Anyone with a Disability experienced World of Color yet?

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Hi, I looked around but couldn't find a thread from someone who has experienced the show. I have posted a similar message in the disAbility section, but this section is a little more active - hope no one minds!

I'm wondering if anyone reading has experienced the show with a disability or with a group member who required assistance? What was it like? Was it chaotic? What do's and don'ts would you recommend?

My mother has MS and travels in a scooter, and my dad has temporary nerve damage in a leg due to a medical procedure and is using crutches, we will be visiting the resort in July and I'm not looking forward to trying to see the show!

Is it pointless to try and see the show if you do not have a Fast Pass? Thanks for any info!

 

[loliepop]

I've posted some information on the disability board regarding WOC and my research. I too have M.S and we'll be there the 6-10th of july. I've dove into the MyStery of WOC
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2490976

You will need a fastpass to access the wheelchair entrance of the colored areas, however the CM I spoke to gave me the impression that I need not be one of the first in line to have seating access, they'll go down the line 20-30min prior and escort guests requiring seating. If you're not planning on getting to the park early for a FP ordering the picnic gives you the same access. Online picnic ordering also give a FP to the first showing, if energy wains as the day goes on this may be your best option.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I have posted my experience at WoC in a wheelchair on several posts. I hope this information helps

When we lined up with our color section, they went through the queue and pulled guests (and their friends/family) who were in wheelchairs and formed a little line next to the line we were just in.

Then they lead this line to the area with the benches within our colored area. We had yellow. Because there are stairs in the yellow area, they took us through the red section into the yellow section (very easy and simple) right to the benches area on the 1st tier. This area was roped off. For the most part, those of us in wheelchairs went to the front and friends/family divided up the benches / standing area.

I watched the show right behind the rail. DH was on a bench until the show started, then he came and stood behind me during the show (not blocking anyone, of course ).

- Dreams

 

[KCmike]

Good info. My wife has hurt her back and we knew she wouldn't be able to sit/stand for any length of time so our plan is to rent a wheelchair each day especially for Fantasmic!, Magical, and WOC. I've heard if you buy the picnic boxes that you get preferred seating. I really don't want to shell out $40 a person (five in my family) for Ariel's Grotto. How was the Handicapped seating/section for picnic buyers?

 

[loliepop]

To the best of my knowledge picnic is a REGULAR fastpass, not preferred. If you pre buy online you they will give you a first show pass. The picnic saves an early morning trip to fastpass, but that's all. I'm also not sure if the passes are in the picnic bag or if they're handed out and if picking up lunch early gives a better seating advantage.

 

[Juliah]

We had fastpasses in the yellow section for the first show Friday night. I've never seen such confusion in a Disney park. First, at the rope drop area, no one could tell us why some people were in a line and others were all bunched up next to them, so we didn't know where to stand. Then when we were let out of the area, we couldn't find the yellow section because the colors of the sections weren't marked--at least not anywhere we could see through the crowds--and it took asking several cast members before we found one who knew.

My two DDs use wheelchairs, and no one pulled us from the crowd, as was mentioned in another post, nor did anyone pull the other people around us who were in wheelchairs or scooters. We finally found out from another guest where we should go, but it was nearly impossible to get there through the crowd. A cast member finally sent us on past the yellow section to the ramp to double back to the area for people with disabilities in yellow, but the section itself wasn't marked, and by the time we figured out which section was for people with disabilities, the wheelchair spots between the benches were all full with people who were actually behind us coming in. There were three benches in the section and only two spaces between them, plus a space at each end, so only four spaces for wheelchairs for all those people. My DDs had to pull up behind adults sitting on the benches, and none of the cast members I asked had any idea if there was anyplace else they could sit that would give them a better view. The show itself was wonderful, but the crowd control doesn't seem to have been well thought out. I should add that we asked about wheelchair seating when we got the fastpasses. There was someone standing by the fastpass machines holding a sign that said to ask him about wheelchair seating, but he really didn't tell us anything.

