Rich moms hire handicapped tour guides for special access at Walt Disney World

In 1986 I flew to Vancouver, British Colombia to visit the World's Fair. On the last day of my visit I saw a Family visiting the various exhibitions, one of whom was in a wheelchair. (If a Family had someone who was handicapped, they'd let them avoid the line). Just before the Fair was about to close I went to one last attraction. I spotted the family, and the boy who was in the wheelchair got out and his brother took his place! If it hadn't been the last show of the day I would have RAISED H-E-(Double Hockey Sticks) and reported these shysters to the officials.

Faking an injury is never acceptable. (except in Futball)

When I was a kid, my Mother taught me that it was very wrong to play with a wheelchair or crutches. You are kind of telling God or the universe that you want to be in the position to use the wheelchair or crutches for a while. Even to this day, I won't even touch them, unless I am handing the crutches to someone or pushing someone who needs the wheelchair around.

It's like a personal taboo.

Uh-oh, I'm screwed.

I've been carried around inside an actual body bag. (that's how they debuted my character when I wrestled)

17 years later and I'm still alive...I think.

Interesting thought. I think that's a little bit different. You were acting. If I were to play a paraplegic on TV, I would have no problem using an electric scooter as a prop. If my character were to get injured in a football accident, I wouldn't mind at all getting dressed up in a fake cast.

Deep.

You have issues, man. ;)

Difference between "playing around" and doing something constructive.

Aw, man. I coulda had 10 points.

I see the difference as acting for the purpose of providing entertainment, and faking something for the purpose of gaming the system.

I am cast member alumni, who worked a few WDW Fantasyland attractions about a decade ago. I can definitely see how guests could hire a handicapped 'tour guide' or 'friend' to exploit a loophole.

Most of the lines are not ADA (Americans with Disability Act) accessible. Either they are too narrow, or have steps, or they are not level enough (ie. slope too steep). These standards came out in the 90's, about twenty years after the Magic Kingdom opened. Philharmagic's, a newer attraction, features accessible stand-by line. Narrow queues, stairs, switchbacks are troublesome for guests in wheelchairs and scooters. Guests were then allowed to use the Fast Pass entrance or sometimes a 'backdoor' entrance giving them immediate access to the ride. It wasn't automatic, as guests usually had a 'guest assistance' card issued by Disney. But, essentially it was a Fast Pass, even for rides that didn't have a seperate FP queue.

Thus being with a "tour guide" with a guest assistance pass is huge advantage for those who want to 'take advantage of the system'. This may be either the non-Disney tour guides or the "rich moms". Either way, both unethical. It's amazing that these "rich moms" are paying several hundred dollars for this service. Not to suggest to do so, but wouldn't be cheaper to buy multiple tickets for each guest and have the ability to hold multiple fast passes at any time?

P.S.

I despise those who take advantage of resources allocated to those with disabilities. I can't stand the jerks that park in handicapped parking spaces that seemingly are able-bodied.

What a clever scheme. Hat's off to the people that got the easy money and the free Disney trips. Not that I endorse it lol.

Predicting the end of "immediate access" at Disney parks in 5...4.....3....2...

Handicapped guests will be given a time to come back for the attraction, with a wait time equal to that of the standby line. One benefit of Disney pretty much *knowing* how long waits will be (barring mechanical issues) is that they can really put that kind of rule in place and enforce it fairly.

They'll just give them one of those heinous new wristbands that tells you where to go and when, and keeps track of everything you ride, eat, watch, buy, do and say. There. Problem solved.

Concrete Enchilada said:

I despise those who take advantage of resources allocated to those with disabilities. I can't stand the jerks that park in handicapped parking spaces that seemingly are able-bodied.

Just keep in mind that not all disabilities are easily visible.

rollergator said:

Predicting the end of "immediate access" at Disney parks in 5...4.....3....2...

Handicapped guests will be given a time to come back for the attraction, with a wait time equal to that of the standby line.

Yeah, that was what I said elsewhere.

The whole loophole only exists because Disney allows instant access for the handicapped guests. Stop that and there's little incentive to pull this scam.

But people think I'm a nice person when I say it.... ;~)

I'm comfortable in my skin. ;)

I certainly understand this. My best friend's wife has a serious condition but despite this, she seems physically fine. And she needs to have the 'handicap parking' pass. I should have suggested those jerks who don't have any placard or indication they should be parked in a handicap spot.

The only difference between this and other line cutting options is that someone other than the park makes money on it. Maybe the park should offer up-charge handicapped friends to rent.