My husband almost beat someone's butt..

[locolala]

Ok, maybe not, but I know he was thinking about it.

I have severe chronic pain that can render me totally useless. Most days, I'm ok as I've just started a new pain treatment that seems to work. However, I have days where walking is agony. I had one of these days last Thursday when we were at DHS. We ended up getting a manual chair for me and DH spent most the day pushing me around. We went to the 10pm Fantasmic show, and as expected it was crowded as all get out. There was a lady I was speaking to who had a disabled child, and a couple of other disbaled folks, in her group. She was upset because the CMs taking care of the line weren't letting the w/c's sit to the side or anything.. they expected us to sit in this huge mass of people. That just wouldn't have worked. Finally a manager came down and took our group of 18 people (5 in wheelchairs) through the back and put us closer to the beginning of the line. Then, they opened the lines up for people to move in. Here was where the problems started.. we were in a different line than the normal crowd, and we were able to move faster than them. I can't tell you how many calls of "that's not fair" or "what the *#$&#" we heard. Then, when we had been seated and crowds were moving past us, more problems started. I heard a man say "She probably isn't even handicapped" and then he did the stupidest, rudest thing I have ever encountered. He tried to move my chair. He told me that I didn't deserve such good seats (we were right in the middle.. great seats) and that I shouldn't fake being disabled to get priority seating. The cast member that was right by me reacted fabulously, telling the man to step back and that he would call security if he didn't leave me alone. Hubby was absolutely livid. The man finally left but that really put a damper on my night as I also have really bad anxiety problems. How was I to know he wasn't going to come back and try to move me again, or push me down the stairs?

Ok, sorry I had to rant about it. Thanks for reading

 

[bookwormde]

Probably the same people who complain during preboarding of aircraft, but if you boarded with them would complain also.

Sorry you had to deal with this, and it put a damper on the “magic”. I assume by your description that the standard spots for WC and companions at the top were all full.

Not much to do about ignorance but take it at its value and just ignore it.

Glad to here the CMs handled it well.

They have created a bit of a “monster” by reducing one of the most popular shows to only 2 or 3 times a week, I love the show but am not looking forward to the extra crowded conditions when we go in June.

bookwormde

 

[BayouMickey]

I'm not looking forward to this my upcoming trip. I plan on getting an ECV for when my back and left leg decides they had enough (i plan on parking it in the general facility and walk until I can't anymore). Wife will have to ride hers all day. But all I need is someone to say "hey I saw that guy walking earlier!" and wait for the domino effect...

 

[toocherie]

I must be oblivious--in two trips to WDW--both with a rented ECV--I've never had anyone say anything negative to me. And I get off and walk quite a bit. I just could never do miles and miles of walking day after day. (When I go to DL if I am just going for one day sometimes, depending on how I feel, I will not rent an ECV and just walk. It's multiple days in a row that does me in.)

OP--were these people just complaining about you or all the WC users who were brought up to the front of the line?

 

[Windjammermay]

I saw that line for the Fantasmic show. I slowly rolled away from that one. I was in my own chair and my disability is obvious, at least to those that looked. There was way too many people that were hot, tired, hungry and not very patient to deal with much. I just pulled out of line and got out of there. I was not going to go threw a nasty crowd. It was worth rolling away from.

I did have a lovely time at the end of the street by the "hotel" ride and enjoyed some nice people at the smoking spot. We had our own party.

 

[locolala]

I must be oblivious--in two trips to WDW--both with a rented ECV--I've never had anyone say anything negative to me. And I get off and walk quite a bit. I just could never do miles and miles of walking day after day. (When I go to DL if I am just going for one day sometimes, depending on how I feel, I will not rent an ECV and just walk. It's multiple days in a row that does me in.)

OP--were these people just complaining about you or all the WC users who were brought up to the front of the line?

They complained about everyone brought to the front of the line. It was ridiculous. I wanted to tell the guy I'd trade him for his carppy seat if he wanted to take my pain.. I'd do it in a heartbeat. The worst part of the whole thing was that he had three kids with him.. what do you think they'll learn from the experience?

 

[Schmeck]

I'm a little confused as to why people in wheelchairs can't wait in the regular area? It's very accessible. The CMs are really good at keeping the accessible seating area open for those that need it, so moving to the front of the line doesn't make sense to me. Was there a lot of pushing and shoving at the time?

 

[BayouMickey]

I'm a little confused as to why people in wheelchairs can't wait in the regular area? It's very accessible. The CMs are really good at keeping the accessible seating area open for those that need it, so moving to the front of the line doesn't make sense to me. Was there a lot of pushing and shoving at the time?

Yeah they do a seperate line to avoid trampling and also helps cm's place disabled people in the areas.

 

[toocherie]

The worst part of the whole thing was that he had three kids with him.. what do you think they'll learn from the experience?

Unfortunately, that it's ok to whine and complain. Sorry you had this experience.

