# RO: Wealthy Disneyworld Patrons Hiring Disabled "Guides" In Order To Line Skip **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 15, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419 "2013-05-15T16:43:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/41 "2013-05-15T20:13:21Z")
The only job I can think of that would be better than getting paid to ride rides at DW is being paid to be lotion boy for the Swedish Bikini Team. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/42 "2013-05-15T20:17:53Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > If I was Queen of Disney, I’d issue some sort of pass to families that showed me their legally held and valid disabled parking placard, registered to one of the people at the park with them that day. > > Could it still be cheated? Sure. But at least it would take a bit of effort to do so, not simply renting a wheelchair (with or without a person in it.) That would result in many ambulatory people with latent disabilities getting head of line privileged. That might cause a riot on a hot day. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/43 "2013-05-15T20:20:24Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > The only job I can think of that would be better than getting paid to ride rides at DW is being paid to be lotion boy for the Swedish Bikini Team. Talk about a long line. ---
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/44 "2013-05-15T20:36:09Z")
Capitalism baby. Somebody wanted a service and was willing to pay for it and somebody else was willing to negotiate a price to do the job. I’m a hardcore capitalist but I don’t see much of a problem. It’s on Disney now to figure out a way to ban the practice. People who are rich have the ability to buy things that many other people can’t. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/45 "2013-05-15T20:45:17Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Seriously?! Do we really need to discuss whether this is wrong or not? Of course it’s exploitative and it’s misusing accessibility features put in place for the disabled by those who feel the rules don’t apply to them. It’s wrong on all fronts. So, do you suggest that guide companies that specialize in Disney tours refrain from hiring disabled people, that disabled guides not be allowed to ride the rides with their charges, or something else? The setup at Disney is specifically for those who have disabled persons in their party so no rule is being broken. I’m not seeing the big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/46 "2013-05-15T20:59:34Z")
They should combine this with the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation. Okay, I’ll save you a seat in hell. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/47 "2013-05-15T21:06:45Z")
> [@Mithras](#): > > When I was working with autistic kids, I accompanied them to the local amusement parks on a couple occasions. They (and therefore, I) got golden tickets to skip to the front because waiting in a line was generally not among their strong suits. > > Bringing them to the front of the line and then having them wait in a holding area would not have ended well. ^this. When I was in Disneyworld, I got a pass for my son, who’s autistic. Waiting in line would not have worked at all. He just couldn’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/48 "2013-05-15T21:16:14Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > Well, that would suck for the family of 8 that brought their 88 year old grandmother on vacation with them. They would have had a problem anyway. From the [NY Post article](http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disney_world_srich_kid_outrage_zTBA0xrvZRkIVc1zItXGDP): > [@](#): > > Disney allows each guest who needs a wheelchair or motorized scooter to bring up to six guests to a “more convenient entrance.” And, in my opinion, six is too many. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/49 "2013-05-15T21:19:16Z")
I don’t think the question has anything to do with the entitlement of disabled kids to go to the front of the line. This is Disney we are talking about here; what matters to Disney isn’t fairness but the quality of their patrons’ experience at the theme park. Most people don’t like to look at disabled kids. So it makes sense to bring them right to the head of the line to avoid making other patrons feel uncomfortable. If my autistic son had some sort of incident waiting in a line, no doubt other patrons would be disturbed. Some hot-and-bothered person might say something, and then most assuredly there would be a scene. So launching disabled kids to the front of the line (bonus points if they enter via a side entrance) keeps them out of view. Everyone wins. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/50 "2013-05-15T21:23:11Z")
I’ve often wondered why the don’t give up on this whole line business anyway. How about take a number, sit somewhere nice, at a table perhaps, surrounded by ferns or aquariums or performers or something and you got 10 minutes say to get in line once the number shows up on the big board. Serve drinks and food and snacks. Maybe downloadable special videos. They could probably quadruple the amount of non ticket related items they sell in a day. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/51 "2013-05-15T21:25:27Z")
