Problems at Contemporary

[DisneyMim]

I'm not at all surprised about the water mice. We've been using them for years and have seen many accidents. I've always been surprised that they didn't raise the age sooner. I am very happy to hear this. Some children think of them as toys and their parents don't help any either. As for rude people, this is happening everywhere. It's a shame. More and more people think they are "special" and this is resulting in more and more rude people. Nobody has respect anymore and this is where the problem lies.

 

[DisOrBust]

I realize their are many truely disabled people using rented ECV and WC. However there are those who are not and ruin it for everyone else. EVC and WC are for people who really can't walk the parks not for those that have an extra 50.00 bucks and want to ride in comfort thru the parks. If you have a "temporary disablity" you can get a "temp." disabled parking sign, at least in Wi. If you to show it I am sure the abuse will cut down.


Unfortunately not everyone is a honest soul or we wouldn't need MDs to fill out the forms for Disabled parking stickers on cars. Same goes for rented WC and EVCs.

Yes some lines are WC chair accesible but not all and there is the Parade viewing . The last incident I saw that really fried my eggs were 4 teenagers switching in and out of a rented WC because they were tired of standing in the disablied viewing area. We were right across waiting for 1.5 hrs prior to Spectro. There was no room for a child who appeared to have CP and his family left in this same area..it not righ!!! THis was so obvious my 6yo even pointed out.

 

[Disneyolic]

If you have a "temporary disablity" you can get a "temp." disabled parking sign, at least in Wi. If you to show it I am sure the abuse will cut down.

While I agree that there is definite abuse, there are times that even a "temporary" disability form would not be available. I would give the example of my grandmother who is in no way disabled but she does have some trouble walking distances (short ones I might add). The wheelchair would be a great thing for her. She could even get out at times but in general, there would be no way she could ever make it through the park for even part of the day without a wheelchair.

I'm sure there are many other reasons some people may need wheelchairs part of the time and they shouldn't be judged by anyone. No one knows what their ailment may be.

Now for those rotten teenagers you mentioned...that really ticks me off.

~DawnMaree

 

[TIGGER'SFRIEND]

Paulamom: I witnessed the incident with that women and remember your husband calling for security with no response. It saddened me that your day a WDW was ruined by that very rude person, who by the way was nasty to several other people that day. Glad to hear that overall you had a good time. Have to agree that the CM's were not their usual happy selves, it was very busy.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have a "temporary disablity" you can get a "temp." disabled parking sign, at least in Wi. If you to show it I am sure the abuse will cut down.

If you need to park in the disabled parking area, you need to keep your parking permit in the vehicle.

I have a friend who went to WDW quite a few years ago with her 2 preteen sons. They rented a wheelchair and sometimes her youngest son rode in it, sometimes no one did. Her oldest son would not use it unless he was absolutely ready to drop because he didn't want anyone to see him in. Both of her sons horsed around with the wheelchair a bit and sometimes ran ahead of mom and dad because they were excited to be at WDW. They heard some people make comments about them not needing a wheelchair and they were embarrased about it.
She and I talked about that WDW visit and how easy it is sometimes for people to judge things and make comments about things they know nothing about, but think they do, based on a random few minutes observation. And how those remarks hurt, even years later. My DD has cerebral palsy and is not able to walk or stand. When she is sitting on a bench next to her wheelchair, she looks pretty "normal" (and we've overheard people say that she must be "abusing" the wheelchair since she looks normal to them). My friend's son looked very normal too, but he was born with a heart condition that could not be corrected with surgery and one morning before his 19th birthday, he just didn't wake up.

 

[dreamflight99]

How terrible...all the problems just seemed to "snowball" from the first incident. I feel so sorry for you and your family, especially with your children involved (and having to witness an assault).

Over the years, we have had our share of "experiences" at WDW. Most are extenuating, and have nothing to do with Disney, or Disney's policy. There is no way any business or theme park can "control" the behavior of it's guests.

We have experienced more than one altercation with excessively inebriated people. On every occasion, park security responded immediately, and the perpetrators were literally "escorted" away. On one occasion in particular, we also went with the security personnel. I was assaulted (well, nearly...as my DH actually intervened...or I would have been struck on the head from behind. DH has boxing skills, having won a GM in the HW div. of the USGG competitions -more than once) by a brazilian guest. Two CM's witnessed the entire thing, and accompanied us to the S.O for statements.

We were headed to the HDD revue for dinner. The Sec. officers gave us a ride in their vehicle. They were very nice and professional. We never filed anything, or contacted anyone further with regards to this incident. When we returned to our resort, the Sec. manager for the park had left a message on our machine. He "comped" one night in the resort, and also left two-day park passes at the desk. We were absolutely shocked and surprised by the gesture.

Last summer, I was "hit" in the back of the leg (near the A. Tendon) by a rented stroller in AK park. The strollers are ill-designed and cause injury when they contact/strike another person.I was waiting for DH & DD as they rode the Kali River Rapids attraction. A young foreign boy was apparently "running" and pushing his sister in the stroller when he "rammed" into my leg. The force nearly knocked me to the ground, and the pain was excruciating. The father came "running" over to me and speaking in a thick accent, he just kept repeating "I'm sorry." Two CM's ran over, and asked if I needed first aid or security. I asked for some "ice" to apply. I accepted the man's apology, as well as the little boy (his father was verbally reprimanding him in portuguese..but it was apparent in ANY Language!).

I received swelling, pain and bruising in the area where the stroller hit my leg. Yet, I did not wish for the event to mar my visit or experience. Things like this can/do occur. Of course, this incident was clearly unintentional, and an accident. What happened to you & your DH were intentional "ASSAULTIVE" acts. I would have placed these two under citizens arrest, and pressed assault charges (as another poster wrote). If I ever witness anyone being assaulted, I immediately intervene and restrain the perpetrator (until authorities arrive). It's just my nature. I wish I would have been able to assist you when these acts were committed against you & your family. It's such a travesty when others are intent on hurting/ruining your day.

Again, I'm sorry for the terrible events you endured during your recent visit to WDW.

Hope your next visit is much better.

DF99

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Originally posted by Gaiusrex
Can't we all just get along.

During crowded times, everyone seems to get edgy. Accidents happen; we all get dazed. It just seems like people are less forgiving, and it seems like people are less willing to admit mistakes.

Amen!! During our visit Easter week, the crowds were huge, there were tons of people pushing two-across strollers, there were teens cutting in and out, it was just a mass of humanity. Most of this activity was not intended to hurt or maim anyone, but I'm sure quite a few people were run into. We always try to be polite, think of others, etc. As many have stated, it's very hard when there is so much to look at, many people are staring at a map, trying to find their way.

paulamom - you incident was very serious, different than what I describe, an intentional act of violence. This should be swiftly dealt with by security.

Finally, I have to agree with SueM and abitjaded re: people who rent WC/Scooters. Lots of us have mobility problems that do not require a wheelchair on a daily basis, but trying to walk so much during several days of park-hopping would be too much. I have a pinned ankle that means after a couple days of walking, it is swollen up and painful. Usually, by the time I return home, I have to elevate it and ice it down for a couple days. I do not use a WC/scooter during our trips, partly due to the nasty comments I've heard about people "not really needing it" or "they're just overweight, if they lose a few pounds, they could walk" etc., etc. and partly due to it being more difficult to see, get around, etc. Believe me, I do not think it would be "easier" to have to be in a wheelchair while others are walking, it's more like an inconvenience, and not to be taken lightly.

I'll get off my soap-box now - everybody try to have a good trip!!