Handicapped Pass

[captinhookedondisney]

In Disneyland Paris do they give out those Handicapped passes like in WDW and DisneyLand? (The one for people with bad legs that can't wait in a long line.)

 

[Cubitus]

Yes they do; you can request a special access pass at the City Hall or guest relations counter. It's valid for guests with permanent handicaps and up to three companions; the handling of handicapped entrances at the rides is different, however, many of the ride queueing areas are designed to be suitable for wheelchairs.

Oliver ••••

 

[sjaakie]

They are quit strictly with handing out disabled passes.
You have to got an original disabled pass ore a written statement from your doctor to get a bleu card.

 

[debbiebee]

My DH and I took our 2 children to DLP last year. DH had injured his leg playing footie and had crutches and a leg brace - it was touch and go whether we could go or not Anyway - we got there and tried to make teh best of it. Some of the cast members on rides asked if we had a blue badge and advised that we went to guest relations. This was on our second day. We went to see them and they were great - they gave us the blue badge and we got to go on all teh rides through the exits and we got to stand in a special area for the parades. They were all really helpful - just a shame we didnt know about it sooner as we onl;y really got to use it on our last day. So - it does not have to be a permenant disability bit they will use their discretion about whether it is a genuine need.

 

[sjaakie]

My DH and I took our 2 children to DLP last year. DH had injured his leg playing footie and had crutches and a leg brace - it was touch and go whether we could go or not Anyway - we got there and tried to make teh best of it. Some of the cast members on rides asked if we had a blue badge and advised that we went to guest relations. This was on our second day. We went to see them and they were great - they gave us the blue badge and we got to go on all teh rides through the exits and we got to stand in a special area for the parades. They were all really helpful - just a shame we didnt know about it sooner as we onl;y really got to use it on our last day. So - it does not have to be a permenant disability bit they will use their discretion about whether it is a genuine need.

With an handicap that’s obvious, that’s possible but with an non visible handicap its not so easy.
Just saying I have bad legs ore my child has ADHD and can’t wait to long in lines does not work in DLRP
I read of so many disappointed people who did not get an Carte Bleu without an official letter.

I personnel think its better to get a letter from your doctor than have an unpleasant discussion with an CM.

 

[Cubitus]

Just saying I have bad legs ore my child has ADHD and can’t wait to long in lines does not work in DLRP

Does it work in other parks? In this case I guess there must be long queues of "saying-to-be-handicapped" at the "exit" entrances...

At least I'd suggest to the people in fact *having* bad legs but no official document for their handicap to get a wheelchair at Disney. Wheelchair rental is signed; it's on the right hand side after entering the park and at the 'Studio Service' close to the entrance of the Studios. For Dream AP holders they're free (I don't know the price for the others).

As long as it's just the problem with "standing for a long time" it will probably be the solution.

Oliver ••••

 

[Cyrano]

I read of so many disappointed people who did not get an Carte Bleu without an official letter.

I personnel think its better to get a letter from your doctor than have an unpleasant discussion with an CM.

Good advice

I talked to the CMs at City Hall as I wanted to get some background on this issue. The CMs all explained that an official medical certificate and doctors letter would be required.

 

[sjaakie]

Does it work in other parks? In this case I guess there must be long queues of "saying-to-be-handicapped" at the "exit" entrances...

Oliver ••••

I used a wheelchair in WDW.
My knee was hurting and the doctor advised me to use a wheelchair.

Just went to the hotel and got one without a problem ore a question.
Then we went to the parks an nobody asked for any kind of disabled cart ore letter.
We could all use the disabled entrance without any questions.

Thank god it was just for one day but we could have misused it if we wanted.

 

[SueM in MN]

I used a wheelchair in WDW.
My knee was hurting and the doctor advised me to use a wheelchair.

Just went to the hotel and got one without a problem ore a question.
Then we went to the parks an nobody asked for any kind of disabled cart ore letter.
We could all use the disabled entrance without any questions.

Thank god it was just for one day but we could have misused it if we wanted.

I have not been to DL Paris, but most of the regular lines and entrances at WDW are wheelchair accessible (called Mainstream Lines). AK and the Studio were built with Mainstream Access. MK and Epcot are older and were not built to be accesssible, but Mainstream Lines were added as possible when they renovated. The majority of the lines even at MK and Epcot are Mainstream Access.
The few attractions where accessible lines were not possible have handicapped entrances and you can use them with a wheelchair without having any special card.

From what I have read about DL Paris, pretty much all the lines are Mainstream Lines, so they would be more restrictive about giving out any cards that allow additional access.

 

[bavaria]

Sue, just an FYI for you as I know that you are our resident expert and have such insightful posts!

DLRP is not as accessable as in America, and sadly reflects how much of Europe is not designed for wheelchairs, etc. As an example, characters often use a raised platform at the base of Main Street for meet and greets; last year I ended up trying to assist a group of mothers and their children in wheelchairs who couldn't go up the steps to meet Mickey. The CMs and Mickey's handler refused to help, nor would any of the CMs I approached in French. If the children couldn't reach Mickey, they were not about to make allowances.

Mickey finally insisted on stopping on his way 'backstage' to spend several minutes with the children, even though his handler tried to move him along.

