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Just last month we learned Disney banned several third-party tour guides from its parks. These tour guides were conducting unauthorized commercial activity on property. Now, Disney released a statement regarding the trespasses they issued.
Trespassed
According to Insider, many third-party tour guides received trespass notices from Disney this past fall. One such guide recalls how he was pulled out of line by security while waiting to enter the park with his clients.
Disney told him he was permanently banned from all Disney Parks but could appeal one year later. Why? Because he conducted unauthorized commercial activities on property.
And, he’s not the only one. Several other third-party guides tell Insider they received similar notices. They are distraught because they have been able to earn a living for years and years with no issue. The guides want to work with Disney for a solution but are receiving no response from Disney.
Read our full story HERE.
Why?
Not only are these tour guides acting in an illegal manner, but a Disney spokesperson previously told Insider many of these third-party tour guides relied on DAS. Instead of putting in the work to get Genie+ return times and have a really great touring strategy for clients, these guides are relying on DAS to help them get through the parks.
The spokesperson said there is an uptick in abuses of DAS and other services, “which impede park operations.”
Of course, this third-party business also impacts Disney business. Disney has its own version of tour guides, but they are significantly more expensive than third-party guides.
Disney VIP tour guides provide snacks, front row seats for shows, and private transportation to the parks. Pricing can range anywhere from $200 to $800/hour depending on the time of travel. These are all things third-party vendors cannot supply.
Disney Speaks Out
Disney spoke with The Washington Post and confirmed they trespassed several third-party tour guides. Disney World officials are taking additional steps to enforce rules because of a “significant increase in these rule violations.”
According to Disney, these vendors sold services like Genie+, Disability Access Service, dining and hotel reservations, and more.
“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.”
Have you ever had an experience with a third-party tour guide? Let us know in the comments below, and share this post with another Disney Parks fan.
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