Rude Remarks

[Granny Jill A]

I've been reading some posts regarding guests in wheelchairs or ECV's, and was wondering about the rude remarks they encountered while at Disney World.

As someone who has pushed a wheelchair on one trip and used one personally on another, I never experienced rudeness of any sort.

I do know that sometimes folks with strollers and ECV's get distracted and run into people or block a walkway. Usually, they apologize, but sometimes they don't. Maybe that stirs up animosity towards everyone with a stroller or wheelchair.

[IloveDisney71]

My DH had to rent a scooter for a vacation at Disney a few years ago and we didn't hear any negative remarks either. But we did have people that seemed to ignore him on the scooter and would walk right in his path and then look at him like it was his fault when he almost hit them- this happened a lot. We just took it in stride, there are rude people everywhere.

[ElenitaB]

But we did have people that seemed to ignore him on the scooter and would walk right in his path and then look at him like it was his fault when he almost hit them- this happened a lot.

Or my favorite trick: people walk in front of me and then stop dead in their tracks, leaving me on a wing and a prayer that the ECV stops in time. Riding the little chariot (aka the ECV) is very stressful, and these are just a few examples of why.

I have had people on the bus make hateful comments to me and also people cut in front of me while online at stores. God forbid, once I protested and the mom of the family launched into a very hurtful tirade. So, yes, it does happen. Happily, it's the exception rather than the norm.

[TheDuckRocks]

Ellen is correct these things are by far the exception rather than the rule.
I'm still shaking my head over one experience I had at AK. While waiting for the parade on my ECV about 4 inches back from the rope with the blue handycap sign right in front of me I heard a woman yelling at her husband, "Bring the kids over here and we'll stand right in front of this lady". What????????
Well, here they come 4 kids, mom and dad and proceed to bow the rope outwards to fit into that whole 4 inches of space. Thank goodness a CM was right there to nicely but firmly remove them from behind the rope.
Some people are just rude and being at Disney doesn't change there normal behavior. For every bad story I have to tell I bet I have at least 50 good stories of people going out of their way to smile or say "Hi" or best of all just treat me as normal.

[Granny Jill A]

I'm still shaking my head over one experience I had at AK. While waiting for the parade on my ECV about 4 inches back from the rope with the blue handycap sign right in front of me I heard a woman yelling at her husband, "Bring the kids over here and we'll stand right in front of this lady". What????????

That happened to me when I was pushing my sister in her chair. We had a spot for the parade in MK, and folks who were not special needs just started pushing their way in front of her. I was standing on the sidewalk where I could keep an eye on her but not take up a handicap spot. Unfortunately, no cast member came to her rescue. She finally had to tell them that she couldn't see the parade.

[tinkerbellybutton]

I have found that for the most part people are generally decent when it comes to w/c's and ECV's however where we encountered the most problems were bus lines. As I have stated MANY times when we come to a bus line, if it is a long line then we wait near the back, we let a FULL bus load and then get into the w/c line. Doing this ensures that I will not be put on a bus before a family that has waited in line for 20 minutes. The problem we have found is that most people walk right by without even noticing that I have been waiting there before them, so when we go to get on the bus we still get sighs, groans and hurtful comments. There was one gentleman and his family that did notice me and apparently heard me explaining it to my son, he actually thanked me and that really made my day. However there was one man with his family that, as usual, walked right past without noticing that I had been waiting for over 1/2 hour for a bus, he threw an absolute fit when we were loaded onto the bus, so much so that he grabbed his kids and wife and jumped on through the back door, refusing to get off when the bus driver told him he would have to load through the front. The driver gave up and let him stay and the entire trip to MK he was ranting about how "people like me" think we're special! He actually had me in tears. Not only do I wait my turn but I also sit in a regular seat and fold my chair in front of me so that more people can fit on the bus, my family gets up and gives seats to women and children, so most of the time we are FAR more considerate than quite a few others when it comes to the busses. A girlfriend of mine and myself will be going in December (see you there Ellen ) and we are renting a car, I am so glad that we will not have to deal with the looks and comments on the busses. I truly feel sorry for that man, God forbid someday someone he loves no longer has the ability to walk 20 miles in a day at WDW and he is faced with the same prejudice that he has shown.

[mcmom]

I am a mom to a little guy 8 yrs old that has CP. We get ALL kinds of rude remarks not just at Disney. Remarks from older folks that in their day people with disabilites were never seen out. I love the ones that tell me becuase he is young he does not merit a handicap parking spot or I must have drank or smoked before I had him or must have dome something very bad in my life to "get a child like him" It gets old quickly. I do wish at Disney that magic of the place could take all the "rudeness" out of people but that is not possible.

We usually go to DL since that is only an hour away from where we live but we are getting ready for our 2nd trip to the World.

