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

[KPeveler]

Focus should not be on who has more benefits (perceived or not) but on those who are actually committing the fraud.

I agree. But how do you find out who is cheating/faking, and who is not? You can't tell by looking, and according to law, a person cannot be made to "prove" a disability (which is a good thing, trust me - once when we were there, my mother pinched a nerve in her foot and could not walk, so we rented a wheelchair - we had no way of proving she needed that, since it was a one day thing). How do we figure out the fraud?

It is more important to make sure people with disabilities are protected, not go after the few cheaters, who are almost impossible to find anyway

 

[sha_lyn]

I can understand the frustration. There is no justification for cursing at you, whether in front of you kids or not. It is equally frustrating to be waiting in line through several buses for upwards of an hour just to have someone in an EVC zip around front and get on, especially when they bring 20 of their closest friends and family with them. Overall Disney needs to bump up their transportation as the past few times it's been pretty bad (but that's a different topic altogether).

As already pointed out, it is a federal law that all in the party is to load with the person in the wheelchair/EVC

Honestly, one of the reasons I browsed Disboards was for the DisAbilities thread. I was so frustrated by my last trip and EVCs that I came just to be reassured that there was actually people who needed them. I also find it a bit sad that I actually had to search out legitimacy because the experience at the parks was so bad.

I find it sad that you would even doubt that there are people that need wheelchairs/EVC. The fact that you had to "search out legitimacy" says a lot about you and IMHO says that you are probably much like the person that commented to the DIS'er because her DD could cross her legs.

 

[Hoodie]

You just don't get it do you?
No one has said that there are never abuses to the system. However people keep pointing out the out and out lies on this thread...IE having a wheelchair=front of the line in MK.
Why don't you try getting mad at those abusing the system instead of implying that every person that uses a wheelchair/EVC do so to inconvenience you. You can't even seem to grasp the concept that needing a wheelchair some times does not= being in one 24/7.

If you've read my posts, you would see that I AM suggesting that people get mad at those abusing the system and yet I am told that no one is repeatedly. I have never implied that every person using an EVC/wheelchair is abusing it but there are some that ARE abusing it.

 

[busykate]

I've been to WDW 3 times with groups of disabled children. Each and every one of them was entitled to a GAC, also they were in wheelchairs and had to be loaded onto busses first. When we went on a ride, we took ALL of the kids on at once so that if there was a problem we would have enough adults to deal with it. You may have seen us with 2 wheelchairs and 10 other kids but they all had disabilities some not apparent. I don't know about you but I really wouldn't want to be in line with one of the kids when they had a grand mal seizure and drop to the ground taking 4 other people with them because of their tramatic brain injury or a meltdown of an autistic teenager because they are over heated, The way I look at it - having my kid go in an alternate entrance isn't just for her benefit - IT'S FOR YOUR SAFETY TOO!!!!!!!!! I'll never go to Knotts because I can't imagine my disabled child having to stand by herself while I wait on line - she's non verbal and afraid of strangers, and can be agressive when she's frightened.

 

[breezy1077]

I think I know where everyone stands. Such passionate advocation for the non-handicapped - wow.

I will leave this thread with warm fuzzies knowing that WDW's policies are not being determined by those posting here.

I will leave y'all to your prejudices now.

May "you" be blessed never to have to "walk a mile in our shoes".

 

[Hoodie]

I am sure you did not mean to sound rude and callous just then, but that is definitely how it came across...

probably just as rude and callous as the post I was responding to.

 

[mykidsintow]

This tread sickens me. My daughter (pictured in my signature) would never be able to go to Disney without special accomodations. Not only because she is in a wheelchair, but also because she has airway problems and her body cannot maintain proper body temp. If we aren't taken onto rides timely we would never be able to go at all! She would die of a heatstroke in a "normal" line.

I would much rather have my daughter healthy than get on a stupid ride a bit faster, or simply wait where its cooler. Just because she has these differences doesn't mean she doesn't have a fully functioning mind. She is very advanced for her little 25 lb 4 yr old body. She is going to be starting 1st grade in the fall. Don't you think she NOTICES those of you that are snide or nasty about her getting to go? Don't you think she feels akward enough EVERYDAY of her life without some jerk ruining her vacation? She KNOWS. She says "Momma that boy was mad, he looked at me ugly." I always tell her "Oh honey he was just shocked how pretty you are." Yes, she is living in a bubble and my heart breaks for the day that bubble bursts.

We don't go to other parks..... Kings Island has 1 ride in the entire park my daughter can ride. Dollywood has 3 (all are little merry go round things that are toddler rides). The last 6 flags we visited had NONE. Ok.... so lets go to places that make my child feel more awkard than she does everyday of her life so *SOME* jerk can get on a ride 3 minutes faster.

