Little tiny things that irritate you about WDW...Let's vent.

[LakeAriel]

They can't ask for medical documentation, but you can provide it, if you want, to help make your case for your child needing special accommendations.

As the mother of a seriously medically-needy child, I am grateful for the GAC card - but it does not guarantee automatic front of the line priviliges. I agree, though, that there doesn't seem to be a consistent policy as to what the GAC card does; but then again, every person's needs are different and it's not up to the CM to determine who is "worthy". Now, according to previous posts, if there are people out there trying to take advantage of this, then shame on them! I have one word - KARMA!

I agree. I worked with Special Ed children and to exploit the disorder or other handicaps, well it is just really low IMO.

and I do believe in Karma..

 

[babynurse1]

Okay, but why do the ads all say call 407-WDISNEY, or something to that effect? Why wouldn't they stop showing the 407#? Or are the new ads showing the 800#?

I heard that they do not openly advertise the 1-800 numbers b/c they feel they would receive too many prank calls and calls from people with ridiculous questions. I guess the theory is if you are paying for it, then you only call for legitimate reasons.

I do not know if this is true, just something I heard.

 

[LakeAriel]

As a previous poster said the 1- 800 number no longer works! I tried it and he was correct!

 

[briar_rose_59]

As a previous poster said the 1- 800 number no longer works! I tried it and he was correct!

Was that the new one or the old one that you tried? There was a "new" one posted a couple pages back I believe.

 

[LakeAriel]

Was that the new one or the old one that you tried? There was a "new" one posted a couple pages back I believe.

I tried the 1-800-828-0228. Someone else posted a 1-877 I haven't tried that yet.

 

[OhMari]

As a previous poster said the 1- 800 number no longer works! I tried it and he was correct!

Sorry, the last time I used it, was April 11, 2007, to cancel an ADR.

I just called 877-939-3732 and it says "Welcome to the Walt Disney World Travel Company". So it works. I updated my cell phone.

 

[LakeAriel]

Sorry, the last time I used it, was April 11, 2007, to cancel an ADR.

I just called 877-939-3732 and it says "Welcome to the Walt Disney World Travel Company". So it works. I updated my cell phone.

I used it recently too..(maybe 3 weeks ago) so I was surprised it was gone! We are sure 1-877 is toll free, right?

 

[Dead-metal]

The only thing that I can think of is losing my hire car in the MGM parking lot. I could remember it was in "Goofy" but I had no idea which row.

I wandered around, in the dark, waving my remote key fob, pressing the button for a good half hour. I did find it and we were more careful about where I had parked it. Why can't Disney have Valet Parking.

 

[ZPT1022]

Never said you shouldn't use a scooter - in fact, I specifically said *everyone* deserves to enjoy the parks. I'm well aware of the disabilities that can lead to needing one. My MIL would have to use a scooter if she ever came to WDW, though a cane serves her well enough here at home. I'm glad Disney offers the option.

I only only said that we'd never in our lives seen so *many* obese people on scooters. In one place. Now that I've seen the stats saying that nearly 75 percent of Americans are overweight, I understand why. But it was shocking to see in person.

OTOH, our family would never stare or say anything mean, and we would treat you with the same respect and consideration we give everyone else. So why would what I think affect what you choose to do?

I guess it's just hearing the comments over and over about fat people on scooters that make someone feel judged. Out of curiosity, what country are you from so that we know where you're coming from when you make a comparison?

Oh, and I also think that WDW tends to escalate special needs. Think about it- I may get through the grocery store but then need to come home and put my leg up and take Ibuprofen for the swelling. No one would ever know that though because I am at home by that point. Going to IKEA means a day on the couch the next day, but again, no one would know that since I am at home at that point. With WDW I think it's fair to say that the average stay is somewhere around a week so someone who has mobility issues is definitely going to stick out. WDW is a TON of walking! Heck, one lap around World Showcase at Epcot is just over a mile!! Not to mention standing in lines, walking to and from buses and resort rooms, etc..... it all adds up without even realizing it. So someone who might not normally need the special assistance of a scooter or wheelchair, might need one at WDW if they are to fully enjoy their stay.

You're much younger then I so I feel for you! Thank God for ibuprofen, it is the only thing that works for me..I try to stay as active as possible because if I slow down, I'll gain more ~then hurt more ~etc..It's a vicious circle.

Ice helps with some swelling too!

Unfortunately I never went to Disney till after I was 50 so I was already falling apart..

Eh, don't feel bad. I just look at it as it is what it is. I have accident photos and when I look at them I just feel lucky that I still have my leg and/or that I can walk at all. Had I been in a different car that day, that would not be the case.

I've found on the past few trips that it helps some to come back to the room and run some cool water in the tub and soak my feet. It feels nice at the end of the day.

Hey, going to Disney at any age is awesome! I'm glad you found your way there since it sounds as if your family was not into it. And it is the most magical place after all

I know what you mean. I'd walk on bloody stumps before I'd rent a scooter because of the attitude that fat people are just being lazy in having to ride around. A couple of years ago I'd sprained my ankle right before a trip and people on the boards recommended renting a scooter. I don't think so. Fat + scooter = lazy obese slob. (in some people's minds)



Are you taking frequent breaks? I do the 800 mg of ibuprofen, but also take a dose of Tylenol too, take a break in the middle of the day and spend some time in a hot tub. That really helps get the kinks out! I know you can't do it with 5 days, but we also take a day with NO walking -- just hanging around the resort pool. Anyway, that's how I survive the pain.



