Disability Line Complaints

[ntsammy5]

I was thinking about this all last night because I saw a thread on the Theme Parks Board about lines, and I haven't been on this board for a while.

I am lucky. I have never had a disability that affected me in any material way except for a knee replacement 2 years ago.

What I DON'T understand is the absolute vitriol directed at people in WC and ECVs who are in the parks and supposedly in special lines. People get very upset about ECVs getting on buses first (at least that's the impression) because someone else is privileged enough to be in an ECV or WC.

I just don't get the outrage. It confuses and upsets me. People in this country country need to get a life and need to be more tolerant and understanding. JMO.

 

[pudge the fish]

I think it's becasue of many reasons:

1. People still assume that being in a WC or EVC or having a GAC gets you to have a special head of the line access. and I have to admit I have seen GAC's being abused.

2. People in WC/EVC's do get to get on first on a BUS- ( no biggie- it never takes long BUT where I see the upset is when a person is in an EVC/ WC and 20 members of their family get on with them taking up all the seats- I have seen it quite a few times.People grumble..


3. Some people are just intolerant, rude and feel those who have invisible disabilities are faking- I have a friend who we take to Dinsey who is in a WC- she can't do an EVC and she looks totally like a "normal" person-
Until you notice she has no ability to move her legs. ( and we have heard all the comments - we ignore them but one day I had it and fussed at a woman who complained our friend got perks for faking in a WC.

4. People who have paid LOTS of money for their PERFECT trip expect PERFECTION and those people have no tolerance for those who really need an EVC- WC -because they are ruining their PERFECT vacation by getting on a bus faster..

5. I hate to say it but there are those who really DON'T need the EVC and I know a few who use them to try and get FOTL access - There are also those who have no control of their EVC's and run into people ( gives EVC users a bad nameSome people think if you need a WC or EVC you shouldn't even go to Disney..


Very sad on comments about being in a WC/EVC. Some have no tolerance for anything.

 

[LMC]

It is all about people being intolerant and selfish. I would gladly exchange a week with a GAC pass for my son to have one "normal" week. A week where he could think like other 14yo kids, run and play like them and not have such severe sensory issues that he has to sit out of alot of things.
The type people like you described won't get it unless they ever have to personally walk in our shoes.
It's the same with the Make a Wish families. Sure they get treated like royalty on their trips but honestly would anyone want to be in their shoes for even a day? It makes me smile when I see a wish kid (not that they are there on a wish) at WDW being treated so kindly by all the CM's. Those kids deserve all the best considering what they have to deal with with their illnesses.

 

[Alexander]

Just a quick bit on one of our experiences....We were at Toy Story Mania and a very large family walked in directly in front of us and then proceeded to follow grandma into the wheelchair line. When we finally got to the loading platform, we noticed that the same family was still waiting to be loaded into their attraction cars. When we finished the ride and returned to the unloading platform the same family was still waiting. Soooo--long story short---the wheelchair line apparently isn't always faster--at least not at TSM.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What I DON'T understand is the absolute vitriol directed at people in WC and ECVs who are in the parks and supposedly in special lines.

If only. Since I have needed to use an ECV for park touring, I have been through the mainstream line at Tower of Terror exactly twice - once, apparently accidentally (the Greeter was distracted by other Guests and I just rode up through the queue); and once last year after the attraction closed for the night, accompanied by a manager, so I could again see the 'pre-story' - the lobby, the library...

I want to use the same line as everyone else. I can use the same line as everyone else. But since not all Guests using ECVs can, Disney's rule is that no ECVs go through the mainstream queue

 

[Disneylvr]

I know in The Land 2 weeks ago we were called "cheaters" by one family because DD was in her special needs stroller inside the building. But that was the only time we encountered rude guests during our vacation, thankfully, but honestly I didn't pay much attention to other guests so if they were staring or giving us dirty looks I was just too busy having fun to notice! Those that decide to be rude must not be enjoying their vacation or they too would be too busy having fun to let wheelchairs and ECV's bother them so much.

 

[mackay_j]

Hi the other piont of view, Firstly let me say that I have got every sympathy for disabled guests and have even given up my space for them to ensure they get to see parades.

But here is why some people get cross. I have a girl who is type 1 diabetic but opt not to get gca as we usualy cope Ok and don't see why we should get preferential treatment. But in Busch gardens this happened.