Comeon have some compassion. Disney is the one week in a year that MY CHILD can feel she is "normal". That she isn't left out on the playground, or left out of games other children are playing, because she can't run. She isn't on the sidelines watching her life pass by, but is able to enjoy everything. So maybe while you are waiting in line those xtra 2 minutes you can take the time to teach your children, or yourself it seems, that you are truely blessed. You don't have to wear special clothes to maintain your body temp. You can walk and talk and are completely blessed to be able to stand in that line being nasty, or maybe just maybe you could be an educated blessing for my child and others like them. Helping them to feel loved and accepted in this world that already has enough cruel people!!!

Shame on you for being jealous of my disabled child.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

As I've stated b4, the accommodations the Disney has currently in place is perfect. You would have them change that because of abusers. My point is that the abuses do not outweigh the benefits IMO. There are always going to be abuses no matter what you put in place. You are very strongly advocating for the able-bodied...why so passionate? Hmmmm.
We are able to enjoy Disney because of folks who have come before us and advocated for the handicapped. You would set us back because of the abuses. That is not acceptable IMO.

I don't think I'm advocating for anyone? If so, I don't mean to. What I'm suggesting is that sometimes people refuse to consider anything than what benefits them at the moment. I also find it offensive when the argument becomes, "how dare you be against poor disabled children," when the issue at hand is, "there should be policies in place to stop the abusers."

 

[KPeveler]

I feel like i should say that there is no "brotherhood of the wheels." The last time i was in disney, there were rude people with ECVs, who were very rude to me, in my wheelchair.

There are rude people everywhere, and people who try to cheat the system. See threads on pool hopping, refillable mugs, photopass combining, etc. People always try to cheat the system. Disney makes changes, like requiring room keys to get into pool areas. However, you can change rules about pools, requiring people only to use their own hotel's and no one gets hurt or left out.

however, changing rules on disability is very different, as it directly impacts people's enjoyment of the park.

also, you should be aware that a lot of disney's policies are driven not just my their own rules, but also by state and federal laws, so they may not always be able to change things the way you would like

 

[sweetandsassyfl]

I totally agree with those who say they'll tolerate the rule abusers to make sure that those who are disabled get what they need. But for the grace of God, I could have easily been one of the disabled. I was hit by a car at a young age and had a broken hip, fractured skull, and two broken ribs. The hip didn't heal the way it should have. I limp now (although I don't notice it....other people do) and when I was younger, there was a real danger of my legs being very different lengths from each other (they're only about an eighth of an inch different thanks to surgery I had when I was 11.) I had to see an orthopedic doctor at a children's hospital every year until I was 13. Luckily, my parents found one of the 10 best in the country. I'll never be an athlete. The only problem the skull fracture left me with was that when I had an IQ test at 17 to check for any brain damage, I tested high on everything but visual perception....I can definitely live with that being the only brain damage I was left with. Because I know how much worse things could have been for me, I can't begrudge those with true disabilities anything.

 

[KPeveler]

I don't think I'm advocating for anyone? If so, I don't mean to. What I'm suggesting is that sometimes people refuse to consider anything than what benefits them at the moment. I also find it offensive when the argument becomes, "how dare you be against poor disabled children," when the issue at hand is, "there should be policies in place to stop the abusers."

WHAT policies? I am all ears for stopping abusers! I hate them more than you do, trust me. But how do you plan on doing this without violating federal or state laws? Perhaps there is a solution out there, but I have yet to hear one

 

[Hoodie]

As already pointed out, it is a federal law that all in the party is to load with the person in the wheelchair/EVC


I find it sad that you would even doubt that there are people that need wheelchairs/EVC. The fact that you had to "search out legitimacy" says a lot about you and IMHO says that you are probably much like the person that commented to the DIS'er because her DD could cross her legs.

Perhaps having the EVC person wait in the loading lines of the buses until the entire party is upfront will solve that. Actually I did see one person who sent the rest of her party into line and she stayed on the side (it was open). She could talk to everyone in her party as they waited, but didn't go up front until they were going to get on the next bus. It was unbelievably considerate of her fellow vacationers. I find it sad that that is my one positive experience with a person on an EVC. Ihave had several neutral ones and many negative.

I also find it amusing that you are chastising me for "making assumptions" and yet see to have no problems doing the same towards me.

 

[KPeveler]

Perhaps having the EVC person wait in the loading lines of the buses until the entire party is upfront will solve that. Actually I did see one person who sent the rest of her party into line and she stayed on the side (it was open). She could talk to everyone in her party as they waited, but didn't go up front until they were going to get on the next bus. It was unbelievably considerate of her fellow vacationers. I find it sad that that is my one positive experience with a person on an EVC. Ihave had several neutral ones and many negative.

