Walt Disney World Complaint - Not Magic for my "Make-a-Wish" child - Walt Disney World

Posted by PassingBy on 2008-02-15:

Was your daughter there as part of Make-a-Wish? Or did you simply show up expecting extra special treatment because she is handicapped? I've seen Cast Members go out of their way to provide assistance to accommodate the handicapped.

Posted by Principissa on 2008-02-15:

I agree with PassingBy. Was she there for the the Make-a-Wish foundation or not? You mention it in your post, but you do not give specifics in your post. If so, I would complain to the foundation. If she was there for make-a-wish, I find it shameful and in bad taste that a child's dying wish to see Mickey Mouse and Cinderella couldn't be granted.

Posted by r.nickoles on 2008-02-15:

Yes, my child was there for Make-a-Wish. Our entire family were wearing Make-a-Wish T-shirts, she was wearing a Make-a-Wish button, plus a button from the Give Kids The World village. The cast members looked right at our shirts and still did not go to any special lengths.

Posted by thensider on 2008-02-15:

generally, when people comlain about not getting special treatment, i jsut say they are greedy, but it sounds like your daughter really got short changed. Have you contacted Make A Wish?

Posted by r.nickoles on 2008-02-15:

I haven't contacted Make-a-Wish yet, but we're still on our trip. I was told there would be a survey at the end of the trip to let Make-a-Wish know how everything went.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but the only thing my daughter received out of the ordinary at any Disney park was free entrance to the "Fast Pass" and/or Handicapped line. At no time was she put in front of other "Fast Pass" users at any ride or attraction. At Universal, where they know how to treat their special guests, my daughter was treated like a Princess. Every single attraction had a guest services member at the entrance to escort her to the front of the line, not just point her to the Express Lane. She was given free face painting, free photos, and discounts off of merchandise and services. None of this was offered at Disney. I had heard how special Disney was going to treat my daughter, but I don't see where it was THAT special, at least compared to Universal.

And before anyone asks: Yes, she was wearing her Guest Assistance Pass, and it was current.

Posted by Principissa on 2008-02-15:

That's sad. I am so sorry that your daughters wish was so horrible. I honestly hope they make this right. You should call make a wish while you are still there, they should know about this ASAP. This is a dying child, not someone who just wants special treatment. I'm so sorry.

Posted by Cindyf on 2008-05-07:

I think the difference you're probably noticing has to do with crowds. Disney World receives significantly more visitors than Universal, and significantly more special needs/ Make-A-Wish guests as well.

Disney can not escort every special needs guest to the front of every line, it would be impossible--especially since the special needs system is completely overloaded now-some valid, some not. There are so many people who rent wheelchairs/scooters to get around Disney because they are either too lazy, too fat, or just want to bypass the lines.

I wish to God that wasn't true, but it is. We go to Disney World probably 4-5 days every month and have seen special needs children turned away from handicapped viewing areas because they were full of people on scooters who would park the scooters then walk to get popcorn and drinks leaving their 5 or 6 family members with the scooter.
There really is no way for Disney to address this problem without making people angry. I personally think they should ban scooters for the same reason they banned segways and stop renting wheelchairs at the gate.

There are plenty of other places to rent those in Orlando and those who truly need them, have their own or can rent them in town. It would at least cut down on the over use.

As far as Make A Wish is concerned, I thought they just paid for all trip expenses, I didn't know there was supposed to be additional provisions.

I'm sorry your daughter didn't have a good time and I hope you let Make A Wish know about your experience.

Posted by LCasey on 2008-06-30:

We just got back from my son’s Make A Wish trip to Disney World and it was a disaster. Due to poor planning he never got to fulfill his wish. He spent the majority his 5 days in Orlando at the villa hunting for lizards and blowing bubbles. On the few occasions we did manage to get him out - nobody honored his tee shirt or badge. The worse part was arriving back home and being stranded at the airport with no ride home. We could not just get a cab or call someone to come get us because my son is in a wheelchair. My child is so disappointed and I have never been so stressed out in my life. It was the most horrible distressing experience ever. According to our local Make A Wish chapter in PA, they were sorry his trip was a disaster but explained that most of their wishes are successful and that their track record speaks for itself. This may sound good on paper if you are trying to gain donations or funds, but for my son, who was the one percent they didn't plan properly for, it was heartbreaking.

Posted by Alex1968 on 2010-04-03:

I hope you don't find this insensitive, but I don't understand. Isn't the wish to attend Disney World? If that's the case, didn't the child get to go? I'm not getting what it is you were expecting above and beyond.

Posted by Wesly on 2011-07-02:

I sorta feel your pain here. My son is disabled but it is not life threatening. I contacted Disney thru email prior to our arrival for minor accomodations for his movement impairments and was told they don't offer any for his "type" and yes I have this in email. When we called we were told we would have to carry around his medical binder and take it to guests services to see if they would do anything for him. He has brain injury and his general movements are affected and he has other troubles. We just asked some simple questions and got the run around. It's sad. I know a lot of cast members do not even mention the birthday or anniversary or first visit buttons either as we had that last year in California. I can say though my neice who has hypoplastic right heart syndrom or CHD just got back from make a wish and they could not say enough good things about it. I did not see many character photos but they did not attend the entire day either as she got too tired. they did enjoy their time at Disney, Universal, Sea World and at the village. They went out of their way to get spongebob and patrick to visit her (those are her favorites) but I guess they came from Universal. It's really a nice gift to receive with the first class travel and the limo rides and rental car. This was a huge deal for them. I think they were just appreciative they got all these wonderful things including the bon voyage party and things. They also brought a lot of presents when visiting the family and setting up the trip. I think that is the most wonderful program and you do get a lot for nothing.

Posted by Irose on 2013-04-09:

I complete understand what you are saying! Just to let you know MOM its the chapter of Make A Wish that is horrible not Disney.The Make A Wish Scranton PA chapter is the worst and they are so rude to the parents. Definately not what you would expect representing Make A Wish. Write a letter to corporate in Arizona and let the CEO know whats going on. Your daughter should have shined on her trip and provisions should have been made by the PLANNERS!