Disabled guests

[daddytomjm]

I am interested in everyones take on this:

My wife and daughter are both in manual wheelchairs. Since I am usually the only one avalible to push, we came up with a way to hook the chairs togeather side by side. Because of the extra wide load, we need special assistance with most attractions (manual transfer chair, alternative enterance etc) we try our best to be polite when asking for help since we know we are not the only guests in the park. I am sure there are some not so polite disabled guests out there. That said does anybody have any stupid disabled guest stories.

[hhsrat]

That said does anybody have any stupid disabled guest stories.

Nothing that really strikes me as stupid, just the standard "I should be allowed to skip all the lines because I'm in a wheelchair" type stuff.

[BirdMom]

Well, at least Daddytomjm tries to be helpful. I can think of dozens of groups of guests with at least one disabled member of the party who expected me, as the ride operator, to be doing the lifting and transfering of the handicapped person into and out of the conveyances. That always bothered me. I was not a nurse or an occupational therapist who was trained to do that task, plus I had a bad back. I still remember one very large woman on the West side who pretty much attempted to sink into my grasp when I tried to steady her as she was being gotten out of a Pirate boat. The reason I remember her is that she was in a sleeveless top and my hands pretty much got stuck supporting her soaking wet armpits *gawd - that still makes me shudder all these years later* :bugeyes:

The one thing that I can remember that was nearly as repulsive as the above incident was one of the "Fat Sisters," a pair of very large AP's who always claimed to be handicapped, drooling on me as she tried to explain that they were too fat to fit through the turnstile. *shudders again* God bless Terry Fukahara for telling them that we weren't taking any of their nonsense anymore. I'm sure he's retired by now. :dancear:

[Zazu]

... does anybody have any stupid disabled guest stories.I probably get less stupid out of disabled guests than average. There was one day though....

I was the greeter at the Frontierland RR Station. This position includes escorting disabled guests and their parties up the exit ramp to the station (the regular entry has only stairs). We were running three trains that day -- 7 minute headings -- so the practice is to only take up one party per train.

A person came up and asked if this was the wheelchair entrance. I assured her that it was, and asked, "How many in your posse?"

"Well, we have fourteen in wheelchairs and ten who can walk, plus 28 family members."

I did some quick math in my head, explained how there were only two wheelchair spots per train that might already be full, and that it would probably take about two hours to get them all to Toontown.

And here is where the stupid hit the fan: "But the children are sick!" :oweye:

:wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai

[leftcoaster]

"Well, we have fourteen in wheelchairs and ten who can walk, plus 28 family members."

:wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai

Zazu, you're missing a few wheelchairs there. :p:

[Zazu]

"Well, we have fourteen in wheelchairs and ten who can walk, plus 28 family members."

:wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai :wheelchai Zazu, you're missing a few wheelchairs there. :p:Could be worse. At least I'm not missing a few screws like some of our guests! :sparky:

[techie-13]

Not a stupid guest trick but a story of an incredibly rare "intelligent guest trick". :eek:
I once had a party of 16, 12 in wheelchairs and 4 walking come in to the exit of the skyway. Now most guests in wheelchairs come on the ride and travel roundtrip, leaving their chairs in a corner of the station until they return. Occasionally we get one guest (in chair) and a friend who would decide to travel to the other side by folding the chair and sticking it in the cabin with them.
But this time it was 12. Actually, this was really cool because the guests had it all worked out. :D: We held a cabin back while 2 of the wheelchair guests got into a second cabin. 2 of the walking guests folded the chairs and took them with them in the first cabin so they could unload first and unfold the chairs when they got to the other side. Sent the 2 cabins and then kind of repeated it. We would hold a cabin, load 2 into the second cabin, the two remaining walking guests would fold the chairs and stick them in the first cabin for the friends on the other side to unfold. Repeat until all of them had made it onto the ride.
It was a neat trick and I was VERY glad they did this on a weekday when we were sending and receiving cabins about every 19 seconds instead of a weekend when the time interval would go down to 13 seconds.

