mainstreaming

[compmom]

I am going down to disney 3/28 thru 4/6 and have my own 4 wheeled scooter and accessories.

I have read several things in the last few weeks, since I planned our trip about access to rides, hotels, restaurants and such.

One thing that I read, was that WDW was making an effort to mainstream people with disabilities(making them wait with everyone else and etc.,),

I'd like to know if anyone has any first hand recent experience since the beginning of January, that they were mainstreamed and not given extra care and consideration that was a part of what has always happened in the past.

I intend to get a GAC, but not to hop or bypass lines, but for my health and safety(plus the darn scooter would run over more people in line then it would be worth...<wink> LOL)
I have a DH and a 7 yr old DD, and not a lot of stamina, patience or understanding for people who don't want to help or assist me in tough situations. I am not asking to be treated better than other people, but I don't want to be ignored either.

I would appreciate any info, related comments or experiences posted here.

Tina


inkbounc

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi and welcome to our boards.
The process of Mainstreaming people with disabilities into the regular lines has been occuring over the past 5 years. I don't think it has really changed a lot since January, because the lines have been mainstream for a few years. As they have changed lines over to Fastpass and done other maintenance, they have also added mainstream access, making lines wider so that wheelchairs and ecvs will fit. It's mostly for the wait in line; once you get to the boarding area, you will still have basically the same assistance as you had before. In many cases, people with wheelchairs or ecvs are still boarded at the ride exit, as before. It's just that you will be waiting in line with other people before that point. Your ecv will allow you to use the wheelchair entrances without needing anything else. The fastpass lines (as far as I know) are all mainstream access.

When you go to ask about a GAC, be clear about what would assist you in your trip. If it's a waiting place out of the sun, etc. Even with a GAC, you are asked to use fastpass as much as possible and it does say right on the card now that it is not meant (and won't) allow anyone to bypass lines or shorten the wait in lines.
Even last year at Easter time, we did not have much problem with the lines. In many cases, just bypassing a ride with a long line and coming back later meant a much shorter wait. Fastpass helps a lot, too.

 

[teri]

Be sure to read the FAQ section about the GAC - just click on the link in my signature, below.

I hope that you have a wonderful, relaxing time at WDW.

 

[Safari Steve]

Mainstream queues have nothing to do with any changes in guest service. We strive to treat all of our guests with courtesy and are always looking out for their safety. As Always, WDW Cast Members are not permitted to physically transfer guests into the ride vehicles. In non-mainstreamed queues, the wait time for guests with disabilities may meet or exceed the standard wait time. This is not intentional, but is a matter of operational necessity. Unless you have a disability that is non-visible (sight or hearing impairments), you probably won't need a GAC as long as you are using a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[compmom]

Thanks for the comments, it makes me feel better. I have a moblity impairment, that prohibits me from walking long distances without falling, passing out or fainting. I get fatigued very easily, that is why my scooter is around more than it is not. It helps me keep up with my 7 year old and lets me go for long "walks" with my hubby, without worrying about calling the paramedics every time. The last time I went to WDW (11 years ago and single) I had my mobility, energy and independence.
This trip ;not only am I a mother, wife, but I am also a disABLED woman who has to deal with with being stared at, pitied, laughed at. If anybody in this big wide world knows what feelings I am describing-you guys would. I intend to have a great time and do what I do every day of my life. Say a prayer, hug my daughter, kiss my husband and know that my life is a challenge. But , I am alive and it is a blessing!

I will not feel sorry for myself or ask for things that inconvenience too many people. I look forward to experiencing the Disney Magic. I have missed it all these years.

Tina

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for your help, Safari Steve. You said what I was trying to say, but in less words!

Compmom, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by WDW. When we first started coming to WDW with our DD and her wheelchair (14 years ago), we could go a whole day without seeing anyone else using a wheelchair. Now, to go 2 hours without seeing either another wheelchair or an ecv is pretty rare.
It's the most accessible place to vacation.
My DD has multiple disabilities that make a GAC very important for us. But, even last March, right before Easter, we didn't need to use the GAC more than once or twice a day. Fastpass wil help you a lot. It really limits the waiting in line part without giving any special treatment that makes you feel awkward or like you are being singled out. Here's a link to fastpass information.

Please ask anything else that you can think of before you go. When you get back, let us know how things went and please use your new experience to help others. That's why we're here.

 

[teri]

Originally posted by Safari Steve
In non-mainstreamed queues, the wait time for guests with disabilities may meet or exceed the standard wait time. This is not intentional, but is a matter of operational necessity.

Let me explain this a bit more.

