Make-a-Wish Kid Allegedly Denied Wheelchair and “Kicked out” of Disney Park

The aunt of a Make-A-Wish Kid has taken to TikTok to share a startling rundown of their not-so-magical Disney experience.

TikTok user @mothermayyyi recently took to the social media platform to share a disheartening and unexpected experience they had during their visit to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. In her TikTok video, she recounted a series of unfortunate incidents that made their Disney experience far from the magical one they had hoped for.

Distraught Aunt Shares Disappointing Disney Experience

According to the aunt’s video, which was reported on by Inside the Magic, the group encountered various difficulties throughout their trip. One of the most distressing aspects was the alleged neglect they experienced from the Cast Members and Disney character performers at throughout the Park. This lack of attention left them feeling ignored and took away from the joy and excitement they had anticipated.

This TikToker had assumed that Cast Members and character performers would make an extra effort to make her nephew feel special due to his Make-a-Wish status. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case. In the video, she said,

“Zero people made a big deal about him, Zero people had acknowledged him. It was terrible.”

Another issue the aunt mentioned was that they had faced challenges in obtaining a wheelchair rental. It is important to note that accessibility should be a priority for all Guests, especially those with disabilities or mobility issues. However, in this case, it seems the family had difficulty accessing the necessary resources to ensure a comfortable visit.

According to the aunt, Disney Cast Members informed them that all of the wheelchairs were reserved, leaving her nephew with no other option than to go about Disneyland Park without one. She claimed,

“Then we go down to get my nephew’s wheelchair that he needs for Disneyland Park. It’s for a toddler. He’s 12 years old… Then they say, ‘We’re sorry. We’re all booked up on reservations for wheelchairs. They’re all reserved right now.’ So he has to go through the park with no wheelchair.”

Related: Disney Marks 150,000th Wish Granted For Make-A-Wish Kids With Critical Illnesses

Make-a-Wish Family “Kicked out” Due to Evening Event

Adding to their disappointment, the family was unexpectedly informed that they had to leave the Park early due to the start of the “Oogie Boogie Bash” event. This event takes place at Disney California Adventure Park on select nights throughout September and October. On an event night, Guests without a ticket are asked to leave the Park early. The aunt shared their experience, saying,

“We get in there; we get to spend an hour in there, and they kick us out because of Oogie Boogie [Bash]… ‘Oh, you don’t have a ticket for Oogie Boogie Fest? We’re closing down the whole park.’ And they kick us out. We had to leave Disney around 6:30 and come back to the hotel, which was super sad for him, and it was just super disappointing.”

It is crucial to recognize the impact of such experiences on families and individuals who are already facing challenging circumstances. For a child with a life-threatening illness, a trip to Disneyland through the Make-A-Wish Foundation is meant to be a beacon of hope, joy, and escape from their daily struggles. When these expectations are not met, it can dampen the spirit of the entire Disney park experience.

While it’s essential to acknowledge that this TikTok video shares one perspective of a particular visit, it highlights the importance of providing exceptional service and attention to families and individuals associated with the Make A Wish Foundation. Each ‘wish kid’ visit is an opportunity to create a magical and memorable experience that goes beyond regular Guest interactions.

Hearing about this aunt’s account of their less-than-magical experience at Disneyland Resort is disheartening. This story serves as a reminder for all involved in the Make-A-Wish program to continually strive for excellence in providing the utmost care and attention to these special Guests. By doing so, they can ensure that every wish child’s dream comes true, leaving them with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

This post originally appeared on Disney Dining.