denied with two kids with asd please help - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
The changes to getting a assistance pass these days sucks. I also found Disneyland is much harder than Disney world. I use a scooter and was denied one at DL. They said I didn't need one to use a alternate entrance, but when I tried the CM refused me access. Hopefully on our upcoming trip to WDW I won't have issues. Sad that cheaters ruined it for those that really need the help.
We were at Disneyland in June 2014, and I made one trip to guest relations on our first morning, explained my son's condition and difficulties that he would have in longer lines. He was given the DAS almost without question. Frankly, I was surprised how smooth the process was for us. Go figure. I think it often depends on the CM you are dealing with.
I do agree that "cheaters" have made it harder on those who actually need accommodations. However, in our case, it's become a learning opportunity for my son. Life isn't easy, but we need to be able to adapt and make the best of a difficult situation. We've altered our touring as a result of the return times on the DAS. It means doing something that I don't like, which is traipsing back and forth a bit more across areas of the park. But, it is what it is, and we adapt as needed.
I am very sorry to hear that the OP was never able to successfully get any accommodations for her children. I agree with Darlene that it doesn't seem very Disney. However, what seems very strange to me is that they were denied based on neurological disability. That should not happen. Disability is disability, seen or unseen. If I had been in that situation, I would have asked for, shall we say, a second opinion. No company should deny accommodations just because a person's disability can't be seen. Not having been there, I don't know the specifics of this situation, but it doesn't seem to add up. Neither Disney nor any other company can simply decide to NOT accommodate a disabled person.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
I have issues getting through very twisty cues on my scooter & when they are very tight I feel very claustrophobic because people get right on top of my scooter not giving me any space & I am way below everyone. I feel like I can't breath & have fled lines because of it..
We tried THREE different cast members in these scenarios:
* Me asking at Calif. Adventure with my son present and my son also answering questions
* My husband alone at Calif Adventure asking
* My husband alone at Disneyland
I want to also note that my husband is a high school principal and regularly works with special ed and high need students. He is professional, calm, cool, collected and knows the lingo.
I am planning to write Disney and express my dismay as I feel this was a wasted trip.
* My husband alone at Calif Adventure asking
* My husband alone at Disneyland
With the new DAS, one of the rules specifically states that the person needing the DAS has to be present so I can see why you were denied in these two instances.
With the new DAS, one of the rules specifically states that the person needing the DAS has to be present so I can see why you were denied in these two instances.
Exactly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by betsyjo
We tried THREE different cast members in these scenarios:
* Me asking at Calif. Adventure with my son present and my son also answering questions
* My husband alone at Calif Adventure asking
* My husband alone at Disneyland
I want to also note that my husband is a high school principal and regularly works with special ed and high need students. He is professional, calm, cool, collected and knows the lingo.
I am planning to write Disney and express my dismay as I feel this was a wasted trip.
I've also seen the bolded before as an issue....
First "knowing the lingo" is not particularly helpful. The CMs are looking for people to explain their needs in clear English, not lingo that the CMs do not understand. Some people rattle off a bunch of lingo, but then can't answer questions that CMs need to ask.
Also, people assume that Special Education and IEPs and whatever rights they have in school for educational purposes are what need to be providedby Disney. That is NOT the case. The ADA calls for "reasonable accommodations" (the ADA rules) and require that the person have a condition that is causing a disability (not all people with autism - or any other condition anyone can name - have a disability associated with the condition). Under the ADA, the person with a disability also has to be prepared to explain their needs. Since the same condition can cause different levels
of disability, people need to be able to explain what their needs are, as I explained in an earlier post.
Last edited by SueM loves WDW; 02-20-2015 at 02:22 PM..
They don't require a doctor's because legally they are not allowed to plus doing so would put the cm's in the position of having to understand medicine & medical conditions. Not to mention how much time reading all of those would take and make the lines.
This is true. They are not currently permitted to require proof or a doctor's letter.
With disability passes, what they want to know is what accommodations you need to experience the attractions, not what your issues are. So if your child cannot wait with others in a crowded line, the accommodation might be waiting off to the side until it is your turn. My son has autism, limited speech, and did very poorly the first couple of visits to WDW. But he loved it and wanted to go again, so we go every year. He has learned to wait in lines of up to an hour for a desired ride (TSMM). He wears ear protectors to keep the noise down. We take lots of breaks. And we use Fast Pass where available. We've never used any of the disability passes. We go off season (well, as off season as there is anymore) go early, and leave if it becomes too mobbed to swim and do other things.
I've only done WDW and not DL, but I agree with those who said take it up the chain of command next time. And state your request simply and clearly, as the CMs are not disability experts, and you are more likely to get a sympathetic hearing if you are not asking for more than the reasonable accommodations required by the ADA.
I wonder if they had people selling the passes so they feel extra protective of them.
There was a big stink in teh news, actually, about a year or a year and a half ago;it turned out that people who lived locally to the parks, and were disabled - scooters, wheelchairs, that sort of thing - well, these people were hiring themselves out as tour guides.
Which, in itself, isn't a bad thing ... but they made the fact they had the old-style Guest Access Card (sometimes issued in 90-day increments, because they were annual passholders) a selling point, describing it as a way they could let their client's families "skip all the lines".
