How much discretionary power do CMs have?

[elvispursley]

SafeDisneyFood over at Instagram was the one with a problem. They didn't have the purple allergen book that Disney spots are supposed to have, and the black binder they did have didn't include drink ingredients and she was told frozen drinks are now considered "non food" and future frozen drinks won't be included in any binders moving forward, and only drinks that were previously included in binders will be grandfathered in to new ones.

It just really stood out to me because when you combine not including items in allergen guides and you take away DAS for IBS that is going to mean more guests accidentally eat foods that trigger their IBS, and that NEED to be given a set return time for rides rather than needing to stand hours in line when they may need a bathroom every 20 minutes

Hopefully people will complain to guest services and disney disability--that is totally unacceptable on disney's part.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I sympathize greatly with you and agree that Disney ignores physical disabilities for DAS now. Because while wheelchair users can go 90% of the places that walking guests can in the park, not all physical disabilities involve using a wheelchair and Disney seems to ignore those other physical disabilities.

The one that grinds my gears is folks with stomach/digestive/bathroom related disabilities. These days they won't grant DAS if you are physically unable to wait in a long line without needing the bathroom several times, and they just say you are allowed to leave the line and cut back to where you were in line. Ignoring the fact that a lot of folks in line rightfully won't let you cut them since they assume you are an impatient person trying to get ahead, rather than someone disabled trying to get back to your party the exact way that Disney told you to.

They also have stopped providing allergy information for new frozen drinks at the park as of the new Muppet's food stand, which means they literally are making the park less accessible for folks with allergies, aka over 8% of guests visiting the park.

I'm not aware of Disney telling anyone that they have to go back through the standby line if they need to leave for bathrooms issues. My sister was told that she could either wait in line, leave if need be, then re-enter via the LL to meet us at the merge point or she could wait outside the line and she could come through LL to meet us at the merge point. She now waits outside the line, we meet up at the merge, and it works perfectly well.

 

[OurBigTrip]

SafeDisneyFood over at Instagram was the one with a problem. They didn't have the purple allergen book that Disney spots are supposed to have, and the black binder they did have didn't include drink ingredients and she was told frozen drinks are now considered "non food" and future frozen drinks won't be included in any binders moving forward, and only drinks that were previously included in binders will be grandfathered in to new ones.

It just really stood out to me because when you combine not including items in allergen guides and you take away DAS for IBS that is going to mean more guests accidentally eat foods that trigger their IBS, and that NEED to be given a set return time for rides rather than needing to stand hours in line when they may need a bathroom every 20 minutes

So we have one person on Instagram that was told this by one CM at Disney...any other information/verification that this is actually true?

 

[mistysue]

SafeDisneyFood over at Instagram was the one with a problem. They didn't have the purple allergen book that Disney spots are supposed to have, and the black binder they did have didn't include drink ingredients and she was told frozen drinks are now considered "non food" and future frozen drinks won't be included in any binders moving forward, and only drinks that were previously included in binders will be grandfathered in to new ones.

It just really stood out to me because when you combine not including items in allergen guides and you take away DAS for IBS that is going to mean more guests accidentally eat foods that trigger their IBS, and that NEED to be given a set return time for rides rather than needing to stand hours in line when they may need a bathroom every 20 minutes

Hoping for more confirmations or someone reporting it was a fluke - I'd be even more worried about someone being allergic to the things and being un-alived or facing medical trauma. I'm skeptical Disney is going to take a liability gamble like that with how well known they are for helping those with allergies.

@gottalovepluto - most of what you said isn't in her posts - she said she stopped in and they didn't have the cotton candy or icee ingredients right then so she didn't order them. I read through all the comments and there's nothing about a new policy or not getting allergen info... is someone else posting about this? It sounds like all that is really known is she posted on opening day and they didn't have those pages in the binder yet.

 

[gottalovepluto]

@gottalovepluto - most of what you said isn't in her posts...

I didn't report this but I did ask the poster for more info?...

 

[Minnie1222]

SafeDisneyFood over at Instagram was the one with a problem. They didn't have the purple allergen book that Disney spots are supposed to have, and the black binder they did have didn't include drink ingredients..

