Handicap must PAY for priority boarding???

[JustCruiseMe]

They don't have handicap parking at Walt Disney World in Florida, with the exception of Downtown Disney. It is medical parking. Disability Access Service Cards are still very easy to abuse, if one really wishes to study which attractions are using different colored pens. Technically, if they choose to utilize this service, they aren't waiting in the line unless the disabled guest chooses to experience another attraction while waiting for their return time.

Um, yeah they do..We know first hand with my mom they have handicapped parking at WDW. It's close and up front. YAYYY for Disney.

[JustCruiseMe]

Absolutely agree! I believe that people should get what they need in order to get by in the world, but that does not include special treatment. I have a disabled student in my class (severe cleft palate and a hard time walking) and I do accomodate him so he can succeed. I do not, however, give him special treatment. He knows that I expect the same of him as every other student. Absolutely no pity from me! He is perfectly capable of doing his work and I expect him to do so!

 

I have absolutely no problem with handicapped people getting the help they need to enjoy a cruise, but to expect special treatment just because you are disabled/handicapped is absurd.

I can tell you've never cared for a handicapped person. It's not SPECIAL treatment it's accommodating their handicap, just like a ramp. Be kind. Try pushing a wheelchair in a crowd with people pushing and jumping in front of you while you try not to bump them...it's not easy and if you've never cared for been handicapped you have absolutely NO idea. And be thankful you don't have first hand experience. I can assure you that anyone in that wheelchair would gladly stand in line if they physically could. They'd change places with you in a heartbeat.

[BIG_Steve]

All this bickering, and I have to wonder if the the OP just used the word "priority" by mistake. Would have made the call center respond as she described.

 

Some folks in this thread have way too much time on their hands :rolleyes:

[Disconnections]

Um, yeah they do..We know first hand with my mom they have handicapped parking at WDW. It's close and up front. YAYYY for Disney.

 

No, they do not. It is called medical parking. There are no handicap signs in their parking spots. There is no wheelchair icon painted on the ground. They only have blue lines. All posted signs say medical parking. No handicap placard is needed to park there. I just spent six months doing an internship with The Walt Disney Company and parked there whenever I went to the parks as a guest.

 

After I learned about this, I researched it and it appears that they did this to avoid having to call Orange County whenever someone parked where they shouldn't be parking.

 

Edit: They only have handicap parking spaces in their cast parking lots, Magic Kingdom West Clock, Disney University and Downtown Disney.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Disconnections

[JustCruiseMe]

Well said. Inclusion is the ideal for PEOPLE with a disability. That means sharing the same experience, no separate rooms, lines, entrances, schools, work, buses, or lives.

Options like marked parking spots and larger bathroom stalls is to allow access. Where this concept that disability should mean free is tied to the belief that someone with disability is an object of pity and deserving only of charity.

Totally disagree with this. A handicapped person can't have the same experience as a non handicapped. How about everyone use a wheelchair so that everyone can have the same experience. I have an idea, spend a week in a wheelchair an see if those steps and that place without an automatic door and that bathroom stall that the door doesn't lock let's you have the same experience as a non handicapped person.

 

I can tell lots of people on here don't have a clue what it's like to be truly handicapped or taken care of a handicapped person.

 

Hey I guess the people with autistic kids who have sensory issues shouldn't be given a special place to wait because that would be pity and they can just wait with everyone else, I mean they aren't special, right? They have NO right to have a private place or a quiet place because all the noise and crowds gets on my nerves too and I am just as special. (Of course I don't really believe that) I can walk, I am happy and I don't mind not being first or waiting...Heck we wait for platinum's and suites and I much rather wait on handicapped.

[JustCruiseMe]

No, they do not. It is called medical parking. There are no handicap signs in their parking spots. There is no wheelchair icon painted on the ground. They only have blue lines. All posted signs say medical parking. No handicap placard is needed to park there. I just spent six months doing an internship with The Walt Disney Company and parked there whenever I went to the parks as a guest.

 

After I learned about this, I researched it and it appears that they did this to avoid having to call Orange County whenever someone parked where they shouldn't be parking.

 

Edit: They only have handicap parking spaces in their cast parking lots, Magic Kingdom West Clock, Disney University and Downtown Disney.

OK perhaps your right they might call it something different. My mistake and yes it was blue lines and I distinctly remember Animal Kingdom's for some strange reason. I remember they had us show them her handicapped license plate (most people had placards) so they asked.

[Disconnections]

OK perhaps your right they might call it something different. My mistake and yes it was blue lines and I distinctly remember Animal Kingdom's for some strange reason. I remember they had us show them her handicapped license plate (most people had placards) so they asked.

