No more 'cuts in line' for many disabled Knott's guests

[In a hurry]

sereneone, your daughter is a doll.

I don't really get the idea about "jealousy towards the able-bodied." I think that being jealous of a healthy body for oneself or one's child wouldn't be out of line.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

A few 'fun facts' for those who may not yet have picked them up from what others have posted in this thread:

Being in a wheelchair does not get you to the front of the line

A Guest Assistance Card does not get you to the front of the line

'Faking' a disability does not get you to the front of the line

The only people who get to go to the front of the line, are children on Make A Wish trips

Most rides have mainstream queuing for wheelchair users

When a wheelchair user goes through an alternative entrance, they do not go straight to the head of the queue, but instead wait about as long as everyone else to board

Very often it takes longer (yes, you did read that correctly) to get through the line and onto the ride with a wheelchair

Medical science has not yet discovered X-Ray vision, so nobody can tell who is 'faking' just by looking at them

If anyone still believes that wheelchair users get a better deal at Disney, I will happily swap my wheelchair and all the 'perks' that come with it, if you take my crippling pain and other fun medical conditions as well


Have a great day everyone, and try to show kindness and compassion to your fellow people.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I'm feeling generous today.

Those of you that think there are benefits at WDW for those with a disability, to such an extend those people are given a VIP-treatment whereas they are only treated as standard mob-people; I invite you to come along on my next trip.

Seriously! I'm there from december 2nd untill the 15th. You're all (please not on one day. Allthough? Could be fun ) welcome to join me for a day. See first hand what the perks and downsides are. Compair those to the day your family will have had that same day (just using the touringplan you allways use) at the same park.

Just take the chance, oppertunity, anything you want to call it. Don't judge based on info you get from Judy, Jack, the neighbours or from those 5 minutes you've seen somebody with a disability at WDW, no judge after an almost first hand experience.

For those really wanting to know what it is like to get this suspected 'royal treatment'? I'll be travelling with 2 chairs (as allways), so if you're really nice I'll lend you one for the day. Free of charge, only condition that comes with it is that you'll be tied to it to ensure no cheating. (sarcasm folks, sarcasm those last few tied-to-chair-words)

 

[SereneOne]

sereneone, your daughter is a doll.

I don't really get the idea about "jealousy towards the able-bodied." I think that being jealous of a healthy body for oneself or one's child wouldn't be out of line.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I think so too. You (generic you) would never know looking at her unless you saw her undressed, so I hope people realize you can not judge a book by its cover.

FTR, no one was ugly to my daughter. My son waited in character lines while I tube fed her and he was worried people would get mad and said so from line, before I spoke up, a man in line (I was on a bench near the character line, tube feeding her) said, "Son, it is not a problem. No one begrudges you waiting in line for your little sister. I think we are too busy being thankful." When I was finished feeding her, she returned to the line with her brother. No problems!

What I wrote about that was in response to someone earlier saying that handicapped where jealous of the able bodied. Do I pray so earnestly and beg God that my daughter not have to have an analplasty and possible colostomy (temporary) on June 30th? or that she did not have to have heart surgery on July 14th? Yes I do, feverishly! However, I do not begrudge anyone their good health or blessings. We all have our challenges and we all have our blessings.

(and let me say, I also am thankful for the advances that make it possible for her to heal and grow and live the fullest life)

 

[Chicago526]

I swear to god, in the 8x I've been to a Disney park I've never once witnessed any wheelchair party board a ride or a bus, let alone a wheelchair party of a dozen people or more. Either I'm extrodinarily lucky, or I'm totally oblivious. I don't have much luck in life (other than being physically healthy) so I'm betting that I'm totally oblivious. I'm there to have a good time, not worry about what other people are doing. Why do so many of you waste your vacation worrying if the party of 10 with an ECV cut in line for a bus or a ride?

Do I want people abusing the system? No, of course not. But if it happens, it happens and I'm not going to waste my precious vacation time getting upset about it. Do I wonder if the person I see in the ECV really needs it or is faking? Hell no! It's none of my damn business. If they need it, more power to them, if not, well all I have to say is "karma, baby". If they're cheating they'll get what the deserve at some point or another.

So, here's to being oblivious!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

there are many levels to disability. now are you saying that i have to have a dr's note every time i use my wheelchair? that a place can tell me i cant bring my wheelchair in because i dont have a dr's note?? I don't have a note. I bought my wheelchair myself. My old dr is aware, my new one is not. can you see someone telling a person who has been in a wheelchair their whole lives that they must prove they need the wheels?? what do i have to do, try to stand and fall?

what about temporary disabilities - when my mom pinched a nerve in her foot, should we have had to go to the ER in orlando, paid $1000s in out-of-network costs, when we knew what was wrong? she needed a wc for one day at disney. that sounds to me like you are punishing people for getting hurt...

i cant afford a lot of drs right now, and i am un-dx'ed, so it is even harder to get a "dr's note" saying what is wrong - we dont know!

do you see where the problems arise?

and your Metro comparison is inappropriate for the situation: yes, people have to prove disabilties for things that the average able-bodied person does not get, like discounted fare. the same goes for SSI/SSID, HC parking, special housing disocunts, etc

however, we should NOT have to prove disability for EQUAL ACCESS, like going to the mall. THAT is what is illegal

I get what you are saying, but I think perhaps we are both overcomplicating. I think that if you need something (such as a GAC) or something else not offered to the general public, it isn't too much to ask for someone to provide a generic doctor's note. I'm not suggesting that you have to prove your need for a wheelchair if all the wheelchair is doing is giving you the same access as everyone else gets (such as at the mall).

