Disney and a child with a disability?

[dixonsontour]

Where is the best source of info on what sort of assistance may be available for a child with a disbility.

My DD 3 is disabled.

I've read somewhere about taking proof of DD's DLA benefit. Do I need to do this and where do i go with it? What do Disney do?

We didn't do anything last time because DD was only 2, I didn't think to and DH was with me.

One incident really upset me last time. I took DD in a disabled toilet after the lion king show. When we came out, a woman with an older girl in a wheelchair started loudly having a go at me about using the disabled toilet. I was gobsmacked and just said she is disabled and turned my daughter around(I was holding her) so she could see her disability (DD was not in a wheelchair but has a very obvious physical disability) Instead of apologising or saying nothing she carried on ranting and I just walked away. In my head i've thought of lots of things I should have said but I had never been treated like that before.

This time i'm on my own with DD and a little wary after the above. I don't think DD will need assistance but I thought if there is an official card or something I would have it just in case and could ensure we got the help we needed or could prove DD is indeed 'officially' disabled (although it is blooming obvious!)

We are on eurostar from Ashford so any info about eurostar also welcome.

Thanks in advance

Stephanie

 

[ukstitch]

If you have proof of disablity (doctor's note, benefits book, blue badge etc), then you can go to City Hall on Main Street and get a disability access card.

This will allow you to access many of the rides via the exit rather than the main entrance. If it is a diability which affects their abiity to wait for long periods of time in line (e.g. autism) then you can get that card stamped with a black mickey head which allows you to use more ride exits (the normal card without the stamp is to help with accessibility for people who can't cope with steps etc and is therefore not valid on rides in the studios etc which have been designed with disabilties in mind).

I suppose if somebody really questioned you as described above, you could just flash the card at them, although one would hope you wouldn't have to do that to be honest.

 

[ScottishThistle]

My son has a disability and I honestly can't praise Disney high enough for how easy they make everything.

Proof of your little one's disability is purely so that you can go to City Hall and they will issue her with an Easy Access Pass as the previous poster said. You should definitely make this your first stop when you get there. I know there are different levels of pass. My son is in a wheelchair so we get to enter most rides via the exits. Although they don't officially allow you to "jump the queue", that's what the pass effectively does. When it's busy, rides like Buzz will give you a time to come back almost like the Fastpass system.

The pass can also be used when meeting characters. Instead of waiting in the queues, just go to the exit of the meeting area and catch the CM's attention and your little one will be taken straight in to meet them. If it's just a general scrum to meet characters walking about, again catch a CM's attention and they'll make sure your little one isn't left out. At parade time, there are allocated spots for disabled people to stand. Wheelchair bound guests tend to take priority and then other disabled people.

The guide for guests for disabilities can be downloaded here: http://groups.disneylandparis.co.uk/visit/disabled-visitors/index.xhtml

You'll get a copy when you go to City Hall but it's handy to have a read at it before you go. CMs can't help you assistance wise by lifting etc but will go out of their way to help you in any way that they can.

I'd try not to let the horrible incident put you off. Just put it down to a horrible person and something that could have happened anywhere, rather than Disney. We've honestly not come across anything like that which is why we can't seem to stop going back

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for the info and thanks for the link scottish thistle.

The Disability access card sounds like what I thinking of but didn't know the proper name.

No the incident hasn't put us off disney - it was nothing to do with disney, could have happened anywhere. Just want to be a bit more clued up this time.

Do you know if a letter confirming receipt of higher rate DLA from the benefits agency is enough proof (combined with seeing my daughter's physical disability) or will i need to get a letter from the dr.

 

[ScottishThistle]

I'm not 100% sure, actually. We drive to Disney so always just use our blue badge. If you have one for her you could take that or a photocopy of it.

The website says:

FOREIGNERS: European disabled parking badge or medical certificate in French or English issued less than 3 months ago and signed and stamped by the doctor, certifying the person's disability and stating whether or not they need to be accompanied by a third party in order to get around.

I'm sure I've heard of people using DLA letters before but you could probably email them direct from the website to find out for sure. Anytime I've emailed them for anything disability wise, they've got back to me within a day.

 

[dixonsontour]

just downloaded the guide, very detailed and info on each ride - just what i was after thanks again

 

[scampbunny]

glad uve got sum good advice.
i too echo that disney are very good for disabled guests.
we did get to see winnie the pooh using our pass, as that was easy to get the cm attention, but we struggled with the princess stage, as the cm were the opposite side to the exit.... but not sure if they are still doing it!!!

any extra advice im keepin an eye on, as takin the kids myself next month and dreading it!!!

ukstitch - i remember u mentionin the black mickey head stamp, and we def didnt get that on our card in december, nor is there any mention of it in the guide (can u tell ive been searching thru my stuff ready for our next trip??) do i need to ask for this, or should they automatically give it?? and havent had the chance to let u know - but ds2 was formally diagnosed with autism yesterday.....