I was with my 2 girls oldest diabetic youngest wanted to go on her 1st ever roller coaster (gwazi). We qued up for about 40mins and got to the front and got on. I was riding with the youngest 10 who was scared to be the one on her own, so eldest (diabetic 14 went on her own) in the cart infront of us. After getting in, a Cm came up and asked us to get out as a person in a wheelchair needed to get on. We tried to explain that I need to stay on or my eldest girl also needed off, but it was a no go, and the coaster went away with her still on. When the coaster came back this disabled person produced some fancy annual pass which meant she got to stay on. I tried to get the CM to let us go through the ride and use the emergeny exit to get to my older girl but no was the answer. 2 rides later we got on and down to my older girl, who had by this time paniked which had caused her sugars to fall and her to become almost unconsious, some people were trying to help her when we got to her and a first aider had been called. We gave her an emegency injection of glucose, then took her for food and to rest & recover, only to find the same disabled lady in the que for food, no wheel chair in sight, in fact she walk up and down for several plates of food and also waited in the que to reload her large coke holder at least 4 times.

To make things worse she came over to speak to me to say I had a cheek to have caused a fuss when she wanted on the ride, I was almost in tears as my emotions were only just returning to normal after what had happened to my daughter. I tried to explain to her that it wasn't getting of the ride that I was complianing about but that I did not want to be seperated from my girl. She then swore at me saying its not her fault if I was such a stupid ***** that I did not get a gac fro my girls as she gets it due to walking dificulties beacuse of her size. So The only reason that she needed the chair was she was just too fat to walk!!

I was absaloutly mad if she could walk about that much when she wanted to stuff her face ,she could also have waited to get on a ride.

The whole experience means that although Busch gave us free passes to return. When I complained they would not agree that fat people should not be given better treatment over others, and stated in emails that if being fat means they can't manage the park then they have a right to get a gca and get in the disabled line and skip, thus I will not go back! Every truely disabled person deserves to be in that line, but not just because they are too lazy/fat to walk!!

This is one of the reasons that people get anoyed as they start to doublt the validity of the system.

 

[merryweather20]

Hi the other piont of view, Firstly let me say that I have got every sympathy for disabled guests and have even given up my space for them to ensure they get to see parades.

But here is why some people get cross. I have a girl who is type 1 diabetic but opt not to get gca as we usualy cope Ok and don't see why we should get preferential treatment. But in Busch gardens this happened.

I was with my 2 girls oldest diabetic youngest wanted to go on her 1st ever roller coaster (gwazi). We qued up for about 40mins and got to the front and got on. I was riding with the youngest 10 who was scared to be the one on her own, so eldest (diabetic 14 went on her own) in the cart infront of us. After getting in, a Cm came up and asked us to get out as a person in a wheelchair needed to get on. We tried to explain that I need to stay on or my eldest girl also needed off, but it was a no go, and the coaster went away with her still on. When the coaster came back this disabled person produced some fancy annual pass which meant she got to stay on. I tried to get the CM to let us go through the ride and use the emergeny exit to get to my older girl but no was the answer. 2 rides later we got on and down to my older girl, who had by this time paniked which had caused her sugars to fall and her to become almost unconsious, some people were trying to help her when we got to her and a first aider had been called. We gave her an emegency injection of glucose, then took her for food and to rest & recover, only to find the same disabled lady in the que for food, no wheel chair in sight, in fact she walk up and down for several plates of food and also waited in the que to reload her large coke holder at least 4 times.

To make things worse she came over to speak to me to say I had a cheek to have caused a fuss when she wanted on the ride, I was almost in tears as my emotions were only just returning to normal after what had happened to my daughter. I tried to explain to her that it wasn't getting of the ride that I was complianing about but that I did not want to be seperated from my girl. She then swore at me saying its not her fault if I was such a stupid ***** that I did not get a gac fro my girls as she gets it due to walking dificulties beacuse of her size. So The only reason that she needed the chair was she was just too fat to walk!!

I was absaloutly mad if she could walk about that much when she wanted to stuff her face ,she could also have waited to get on a ride.

