Section106
Active Member
There is no way the standby queue can accomodate two wheelchairs or ECVs having to pass each other to let one user leave. Those lines are no that wide. What a dumb idea.
But it's not like Autism is the ONLY protected disability. This makes no sense. Why would they have an issue with ANY disability?Disney has to cut down the abuse while still complying with the ADA. Autism is a protected disability and, as other posters have noted, requiring documentation is apparently prohibited by the ADA.
Mobility issues don’t necessarily preclude waiting in line so maybe they will address these in some other way, along with announcing whatever return to line system they’re planning.
I can see their answer being if you have mobility issues and waiting in long lines isn't an option we have Genie+ for you.Disney has to cut down the abuse while still complying with the ADA. Autism is a protected disability and, as other posters have noted, requiring documentation is apparently prohibited by the ADA.
Mobility issues don’t necessarily preclude waiting in line so maybe they will address these in some other way, along with announcing whatever return to line system they’re planning.
And depending on how long the line is, which is pretty long for the popular rides, it can take quite a bit of time to get in and out of the lines. I don't think that this is going to work out like they think that it is.There is no way the standby queue can accomodate two wheelchairs or ECVs having to pass each other to let one user leave. Those lines are no that wide. What a dumb idea.
The Disney that used to be is no more, sadly. They were the standard in customer service. I get that some people will lie and cheat, but to punish those in need is not the way to deal with that. In a way, WDW is a victim of their own success. They have become way too busy, creating long lines. Couple that with ever increasing prices, and people have become cut throat just trying to feel like they are getting their money's worth.I thought about this some more and I’m really peeved off.
Both my Mom and Mother in Law have no way of doing Disney parks without DAS. That means we have no way of having both Grandmas with us. It also rules out the Great Grandpa who served this country in Vietnam and due to agent orange exposure has a list of medical conditions so long it would take a week to read through them.
The whole freakin reason we bought DVC was to bring family together. Disney is basically giving a large portion of the population the middle finger.
Absolutely disgusting move by a company more concerned with $$$ then its guests.
My how the mighty have fallen.
Disney has to cut down the abuse while still complying with the ADA. Autism is a protected disability and, as other posters have noted, requiring documentation is apparently prohibited by the ADA.
Mobility issues don’t necessarily preclude waiting in line so maybe they will address these in some other way, along with announcing whatever return to line system they’re planning.
If I were Disney, I would have taken the chance and gone the way of requiring documentation. ADA law isn’t very well-settled, and line accommodations haven’t been tested in court. The Six Flags case was just recently filed.Hypothetically - and I'm just spitballing here because what do I know about anything? - What if when Ticketmaster was sued by Taylor Swift fans in 2022 for not doing enough to prevent bots from buying ADA-designated tickets, Ticketmaster went to the US Department of Justice and said "I thought we couldn't require documentation here. What are we supposed to do?"
And what if - again, hypothetically, because I am definitely not a lawyer - the DOJ said "Hey Ticketmaster, you should totally read the section marked Prevention of Fraud in Purchase of Tickets for Accessible Venues on our ADA Requirements, last updated on February 28, 2020."
And what if - imaginary conversations are fun, aren't they? - Ticketmaster said "Could we get some guidance on what you mean when you say 'venues ... may take steps to prevent the fraudulent sale and use of accessible seating?"
Now if the DOJ came back and said something like "As long as you have substantial evidence of abuse, e.g., something that shows that people who legitimately need accommodation are being negatively affected by fraud, and you can show that you're doing it in a minimally intrusive way that gets the job done, you can ask more questions as long as the end result is that the aforementioned people who legitimately need accommodation are better off." In way more expensive lawyer-speak, of course.
Hypothetically, if I was a theme park operator with a small army of lawyers, I might approach the DOJ by saying "You know, a day in a theme park is a kinda like a Taylor Swift concert. There's limited seating capacity per day, and you want to make sure the special seats go to those who actually need them. Would you agree?"
Now suppose the DOJ was like, "Hey, slow down there, owner of Lennyland. Ticket bots we know about. You have proof of this abuse?"
And I, as the stats-and-media-savvy owner said "Oh god, untold staff-hours counting people in line. Population analyses to make the Census Bureau weep with joy. Disks full of social media posts from click-chasers explaining what they said to get a free Lennyland skip-the-lennyline pass, but the next day filmed themselves sweating in a yurt doing yoga poses in the desert for three hours. Like that? Because this is like 50-60% of our special line sometimes. No cap."
In that case, the DOJ might say "That's crazy, fam. Go off." (In my imaginary conversation both the DOJ and I are very hip.)
Of course, this never happened. But, you know, these are the kinds of things one thinks about late, late at night.
This is not what’s happening with DAS though.Hypothetically - and I'm just spitballing here because what do I know about anything? - What if when Ticketmaster was sued by Taylor Swift fans in 2022 for not doing enough to prevent bots from buying ADA-designated tickets, Ticketmaster went to the US Department of Justice and said "I thought we couldn't require documentation here. What are we supposed to do?"
And what if - again, hypothetically, because I am definitely not a lawyer - the DOJ said "Hey Ticketmaster, you should totally read the section marked Prevention of Fraud in Purchase of Tickets for Accessible Venues on our ADA Requirements, last updated on February 28, 2020."