[SummerInFl]

And here is where the stupid hit the fan: "But the children are sick!" :oweye:


I'm curious, did they wait for the train or decide it isn't worth the trouble and walk them there? LOL Funny story though, thanks for sharing. :)

[thrillriderbabs]

Could be worse. At least I'm not missing a few screws like some of our guests! :sparky:Guests who are disabled or are faking it just try to take advantage of it to the most. I was just at the kingdom recently and we got off big thunder mountain when we noticed a traffic jam in the hallway exit area. My brother told me it was a wheelchair that is until we got past the 1st one. There was a total of 3 wheelchairs causing a 5 min wait to just get off the ride and of course they had an entire group of freakin kids with them just trying to skip the ride line. I just don't like people who take advantage of Disney's hospitality and never bother to thank anyone. Also when I worked at DRC I would get calls about how someone could get a handicap skip the line pass. I'm like ummm you have to wait until you get to the park and they wouldn't be satisifed with that answer. It's like they are measuring whether or not they will visit Disney based on if they have to wait in line like everyone else!!! Just amazing people have no patience nowadayz!!! :mad:

[PirateJohn]

Guests who are disabled or are faking it just try to take advantage of it to the most. I was just at the kingdom recently and we got off big thunder mountain when we noticed a traffic jam in the hallway exit area. My brother told me it was a wheelchair that is until we got past the 1st one. There was a total of 3 wheelchairs causing a 5 min wait to just get off the ride and of course they had an entire group of freakin kids with them just trying to skip the ride line. I just don't like people who take advantage of Disney's hospitality and never bother to thank anyone. Also when I worked at DRC I would get calls about how someone could get a handicap skip the line pass. I'm like ummm you have to wait until you get to the park and they wouldn't be satisifed with that answer. It's like they are measuring whether or not they will visit Disney based on if they have to wait in line like everyone else!!! Just amazing people have no patience nowadayz!!! :mad:I've overheard more than once:

"Whose turn is it in the wheelchair?"

And one of those times it was a mother talking to her two children. Made me want to throw that witch in the flume.

[murf]

thats a great idea... (heaven knows your probably worn out by the end of the day) we have another couple that come in she have an ECV and he has a normal chair. they wrapped a strap to the electric one and she pulls him around the parks!

[Anim8EdCox]

Last night I was PAC in Town Square for the 9 pm Spectromagic parade. We had the wheelchair area in the hub as well. A guest came up and asked if she and her entire family of 12 could stand in that area ropped off for the disabled. I politely told her the situation of the area and pointed out there was lots of room for everyone on the other side of the street. She pointed out that her young daughter was disabled and needed a wheelchair to get around. I asked here where the wheelchair was. "It's at home" she replied. Where is home I asked and she told me Ohio. Okay. Then I asked if she had a medical alert card for her daughter. She says "Yes, it's at home." At this point I was noticing that the child was not only perfectly fine but dancing for joy all through the Town Square hub! Nothing wrong with this kid I thought. I asked the woman if she was aware that if she had a family member with a medical alert card that they needed to have it handy. I was told "Oh, we only use it here in order to get into this section of the roped off area."

My thought is this:

If this child really was a medical alert patient, then what would happen if anything major happened to her, particularly so far from home?

I finally told the woman, "Sorry, no chair, no card, no section." and politely ushered the entire family across the street to the other Parade Audience Controllers to handle.

Has anyone else had someone try to get into a section they needed to patrol with such a lame excuse much less lamer attempt to cover their blatant disregard for their child's health...if the child truly was a medical alert patient to begin with?

[Mommytomjm]

Has anyone else had someone try to get into a section they needed to patrol with such a lame excuse much less lamer attempt to cover their blatant disregard for their child's health...if the child truly was a medical alert patient to begin with?
My daughter and I as wheelchair users experience this ALL the time.....You wouldn't believe the blatant abuse and disregard for the system...I have gotten very good at 'helping' CM's by telling people when they are in the wrong section......DaddytoMJM and I have learned that one of the worst things that can happen to a new person at WDW is putting them in hcarge of any handicapped section, you are sure to have some guest ticked at you in this position :(

As an aside....I am not sure that anything will ever beat the 35 family members (only 1 in a wheelchair) that wanted to sit in the WC section at SpectroMagic (and every other place we ran into them) Sigh.... :rolleyes:

[xstechbabe]

First DaddyTom I think I have heard stories about you and yoru family in the parks. I have never seen you but others tell stories of the rather nice guests who match yoru description. Thanks for being nice to the CMs fist of all.