The whole experience means that although Busch gave us free passes to return. When I complained they would not agree that fat people should not be given better treatment over others, and stated in emails that if being fat means they can't manage the park then they have a right to get a gca and get in the disabled line and skip, thus I will not go back! Every truely disabled person deserves to be in that line, but not just because they are too lazy/fat to walk!!

This is one of the reasons that people get anoyed as they start to doublt the validity of the system.

Uh?? This sort of thing simply doesn't happen, someone in a wheel-chair doesn't get to bump guests off (under any circumstances, even for a Make A Wish child), and in fact the wait is often longer as an earlier poster mentioned. Besides, someone doesn't get some fancy accommodation beccause they are fat. But obesity is often a side effect of many serious illnesses or medications, so it doesn't work to simply judge people.

The bus thing that is such a popular complaint isn't a perk either, I wait while all the other people get off the bus, before I'm unloaded.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Hi the other piont of view, Firstly let me say that I have got every sympathy for disabled guests and have even given up my space for them to ensure they get to see parades.

But here is why some people get cross. I have a girl who is type 1 diabetic but opt not to get gca as we usualy cope Ok and don't see why we should get preferential treatment. But in Busch gardens this happened.

I was with my 2 girls oldest diabetic youngest wanted to go on her 1st ever roller coaster (gwazi). We qued up for about 40mins and got to the front and got on. I was riding with the youngest 10 who was scared to be the one on her own, so eldest (diabetic 14 went on her own) in the cart infront of us. After getting in, a Cm came up and asked us to get out as a person in a wheelchair needed to get on. We tried to explain that I need to stay on or my eldest girl also needed off, but it was a no go, and the coaster went away with her still on. When the coaster came back this disabled person produced some fancy annual pass which meant she got to stay on. I tried to get the CM to let us go through the ride and use the emergeny exit to get to my older girl but no was the answer. 2 rides later we got on and down to my older girl, who had by this time paniked which had caused her sugars to fall and her to become almost unconsious, some people were trying to help her when we got to her and a first aider had been called. We gave her an emegency injection of glucose, then took her for food and to rest & recover, only to find the same disabled lady in the que for food, no wheel chair in sight, in fact she walk up and down for several plates of food and also waited in the que to reload her large coke holder at least 4 times.

To make things worse she came over to speak to me to say I had a cheek to have caused a fuss when she wanted on the ride, I was almost in tears as my emotions were only just returning to normal after what had happened to my daughter. I tried to explain to her that it wasn't getting of the ride that I was complianing about but that I did not want to be seperated from my girl. She then swore at me saying its not her fault if I was such a stupid ***** that I did not get a gac fro my girls as she gets it due to walking dificulties beacuse of her size. So The only reason that she needed the chair was she was just too fat to walk!!

I was absaloutly mad if she could walk about that much when she wanted to stuff her face ,she could also have waited to get on a ride.

The whole experience means that although Busch gave us free passes to return. When I complained they would not agree that fat people should not be given better treatment over others, and stated in emails that if being fat means they can't manage the park then they have a right to get a gca and get in the disabled line and skip, thus I will not go back! Every truely disabled person deserves to be in that line, but not just because they are too lazy/fat to walk!!

This is one of the reasons that people get anoyed as they start to doublt the validity of the system.

I usually try not to get into it. But I have to respond because this mentality drives me nuts.

First: I am fat as is DP. We walk the parks and don't request special treatment. You obviously ran into an incredibly obnoxious person who happens to be fat. But just as I would assume you wouldn't want everyone to judge your daughter, who are you to judge fat people? Sorry but this just gets me rankled.

SecondS has Asperger's. This was diagnosed last July. We got a GAC for our short trip in December, but never used it. We will get one again for our trip in April and are seriously considering getting a special needs stroller for him. We have never been able to go to Fastamic or other shows because he can't handle the waits. We are hoping having a home base will help him and we will use our discretion as to when/if we use the GAC and when/if we use the stroller as a wheelchair. He is almost 6 and is the size of an 8 year old. He seems "normal" but as parents of spetrum kids know and our doctors know, they have their own unique set of needs and issues. So I'm sure we'll get dirty looks and tsk, tsks, but don't judge some one unless you know their situation.