That's what bugs me too. People always say "Oh, I don't mean those with disabilities," but how on earth can you tell just by looking at a person? You can't look too healthy and be in a scooter, and you definitely can't look too fat to be in one.

You and I are on the same page with this one

 

[ZPT1022]

My biggest pet peave are the crying kids at Disneyworld. They can't help it if they are tired and it is up to the parents to see that they lay down and rest. Most of the kids are just over tired, heck I get over tired also. The kids would be happier after a nap and so would the rest of us.

It's not just the kids- DH and I have found that even we enjoy an afternoon nap while at WDW- then we are nice and refreshed for the evening The first day we said it was for the kids but we got just as much out of naptime as they did

 

[ZPT1022]

My sisters sons is autistic and I told her about the special pass, but told her she needed documentation from her Dr. When she came home, she told me thank you for the advice because it really helped when they didn't have melt downs and were able to stay on the train for over an hour. She said she had to show the medical paper to guest services for the badge.

weird, we brought all sorts of documentation from my son's birth to three teachers but they didn't even want to see it. Not sure what I'll do next time, but I probably will ask his team at school for a letter just in case

 

[ZPT1022]

We also drive due to this. We've said we'll drive until we don't need strollers any longer....which is when the kids are what....16?

16 sounds about right. Heck, some days I would like to get in one of those double strollers at the end of the day

 

[ZPT1022]

I heard that they do not openly advertise the 1-800 numbers b/c they feel they would receive too many prank calls and calls from people with ridiculous questions. I guess the theory is if you are paying for it, then you only call for legitimate reasons.

I do not know if this is true, just something I heard.

I heard that the reason they did away with the 800 number in the first place was to discourage people from letting kids call and "talk to Mickey"

 

[AmazingGrace]

All the people get on my nerves.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

How about those little packets of catsup that you need a pair os sizzors to open? Arrhhhhhhhhgggghhh!!

 

[Magpie]

I guess it's just hearing the comments over and over about fat people on scooters that make someone feel judged. Out of curiosity, what country are you from so that we know where you're coming from when you make a comparison? (snipped for space)

Canada - which is just next door, so I tend to expect everyone to be the same. Then we drive down through the US and it's just... hey look, there IS a difference! Even my husband commented on it when he was passing through US airports, on his way to the UK. He said the American crowds were fatter than the Canadian crowds, while the Europeans were noticeably thinner than all of us. I mean, sixty percent of the Canadian population IS overweight, so I know it's our problem, too.

On a day-to-day basis, I don't tend to notice weight. Many people are a bit heavy, but it's not something that jumps out at me. There was only one guy in our neighbourhood who was morbidly obese. It was really bad - his shins had bowed out to the sides and he could hardly walk. I'd wave and say hi when I saw him out. And then one day he just disappeared. I hope to God he only moved, and he's not dead.

And there was one little boy in our Scout troop I really used to worry about. His whole family was overweight, but this poor little eight year old was so obese he waddled. His arms stuck out from his sides. And whenever he got upset because something was too hard for him (like playing games with the other kids) his dad would buy him a (non-diet!) coke from the soda machine to cheer him up. We're not in Scouts anymore, so I don't know what happened to the kid.

That's it! Two people in my whole life. Until we went to Disney and we were seeing at least a dozen people just as heavy as the man I told you about in a single day. Whole groups of them travelling together on scooters! And the whole scooter thing by itself was completely new to me. The man I mentioned earlier never had a scooter. He'd just walk a few feet, sit down on a wall, walk a few feet more... gosh, I felt bad for him!

So, honest! I'm glad there are places where folks like him can vacation. And I totally get what you mean about Disney exacerbating disability. My MIL would need a scooter if she went, so I'm glad Disney has them.

 

[Pongo53]

Me too, you can stay at any budget motel and get free wireless but not on Disney property.

I have to agree, but add this:
We stayed at the All Star Movies (Dalmatians) and I figured paying for internet access was just Disney getting money back for the (relatively) cheap rate we were given for the stay. But having no wireless access and having to use a connector cable??? In the 21st century???? I have an Apple Macbook Air that does not have cable capability, and I spent an hour looking for a place that could sell me a USB adapter, but by the time I'd found the Best Buy, it was closed and the next day was Easter. Grrr.

Like they said at the beginning of the thread, a small thing, not a trip-breaker, but definitely an annoyance that does not need to be.

 

[cm8]

I have to agree, but add this:
We stayed at the All Star Movies (Dalmatians) and I figured paying for internet access was just Disney getting money back for the (relatively) cheap rate we were given for the stay. But having no wireless access and having to use a connector cable??? In the 21st century???? I have an Apple Macbook Air that does not have cable capability, and I spent an hour looking for a place that could sell me a USB adapter, but by the time I'd found the Best Buy, it was closed and the next day was Easter. Grrr.

Like they said at the beginning of the thread, a small thing, not a trip-breaker, but definitely an annoyance that does not need to be.

Good morning, guess you did not get the "memo" about bringing up old threads, J/k, I really don't see what the big deal is, It's like a first amendment right, you should have free speech no matter how old the thread is. I got a kick out of reading it this am. Have a great day

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Ahhh...I was suckered in my another zombie thread!

Read about 3 pages before I realized this.

 

[EllenFrasier]

2007 - really? How on earth did you find this thread to dig it up?