At DL we have been left in a glass elevator by a CM who got distracted by a friend and forgot that we could not control it from the inside so on a day 90 degree day we were baking in a glass coffin until someone finally after 5 minutes came to our aide but we had to leave because my son became very ill from the heat. When we complained they offered us a "fast pass" for the autotopia ride the next time we came. That has been our worse mishapp there. Rudeness of guest is out of this world. W/C can't be easily lifted over curbs but when people just stand there and refuse to move off the cut off areas of the sidewalks that is your only option. Also people staring at him (yes I know he is a cute little guy but if we stare back they get mad and don't like it. My family has learned to have tolerance of the "narrow-minded people" out there that have more of a disability then my son will ever have. We have the ability to accept all people no matter what they look like, use for mobility, or how they talk those rude people are limited to their narrow world and will never understand that there is a big world out there with new discoveries and joy in the little things in life.

[SBETigg]

Wow, it's hard to imagine there are people that rude and inconsiderate out there, but I've seen it, too. I always try to watch out for people with strollers or in wheelchairs/ECVs. It can't be easy trying to get through the crowd that way. We all need to pay attention and be mindful of others.

[Marilyn Michetti]

It's not happened often that anything rude was said to me, but I've gotten the "look" from people in line for the bus when I've been boarded first, even tho' they've been there longer.
It's not going to change, so let it go. You're never going to see those people again - feel sorry for their neighbors, wives, etc. because they have to go home with nasty people.

[dtootsie42]

I am a mom to a little guy 8 yrs old that has CP. We get ALL kinds of rude remarks not just at Disney. Remarks from older folks that in their day people with disabilites were never seen out. I love the ones that tell me becuase he is young he does not merit a handicap parking spot or I must have drank or smoked before I had him or must have dome something very bad in my life to "get a child like him" It gets old quickly. I do wish at Disney that magic of the place could take all the "rudeness" out of people but that is not possible.

We usually go to DL since that is only an hour away from where we live but we are getting ready for our 2nd trip to the World.

At DL we have been left in a glass elevator by a CM who got distracted by a friend and forgot that we could not control it from the inside so on a day 90 degree day we were baking in a glass coffin until someone finally after 5 minutes came to our aide but we had to leave because my son became very ill from the heat. When we complained they offered us a "fast pass" for the autotopia ride the next time we came. That has been our worse mishapp there. Rudeness of guest is out of this world. W/C can't be easily lifted over curbs but when people just stand there and refuse to move off the cut off areas of the sidewalks that is your only option. Also people staring at him (yes I know he is a cute little guy but if we stare back they get mad and don't like it. My family has learned to have tolerance of the "narrow-minded people" out there that have more of a disability then my son will ever have. We have the ability to accept all people no matter what they look like, use for mobility, or how they talk those rude people are limited to their narrow world and will never understand that there is a big world out there with new discoveries and joy in the little things in life.

I just wanted to say I am sorry that you have had some pretty horrible and rude things said and done to you all. My cousins 13 year old son died this year from complications with his CP and I have to say this young man was simply charming. I grew up with a cousin who had down syndrome, it always amazed me how rudely people treated him and my aunt...it went as far as sometimes my aunt could not get help from sales clerks because sales people would not wait on a person with a handicap.

I think there is a shortness of compassion among people which I truly do not understand. I do feel for people who get their knickers in a twist over people in wheelchairs or ECV's....life has a way of coming around and biting you in the rear... so hopefully people who have shown ugly behavior will be treated with kindness.

[joanna71985]

Why can't people just follow the Golden Rule?

[mic_keyfan]

My parents will be making there first ever trip to WDW February 6 and I have talked my dad into renting a scooter as he has trouble breathing due to COPD. I hope that they are not going to receive negative comments to ruin the magic!

[Jenemmy]

My Dad rented a scooter at WDW last January, and while we didn't hear any negative comments, I did recall watching him try not to hit all the folks who hopped out in front of him. It occurred to me that this was in off season -- well, as off as Disney gets, and how do people manage when it is wall to wall crowds!

I grew up with a sister who had CP and now have a disabled son as well and maybe I just don't notice ignorant remarks and looks anymore. When my son was 4, a stranger said something so insensitive to him that he absolutely wept these big heartbreaking tears. I held him on my lap and told him that that woman didn't matter -- she didn't know him and what she thought was not important to any of us. I guess my lecture worked better on me, because I just don't typically let it get to me anymore (depends on the day and the mood! LOL)

[AuntDJ]

In our everyday lives, my parents do not need ECV's. My father is disabled, but can walk small distances, and my mother has bad knees.....However, for a trip like Disney, they both use them.

Having been to multiple amusment parks in the last few years, I want to say NO ONE does handicapped better than Disney!!! My whole family agrees with this.

Disney CM's are polite and willing to do whatever they needed to make sure our family vacation was great!

My dad was very leary and didn't want to go to Disney....that has now changed and is considering another trip (not soon enough for me..but stil....)

