Disney Handheld Device / hearing aids

[mikat]

Hi all, we're planning our first rip to the world and DH is hearing impaired and has in-the-ear hearing aids. He's already decided to not wear his HA for most of the trip (ambient noise really bothers him) and just wear them for shows. I'm trying to get him interested in the Disney Handheld Device, but we are definitely planning on being Rope Drop regulars with our two sons, so the question become the pick-up location. Can we pick them up inside of the turnstiles before rope drop, or will we have to wait until the park is officially open? If we have to wait until park opening, I think we'll run to do the Big First Thing (FP for TSMM and Soarin', Jedi Training, Dumbo, etc) and then try to backtrack to get the Handheld. Is there one particular park where the Handheld really is helpful? From what I read, it looks like it could be very handy for Philharmagic and in Epcot. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Talking Hands]

When I used it last it only worked for Philharmagic preshow and not the actual show so you still needed reflective captioning. haven't bother with them at EPCOT so far. I prefer sign language interpreters for shows that have them.