Stupid Guest Tricks

Tinker Bell wrote: puglears I didn't know where to put this so I thought here it fit. Must rant! puglears

First off I mean no disrespect to guest who have dissabilities. I feel their pain and if it's on my hands I do what I can to help them. However I do not make the rules in Disney. Characters lines have their 'alternative entrance' thru the regular line. Which means that our regular line is the weelchair entrance.

I had an alternate entrance GAC on our last trip. When I asked about using it at the Toontown Fair meet and greet (DD really wanted to see Donald, and we were happy to wait as long as it took, but needed to do it in the back hallway not the queue) the CM who took me back said to me "I can't ever remember which character greetings we take that for - so I just take it for all of them!"

I think that a lot of people set an unrealistic expectation when they ask if they can use a GAC in a particular situation and are allowed to once, then refused later. I never really had any idea what the ethics of using my GAC were either or where/how to use it. DD rode teacups 16 times in a row on previous trips, happily waiting in line each time. On the trip I needed a GAC I was very uncomfortable repeating rides because I had no idea how long to wait before approaching the CM again. I didn't really know who to ask and the guest services people gave me funny looks and told me to ask at each attraction. I ended up saying once on a ride then we go do something else, which made DD sad - but she was at WDW, so it's not like she was sad for long.

dawn wrote: DD rode teacups 16 times in a row on previous trips, happily waiting in line each time. On the trip I needed a GAC I was very uncomfortable repeating rides because I had no idea how long to wait before approaching the CM again.

I'm not sure if it's different at WDW, but at Disneyland it's supposed to be the length of the line. I know personally though I will usually inform the guest of the rule and then tell them to ride another ride and come back. Even if it's not the length of the line, it accomplishes a couple of things. They do wait a little bit before riding again and the guests who are in the regular line and just saw them ride are gone before they ride again. Of course, if there's a very short line, I'll usually have them just wait a minute or two and put them on again. There is one notable exception here on the west coast, I know all CMs in Fantasyland are familiar with them, and that would be Jason and his mom (I always forget her name) he's autistic and not a young kid and it is so much easier for everyone if we just let him ride everything twice.

My experience in life with disabilities is that the guest has to know what is available and how to use the system. At San Diego Wild Animal Park the CMs were very helpful and explained about the shuttles available around the park and I got in for free as my mother's companion. I had gone online and investigated dietary problems, wheelchair guest services and a lot more. Some people do not realize the strenuous nature of parks or take the time to study the avialable materials.

At WDW and DLR they told them the rules but nobody told me that I had to wait in line in my ECV at WDW up to a certain point for Splash Mountain for example. It is confusing because not all rides, shows and stuff is the same. At Space Mountain I would waddle almost to the CM entrance and there would be a long winding corridor to the exit side of the ride. An unfamiliar guest would probably get in line and go up the main entrance. CMs cannot possibly explain things in detail. At WDW I was very not prepared but did have nice people to help me.

I felt with the GAC like I was getting a special deal so I rarely if ever rode twice in a row let alone on the same day. I used the single ride line of Splash Mountain if I wanted to ride many times.

mechurchlady wrote:It is confusing because not all rides, shows and stuff is the same.

Actually, the queues at Disneyland versus WDW are very different. I remember them being such, but I had friends come down from Washington to visit who are APs at the Land, and they were amazed at how different it is. That, and the fact that Star Tours is not in Tomorrowland...

Disneyland was built in the 1950's and even it was not until the 1970's that any progress was made toward making people aware of disabilities and the problems people had. Some sites were inacessable and others only through back doors and even through the warehouse or other areas of a business.

Today people are getting it across loud and clear that there are many people with limitations out there and we want to be part of life like everyone else. I could not work for Disneyland because I was not a size 14 in the mid 1970's for example.

Now the parks have curb cut offs, elevators, braille, better CM training, and often wider lines. Gone are the days of skinny people who were expected to climb stairs, see curbs and walk over them with ease, and walk for hours without getting heat stroke. As new attractions are added ADA and guest needs are included but at Disneyland new attractions often replace old ones that are not disabled friendly.

Space Mountain requires going up stairs then down hallways and narrow lines at times. The hallways cannot handle an ECV let alone some wheelchairs. The only solution is for guests to take the entrance at the back and meander through the place to get to the exit.

Alice in Wonderland has lines so narrow that no ECV or wheelchair can navigate. The only option is to enter at the exit which opens into the parade route and a major thoroughfare. Not all guests with make a left turn in the line there but rather form a huddle or stand in line so the line is straight out into the thoroughfare.

WDW was confusing to me as I was first time in an ECV and did not know I was so severely allergic. Time for Wallaby and Company to bring me to WDW so I can see if it is easier for a person in an ECV. :D: