Deaf - sitting at the front for shows

[Mazzy]

Hi, I've visited WDW a few times, and normally for shows I've just told them I'm severely deaf, I lipread (no signing skills) and they allowed myself and my family (4 in total) to sit in the disabled area at the front.

With the changes made to the GAC, I just wanted to check if anyone knows would this still be acceptable, or would I need to get a card from Guest Services?

Thanks

 

[lanejudy]

The DAS is not needed for this situation. You'll simply inform the CMs at each show what your needs are (front row seating for lip-reading).

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Mazzy]

The DAS is not needed for this situation. You'll simply inform the CMs at each show what your needs are (front row seating for lip-reading).

Enjoy your vacation!

That's great! Thank you!

 

[seven dwarfs]

Hi, I've visited WDW a few times, and normally for shows I've just told them I'm severely deaf, I lipread (no signing skills) and they allowed myself and my family (4 in total) to sit in the disabled area at the front.

With the changes made to the GAC, I just wanted to check if anyone knows would this still be acceptable, or would I need to get a card from Guest Services?

Thanks

Would you mind posting how your experience was when you get back? I have a daughter who has lost most of her hearing and doesn't sign either. (would love to learn but even our deaf industries in our town doesn't offer classes!!!) We have had the Gac in the past and it was still a pain. She has had three trips since she has lost her hearing and the first was really really bad! Part of this was because we didn't have any experience at all. Trying to get the reflective device set up (etc) was a mess at most shows. For example, at the Canada movie, we showed them the Gac. They told us where to go once inside the room and they would set up the reflective device for us. The movie had started before the CM even when to get the device. Another issue was they have books at some of the shows with the words in them. Many Cm's have no clue what this is and where it is stored. At the Land ride we had to convince the CM it was in the cabinet behind where the announcer was. She seemed so irritated with us. I understand why because she was trying to load the ride, make sure others were disembarking correctly and now we wanted her to stop and look for this book?? It really was frustrating for our daughter. We are a party of eight so maybe that complicates things?! I am so nervous about having to go to each ride and try to explain what we need. At least in the handicap line we were separated from the normal line which gave us time to talk to the CM. My daughter is very self conscious about it and I know it would bother her for me to have to explain her condition over and over. She also felt like a bother if the CM's had a attitude with us. I have tried to reassure her that it is okay and to not be embarrassed, but this is easy for me to say as I am not the one who is struggling in the world.

I think some of our issues were from not having enough help at the attractions. You have a limited number of workers and they are trying to get the wheelchairs settled, make sure everyone is moving all the way over etc. Just seemed so chaotic to us. We even had a couple people not know how to turn the reflective words on. Once the show started, we would have to find someone because it wasn't on.

We decided not to renew our passes and just take a break for awhile until the dust settles and things are more clear. It would be nice to hear 1st hand accounts with how it works out for others. I am hoping there will be better training with the CM's to so that maybe it will help our experience and others.

With all of this said, there was a young lady at the Lion King that could see the stress on our faces and my tears down my face. She came over to us and asked if my daughter could sign. I explained a little of our situation to her. She signed the entire show. (She was one of the dancers) She made my daughter feel so special and I will never ever forget what she did for my family!!!!!

 

[Talking Hands]

Since you do not use ASL I would suggest getting the handheld captioning device. You get it from Guest Services at each park. It requires a $25 deposit which is returned when you return the device the same day at the same park. I found that getting reflective captioning is iffy. You should be seated in the front just by requesting that without problem.

 

[CarolAnnB]

I second the handheld captioning devices in addition to sitting in the front. Below is a list of attractions you can use it on. My DH used it for the first time on our last trip. He is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids but was surprised at how much he had been missing before he tried this.

Handheld Captioning: Portable captioning system that utilizes Disney's Handheld Device to display text in locations such as moving attractions. Devices are available at Theme Park Guest Relations locations and a $25 refundable deposit is required (device must be returned on the same day for refund). Available at the following locations:


MAGIC KINGDOM Park:
Walt Disney World Railroad
Adventureland (2)-Pirates of the Caribbean, &
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Liberty Square-The Haunted Mansion
Fantasyland (5)-Peter Pan’s Flight, “it’s a small world”, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Enchanted Tales with Belle & Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
Tomorrowland (4)-Stitch’s Great Escape, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, & Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park:
Camp Minnie-Mickey-Festival of the Lion King
Rafiki’s Planet Watch-Wildlife Express Train




Epcot®:
Spaceship Earth-Spaceship Earth ride
Universe of Energy-Ellen’s Energy Adventure
The Seas with Nemo & Friends-Seas with Nemo & Friends ride
The Land-Living with the Land
Imagination!-Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Norway-Maelstrom (ride portion only)
Mexico-Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Beauty & the Beast-Live on Stage
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
The Great Movie Ride (ride portion only)
Disney Jr. – Live on Stage!
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
Studios Backlot Tour

 

[Mrsjvb]

Would you mind posting how your experience was when you get back? I have a daughter who has lost most of her hearing and doesn't sign either. (would love to learn but even our deaf industries in our town doesn't offer classes!!!) !

your local Community college should have ASL classes

 

[KPeveler]

I also suggest the handheld captioning device - I have not tried it in WDW, but in DL it was quite helpful, especially for dark rides. It also has a sound amplification option for people who have mild to moderate hearing loss in the same device. It is well worth the trouble of stopping to get the device when you get there.

It is sometimes annoying when you know more than the CMs, but I have found that the new "Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities" was very helpful with this. It lists what accommodations are available at each attraction, like ASL, Handheld Captioning, Reflective Captioning, etc. There have been times here in DL that I have shown the map to a CM, who then had to ask a lead to help, but as long as it was done, that is what mattered. The map is much easier to handle than the old booklet.

All you should have to do is tell a CM you need to be in the front, and that should be done at each show. Make sure you tell a CM when you arrive at Fantasmic! if you want Reflective Captioning, as that is only available in one section. It will help with seating if they know ahead of time.

In Toy Story Mania, all cars are equipped with a Closed Captioning button, located below the small screen in the middle of the car. Just hit the button and you are set. I advise hitting it before pulling down the arm of the ride car - otherwise it can be hard to reach!

 

[Mazzy]

Would you mind posting how your experience was when you get back? I have a daughter who has lost most of her hearing and doesn't sign either. (would love to learn but even our deaf industries in our town doesn't offer classes!!!) We have had the Gac in the past and it was still a pain. She has had three trips since she has lost her hearing and the first was really really bad! Part of this was because we didn't have any experience at all. Trying to get the reflective device set up (etc) was a mess at most shows. For example, at the Canada movie, we showed them the Gac. They told us where to go once inside the room and they would set up the reflective device for us. The movie had started before the CM even when to get the device. Another issue was they have books at some of the shows with the words in them. Many Cm's have no clue what this is and where it is stored. At the Land ride we had to convince the CM it was in the cabinet behind where the announcer was. She seemed so irritated with us. I understand why because she was trying to load the ride, make sure others were disembarking correctly and now we wanted her to stop and look for this book?? It really was frustrating for our daughter. We are a party of eight so maybe that complicates things?! I am so nervous about having to go to each ride and try to explain what we need. At least in the handicap line we were separated from the normal line which gave us time to talk to the CM. My daughter is very self conscious about it and I know it would bother her for me to have to explain her condition over and over. She also felt like a bother if the CM's had a attitude with us. I have tried to reassure her that it is okay and to not be embarrassed, but this is easy for me to say as I am not the one who is struggling in the world.

I think some of our issues were from not having enough help at the attractions. You have a limited number of workers and they are trying to get the wheelchairs settled, make sure everyone is moving all the way over etc. Just seemed so chaotic to us. We even had a couple people not know how to turn the reflective words on. Once the show started, we would have to find someone because it wasn't on.

We decided not to renew our passes and just take a break for awhile until the dust settles and things are more clear. It would be nice to hear 1st hand accounts with how it works out for others. I am hoping there will be better training with the CM's to so that maybe it will help our experience and others.

With all of this said, there was a young lady at the Lion King that could see the stress on our faces and my tears down my face. She came over to us and asked if my daughter could sign. I explained a little of our situation to her. She signed the entire show. (She was one of the dancers) She made my daughter feel so special and I will never ever forget what she did for my family!!!!!

We have been to WDW 11 times, and yes I have had some bad experiences when I haven't got the reflective captioning set up in time, turned on etc, I do feel for your daughter, I have been deaf since I was 10 years old, so can understand how she feels, it is a lot to deal with. I think over the years I have just toughened up and got more assertive, tbh you do have to be assertive and proactive when you have a hearing loss, I wish you didn't, but I've found I really do have to stand up for myself in many situations, as most people don't understand about deafness and it's impact on day to day living, it is even seen by some people as not a disability at all, but it surely is. To help your daughter maybe you could find out if there are any clubs for the deaf within distance of you, you may have to travel a bit further out for signing/lipreading classes but it would definitely be worth it. As another poster said, your local college should have something, or failing that, contact the US deaf association (sorry, I'm UK so not familiar with the name) who I'm sure would do their best to help. Also if she goes online there are deaf forums which may also help her.