For so many folks, this is a once in a lifetime trip, and they build it up so much, that when one thing (waiting for a wheelchair to load a bus) doesn't go how they thought....well it upsets the applecart and we all hear about it!

I try not to take it personally but it is hard...I say, it you THINK you need a wheelchair/ECV you should have it....who am I to judge??? Everyone deserves to have fun on Vacation and from my experience DISNEY has this same philosphy!

Have FUN!

[SFTrny]

We spent 9 days at WDW over Thanksgiving last year and had a daughter in a wheelchair. Not only did we NOT get any rude remarks, but we found everyone very accommodating. ALSO...I will say that navigating the packed and shifting crowds with the chair is a real challenge, and in a standing crowd, nobody can see the wheelchair so you get some inadvertent, accidental cutoffs. I erred twice during the week and accidentally "heel clipped" someone with the foot rests of the chair. I felt horrible, but everyone was good natured. Thank you to those two people who were gracious enough to let my accidents pass!

[badkitty]

I am a mom to a little guy 8 yrs old that has CP. We get ALL kinds of rude remarks not just at Disney. Remarks from older folks that in their day people with disabilites were never seen out. I love the ones that tell me becuase he is young he does not merit a handicap parking spot or I must have drank or smoked before I had him or must have dome something very bad in my life to "get a child like him" It gets old quickly. I do wish at Disney that magic of the place could take all the "rudeness" out of people but that is not possible.

We usually go to DL since that is only an hour away from where we live but we are getting ready for our 2nd trip to the World.

At DL we have been left in a glass elevator by a CM who got distracted by a friend and forgot that we could not control it from the inside so on a day 90 degree day we were baking in a glass coffin until someone finally after 5 minutes came to our aide but we had to leave because my son became very ill from the heat. When we complained they offered us a "fast pass" for the autotopia ride the next time we came. That has been our worse mishapp there. Rudeness of guest is out of this world. W/C can't be easily lifted over curbs but when people just stand there and refuse to move off the cut off areas of the sidewalks that is your only option. Also people staring at him (yes I know he is a cute little guy but if we stare back they get mad and don't like it. My family has learned to have tolerance of the "narrow-minded people" out there that have more of a disability then my son will ever have. We have the ability to accept all people no matter what they look like, use for mobility, or how they talk those rude people are limited to their narrow world and will never understand that there is a big world out there with new discoveries and joy in the little things in life.

to Intercot!

I am so sorry you and your son get treated that way. It is just terrible how rude people can be.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I had some problems on our last trip and had to rent a wheelchair...for the most part people are nice...mostly they just don't notice you and like another poster said they step in front of you or come to a dead stop in front of you...I don't think that's anything intentional just people spellbound stopping to take a look at something neat....the only instance I had negative was at a parade...they put us in a roped off area and the CM decided to take the rope down before it started...a woman and her family were not being considerate about stepping in front of me and she was giving me dirty looks...I think this is the exception though, not the rule...however I did not take my wheelchair on the buses...I overheard several people complaining about EVCs and wheelchairs getting loaded first...not nice people

[DawsonAR]

We have made multiple trips with my DD (9) who is in wheelchair. We have had a few (very few) rude remarks, but overall people have been very nice. The buses have been the main problems and most (all but one) have been rude comments from bus drivers who didn't want to take the time to load the wheelchair and even one bus driver who refused to load her at all and drove off and left us standing. The nice part of that story is there were several other guest who stated they would not load the bus if he wouldn't load her. They were left standing with us.

[Grim Grinning Marathon Runner]

Why can't people just follow the Golden Rule?

I think that's just it - people think the Golden Rule now is "the person who has the gold makes the rules". People feel like they've shelled out their good money to go to the World, and by gosh, NOTHING should interfere with their good time because they paid A LOT for their trip!

If they'd only realize that WE ALL are basically in the same boat (not even considering all the extra stress folks in wheelchairs or ecvs have) and try to make the time more enjoyable for others and themselves, that would be getting back to the real golden rule!

It's just horrible to read about these awful experiences that some of you had, and it's unfortunate that you often remember the bad things just as much or more than the good things. If you ever see a goofy looking short guy with glasses and receding blonde hair there with his beautiful wife and little daughter from China, stop me and say hey, and I'll be glad to give you a hug and give up my place in line for you!

[g8rgirl29]

In my opinion (4 what its worth), If you have been fighting the parks all day in an ECV or W/C you DESERVE to get on that bus first!!! I am not W/C bound nor do I ride an ECV but if I am in line for the bus and see a person in one of those I direct them to the area where they get to board first. I mean are people crazy????? Do they think that it is easy navigating a crazy park in these things?? And seriously if you have to wait for the next bus, who cares you are at DISNEY!!!! I feel awful hearing about the terrible things that people have had to endure!!!