We had a thread a few weeks ago about the hiring of disabled to basically skip the wait times in lines at Disney World. The question was asked in the thread why should the disabled automatically go to the front of the line. I thought it was a valid question, but it never was really discussed in the thread.

 

Now we have this story in today's Enquirer about Kings Island now enforcing a policy that was supposedly in place for years. Below is part of the story. Thoughts?

 

Parents are taking to Facebook and online support groups to express frustration with what they say is a policy change at Kings Island that doesn’t accommodate the special needs of autistic children.

In recent years, the Mason amusement park permitted riders with disabilities to enter a ride area with a companion through an alternate entrance and ride after just a brief wait, parents say.

That changed this summer when the park began requiring disabled riders to request a boarding time – equal to a ride’s anticipated wait time for all guests in line – and return at the designated time.

The policy change presents problems for children with autism, who thrive on routine and order and have difficulty waiting, in or out of line, parents say.

Officials from Kings Island’s parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., say the boarding pass policy has always been in effect but may have been inconsistently enforced at the 11 amusement parks it owns nationwide.

The only change this year is that all parks must abide by the policy, said spokeswoman Stacy Frole.

Bill Shepherd of Mason makes up to 15 excursions to Kings Island each summer with his autistic son, Gage, 20, who struggles with crippling anxiety and impulse and aggression issues. Shepherd says the boarding pass policy doesn’t work for people with autism spectrum disorders.

“Once Gage discovered he couldn’t get on, he was biting his hand, angry and lashing out,’’ he said. “He mostly hurts himself, but he scares everyone around him.”

 

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130613/NEWS01/306130041/Kings-Island-angers-special-needs-parents

I actually don't see a problem with it, but I am not an autism expert so I don't know how much that affects their behaviour.

If the wait to ride at KI is too long then maybe KI is not the place to take a child that cannot wait. I do not mean to sound insensitive, but my 5th old doesn't like putting her head under water at the pool, so we keep her in the baby pool.

I see no problem with allowing such kids to board ahead of the rest of us.

If the wait to ride at KI is too long then maybe KI is not the place to take a child that cannot wait. I do not mean to sound insensitive, but my 5th old doesn't like putting her head under water at the pool, so we keep her in the baby pool.

 

 

I know i'll sound like an apologist, but having a child with autism (anyhwere on the spectrum) is NOTHING like having a kid with a few quirks. Kid's can grow out of quirks, autism is always there. The comparison may seem apples to apples, but it's apples to robots. You can't discipline autsim out of a kid, it's there, and a lot of acommodations have to be made in your life to prevent major public meltdowns and issues. It's a brain issue, not behavior.

 

 

That said. I actually like this policy. I think it eliminates the "rental of special needs" kids for the entitled folk among us, and think this is a fair compromise to those of us who wait in line.

If the wait to ride at KI is too long then maybe KI is not the place to take a child that cannot wait. I do not mean to sound insensitive, but my 5th old doesn't like putting her head under water at the pool, so we keep her in the baby pool.

 

 

This is my thought process. My question is if you know your child has autism and it may be an issue if you have to wait in line then why go to Kings Island? Is there not somewhere else to go if this policy is that much of an issue?

I know i'll sound like an apologist, but having a child with autism (anyhwere on the spectrum) is NOTHING like having a kid with a few quirks. Kid's can grow out of quirks, autism is always there. The comparison may seem apples to apples, but it's apples to robots. You can't discipline autsim out of a kid, it's there, and a lot of acommodations have to be made in your life to prevent major public meltdowns and issues. It's a brain issue, not behavior.

 

 

That said. I actually like this policy. I think it eliminates the "rental of special needs" kids for the entitled folk among us, and think this is a fair compromise to those of us who wait in line.

 

This helps me out some with my question and you may be able to answer it for me since you have personal experience. I like the policy also partly for what you stated. For the people upset with the policy being enforced do they have to go to Kings Island and what changes to the policy other than allowing them to the front of the line could be done to make it easier for families with kids that have autism? I see both sides and have no problem either way but I do feel like the park isn't doing anything wrong with enforcing their policy.

This is my thought process. My question is if you know your child has autism and it may be an issue if you have to wait in line then why go to Kings Island? Is there not somewhere else to go if this policy is that much of an issue?

 

This is exactly what I was trying to say...

If the wait to ride at KI is too long then maybe KI is not the place to take a child that cannot wait. I do not mean to sound insensitive, but my 5th old doesn't like putting her head under water at the pool, so we keep her in the baby pool.

 

I agree. I don't see a problem with putting your name on a list at a specific time to ride the ride. If that is going to be a problem then maybe KI isn't the place to bring the child in the first place. There are other places I'm sure you cold go.

I think I was the one that asked the question in the old thread.

 

I have mixed feelings on the subject. On one hand, I have no problem if a kid with a disability jumps to the front of the line. On the other, I think they need/want to be treated similarly to all of the other kids (as much as possible).

 

One thing is certain: not good publicity for Kings Island.

I do not know a lot about autism but do know a family that has an autistic child. It seems that there are a restricted amount of things that bring joy to an autistic child, so if riding rides at Kings Island does that, not bringing that child to the park should not be a solution. We all get frustrated by individuals who take advantage of rules put in place to help the less fortunate but I will gladly deal with that rather than have these kids not be able to enjoy the park. The rule sounds reasonable for most special needs kids but maybe not autistic kids, Kings Island needs to review the policy.

I do have an autistic child and I'm fine with the policy. It is still very easy to keep the child occupied while you wait for your place in line. I will admit that our son is very high functioning and we've never taken advantage of the policy as I've always thought of the policy as being for more physically handicapped patrons. We just make sure he has plenty to keep him occupied while we wait in line. I do agree that many people seem to want their child to be treated like everyone else but still want their special privileges also.

I do not know a lot about autism but do know a family that has an autistic child. It seems that there are a restricted amount of things that bring joy to an autistic child, so if riding rides at Kings Island does that, not bringing that child to the park should not be a solution. We all get frustrated by individuals who take advantage of rules put in place to help the less fortunate but I will gladly deal with that rather than have these kids not be able to enjoy the park. The rule sounds reasonable for most special needs kids but maybe not autistic kids, Kings Island needs to review the policy.

 

I understand your position on this subject, but at the same time, knowing how crowded KI can get especially when school is out, wouldn't a better alternative be something like Coney Island or another amusement park with less people and shorter lines as long as they can enjoy the same type of rides?

 

I applaud anyone that has to work with any child with a disability, autism especially. It must be a very difficult situation. I personally never had any problem with anyone getting to go to the front of the line with a handicapped child etc.

I understand your position on this subject, but at the same time, knowing how crowded KI can get especially when school is out, wouldn't a better alternative be something like Coney Island or another amusement park with less people and shorter lines as long as they can enjoy the same type of rides?

 

I applaud anyone that has to work with any child with a disability, autism especially. It must be a very difficult situation. I personally never had any problem with anyone getting to go to the front of the line with a handicapped child etc.

 

I understand and for families with smaller children Coney may be an option but what about the teenagers that no longer get the same level of enjoyment from the smaller rides? I just hate that we are now causing issues for these families because some people are looking for ways around the rules.

I understand it costs a little more money but if this is really issue you can buy a Kings Island Fast Lane:

 

FAST LANE & FAST LANE PLUS

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https://www.visitkingsisland.com/things-to-do/fast-lane