I hope the kinks have been worked out by the time you go!

 

[samkj]

We had fastpasses in the yellow section for the first show Friday night. I've never seen such confusion in a Disney park. First, at the rope drop area, no one could tell us why some people were in a line and others were all bunched up next to them, so we didn't know where to stand. Then when we were let out of the area, we couldn't find the yellow section because the colors of the sections weren't marked--at least not anywhere we could see through the crowds--and it took asking several cast members before we found one who knew.

My two DDs use wheelchairs, and no one pulled us from the crowd, as was mentioned in another post, nor did anyone pull the other people around us who were in wheelchairs or scooters. We finally found out from another guest where we should go, but it was nearly impossible to get there through the crowd. A cast member finally sent us on past the yellow section to the ramp to double back to the area for people with disabilities in yellow, but the section itself wasn't marked, and by the time we figured out which section was for people with disabilities, the wheelchair spots between the benches were all full with people who were actually behind us coming in. There were three benches in the section and only two spaces between them, plus a space at each end, so only four spaces for wheelchairs for all those people. My DDs had to pull up behind adults sitting on the benches, and none of the cast members I asked had any idea if there was anyplace else they could sit that would give them a better view. The show itself was wonderful, but the crowd control doesn't seem to have been well thought out. I should add that we asked about wheelchair seating when we got the fastpasses. There was someone standing by the fastpass machines holding a sign that said to ask him about wheelchair seating, but he really didn't tell us anything.

This is one of the reasons we skipped the show when we were there last week. My DD is also in a wheelchair and I wanted to wait till all the kinks are worked out of the seating system before dealing with the crowds.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

We were at Saturday's WoC 9pm showing, AG preferred viewing. From what I saw there were no pulling wheel chairs out of line. In fact for most of our walk to the black gate we were walking next to 2 people in EVC's and there was a wheel chair on the other side.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

My mother has mobility issues, doesnt need a wheelchair but uses a cane. Do you just need to show her GAC to the cast members or are they really strict on who can sit in the disability section?

 

[Funball]

i don't have a wheelchair. i am not that kind of disabled(but i do have one). but i think they can accomodate for people that have special needs.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Thanks Funball

 

[Funball]

Thanks Funball

no problem . i find that it never hurts to ask the CM's that are doing the crowd control for WOC. just tell them they someone in your party has a wheelchair and what area is wheelchair accessbile and what viewing is best! that is why the cm's are there to help you!

 

[Disney Dreams]

We had fastpasses in the yellow section for the first show Friday night....

My two DDs use wheelchairs, and no one pulled us from the crowd, as was mentioned in another post, nor did anyone pull the other people around us who were in wheelchairs or scooters.

Were you lined up outside the Viewing Area, prior to them opening up the area? THAT is where we were pulled from. They made a separate line of guests with wheelchairs (and our family and friends). They then led us in to the yellow section by the benches.

...by the time we figured out which section was for people with disabilities, the wheelchair spots between the benches were all full with people who were actually behind us coming in. There were three benches in the section and only two spaces between them, plus a space at each end, so only four spaces for wheelchairs for all those people....

VERY different from our experience. The spots in between the benches aren't the "wheelchair spots" so-to-speak, as there could be people in front of them. When we were there, everyone with wheelchairs and ECVs went in front (by the railing) and our family/friends stood behind us or sat on the benches. Also, one person with crutches sat on the bench. No one in a wheelchair went to the spaces in between the benches.

 

[cwshine]

What about if you have a disability but aren't in a wheelchair? I have a back injury that causes chronic pain exasperated by standing for long periods of time, but I can still walk around and do not use a wheelchair at all. Will I be able to access the benches with a Guest Assistance Card?

 

[Littleprincess2010]

What about if you have a disability but aren't in a wheelchair? I have a back injury that causes chronic pain exasperated by standing for long periods of time, but I can still walk around and do not use a wheelchair at all. Will I be able to access the benches with a Guest Assistance Card?