 

They just hope most guests act in good faith. Unless you specifically say "medical parking," they will direct you elsewhere. When they had to call Orange County to issue tickets or have a car towed away sometimes caused disruption to other guests.

[Sarah@Sea]

All this bickering, and I have to wonder if the the OP just used the word "priority" by mistake. Would have made the call center respond as she described.

 

Some folks in this thread have way too much time on their hands :rolleyes:

 

That was my thought, and then the Carnival rep gave her the "priority" options so it appears the only way to get assistance boarding is to pay. Just a misunderstanding.

[cruizinisthebest]

OP if you ever come back to this thread, just know that the Carnival staff will assist your husband if he needs it. He won't need to go in the front of the line. Just perhaps some assistance, which I've always seen the port employees do with ease and without interruption to others.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[cruizinisthebest]

All this bickering, and I have to wonder if the the OP just used the word "priority" by mistake. Would have made the call center respond as she described.

 

Some folks in this thread have way too much time on their hands :rolleyes:

 

I agree. Quite unnecessary.

[petesweet]

However, you still need to walk from your seat up the ramp, and on the ship.

Good thoughts, Havingfun. I quote this one line only to mention that in boarding the Fantasy in Charleston, anyone who needs help can board the crew entrance rather than going up the ramp. That was also a huge help.

 

Kathy

[petesweet]

My wife has used a scooter on our last 4 cruises. Each time, not only her, but all in the group was escorted to the front of line and we waited for the next available agent to check us in. Never paid a dime more. Since she has to take the scooter, we also get free parking.

 

So I would say yes it does still happen for free on any cruise line we have traveled on.

 

Last cruise was on RCC last weekend.

Would you mind telling me the port where there is free parking? That would be helpful in our planning. I know of Charleston and have heard of Miami. One other (Port Canaveral perhaps?) offers it if the vehicle has special equipment, I understand.

 

Many thanks.

 

Kathy

[richfret]

Just got off a Breeze cruise. My wife developed some physical problems and I was really concerned how we could get off the ship. I talked with Guest Services and they arranged to have a wheel chair brought to my cabin for departure. I took off the carry-ons and a Carnival employee handled the wheel chair. They took us directly to the parking facility and I picked up my wife at the curb. Thank you Carnival. You could not have asked for more and they did every thing they could to help. There was no charge for this service. I have to say, there are not many corporations who would have done the same.

[Greysea74]

In Baltimore, the wheelchairs don't have to take the ramp. The go in the "employee" entrance & take the elevator up instead.

My mom and I sailed out of Baltimore in April, she was in a wheelchair and had a Carnival employee push her up the gangway.

[goldenk]

Have you been on a flight lately? EVERYONE has a wheelchair or is disabled at boarding.... but watch the when it's time to disembark... The abuse on Carnival would be just as MASSIVE...

 

No, Handicap should not get priority boarding. Yes, they should get help or a wheelchair, but priority.... no.

 

Reminds me of early January, when the first large storms were in the northeast. Our company, based in Orlando, scheduled a trip to Cancun. The storm hit, many upset people wanting to go North. Cancun was rainy and a very small airport. One woman, who said she was from New York, wanted to get onto the Orlando plane. Next thing you know, she brings a daughter in a wheelchair and JetBlue puts their family on our plane. As soon as the plane was in the air, the daughter in the wheelchair got up and walked to the bathroom. I realized she was wearing high heels then and just shook my head.

 

I could see abuse happening. Especially on that long first walk to the cabin. But, that walk is worth it :)

[TheCalicoCat]

My mom and I sailed out of Baltimore in April, she was in a wheelchair and had a Carnival employee push her up the gangway.

 

My experience was on RCCL in Baltimore. I assumed it was the same on Carnival. (I did not notice when I sailed on the Pride.)

[GatorGirl57]

This is just a misunderstanding, as others have said. If you arrive at regular boarding time with a handicapped person and asked for assistance, they will quickly take you through all the lines. My great-grandmother has done it because she cannot stand for a long time. Priority boarding is another animal, and I would not expect handicapped people get to board when platinum/diamond or FTTF people board. Alternately, as others have mentioned, just get there around 1 PM or later. That is what I always do when I cruise, and it is amazing. No lines.

[crusinpsychRN]

Would you mind telling me the port where there is free parking? That would be helpful in our planning. I know of Charleston and have heard of Miami. One other (Port Canaveral perhaps?) offers it if the vehicle has special equipment, I understand.

 

Many thanks.

 

Kathy

 

Tampa.

[goaties]

Well, Let me tell you in March 2012, we took my mom who had just been diagosed with lung cancer, and no, she did never smoke in her life, and she was the 1% that got small cell lung cancer. Before we started chemo and radiation we already had the cruise for her scheduled and we went ahead and took her. We did not know it would be her last.

