The special needs aspect of this discussion is such a red herring. This likely represents a fraction of a single percent of the "problem".
I think it is really fascinating just how much society has changed in this area over the last 15 years or so. People just didn't carry all of this stuff in the past. Often times people without kids might not ever even notice how much this has transformed, its just that WDW happens to be one of the few places where it really pushes its way into view. The fact that a family with two small kids nowadays feel they NEED a van or large suv in order to haul all of the stuff around just boggles my mind. People just seem to take it for granted that all of this stuff is necessary and the notion that it might actually be possible, let alone easier, to get around and function with a more minimalist approach is blaspheme.
I think it is really fascinating just how much society has changed in this area over the last 15 years or so. People just didn't carry all of this stuff in the past. Often times people without kids might not ever even notice how much this has transformed, its just that WDW happens to be one of the few places where it really pushes its way into view. The fact that a family with two small kids nowadays feel they NEED a van or large suv in order to haul all of the stuff around just boggles my mind. People just seem to take it for granted that all of this stuff is necessary and the notion that it might actually be possible, let alone easier, to get around and function with a more minimalist approach is blaspheme.