Character meet and greets

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hello. We have been to WDW countless times as we are DVC owners. I always get a DAS card due to my complex health issues. The one thing that still confuses me and I hope somebody can help is the meet and greet with the characters. As there are not that many rides I can now do I really enjoy meeting the characters. But I cannot wait in line for long. No more than 5 to 10 minutes max. I understand that you cannot DAS a meet and greet if it has not got a FP + return attached. So does that mean if the line is super long to say see Elsa and or Anna I luck out? Sometimes the lines are really long. I don't understand why Disney can't accomdate us ill folks if we want to see them.

Also is it correct that Elsa and Anna have been seperated now in their new home at EPCOT? But is it one line to see them both or do you have to line up twice?

Tia.

 

[gap2368]

you are right if there are no FP then there are not DAS return times. I too have a hard time waiting in a line that is more then 15 minutes I got lucky with peter pan one day as I needed a quiet place to sit and was in the area so I ended up sitting were he was meeting it was his first set I was just about ready to leave when the photo pas person came along with his handler I was the first one in line and about 5 minutes latter peter showed up.

If you want to go to GR and talk to them about how the DAS card is and is not working for you. they may not be able to do any thing for you this time but maybe if enough people let them know that they are trying to use the DAS card and for a few things it just is not working then maybe they will change a few things.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

you are right if there are no FP then there are not DAS return times. I too have a hard time waiting in a line that is more then 15 minutes I got lucky with peter pan one day as I needed a quiet place to sit and was in the area so I ended up sitting were he was meeting it was his first set I was just about ready to leave when the photo pas person came along with his handler I was the first one in line and about 5 minutes latter peter showed up.

If you want to go to GR and talk to them about how the DAS card is and is not working for you. they may not be able to do any thing for you this time but maybe if enough people let them know that they are trying to use the DAS card and for a few things it just is not working then maybe they will change a few things.

Thank you for your kind reply. How nice re Peter Pan! I wanted to just check I wasn't missing something I should be doing. I am going to speak to GR thank you. Well I know my wife is! She is super mad about this. Upset for me. I go to get release from my pain and medical endless treatment. I just want to see Elsa or Cindrella like everyone else.

 

[gap2368]

well for A&E if you can get there at RD then line is not that long ( in terms of wait time) most people are going to the ride first I know when I have been in the late after noon the line is only 15 to 20 minutes. I got to meet them once in there new location when the line was only 10 minutes. very cool inside ( with my disability there was not much to make my disability worst ) the line is all wheel chair ECV safe ( the lady infant of us in an ECV) and thanks to some disney magic you really do not stop long at any one time so it really is a slow walk in with a few seconds of stoping I do not know if this will help you are not.

as fair as Cinderella I think she dose have a FP for her so you could meet her

also I know some rides that do not have a FP they you can use your DAS card with ( weird hun) the rockets in tommorwland are one of them I know you can use your DAS card for and there is no FP for this ride.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

well for A&E if you can get there at RD then line is not that long ( in terms of wait time) most people are going to the ride first I know when I have been in the late after noon the line is only 15 to 20 minutes. I got to meet them once in there new location when the line was only 10 minutes. very cool inside ( with my disability there was not much to make my disability worst ) the line is all wheel chair ECV safe ( the lady infant of us in an ECV) and thanks to some disney magic you really do not stop long at any one time so it really is a slow walk in with a few seconds of stoping I do not know if this will help you are not.

as fair as Cinderella I think she dose have a FP for her so you could meet her

also I know some rides that do not have a FP they you can use your DAS card with ( weird hun) the rockets in tommorwland are one of them I know you can use your DAS card for and there is no FP for this ride.

Thank you for being helpful. Sadly I can't rope drop as being tube fed right now but thanks anyway. I just hope when I arrive the line is no longer than 10 mins. Otherwise I will have to pass. There have been times when I have got a return time to TSMWM and the line to wait has been too long waiting inside to board with other return time folk I have had to bail out! The worst meet and greet and I dream of is the Seven Dwarfs. We bought party tickets for MNSSHP but the line was super long. So we bought tickets again for another night. Same deal. I was so dissapointed. On DCL I am in heaven! It's character galore!

 

[gap2368]

Well at lest you have DCL too do your meets on. I was able to do 7D meet and greet it was great it took me 2 party's to do it. If you don't mind me ask you about your disability ( you can PM me ) I do not mind trying too see if there is something that would make meeting something you can do just a thought.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Well at lest you have DCL too do your meets on. I was able to do 7D meet and greet it was great it took me 2 party's to do it. If you don't mind me ask you about your disability ( you can PM me ) I do not mind trying too see if there is something that would make meeting something you can do just a thought.

Thank you. How kind.

I have autoimmune disease. It is in my Eyes, bowel, joints, liver. Also severe osteoporosis. Plus comprimised immune system due to drugs. So I stay away from crowds to long. Plus with certain conditions waiting in line not possible.. I am in a wheelchair and get very tired. But full of life and love Disney! I have a great understanding and kind wife that cares for me so I am very lucky.

 

[gap2368]

Well can you leave extra room between your self and the guest in front of you have your wife stand a little behind you giving you more room. ( this could be done for A&E. Since there is no switch backs so then no one will be next to you. This is how I did 7D meet I had to use a wheel chair due to some medical problems I was a lone and I got some really nice guest that gave me more room behind me. I also found the line for the party to be less crowded then the streets could you also use a mask for when you are in line I know some people do this ( she was born with no immunsyston and has to have weekly transfusion to give her the very little immunsyston she has.

I hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Well can you leave extra room between your self and the guest in front of you have your wife stand a little behind you giving you more room. ( this could be done for A&E. Since there is no switch backs so then no one will be next to you. This is how I did 7D meet I had to use a wheel chair due to some medical problems I was a lone and I got some really nice guest that gave me more room behind me. I also found the line for the party to be less crowded then the streets could you also use a mask for when you are in line I know some people do this ( she was born with no immunsyston and has to have weekly transfusion to give her the very little immunsyston she has.

I hope this gives you some ideas.

Thank you! I will judge the line. I often have to bail out due to my bowel issue

 

[gap2368]

Due you need help to use the bathroom if not you wife could wait in line for you. I would start out in line then if you need to leave for the bathroom you can. Then come back when finished. As long as you do not need any help. Most guest are fine with this if they know you were in line and are not cutting in at the last minute.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Due you need help to use the bathroom if not you wife could wait in line for you. I would start out in line then if you need to leave for the bathroom you can. Then come back when finished. As long as you do not need any help. Most guest are fine with this if they know you were in line and are not cutting in at the last minute.

That would be a great work around but I need my wife to help me sadly.

 

[gap2368]

I was in line to meet some one and I had to go use the bathroom and they held my stop for me do that I could use the bathroom. ( I was alone so no one in my party to hold my spot )

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I was in line to meet some one and I had to go use the bathroom and they held my stop for me do that I could use the bathroom. ( I was alone so no one in my party to hold my spot )

This gives me hope. I still am going to speak to GS though because I feel they are overlooking a weakness in the DAS.

 

[gap2368]

Yes I would but nothing will happen soon if they do happen I know I have spoken to GS and a maniger for GS about a few things I can not do because of my disabilities

 

[mamabunny]

This gives me hope. I still am going to speak to GS though because I feel they are overlooking a weakness in the DAS.

Paula, just remember that they don't need a diagnosis - they need to understand how & why the DAS will help you. That's why mobility issues are typically tougher for Disney; their policy seems to be across the board that mobility issues are addressed by using a wheelchair, ECV, walker, Rollator, etc.

I understand why you go - when I am at WDW, I don't have any pain. I laugh, and smile and feel like myself again, and luckily my family loves to visit as much as I do! I hope that you and your dear wife have a wonderful trip this next time!

 

[SueM in MN]

Paula, just remember that they don't need a diagnosis - they need to understand how & why the DAS will help you. That's why mobility issues are typically tougher for Disney; their policy seems to be across the board that mobility issues are addressed by using a wheelchair, ECV, walker, Rollator, etc.

I understand why you go - when I am at WDW, I don't have any pain. I laugh, and smile and feel like myself again, and luckily my family loves to visit as much as I do! I hope that you and your dear wife have a wonderful trip this next time!

If the needs are primarily mobility or stamina related, an accessible line and ability to bring the mobility device into the line IS the accommodation and nothing else is necessary. The CM can see the mobility device, so there is no need for anything else to 'prove' the person can use the mobility device in line (and in fact, it would be against the ADA for them to require guests to show something to use devices in line).

If an accessible line/using mobility device is not enough and the guest has other needs while in line that are not met by having their mobility device, they need to explain those additional needs at Guest Relations to request DAS. My daughter has mobility needs (can't walk), but she has other disability related needs that make waiting in traditional lines very difficult. We have explained those additional needs and have gotten DAS for her.

You may be able to get some help from CMs if you are able to let a CM know before leaving the line (I realize this might not always be possible, but people have gotten accommodation at times that allow them to come back into line without waiting again).

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Paula, just remember that they don't need a diagnosis - they need to understand how & why the DAS will help you. That's why mobility issues are typically tougher for Disney; their policy seems to be across the board that mobility issues are addressed by using a wheelchair, ECV, walker, Rollator, etc.

I understand why you go - when I am at WDW, I don't have any pain. I laugh, and smile and feel like myself again, and luckily my family loves to visit as much as I do! I hope that you and your dear wife have a wonderful trip this next time!

Thank you for your kind words.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

If the needs are primarily mobility or stamina related, an accessible line and ability to bring the mobility device into the line IS the accommodation and nothing else is necessary. The CM can see the mobility device, so there is no need for anything else to 'prove' the person can use the mobility device in line (and in fact, it would be against the ADA for them to require guests to show something to use devices in line).

If an accessible line/using mobility device is not enough and the guest has other needs while in line that are not met by having their mobility device, they need to explain those additional needs at Guest Relations to request DAS. My daughter has mobility needs (can't walk), but she has other disability related needs that make waiting in traditional lines very difficult. We have explained those additional needs and have gotten DAS for her.

You may be able to get some help from CMs if you are able to let a CM know before leaving the line (I realize this might not always be possible, but people have gotten accommodation at times that allow them to come back into line without waiting again).

Thank you Sue. We will try this with the CMs. I will speak to GR though because I do think Disney need something more official than us being at the mercy of if we get a gracious CM.

 

[Joanna71985]

The DAS wouldn't work for most characters as they are outside, so no way to have 2 lines (plus, there is no way to scan a magic band, as that is attractions, not entertainment)

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

The DAS wouldn't work for most characters as they are outside, so no way to have 2 lines (plus, there is no way to scan a magic band, as that is attractions, not entertainment)

That is true. Maybe a card then the CM give you incase you need to leave the line urgently and come back or allow another member of your party to line up without you.