Changes

[dclfun]

Using GAC at shows can be largely hit or miss. We have used it at FOTLK. (But due to other issues we can't do this show anymore.) VOTLK, we have not tried in years (that waiting room is killer). But we have been allowed to wait off to the side (outside) until the people start going into the actual theater. LMA is a nightmare. We have had mixed experiences. I don't remember ever being told a GAC cannot be used for shows. I just find the "assistance" offered is really what we need, so we can't do some shows.

When the GAC is used for shows, it's usually for hidden disabilities, such as someone with low vision, someone who can't do stairs, etc. I've never seen it work for a waiting area but then I've never asked for those accommodations either.

 

[BillSears]

I suspect the problem with using a GAC for shows and an alternate waiting area is because of seating issues. It's very hard to come in late to a show after everyone else has been seated and then find a seat to sit for a group of people. Imagine having a full show where they've been telling everyone to "slide to the center" so they can get more people into the theater. Then just before the show starts adding another 10(FOTLK)-20(Indiana Jones)-50(for Fantasmic) or more people with an already "full" theater. Trying to find seats together would be very hard.

 

[livndisney]

I suspect the problem with using a GAC for shows and an alternate waiting area is because of seating issues. It's very hard to come in late to a show after everyone else has been seated and then find a seat to sit for a group of people. Imagine having a full show where they've been telling everyone to "slide to the center" so they can get more people into the theater. Then just before the show starts adding another 10(FOTLK)-20(Indiana Jones)-50(for Fantasmic) or more people with an already "full" theater. Trying to find seats together would be very hard.

I am not going into specifics of our needs here-but I will say GS told us to ask to wait outside of LM. We did not ask to come in late, nor did we ask anyone to "slide to the center". We do not "come in late" to a show, in fact we arrive early and wait longer.

 

[Sunnywho]

Why would a GAC even be considered for park entrance lines, transportation, and eating venues, which are all first come, first served?

The buses are difficult for someone like me: fairly young and healthy-looking, ambulatory etc, but with poor balance due to MS. Waiting in the hot sun for the next bus = MS symptoms getting worse (blurry vision, weakness, etc.) Getting on a standing room only bus = having a difficult time standing once it gets going. When I did get caught in that situation, another guest quickly and kindly gave me his seat, but it was up to me to figure out how to avoid standing room only buses for the rest of the trip. (Walking from All Star Movies to All Star Sports where the buses did not arrive standing-room-only. Taking a taxi when the bus arrived standing-room-only. Waiting at the front of the line for the next bus when it was the end of the day and not hot enough that waiting was going to make my MS worse.)

If there was a GAC that solved that problem, I would love it. If everyone were like me, they wouldn't ever expect anyone to do standing-room only. As it is, we'll be driving from MN to Disney next trip so that we'll have our car there, and that works, but what a drive! (Renting a minivan on top of flying could have solved the problem but that gets expensive.)

As for changes to the GAC, I assume it has something to do with the xpass changes.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I was really hoping to see VOTLM this trip but not i I have to wait in that room. I did it once and had a horribble panic attack. I think GAC should be for shows too, especially for people like me. In order to enjoy a show versus worrying about how I would leave if I had to, I need to sit in the back row, Aisle seat, near the exit. I usually sit alone, as my family likes to sit closer to the stage /screen and in the middle rows. Last April, my DS was in a wheelchair so we sat in the accessible rows, which were perfect for my needs too. It's a shame that I have to stress about enjoying my trip due to abuses in the system. My own DH doesn't fully get my anxieties. He thinks I can simply think them away. I would gladly wait on a crowded line or sit in the middle of a theatre if my heart didn't race, palms sweat, throat close and feel like I have to run out NOW!
Hope Disney does come up with a good system.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I am not going into specifics of our needs here-but I will say GS told us to ask to wait outside of LM. We did not ask to come in late, nor did we ask anyone to "slide to the center". We do not "come in late" to a show, in fact we arrive early and wait longer.

