A group of families suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts over its new policies for people with disabilities, such as autism, has suffered a setback.
The plaintiffs must file individual lawsuits, a federal judge has ruled.
The lawsuits was moved to Orlando federal court recently from California. Judge Anne Conway said late last month the plaintiffs’ claims are too diverse to handle in one lawsuit.
“The developmentally disabled Plaintiffs face differing cognitive impairments — ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, etc. — and their symptoms manifest in different ways and in response to different stimuli,” Conway wrote. “Some of the families appear to own Disney annual passes, and encounter (the new policy) frequently, while others claim to have visited a Disney park on only one occasion. The common law allegations are similarly diverse: some families bought one-time-use tickets, sustaining economic damages of only a few hundred dollars, while other families own Disney time shares or annual passes, or spent thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation. Some Plaintiffs visited Disneyland, in California, while most visited Disney World, in Orlando.”
The original lawsuit had 26 plaintiffs from 14 families. Thirteen of the families can file individual lawsuits by Nov. 21, Conway ruled. The attorney representing the families, Andy Dogali, wanted to add dozens more plaintiffs. They all must file individually as well.
The suit alleges that Disney’s Disability Access Service, which began in 2013, discriminates against autistic children because it no longer allows them to go to the front of lines. It gives them a return time instead.
Analysts weigh in on Disney
Analysts are looking toward the Walt Disney Co.’s upcoming fiscal year with a little caution after last week’s earnings report that wrapped up a record year.
Disney will have a high bar to meet after a strong year that included the success of “Frozen.” The company is also facing higher sports-rights costs at ESPN and greater pension expenses.
“We think as a result of tough film comps and sports costs step-up at the cable networks, EPS growth will decelerate in FY15 and the stock could slow down,” analyst Vasily Karasyov of Sterne Agee wrote.
Also, TV ad growth was below expectations and does not appear to be recovering, and parks capital expenditures are expected to ramp up with the final efforts to open the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Dolphin hotel work moved back
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has pushed back the completion date for its renovation by a year.
A spokeswoman said in an email the Swan and Dolphin adjusted the timeline “after further review of hotel occupancy projections and construction timelines.”
Renovation of the Dolphin will begin in 2016 with completion scheduled for the end of 2017. Originally, it was to begin in 2015 and be finished at the end of 2016.
The Swan portion is still on track to be completed in 2015.
SeaWorld will get I Drive award
The International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce will present its “2014 Visionary Leadership Award” to SeaWorld at its annual meeting luncheon Friday.
“SeaWorld is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and we felt it fitting to recognize this amazing theme park and all they have done to enhance our community through their leadership and vision as a world-class resort destination. SeaWorld’s animal-research team and animal-rescue efforts are second to none in the world,” chamber president and chief executive officer Maria Triscari said in a press release.
Visit Orlando hires new VP
Visit Orlando recently has hired Stephanie Naegele as Vice President of Convention Sales Operations.
In this new role, Naegele will be responsible for leading the day-to-day sales and administrative efforts for the Business Development, Diversity Markets, Strategic Accounts and Pharmaceutical Sales teams.
Naegele comes to Visit Orlando from Marriott International.
Universal to honor veterans
Universal Orlando Resort’s Veterans Network, comprised of more than 400 team members, will march in a special parade at Universal Studios Florida on Monday.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. in front of Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue.
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