My favorite has always been the wheel chair entrance is this way --->>

"but my father is in a wheelchir and can't walk"

You can take the chair with you.

"you don't understand he can't walk"

I look at them and then just simply say. You can get a fast pass and come back with no wait or your father can sit in his wheelchair in the line.

"Listen...My father can't walk."

okay ma'am listen to me...i never siad he had to walk...get out fo the chair or stand in line...thanks for paying attention to me...I enjoy standing here in the hot sun repeating speil after speail on procedures...and thanks for listening...the wait is 5 min...now go...


Yeah...I am a mean one...but i can be the best if i try...

[BirdMom]

I don't know how Florida handles the groups, but in Anaheim, when I'd have the Parade G.C. wheelie section over by the Plaza Inn/Plaza Pavillion section, we'd have the wheelies sit back about 6-8 feet behind the curb. The area directly in front of the first line of wheelies would be for the kids with the wheelie party to sit on the ground so they'd have a good sight line for the parades and then we'd have the grown-ups who were an extraneous part of the wheelie party stand behind the back rope sectioning the area off. It usually worked pretty well. If the parade was coming and the section wasn't entirely full, we let the grown-ups come in and sit with their wheelie person or kids, and then everyone was happy. It usually worked out the most fairly that way if you'd try to be really patient and understanding when explaining that we didn't want everyone in the group huddled around the one person in the wheelchair to make room for others in wheelchairs. The people with a genuine need don't make as much of a stink as the fakers. It's the group "leaders" who think they're going to abuse the rules by having one wheelie person in a group of 32/24/whatever that make it difficult for everyone involved, and they're the ones who give wheelchair groups a bad reputation when it's undeserved.



:crowd: :wheelchai Yeah, we've got the one girl in the wheelchair and the rest of the Brownies, troop leaders and me...um...27 I think...

[IndyandMarion]

I think the greatest situation that I deal with on a regular basis is this:

*Guest approaches the line on an ECV*
Me: Just so you guys know, before you go in, you'll need to transfer because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: This turns on a dime.
Me: OK...Well. You'll need to transfer before you go in, because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: But I've gone in before with my ECV
Me: Well, this time you're not. I'm sorry, you'll need to transfer or I can send you to the exit of the ride and you can get on the ride from there.
Guest: NO I'LL JUST TRANSFER, JESUS.
Me: *In my mind* Yes?

Never could understand the point of arguing with us.

Or like yesterday:
I witnessed someone come through unload with like four others and flash his G.A.C (Guest Asisstance Card) when one of the CMs over at unload stops the party.

CM: Can I help you?
Guest: Yeah, we're going through the alternate entrance.
CM: Yeah, the alternate entrance for here is the Fastpass line.
Guest: But they said it was up here.
CM: Sorry, it's through the Fastpass line.
Guest: *Something I didn't catch*

When I arrive at the grouper area, I see that group come through the back way and I think, WTF. The CM came through a few minutes later and I look at him and give my usual "Raise the eyebrow" look and he said "Either he went through that line, or I deck him and have his party carry him back here."

[VICisGOOFY]

The people with a genuine need don't make as much of a stink as the fakers. It's the group "leaders" who think they're going to abuse the rules by having one wheelie person in a group of 32/24/whatever that make it difficult for everyone involved, and they're the ones who give wheelchair groups a bad reputation when it's undeserved.
:crowd: :wheelchai Yeah, we've got the one girl in the wheelchair and the rest of the Brownies, troop leaders and me... um... 27 I think....I have to agree with you on that post. Just today I had four guests that were anxiously waiting for ECVs to return. There was one that barely walked with a cane, another guest with a disease I dont remember, I think cancer in general, and another guest that, for me, is genuinely disabled. But the fourth guest walked perfectly and not only did she demand one ECV, she wanted TWO ECVs and argued when I told her it was not fair for other guests that acctually need one because of their immobility. Of course out of all the guests waiting for the ECV, the "Faker" was the most outspoken and rude. I got appreciating remarks from everyone except for the guest that was faking her need for the ECV. Next time stay home If you dont wanna walk around the park. Eventually, I gave all of them the last of the ECVs and one back up that I got in trouble for because my "leader" also demands that we have a certain amount of back ups for the ECV guests.

