Animal KIngom and ECVs

[luna_riddle]

I needed an ECV this past May when I went to WDW and I also have a major health issue where I have to use the restroom a lot (every 45mins), and I had a doctors note to prove it. Well, I got to the Animal Kingdom and found that they won't allow quick access for handicapped people. It's the basic line! Well, I told them I couldn't wait in a line that long (it was for the safari with always has a 70min wait). I showed the cast member the doctor's note. He didn't know what to do. In the end I was actually told me I couldn't be allowed on the ride because of how long the ride is anyway! I also got hassled at Everest! Animal Kingdom is not a good place to handicapped people.

 

[BillSears]

First of all I have to ask....
How did you just join, only have one post but you have a tag from the Tag Fairy?

Anyway...
Your best bet is to go to Guest Relations and talk to them about it. You probably could get a GAC(Guest Assistance Card) to help out with your problem. It won't necessarily provide immediate access but you might be able to wait in a different area or be given a slip that would allow you to come back at a certain time so you could have access to a restroom while you waited.

Check out the FAQ for further information.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

 

[SueM in MN]

A doctor's note really won't help you at attractions. You are correct that the CMs did not know how to deal with it or what to do. The system that is set up to deal with accommodation for special needs is the Guest Assistance Card that the other poster mentioned. As was posted, it is not meant to shorten your wait in line, but they may be able to come up with some way to assist you. Even if you do get a Guest Assistance Card, not all attractions will have a way to assist you, so there may be some that won't work for you.

You could also use FASTPASSES.
Send one person in your party to the FASTPASS machine with everyone's park passes. There will be a time printed on the FASTPASS when you can come back and get onto the ride with a very short wait - usually 10 minutes or less. That would be helpful for you because you can come back any time within the times printed on the FASTPASS. You would be able to schedule your bathroom stops around the FASTPASS return times.

Here's a link to a page that has information about FASTPASS. There is also a link on that page to TourGuide Mike's website, which can help you to figure out how to figure out which parks/attractions are busy and when so that you can go to the less busy places.
At every park, there are places and times when it is less busy. If you go to the Safari first thing in the morning, there is usually a short wait. By the middle of the morning thru early afternoon, the wait may be 70 minutes. But we have been on the Safari many times in the mid to late afternoon when the wait in the line was much shorter - like the wait was so short that some Safari trams were being sent out less than 1/2 full because people were not coming fast enough. This was during Spring Break - a very busy time.
TourGuide Mike or some of the other touring plans can help you figure out when those good times are. That can be even more helpful than a Guest Assistance Card, which only is helpful for attractions. If the park is busy, other places like restaurants and restrooms will also be busy.

 

[dclfun]

You might have been able to get a GAC to return to the line ( where you left off) if you were forced to leave due to your medical condition. Some folks with severe IBS have had that type of accommodation. The CM who told you not to ride the Safari was probably trying to be helpful as that is a very long attraction once you're seated in the vehicle. Besides, all that bumping if you need to "go" might have made things really unpleasant. You have a difficult challenge as no GAC allows immediate access and you probably don't have any idea as to how long each attraction actually takes once you're loaded into it,... plus the time spent waiting in the queue. Then you'd have to take the time to hike back to the nearest restroom which might not be right there in the vicinity of the attraction and possibly wait in a line for an open toilet stall. So there probably isn't much truthfully that would've made your visit a better experience. I'm sorry though.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

The CM who told you not to ride the Safari was probably trying to be helpful as that is a very long attraction once you're seated in the vehicle. Besides, all that bumping if you need to "go" might have made things really unpleasant. You have a difficult challenge as no GAC allows immediate access and you probably don't have any idea as to how long each attraction actually takes once you're loaded into it,... plus the time spent waiting in the queue.

The Safari is about 18-20 minutes once you have been loaded into the ride tram. After finishing the ride, it takes a few minutes for the tram to unload. The nearest restrooms are a 5-10 minute walk from the ride exit.
This page has a list of how long the rides/attractions actually last from once you are loaded until the 'show' is over. That may help you with planning.
You can leave some of the longer shows once it has started if you need to (contact a CM for instructions on how to leave). There are a few very long shows that you can't leave until the show is over because of the way the ride car/theater is constructed. This is a list of attractions you can't leave once they have begun (I only included attractions that are over 10 minutes):

• Magic Kingdom
• Carousel of Progress: 20 minutes 45 seconds - this is in a rotating theater, where they theater rotates around different stages. You can't leave until it is over.
• Liberty Square Riverboat: 12 minutes 45 seconds
• Splash Mountain: 11 minutes
• Stitch's Great Escape: 15 minutes
• Swiss Family Treehouse: 13 minutes 5 seconds
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority: 10 minutes 4 seconds
• Walt Disney Railroad: 20 minutes - this is for a round trip, you can leave at one of the other stations.
  