 

[mackay_j]

I can assure you this did happen and have the emails from bucsh to prove it. as a first aider was involved the Cm from the ride was called in to Guest sevices to explain to management what had happened. They could not have apologised more - after the fact. That why on our return we have been given a free trip back. but as I said we will not be going. It was the lady herself who told me why she got the pass!!.

An extract from one of the mails that followed this visit.

Please accept our apologies that you were not able to experience the type of day you had expected regarding the incident on Gwazi. We are, however, grateful for the opportunity to respond. Busch Gardens is committed to providing an enjoyable experience that entertains and enriches all of our guests, and we regret that your experiences did not meet expectations. A copy of your letter was forwarded to operations departments for their review and corrective measures to ensure that this will not happen again.

In light this incident, as we value your loyalty, please send us your
tickets and we will gladly replace them for another visit to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Once more thank you responding to our email and we are looking forward to hosting you again soon.

Sincerely,


Christian Y. Triscornia
Guest Relations Specialist
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay/ Adventure Island
P.O.Box 9158
Tampa, FL 33674
Phone 813-987-5885
Fax 813-987-5111
Christian.Triscornia@BuschGardens.com
www.buschgardens.com

 

[mackay_j]

I am not judging anybody she told me she. I had assumed she had MS or something else until she told me. I was giving it as a reason why people get anoyed. I do not judge all people in chairs who seem Ok at times. I have lupus, my cousin has MS so I am well aware that there can be underlying caused. I was just trying to show how others can get anoyed by the GAC thing. I had a very good reason to get anoyed and I was very lucky my girl did not end in hospital that day.

 

[Disneylvr]

I agree, another guest should never be taken off a ride after boarding to accomodate a wheelchair guest, especially in your circumstances when you were going to be seperated from your daughter. However, your experience was a Busch Gardens and I think the OP and most others here (me included) are talking about Disney parks and their GAC policies. I will only vacation at Disney because IMHO they are the only ones that do it right! We couldn't enjoy a family vacation otherwise.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can assure you this did happen and have the emails from bucsh to prove it. as a first aider was involved the Cm from the ride was called in to Guest sevices to explain to management what had happened. They could not have apologised more - after the fact.

I - as likely does everyone here - believe your experience; speaking for nobody else, I'm shocked THAT it happened. Bumping an already-seated Guest? Asinine. There is ZERO reason that other guest could not wait for you to FINISH your cycle. And apparently, Busch Gardens management agrees. Please consider giving that park another chance.

 

[C&G'sMama]

I am not judging anybody she told me she. I had assumed she had MS or something else until she told me. I was giving it as a reason why people get anoyed. I do not judge all people in chairs who seem Ok at times. I have lupus, my cousin has MS so I am well aware that there can be underlying caused. I was just trying to show how others can get anoyed by the GAC thing. I had a very good reason to get anoyed and I was very lucky my girl did not end in hospital that day.

You did have every right to be annoyed. I'm so glad your daughter is okay (sincerly I do). But in your post you singled out all fat people. You came across an idiot who is fat. She took advantage of the system but then it seems you took it from there and generalized and stereotyped all fat people.

I'm fat and I don't expect special accomodations. I cut my own lawn and shovel my own driveway, I can certainly wait in line and walk around the theme parks.

Unfortunately there are always people that take advantage of things. That stinks. While that woman was a jerk it sounds like the employees at Busch Gardens are to blame and never should have let all of this happen.

And while they gave you free passes, it doesn't sound like they owned up to their negligence, IMO.

 

[mechurchlady]

THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE EMPLOYEE OF BUSCH GARDENS.
You attack the guest when it was the employee who was WRONG. You have not right attacking people because they are fat. Why not go after her because she is a woman, her age or her skin colour? I do not see you harping about black or white people nor do I see you harping about women.

She may have abused the system but you do not know that. I use the GAC for rides but do not need it when I am in line for food. The food line is a short walk and the CMs help me out. On rides I need to avoid stairs and cannot walk very far for a long time. JUDGE NOT LEST YOU BE JUDGED.

