Why We Don't Want Doctor's Notes

[Cheshire Figment]

1. The ADA does not allow requiring proof of a disability if the individual is granted access equal to that of a person without a disability, to the extent possible. It only requires proof if a person will be granted access that is more than a person without a disability. Accordingly, Disney in the United States is not legally permitted to ask for any proof of a disability.

2. I found that in Disneyland Paris they do require proof of a disability. But the equal to the GAC is automatically a front-of-the-line pass. And even though I was in my ECV (which I brought with me) I still needed to get their Access Pass. Luckily I knew this in advance and brought my car hang tag.

3. It is unfortunate, but here is a sample letter from a doctor. I will analyze it afterwards.

(Starting with the doctor's letterhead, with the Doctor's name, address, phone, DEA Number, etc)

To Whom It May Concern:

My patient, Alfred E. Neuman, suffers from severe multiple onychocryptosis. Due to Mr. Neuman's condition he is unable to stand for prolonged periods without extreme pain; accordingly, please allow him immediate access to seating for all rides and shows. Any other considerations and courtesies which can be offered to Mr. Neuman will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely

/s/ Heinz Doofenshmirtz, MD

If I am handed a letter such as that (which I cannot ask for) and the Guest demands that I read it I will do so.

A. Although I am not medically trained I have some non-technical medical knowledge. The Guest should not expect me to know what onychocryptosis is.

B. We do not give a FOTL Pass, and a GAC states on it that it is not intended to bypass lines. The only Guests who get a GAC with FOTL access are children on a Wish Trip. So I cannot give a GAC for immediate seating.

C. As there does to be an indication of a need (unable to stand for prolonged periods) I will take the official stance of suggesting that the Guest rent a wheelchair, or, if 18 or older, to rent an ECV. At least this one does give a need and not just a diagnoses.

D. As far as "other considerations and courtesies", we will always do what can be best, in our opinion, to assist a Guest with their needs so they can have equal access.

E. And as far as the doctor's note itself, I have no idea if:

i. The note was actually signed by the doctor.

ii. Mr. Neuman is actually a patient of Dr. Doofenschmirtz

iii. Does Dr. Doofenschmirtz actually exist, or

iv. Is Dr. Doofenschmirtz actually a licensed physician.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Oh Cheshire...not only informative but funny to boot. I just googled that condition and no one should have to suffer a day at Disney with it!

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually, I do know that Dr. Doofenschmertz is actually a doctor.
But, as head of Evil, Incorporated, I'm pretty sure his doctorate is not in medicine!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Oh Cheshire...not only informative but funny to boot. I just googled that condition and no one should have to suffer a day at Disney with it!

I googled it as well. Thanks for the laugh, CF! And I really wouldn't want Dr. Doofenshmirtz as my physician. As Sue mentioned, I've always thought he had a PhD, not an MD.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I have been Dr. Doofenschmertz's patient for the last 27 years.

Why do you people think he doesn't exist?!

 

[ttintagel]

Dr. Doofenschmirtz nearly didn't graduate with his class at Heidelhodelheydelberg Medical School because he failed Letter Writing. They let it slide because his father endowed the Doofenschmirtz Memorial Sink Drain in the scrub room.

Thanks for the clarification. I usually bring a doctor's letter for my own peace of mind, even though I know it won't get seen; I'll make sure the doctor knows to address the things that are actually an issue in the parks.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Dr. D might not write great letters, but he loves mice.

And - that sink drain given by Dad is fantastic. It has the strongest gurgle in the area for 672 miles around!

So - what's a letter when you can have a drain like that???!!!

 

[powellrj]

My DD suffered from severe multiple onychocryptosis, who knew that was the actual name of it! We just made a few appointments with our family doctor and she took care of it! Thanks for sharing, the letter made my day!

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks for sharing. Lol, isn't he a doctor of pharmacy?

 

[vcunning]

You can write your own here . . .

http://www.prescriptionmaker.com/

 

[A Mickeyfan]

while your post did give me a good laugh and many here do disagree with my feelings, I am in the minority here, but with my condition, I feel they need proof. Either they need the proof, or they need to train the CM's at the HM and some of the shows a little better about "vision impairments". While the CM's can see me walking without a cane or a guide dog and I am not blind, I do have a vision impairment. I cannot see all the normal person sees, but they (CM's) don't see that. They tell me to go where those that can walk go. Sure, I can walk, but I can't see very well where I am walking..especially in a dark room with nothing to hold onto makes sense right? Not so in many cases for the CM's

So Doctor Falls feels I need something, even if it means I wait longer, to allow me access to a shorter walk where lighting may be a bit brighter or there are rails for me to hold onto so I don't take an unplanned trip. After all, my Disney trip is costing me enough, we don't want to add any other (medical) fees for an unplanned trip

 

[Schmeck]

So Doctor Falls feels I need something, even if it means I wait longer, to allow me access to a shorter walk where lighting may be a bit brighter or there are rails for me to hold onto so I don't take an unplanned trip. After all, my Disney trip is costing me enough, we don't want to add any other (medical) fees for an unplanned trip

What would you need for an accommodation if a brighter, shorter walkway and handrails were not available?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

while your post did give me a good laugh and many here do disagree with my feelings, I am in the minority here, but with my condition, I feel they need proof. Either they need the proof, or they need to train the CM's at the HM and some of the shows a little better about "vision impairments". While the CM's can see me walking without a cane or a guide dog and I am not blind, I do have a vision impairment. I cannot see all the normal person sees, but they (CM's) don't see that. They tell me to go where those that can walk go. Sure, I can walk, but I can't see very well where I am walking..especially in a dark room with nothing to hold onto makes sense right? Not so in many cases for the CM's

So Doctor Falls feels I need something, even if it means I wait longer, to allow me access to a shorter walk where lighting may be a bit brighter or there are rails for me to hold onto so I don't take an unplanned trip. After all, my Disney trip is costing me enough, we don't want to add any other (medical) fees for an unplanned trip

1. See item "E" in my original post. I don't care what note a Guest brings but I have no way of telling if it is legitimate.

2. There is no place in HM where they have brighter lighting or handrails. Again, this is not directed to you as a person, but if they put in brighter lighting to assist you it would ruin the experience for all other Guests. You will find that as a general rule accessibility items will add access for people with disabilities but not ruin the experience for the general public.

And when I go to HM in my ECV I find that because of the dark gray of the carpet even if I have my ECV headlight on the carpeting absorbs the beam. As you seem to go often to WDW, have you attempted to discuss your specific needs with the Area Manager for HM or to contact the WDW Diversity Group for your specific problem.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

What would you need for an accommodation if a brighter, shorter walkway and handrails were not available?

Well for starters, my eyes do not adjust from light to dark, therefor when I go into that dark holding room I cannot see. Picture placing sun glasses on, then a pair of black leotards over your head. After doing that, walk into a dark room, let me know how well you can see. That is what my vision is in the dark. In that holding room, there are no rails for me to hold on and guide me. I must find my way to the back of the room while the door is still open and stay there. I cannot move once that door shuts, I can't see.

Once everyone moves into the stretching room, I don't go there, again, my eyes have not adjusted. I am allowed to skip that. So I go back outside. There are times I need to explain to them why I must skip it, again, nothing to hold onto.. not being able to see well, with guests pushing and shoving and no wall to hold onto to guide me, that room is a big no no for me. Once I would leave that room, I am again thrown into a mass of confusion, nothing to hold onto until I make my way to the narrow walkway. Once I get there, I have the wall and half wall for guidance. Now that is a heck of a walk to do in the dimly lite light and nothing to hold onto. If the walk wasn't as far, it makes it easier in the dark, less walking in the dark = less of a chance for falling in the dark. Does that make any sense to you now? It is really hard to explain to someone unless they understand my vision. That is the problem with the CM's there, my GAC states alternative entrance, but they don't go with that. They still insist the "alternative" is for wheelchair only. I have found out from Mark Jones that it isn't, but for some reason, they don't really get that over there for the most part.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

1. See item "E" in my original post. I don't care what note a Guest brings but I have no way of telling if it is legitimate.

2. There is no place in HM where they have brighter lighting or handrails. Again, this is not directed to you as a person, but if they put in brighter lighting to assist you it would ruin the experience for all other Guests. You will find that as a general rule accessibility items will add access for people with disabilities but not ruin the experience for the general public.

