Which is the point people keep missing when calling this a money grab. It’s hard to replace $5K - $10K per family with increased $30 Genie+ purchases, because the family canceled their trip rather than risk the party member with a disability won’t be able to participate in the same way. Pre-Covid, it was easier to think that, if that family left, Disney would find it easy to replace them with another one. Now, that is the billion dollar question.
Which is why, if people find this policy too restrictive to serve their, or their family member’s needs, the more effective path is probably to cancel their trip. Rather that try to deal with various non-decision making, front level CMs. Contact Disney and make it clear; the lack of disability accommodations are the reason for the cancellation. This is also the type of thing that will make its way into travel press, lawsuits, and potentially the main press. The more people with legitimate needs running into issues and sharing their stories, puts Disney under the microscope.
Many people will twist themselves into knots to try and overcome Disney’s barriers to their desired Disney vacation. Usually regarding cost, but I can see people struggling with it here. “If we do X, Y, Z maybe it will work out.” Disney is calling guests’ bluff, that they didn’t really need that level of accommodation, and can keep that money flowing to them. If you do need those accommodations, don’t help them make the case that you don’t.
Have a good cry, research alternative vacations in the short term, call Disney’s bluff that they’ve gone too far and their reputation of ranking well in terms of disability accommodation is at risk as well as their profits. Either Disney will alter course or demonstrate they don’t want a wide variety of people with disabilities as customers.
www.psyccareers.com
