Disabled Access to Characters

[zoedot]

Hi,

We are going to Florida in January 2009 with my disabled daughter who has Asperger's Syndrome.

With my daughter's difficulties she finds it hard to wait in long queues. She also loves meeting the Disney characters, but as I said, she does not like to wait.

I have heard that some cast members let disabled people in first.

Does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks.

 

[Goofyish]

Hi Zoedot, I moved you thread over to the UK Trip Planning forum

I believe that you can go to Guest Relations at the park entrances and get a special Guest Assistance Card.

For more information on the GAC and other disability information we have a really good disABILITY board:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

There are 'sticky' threads with loads of useful tips and plenty of DISers who can answer all your questions

There is also a section on the main DIS site giving information for special needs guests:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disabgeneral.htm

There is also some useful information on special needs here:

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/special.htm

 

[eyeore]

hi zoedot. i also have a disabled son and have been to disney many times. i have always had to wait in line for the characters, even with a gac. i must say though the lines do move quite quickly most of the time as the characters cant stay out too long in the sun. weve only been caught maybe twice in long queues once was in toontown (inside the disney store) and the other was for ariel ( i know but he liked her). you might find it easier to ask a cm if they can tell you when and where a character is due to be and make your way to that area a little earlier and hang around until they make an appearance. at least that way you should be near the front of the queue if not the front hope this helps.

 

[Belle68]

My DD has a dual diagnosis of DS and ASD and yes as Eeyore has said we to have also had to wait in line to see the characters with a GAC, Have you thought of carrying something with you to keep your DD entertained while you wait, perhaps a favourite toy or maybe even invest in a Pal Mickey, this seems to work for our DD, we have also found the lines fast moving.

The GAC's are great for all the other attractions though.

 

[darthtatty]

theres usually lots of characters about so im sure there wont be many queues.
i know when we went to look around Mickey & Minnies houses at the end there were characters there and because you toured the houses at your own pace there wasnt really a Q.

the only time i remember getting 'special' treatment was @ Universal the Barney show. they kept the Disabled children in at the end of the show to meet Barney and then afterwards Barney went outside to meet everyone else

 

[Nubbedy]

Are you travelling with anyone else who could stand in the queue in your DD's place while you walked around with her nearby, or occupied her out of the queue somehow?

Can't offer any other suggestions sorry.

Sara.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Maybe trying the character dining would work, there are quite a few different characters you could meet that way and you have more time with them than at a character meet in the parks.

 

[scojos]

my ds has aspergers, i have found lots of useful tips on the disabilities board.
if you want any further info feel free to pm me, the GAC is a godsend, is does not reduce queing time but will help you alot.
consider TGM for touring info to avoid long queues and as a previous poster said, send someone to queue and have them wait away...
ds hated queing for rides (hence our use of the gac, however waiting patiently to see characters as it was normally only 5 mins.
have you considered a character meal early on to mett his favourites, well worth the time and money imho.
Tracy

 

[zoedot]

Hi everybody!

You have all given me some great advice. Thanks alot.

Thanks again.

 

[ariel75]

Hi just to say we went jan 2007 and there was only long queues on a saturday i also have a son who is unable to queue for a long period of time the most we waited was 5-10 minutes good luck!!!