And when I go to HM in my ECV I find that because of the dark gray of the carpet even if I have my ECV headlight on the carpeting absorbs the beam. As you seem to go often to WDW, have you attempted to discuss your specific needs with the Area Manager for HM or to contact the WDW Diversity Group for your specific problem.

1. So how does the DMV know that it is real? They are lay persons like you and other CM's, they don't have a medical degree either when forms are taken into them for the handicapped permit?

2. No there are no rails or bright lights which is why entering from the old way, going directly to the unloading dock from the outside was the safest way. Once entering the bldg at that area, there is the walkway with the (marble) short wall and the regular wall to hold onto. Yep, you are 100% correct, the HM has nothing to guide those with vision impairments, you have hit the nail on the head. Disney needs to recognize this. Maybe with the new lawsuit that was just won, they may. Disney claims the old GAC entrance way was changed for safety, but how? Those in wheel chairs still end up out there, park their chairs (unless they cannot transfer) and walk into that entrance way? So what is up with that Only thing I see different is that they don't allow you to walk the "shorter" distance outside anymore. If it a matter of waiting on the outside line, fine, have us wait longer under that canopy area. I don't mind waiting when I can see.

3. Yep, I have contacted Mark Jones directly. Here are two emails from him:


From: Jones, Mark
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 2:39 PM
To: XXXXXX Sharon
Cc: Hogan, Maureen

Subject: RE: Haunted Mansion Disney World Resort

Good afternoon Sharon and many thanks for your note. I certainly understand your concerns regarding the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and would like an opportunity to chat with you further by phone. Is there a preferred day/time for me to contact you? If you could also provide a phone number, that would be great!

Best Regards,

Mark

Mark Jones, CT
Manager, Domestic Services for Guests with Disabilities
Disneyland Resort & Walt Disney World Resort
WALT DISNEY Parks & Resorts
CA Office: (714) 781-1384
FL Office: (407) 824-5217




(he called me after I emailed him in Jan, with my phone number and asked me to email him when I returned from my next trip. My next trip was in Feb, but then I didn't go in the HM, so the next HM attempt was in March. He told me to give the name Susan if i had problems. I did and it really didn't help. Here is my response email upon my return)

(Dated March 20, 2012 @2:34pm)
RE: Haunted Mansion Disney World Resort

Hello again Sharon and many thanks for your update. I have forwarded your comments along to Susan and her operations team that oversees the Haunted Mansion as they continue to evaluate and refine the recent enhancements made at the location. Your passion and commitment to Disney is great and I again appreciate your information and diligence in keeping us informed.

Best Regards,

Mark



So as you can see, yep, I do go often and I have commented on my concerns with them. Not only at Guest Services but with Mark Jones directly. I am not sure what more I can do. I just pray I don't fall and get hurt I have given up going in there when I am alone, I cannot do it. Is that fair? Nope, is that ADA standards, nope. That is why I feel a form or a letter would help me. Or as I stated, better training of the CM's over there. I am not knocking all CM's. I am a former CM and I know many great CM's. I have many friends who are CM's. But this is a little crazy over at the HM they take their role of villain a bit too far there

 

[Sparkly]

Take a small flashlight?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Take a small flashlight?

Thanks for the tip and I have considered that. I do use one when I am there at night with friends. But I really wonder if they are going to "allow" one while going in there. It isn't just the fact of the "flash light", when it is dark, I am unsteady on my feet. So while the small light might help some, it won't help enough to make me steady. I have a GAC card, and depending on the CM, sometimes I have no problems, but most of the time they give me a hard time. I just feel that it isn't right they do this. Why is one disAbility singled out I should not have to make it ADA compliant by providing my own light , that is Disney's job (but yet if I want to go it alone there, I would almost have to)

When I wait in the dark holding room, I usually go right for the back wall and just feel my way across to the door. I have to escort myself out and down their hall way, go outside then back in again to the second CM stop. That is the CM stop that gives me the most problems. They tell me to merge into the chaos of everyone coming out of the stretching room . Sometimes they even question me why I am there (as the CM on the inside holding room never walks me down). It is there that they tell me the "alternative entrance" is for wheelchair only and I know for a fact it isn't. I know I am not the only person who has problems at the HM either. I have seen others on this board have them too. I just feel maybe if we had something from our doc's, the CM's there would be more attune to our needs instead of "thinking" since we can walk, we can walk with the other guests. but again, thanks for the tip