I am so sick and tired of racists, bigots and other prejudiced people but now I am going to say that I abhor people who attack fat people solely because they are fat. I would not be fat if you would come to my house and make it disabled friendly, help me care for my mother, give me safe low fat options, give me help for my depresion and neurovariations. I AM FAT because I cannot exercise due to the pain in my legs that make it hard to get to sleep. I AM FAT because I get my high from food because of the stress and depression and sadness from dealing with my mother who is old, sick and neurovariant to the max. I AM FAT because I snack on chip because going into the bathroom or kitchen means dealing with mother and more stress. I AM FAT because I do not have an oven. I AM FAT because I am not rich like you and live in a home with a working bathtub, shower and an ADA toilet that mom can get to which means I shower in the cold garage and have to carry my mom's waste into the bathroom.

I AM FAT HISPANIC FEMALE OLD BAPTIST SO PICK A CARD AND PICK ON ME NO MORE.


THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE EMPLOYEE OF BUSCH GARDENS.

 

[BeckyScott]

First off, the OP was talking about Busch Gardens.

There's a reason we all love Disney.

A couple of months ago I looked for information about Six Flags and found out they don't have anything like a GAC. Used to, too many abusers, got rid of it. Which they can do if they want. And we can choose not to give them our business.

I think that a big problem is that because of ADA you don't have to show proof of disability. Now before I get pummelled by rocks let me explain. I understand our right to privacy. I understand that somebody could fake a doctor's note. I understand that park employees (any park) are not trained medical professionals. However, not having to show proof means that if you're smart and creative you can work the system. And that hurts us all.

This would be my suggestion: make applying for a GAC something that needs to be done in advance. (I honestly don't believe that most people needing accomodation just "show up" at Disney without doing any prep work at all) An application that needs to be signed off by a doctor or psych. The form could be returned in advance and your name put into the computer system for your arrival. That would also take the guess-work out of the GAC depending on who was working at Guest Relations that day, the forms could all go to a central location and processed by someone who knows more.

That's the way it works if you need 504 accomodations at, say, a college. There is a form that has to be filled out if you want accomodations, and while it's possible to "fake" it I guess, it doesn't happen very often at all. Because it's complicated enough that most fakers won't go to the trouble. The form will include a checklist of all the possible GAC accomodations, which will not include FOTL. The guest will know in advance that they won't get FOTL. But a college's 504 form also has the doctor write down the official diagnosis, the last time that evals were done, etc.

Now, sure there will be doctors that will fill one out for people that don't need it. My MIL's doctor keeps filling out a form to let her keep her driver's license that she shouldn't have. But most doctors (read: the ones with ethics) would tell the truth.

If a guest is wheelchair or scooter, they wouldn't need to do the form as long as they understand what they're getting into. If they need accomodation beyond that, here's the form.

That's just my idea, of course. Not that it would be perfect, but it might be better than what exists now. I think any of us on this board, if we had taken such a form to the doctor, they would have filled it out for us no problem and likely the same accomodations we'd needed.

What happened to the OP is really sad. An employee who was obviously under-trained and in too much of a rush to listen to a guest. Another guest who perhaps was abusing the system, but more than that was obnoxious. So many people have a warped sense of entitlement, and it's getting worse and worse, about almost everything. But those people know they're not really entitled, which is why they feel the need to pass judgement on others, so that the finger doesn't point at them. Sounds like maybe that's what happened.

 

[mechurchlady]

Bavaria has stopped posting because of the hate speech on this site. I cried so hard because how could this site allow hate speech. We cannot put down people because of race or religion but them fat people are rude and stink and take up space. ECVx should be banned but if someone were to call jews ugly or stinky then we would major outcry and everyone would be on the side of the jews.

I begged Bavaria to stay and post but doubt she will listen as I am a fighter and am also fed up with people attacking my disabilities. I am at the verge of all out war against people who put down fat people and mobility devices. That would get me banned. I loved this site and will miss the Divas and disAbiolities but cannot handle this any more, no I said no I have found home sweet and safe and loving home here but I was wrong it seems. This site is condoning hate speech.

 

[merryweather20]

First off, the OP was talking about Busch Gardens.

There's a reason we all love Disney.

A couple of months ago I looked for information about Six Flags and found out they don't have anything like a GAC. Used to, too many abusers, got rid of it. Which they can do if they want. And we can choose not to give them our business.

I think that a big problem is that because of ADA you don't have to show proof of disability. Now before I get pummelled by rocks let me explain. I understand our right to privacy. I understand that somebody could fake a doctor's note. I understand that park employees (any park) are not trained medical professionals. However, not having to show proof means that if you're smart and creative you can work the system. And that hurts us all.