• Epcot
• Ellen's Energy Adventure: 45 minutes
• Living with the Land: 13 minutes 50 seconds
• Maelstrom: 9 minutes 57 seconds
• Spaceship Earth: 13 minutes 26 seconds
  
• Studios
• Backlot Tour: 35 minutes; the tour lasts 35 minutes. It includes a water special effects show and a tram ride part. There is a bathroom in the area between the 2 parts of the show. Once you are on the tram, there is approximately a 10-12 minute tram tour where you can't get out until the ride is over.
• Sounds Dangerous: 12 minutes - This is a theater show and you could leave before it is over; much of the show takes place in a pitch dark theater, so getting out may be a bit more difficult.
• Great Movie Ride: 18 minutes 44 seconds
  
• Animal Kingdom
• Kilimanjaro Safari: 18 minutes 30 seconds

The other longer shows are in theaters where you can leave if you need to. In many cases, you will not be exiting in the same place where you entered. Also, a restroom may be a few minutes walk away, so keep your park maps handy.

 

[luna_riddle]

First of all I have to ask....
How did you just join, only have one post but you have a tag from the Tag Fairy?

Just curious, what's the tag fairy??

A doctor's note really won't help you at attractions. You are correct that the CMs did not know how to deal with it or what to do. The system that is set up to deal with accommodation for special needs is the Guest Assistance Card that the other poster mentioned. As was posted, it is not meant to shorten your wait in line, but they may be able to come up with some way to assist you. Even if you do get a Guest Assistance Card, not all attractions will have a way to assist you, so there may be some that won't work for you.

You could also use FASTPASSES.
Send one person in your party to the FASTPASS machine with everyone's park passes. There will be a time printed on the FASTPASS when you can come back and get onto the ride with a very short wait - usually 10 minutes or less. That would be helpful for you because you can come back any time within the times printed on the FASTPASS. You would be able to schedule your bathroom stops around the FASTPASS return times.

I've been using FastPasses since they first started in Disneyland since I go 2-3 times a year, but that doesn't always help for some rides and WDW I noticed, but mostly at Animal Kingdom.

I didn't know anything about a card I needed. Next time I go I'll get it. I'm going this in a few weeks to Disneyland again and will need the ECV again. Do they have that card there as well?

 

[SueM in MN]

Just curious, what's the tag fairy??



I've been using FastPasses since they first started in Disneyland since I go 2-3 times a year, but that doesn't always help for some rides and WDW I noticed, but mostly at Animal Kingdom.

I didn't know anything about a card I needed. Next time I go I'll get it. I'm going this in a few weeks to Disneyland again and will need the ECV again. Do they have that card there as well?

Yes.
There is information about Guest Assistance Cards (we call them GACs, for short) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the thread list on this board. Post # 6 of that thread has information about GACs. The information there is applicable to WDW and to Disneyland. It works a little different at DL because the park is older, but pretty much the same thing.

About the Tag Fairy:
A tag is a little message under your name. I have one that says:
It's like combining the teacups with a roller coaster

The Tag Fairy sees something funny that someone posted and adds it to their name. That's called a 'tag'. Many people really want a tag, but the Tag Fairy doesn't give out that many.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm going to add something as a former attractions CM: anybody can write a note. At the attractions, are responsibilities are keeping order and helping guests get into the right queue. We are trained to accommodate only those people who have a GAC, and only those accommodations expressly written there. Believe me, many people have a sob story that they will use to try to get front of line access, and we have no way of verifying that. That is why there is a GAC. You tell GR your needs and they will give you the appropriate GAC. As attractions CMs, we cannot ask what your disability is, and frankly, we do not care. (I know this sounds harsh, it's not meant to). What I care about is giving you the accommodation you need, not a ten minute explanation as to why.

That being said, I would always try to accommodate a need that arose. I have allowed families who had to duck out of a long line re-entry though a fastpass queue. But in the end, those types of accommodations are limited by the ride and how busy we are. I am surprised that the Safari CM did not tell you about the GAC. I always tell guests with disabilities about it and also keep Guidebooks for Guests With Disabilities in my rain pouch to help them know what to expect on rides and where the entrance for wheelchairs is located.

I also want to point out that to many CMs it is very irritating to hear people complain about lines that are fully wheelchair accessible. This is done for several reasons:

1.) Most people using wheelchairs do not need a shortened line just because they are in a wheelchair. It does not affect their ability to wait for a ride, and frankly, most would rather be treated like a regular guest.

2.) It makes it easier for people using wheelchairs and their parties. Many of the smaller attractions do not have greeters and many guests have a problem finding the wheelchair accessible entrance. Believe me, trying to get a wheelchair out of Snow White when they are right there at the turnstiles is a tremendous PITA. Full access is easier for everybody.

3.) It is the law. According to ADA, every new and renovated attraction has to be fully accessible through the standard line. This is not a choice of Disney's, it is the law. The only exception I know of is IASW because after we renovated it, the fire department did not like how the entrance was set up so we had to revert to our old system.