 

[mechurchlady]

DisAbilities board is a great tool for learning, sharing and discussion things. Your complaint has legitimate merits and as you see we are coming up with explanations on why guests with special limitations are seated first in theaters for example. From your incident we can learn things and find out if this is common place or a rare incident.

For me it was the Nemo Submarines at Disneyland. I use an ECV because one of my triggers is exhaustion and I can be one major hissy fit and meltdown as well as loose social skills and some motor skills. I am bouncy in the beginning but later barely can move.

For me it was the Nemo Submarines at Disneyland. It was my first time riding them and I had Calvin with me. As we got in line some people glared at us like how dare we cut in line. It has happened on occasion but I am too busy usually to notice. I will be down front for Aladdin because Calvin has hearing problems but otherwise I get the FP or wait in line like everyone else if I can. I just do not like being run over by people and am thankful for those times when I can get a seat without being run over by guests in a hurry to have their ideal seat.

I send you lots of hugs, pixie dust, and dole whips.

I am so sorry you had to meet such a rude guest but remember he probably later on bullied a waitress, snarled at someone who was to slow in ordering dinner, and plopped on the parade route in front of some little kids. Hopefully his kids will be so embarrassed by daddy that they will grow up to be model citizens.

 

[locolala]

I'm a little confused as to why people in wheelchairs can't wait in the regular area? It's very accessible. The CMs are really good at keeping the accessible seating area open for those that need it, so moving to the front of the line doesn't make sense to me. Was there a lot of pushing and shoving at the time?

The crowd was so thick that it would have been virtually impossible to be in the line without running people over right and left. We got there about 75 minutes early too, so it wasn't like we showed up right before they let us in. I wouldn't have wanted to be in the crown even if I wasn't in a chair.

 

[scoobndolliesmom]

quoteI heard a man say "She probably isn't even handicapped" and then he did the stupidest, rudest thing I have ever encountered. He tried to move my chair. He told me that I didn't deserve such good seats (we were right in the middle.. great seats) and that I shouldn't fake being disabled to get priority seating. The cast member that was right by me reacted fabulously, telling the man to step back and that he would call security if he didn't leave me alone. Hubby was absolutely livid. The man finally left but that really put a damper on my night as I also have really bad anxiety problems. How was I to know he wasn't going to come back and try to move me again, or push me down the stairs? "

I cant believe someone would waste all that time and energy over a seat! Just remember if he is saying stuff like that the truth is he is probably unhappy with himself. I hope the rest of your trip was great!

 

[MonorailGuy]

As a Cast Member, sometimes I have to stop and not let this kind of person ruin my day. I literally have to let them leave and cool down. One case left me almost shaking with... well, I am not sure what I felt. I can't imagine that the subject of this story, in his narcissism and anger, didn't take out another guest's vacation experience somewhere else along the line.

Last Thanksgiving, I had a similar run-in. I was working at the Polynesian Monorail Platform, was getting very full lines waiting for the next train. Working out how to get people moving, keep them moving, and get the trains in and out of the station quickly so that they wouldn't take half an hour to get around World Showcase Lagoon is often a challenge, especially on a crowded day.

If you've ever visit the Polynesian Resort platform when I am the Cast Member working there, you'll notice that I make people...swirl. 'Little trick I picked up from watching Cast Members in The Land Pavilion at Epcot. I start by opening the side gate and get people down to the rear end of the train station before guests departing the train get off, and that is my "Aft Swirl", and I can usually get about 50 people through that side door. Next, I close the side door, let those getting off the train go by, then open the four gates that run parallel to the first three cars of the train, my "Forward Swirl".

However, when I get a guest in a wheelchair or ECV, I modify my strategy slightly. I start the Aft Swirl and end it early, and get the guest in the wheelchair into position at the fourth car back from the front. I then let those getting off do so, put down the ramp, go to the front of the train and start the Forward Swirl at only the frontmost gate.

Sorry if you're completely in the dark. I'll make diagrams later if you really want.

So in the story I'm telling (and FINALLY getting to), I had a guest in a wheelchair, so I did my modified swirls. I knew they were getting on the next train with about four minutes warning, so I went and locked the gates while asking everyone to please move down to the end of the platform (toward the front of the train). One family, the father pushing a double-wide, very large stroller wouldn't budge. So I started my aft swirl, ran my modified forward swirl and took care of the guest in the wheelchair.

I knelt down to pick up the ramp, and when I came up, the father of the family that refused to move was kissing distance away from my face. His was almost purple.

Him: "You locked the gate in front of us!"

Me: "Yes, sir, and that is why I was asking you to move down to the end of the platform, so that you would be at the gate I was going to open."

He looked around for a second, turned a shade darker, got back in my face and spat: "YOU'RE JUST EXERCISING WHAT LITTLE AUTHORITY YOU HAVE!"

I fully expected to have a complaint, so of course I notified a manager immediately. He never said anything.

