Disabled Access Disney Studios

[Calumsmummy]

We go this Saturday (18th) for 3 nts, and have an autistic child.
He isnt in a wheelchair, but he does have limited mobility in that he has a hip problem exaccerbated by standing or walking for long periods of time without being able to sit down and rest.
We have a "Blue Badge" which is an accepted form of ID to qualify for the "easy access" card. He would find it virtually impossible to queue with lots of people for more than a few minutes so we were relieved to find that in the Magic Kingdom, he would enjoy disabled access to most of the attractions. Whilst I know he cannot get "priority access" I understand that he wont have to wait too long before being able to ride which will really save a lot of tears and frustration.

This doesnt seem to be so at Disney Studios however as they seem to have built the entrances & queuing area to accomodate wheelchairs and from what I can see, there is no real special access and he will need to queue along with everyone else which is really going to be a problem and I am beginning to worry that he is going to be in pain by standing in those queues for long periods of time.

Has anyone had any experience of what its like at DS for the disabled? If so, was it really the case that disabled guests had to stand in line with everyone else?

We have thought about hiring a wheelchair, but Calum would get really upset if he had to use it.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

 

[ukstitch]

You may be able to go to City Hall and explain the situation to them. There is a black Mickey head stamp which can be added to your pass, which will provide you with "priority" access via the exits - even in the Studios.

This is normally reserved for people who can not understand queuing etc, but they might give it to you.

The other option is they may be able to give you something to allow your DS to remain outside the attraction, then join the ride via the exit once a member of your family has queued through the normal queue.

 

[Disneyfoo]

Hello

My Fiance has been given the easy access card on our last two visits and in the studios they let us access some of the rides via the exit. We only went on R'n'R and TOT. On R'n'R we entered via the exit and then went through the back door, there is a short wait as we had to wait for the car to come round. On TOT they let us enter via the fastpass entrance, but we still had to queue up for a short time inside the lobby. The CM asked if my fiance was okay with stairs for that ride as well. Whilst we did not go on Crush's Coaster this time, I think you enter via the exit as with R'n'R. We never had a problem with CMs, however the card does state it is not priority access but I think that means you still have to queue for a short time. By the way, just in case you did not know, the same card is used for both the parks now. The first time we got the card we needed a seperate card for each park, but on the last visit we were given one card to use in both

We found them very accomodating for disabled users.

 

[Calumsmummy]

Thanks very much for your replies.
That makes me feel happier. He could manage to wait for maybe 10 minutes maximum, but he does not really understand the concept of waiting any longer than this, and if it were much longer, he would struggle physically and mentally. Its hard when there is no real visible signs of a disability, to look at my son, he seems perfectly fine, but we will keep our fingers crossed things will be fine.

Appreciate your help, thankyou

 

[ukstitch]

he does not really understand the concept of waiting any longer than this, and if it were much longer, he would struggle physically and mentally.

Sounds like a perfect candidate for a black Mickey head now you've mentioned this part, although you will probably need to ask specifically for this (and explain why you want it) as City Hall do not always offer it by default

 

[Cyrano]

It would be worthwhile taking a doctors letter with you explaining that your DS is autistic.
I can't speak from personal experience but DLP always seems to cater for special guests very well

 

[lilo68]

I can't fault DLRP on their services for the disabled. DS2 who is 10, is also autistic. We used to really struggle in the studios as he won't even join a queue if there is anymore than 5 people in it, so the introduction of the mickey stamp has been wonderful for us. But as ukstitch has pointed out you will have to ask for this and explain why you need it. A word of warning though, the exit to potc can get very busy.

 

[Calumsmummy]

Lilo68, Cyrano, ukstitch, Disneyfoo, Thanks for your advice, it is much appreciated.

Lilo68, I may be having a "blonde moment" so appologies in advance, but what is "potc" please?

Thanks

 

[ukstitch]

pirates of the Caribbean

 

[Calumsmummy]

ukstitch Thankyou- sorry- complete blonde moment Of COURSE it's Pirates Of The Carribean

What am I like?!

Excitement I guess ... thanks for that

Fingers crossed for the Mickey Head