Disney and Disability
Why We Go to Disney
If you know my family, you know we love to go to Disneyworld for our vacations. In fact, those who are familiar with us no longer inquire where we are going when we say we are going on vacation; they simply communicate openly.
“So y’all are going to Disney again?”
We don’t do this primarily because we fit the description of what some call “Disney adults”—a term often used to describe millennials who prefer Disney over other travel destinations. For us, it’s about our children and their unique needs. Disney offers thoughtful disability services that make these trips possible for our family. Disney's efforts to create a supportive environment for families like ours outweigh any imperfections and moments of frustration.
During this trip, we went to see Fantasmic, the fireworks show at Hollywood Studios. We usually sit in the handicap section near the front, which is phenomenal. It’s a beautiful show, and the handicap section gives our children enough space to express themselves without putting themselves in danger.
This time, though, the cast member at the entrance said the section was full and that we couldn’t go down. Erin and I immediately made eye contact, knowing we were about to have to advocate for our children.
He repeated that the section was full.
“I can see open spots,” I said.
"Well, you can walk him down there, but you can't bring this," he said, gesturing to our wagon.
We designate our son's wagon as a wheelchair. While our youngest can walk, his mobility is extremely limited, and our oldest is an elopement risk, meaning he frequently runs away and puts himself in danger. The wagon provides them with a safe place to sit and stay secure.
“You legally cannot separate my son from his mobility device,” Erin said firmly.
I made eye contact with her, silently acknowledging that this was the escalation point—we might have to go into full “Karen mode.”
“Would you like me to speak with my supervisor?” he asked, unprompted.
This was unusual. These conversations don’t typically go that smoothly. But here’s where Disney is different:
He came back a few minutes later and said, “I spoke with my supervisor, and they gave the okay. Come with me.”
We proceeded to sit in the open seats we had seen, and there were no further problems. Our boys had a fantastic time at the show in a safe place for them.
The key moment, though, happened as we were leaving. That same cast member chased us down and said, “Hey, I’m sorry for that misunderstanding. It was my fault. I’ll do better.”
That statement alone is what makes the difference. We all make mistakes. We fail. Sometimes, we sin in big ways and hurt people. What makes the difference in business—and in life—is the ability to humble ourselves, recognize our faults, and seek to grow from them.
Companies that do this earn trust and loyalty. People who do this earn respect.
Scripture expresses this truth in many ways, but Jesus states it clearly in Matthew 23:12: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
The church could learn a lesson here in how it handles mistakes. When we mess up as individuals, we must own it, acknowledge it, and grow. When we as a church fail to live up to Christ's calling, we must own it, seek forgiveness, and grow.