Guest Services

[ontario2orlando]

Just curious about services for persons with limitations. Would a person who is blind or with low vision have any services available to them? Could guest services priority seat(front row) a blind child for say Fantasmic or Indiana Jones?

 

[KPeveler]

when you get to the parks, stop at guest services and explain your/your child's needs. you do not need to give a diagnosis or a dr's note, but you must explain what would be helpful to you - i.e. front of the theatre, etc. if it is for your child, you child MUST be present when you get the card. the card is called a GAC, guest assistance card. As far as I know, if you have a person with a vision impairment, you would be able to sit in the front of theatres... be aware that the front rows of fantasmic get hot from fire and get wet, and the front of indiana jones gets hot from fire... but yes, a person with a vision impairment should be able to move up front. check out the FAQs at the top of the forum for more info on the GACs

 

[cathy_s]

Yes indeed! We do it all of the time.

My DD 14 has Downs and has limited vision. When you go to get your GAC just let the CM know that someone in your party has limited vision. One of the stamps she gets on her GAC is "allow guests to sit in the front row of theaters or ride vehicles where applicable". We've never had a problem with a CM but it is rather apparent that she has vision issues.

She also gets another stamp on her GAC because she has problems with low light or stairs. It's kind of funny that the blind kid gets really direct access to the Indy Speedway so that she can DRIVE

 

[ontario2orlando]

Hey that is great info! Thanks for a quick and good reply. As it is we have two visually limited individuals traveling in our party. Thanks, this makes a world of difference to them.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I don't know the ages of the two people with visual impairments, but just in case it is of use to you, I wanted to let you know that WDW have 2 different taped tours (one to give you a general overview, the other to take you around the park, on a preset route) and Braille guidebooks. They also have tactile maps near the entrance to the park (often in Guest Services).

Have a great trip!

 

[dclfun]

To the OP- I'm glad this eases your mind and that your child will be accommodated. Just as a reminder, we're not supposed to print specific verbiage from a GAC card. Unfortunately some who are not disabled have taken that information and abused it. :-(---Kathy

 

[ontario2orlando]

We know all too well that some people like the "benefits" that are extended to limited persons. Unfortunately, they don't realize for those that are limited, these accomidations are not privilage. It's quite apparent that a challenged person would trade situations with them almost any day.

We'll speak with GS and have no doubt they'll do what they can to make a blind child's visit as magical and inclusive as possible.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides the GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, in post 3 of that thread there are some links that might be helpful.
There are some links to the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. They don't have a lot about visual disabilities, but there is some.
There are also links in post 3 to past threads about boarding rides. The question in those posts was more about mobility, but you may find the information helpful, especially the info about boarding rides with moving walkways.
I think someone already mentioned asking about getting a GAC that would allow you to use the wheelchair accessible areas. Most attractions don't actually have separate wheelchair entrances, but using the accessible area would allow you to bypass things like stairs and use the exit for boarding on attractions with moving walkways (you don't ENTER into the exit; after waiting in line, you usually would be routed to the exit for boarding just before the regular boarding area).

Also, something to keep in mind. For some attractions, especially those with stairs or moving walkways, you would be going in with the wheelchairs. For some shows/movies, the wheelchair seating is in the back, so the CM may route your party somewhere else/tell you to stay with the people going to the regular seating area. This usually happens where the wheelchair seating is at the back and is blocked off from the main seating area, so it would be difficult (or not possible) to let you get to the front of the theater.
I have seen people arguing with the CM who tried to route them this way ("We have a GAC that allows us to sit with the wheelchairs. You have to let us!!") and not listening to the CM about why they don't want to be with the wheelchairs for that attraction.

 

[cathy_s]

Just as a reminder, we're not supposed to print specific verbiage from a GAC card. Unfortunately some who are not disabled have taken that information and abused it. :-(---Kathy

oops! I'm thinking the above is meant for me!

As you can see from my post, Sue edited my original blabbermouth ramble and took out the details. It just never would have crossed my mind that people would do such a thing.

As far as the moving sidewalks, we leave dd a few steps behind and either dh or I ask the CM to stop or REALLY slow the sidewalk because of her vision. We only recently learned that they can do this because a wonderfully helpful CM saw that we would have issues and explained that all we have to do is ask and they'll slow things down for us on any ride.

That's good to know about the taped guides. Is it only MK that has them or is it all of the parks? I'm thinking it would help her to "see" the animals at AK if it's available.

Cathy

 

[Cheshire Figment]

All of the moving sidewalks for attraction boarding and exiting can be slowed, and all except Peter Pan can be stopped.

This applies only to boarding and getting out of ride vehicles. This does not apply to the exits from Space Mountain or Pirates or the ramp to/from the boarding area of TTA.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

This is what the official guidebook says about the audio tapes:

Each Theme Park has cassette tapes that give Guests a sense of direction and a brief description of the attractions. Audio cassettes and portable tape players are available at Guest Relations in the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney's Hollywood Studios™ and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.

A refundable $25 deposit is required (must return item on the same day for refund).

There are two versions of these audio tapes:

The Audio Guide provides the Guest with a brief and general overview of the services available at the Walt Disney World Resort, as well as an orientation to the layout of the respective Park.

The Audio Tour provides the Guest with a detailed "guided" tour of the respective Park. It provides Guests with a specific route to follow, complete with distances between attractions and key stopping locations.

I'm afraid I've never had need to use them, so can't give any extra information, but they might be worth a try, next time you're at the World.

 

[cathy_s]

Thanks for the info on the tapes. We'll try them the next time we go (a friend is pushing for April) and I'll be sure to report back with some details.

Cathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the info on the tapes. We'll try them the next time we go (a friend is pushing for April) and I'll be sure to report back with some details.

Cathy

I'm not sure how interesting they would be for a child. Someone a long time ago told me about having used them and they are sort of like an audio tour ("if you face left, xxxxx attraction is about 50 feet straight ahead of you").

If you do try them, I'd be interested to hear what you think.

 

[dclfun]

Cathy- no worries. I just know in the past we've been told not to write specifically what is stamped on a GAC. Besides the fact that people have abused that information ( and this is something that those of us who need an accommodation wouldn't have thought of!) the verbiage can change so someone might have expectations to see a particular "stamp" on their card and would be upset if it was different. I know you were trying to help the OP and that's why we're all here- to help each other. I
It would be interesting to me if they decided to have an audio tour that WAS for children. It could possibly be narrated by one of the characters and hold the interest of a young child. I will mention this to one of the people I know involved in services for guests with disabilities to see if this has been considered and offer it as a suggestion.---Kathy

 

[OneLittleSpark]

It would be interesting to me if they decided to have an audio tour that WAS for children. It could possibly be narrated by one of the characters and hold the interest of a young child. I will mention this to one of the people I know involved in services for guests with disabilities to see if this has been considered and offer it as a suggestion.---Kathy

OK, that's kind of spooky! This is very close to the idea my teammate and I entered the ImagiNations 2007 competition with (this is a competition run by Imagineering every year to find new talent)! Great minds think alike, I guess!