Regarding WDW even after 11 years I am still expecting to experience a blip on our next trip, as you are dealing with human nature, but to me, WDW is still worth the trip, as I get far more joy than blips! I think your daughter just needs some support in becoming used to being a deaf person, I do hope you can find this help through one of the channels I mentioned. She will get more confident as she realises she is not alone and there is a lot of support out there, I really hope you do go back to WDW and that your daughter gets enjoyment out of it, I go in thinking, well there may be a blip here and there, but it will get it sorted, I will be proactive, stay calm and do my best to enjoy my time in the most Magical place in the World.

 

[Mazzy]

I second the handheld captioning devices in addition to sitting in the front. Below is a list of attractions you can use it on. My DH used it for the first time on our last trip. He is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids but was surprised at how much he had been missing before he tried this.

Handheld Captioning: Portable captioning system that utilizes Disney's Handheld Device to display text in locations such as moving attractions. Devices are available at Theme Park Guest Relations locations and a $25 refundable deposit is required (device must be returned on the same day for refund). Available at the following locations:


MAGIC KINGDOM Park:
Walt Disney World Railroad
Adventureland (2)-Pirates of the Caribbean, &
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Liberty Square-The Haunted Mansion
Fantasyland (5)-Peter Pan’s Flight, “it’s a small world”, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Enchanted Tales with Belle & Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
Tomorrowland (4)-Stitch’s Great Escape, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, & Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park:
Camp Minnie-Mickey-Festival of the Lion King
Rafiki’s Planet Watch-Wildlife Express Train




Epcot®:
Spaceship Earth-Spaceship Earth ride
Universe of Energy-Ellen’s Energy Adventure
The Seas with Nemo & Friends-Seas with Nemo & Friends ride
The Land-Living with the Land
Imagination!-Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Norway-Maelstrom (ride portion only)
Mexico-Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Beauty & the Beast-Live on Stage
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
The Great Movie Ride (ride portion only)
Disney Jr. – Live on Stage!
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
Studios Backlot Tour

Thanks so much for the updated list, I have used the handheld captioning during one trip a few years ago, but not since, so may use it again this trip at some of the parks, I especially think it will be useful for Beauty and the Beast, as we haven't seen that since before the handheld captioning was available.

 

[Mazzy]

I also suggest the handheld captioning device - I have not tried it in WDW, but in DL it was quite helpful, especially for dark rides. It also has a sound amplification option for people who have mild to moderate hearing loss in the same device. It is well worth the trouble of stopping to get the device when you get there.

It is sometimes annoying when you know more than the CMs, but I have found that the new "Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities" was very helpful with this. It lists what accommodations are available at each attraction, like ASL, Handheld Captioning, Reflective Captioning, etc. There have been times here in DL that I have shown the map to a CM, who then had to ask a lead to help, but as long as it was done, that is what mattered. The map is much easier to handle than the old booklet.

All you should have to do is tell a CM you need to be in the front, and that should be done at each show. Make sure you tell a CM when you arrive at Fantasmic! if you want Reflective Captioning, as that is only available in one section. It will help with seating if they know ahead of time.

In Toy Story Mania, all cars are equipped with a Closed Captioning button, located below the small screen in the middle of the car. Just hit the button and you are set. I advise hitting it before pulling down the arm of the ride car - otherwise it can be hard to reach!

Thanks so much for telling me about the captioning button on TSM, I had no idea! Also, I will get a map, I think that will be quicker than trying to explain, do they have them at Guest Relations?

 

[RobynPrincess]

Mazzy I thought of you straight away when I started reading this thread

OP, I don't really have any advice to offer than to say good luck, I hope you have a lovely trip and everything goes smoothly xxx

 

[Mazzy]

Mazzy I thought of you straight away when I started reading this thread

OP, I don't really have any advice to offer than to say good luck, I hope you have a lovely trip and everything goes smoothly xxx

I am the OP, lol! ;-)

 

[RobynPrincess]

I am the OP, lol! ;-)

Wow, I am a moron sometimes! Lol