Unfortunately, that kind of person decides to come to Disney World along with the rest of us. That kind of person is in it to get their way only, never mind the up to 500,000 other guests we are accommodating in the parks that day, and never mind the guests who will need my assistance in getting on and off the Monorail.

You just have to hope that one day these people will find enough joy in SOMETHING in their lives to make it worth them doing something like coming to Disney World. You just have to have a spark, we Cast Members will do the rest if you let us. It's what we love to do.

 

[Windjammermay]

I'm a little confused as to why people in wheelchairs can't wait in the regular area? It's very accessible. The CMs are really good at keeping the accessible seating area open for those that need it, so moving to the front of the line doesn't make sense to me. Was there a lot of pushing and shoving at the time?

That is funny that you ask this. I really did not realize how "too close" people and things can get. I generally do not go out in a crowds and travel seperate from a group of people while at home.

Well, while in a long line of people at Epcot a lady and her butt got all over my controls and joystick. The chair went out of control becuase I could not get her butt off my hand and controls. She did get hurt and I was sorry that her butt was too big. I could not do anything about the chair spinning and hitting her.

I did not think much of the innsodent. I had thought it was just one of those things until it happened again in a line of people. A ladys purse snagged onto my controls and pullled off my joystick. The chair did go out of control and the lady was hit. Personally, I did not care how she got hurt. She was busy trying to crowd me out to get in front of me at a food line in Epcot and I was busy trying to get away from her.

After all that had happened I can see why there is precautions put in place to seperate the chairs and people. It is way to crowded and people do get hurt.

 

[bookwormde]

The entrance set up at Fantasmic is “poorly designed” and the entrance protocols make this situation more difficult and dangerous. Having a single entrance for that quantity of people to try to enter (mostly at once) for a non-ticketed non-seat specific event through a relatively narrow walking area across the top is not good for the average person, let alone children and people with disabilities. The fact that is with the 50%+ reduction in shows has guaranteed that almost all night it is packed and many guest may not even be able to get a seat if they are not lined up at gate opening makes it worse. There have been major changes in recommended design criteria for outdoor assembly venues due to the large number of injuries and deaths that have occurred due to uncontrolled crown movement.
Unfortunately WDW has not updated this theaters design.

It is very wise of the CMs to move those who are at most risk of being “run over” expeditiously to their seats. I have seen on several occasions people be knocked off balance by the crowd pressure, I make extra efforts protect my children when transiting the top area just for this reason.

bookwormde

 

[Schmeck]

I agree that if the area is over-crowded then some organization is needed. But since the wheelchair seating is at the top, and that is the entrance, wouldn't it be safer to fill those seats last? Have the people requiring those seats wait to the side until most of the crowd has gone past that area? Or would others try to sit there and then arguments would occur, I guess.

Thank you for the insight - it does seem like a poorly designed access.

 

[bookwormde]

If they could reserve adequate companion (group) seating that would be OK, but I have seen issues with having to try to move people who are already in the companion seating area.

bookwormde

 

[nwhitehead1214]

You know both my daughter and I have "hidden disabilities". We look fine on the outside but she has autism and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Days can be painful for me. Anyhow, I did have someone make a comment when we used the GAC to get ahead. I just told her that I would trade places with her in line in a heartbeat. I think I made my point. Interestingly, before my DD was born and I was diagnosed I went with my DH and DS. I was one of those people. We were all waiting in line on a hot day to see a character and one little boy went ahead of everyone. Well in my shame I started acting up (along with everyone else). He turned around to get his picture taken and I noticed his hat. It said Make A Wish. If I could have taken it all back I would have. I was so ashamed of myself. Don't address these people with anything but a smile. Things do take care of themselves in the end. Not that I want anything bad to happen to anyone but we all walk in those type of shoes at some point in our lives. It is those who deal with it with grace that make it. God Bless

 

[yitbos96bb]

The one I have always wondered about is the buses. I ask this question in all sincerity as I would like to know the reasoning behind it....

On the WDW buses, why do they not let everyone at a stop get off first before letting a wheelchair or ECV... Especially if the busses are uber-crowded and its packed in standing room only. To me, it seems like it would make more sense to get as many people off as possible to make it easier for the person in the wheelchair or ECV to manuever... this is why I think its logical for the bus drivers to let wheelchairs and ECVs ON first... less people so its easier to manuever. Just seems like when they have everyone piled in its pure torture for everyone involved...standing guests, the person in the ECV or wheelchair to have to wait... the person in the wheelchair is uncomfortable from all the sardined bodies and has to try and maneuver around all the standing people who are also very uncomfortable from standing and being packed in.

Does anyone know WHY Disney does it this way? It just seems to defy logic... but maybe there is a very good reason for it.

 

[peemagg]

I have never seen them let a wheelchair or scooter user off first, unless it was a bus with multiple stops and the person in the wheelchair or scooter was in one of the first stops. In that case I would think that they would let off all for that stop first then the wheelchair or scooter.

When have you seen this practice? Most of the times the wheelchair or scooter is the last off the bus.