ECVs MUST load FIRST. IF they got in line, then they would have to get out of that line when they got to the front of the line, wait to the side for hte next bus, and then load first on that one. somehow that system doesnt make sense

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

WHAT policies? I am all ears for stopping abusers! I hate them more than you do, trust me. But how do you plan on doing this without violating federal or state laws? Perhaps there is a solution out there, but I have yet to hear one

If I had the solution I'd be a lot richer than I am now!

I guess my whole point is that any suggestion here that there is abuse of the system is met with people coming out of the woodwork to list their ailments or those of their children and then suggesting that people who feel there is abuse and that policies should be changed are anti-disabled children, puppy kicking people who worship satan in their spare time.

 

[gshumaker]

BG-W started this same policy last year and it sucks!! We have to wait in line to get a pass with what rides we can get a stamp on to find out what time to come back to the ride to wait in the handicapped line again. So not only do we have to wait the same amount to time if we stood in the line we have to wait longer to board from the handicapped line??? Some times just getting the pass takes has taken close to an hour. The whole reason we are getting the pass so our autistic DS does not have to stand in the long lines.

We much prefer the treatment we have experienced at WDW and use the GAC where we see a need and how the day is going for our DS. While we all appear to be able bodied, autism effects everyone differently and our DS can not tolerate the long waits sometimes. And I'm sure we have had people comment on why that family is using the handicapped lines when we do choose to use the GAC but we would glady trade the lifetime of autism for our DS for an able bodied child and wait in the heat with eveyone else!!

This thread has had some nasty attacks going on and I wish everyone would just take a moment and relax. There are many abusers of the system and I think that it what no one likes and ruins if for everyone - those who are able bodied and those who are not. They are who we are mad at not at each other!!

 

[amesv]

Interestingly I see a lot of jealousy of handicapped individuals towards the able bodied on this thread.

Why is that interesting?
As the mother of a 14 year old with Cerebral Palsy I will openly admit to sometimes envying every parent with children who can walk, ride a bike, hop on one foot...etc...
I am absolutely jealous for my son's sake when I see an able-bodied teenage boy run past as he struggles along.

I am also thankful that he is intelligent and kind and sensitive and a whiz on the computer and musical and witty...and alive...but yes...I am often jealous. I am often jealous that it hurts. Wouldn't anyone be?

Amy

 

[Hoodie]

ECVs MUST load FIRST. IF they got in line, then they would have to get out of that line when they got to the front of the line, wait to the side for hte next bus, and then load first on that one. somehow that system doesnt make sense

It makes a lot of sense when there are several busloads of people in front of you.

 

[TeresaNJ]

As I recall, I think Disney has compromised as much as possible. I remember when my son was in a leg cast, and on crutches and in a wheelchair, back in 1990, when we went to Disney. At the time we went to the head of every line because of the wc/crutches. We went to Disney with my MIL this past November, and she can't stand for any length of time at all, so was in a wheelchair. We always waited in line with the rest of the folks for the attractions, unlike back in 1990. I felt it was appropriate for her to wait in line with us, as she was able to do that. When it came to boarding the busses, she always got boarded first, but my hubby and I waited in line while my FIL boarded with my MIL.

My nephew, who is autistic, got a special pass that allowed him to not wait at all for anything, which I think is entirely appropriate given his condition. I think Disney does a great job. Is it annoying that sometimes 15 people get on the bus with the family member in a wheelchair, when I've been waiting for quite some time, yes, but I would rather that than not be able to stand on my own two feet at all. It's a small price to pay.

 

[sha_lyn]

Perhaps having the EVC person wait in the loading lines of the buses until the entire party is upfront will solve that. Actually I did see one person who sent the rest of her party into line and she stayed on the side (it was open). She could talk to everyone in her party as they waited, but didn't go up front until they were going to get on the next bus. It was unbelievably considerate of her fellow vacationers. I find it sad that that is my one positive experience with a person on an EVC. Ihave had several neutral ones and many negative.

I also find it amusing that you are chastising me for "making assumptions" and yet see to have no problems doing the same towards me.

How will breaking Federal law solve anything? The EVCs/Wheel chairs must board first.
My assumptions are made from direct interaction with you on this thread. It's not had to jump to such conclusions when you yourself admit you came to the DIS to read the disability board to find out if anyone really needs an EVC. not to mention the fact that you want WDW to break federal law just so you don't have to be unconvinced a tad.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I wonder, and I don't know the answer to this, but EVCs and Wheelchairs are boarded first. I think we all understand why. Does federal law state that they get to board first the first bus that comes or just the bus that it would be appropriate for them to take?

What I'm getting at, is let's say there are 60 people in line for a bus and the wheelchair and accompanying party show up. Clearly, 60 people aren't getting on the bus so at minimum that party would naturally be on at least the 2nd bus that shows up, right? Why not have them board first on bus #2 rather than skip ahead of the 60 people already there to be first on bus #1? I doubt federal law addresses this, but maybe I'm wrong.