again.
It wouldn't be cheating since there is only one seat. Like at the airport- there is a family line with a wider X-ray.
And even if it meant a few people in wheelchairs got on a bit faster - I'm okay with that.

 

[CinderDuffy]

Are you sure you're reading the cast members right? They are asking those questions just to ascertain their next move. Some people in wheel chairs are able to stand and walk for short distances. They ask because if she could they could load your party faster. Otherwise, they need to wait until the wheelchair accessible ride vehicle makes its way back around. They can't make arrive any faster, and if there are others there before you who need it as well, you will be waiting.

So sorry you are having a bad time, OP, but they can't just board you when you're next in line if the accessible vehicle isn't available...

And, to be honest, I am glad to hear that CMs are being more vigilant about line cutting.

 

[CinderDuffy]

I feel like there should be faster line for disabilities. They shouldn't have to wait through the entire line for all the seats when only 1-2 seats will work for them. And then wait again.
It wouldn't be cheating since there is only one seat. Like at the airport- there is a family line with a wider X-ray.
And even if it meant a few people in wheelchairs got on a bit faster - I'm okay with that.

They used to have this. It was exploited, so it was taken away.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

They used to have this. It was exploited, so it was taken away.

And we're not even talking about a little exploitation here. It had become an actual strategy for many, many people on a daily basis.

OP, I'm not accusing you of this. Clearly you are not abusing the system.

 

[HopperFan]

I feel like there should be faster line for disabilities. They shouldn't have to wait through the entire line for all the seats when only 1-2 seats will work for them. And then wait again.
It wouldn't be cheating since there is only one seat. Like at the airport- there is a family line with a wider X-ray.
And even if it meant a few people in wheelchairs got on a bit faster - I'm okay with that.

They went to great expense to make WDW queues accessible due to the mass abuse by folks who do not need a wheelchair. The cost for a wheelchair was nothing compared to the benefit they got. So Disney addressed it.

OP while I have not been to Disneyland yet (and my adult DS is disabled, currently mobile but slow) I will say that the sheer volume of mileage you have to cover at WDW to have a good trip is in itself exhausting, especially if you are pushing someone.

Last year I had to get a wheelchair and push him out of DHS to our car. I got a future reality check, so I kudo you for taking her.

 

[jlnten17]

So sorry for your disappointing trip. It really irks me when cast members are rude and also the many able bodied people abusing the rascals and making the situation more difficult for those that legitimately need assistance.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm only speaking from various other reviews and thoughts people have expressed since that last time I went to DLR I was 2 years old.

WDW in many ways can be vastly different than in DLR. I'm betting that there are things people love about DLR vs WDW and vice versa.

As far as the line cutting I can understand your frustration because you honestly weren't trying to line cut but for many many many people it would be a welcome addition if the CMs were more proactive and well attentive to line cutters. You weren't doing that of course it was an honest mistake in ending up where you did and I might even be a little annoyed myself but I do understand having been on the receiving end of line cutters how it negatively affect people when someone does that.

As people have already mentioned there was mass abuse of the disability system revamped it big time. I do agree it bites to have to wait but I also understand that there has to be a balance between accessible ride vehicles and ones that are not..there has to be a balance with ride capacity.

DLR it is much more of a regional destination whereas WDW is much more of a global destination and you'll likely get more variety of people in general. You will also find that because of that difference things such as policies may differ. If DLR had a problem with disability abuse I'm fairly certain they would be all sorts of tightening the reigns. It may not just be a big issue there. And for that matter since you mentioned Universal Hollywood. It makes me more think it's a culture thing and by culture I mean DLR culture vs WDW culture. Was Universal Orlando better than WDW? I'm sure they had issues with disabiltiy abuse but it may not have been as bad as WDW I'm not sure I haven't brushed up on disabilities policies with USO.

As far as CMs it very well might have been they were a bit more stand-offish. It also could have been one or two CMs were like that and so it was almost something you looking in the other CMs you encountered. IDK I wasn't there either.

 

[Jennasis]

Sorry you aren't having a good time. I only had to spend one day in a wheelchair at WDW and it was eye opening and frustrating...but the CM's were always awesome to me (and we are to them). It's unfortunate that you seem to have run into the not-so-great ones.

 

[thingwithwings]

I use a wheelchair when I'm at Disney--I can walk alright, but long distances destroy me on multiple levels and always have (and, this last trip, we clocked something around 30 miles total, so that's... a lot). We just got back, and while I didn't notice the CMs being rude, I did notice that they weren't quite as... mm, I guess "extra nice" as they had been on previous trips. I don't know that it had anything to do with my being in a wheelchair--probably more to do with the sheer volume of people there and the chaos that goes along with that. I wouldn't say it was exactly disappointing, since they were perfectly fine and didn't do anything wrong, per se; but I guess I tend to expect more when I go to WDW, based on previous experiences.