That story is pretty poorly sourced, I call hoaxe. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/52 "2013-05-15T22:00:08Z")
Yeah, these poor, exploited guides. Please. They’re pretty much getting a bunch of money and probably a free trip to Disneyworld. It’s not like someone’s twisting their arm. Let’s not patronize the disabled as poor, stupid and naive. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/53 "2013-05-15T22:02:26Z")
I thought the point of the RO was the line cutting, and the rich getting to throw their money around to get “unfair” advantages over the proles? Who exactly said anyone was upset at the way they treated their hired guns? I read the OP article just to make sure… nothing there that I could see. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/54 "2013-05-15T22:05:25Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I’ve often wondered why the don’t give up on this whole line business anyway. How about take a number, sit somewhere nice, at a table perhaps, surrounded by ferns or aquariums or performers or something and you got 10 minutes say to get in line once the number shows up on the big board. > > Serve drinks and food and snacks. Maybe downloadable special videos. They could probably quadruple the amount of non ticket related items they sell in a day. They have it. It is called FASTPASS. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/55 "2013-05-15T22:07:44Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I thought the point of the RO was the line cutting, and the rich getting to throw their money around to get “unfair” advantages over the proles? Who exactly said anyone was upset at the way they treated their hired guns? I read the OP article just to make sure… nothing there that I could see. Yup, the infuriating thing about this story (assuming it is true) is an advantaged group (the rich) making use of a policy intended to benefit a disadvantaged group (the disabled) in order to jump the line. They are (allegedly) gaming the system with cash. I suspect the story is not true. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/56 "2013-05-15T22:11:26Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > They have it. It is called FASTPASS. And you still end up waiting in line a bit with this, just not as much. Probably a 60% decrease in line, depending on the ride. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/57 "2013-05-15T22:13:54Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > They have it. It is called FASTPASS. Well, to be fair I think that’s a crock a well. Now if they wanted to have rich people days I could live with that. Once the line waits are over say 45 minute (or pick a number) WTF are you making them stand in line? Give em a place to sit and SELL them more shit. Everybody is happier. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/58 "2013-05-15T22:19:35Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Well, to be fair I think that’s a crock a well. > > Now if they wanted to have rich people days I could live with that. FASTPASS is available to everyone. Why is that a “crock”? ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/59 "2013-05-15T22:25:04Z")
> [@Mr.Greenjeans](#): > > They would have had a problem anyway. From the [NY Post article](http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disney_world_srich_kid_outrage_zTBA0xrvZRkIVc1zItXGDP): > > And, in my opinion, six is too many. Pretend I said six, the point still stands. Disney runs on being a fun family vacation spot and forcing groups to break up because one is disabled would probably result in worse publicity than this. Disney is already managing many hundreds or more disabled guests a day and, IMHO, do it very skillfully and almost invisibly. How many disabled guides could there be out there and how much more pressure would they add to the system? Would it be enough to lower the guest satisfaction of those who truly are travelling with a disadvantaged friend or relative? Personally, I think the rich would get more bang for their buck by hiring one of the tour companies that has done the in depth, day by day tracking of crowd movement through the park and can design a custom tour plan based on that historical research combined with a list of your interests. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419/60 "2013-05-15T22:47:30Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > On the other hand, Disney really needs to do something about the long lines. What long lines? We just came back from Disneyworld, spent 5 days there. We went between holidays. Weather was great. We followed poster Len’s great advice in his Unofficial Guide, went at right time of year, made sure to hit right parks on right days. Longest line was threading ourselves thru barriers, then 5 minutes, maybe 10 minutes? I understand the ire here, but since the disabled dudes get well paid and a free trip to DW, I don’t think it’s so bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-wealthy-disneyworld-patrons-hiring-disabled-guides-in-order-to-line-skip/658419.md?page=4)