This is exactly what I'm planning to beg for this trip. We haven't seen VotLM in a long time but this trip we're bringing DD11's BFF and this I understand is one of her favourite attractions. If the CM won't let us wait outside (we'll be going to the first show right after TSMM at RD so we'll be there a good 20 minutes before and that showing almost never fills up) then DH will have to take DD11 and her BFF while DD14 and I go elsewhere. Hopefully since the show shouldn't fill up anyway we won't have any problem waiting outside. Hopefully. Maybe since it'll be the first show of the day they'll let us enter through the exit (yes that means those end seats with only partial view of the stage but at least it's IN the theatre). Wish us luck!

As you can see, we're not asking to slide in somewhere last minute. We really do intend to wait like everybody else. I do plan with backup and alternative plans though because I know not to expect anything.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was really hoping to see VOTLM this trip but not i I have to wait in that room. I did it once and had a horribble panic attack. I think GAC should be for shows too, especially for people like me. In order to enjoy a show versus worrying about how I would leave if I had to, I need to sit in the back row, Aisle seat, near the exit. I usually sit alone, as my family likes to sit closer to the stage /screen and in the middle rows. Last April, my DS was in a wheelchair so we sat in the accessible rows, which were perfect for my needs too. It's a shame that I have to stress about enjoying my trip due to abuses in the system. My own DH doesn't fully get my anxieties. He thinks I can simply think them away. I would gladly wait on a crowded line or sit in the middle of a theatre if my heart didn't race, palms sweat, throat close and feel like I have to run out NOW!
Hope Disney does come up with a good system.

It looks like your issues are at odds with each other. clanmcculloch mentioned entering through the exit, but honestly, in all the times I've seen Voyage of the Little Mermaid, I've never seen anyone use an alternate access. I don't think the attraction is staffed for that.

What about arriving early and having your family make a loose semi-circle around you, as you wait right in front of the theater doors? You'll be one of the first ones in the theater and can move all the way to the end of the row - and leave easily if needed - and they can meet you outside.

Waiting to enter last doesn't seem like it would work; aside from the possibility of not fitting, if you needed to leave during the show you'd actually be seated near the entrance doors. Walking out through these, if you even could, would put you smack dab in the middle of the next group waiting to see the show.

 

[ttintagel]

Imagine having a full show where they've been telling everyone to "slide to the center" so they can get more people into the theater. Then just before the show starts adding another 10(FOTLK)-20(Indiana Jones)-50(for Fantasmic) or more people with an already "full" theater. Trying to find seats together would be very hard.

I am not going into specifics of our needs here-but I will say GS told us to ask to wait outside of LM. We did not ask to come in late, nor did we ask anyone to "slide to the center". We do not "come in late" to a show, in fact we arrive early and wait longer.

Bill wasn't suggesting that *YOU* asked anyone to slide over. The *CM's* routinely ask people to slide over so there won't be empty seats in the row.

 

[livndisney]

It looks like your issues are at odds with each other. clanmcculloch mentioned entering through the exit, but honestly, in all the times I've seen Voyage of the Little Mermaid, I've never seen anyone use an alternate access. I don't think the attraction is staffed for that.

What about arriving early and having your family make a loose semi-circle around you, as you wait right in front of the theater doors? You'll be one of the first ones in the theater and can move all the way to the end of the row - and leave easily if needed - and they can meet you outside.

Waiting to enter last doesn't seem like it would work; aside from the possibility of not fitting, if you needed to leave during the show you'd actually be seated near the entrance doors. Walking out through these, if you even could, would put you smack dab in the middle of the next group waiting to see the show.

What you suggest doesn't work. The CM's job is to pack people into that room. "Semi loose" is not really an option.

Something else to consider is the room itself. Low ceiling, dark packed with people and items on the walls/ceiling. Can be very stressful for some.

As far as entering last, there always seems to be seats in the back and ends since these seats are not directly in front of the stage. Even if seated on the entrance side aisle-it would be easy to exit the theater behind the wheelchair row if needed.

 

[BillSears]

I am not going into specifics of our needs here-but I will say GS told us to ask to wait outside of LM. We did not ask to come in late, nor did we ask anyone to "slide to the center". We do not "come in late" to a show, in fact we arrive early and wait longer.

