Just got back from going to Disneyland for the first time since renewing my annual pass, and I was wondering if anyone has had similar problems here, at Disney World, or even other theme parks.

I've found that, more often than not, Disneyland employees will use your legal name any time it is provided to them. When they scan your annual pass, they will refer to you by the name on it. When you pay with a credit card, they will refer to you by the name on it. This happens to me even now that I am passing more often than not. It is a really dangerous situation for people who are with friends they are not out to, or even just in general, being around so many strangers. However, no matter how many times I explain this to them, it never seems to change or click with them just how potentially dangerous it is.

Last time I had a season pass, I talked to guest services about it. They allowed me to put a preferred name on my pass in addition to my legal name, which was a step in the right direction (so the pass said Nate [legal first name] [legal last name].) When they scanned my pass, it actually would come up as just N [last name], so they didn't call me by any name (which was fine by me). However, I've renewed my pass since then, and tonight I was told they wouldn't do it again. They kept telling me that my pass name needed to match my ID in case there were problems, which I understand, but she didn't seem to understand no matter how many times I explained it that my legal name IS on the pass, just in addition to my preferred name. Her supervisor stood there the whole time and stared at me like I was going to make a scene.

My boyfriend still has his preferred name on his pass, so we showed them his, but they wouldn't budge unless I had some legal document with my preferred name, which says to me that they clearly have no idea how to deal with this situation. Regardless, even with my preferred name on my pass, my legal name was still being used off of my credit card and ID. I've taken to just making sure I have cash to pay for lunch because every time I use my card, I risk being outed.

The employees have even tried to argue with us at times we've tried to gently correct them or ask us not to use legal names. A lady working the turnstile called my boyfriend "princess" as he came in, and when he tried to correct her nicely, she got uppity and asked for an ID - as if he'd stolen his pass or something. When he continued to try to explain, she cut him off and said "OK princess, have fun" and turned away from us. Thankfully we got a name and complained, and the employees we complained to were much nicer, but the ones that are understanding about it are a rarity.

I really want to bring more friends to Disneyland with me, but it's become more stressful than it's worth, when Disneyland is supposed to be the happiest place on earth. I was wondering if other people have had similar difficulties and if they've had any success in getting employees to stop throwing their name around. I want to make an official/formal complaint to someone higher up, but I don't know where to turn or even if my voice will be heard at all in such a big company.

Hello, I have never experienced the situation you had to go through. Realize that people are going to be people, everyone isn't nice especially when it comes to the trans community. So I am so sorry you have to go through that, but you have an option, stop going to Disney land! Don't spend your money where you aren't respected.   

Disney World I don't think has the same problem.  I worked there (although this was back in 2008).  The reason for the legal name is because of how many people try to get people's tickets and use them without paying.  So, because of that, they have to have a way to tie it to you.  I know it is irritating and there probably should be a change somewhere, but I don't think there would be as much of an issue at World. 

I've not had any issues at Disneyland.  My ID is still male and the name on the pass is my male legal name, but I'm always referred to as female by the staff (photo is totally girl though ).  Staff have always been pleasant.  I have got a funny look occasionally, follow by something like "I've never seen Michael as a girl's name before!".

Quote from: Darkie on October 02, 2013, 05:47:42 PM
Disney World I don't think has the same problem.  I worked there (although this was back in 2008).  The reason for the legal name is because of how many people try to get people's tickets and use them without paying.  So, because of that, they have to have a way to tie it to you.  I know it is irritating and there probably should be a change somewhere, but I don't think there would be as much of an issue at World.

^^^ This!

It's more to do with not matching legal name on other ID.  If they did this for you, how do they know you don't actually have a brother called your preferred name and you're sharing it?  This will be their concern with this practice.  If you don't actually have something issued by the government that specified your preferred name as legit, then this is a conclusion they can draw.  Tickets and ticket scalping is a concern for places like Disneyland.  Heck, before my name change came through I had to ensure a local concert ticket was put under my legal female name because I had to show my ID to get the ticket.  And that wasn't even a major concert!  Disney would have 10x the concern of this silly little concert.

If this is a big issue for you and you're passing, is there any way for you to just go ahead and get the name change to make it all legit and avoid the problem?