One thing that Disneyland has a huge problem with is the bias in many cast who are there to help us. They use ableist comments in trying to “recommend” alternatives for us. This list is that.
What is this bias you speak of you ask? “You don’t look disabled” is still a common thing to be uttered even at a guest services umbrella. I’ve had MANY people tell me they’ve been told a version of this all the time. This even happens with parents that have autistic children, “they look fine.” Or the latest I’ve seen: “People with disabilities should find quieter days to visit.” Really? You have quiet days? With Park reservations? I think not. And how exactly do you know what days those are? Crowd calendars are based upon historical, say old, data. Ever since the parks reopened after Covid, it’s been busy constantly. No capacity calls, but busy.
I know I don’t “look” disabled. You can’t see my brain, eye, or spinal lesions, you can’t see the huge ruptured cerebral aneurysm sitting at the base of my brain, and you definitely can’t see the brain damage left from that rupture. I will always be disabled. There is no cure for MS or for a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. I get this a lot too from people online, “you’re faking it”…really🤦🏻♀️.
Let’s talk this list they posted…
The first item really really doesn’t take into account the tight spaces of a lot of queues🤦🏻♀️. “Encourage other members of your party to help create space around you in line to make it more comfortable.” And how exactly do I alone do that? When I alone am the party? When there is a family with excited children behind and in front of me? How do I not look like a rude freak by saying, can you step back away from me? And how exactly do you do this in the Haunted Mansion’s hallway to load in?! I say this again, that is one emergency away from a hell of mass panic but I digress.
The second item is the thing that is the MOST suggested by GS for an invisible disability: get a scooter, wheelchair, walker, or cane. THIS is most unhelpful. Those of us who need these devices already have them. That means these devices actually do NOT help those who do not already use them. So pushing us to purchase a rental of a device, not tailored for us, that could make things worse is NOT helpful🤨. I don't think pushing a purchase, of any kind, for disability accommodations makes no sense.
Rider Switch is impossible for single people and single parents/caretakers. I can already see problems with it if you are a single person or a single parent/caretaker. And don’t recommend Single Rider, not everyone can use that and not all attractions use it either. Personally I can’t use it because it is mostly on attractions I am forbidden from going on by my neurosurgeon. Yes, that’s a thing, I have a tight ball of platinum in my left vertebral artery at the base of my brain no less. That bad boy moves out of place and I’m dead.😳 I call it my nemesis.☠️
This list infuriates me. It’s the abelist things to say, oh you can just do this and it will be all better. 🤨
DISABILITY DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY!
👉🏼And to those of you that keep saying you don’t need a “front of the line service”🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ For the last time DAS ISN’T A FRONT OF THE LINE SERVICE! There is NO front of the line service for the disabled. We are segregated if we have mobility devices. We wait MORE time than the regular wait time because we ALSO have to then wait in the Lightning Lane upon return THEN the load in lines. Ever seen the line of folks in scooters and wheelchairs at Pirates or Haunted Mansion…? THAT’S the other line we wait in. So we have up to 3 waits.
I see an important thing they are missing that DAS provides us. The ability to skip the GS umbrellas or Attraction CMs to get a return time after we are registered. They’ve removed the GS option and now pushed it onto the Attraction CMs. You will now have a long line of scooters and wheelchairs at various attractions blocking walkways. Brilliant move.
But one other thing is abundantly clear, they will have a run on being “autistic” by the fraudsters going forward.🤦🏻♀️ Just mind boggling the hole they keep digging for themselves. People say the “medical professionals” they will use will “know” the difference but will they?
‼️One thing I need to clear up, I made a mistake about Universal being sued over the new IBCCES service they are using. It's actually Six Flags Magic Mountain. BUT I was informed that Disneyland will NOT be using IBCCES because they have hired a service that will provide medical professionals for the DAS registering at the parks and online.
👉🏼Also, I’ve been informed IF you are already registered for the DAS, that will expire in the current 60 days. Any NEWLY registered guests between NOW and 6/18 with be given the 30days. Those registering beginning on 6/18 and on will get the 120 days.
I’m just so over this nonsense. I swear every time they try to fix this, it’s worse. Less people that need it get it and the fakers get it…I just don’t understand that.