Do you have a link to this? I don’t have food allergies, just fascinated with how far people can misread something and how quickly misinformation can spread.

What was the date and time of her visit to the new Muppets Food stand? Since this is a very new kiosk, is there a possibility that she came before things were fully operational? Maybe the staff didn't have the allergen books at that particular time, but they'd be readily available in one hour?

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Endurance issues are certainly debilitating. Has your wife discussed with her physician the possibility of a wheelchair that would allow her to recline? When I had a family member who had endurance issues that would trigger seizures, the physician had occupational therapy do an assessment and work with the durable medical goods supplier for a custom chair. I know that my family member ended up with a chair that had a special firmer seat and a reclining back. When they reached an endurance point end, it was off to a shady place for someone to sit with them, recline them and put the footrest up, and for this person put a light blanket over the top (had a sun covering kind of like a stroller). I was usually the sit with them for a while person as I appreciated the quieter relaxation. For our family this custom chair was a complete game changer. The family member could go so many more places. The one point I should mention is that it was still a manual chair so we had to push them in it.

 

[DisneyOma]

That's been more or less my response as well. When I brought that up with CMs in Disability Services, their response has been
"Not at all. That's why they're there."
OK fine, I've said, so you're saying that this is our accommodation? Good. Do the staff at the First Aid stations understand that their facility can be used this way?
"Well...yesssss, but we can't really say that you'll be able to use it."
My response is so it's not really an accommodation. What else you got?
Then we're back to square one, because they have nothing else.

No, they are not able to immediately provide a cot for someone if all the cots are being used. I've never had to wait for one in the 10+ years I've been battling PFD and PN though. Also, they've limited the number of guests who can accompany the DAS holder, so it wouldn't work for a family of multiple adults and kids.

What does your wife do on other trips, or is Disney the only place she visits?

 

[2tinkerbell]

Personal responsibility is the key here.

While I would personally like Disney to do many things, it isn’t possible. For example, for my DD to see a parade, we have to find our spot and camp out a couple hours before start time. Yes, they do offer parade dining options with reserve seating. But what they don’t do for us is reserve a shady spot, on the curb, with ideal character sighting just personally for us. I have to do that myself. We sat for 2.5 hours for my DD to watch Paint the Night Parade in Disneyland. I have paid a lot of $ for my DD to be able to sit up front and center to watch Fantasmic. I purchased the dining package and my DD didn’t eat any of it. I wish they would reserve us said seat for free just because I wanted to “create memories.” Even with DAS and Lightning Lane, we weren’t able to go on a couple of rides my DD wanted. It is life.

Personally, I think the only memory you are creating is a trip where you will remembered as being angry you didn’t get what you wanted or one of being demanding. Everything else is overshadowed by your anger over the “new” DAS and your wife not qualifying for it.

Adjust your attitude. Quit blaming others for your situation. We really are understanding and are a helpful and compassionate group. If your wife has to go back to the hotel, so be it. Your family can go back and swim or they can stay on the parks and discuss what they did over dinner. It is how you look at things.

 

[Mle8308]

The nature of internet discussion forums is that the conversation drifts, people add other perhaps-off-topic information, etc. themoredisneythebetter did just this, referring to information I had shared in another thread. When you comment on such information, you have something of a responsibility to have sought it out and read it. Barring that...you can ask. When you assume that you understand the situation and your comments show that you don't, you'll liely get a snippy rsponse.


That's been more or less my response as well. When I brought that up with CMs in Disability Services, their response has been
"Not at all. That's why they're there."
OK fine, I've said, so you're saying that this is our accommodation? Good. Do the staff at the First Aid stations understand that their facility can be used this way?
"Well...yesssss, but we can't really say that you'll be able to use it."
My response is so it's not really an accommodation. What else you got?
Then we're back to square one, because they have nothing else.