This would be my suggestion: make applying for a GAC something that needs to be done in advance. (I honestly don't believe that most people needing accomodation just "show up" at Disney without doing any prep work at all) An application that needs to be signed off by a doctor or psych. The form could be returned in advance and your name put into the computer system for your arrival. That would also take the guess-work out of the GAC depending on who was working at Guest Relations that day, the forms could all go to a central location and processed by someone who knows more.

That's the way it works if you need 504 accomodations at, say, a college. There is a form that has to be filled out if you want accomodations, and while it's possible to "fake" it I guess, it doesn't happen very often at all. Because it's complicated enough that most fakers won't go to the trouble. The form will include a checklist of all the possible GAC accomodations, which will not include FOTL. The guest will know in advance that they won't get FOTL. But a college's 504 form also has the doctor write down the official diagnosis, the last time that evals were done, etc.

Now, sure there will be doctors that will fill one out for people that don't need it. My MIL's doctor keeps filling out a form to let her keep her driver's license that she shouldn't have. But most doctors (read: the ones with ethics) would tell the truth.

If a guest is wheelchair or scooter, they wouldn't need to do the form as long as they understand what they're getting into. If they need accomodation beyond that, here's the form.

That's just my idea, of course. Not that it would be perfect, but it might be better than what exists now. I think any of us on this board, if we had taken such a form to the doctor, they would have filled it out for us no problem and likely the same accomodations we'd needed.

What happened to the OP is really sad. An employee who was obviously under-trained and in too much of a rush to listen to a guest. Another guest who perhaps was abusing the system, but more than that was obnoxious. So many people have a warped sense of entitlement, and it's getting worse and worse, about almost everything. But those people know they're not really entitled, which is why they feel the need to pass judgement on others, so that the finger doesn't point at them. Sounds like maybe that's what happened.

But asking for "proof" would have the opposite effect. If someone was faking or exagerating something they would have no problem faking a Dr's note. It would have no effect at all on them, as you say these people are "creative".

If I were required to have a Dr's note to vacation at Disney. I would look at the cost of a Dr's visit, taking the time off work, and of course bothering my Specialist with "just a vacation" when we're still actively twekaing my medications and therapy. And after adding all that up I simply wouldn't go. Nevermind all the people that only find out they need accommodation after they started their trip.

And what about international guests, are the people going to be trained medical professionals and also linguists, so that they can accomodate the guests whose Dr's write only in French or Korean?

But you would still have untrained CM's like in the post you referenced, and plenty of fakers. Such a policy would only hurt those with legitimate needs.

 

[Disneylvr]

Bavaria has stopped posting because of the hate speech on this site. I cried so hard because how could this site allow hate speech. We cannot put down people because of race or religion but them fat people are rude and stink and take up space. ECVx should be banned but if someone were to call jews ugly or stinky then we would major outcry and everyone would be on the side of the jews.

I begged Bavaria to stay and post but doubt she will listen as I am a fighter and am also fed up with people attacking my disabilities. I am at the verge of all out war against people who put down fat people and mobility devices. That would get me banned. I loved this site and will miss the Divas and disAbiolities but cannot handle this any more, no I said no I have found home sweet and safe and loving home here but I was wrong it seems. This site is condoning hate speech.

I really hope you won't leave as I enjoy having you here and you have helped me many times. Being a person of size too, I know exactly how you are feeling.

 

[mechurchlady]

I really hope you won't leave as I enjoy having you here and you have helped me many times. Being a person of size too, I know exactly how you are feeling.

No, dearest, it was you who helped me. You gave me something to do and someone to help. In my darkness you and others have cheered me on. You are out there fighting for your child instead of an institution like they did 50 years ago. Others see you and you change them and teach them about disabilities and special children. You are the heroine and you are the one who deserves a medal of valour and a big hug.

Thanks for the memories and take care. I am waiting for Sue and some others to respond. It is the Quaker in me or maybe it is my Mexican grandmother who chewed out the school board because they put the hispanic kids in tents. All hispanic kids were taught out in the tent and my abuela Esther fought to have her American born daughter taught like other Americans. It is in my blood that I do not tolerate hatemongers and hatespeech.

Bavaria come back please.