Appalling: Wealthy hiring disabled people to cut in line at Disneyland

[Andara Bledin]

Update:

Disney is reviewing its policy on handicapped guests, and The American Association of People with Disabilities is noted as agreeing that the practice was abusive and had to stop.

Article at WDWInfo.com

[Fire_on_High]

It's a short-term gain for a long-term loss, because again, people's perception of disabled people in general is going to very quickly go sour -- and it's going to backfire on the very people who are benefiting from this arrangement, when they don't have their wealthy benefactors to back them up.

Yep. If you want to piss ppl off, shove an advantage they can't get in their face.

Most ppl aren't going to stop and think about the multitude of issues a disabled person has day to day, all they're going to see is their once in a lifetime experience being inferior compared to someone who can skip many of the hassles and get a lot more bang for the buck.

[fireheart17]

I thought I might share an update:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world/...-1226725877656

They've since removed the backdoor access and are now automatically giving them Fastpasses, albeit with even shorter waiting times. Needless to say, the autistic parents aren't happy (which I can understand...to a point since every autistic child is different) and for some bizarre reason, the epileptic parents aren't happy (this one I don't understand...if it's a heat-related thing, surely you'd have supplies to keep kidlet cool while waiting in line?)

[hinakiba777]

I really don't get people who do this. I mean, I feel guilty enough just using a FastPass, I can't imagine exploiting the system in this manner. It makes me sad that there had been changes made thanks to the actions of these people.

the epileptic parents aren't happy (this one I don't understand...if it's a heat-related thing, surely you'd have supplies to keep kidlet cool while waiting in line?)

Waiting in line for a long time can be stressful, and stress does tend to be a trigger for seizures. But if they are being granted something similar to a Fast Pass, I can't seeing it being THAT stressful...

[Nekojin]

I really don't get people who do this. I mean, I feel guilty enough just using a FastPass, I can't imagine exploiting the system in this manner. It makes me sad that there had been changes made thanks to the actions of these people.

It's the World Revolves Around Me syndrome. Altogether too common.

[NorthernZel]

This pisses me off on so many levels. As a parent of a disabled child, I'm entitled to a "Guardian Pass" that'd get us a discount on entrance fees at many venues, but I'm reluctant to apply for one as I fear it'd label me as a "smoocher".

[fireheart17]

This pisses me off on so many levels. As a parent of a disabled child, I'm entitled to a "Guardian Pass" that'd get us a discount on entrance fees at many venues, but I'm reluctant to apply for one as I fear it'd label me as a "smoocher".

I believe the term is "moocher" and given that lil'zel is what, 4, 5? I highly doubt you'd be labelled one. You are legitimately entitled to it, I would have a feeling that the guardian pass would go through some heavy screening to ensure that yes, the person you are being the guardian for has a disability and last I checked, disabled kids need fun as well .

Down here, we have a similar program, but the passes are provided by the government.

[Andara Bledin]

This pisses me off on so many levels. As a parent of a disabled child, I'm entitled to a "Guardian Pass" that'd get us a discount on entrance fees at many venues, but I'm reluctant to apply for one as I fear it'd label me as a "smoocher".

Never be afraid to advocate for yourself or your child if you have a legitimate need. Never.

Anyone who labels you a moocher for taking advantage of accommodations provided for those with real problems doesn't have an opinion worth the energy it takes to espouse it.

Also, if you're up for the challenge, get out there and show everybody that the greedy shits ruining it for everybody else aren't the only ones out there. Be a shining example of the type of person for whom such accommodations are actually provided.

[Panacea]

I thought I might share an update:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world/...-1226725877656

They've since removed the backdoor access and are now automatically giving them Fastpasses, albeit with even shorter waiting times. Needless to say, the autistic parents aren't happy (which I can understand...to a point since every autistic child is different) and for some bizarre reason, the epileptic parents aren't happy (this one I don't understand...if it's a heat-related thing, surely you'd have supplies to keep kidlet cool while waiting in line?)

There's no solution to this that is going to make everyone happy. They can't allow the abuse to continue; it would only get worse.

They can't require proof of disability; I think it would violate the ADA.

So the people with disabilities who didn't abuse the system will pay for the actions of those who did. Which is typically what happens; one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.

People are just going to have to learn how to cope. It sucks, but that's just how it is going to have to be.