For many people with disabilities, independence is a hard-won freedom. So it is incredibly frustrating when things go wrong. Andrea Dalzell, an award-winning human and disability rights advocate, recently found herself in a frustrating position during a solo trip to the Walt Disney World resort. Posting as theseatednurse, she shared her experience at the Caribbean Beach resort on Instagram and TikTok, garnering over 250,000 views in just one day.
A wheelchair user, Andrea had arrived at her hotel expecting that her room would meet the basic standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. As she claimed in the caption of her post, “Disney is pushing the magic of solo travel… but apparently that magic has limits when you’re disabled. My “accessible” room at Caribbean Beach has a thermostat I can’t reach, curtains I can’t access, controls above my reach, a coffee setup I can’t independently use, and a heavy door that makes getting in with bags a struggle.”
In the footage, Andrea is fighting tears as she stated, “I’m crashing out of Disney. I’m crashing out. I don’t understand.” She then wheeled herself across her room to point out those same issues. Things got worse when she spoke to her cast member about the issue. She summarized their reaction in the caption, alleging, “When I spoke up, I was told accessibility is mostly about the shower and bed — and that “handicapped people usually have someone with them.”
The response angered her
Andrea went on to write, “Disabled people travel solo too. We are not automatically accompanied by caregivers, family, or partners. I can navigate Disney World independently. I should be able to independently use the room I’m paying to stay in. Accessibility should not require another person.”
Despite the cast member’s claim, in the video, she pointed out how the shower, too, wasn’t usable without her getting completely wet. In a different case, a bride shared how calling out her venue over accessibility resulted in them allegedly sabotaging her path up the aisle.
This is especially surprising given that Walt Disney World is widely considered one of the most accessible theme park resorts in the world. According to Theme Park Direct, the resort has invested heavily in accessibility, featuring step-free access across all four theme parks, wheelchair and electric scooter rentals, and a dedicated Disability Access Service for guests who cannot wait in standard queues.
They noted that the resort is built to welcome guests with mobility needs, with accessible ride vehicles and companion restrooms scattered throughout the property. The My Disney Experience app even lists access details for every attraction to help guests plan their day. However, as Andrea’s experience demonstrates, having accessible parks doesn’t always mean the hotel experience matches that same level of care.
After her initial struggle, she uploaded an update. As she was talking about a horrible experience with a manager, she got to speak with a resort manager who was actually empathetic and listened to her concerns. Andrea claimed that this manager began the process of moving her to a different room.
Then she created a third video, detailing that she had been moved to a new room that she described as better. However, the experience had already taken its toll. She told TikTok, “Disney has zapped my magic, like all of it.”
She alleged, “What I think misses the mark is that there is no standard across the board. And because there’s no standard and no understanding of how disabled people use the space technically, I’m zapped. I’m tired. I’m considering leaving early, losing all of my money. Yeah.”
The support she received from her followers was overwhelming. Many people, including those who do not identify as disabled, expressed that they had never considered the challenges of solo travel for wheelchair users. Many validated her concerns, with one writing, “Damn girl all valid points. Crash out warranted. They need to fix that and compensate you for all your stress.”
Another commenter, who also identified as disabled, wrote, “The end is the WORST! I HATE when able bodied people deny our lived experiences and knowledge of what is and isn’t accessible for us. Like how dare she try to argue with what you’re experiencing in the moment!!” In a different instance, an LA bus driver allegedly denied a wheelchair user access to the bus ramp.
One commenter, who identified as a travel advisor, expressed their apologies and suggested that Disney is usually much better than this, urging guests to call for management if they encounter similar issues. Quite a few viewers thanked her for illustrating all the ways a room could be inaccessible.
Published: Aug 23, 2026 05:18 am