Bill wasn't suggesting that *YOU* asked anyone to slide over. The *CM's* routinely ask people to slide over so there won't be empty seats in the row.

Yea sorry about the confusion, I didn't mean to imply that you were asking for others to slide over and I didn't mean that you were arriving late. The CMs try to squeeze in more people by asking every one to slide over and fill in all spaces.

I don't know what your needs are so I am just guessing that you would arrive early but want a quiet spot to wait in before the show. Then after the crowds have gone into the theater you would enter. But once the seats are filled it's hard to add additional people.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I really don't expect them to allow us to enter through the exit but it's at least something I can ask about (I'd only ask for the first show of the day since any other show they're emptying the theatre at the same time the next group is loading if I remember correctly so we'd be having to go against traffic). I get that there likely aren't enough CMs there to be able to escort us over there, especially at slow times of the day. I figure if I don't ask about the option then the answer is definitely no.

We really can't go to the front of the room and just make space around her. The darkness of the room, the low ceilings and the constant being yelled at to move forward and crush into less space would guarantee having to not only leave the show but also the park for the rest of the day. We'll skip the show before we try that (which is what we typically do; DH and I both miss that show; I really hope we can make it work this trip).

I do get that it can be difficult. I guess I just don't understand how it would be difficult to watch to see if the room is getting full and load a few less people in when CMs KNOW we're there (we'd be waiting with their knowledge in full view of them exactly where they tell us to stand). I'm just crossing my fingers that the show doesn't fill up when we want to go (like I've said many times, a good touring plan can be so much more valuable than a GAC since the touring plan should get us there when the show won't fill up).

It isn't hard to get out of a theatre from the entrance side if need be (though we've never actually had to; once we're seated IN a theatre she's good as there are clearly boundaries of the seats and she's always between us). As livndisney said, you just walk to the back and walk through the wide isle where the accessible seating is located. I honestly don't worry about that scenario though because as I said, once we're seated we're fine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What you suggest doesn't work. The CM's job is to pack people into that room. "Semi loose" is not really an option.

Something else to consider is the room itself. Low ceiling, dark packed with people and items on the walls/ceiling. Can be very stressful for some.

As far as entering last, there always seems to be seats in the back and ends since these seats are not directly in front of the stage. Even if seated on the entrance side aisle-it would be easy to exit the theater behind the wheelchair row if needed.

Truly, I know what the CMs are tasked with doing. I guess I'm a bit confused why a GAC and one's own words (I have panic attacks in 'mobs' - which I realized trying to ride Haunted Mansion, and was able work out a way to ride, just by discussing my sudden problem with two of the attraction operators) wouldn't help.

While it's probably possible to climb over all the guests who didn't move all the way down the row, to get an exit seat, or even head around to the front of the theater and get to the exit seats that way, what you think you see at the back of the theater can be deceiving.

 

[livndisney]

Truly, I know what the CMs are tasked with doing. I guess I'm a bit confused why a GAC and one's own words (I have panic attacks in 'mobs' - which I realized trying to ride Haunted Mansion, and was able work out a way to ride, just by discussing my sudden problem with two of the attraction operators) wouldn't help.

While it's probably possible to climb over all the guests who didn't move all the way down the row, to get an exit seat, or even head around to the front of the theater and get to the exit seats that way, what you think you see at the back of the theater can be deceiving.

Who is climbing over guests? There is open space both in front of the stage and at the back of the theater. If this is an issue for you-don't use those areas.

You may understand what CM's "tasks" are, but you don't seem to be understanding what several are saying.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Who is climbing over guests? There is open space both in front of the stage and at the back of the theater. If this is an issue for you-don't use those areas.

You may understand what CM's "tasks" are, but you don't seem to be understanding what several are saying.

The other poster or posters didn't mention using the space at the front of the theaters to get to seats by the exit doors - only at the back; I'm well aware of the conditions and how much room there is in the row or rows at the back of pretty much every theater at Walt Disney World, having been relegated to that section of the theater at every show, every visit, except Carousel of Progress and (once) Beauty and the Beast; and if there were wheelchair seating distributed throughout the various WDW theaters, I wouldn't always sit in the back row.