First, @lanejudy is one of the most helpful people on these boards (who your above post was directed to). Just because you don't like her response doesn't mean she is incorrect. And, laying down is not an accommodation, it is a request. An accommodation under ADA would be something that is done so a person can experience something (in this case, theme park attractions) the way others who are able bodied would. And even if it were an accomodation, not all accommodations work how you may like. For instance, as the CM stated, there may not be a bed available for her to lay down on when you want. Just like a guest with a line skipping DAS pass as an accommodation may not be able to experience an attraction if it is down due to maintenance issues or weather. You either wait until the attraction comes back up (just like you would wait until a bed is available) or go ride something else. It's up to you to make alternate plans, not Disney. I'm sorry your wife has to experience the issues she does, but that doesn't mean you need to be rude to others when you don't like what is said. And going back to discretion and CM's, a CM doesn't have the discretion to "kick out" someone who may be using a bed at First Aid to accommodate you. There are no guarantees on anything, even if you had a DAS.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Personal responsibility is the key here.

While I would personally like Disney to do many things, it isn’t possible. For example, for my DD to see a parade, we have to find our spot and camp out a couple hours before start time. Yes, they do offer parade dining options with reserve seating. But what they don’t do for us is reserve a shady spot, on the curb, with ideal character sighting just personally for us. I have to do that myself. We sat for 2.5 hours for my DD to watch Paint the Night Parade in Disneyland. I have paid a lot of $ for my DD to be able to sit up front and center to watch Fantasmic. I purchased the dining package and my DD didn’t eat any of it. I wish they would reserve us said seat for free just because I wanted to “create memories.” Even with DAS and Lightning Lane, we weren’t able to go on a couple of rides my DD wanted. It is life.

Personally, I think the only memory you are creating is a trip where you will remembered as being angry you didn’t get what you wanted or one of being demanding. Everything else is overshadowed by your anger over the “new” DAS and your wife not qualifying for it.

Adjust your attitude. Quit blaming others for your situation. We really are understanding and are a helpful and compassionate group. If your wife has to go back to the hotel, so be it. Your family can go back and swim or they can stay on the parks and discuss what they did over dinner. It is how you look at things.

um, you quote ‘personal responsibility’ but note that you got DAS for your DD, the poster didn’t. But somehow you feel ok dishing out remarks that say there is no personal responsibility on the part of someone who didn’t get Das, versus someone who does? And you feel you are proper in stating ‘everything’ is overshadowed by the poster’s anger. Really? Everything? And how would you know that? Poster has to ‘quit blaming others’??? Um, sounds like you are feeling in the mood to blame the poster as lacking ‘personal responsibility.’

Adjust YOUR attitude. You can’t possibly be in someone else’s shoes. And compassion is NOT trashing and judging someone else in a post while you lay out how you sacrificed yourself with a 2.5 hour parade wait after utilizing DAS and lightning lane all day.

Sorry if this is harsh, but your post was so far past common decency.

 

[OurBigTrip]

um, you quote ‘personal responsibility’ but note that you got DAS for your DD, the poster didn’t. But somehow you feel ok dishing out remarks that say there is no personal responsibility on the part of someone who didn’t get Das, versus someone who does? And you feel you are proper in stating ‘everything’ is overshadowed by the poster’s anger. Really? Everything? And how would you know that? Poster has to ‘quit blaming others’??? Um, sounds like you are feeling in the mood to blame the poster as lacking ‘personal responsibility.’

Adjust YOUR attitude. You can’t possibly be in someone else’s shoes. And compassion is NOT trashing and judging someone else in a post while you lay out how you sacrificed yourself with a 2.5 hour parade wait after utilizing DAS and lightning lane all day.

Sorry if this is harsh, but your post was so far past common decency.

She was right in everything she said, IMO. The OP has done nothing but make complain about not getting DAS, even though DAS doesn't do what he seems to think it does - get his wife through the park faster.

He's made unreasonable demands (a guaranteed bed to rest in First Aid - really?), badmouthed CMs, badmouthed other posters that have tried to offer suggestions, badmouthed the forum mod.

He comes off as a miserable person, and if he hates Disney that much, he should just not go.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

She was right in everything she said, IMO. The OP has done nothing but make complain about not getting DAS, even though DAS doesn't do what he seems to think it does - get his wife through the park faster.