 

[KPeveler]

I get what you are saying, but I think perhaps we are both overcomplicating. I think that if you need something (such as a GAC) or something else not offered to the general public, it isn't too much to ask for someone to provide a generic doctor's note. I'm not suggesting that you have to prove your need for a wheelchair if all the wheelchair is doing is giving you the same access as everyone else gets (such as at the mall).

A lot of what the GAC does IS granting equal access, such as allowing someone to use a stroller as a wheelchair for a child who is not big enough or able to use a "normal looking" wheelchair. or allowing people to sit where they can see the captioning in theatres... again, this is "equal access" stuff, and shouldnt require a dr's note.

however some stuff on the GAC may be more specific... but that would mean disney would have to guess what requires a dr's note and what doesnt... which i think would be more complicated than it is now...

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I get what you are saying, but I think perhaps we are both overcomplicating. I think that if you need something (such as a GAC) or something else not offered to the general public, it isn't too much to ask for someone to provide a generic doctor's note. I'm not suggesting that you have to prove your need for a wheelchair if all the wheelchair is doing is giving you the same access as everyone else gets (such as at the mall).

I'm afraid it is illegal in the States to require proof of disability to get equal access, under the ADA. As the GAC provides accommodations to those who would not be able to enjoy the parks otherwise, it is a means of providing equal access.

This post isn't meant to be 'getting at' anyone, I just wanted to share this with people, as not everyone may know this (I didn't, before I started hanging around the disABILITIES board here!).

Hope that helps a bit!

 

[Heidict]

That is not what I said, I did not wish it on anyone, I suggest you go back to school and take reading comprehension. I would not wish the challenges on anyone that the handicapped have, I stated maybe then the high and mighty that sneer and get up in arms over punishing a whole classification of people should know how it feels. It speaks volumes about you that you read into something intent that was not there. Sick and disturbing is punishing handicapped people for what a few lowlifes do and will continue to do despite the fact that it has been posted in this thread numerous times that most all rides are now wheelchair accessible and how most wait LONGER than those not in the lines that are accommodating.


I know how to solve all the problems at Disney, let us just close all the parks and everyone can sit at home, there you go, problem solved!

maybe they should be hit by a bus and made quads I can read and understand just fine, thanks. They should be hit by a bus? Mmmm, only one way to interpret that.

 

[In a hurry]

So, here's to being oblivious!

So, what were you drinking?

I'm always just happy to be there. It takes a pretty big offense to get my attention.

 

[hentob]

Clearly selfish thoughtless able bodied people complained and maybe they should be hit by a bus and made quads…..

Time to step away from the computer. You are out of control.

 

[SereneOne]

maybe they should be hit by a bus and made quads I can read and understand just fine, thanks. They should be hit by a bus? Mmmm, only one way to interpret that.

MAYBE....that is not WISHING, check your dictionary.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

For those complaining about the bus situation, at least you have the option to rent a car. We can't just call up Budget or Hertz and get a vehicle. We are stuck with Disney transportation unless we drive our modified van all the way from Oklahoma.

They do rent modified vans, but they are very expensive and generally do not accomodate our 4 children.

 

[SereneOne]

Time to step away from the computer. You are out of control.

Not out of control at all...you step away from the computer, you do not like what I post, put me on ignore. I could care less what you think.

 

[lillygator]

Time to step away from the computer. You are out of control.

oh my, I hadn't seen that! Scary.

 

[hentob]

MAYBE....that is not WISHING, check your dictionary.

Says the woman who has been consistently writing "ain't" in her posts

Sweety, back away from the computer, go hold your sweet little girl (she is very cute ) and calm down.

You are now at the “back tracking” stage.

And it ain’t pretty

 

[SereneOne]

What is scary is a group of people begrudging special needs people something that gives them EQUAL access, FAIR access and claiming it is something it is not. It is called prejudice and that is SCARY.

 

[crashbb]

For those complaining about the bus situation, at least you have the option to rent a car. We can't just call up Budget or Hertz and get a vehicle. We are stuck with Disney transportation unless we drive our modified van all the way from Oklahoma.

They do rent modified vans, but they are very expensive and generally do not accomodate our 4 children.

I would have thought that ADA (or something) would make car rental companies charge the same for a modified van as they do for a regular van. Wouldn't that fall under the "ensuring that people with disabilities can do what those without disabilities can" rule? A hotel cannot charge more for an HA room than they would for the same room were it not HA, can they?

It wouldn't help here I know (it would still not fit your family), I was just curious.

As for GACs/buses/whatever, I have noticed what look like abuses, but I'd rather some people abuse the system than others (who need it) cannot use it.

I did notice in DL though (I was alone and those bored in line - therefore I noticed people more), that groups with wheelchairs were definitely getting on rides (i.e. Indiana Jones) much more quickly. They'd go up the exit side and be back down, long before I made it to the front of the standby line. I have no complaints about it, but it is weird that so many people are saying that a GAC or being in a wheelchair doesn't lessen waiting time - it definitely did that afternoon.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Not out of control at all...you step away from the computer, you do not like what I post, put me on ignore. I could care less what you think.

I think this is the main problem. There's a saying that goes "you get more flies with honey"

Throughout this thread you have bashed able bodied people because they are able bodied and made the comment that we need to be run down and made quads so we can appreciate the situation.

I can understand being passionate about a cause but if you have to resort to the tactics that you employed in this thread maybe taking a break would be a good thing.

 

[Nanu57v]

I read page 1, and by this page clearly crazyness has ensued...but back to the beginning...

I don't think I agree with the policy at that park. If someone is truly disabled, then I'm all about them cutting the line. I just think there should be some sort of checking...like a doctor's note or something. I too have been frustrated by the Pop bus line, but only because I was chatting with an ECV driver once who told me she only rented the ECV for Disney because "after walking around all day her legs get tired"...Uh, yeah, that happens to everyone! But if you are really disabled, then I don't mind, really.