Disney World Resort Florida

Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida is the world’s most visited entertainment complex with more than fifty-two million visitors each year (Weinberg, 2016). The resort is comprised of four theme parks, two water parks, and twenty-seven hotels, a shopping district, and more. Planning for the Disney World resort began in 1959, following the success of the Disneyland Resort in California. In 1964, Walt Disney selected Florida as the location for this new resort, as it possessed a climate where the park could operate year round. Although Disney passed away in 1966, his brother Roy took over the project for him and oversaw construction of the resort. The first theme park at the Disney World resort, Magic Kingdom, opened on October

The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all private and public places that are open to the general public. Despite being in operation before the ADA, an agreement between the United States and the Walt Disney World Company states that Disney World was already “committed to meeting the needs of its guests with disabilities, and had been recognized as an innovator in that regard” (1997). In 1997, the Walt Disney Company signed an agreement under the ADA to ensure that appropriate services would be provided to guests with hearing impairments. As a result of this agreement, auxiliary aids are available to guests at every attraction at the theme parks. Guests at Magic Kingdom have access to a multitude of services such as captions, written transcripts, interpreters, and assistive listening systems. Prior to 2013, guests with disabilities were able to obtain a guest assistance pass, which allowed them to gain quicker access to attractions by using a different entrance from the main line. This prevented guests with disabilities from being caught in the middle of a congested line in the event of a medical emergency or situation. The program came under fire after reports of able-bodied families hiring individuals with disabilities in order to obtain a guest assistance pass for their family’s trip (Hetter, 2013). As a result, Disney updated their

The park is often crowded and many of the rides and attractions have special effects such as bright lights, loud noises, smells, and darkness. Individuals with cognitive disorders, such as the autism spectrum, may become overwhelmed by these sensations if they have sensory difficulties (Heward, Alber-Morgan, Konrad, 2017). Individuals with autism may also have routines or rituals that can become interrupted by a vacation, causing them distress and anxiousness. It may also be difficult for these individuals to wait in line for long periods of time, as well as individuals with behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Another exceptional group that can be impacted are those with sensory disorders. Individuals with visual impairments will have a tougher time navigating the park than those guests without a visual impairment, as they cannot see barriers such as the trolley tracks, sidewalks, buildings and people around them. Individuals with a visual impairment who utilize a guide dog must be able to bring their service animal into the park in order to navigate. Those with hearing impairments may have communicating with workers and other guests at the park, hearing safety instructions, or be aware of the trolleys and carriages on the street. Individuals with any sensory impairment may not be able to experience