[TalkingHands]

I think the greatest situation that I deal with on a regular basis is this:

*Guest approaches the line on an ECV*
Me: Just so you guys know, before you go in, you'll need to transfer because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: This turns on a dime.
Me: OK...Well. You'll need to transfer before you go in, because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: But I've gone in before with my ECV
Me: Well, this time you're not. I'm sorry, you'll need to transfer or I can send you to the exit of the ride and you can get on the ride from there.
Guest: NO I'LL JUST TRANSFER, JESUS.
Me: *In my mind* Yes?

Never could understand the point of arguing with us.

Maybe because some CM lump ECVs and power wheelchairs into the same category and the power wheelchair really can go through the line without a problem. I use a Mini Jazzy 1103 which can handle lines without getting stuck on the turns. It has midwheel drive and can turn in the area that the chair sits in. It can even turn around in the aisle of the monorail car or the bus. I really get tired of being lumped with the ECVs. I use a power wheeelchair not an ECV.

[Ansem]

Maybe because some CM lump ECVs and power wheelchairs into the same category and the power wheelchair really can go through the line without a problem. I use a Mini Jazzy 1103 which can handle lines without getting stuck on the turns. It has midwheel drive and can turn in the area that the chair sits in. It can even turn around in the aisle of the monorail car or the bus. I really get tired of being lumped with the ECVs. I use a power wheeelchair not an ECV.

Yes, your chair is one of the very few that could actually go through most lines no problem. If I am greeter at SGE, I would let you through... if you wanted to do it, of course, seeing as how most of the time I see you you are with a very special family. ;)

[Mommytomjm]

Yes, your chair is one of the very few that could actually go through most lines no problem. If I am greeter at SGE, I would let you through... if you wanted to do it, of course, seeing as how most of the time I see you you are with a very special family. ;)Awwwwww :) Yeah, No SGE for MJ! We'll be at MK Sunday showing off MJ's new chair!

[Principessa1284]

can I just tell you that Eric showed me a picture of MJ on his camera, and she is the CUTEST little girl on the face of the planet? cuz she is.

[Mommytomjm]

can I just tell you that Eric showed me a picture of MJ on his camera, and she is the CUTEST little girl on the face of the planet? cuz she is.
Awwww, thanks! We'll make it over to KSR to show off her new wheels too!

[Ansem]

Awwwwww :) Yeah, No SGE for MJ! We'll be at MK Sunday showing off MJ's new chair!

YAY!!! I'm working Sunday!!! I'll be on the look out for you... in fact, I was on the lookout most of the day today hoping to see you guys and MJ's new chair!!! Oh, well, Sunday it is. :dancear: :waves:

[Ansem]

Awwwwww :) Yeah, No SGE for MJ! We'll be at MK Sunday showing off MJ's new chair!

Forgot to post earlier, but whenever I talk about you guys in my breakroom, most CM's know who I am talking about and are always bummed that most of the time when they see you they can't just walk up and say hi (stupid stay at position at all times rules). They LOVE you guys, even though they have never spoken to you at all. How cool is that? You brighten CM's days, even when they just see you coming down the street!!!

[Mommytomjm]

Forgot to post earlier, but whenever I talk about you guys in my breakroom, most CM's know who I am talking about and are always bummed that most of the time when they see you they can't just walk up and say hi (stupid stay at position at all times rules). They LOVE you guys, even though they have never spoken to you at all. How cool is that? You brighten CM's days, even when they just see you coming down the street!!!
Awwwww! How awesome is that? Too Cool!

[Ansem]

Awwwww! How awesome is that? Too Cool!

BTW, if you ever have a problem with any of my co-workers in T-land being rude to you guys, you let me know via PM's. I'll set them straight!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!

[mickeysgal]

The worst offenders are the ones who aren't disabled and switch whose going to use the chair during the day. I once saw a couple of teen pushing a wheel chair with a girl who had her leg wrapped in an ace bandage. Later in the day I saw the same group with a boy in the chair with his leg wrapped. It's people like that who make it hard for other guest to believe who's really disabled and leads to fustration at those who are genuinely disabled.