One also sees very few wheelchairs in DLRP. While queue lines may be more accommodating, there are still a lot of queues which come to mind (ie Peter Pan) which would be difficult to access without a card.

 

[sjaakie]

I have not been to DL Paris, but most of the regular lines and entrances at WDW are wheelchair accessible (called Mainstream Lines). AK and the Studio were built with Mainstream Access. MK and Epcot are older and were not built to be accesssible, but Mainstream Lines were added as possible when they renovated. The majority of the lines even at MK and Epcot are Mainstream Access.
The few attractions where accessible lines were not possible have handicapped entrances and you can use them with a wheelchair without having any special card.

From what I have read about DL Paris, pretty much all the lines are Mainstream Lines, so they would be more restrictive about giving out any cards that allow additional access.

We just wondered how easy it was to use the disables entrances.
I have to admit I did not feel comfy to use them because I was only a “part time” disabled person and had the idea that I took the place of someone who needed it more.

We also were very pleasantly surprised how polite and caring all the American people responded to a person in a wheelchair.
The Europeans could learn a lot from them.



Next time we will surely take more rest and listen when our old bones start to protest.

 

[Cyrano]

last year I ended up trying to assist a group of mothers and their children in wheelchairs who couldn't go up the steps to meet Mickey. The CMs and Mickey's handler refused to help, nor would any of the CMs I approached in French. If the children couldn't reach Mickey, they were not about to make allowances.

This is disappointing and hopefully not the norm.
As a contrast while troops were queuing up to meet Woody and Jessie outside of Cowboy Cookout they were just about to get their photo taken when the CM handler indicated that two special needs children had just arrived. Woody and Jessie immediated indicated to the waiting children that their attention was required elsewhere. They spent a good few minutes with the children which saw the mother having tears in her eyes

Then they moved back and continued with the existing children again

Sorry for the comment but just thought it worthwhile to point out that some CMs clearly make allowances, but agree with bavaria that there is not as many allowances for disabled access as you would imagine there should be

 

[bavaria]

Reid, I don't know if it was due to the size of the party (about 8 kids and 8 mums) or if the fact that the party was from the UK and could not make their wishes known in French. I stepped in to assist and to translate for them as it was heartwrenching to see the kids so excited, and the mums so frustrated and upset.

 

[Cyrano]

I stepped in to assist and to translate for them as it was heartwrenching to see the kids so excited, and the mums so frustrated and upset.

I'd have done the same as well as having a few words with City Hall.

In my Woody and Jessie story there were a few uncomplementary comments/gestures from some of the guests. Both nationalities will remain nameless otherwise I'll have to give myself an infraction. But DD9 an DS made me tear up when they said that they were happy to see the characters spend time with the other guests, as they had much to be thankful for and they could only guess what life would hold for them. It was not a sympathy vote rather a compassionate and apprecaition of a fellow human being

 

[captinhookedondisney]

. It's valid for guests with permanent handicaps and up to three companion

Only 3 I have a party of 5 so one person would have to be left out? Or will they accommodate us and put a party of 5?

 

[Cyrano]

Only 3 I have a party of 5 so one person would have to be left out? Or will they accommodate us and put a party of 5?

The purpose is so that some of your party can ride with the person who gets through disabled access. You could leave 2 of your party out who could go through the normal access or take turns about. As it is not all of the rides are suitable and these will be pointed about by the CM at City Hall

 

[pink_angel]

i had the blue pass as im wheelchair disabled, we took our blue parking badge with us and that was fine to be accepted for the pass.

was mainly for me and my sis who came on the rides with me.

also you watch the parades in the special area,

the que lines in the studio accomodate wheelchairs so the blue pass mainly is for the disneyland park,

certianly helped and made our holiday so much easier

cat

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue, just an FYI for you as I know that you are our resident expert and have such insightful posts!

DLRP is not as accessable as in America, and sadly reflects how much of Europe is not designed for wheelchairs, etc. As an example, characters often use a raised platform at the base of Main Street for meet and greets; last year I ended up trying to assist a group of mothers and their children in wheelchairs who couldn't go up the steps to meet Mickey. The CMs and Mickey's handler refused to help, nor would any of the CMs I approached in French. If the children couldn't reach Mickey, they were not about to make allowances.

Mickey finally insisted on stopping on his way 'backstage' to spend several minutes with the children, even though his handler tried to move him along.

One also sees very few wheelchairs in DLRP. While queue lines may be more accommodating, there are still a lot of queues which come to mind (ie Peter Pan) which would be difficult to access without a card.

Thanks for the correction.
I won't believe everything I hear.
I will maybe be seeing DL Paris with my own eyes this late fall or early next Spring. Our former foreign exchange student from Belgium invited me to visit her. As added inducement, she threw in the fact that I could easily go to DL Paris. I won't have anyone using a wheelchair with me, but I will be looking with my 'accessibility eyes'.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

so no way for my pass to have for 5 people on for 4 ?

 

[sjaakie]

That depends on the CM and a lot of the behavior of your group.
If your group is loudly laughing and shows the other guest the famous finger then your group will surely be separated.

It also depends how large your group will be. I saw a group of 12 people trying to get in the rides with a disabled person and that really did not work out.