Third-Party Tour Guides Scramble To Make Ends Meet After Being Banned From Disney World
In recent months, Disney World has begun cracking down on independent third-party tour guides who have made a living by helping visitors navigate the parks.
Many of these third-party tour operators say that they have worked for decades in the Florida parks without an issue. Despite not having a formal agreement with Disney, they have been allowed to provide their services.
As the parks have become more complex, visitors have increasingly relied on guides to help them plan and execute their vacations.
“No one ever thought this would happen,” said Alayna Crutchfield, who owns Elevate Amusement. “We would like a seat at the table. They’ve really knocked out every bit of ability that we have to fight this.”
Banned While Trying to Enter the Parks
In a recent expose in the Washington Post, many third-party operators revealed that they were banned from Disney World while trying to enter the parks.
Melinda Hanks, for example, who has helped families plan the perfect Disney vacation for 15 years, found out while trying to meet a client inside Magic Kingdom.
“I’m not some criminal,” Hanks recalls telling security officers.
“Disney is everything to me; it’s my entire life,” she said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Disney’s enforcement of its rules that prohibit commercial activities has led some operators to look for new jobs, focus on non-Disney operations, or even leave Florida altogether.
Disney Says There Has Been “A Significant Increase in Rule Violations”
According to Disney, there has been a “significant increase in these rule violations.” Some of these operators, Disney said, have sold unauthorized Disney Services like Genie+, Disability Access Service, and dining and lodging reservations.
Walt Disney World sign. Photo: Greg Angel/Spectrum News 13
“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,” a spokesperson wrote. “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.”
An Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said that the trespass orders are issued at the discretion of Disney. Once it is determined that Disney has issued the order, the standard procedure is to issue a warning. Failure to comply can then lead to additional law enforcement measures.
Orange County Sheriff. Photo: www.ocso.com
“We don’t inquire about someone’s occupation, reasons why the person is on the property, or any ancillary information,” the spokesperson said.
The Bans Could Be Lifted In A Year
The ban issued to the third-party tour operators extends to all Walt Disney World properties. This includes “Theme Parks, Water Parks, Resorts, and Disney Springs,” according to the trespassing notices.
After contacting Disney in hopes of lifting her ban, Crutchfield received a notice in the mail that she could pay her ban in a year.
Disney Springs. Photo: Christy Weinberg
“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,” the letter said. It was signed by Disney World security vice president Linda Reid.
“I Love Disney — I Want to Work With Disney”
While several operators have looked into potential legal options to lift their trespassing bans, Disney World’s Annual Pass contract waives holders right to file a lawsuit.
Photo: Disney
Eventually, Crutchfield closed her business and accepted a job in Little Rock. Hanks, meanwhile, still feels anxiety about having to change her livelihood in a matter of weeks.
Also The Walt Disney Company
“It almost just feels like this was taken away from us,” she said. “I love Disney — I want to work with Disney.”
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