This is a similar issue to what my mother has and I'd love to know the answer too. We're getting a letter from her doctor to bring to Guest relations and to show anyone who might have a problem with my mother sitting anywhere.

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

What about if you have a disability but aren't in a wheelchair? I have a back injury that causes chronic pain exasperated by standing for long periods of time, but I can still walk around and do not use a wheelchair at all. Will I be able to access the benches with a Guest Assistance Card?

Hi, this doesn't apply to WOC, but if you're seeing Aladdin for the first time, or not but you did not know about the following - the last time we were there my dad was using crutches, we were waiting in line and a castmember (Jonathan) came over to us and offered my dad a seat on the benches they have next to the entrance. Looks like they were scanning the line for those who needed a little break from standing, if you think this will be a problem you should talk to a castmember about having a seat on the benches. It would just be the person in need and you are not separated from your group because you would meet up with them as the line advances.

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

I just finished reading the posts so far, this sounds like it's going to be a nightmare! It's so awful trying to get through crowds at night, especially when you are in the heavy Fantasmic or fireworks zone.

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Good info. My wife has hurt her back and we knew she wouldn't be able to sit/stand for any length of time so our plan is to rent a wheelchair each day especially for Fantasmic!, Magical, and WOC.

You probably already know that Magical is a free-for-all and there is no reserved area for chairs, but for waiting yes a wheelchair will help. Fantasmic's chair area is pretty decent considering it's mostly a side view, there's usually a lot of space even for late comers but I would still recommend showing up early for a better spot, an hour would be great if you can, or 30-45 minutes before. It's possible to go straight to the 2nd showing of Fantasmic right after Magical if you are coming from the "Front of the Castle" area - but you will run into heavy crowds.

 

[blackjackdelta]

What about if you have a disability but aren't in a wheelchair? I have a back injury that causes chronic pain exasperated by standing for long periods of time, but I can still walk around and do not use a wheelchair at all. Will I be able to access the benches with a Guest Assistance Card?

Welcome to the boards.

Jack

 

[cwshine]

Thanks for the welcome and all of the information. I experienced World of Color this past weekend and wanted to share some info in case it helps anyone with the same questions.
When I got my GAC from Guest Relations upon arrival, I described very specifically what my issues were and the fact that while I am not in a wheelchair, it would be impossible for me to stand in one place long enough to watch the show. They were very helpful, but throughout the day I found that the cast members awareness and understanding greatly varied. I had pre-ordered the picnic lunch for myself and a friend, and I would definitely suggest doing this because with it comes a pass to the earlier showing, for which you can access the exact seating area at the designated time and wait for the show there. The later shows have a line up area, and I'm not sure there is any seating in that area. When we picked it up and the cast member there was explaining where we would come back for our viewing area, I showed her the GAC and asked specifically where I would go if I required seating. Her answer was "Um, I don't know, maybe to the front to rent a wheelchair?" As soon as I saw the "red vests" cast members setting up the viewing areas later in the day, however, I went over to them and they were very clear and helpful. Basically, with the GAC, you still need to have a viewing area pass (either the fastpass or one of the dining options), and when you come at the designated time, you just tell the cast member who is directing people that you need seating. Of course, when I actually did this, the first cast member who was monitoring the seating / accessible area asked me where the person who required wheelchair access was and I had to give him an explanation. Luckily someone else came over, and she took me straight to the right area. There were already a lot of people there (I would suggest getting there at the earliest time on your ticket). I was able to sit on a bench for the show and my friend was able to stand directly behind me. We were in the bench area that is kind of in the corner near the bridge, and it was a great view, no one was blocking us or anything. Overall, it was a good experience (and a great show). If you're like me and not in a wheelchair, just expect to explain yourself a lot more to the cast members, and if one doesn't seem to get it, find another one!