Shock13
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2006
- Messages
- 580
First off this is my experience from DLR not WDW so there will probably be differences in how things are to be handled.
I went to DLR on the day that the DAS officially began. I did not go to guest services since I was using my red/white cane the entire time. I went to the Indiana Jones ride which has a dark and windy queue area and it is very difficult for me to get through so I told the CM at the entrance my issue and he gave me the spiel about the new system etc and gave me a ticket with a time to return which was 30 minutes later. My family then rode POTC and returned a couple minutes later after our arranged time. We got on with no issues and only waited 15 minutes. This was the only ride I asked to skip the queue.
When it came to see the Aladdin show, I had some issues. In the past I was able to join the Priority Seating people who are let into the theater first and I'm always able to grab a seat in the second or third row. When I approached the CM who handled this area, I was denied accommodation. I asked him what I had to do and he just pointed to another CM a few steps away. The CM was unfortunately rude. She said I had to go to guest services first and there at GS they would find a way to accommodate me. I asked her if my red/white cane (which I was holding) not proof enough and she said no and told me to go to GS. The show was about to start in about 15 minutes so I knew going to GS would be pointless. She then told me "I'll let you in this one time" in a condescending tone. I felt embarrassed and upset. When I returned to the PS area, another CM was there and I asked her what I needed to do to get a close up seat on my next visit. She told me I had to just show up early to see the show and suggested to show up 45 minutes before showtime.
She then went on and on about how the DAS was for people who couldn't wait in lines and etc. I was so confused on why she was telling me this since this wasn't a ride and my issue wasn't about not being able to wait in a line. Then she told me that there were other ways to accommodate me other than going in the PS area. I asked her what that would be just to see if it was worth the time and effort but she just said "I'm not at liberty to say".
She was so back and forth I seriously didn't know what the heck was going on but I just decided to join the PS group and was able to see the show from the second row.
I went to guest services later that evening NOT to complain but to ask directly if I would be accommodated for the show when I returned. I told them what had happened and they profusely apologized and said that I should have been allowed to join the PS group without issue because I had my cane. The CM there was super nice and told me she would talk to the other CM's.
I then asked her if I would be accommodated to see the WOC show. She said she honestly didn't know but to look for a CM wearing this and that. After the Aladdin fiasco I wasn't expecting much for WOC but when I went to a CM 45 minutes before the show and asked if there was a place I could see up close, she immediately took me to a section that had rows of benches and just above the first tier along the water. I had a perfect view and this has easily become my favorite show ever because of the vivid colors and special effects that I can see so well. My day ended up on a good note for sure.
I realize that it was a tough day for the CM's with the new DAS system in place. It seemed to me however that some of the CM's were so focused on the majority of DAS users who use a wheelchair or can't wait in the lines for rides that they seem to group everyone in on specific mold and not know that some like the visually disabled just need a front row for the show, that's all.
I have no issues with the DAS system. I had no complaints in coming back to ride Indiana Jones later and it was perfect since POTC was right there and is usually just a 20 minute wait.
I will be going to WDW in the spring and seeing the shows up front is a must for me. I know this is a totally separate park but I'm hoping that just by having my red/white cane it will allow me the same access as I did in the past with FOTLK and Fantasmic.
Sorry this got lengthy but just wanted to put in my experience and welcome any thoughts about it.
I went to DLR on the day that the DAS officially began. I did not go to guest services since I was using my red/white cane the entire time. I went to the Indiana Jones ride which has a dark and windy queue area and it is very difficult for me to get through so I told the CM at the entrance my issue and he gave me the spiel about the new system etc and gave me a ticket with a time to return which was 30 minutes later. My family then rode POTC and returned a couple minutes later after our arranged time. We got on with no issues and only waited 15 minutes. This was the only ride I asked to skip the queue.
When it came to see the Aladdin show, I had some issues. In the past I was able to join the Priority Seating people who are let into the theater first and I'm always able to grab a seat in the second or third row. When I approached the CM who handled this area, I was denied accommodation. I asked him what I had to do and he just pointed to another CM a few steps away. The CM was unfortunately rude. She said I had to go to guest services first and there at GS they would find a way to accommodate me. I asked her if my red/white cane (which I was holding) not proof enough and she said no and told me to go to GS. The show was about to start in about 15 minutes so I knew going to GS would be pointless. She then told me "I'll let you in this one time" in a condescending tone. I felt embarrassed and upset. When I returned to the PS area, another CM was there and I asked her what I needed to do to get a close up seat on my next visit. She told me I had to just show up early to see the show and suggested to show up 45 minutes before showtime.
She then went on and on about how the DAS was for people who couldn't wait in lines and etc. I was so confused on why she was telling me this since this wasn't a ride and my issue wasn't about not being able to wait in a line. Then she told me that there were other ways to accommodate me other than going in the PS area. I asked her what that would be just to see if it was worth the time and effort but she just said "I'm not at liberty to say".
She was so back and forth I seriously didn't know what the heck was going on but I just decided to join the PS group and was able to see the show from the second row.
I went to guest services later that evening NOT to complain but to ask directly if I would be accommodated for the show when I returned. I told them what had happened and they profusely apologized and said that I should have been allowed to join the PS group without issue because I had my cane. The CM there was super nice and told me she would talk to the other CM's.
I then asked her if I would be accommodated to see the WOC show. She said she honestly didn't know but to look for a CM wearing this and that. After the Aladdin fiasco I wasn't expecting much for WOC but when I went to a CM 45 minutes before the show and asked if there was a place I could see up close, she immediately took me to a section that had rows of benches and just above the first tier along the water. I had a perfect view and this has easily become my favorite show ever because of the vivid colors and special effects that I can see so well. My day ended up on a good note for sure.
I realize that it was a tough day for the CM's with the new DAS system in place. It seemed to me however that some of the CM's were so focused on the majority of DAS users who use a wheelchair or can't wait in the lines for rides that they seem to group everyone in on specific mold and not know that some like the visually disabled just need a front row for the show, that's all.
I have no issues with the DAS system. I had no complaints in coming back to ride Indiana Jones later and it was perfect since POTC was right there and is usually just a 20 minute wait.
I will be going to WDW in the spring and seeing the shows up front is a must for me. I know this is a totally separate park but I'm hoping that just by having my red/white cane it will allow me the same access as I did in the past with FOTLK and Fantasmic.
Sorry this got lengthy but just wanted to put in my experience and welcome any thoughts about it.
