Guests Demand Policy Change as Disney Excludes Sick Children

When Walt Disney first opened the gates of Disneyland Park, he said, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” For decades, that line truly stood the test of time. Disney theme parks were places where kids and kids at heart could all have an amazing time. One of the most incredible things about Disney theme parks is that a person’s size or disability would not limit them. Disney was determined to make its parks truly a place for everyone.

Unfortunately, on April 9, Disney made an announcement that would shock fans and change Disneyland and Walt Disney World forever. Thousands of disabled guests would no longer be able to use Disney’s Disability Access Service.

Related: Disney Just Told Thousands of People With Disabilities That They Don’t Count

Disney announced that, due to overwhelming fraud, its Disability Service would only be available to guests with cognitive disabilities, like autism. The Walt Disney World website currently reads:

Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests. DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.

Related: Guests Seethe as Disney Makes Highly Controversial Change to Disability Services

Those with physical and a wide array of medical disabilities, like epilepsy, will have to wait in the regular line. If they need to leave the line because of a medical issue, they will have to climb over the guests in line and get to the exit. They will then get a ticket to return to the line. Or, they can let their party wait in line and then join them when they are close to the front.

Disney has been facing considerable backlash since the announcement. Now, a Change.org petition is circulating, demanding Disney change the new system. It currently has over 20,000 signatures.

The petition reads:

Disney magic should be for everyone but Disney’s recent modifications to the Disability Access Service (DAS) program have excluded many members of the disabled community and their families. For years, Disney has been a beacon of inclusivity and joy for disabled individuals, offering a safe haven where they could enjoy moments of connection and adventure while having their accessibility needs met.

By limiting the DAS program to developmental disabilities only, Disney has left out a wide array of disabled individuals, including cancer patients, veterans with PTSD, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, those with rare diseases and more. As one of the world’s biggest companies, boasting a value exceeding 200 billion dollars, Disney should not be excluding groups of disabled people–especially children with any of these illnesses.

By excluding a diverse range of disabilities and implementing impractical solutions such as bathroom return lines and rider switches, Disney is putting disabled individuals at risk and subjecting them to unnecessary challenges and humiliation.

These policies not only undermine the principles of fairness and inclusivity but also prevent disabled individuals from fully participating in the Disney experience.

Immediate action is essential to address the harmful implications of Disney’s revised DAS program and uphold the company’s values of inclusivity and accessibility. Disney is a dream destination for countless families and children worldwide, including children with illness and disabilities. By excluding many disabled individuals from these cherished experiences, Disney sends a clear message that the rights and needs of the disabled community can be overlooked. Such actions set a dangerous precedent, allowing corporate giants to trample on the rights and dignity of marginalized groups without consequence. It is imperative that Disney recognizes the broad-reaching impact of its decisions and takes immediate steps to rectify this injustice.

The old policy that included a range of disabilities:

• “Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability.”

New policy limiting to developmental disabilities only: 

• “intended to accommodate a small percentage of Guests who, due to a developmental disability such as autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for a long period of time.” 

This is not the first time that guests have begged Disney to stop being so restrictive with their DAS passes. A group called DAS Defenders also wrote a letter to Disney, requesting a new system.

Disney’s biggest reason for changing its DAS requirements was rampant abuse. However, they are still not requiring guests to provide proof from a doctor of the nature of their disability. Fans are begging Disney to just follow in Universal’s footsteps, as that seems to be the best way to cut down on actual fraud.

Disney’s disability changes went into place at Walt Disney World Resort on May 18 and at Disneyland Resort on June 20.

Do you think Disney needs to overhaul its Disability Program? Let us know in the comments!