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As first reported in October, Walt Disney World started clamping down on third-party guest tours in its theme parks.
These tour guides were met by park security when they entered the park, were given a trespass notice, and were told to leave the park. These tour guides have worked in Disney World for decades, while Disney turned a blind eye to their practices. They provide guests with a lower-cost alternative to the Disney guided tours, which can cost $450-$900 an hour, depending on the season.
Credit: Disney
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With Disney World becoming more complicated recently, many guests have turned to third-party tour guides to help them navigate their Disney vacation. These tour guides are not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company and, technically, are breaking the company’s rules. However, they have been allowed to operate in the parks without issues. That is until recently.
Trespassing at Disney World
But now, these people, who clearly love Disney, have been trespassed from Disney Parks and are not allowed to return to any park, hotel, or restaurant in the Walt Disney World Resort. They are desperately trying to get themselves allowed back on the property. But many of them have found the process difficult, if not impossible.
Alayan Crutchfield, who owns Elevate Amusement and was recently trespassed from Disney World, told the Washington Post:
No one ever thought this would happen. We would like a seat at the table. They’ve really knocked out every bit of ability that we have to fight this.
Credit: Disney
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Crutchfield was banned from the Parks on October 5 while trying to enter with a friend. She was escorted off the property by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office told the Washington Post that it was entirely up to the property owner who is allowed or not allowed on their property. Once they are removed, it is up to the property owner to determine when those people will be allowed back.
Crutchfield reached out to Disney to resolve this issue and hoped to be allowed back into the Disney Parks for her benefit, not as a tour guide. She received a letter from Walt Disney World security vice president Linda Reid. It read in part:
We reviewed your request and the information concerning the conduct that resulted in the trespass being issued against you. Regrettably, we decline to lift the trespass at this time.
Abused the System?
For their part, Disney argues that these third-party tour guides have abused the system, including helping guests circumvent the Disability Access Service, which allows guests with disabilities to skip the line. Reports have surfaced that guests are instructed to tell Disney World that they have fake diseases or illnesses to skip the line.
Images Credit: Disney
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A Disney spokesperson told the Post:
When this activity happens, it impacts the experience of other guests following the rules — including our guests with disabilities — and impedes our theme park operations. Just like Starbucks would not permit a third party to come into their stores to sell coffee to their customers, Disney does not permit unauthorized commercial activities in its theme parks.
These third-party tour guides find themselves outside, looking in at Disney World. Disney sees it as a prohibited activity, violating their park policy and not allowing unauthorized solicitations within the parks. However, the tour guides see it as an opportunity to share Disney theme parks with people who would not have otherwise been able to afford a guided tour.
So, what’s next for third-party Disney tour guides?
They will not be allowed back in a Disney Park for at least the following year. And after that, it is up to the Walt Disney World Resort if they can get back in. And their careers as unauthorized tour guides are seemingly over.
Do you believe third-party Disney tour guides should be banned? Let us know in the comments.
Zero sympathy, especially if they were abusing the disability pass, and I’m betting they were doing just that. Break the rules and eventually it catches up to you.
They weren’t trying to share the Disney experience. They were making money. Disney has never liked anyone else making money from their business. Just because they got away with it for so long doesn’t mean it was right to do. Disney’s property – Disney’s rules.
I agree with the ban but how does Disney know about these people? How do they distinguish them from regular guests? It seems that one woman was there with a friend. Why was she singled out? Just curious.
Great job Disney!
I agree with that they have gotten by this far and now Disney has finally maybe had enough? And to use the DAS dishonestly is wrong by all accounts!! Enough is enough of Al these people trying to “Game the System” well got news for them! Karma found you! Stop ruining it for the honest Disney Lovers!
Yea. They were not simply allowing others to have a great disney experience,, they made money off it. And if they helped people circumvent the DAS system. They should never be let back on property… Just ask those that really need that service if someone should be abusing it…
Plus. And this is 100% speculation.They were probably bragging about making money in this way. Or out and out advertising their services…the company has the right to protect itself and it’s brand,,. I think they should crackdown on these people that buy up merchandise to turnaround and resell it on a popular auction site,,,
Then why are these social media influences who make their money the same way, still allowed in? And they are a lot more annoying than amateur tour guides.