We are asking The Walt Disney Company to reconsider it's new policy regarding wheeled devices effective May 1, 2019.  We feel the policy should simply state: All wheeled devices must measure less than 31 inches width and 52 inches length.  Stroller type wagons must be pushed and must have a braking system.   Using this measurement standard and not limiting what type of correctly sized device is allowed would be a far more practical policy for several reasons: 

We understand that the theme parks are attempting to make reduce crowding and help the ease of walking around on busy days.  The addition of the new Star Wars attractions does pose a potential safety risk due to increased crowds in one area. However, this new rule needs to be considered in respects to accommodating the guests that are going to make up this crowd.  This new policy does not reduce the average size of wheeled devices, restricts access to the park for families with older children with special needs, places a burden on families with multiples and will be difficult for single adults to visit the park with several young children.   We feel that the goal of making the crowd safer was well intended but the details of the restrictions does not help crowding and presents challenges for many families. 

First of all, see the attached link.  Basic geometry states this policy will not work to reduce the size of wheeled devices:  Your new policy states a stroller of 31 inches wide and 52 inches long/deep is allowed YET you ban stroller wagons.  The two most popular brands of stroller wagons have a width of 22 inches and a length of 44-48 inches.  The area (the amount of space) the Disney-allowed stroller is allowed to take up is 1,612 square inches.  The average area of a stroller wagon is 1,012 square inches.   Seriously, you have some of the best and most talented engineers of any company on the planet: Ask one of them if 1600 square inches is less or smaller than 1000 square inches of space.   These stroller wagons do not take up more space!    

Disney's new policy versus standard measurements

Next: who is using these stroller wagons.   Yes, some people are using them as a stroller for one single child that would fit in a smaller device.  Yes, some people are using them to haul the clothes and food and diapers and whatever they have with them.   How could you possibly enforce a policy where people cannot bring a single or double stroller in the park if there isn't a child, typical or special needs, riding in it?  That may sound ridiculous but your new policy where 600 square inches of mass smaller device takes up more room than a larger device is just as impractical.   If you let one family in with a double stroller with an extended standing area in the back because you see three young children on it, how can you not allow the same stroller in the gates just because it isn't full to capacity.  ??  There is no reason nor any way to enforce this restriction without discriminating.   

Then there is the issue that actually has the Federal government on our side: The ADA law.  The ADA requires reasonable accommodations without discrimination.  When a child is younger and/or under 60 pounds it is easy to find a stroller or rent a stroller that would safely fit the child.  But when a child is bigger than 60 pounds, Disney rentals are not allowed.  Children are not allowed to rent ECVs at Disney parks. Parents of disabled children may not rent ECVs from Disney and allow big kids to sit on their laps.  Now, a loophole here is to rent a mobility scooter from an outside agency and then lap carry when you are out of said agencies site BUT there comes a point when an older child is simply too big for this.    Some insurance companies cover special needs strollers or wheelchairs for older children BUT no one pays for a wheelchair lift in a car any longer.   The point we are getting at here is that when the stroller wagon hit the market this opened a new level of accessibility for families with older kids with special needs.  We can put our children in the push wagon and spend a day at the park.

Now, Disney has required only push style wagons, AKA stroller wagons, be allowed citing safety issues.  Disney also requires the device has brakes.  There was no backlash to this rule because it is clearly a safety issue.  BUT banning the stroller wagons that, when real world non-fantasy geometry applies, are actually smaller than strollers without including a contingency that families requesting to use them as wheelchairs will be allowed in the park has no safety implications is making people very reactive and feel as if Disney is pushing them away: It clearly discriminates against families of special needs children. 

Also:  If Disney parks allows someone using an electric mobility scooter in to the park BUT does not allow someone using a stroller wagon as a manual mobility device of the same measurements as the electric device in the park, Disney will be violating the ADA accessibility law and discriminating: The ADA does not allow Disney to let only electric devices of certain measurements in:  Electric scooters that are 52 inches long, still in the allowable length of a stroller, are seen as the same thing as a manual device that is a bit shorter by the ADA.   Again, the policy does not make any sense because it is inconsistent.  A policy that restricts the width and length for all devices but does not require a certain type of device fits better in to the ADA law.  

Another factor to consider in scooters for teenagers/older children versus expensive pediatric wheelchairs versus stroller wagons in transportation to the park.  In an effort to reduce the crowds that did work, Disney raised the admission prices, raised parking prices and no longer allows parking to be added to most levels of annual passes (AKA season passes).  Disney makes no exception to this rule for ADA parking tags.   This rule makes families budget the trips to the park more wiser (less likely to go for only an hour or so) and also makes people consider other parking and transportation options.  Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber are affordable options unless you have a wheelchair or larger pediatric special needs stroller that does not fold.  Lyft and Uber do not have any ADA options.   ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) is just as expensive to take for a family of 4 as it is to park at Disney parking structures.  The point here is: The stroller wagons are light and fold compactly: They fit in Lyft and Uber trunks.  Again, this is much more accessible and usable for families with special needs kids that are older.  This is also an option for Disney guests that have several young children and want to rideshare or not drive to the park.  

Then there is the option of renting a wheelchair.  The width of the wheelchairs again makes this policy senseless (again, ask your engineers about mass and object permanence.  Things do not get smaller or bigger just because you don't like them.) The topic of putting a child in a wheelchair is not an easy task for parents of special needs kids: this issue is very deep rooted emotionally and not one that Disneyland cast members should be forcing people to do.  Also. older kids want to look more normal, like their peers: A wagon just looks more normal and typical than a wheelchair.  If you do not parent a child with a special need you may not understand this one but Disneyland needs to consider when pushing wheelchair rentals and saying that takes less space and improves foot traffic flow.  

In summary, Disney needs to readdress this new policy.  A general policy that all manual wheeled devices are no larger than 31 inches by 52 inches or 1600 square inches, must have brakes and must be pushed and not pulled is a more fair policy that is in compliance with the ADA and can be executed without having to give exception on a case by case basis.