He's made unreasonable demands (a guaranteed bed to rest in First Aid - really?), badmouthed CMs, badmouthed other posters that have tried to offer suggestions, badmouthed the forum mod.

He comes off as a miserable person, and if he hates Disney that much, he should just

Your post is just packed full of judgements and sweeping negativities. No, what she said was neither right, nor correct. If you just want to trash someone like you did in the last post, you are saying more about yourself than anyone else.

 

[lanejudy]

@Mirabell Rose I'm curious what you feel WDW should be offering to the OP? He has made it clear that what he wants is a guarantee that his wife can lie down somewhere in the parks.

 

[elvispursley]

As far as getting a bed in first aid for a "lie down"...I kind of equate it a little to when you visit a very busy ER/trauma center. You often times do not get a bed and have to wait, especially if your case is not critical. It's sort of like this: when I lived on Oahu, they had (have) a serious issue with a shortage of ER beds, often times with critical patients needing to be sent to hospitals clear across the island for care or waiting in ambulances. I went to our local ER with cellulitis in my foot. Not knowing this situation, having moved recently, I expected at least a bed where they would elevate my foot. Imagine my surprise when I was seated in the waiting room and looked over and saw a woman getting an EKG performed two chairs over. And my even bigger surprise when they were going to start my IV in the waiting room. There were just no beds. My options were to either suck it up, go home, or go to another ER and hope for a bed.

This is how I view OP's dilemma: go to first aid and hope there is a bed, if not, wait in the waiting room for a bed to become available, or suck it up an return to the hotel room for a lie down. The options aren't great but you kinda do what you have to. Personally, I would take the guaranteed bed back at my resort. I can't imagine those cots are real comfy in first aid for a back.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Here is what I understand. OP wants to take his family to WDW to create memories with his grandsons. His wife has a back injury that is limiting the amount of time they can spend in the parks. They have pushed the envelope before and she had to spend 2 or 3 days in her hotel room. He doesn’t want to get Lightning Lane because he used to get Fast Passes for free. His wife’s endurance issues and mobility problems no longer qualify her for DAS, which he is angry about. People have offered suggestions but apparently they don’t understand so he is “snarky” with them. He wants a “guarantee” that his wife will have a cot or a bed in First Aid so she can lie down whenever she needs to for as long as she needs as he doesn’t want to waste the time going back to the hotel. I know I don’t understand everything. The OP says he has not shared everything, which is his right.

Looking at their situation, it seems to me that Disney is not able to “accommodate” his wife’s back issues the way he would like to be accommodated. They have offered Lightning Lane, but that is not ideal. It isn’t ideal for everyone. It certainly does not decrease the amount of time one is in the parks. As a side note, neither does DAS or the combination of both. They are saying they are welcome to utilize First Aid but will not guarantee an “on demand” place to lie down.

Given what Disney has to offer and what his wife’s needs are, what can they do to still make memories with their family while accommodating his wife’s needs themselves? Sometimes you have to make choices that aren’t ideal but the overall goal is met. Sometimes you need to look at what is offered and make your own accommodations to reach your desired goal. If you can’t make accommodations yourself and others can’t accommodate your needs, you need to maybe re-evaluate your goal or make other adjustments. That is the point I was trying to make in my previous post.

People are not fully going to understand everything from a post on a forum. That is a given. To say if your post indicates you don’t understand you will get a snarky response back is an indication, to me, that you are angry and need to adjust your attitude. When you put down others who are trying to help with a snarky response, to me, it indicates the problem is yours. Rule of thumb, if you are having problems with 1 person there is a 50/50 chance it could be you. Problems with 2 people, you still get the 50/50 chance. Problems with 3 people, it is definitely you and you need to adjust your attitude and change your approach.

Sorry if my post didn’t come across as I intended.

 

[Minnie1222]

I agree with personal responsibility!

Regardless of the OP's stance, it is ultimately his responsibility to accommodate his wife. It is not Disney's duty to cater to her needs.

Also, I sincerely hope that the aggression and insults displayed by the OP are only directed at those of us online and not at any Castmembers.