Anyway we were in line waiting and a nice Carnival employee came and asked if Mom needed assistance. I guess she had the look of worried about the line. He put her in a wheelchair and took her all the way to the lido deck and put her in a chair for lunch. We were so impressed. No we never asked to go ahead of the others waiting in line. We were waiting to board and so were 100's of others. It did amaze me that there were so many rude people that would not get out of the way with him coming thru with a wheelchair and us following behind. He was saying excuse me and steadily pushing her on to the ship. In Carnival's defense it was very much appreciated. We lost mom after 6 months of cancer treatments and we were so pleased she go to go on her third cruise. We wouldn't take for that week. She loved Keywest and got to eat keylime pie. If you need a wheelchair you can ask.

[goaties]

Well, Let me tell you in March 2012, we took my mom who had just been diagosed with lung cancer, and no, she did never smoke in her life, and she was the 1% that got small cell lung cancer. Before we started chemo and radiation we already had the cruise for her scheduled and we went ahead and took her. We did not know it would be her last.

Anyway we were in line waiting and a nice Carnival employee came and asked if Mom needed assistance. I guess she had the look of worried about the line. He put her in a wheelchair and took her all the way to the lido deck and put her in a chair for lunch. We were so impressed. No we never asked to go ahead of the others waiting in line. We were waiting to board and so were 100's of others. It did amaze me that there were so many rude people that would not get out of the way with him coming thru with a wheelchair and us following behind. He was saying excuse me and steadily pushing her on to the ship. In Carnival's defense it was very much appreciated. We lost mom after 6 months of cancer treatments and we were so pleased she got to go on her third cruise. We wouldn't take for that week. She loved Keywest and got to eat keylime pie. If you need a wheelchair you can ask.

[goaties]

oops duplicate for some reason.

[Elaine5715]

Totally disagree with this. A handicapped person can't have the same experience as a non handicapped. How about everyone use a wheelchair so that everyone can have the same experience. I have an idea, spend a week in a wheelchair an see if those steps and that place without an automatic door and that bathroom stall that the door doesn't lock let's you have the same experience as a non handicapped person.

 

I can tell lots of people on here don't have a clue what it's like to be truly handicapped or taken care of a handicapped person.

 

Hey I guess the people with autistic kids who have sensory issues shouldn't be given a special place to wait because that would be pity and they can just wait with everyone else, I mean they aren't special, right? They have NO right to have a private place or a quiet place because all the noise and crowds gets on my nerves too and I am just as special. (Of course I don't really believe that) I can walk, I am happy and I don't mind not being first or waiting...Heck we wait for platinum's and suites and I much rather wait on handicapped.

 

it isn't "the handicapped". Please refer to individuals with a disabilities with People First language. http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2523

That assumption about kids with autism who need a "special place" because of all the noise?...So, you believe these kids must be hurried past that waiting room to get on a ship with the same amount of people? Do you then think they must stay in their cabin the entire cruise as to avoid these same people in the halls, MDR, pools and on Lido? This concept which is used frequently to skip lines continues to stigmatize individuals when they then try to seek employment, housing, schooling and even develop friendships throughout their lives. Folks who are not familiar or related to an individual on the Autism Spectrum Disorder read and hear about these misinformation and develop this misconception and then reinforce the differences, furthering isolating individuals. Some individuals with autism may have difficulty at times in specific situations but to assume segregation is necessary "because they are special" sets back our advocacy efforts.

[swanlady2000]

Do people in the USA still use the word handicap.. Its considered an offensive word in the UK?

[carrieluvsgreg]

You also have to consider the fact that there are those out there who would rent a wheelchair just to gain access to priority boarding if this was the practice of the cruise lines. I've seen it happen many times at amusement parks where they offer line skipping for handicapped guests. This type of behavior sickens me as my mother had muscular dystrophy and had to use a motorized wheelchair whenever she was out of the house. Someone who isn't handicapped has no idea what it's like to have to depend upon a chair/crutch/walker for any kind of mobility. To abuse and "fake it" to skip a line is horrible and they should be ashamed. The best solution really is to make the passageways and waiting areas large enough to accommodate guests with special needs. If a guest can not walk or stand for any amount of time they just need a complimentary wheelchair supplied to them and then they should be able to wait and board when it's their turn.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[ch27088]

My husband is legally blind in one eye and when I called Carnival, I was told that we would could board early and about paying. I could be wrong, but again no one said anything to me and we even have letters from Carnival noting that he is disabled and no mention of paying anything separate. I did mention to them that we wanted to board early because it's difficult for him in crowds since he doesn't see well. We'll see what happens when we get there!