As DAK was built after ADA, every single line there is accessible.

Also, as others have mentioned, a GAC does not give you front of line access. In fact, GR will tell you this explicitly, so you will have to plan accordingly.

 

[BillSears]

Just curious, what's the tag fairy??

About the Tag Fairy:
A tag is a little message under your name. I have one that says:
It's like combining the teacups with a roller coaster

The Tag Fairy sees something funny that someone posted and adds it to their name. That's called a 'tag'. Many people really want a tag, but the Tag Fairy doesn't give out that many.

Sue explained it pretty well. I was curious about yours because under your name instead of:

Earning My Ears

which is what most people start off with you have:

Haunted Mansion Servant's Quaters Keeper

Which seems odd for a brand new poster. But it looks like you're not sure where it came from either.

My tag is Baby Donor. It's from a thread about giving blood. The Red Cross loves my blood because I'm O negative with CMV-negative. So I'm one of their Baby Donors.

 

[bumbershoot]

Totally off topic.


Bill, you can add your own saying in that space between username and avatar. Tag Fairy is the only one who can make it colorful, though.

 

[SueM in MN]

Totally off topic.


Bill, you can add your own saying in that space between username and avatar. Tag Fairy is the only one who can make it colorful, though.

no one else has access to colors.

I am happy with the tag the Tag Fairy gave to me (and the color is nice too).

 

[mechurchlady]

no one else has access to colors.

I am happy with the tag the Tag Fairy gave to me (and the color is nice too).

Teacups and roller coaster sounds like the Primeval Whirl, lol.
I am not sure if I want the tag fairy to hit me with a tag, lol. Some of them fairies hit pretty hard with them wands. It could be worse as one site I was on had a moderator who changed the signatures of people and nto always too nice, lol.

Dis Veteran fits me I think, like experienced or maybe just in my ECV heading down hill fast like an old war veteran, lol. Ok nap time for Churchy, lol.

 

[SueM in MN]

Teacups and roller coaster sounds like the Primeval Whirl, lol.

You guessed it!

 

[BillSears]

Thanks for the clarification guys! I've been here for years and always assumed the tags under someone's name was from the Tag Fairy.

 

[Hook's Girl]

I also wanted to point out for future visits, if you are on any type of schedule, the safari is always a risk. Like Sue pointed out is should only take 20 mins. However if a mischievous rhino decides to lie in the ride path for another 20 minutes (seen it happen), the ride vehicles would stop and wait for him to finish his nap. There is no veering from the ride path. Just a future F.Y.I!

The GR Cast Member should have advised you to use fastpass at those attractions. That would be a proper GR response to the needs you described, rather than suggest that you don't experience the attraction.

I also recommend going first thing in the morning! It's worth getting up early because the lines are very short first thing.

I can't agree with you however, that Disney's Animal Kingdom is not friendly for folks with disabilities. My brother in a wheelchair finds it wonderful and always has a great time! We have had no problems!

 

[Talking Hands]

Animal Kingdom is very friendly to guests in wheelchairs. While I can't say I haven't had a problem at all, most of the time there aren't any. CM at rides can't read a doctor's letter. They don't really have the time, nor do they have the knowledge of what would be the accommodation needed. Decisions like that are made at Guest Relations and you are given the appropriate stamp if a GAC is warranted. Fast pass is your best bet though. The lines aren't near as long with fastpass. Also remember that GAC will not always make your wait shorter, sometimes it is longer.

 

[Twende]

AK is friendly to wheel chair users but my mom always complains that the ride is the bumpiest one of all the parks.

The paths there are themed and most are bumpy or cobblestoned. It is really a bumpy ride in a normal wheel chair!

I sometimes have trouble making it to the restroom and I have learned to wear discreet pads that will accommodate any minor accidents. It is a good security measure for when the parks are very busy and the ladies restroom lines are a mile long!

 

[luna_riddle]

Sue explained it pretty well. I was curious about yours because under your name instead of:

Earning My Ears

which is what most people start off with you have:

Haunted Mansion Servant's Quaters Keeper

Which seems odd for a brand new poster. But it looks like you're not sure where it came from either.

My tag is Baby Donor. It's from a thread about giving blood. The Red Cross loves my blood because I'm O negative with CMV-negative. So I'm one of their Baby Donors.

Actually I put that there. It gave me the option....The reason I chose that is while I was at the Haunted Mansion at WDW I was able to take a bunch of pics inside the Servant's Quarters while the Cast Member watched I have only seen one other person who was able to get good photos in there.

AK is friendly to wheel chair users but my mom always complains that the ride is the bumpiest one of all the parks.

The paths there are themed and most are bumpy or cobblestoned. It is really a bumpy ride in a normal wheel chair!

I sometimes have trouble making it to the restroom and I have learned to wear discreet pads that will accommodate any minor accidents. It is a good security measure for when the parks are very busy and the ladies restroom lines are a mile long!

It is true, the paths are very uncomfortable and small.