Also, I did see huge increase in people using manual and power chairs, and a lot of them seemed to only be using them because of weight issues. Has anyone else noticed this or was it just me? I think that every bus we got on had at least two forms of chairs on it...I have never seen so many before.

[TalkingHands]

I do have one request of CMs. Pls don't assume that because I am in a power wheelchair that I can't transfer to a seat, Pls ask which I would prefer. At most shows I will transfer to a seat especially if it is an interpreted show and I am sitting in that section. The wheelchair just gets in the way. And when I am with Bonny and MJ, MJ get priority on staying in her wheelchair if a choice has to be made. After all she is the Disney Princess and I can always use my cane and sit in a regular seat.

[NikkiGrrl]

I was in a wheelchair for at least the first 6-7 years i went to disney world. born physically handicapped, walking around in a prosthetic leg was too much for me. i'd end up hurting my stump of a leg from the combination of heat and all that darn walking! :p:

NOW, though, i can walk around the parks and the stories (and soemtimes the sight) of those that are my age and, from my viewpoint, with no true "disability" about them kinda make me mad. when i was a kid my dad always said thank you and such. i know now that seeing me wak around WDW must make him proud or something. we never caused trouble and i never ever used the "go through the exit" as reason to get ont he ride. or get on before other people. personally, i enjoy getting on the regular line.

but my biggest gripe is a story i tell about this one moronic woman on my last trip to WDW or the one before it...can't remember. we were at MK going back to AKL. we had my grandfather with us and well, he's 80+ and can't walk around WDW so he was in a wheelchair. now he CAN walk a little, ie. from wheelchair onto the bus or around the house, just not the great distances in the World. so, this woman in front of me (for lady would be far too kind to call her) started complaining about wheelchair people. how they should have their own bus, etc etc. many deep breaths were taken as i placed my mom between me and her. i'm not violent, i don't try to be but i really wanted to hurt this woman. espcially since she was talking about my grandfather. little moral: don't talk junk around a group of people, you may regret that.

sorry for the long post!!! ^^;

[jennasmomma]

Im new to this board...I'm not a CM and frankly Ive never been to wdw. My family is going for the first time in December. I love this board cracks me up!

Anyway, I have a question. How would CM's WANT us to handle one person in a group of 6 or 11 (depending on the time and day) that is in an electric scooter we are renting off site.

She can stand and walk..just not for long distances. Does wdw let guests with a EVC ride thru the exit and people in their party like at small amusement parks? Or do we just stand in line with her and the EVC? I want to do the right thing and know the rules ahead of time to make this easiest o everyone. :)

[Zazu]

... Ive never been to wdw. My family is going for the first time in December. ...

How would CM's WANT us to handle one person in a group of 6 or 11 (depending on the time and day) that is in an electric scooter we are renting off site.

She can stand and walk..just not for long distances. Does wdw let guests with a EVC ride thru the exit and people in their party like at small amusement parks? Or do we just stand in line with her and the EVC? I want to do the right thing and know the rules ahead of time to make this easiest o everyone. :)Now *there* is a most *excellent* question! I'm going to violate my own personal policy of not answering touring questions on this board and give you one, since you're so clearly *not* an SG.

General rule: guests in wheelchairs can be accompanied by not more than FIVE additional guests when they use the handicap entrance. With six, you're good. With eleven, you'll sometimes have to split up or get her out of her chair.

Adjustment to general rule above: some attractions don't bother to count very carefully, but it depends on the individual cast member, the number of stupid guests they've seen that day, and how crowded things are. Rarely hurts to ask if the day's quiet. (Read: Before mid-December.)

At each park, go to Guest Relations (City Hall at MK) and ask for the free "Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities". There's one for each major park. Read it and do like it says. Do not just go waltzing into the exit of every attraction!

If you'd really like to bone up in advance, get a copy of "PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs". It's the only guide I know of that focuses on special needs ranging from ECVs to allergies to what have you. At better bookstores or the PassPorter web site (http://www.passporter.com/wdw/specialneeds/guidebook.htm).

Disclaimer: I edited the book and have a financial relationship with the publisher.

[lady ulrike]

Disclaimer: I edited the book and have a financial relationship with the publisher.

But that doesn't change the fact that it's a great book, it's what my fiance and I used on our first trip there. The next time, though we had the book in person, so to speak. :)