Yeah. That kind of behavior, is what forced Disney to crack down on the system. >_<
I had a sickening experience where these kids (teens) were bragging about how they found a GAC and it was their golden ticket. I did report them to the CM's but I'm not sure what came of it. I was with my children and wanted to focus on them. I'm sure that kind of behavior is what lead to have a photo on the pass.
I had a sickening experience where these kids (teens) were bragging about how they found a GAC and it was their golden ticket. I did report them to the CM's but I'm not sure what came of it. I was with my children and wanted to focus on them. I'm sure that kind of behavior is what lead to have a photo on the pass.
At one point, people were also selling GACs on eBay as 'never expiring Fastpasses'.
Because they were called Guest Assstance Cards, people rationalized that they were meant to assist 'guests' not people with disabilities.
I have heard that is one of the reasons for the change in name - to make it really obvious they are meant for guests with disabilities
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
However, in our case, it's become a learning opportunity for my son. Life isn't easy, but we need to be able to adapt and make the best of a difficult situation. We've altered our touring as a result of the return times on the DAS. It means doing something that I don't like, which is traipsing back and forth a bit more across areas of the park. But, it is what it is, and we adapt as needed.
.
I LOVE this approach to what, otherwise, would just be a frustrating situation. This is a really good point. We have lines and waits in airports, grocery stores, traffic jams ... you name it! Seeing it as a teachable moment is a wonderful way of looking at it.
That being said, all I'm hearing lately is that the lines have gotten absolutely out of control. This is from life-long Disney lovers!
There are so many reports of waiting over an hour to pay quite a price for a Dole Whip or a burger. That, on top of over two hours for a primary attraction?
More and more, I'm hearing all types of people say they'd never go back because of the lines.
It makes me feel bad because I love what Walt created, but maybe the question isn't so much how can they treat guests with disabilities that way, as how can they treat ANYONE that way?
At one point, people were also selling GACs on eBay as 'never expiring Fastpasses'.
Because they were called Guest Assstance Cards, people rationalized that they were meant to assist 'guests' not people with disabilities.
I have heard that is one of the reasons for the change in name - to make it really obvious they are meant for guests with disabilities
I LOVE this approach to what, otherwise, would just be a frustrating situation. This is a really good point. We have lines and waits in airports, grocery stores, traffic jams ... you name it! Seeing it as a teachable moment is a wonderful way of looking at it.
That being said, all I'm hearing lately is that the lines have gotten absolutely out of control. This is from life-long Disney lovers!
There are so many reports of waiting over an hour to pay quite a price for a Dole Whip or a burger. That, on top of over two hours for a primary attraction?
More and more, I'm hearing all types of people say they'd never go back because of the lines.
It makes me feel bad because I love what Walt created, but maybe the question isn't so much how can they treat guests with disabilities that way, as how can they treat ANYONE that way?
There are plenty of lines with short waits, but people the to not talk about those.
The Dole Whip line. Has gotten really out of control though. I don't know why, other than I have seen a lot of posts on Facebook about how great Dole Whips are.
That booth is on a major walkway and is pretty smal - I think 2 or maybe 3 registers.
In order to make that wait shorter, WDW just announced they are swapping the location of the Dole Whip stand (across from the Treehouse) with the Sunshine Terrace (near the exit of the Tiki Birds, behind the Magic Carpets of Aladdin).
The Sunshine Terrace is larger and has more registers, plus it's on a side walkway, not the main one.
My thought is a lot of people will probably not realize it moved and be in line at the wrong place.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick
OK. WOW! Speechless!
I have heard from CMs that at one point, there were actually people selling Make A Wish buttons on International Drive. That was at least 10 years ago and was one of the reasons MAWwent from fancy, full color buttons to really plain color coded ones
There's always someone who wants an advantage over everyone else and lacks simple human kindness and consideration. And demand creates supply when other unscrupulous types find there's easy money to be made.
Although, I must say I can somewhat understand a disabled person on disability income hiring out to people wanting the advantage in lines which the GAC offered. Being disabled with limited resources could easily motivate a person to do that.
__________________
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Disney makes people believe that they can be better than others by paying more money.
So much of what they do seems to be to give some persons feelings of superiority by purchasing preferred access - whether is a club level room or special seating at an event. If you are willing to pay more, you can get preferential treatment. It's one of the things I really don't like about Disney.
I think given that there is so much money can by at Disney, the selling of access does not surprise me. I love the parks but I am bothered by the idea that some people believe you can put a vacation on a credit card and go for broke. If you are wealthy, pay all you bills and have extra money for a superior vacation that is one thing, but I have repeatedly seen clients who are just getting buy decide the kids need to go to Disney and end up with a huge credit card debt that they may or may not pay off. So if you are going to blow everything going to Disney and there is a way to spend less time in lines, why not spend the extra money.
I know this is off topic for the OP but I also think Joel's mom gave some great advice. Your kids could learn a lot by coping with the lines and crowds, Your vacation may not be as perfect but those lessons may help the kids a lot in the future.
__________________
Charlie
Last edited by Huntermom; 03-14-2015 at 10:01 AM..
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Linear Mode
