MK cast members need sensitivity training

[Ashton7]

Ashton-There are more "fakers" out there than you think. It would really surprise you and sicken you at the same time.

In my line of work at another park (Annie, you do know me...) I cannot tell you the number of times that I see folks who really aren't in need of a chair in one, because they think that will get them to the front of the line. The saddest part is they don't realize what karma they are bringing upon themselves...

What we have here in my own opinion and from the side of the original poster is a whole lot of miscommunication.

Tell leah I said hi...

Okay, it took a bit for me to "get" it and I totally forgot about where you work. LOL! See you at Eyecon?

But back on topic ... I just find it difficult to believe that, that many people "fake" needing a wheelchair and/or ECV nowadays given how incredibly expensive they are to rent. I was stunned at how much they had gone up in price at Disney the end of last year. I really need one in order to enjoy the experience with my fibro and ankle problems but ponying up $65 every time we go (even getting $20 of it back at the end of the day) is a burden. Especially because Leah has had some problems breathing lately and needs one *as well*. That's $90 per visit immediately plus parking, food, etc. So even though we have seasonal passes, it's still a very expensive proposition to make a trip out there. Are there really that many "fakers" who have that kind of money to throw around on the off chance they are going to "get to the head of the line"? If so, I wouldn't think so much about karma getting them -- I'd just think they are dumb. I wouldn't pay the money if I didn't have to and I sure wouldn't put up with all of the problems that go along with being in a chair, not the least of which is people making snarky comments.

 

[McCall]

Okay, it took a bit for me to "get" it and I totally forgot about where you work. LOL! See you at Eyecon?

But back on topic ... I just find it difficult to believe that, that many people "fake" needing a wheelchair and/or ECV nowadays given how incredibly expensive they are to rent. I was stunned at how much they had gone up in price at Disney the end of last year. I really need one in order to enjoy the experience with my fibro and ankle problems but ponying up $65 every time we go (even getting $20 of it back at the end of the day) is a burden. Especially because Leah has had some problems breathing lately and needs one *as well*. That's $90 per visit immediately plus parking, food, etc. So even though we have seasonal passes, it's still a very expensive proposition to make a trip out there. Are there really that many "fakers" who have that kind of money to throw around on the off chance they are going to "get to the head of the line"? If so, I wouldn't think so much about karma getting them -- I'd just think they are dumb. I wouldn't pay the money if I didn't have to and I sure wouldn't put up with all of the problems that go along with being in a chair, not the least of which is people making snarky comments.

The fakers I have seen at parks used a wheelchair there would be a group, and they would take turns. I know because I have seen this more than once they stopped, a distance from a ride, and one in chair got jumped out and one of them said it is my turn, or words to that effect, they got in and off they headed to another ride.
Now the cost of renting a WC spread over a group of four or five is not much.

It is very sad and also anger producing that this happens, but it is still no excuse for a CM questioning a person IN the wheelchair about what is wrong with them.

 

[shovan]

Whoa, that was just plain obnoxious & rude. I guess I would have been so shocked by that, we probably wouldn't have reported it. Although later I might be mad enough to go back & find them so I could report it!

We have had a few joking comments from CM's that were not appreciated. Like the "Boy I sure could use a chair like that right now!" Makes me want to say "Oh really, so you've had muscular dystrophy for 35 years too?"

 

[su_A_ve]

There are some mega-rich that don't care less, and as a convenience would rent an ECV cause they don't want to get too tired when walking around epcot.

You can seem them, with the ultra expensive dior sunglasses, and worse when their kids jump and sit on top of them. Then they sprint out of the chair and let the kids 'play' with it...

An adult with an invisible condition will not let their kids 'play' with the chair/ECV. A kid with a condition will exclusively use the chair/ecv and not swap with the adult.

That said, we didn't experience any problem during our trip in Dec, when using my son's GAC. Though I was 90% sure there was a CM scalping FPs at MK...

 

[Ashton7]

The fakers I have seen at parks used a wheelchair there would be a group, and they would take turns. I know because I have seen this more than once they stopped, a distance from a ride, and one in chair got jumped out and one of them said it is my turn, or words to that effect, they got in and off they headed to another ride.
Now the cost of renting a WC spread over a group of four or five is not much.

It is very sad and also anger producing that this happens, but it is still no excuse for a CM questioning a person IN the wheelchair about what is wrong with them.

I can understand that would be pretty obvious, especially with a larger group doing something like that. But ... to be honest, although I've never done it, with the cost of renting so high now, I've actually considered renting one and "sharing" it with my SO. I can walk with a cane -- just not real far or for very long. My SO can walk but gets winded easily and is currently on a boatload of medication. So, yes, it's occurred to me that we might have to resort to sharing a rental if we want to go to the parks at all. I don't think that makes us "fakers."

 

[Notatourist]

It's not an excuse, more of an explanation. If you spend enough days seeing this abuse happen, you tend to get a little jaded.