The wheelchair abuse bothers me on so many levels, but this time around, it really became apparent that "accessible" isn't quite as accessible as they'd like to think. A lot of the queues still have very tight turns and confined spaces that make it difficult to get a wheelchair through, but because they don't involve steps or corridors that are just one person-width across, they're accessible. This led to a LOT of frustration for my family and a lot of embarrassment for myself--I felt like I was causing a traffic jam so many times. I wish there were a way to utilize the earlier accessible entrances to rides while still ensuring that people aren't abusing the system--I'm sure they could figure something out with MagicBands or something along those lines.

In any case, OP, I'm sorry you're having such a bad time and I hope things improve.

 

[Klayfish]

I'm so sorry.

Maybe they were just having a company wide bad few days?

We just came back and I was commenting to my husband how every single Cast Member was friendly and helpful. And although I am not in a wheelchair, I did use a scooter for the entire trip.

Agree with this. Really sorry to hear you're disappointed, a trip like this should never be disappointing.

However, I can't say I agree with the multiple comments about unfriendly CMs. In all of our trips to WDW, the CMs are what add that for us. Literally 98% of the ones we encounter are friendly beyond anything I'd expect and are always going out of their way to help. It's very rare to find one that is grumpy, and even then I do understand we all have bad days.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I am so sorry you are so disappointed. Perhaps you built WDW up in your mind and now the reality can't match your expectation? I hope you move on and enjoy what you can of your last four days.

Yes you may have to wait longer for the appropriate car.....are you using fast passes? If not, there are CM who can help you with that.

Now you know better than to duck under a rope, so that embarrassment won't happen again.

CM are not suppose to physically assist anyone. Some CM are rude, but some are absolutely wonderful.

I go to WDW often. For the most part the bathrooms are clean unless it's really busy. I'm sorry that wasn't your experience.

But now that you know what to expect I hope you can salvage the rest of your trip. You had to have payed a fortune and traveled a great distance. Please try to enjoy what you can and ignore the rest.

 

[lanejudy]

OP -- I'm so sorry you are having a disappointing trip! WDW is much different today than 20 years ago.

WDW and DLR are vastly different -- and one may difference is the sheer size of WDW. DLR is much more compact with less walking (pushing); many queues are not accessible at DLR and you probably are used to using alternate entrances. By contrast, WDW parks are much larger and more spread out which results in considerably more walking between attractions and around the parks as well as the resorts; the vast majority of queues are accessible to a wheelchair so there are relatively few alternate entrances to utilize. All that walking and pushing must be exhausting -- be sure to stop and take breaks frequently, and maybe lower your expectations of how much can be done in a day.

The restriction on number of wheelchairs allowed on a given ride cycle are based on safety and evacution protocol. In the event of an emergency or ride break-down, they need to be able to reach the disabled guests so need to limit how many are on each cycle. And unfortunately, there are only a few wheelchair accessible ride vehicles. As to the CMs asking if she can walk -- many people at WDW use wheelchairs for various needs, and many of those guests are able to walk; I think if you approach with that understanding you won't be reading the "tone" of annoyance but rather helpfulness so the CM knows how best to assist you and your daughter.

Please be sure you are utilizing FP+ to your advantage. It is a different system than FP in DLR.

Hopefully a good night's sleep and a new day will be better.

 

[dreiwhit]

We just got back, and while I didn't notice the CMs being rude, I did notice that they weren't quite as... mm, I guess "extra nice" as they had been on previous trips.

We just went to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. While not rude, I noticed a lot of CMs that didn't seem to care, were grumpy or as you said not as "extra nice" as they had been on our last trip.

I don't know what is going on internally, but, IMHO, Disney has a problem or the makings of a problem on their hands....

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

I have no idea what the training looks like at WDW but perhaps the CMs need a little more in depth training on how to empathize and help guests with disabilities?

I have never had any problems with the CMs in the many times I have travelled to WDW. That is until I took my dad, who had recently been diagnosed with dementia and was having problems with his sight (distance and perception) so he was having a heck of a time lining up the mickey on his MB with the touch points. My family was quick to help but the few times it took dad longer than it should have the CMs got rather snarky and embarrassed him. One man at the FP entrance to dinosaur spoke to my dad rather loudly and centred him out - thats when I spoke up, loudly. This was to be our one and only family trip due to my dads illness. I was not having it anymore.

There are folks with visible disabilities and folks with hidden disabilities. I wish everyone could simply just be kinder to one another.

Chin up OP. Better days ahead. I would suggest stopping by guest relations to let them know of your unhappiness.