And what if - imaginary conversations are fun, aren't they? - Ticketmaster said "Could we get some guidance on what you mean when you say 'venues ... may take steps to prevent the fraudulent sale and use of accessible seating?"
Now if the DOJ came back and said something like "As long as you have substantial evidence of abuse, e.g., something that shows that people who legitimately need accommodation are being negatively affected by fraud, and you can show that you're doing it in a minimally intrusive way that gets the job done, you can ask more questions as long as the end result is that the aforementioned people who legitimately need accommodation are better off." In way more expensive lawyer-speak, of course.
Hypothetically, if I was a theme park operator with a small army of lawyers, I might approach the DOJ by saying "You know, a day in a theme park is a kinda like a Taylor Swift concert. There's limited seating capacity per day, and you want to make sure the special seats go to those who actually need them. Would you agree?"
Now suppose the DOJ was like, "Hey, slow down there, owner of Lennyland. Ticket bots we know about. You have proof of this abuse?"
And I, as the stats-and-media-savvy owner said "Oh god, untold staff-hours counting people in line. Population analyses to make the Census Bureau weep with joy. Disks full of social media posts from click-chasers explaining what they said to get a free Lennyland skip-the-lennyline pass, but the next day filmed themselves sweating in a yurt doing yoga poses in the desert for three hours. Like that? Because this is like 50-60% of our special line sometimes. No cap."
In that case, the DOJ might say "That's crazy, fam. Go off." (In my imaginary conversation both the DOJ and I are very hip.)
Of course, this never happened. But, you know, these are the kinds of things one thinks about late, late at night.
Not to be snarky, but all of EPCOT Center would have been impossible for you then. Each show and ride experience was on average fifteen minutes or more. Universe of Energy was over forty.Maybe they think that people are just faking actually having bathroom issues as an excuse to get DAS and that it won't be really that many people wanting to leave the lines. Boy are they in for a surprise. For a 60 minute wait, I would have to leave at last 3-4 times. Not sure how that would be accomplished as a solo traveler.
That’s excellent for you! As a fellow T1 diabetic, I’m sure you understand that people have different needs even with the same diagnosis, right?Today I learned that my Type 1 Diabetes would have qualified me for DAS.
I have been to WDW and DL probably a dozen times since my diagnosis and not once did I ever think “hey I need to skip lines for this”.
I have my insulin pump / glucose monitor in one pocket.
I have a pack of Starbursts in the other.
I am sufficiently accommodated.
I thought about this some more and I’m really peeved off.
Both my Mom and Mother in Law have no way of doing Disney parks without DAS. That means we have no way of having both Grandmas with us. It also rules out the Great Grandpa who served this country in Vietnam and due to agent orange exposure has a list of medical conditions so long it would take a week to read through them.
The whole freakin reason we bought DVC was to bring family together. Disney is basically giving a large portion of the population the middle finger.
Absolutely disgusting move by a company more concerned with $$$ then its guests.
My how the mighty have fallen.
This is not what’s happening with DAS though.
Disney is not just asking more questions but is outright excluding large groups of people.
It use to be “Ok Grandma let’s hang out under this tree with some cold water and enjoy the sights and sounds until it’s our time to ride.”
Now it’s going to be “Ok Grandma let’s get in line for as long as you can possible stand, then we are going to get out of line and rest. When you are ready we are going to get back in line again. We will repeat this process until we are on the ride or you decide to leave. “
Which of these two scenarios would you prefer if it was your elderly family member with health issues?
If only an AI bot could monitor phone positions in ride queues and issue alerts to CMs or Managers (after reviewing that phone's position for the previous 10 minutes) when a phone (or a set of phones) starts bypassing several other phones stationary in line...The return to line stuff is also interesting because it seems to also address the other side of line jumping. Parties claiming they left the line to use the restroom while they just have a person waiting for them as they wrap up another ride. Restroom emergencies do happen, but not for a group of 6 to meet up with 2 people. Not sure if everywhere will have return passes, but I wouldn't be surprised. It also controls how people return with a process so when you see someone pushing through to meet back up they can say no no no we don't do that here. Follow this process uniformly and it allows them to track how many, how often, and in a controlled environment.
Isn’t that what Disney says DAS guests should do while they wait for their return time? I know when we have an hour+ wait, we’ll take the kids to a shorter ride, or get food, or go to the bathroom, or take a breather, or go to a store, etc. Are you suggesting that DAS users should still have to wait, but just wait somewhere else?get their DAS pass, go ride multiple rides with shorter waits, come back to ride their big ride, and do it all again
Again, Disney specifically says this is allowed in their FAQ for DAS, even after the changes yesterday.Before being disgusted, have them do a consultation. Give the list of issues. I’m sure if the need is apparent, the assistance will be offered.
Maybe in your case, but many (and I know people who’ve done this) will get their DAS pass, go ride multiple rides with shorter waits, come back to ride their big ride, and do it all again. They aren’t just hanging out under the tree. And quite frankly, knowing the people I’m thinking of, they don’t need it. They never even got it until cast members told them to go get it because their son is ADD and liked to touch the spinning buckets in 7DMT ‘too much’.
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