 

[ukstitch]

ukstitch - i remember u mentionin the black mickey head stamp, and we def didnt get that on our card in december, nor is there any mention of it in the guide (can u tell ive been searching thru my stuff ready for our next trip??) do i need to ask for this, or should they automatically give it?? and havent had the chance to let u know - but ds2 was formally diagnosed with autism yesterday.....

I'm not sure how we found out about it the first time, but if you ask for it and explain the situation (in our case that DB is unable to queue patiently due to his autism) and ask for a black mickey head stamp, then they should add one onto your pass. As you've got a formal diagnosis, this should be even easier as we just have to explain and hope

It's really useful as it allows you to do things that the normal card won't e.g. use the exits for buzz, cars, crush, carpets (and anything else in the studios).

 

[Cyrano]

This thread serves as a useful reminder that there is a link to the Disabled Guest guide in The Very Useful Info sticky

I am sure there are many other hints and tips that our lovely DISers could give to people requiring some assistance. If the OP doesnt't mind they could be added to this thread We could then look at pulling information together to help everyone have the most magical time at DLP

 

[ScottishThistle]

I've never saw the black Mickey headstamp either. I was lead to believe that there were different coloured passes for different levels of disability and that was what allowed CMs to instantly recognise what level of assistance you needed.

 

[scampbunny]

I'm not sure how we found out about it the first time, but if you ask for it and explain the situation (in our case that DB is unable to queue patiently due to his autism) and ask for a black mickey head stamp, then they should add one onto your pass. As you've got a formal diagnosis, this should be even easier as we just have to explain and hope

It's really useful as it allows you to do things that the normal card won't e.g. use the exits for buzz, cars, crush, carpets (and anything else in the studios).

aha - i did see that studios u wud just have to queue even with the card, but if it has the stamp, then u get to use the exit..... that wud help - mostly for buzz, cars & poss carpets (he def loves buzz & cars).... mind u - havin a battle to get a letter from paed as shes 'busy' but hopin the other paed who did the diag yest will send a letter confirming this, so i can use that instead!!! and then i have the forms to fill in - so u can be sure ill be after all the help i can get for those!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks rob

 

[scampbunny]

I've never saw the black Mickey headstamp either. I was lead to believe that there were different coloured passes for different levels of disability and that was what allowed CMs to instantly recognise what level of assistance you needed.

what we had in december was basically a green card with ds2 name on it, and it was no bigger than a5 size. i assumed there was just 1 card for everything!!! maybe others can say what they have had??? see if there are diffs


also - just found this under wds....

Access to attractions at Walt Disney Studios® Park
To promote maximum integration of disabled guests, all queue lines are wheelchair-accessible. For access to attractions, all visitors are invited to take the same route. However, people whose disability is incompatible with these routes, can obtain an Assisted Access Card from Studio Services for use exclusively within Walt Disney Studios Park. It does not entitle the holder to priority access to attractions, but it allows the disabled visitor to wait outside the queue line while the rest of the accompanying group wait in the usual line.

so - do u think we need to go to studio service for this card?? are they running 2 ways of access, or one & which is the correct one??? anyone else confused or is it just me???

 

[ScottishThistle]

The card we get in City Hall does us in both the Studios and the main park. We don't do too many rides in the Studios but we've been taken in through a side door on Armageddon to save us from queueing in the main queue and the same happened with Stitch Live. With the Studio Tours ride, we were automatically taken straight through and on as well. The main benefit in the studios has been for meeting the characters. Rather than waiting in the queues for The Incredibles etc or Sully, we've been taken to the exit and allowed to go before everyone else.

 

[ukstitch]

the card we always get is also green - the only difference is that we expain about DB's condition and they add a black mickey head stamp to it. That card then becomes valid in both the main park and the studios.

We've never had to wait outside the ride while somebody queues though - we've always been allowed through the exit in the same manner as in the main park.

 

[scampbunny]

thanks for that - will maybe try it and see at easter, as it is just me with the boys, anything that makes lookin after ds2 easier is a help.....

yes, did think that bit about the one person waiting outside the queue a bit strange!!!!!!!!!!!


interesting to know all the bits tho isnt it?