American Idol Experience

[maroo]

If anyone knows the answer to this, it is you guys!

We are planning a trip to the World in December and one member of our party uses a power wheelchair.

She would like to try out for the American Idol experience.

Is it handicapped accessible? The stage and backstage areas as well?

She can not hold a mic... would they provide her a wireless headset mic?

Have any of you guys tried this yet? Especially anyone in a wheelchair?

 

[SueM in MN]

That's cool.
I don't know about the onstage and backstage, but everything we saw on stage was level. Since it is a new attraction, they should have made everything accessible. If no one knows for sure, try the Specisl Reservations number listed in the FAQs thread in the post under resorts.

I can tell you for sure that the audience area is totally accessible.

 

[maroo]

That's cool.
I don't know about the onstage and backstage, but everything we saw on stage was level. Since it is a new attraction, they should have made everything accessible. If no one knows for sure, try the Specisl Reservations number listed in the FAQs thread in the post under resorts.

I can tell you for sure that the audience area is totally accessible.

Thanks!

Kathy posted a link to the AI blog that the DIS did back in Jan. I am still not sure about the wireless mic, but the rest seems pretty clear.

If Rachel continues to show interest in it, then I will call them as we get closer to our trip - unless someone on here happens to know from experience.

They say it is accessible...but my experience is that unless you are sitting in a w/c or with someone when you go somewhere, you tend to not notice the two stairs you walked up to get into a room, etc. You know how that is.

I even had Lauren WITH me in Chicago and walked down 4 stairs without thinking about it. Lauren was like..."Uh, Mary..." "Oh...uh...yeah. Let's go the other way."

 

[SueM in MN]

They say it is accessible...but my experience is that unless you are sitting in a w/c or with someone when you go somewhere, you tend to not notice the two stairs you walked up to get into a room, etc. You know how that is.

We've had that happen too.
We stayed in 2 different places in Northern Minnesota where we specifically asked before making the reservation whether the rooms were wheelchair accessible or not. They were kind of condo style resorts.
One was wheelchair accessible once you went down the 2 steps outside on the sidewalk to get in. The other was wheelchair accessible IF the wheelchair could go up 2 steps to get into the front entry of the room. The master bedroom and only bathroom big enough to bring the wheelchair into were sunken one step.

Luckily, we had DD's manual wheelchair with us and she was light enough to lift.

 

[maroo]

We've had that happen too.
We stayed in 2 different places in Northern Minnesota where we specifically asked before making the reservation whether the rooms were wheelchair accessible or not. They were kind of condo style resorts.
One was wheelchair accessible once you went down the 2 steps outside on the sidewalk to get in. The other was wheelchair accessible IF the wheelchair could go up 2 steps to get into the front entry of the room. The master bedroom and only bathroom big enough to bring the wheelchair into were sunken one step.

Luckily, we had DD's manual wheelchair with us and she was light enough to lift.

I think I would actually get irritated about it, if it didn't happen all the time. Like life is too short, ya know. But you would think if you ask... And they will say it is w/c accessible...that it would be?

Unfortunately, Lauren can't sit up in any other w/c...they don't have a manual right now, we just push her in her power chair if she gets really tired or too cold to drive (she freezes up)... so we just have to pick her up and tote her around if there are steps. Thankfully she is little. Happened a few times in Chicago where we had the "big guys" in our group carry her power chair up a flight of stairs. Talk about sweating it! They actually wanted to pick it up with her in it. No way! If that chair goes down the stairs, Lauren will NOT be in it!

But next year...I bet they really check to see if it is accessible.

All that to say...I will believe this is w/c accessible when I see it...or if someone on here has been there and done it! Hopefully LOTS of people using w/c are participating! Maybe one of them is on the DIS!

 

[dclfun]

From what I have seen at least the area where tryouts are done is accessible but I'm not sure, if someone passes the tryout and gets to move on to the competition, if the stage is accessible. I'd think it would be though as it's the same stage they used for past attractions and people in w/c's participated then. I'm also not sure if a mike is used for the tryouts( or only the stage performance) as I don't know anyone who has done it.---Kathy

 

[Andrew Bichard]

They say it is accessible...but ...

Don't I know it! If I had a penny every time this has happened to me.

I book a restautant by phone.
"Are you wheelchair accessible?" Yes
"Any steps?" - No.