 

[tinkerpea]

Thanks for the tip and I have considered that. I do use one when I am there at night with friends. But I really wonder if they are going to "allow" one while going in there. It isn't just the fact of the "flash light", when it is dark, I am unsteady on my feet. So while the small light might help some, it won't help enough to make me steady. I have a GAC card, and depending on the CM, sometimes I have no problems, but most of the time they give me a hard time. I just feel that it isn't right they do this. Why is one disAbility singled out I should not have to make it ADA compliant by providing my own light , that is Disney's job (but yet if I want to go it alone there, I would almost have to)

When I wait in the dark holding room, I usually go right for the back wall and just feel my way across to the door. I have to escort myself out and down their hall way, go outside then back in again to the second CM stop. That is the CM stop that gives me the most problems. They tell me to merge into the chaos of everyone coming out of the stretching room . Sometimes they even question me why I am there (as the CM on the inside holding room never walks me down). It is there that they tell me the "alternative entrance" is for wheelchair only and I know for a fact it isn't. I know I am not the only person who has problems at the HM either. I have seen others on this board have them too. I just feel maybe if we had something from our doc's, the CM's there would be more attune to our needs instead of "thinking" since we can walk, we can walk with the other guests. but again, thanks for the tip

I have a question If you cant see in the dark and the ride is mainly dark how do you cope with seeing the actual ride? My son does not like dark rides so much and so he skipes this ride as its just too dark for him,Im guessing the whole ride would be very dark for you and was wondering what it was about the ride you like so much that you want to go on it again and again even with the problems you encounter with getting on the ride!

I personally have never had a problem being in the alternate entrance que all the way through and no one in my family is in a wheelchair, we just show them our Gac with the accomadation on it and we go on through,We have quite a few time been told by the other visitors that we are in the wrong que and that its ONLY for wheelchair users or disabled guests and we just smile and say we are where we are ment to be but thanks,"this isnt the only ride we have had this on,infact alot of the times we get your going the wrong way shouted at us and then god their stupid said loudly when we continue to stay in the que area we know we should be in" or we get WOW what did you have to have to be able to get that pass how does my family get one!!

As for your view on showing Doc letters we have to do this at EVERY theme park in the Uk or we get a huge argument on why we need the accomadations so its strange to many that you dont have to show anything in the US!
I hope that you dont keep getting the trouble at HM that you are having!

 

[Schmeck]

2. No there are no rails or bright lights which is why entering from the old way, going directly to the unloading dock from the outside was the safest way. Once entering the bldg at that area, there is the walkway with the (marble) short wall and the regular wall to hold onto. Yep, you are 100% correct, the HM has nothing to guide those with vision impairments, you have hit the nail on the head. Disney needs to recognize this.

Is there any way to guide the visually impaired without changing the intended atmosphere of the attraction? ADA states that the attraction does not have to be altered if it changes the basic intent of the attraction.

Wouldn't going from the outside to the unloading dock still be too dark for you?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Is there any way to guide the visually impaired without changing the intended atmosphere of the attraction? ADA states that the attraction does not have to be altered if it changes the basic intent of the attraction.

Wouldn't going from the outside to the unloading dock still be too dark for you?

yes, it is still dark for me but a much shorter distance to walk. that is the point. not to mention, as soon as you enter where the unloading dock is, you have both the wall and the short marble wall to hold onto.. another plus what is there to hold onto when you enter into the room where the mass confusion is? I have to make it to the wall, without getting pushed or shoved. You know as well as I do, it is like doing a shuffle over there, many people push and shove and parties get separated there. They funnel into that one single line where the small walkway is. Then when you are there the CM's are telling everyone to step lively.. how can you step lively when you have to walk slow due to the dark? When going thru the unloading dock, they tell you to walk slowly, they guide you onto that moving walkway instead of rushing you onto it.. big difference. They can also stop the walkway over there if need be. The moving walkway cannot be stopped over at the regular loading area...