 

[dclfun]

Is there really open space behind the accessible seating? I've almost always had people going through that row for one reason or another, including one very large woman who climbed into the row from the one in front if it, injuring my knee. I really detest it as my poor service dog has already laid down beside me and has to get up over and over again so people can walk through that aisle. I always go to the next available space vs. plopping my chair in the middle but people use that row as an "access row" to get to the other side of the theater.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I hadn't even considered the possibility of service dogs lying on the floor in that back accessible isle. In the dark that would be dangerous for the poor dog if we were to walk through there. Yikes!! Thanks for pointing that out. I also really hadn't considered the front row as a viable exit strategy but I'll start looking around theatres going forward. I was only thinking about the fact that the accessible back row is a much wider isle. As I said before, I really don't worry that we'll need to leave mid-show as we've never had to before and can manage perfectly once we're inside and seated (our problem is leading up to that point) but I do think this is important for those who ARE needing to consider exist strategies to keep in mind. I'm thankful for everybody who is sharing the different things to consider and different options that may be available.

 

[livndisney]

I hadn't even considered the possibility of service dogs lying on the floor in that back accessible isle. In the dark that would be dangerous for the poor dog if we were to walk through there. Yikes!! Thanks for pointing that out. I also really hadn't considered the front row as a viable exit strategy but I'll start looking around theatres going forward. I was only thinking about the fact that the accessible back row is a much wider isle. As I said before, I really don't worry that we'll need to leave mid-show as we've never had to before and can manage perfectly once we're inside and seated (our problem is leading up to that point) but I do think this is important for those who ARE needing to consider exist strategies to keep in mind. I'm thankful for everybody who is sharing the different things to consider and different options that may be available.

I agree, it was great when people with actual real life info post workable suggestions.

 

[bookwormde]

Why would a GAC even be considered for park entrance lines, transportation, and eating venues, which are all first come, first served? Are you saying that because someone has a disability of some sort that they should be served before someone else? That would be against the ADA - as it would not be offering equal access.

Sometimes these involve lines, waiting arrangements or other methodologies that are not manageable by individuals with disabilities similar to the attractions,

Not sure why you are thinking someone would expect preferential treatment

 

[Schmeck]

Sometimes these involve lines, waiting arrangements or other methodologies that are not manageable by individuals with disabilities similar to the attractions,

Not sure why you are thinking someone would expect preferential treatment

If the only accommodation needed was a separate area away from others, then perhaps that could be accommodated (although those areas get just as crowded) at a restaurant, although I can't see it happening - you would be expected to get an ADR instead. An ADR offers equal access. Other things would cut down on the wait time, and at a first come/first served venue, that would be against ADA policy. You'd be offering a perk/service that was not available to the general public, without proof needed.

 

[clanmcculloch]

At restaurants, you already can ask for a table in a quieter area, though you'll likely have to wait longer for one to become available because tables off to the side or in a nook are very limitted. GACs are not needed for this and I've never had trouble asking for it when checking in for my ADRs. What kind of accomodation would people imagine WOULD be available that would require something more than just asking for specific type of seating and waiting for it to become available?

It sure would be nice if restaurants that run chronically behind had some kind of beeper or ability to page when your table is ready so that after checking in you can step farther away from the checkin area which can be very crowded, loud and frustrating to those who do typically need some kind of alternate waiting area. Last summer, DD14 was near tears at Sci-Fi by the time we were seated. We checked in to find out that they were running at least a half hour behind and we were 15 minutes early as they tell you to be. We were told that we had to stay in the cramped little lobby our just outside the door where there was also a mob waiting or else we'd lose our table. If they could have just texted us when our table was ready or given us a pager to let us know then we could have stepped farther away to wait and she would have been fine. I suppose with a GAC they could have made a not beside our ADR stating where to go to find us when our table was ready (such as by the wall opposite the restaurant; I'm not saying they should have to wander to find people). That's about the only scenario I can think of though I think the overall use of beepers would accomplish more.