The number one concern in attractions (besides the entertainment, of course) is safety for guests and cast members. The general rule is, in the event of an emergency, there should only be 1 guest who would not be able to evacuate the ride on their own - that is, exit the ride vehicle in 20 seconds or less, walk out on their own. If there were more than 1 guest unable to evacuate on their own, it would make it difficult for CMs to safely evacuate the disabled guests, themselves, all the other passengers as well.

Many people use wheelchairs or ECVs to make it possible to get from one attraction to the next, but are able to walk short distances. If you are able to walk into an attraction and would be able to evacuate with assistance in an emergency, then I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you get the GAC -- the CMs inside will not be able to see your ECV parked outside. It is a signal to them that you may require assistance in the event of an emergency, so they can assure safe operation. It will also let them know that you need alternate waiting areas, special seating, etc..

 

[jdads2]

This trip ;not only am I a mother, wife, but I am also a disABLED woman who has to deal with with being stared at, pitied, laughed at

compmom, I am not in a wheel chair. My dad is, he's a really large guy and we always get stares and snickers when we are out, although they have become less frequent the last few yrs. Anyway, I find that I am a little more aware of the oglers more than most n0n-challenged people. I am sure that those of you who are in wheelchairs can verify or deny this for me. It seems to me that there are minimal gawkers at WDW? I hope that I'm not too blinded by the magic to assume that. If anything I notice far more people who don't notice someone in a wheelchair or ECV until they bump into or get run into by them.

 

[compmom]

Too bad real life is not done Disney style... I really don't know what will occur, but I will handle the stares, comments and such with the biggest smile I can muster.

I usually get most from the kids at my daughter's school. You see I am heavy, plus use the ECV. I go into school to help as much as my stamina will allow.

Most children who see me, whisper and laugh as I wheel by. I usually back up, say hi and say something silly like " do you want to race?"
Then they feel more comfortable to ask me real questions. The next time they wave and sometimes even give me a hug. I do not ignore questions posed at me from people at restautants or stores or other such places, even though most parents yank the child/children away from me faster than you can say BOO!

I guess my real insecurity comes from the disAbled side of me and the shadow of the person I used to be 11 years ago. This trip reminds me just how complicated my life has become.

I have THE sweetest DH who is my enabler, my protector and my cheerleader. Things will turn out fine. I am sure.

For all the other comments made prior to the one above( Sue and Steve) in particular= a big Thank You!

You have provided some valuable insight, information and things to think about. You have also set the record straight on some issues that were fuzzy to me.

Again my heartfelt thanks to everyone,

Tina

 

[nancycels]

I know sometimes it seems that some of the guests are oblivious to someone in
a wheelchr/ecv; I've been in one and spent one disagreeable day wondering
WHY some people came to dis and suddenly became blind! But then i thought back
over the day, and all the people who offered to let me in line in front of them,
who helped me bring trays of food to a table, who helped my daughter up when
she fell and it would have been doable, but much harder for me to do, the little
girl who came over and just wanted to talk about her puppy and never said a
word about my wheelchair till she was leaving and then told me in a very quiet
voice 'u know, I have big wheel at home too, but my mom made me leave it home!'....
all the people who made me smile, made life easier, and definitely allowed me to be a
lot more tolerant of the guests who thought the sidewalk was a roller derby! Face it,
u meet them everywhere... even at dis! But the sheer good cheer of the majority of
the group really puts it all in perspective!

 

[Safari Steve]

A new system is in place at attractions with separate wheelchair entrances. If the wait time is longer than 25 minutes, parties with wheelchairs will be given a yellow card listing the attraction, number of guests in the party, and a time at which they can come back with a minimal wait. It's sort of like FastPass, but it matches the mainstream wait. This system was first devised for Peter Pan, which has a VERY limited capacity, and is now in use across the Magic Kingdom. Now if you have to wait in the shade, you can wait in the shade and air conditioning anywhere you'd like, and then walk right up to the attraction at your appointed time. It seems to be working fairly well from what I've seen of it at my attractions (Jungle and Mansion).
BTW, I saw Lisapooh again yesterday. We traded pins and chatted for a bit in front of the Mansion. (good luck with ditching the machine, Lisa... How was your Jungle Cruise?)
Kungaloosh!

 

[teri]

Oh, cool!!!!! That is very nice. Thank you for letting us know about that, Steve.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the update, Safari Steve.

 

[compmom]

Yes, thanks for the update and detailed info.

Couple of quick questions, please?

Did you say if was just at MK?
I don't have the handbooks for disabilites from the parks memorized, so could you please let me know if this affects, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad or any of the other big rides?

See you at the end of the month Safar Steve, probably at Jungle Cruise (my dd has decided that Haunted Mansion is not on her list of things to see- 7 year olds are just sooooo <groan>)She usually is so fearless and outgoing. Who knows????


Tina