The other and bigger point is that we weren't there. We don't know if this was a CM just wanting to start a conversation and getting misinterpreted.

Annie-I'm going to try...Eyecon is a weird weekend for me...

 

[carj]

That is rude and insulting. They shouldn't have ever asked anything. Pleasant conversation does not include things along the lines of "What is wrong with you?"

I don't think that there is any excuse for that kind of behavior. I know we get enough idiots asking about my son in a very rude way. "What happened?" "Was he born "like that" etc... We get those from people we encounter and I do report it when an employee makes a remark like those I mentioned. It taints my view of their company and they need to do something to fix it.

 

[Ashton7]

It's not an excuse, more of an explanation. If you spend enough days seeing this abuse happen, you tend to get a little jaded.

The other and bigger point is that we weren't there. We don't know if this was a CM just wanting to start a conversation and getting misinterpreted.

Annie-I'm going to try...Eyecon is a weird weekend for me...

I agree that we can't know without being there ourselves ... and I've certainly had plenty of CMs make joking comments to me about "no racing allowed" and things like that -- but it's usually pretty obvious they are just being friendly and/or joking around. Most of the CMs I've met (I'd say 95% or even more) are usually friendly. Some are ultra-friendly and happy to talk for a few minutes (I like to pin trade, for instance). I've seen some that just seem numb/brain dead. I encountered a girl like that yesterday and even when I asked to trade pins with her, she could hardly say a word and just seemed "checked out." I just figured she was tired or something.

 

[jrt1176]

My feeling is that if you thought they were being rude then ask them to explain themselves or confront them. If it was truly meant to be rude then report them.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

I only wish that my 5-year old was faking it and didn't need a wheelchair.

I would glady give up the "perks" to have her walk.

Amy

www.emmahopeworld.net

 

[SueM in MN]

I read this for a number of days trying to think of some clever response to end the thread on.
I don't have one.
For the people who think there are many 'fakers' out there, most lines are Mainstream Lines where everyone (wheelchair or not) waits together.

This is a list of attractions with Mainstream Access from the WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities:
Magic Kingdom® Park

• • Ariel's Grotto
• • Astro Orbiter
• • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• • Donald's Boat
• • Judge's Tent
• • Mickey's Country House
• • Mickey's PhilharMagic
• • Minnie's Country House
• • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• • Pirates of the Caribbean
• • Space Mountain®
• • Splash Mountain®
• • Stitch's Great Escape!™
• • "The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management"
• • The Hall of Presidents
• • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• • Tomorrowland® Indy Speedway
• • Toontown Hall of Fame
• • Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (seasonal)

Epcot®

• • FUTURE WORLD
• • Imagination!: All Attractions
• • Innoventions East
• • Innoventions West
• • Mission: SPACE
• • Test Track
• • The Seas with Nemo & Friends: All Attractions
• • The Land: All Attractions
• • Universe of Energy: "Ellen's Energy Adventure"
• • WORLD SHOWCASE
• • China: "Reflections of China"
• • France: "Impressions de France"
• • FriendShip Boats (NOTE: The WDW park rental ECVs don't fit on these boats).
• • Norway: Maelstrom
• • The American Adventure: "The American Adventure"

Disney's Hollywood Studios™

• • Disney's Hollywood Studios™ Backlot Tour
• • Fantasmic!
• • Lights, Motors, Action!™ Extreme Stunt Show
• • Muppet*Vision 3D
• • Playhouse Disney - Live On Stage!
• • Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
• • Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey
• • Star Tours
• • The Great Movie Ride
• • The Magic of Disney Animation
• • "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™"
• • Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• • Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
• • Toy Story Mania

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

• • Caravan Stage: "Flights of Wonder"
• • DINOSAUR
• • Expedition Everest™
• • Finding Nemo - The Musical
• • Grandmother Willow's Grove: "Pocahontas and Her forest friends"
• • It's Tough To Be A Bug
• • Kali River Rapids
• • Kilimanjaro Safaris
• • Lion King Theater: "Festival of the Lion King"
• • Maharajah Jungle Trek
• • Primeval Whirl
• • The Boneyard
• • TriceraTop Spin

Things a wheelchair (or stroller as a wheelchair) gets you are:

• a chance to be invisible for once in your life
• getting the blame for hitting someone who popped out in front of you
• a place to sit while you wait in line
• a designated spot for most shows, but you can't choose where to sit and are in the back row of most shows
• other guest's perception that you have not waited because they see you sitting at the exit of Small World, not understanding that you have sat there for 25 minutes to ride something they waited 5 minutes for
• some other guests feeling they have the right to be rude to you because they think they can tell you are faking
• a sick feeling every time you are waiting for the bus because you don't know if the other riders will be nice or mean
• an occasional rude CM who needs more Pixie Dust (and should be reported to Guest Relations)

I can see nothing good coming out of keeping this thread open, so with that, this thread is closed.