We arrive and I have to be 'bounced' up the step at the door. "Oh, we never noticed the step" After the meal I ask where the restrooms are - Downstairs in the basement & no elevator!!!

Andrew

 

[maroo]

I actually got my answer to this!

Bryan Ripper with the All About the Mouse Disney Podcast actually called Guest Services at DHS for me (I sent them an email asking the question and was shocked they answered me so fast!). DHS Guest Services said that it was all wheelchair accessible and that they have a mic stand that they use for anyone in a wheelchair.

This is the way our church choir handled it with Lauren, too. We used a boom mic stand (it bends so you can get it right up to her face when she is in her chair).

So Rachel should be able to try out in December when we go! I am so excited!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I actually got my answer to this!

Bryan Ripper with the All About the Mouse Disney Podcast actually called Guest Services at DHS for me (I sent them an email asking the question and was shocked they answered me so fast!). DHS Guest Services said that it was all wheelchair accessible and that they have a mic stand that they use for anyone in a wheelchair.

This is the way our church choir handled it with Lauren, too. We used a boom mic stand (it bends so you can get it right up to her face when she is in her chair).

So Rachel should be able to try out in December when we go! I am so excited!!

Cool.
Thanks for reporting the answer back. I'll be excited to hear how your friend does.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have a friend who is working there now and I asked her about it today. She said that at least two of the audition rooms as well as the stage are accessible. She will check out further things at work tomorrow.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have a friend who is working there now and I asked her about it today. She said that at least two of the audition rooms as well as the stage are accessible. She will check out further things at work tomorrow.

Thanks.
I was hoping you would know someone who worked there.

 

[Bete]

We're going in December and I would love to see her on stage. My mom is in a wheelchair and I think this would be so exciting for her to see.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I spoke with my friend at Idol today. She had done further checking. And she is very familiar with mobility problems concerning some close relatives of hers.

All of the audition and rehearsal rooms are fully accessible, although some are easier than others. The stage is fully accessible. If a person will have problems with a hand-held microphone they can set up either a boom or stand, or have a lavalier microphone, depending on the needs of the person.

And, of course, there is plenty of accessible spaces for audience seating.

 

[maroo]

We're going in December and I would love to see her on stage. My mom is in a wheelchair and I think this would be so exciting for her to see.

We will be there from December 15 - 19th.

Rachel is having some medical problems, which may hamper our ability to stay at the parks very long...so I am not sure she will be able to do this or not. I don't see her being able to stay at the park from the time they audition in the morning until the finals. Assuming she makes it that far.

But it SOOO cool that it is accessible and that she COULD do it! I love Disney!

My friend Sharon, though, will be trying out in September. She sings in a group and is pretty talented - so maybe she will make it. She is not disabled, though, but it will give us an idea of the process and if we think Rachel could do it.

I spoke with my friend at Idol today. She had done further checking. And she is very familiar with mobility problems concerning some close relatives of hers.

All of the audition and rehearsal rooms are fully accessible, although some are easier than others. The stage is fully accessible. If a person will have problems with a hand-held microphone they can set up either a boom or stand, or have a lavalier microphone, depending on the needs of the person.

And, of course, there is plenty of accessible spaces for audience seating.

Thank you so much for checking on this for us!! I told Rachel about it and she is really excited to see if she can do it! I think it would be great to add some diversity to the mix, too!

Rachel auditioned for our church Praise Team and made it last week, which was great! (It is something they do real auditions for...anyone can be in the choir, but Praise Team is for the really talented!) Needless to say...I am only in the choir.

 

[dclfun]

I hope she gets to tryout and I hope she wins! I think the more people that see someone in a wheelchair performing or doing things just like everyone else, the more we will all be accepted for our abilities. Until last year I sang with my service dog by my side in the Candlelight Processional and hoped some people would see "possibilities" by watching us participate.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Until last year I sang with my service dog by my side in the Candlelight Processional and hoped some people would see "possibilities" by watching us participate.

Kathy - Did Skye sing along also?

 

[dclfun]

Kathy - Did Skye sing along also?

Nope, she was rather bored until the end, but she always stood for the Hallelujah Chorus- as soon as the notes began, she'd get to her feet and remain standing til we finished, then she'd sit back down, lol!---Kathy