{"id":5029,"date":"2013-10-02T10:08:22","date_gmt":"2013-10-02T17:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/momofftrack.com\/?p=5029"},"modified":"2022-07-03T11:13:53","modified_gmt":"2022-07-03T18:13:53","slug":"disability-plan-at-disney-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/momofftrack.com\/2013\/10\/disability-plan-at-disney-parks\/","title":{"rendered":"The New Disability Plan at Disney Parks"},"content":{"rendered":"

People keep asking me what I think of the new changes to the guest assistance card at the Disney Parks. I first reported about it when the new disability access pass was just a rumor<\/a>\u00a0for Traveling Mom and watched as the uproar among the special needs community commenced. It’s been ugly. People are upset about these new changes. I just don’t happen to be one of them.<\/p>\n

\"disney<\/a>I guess people consider me a leader in the spina bifida\u00a0world\u00a0or disability travel\u00a0world\u00a0and maybe that is why I keep getting asked why I am not up in arms over it. Mostly it is because I was one of the people who asked for change. Remember our trip last Spring when Disney World hosted us for a week? And all I saw was abuse after abuse of the wheelchair system<\/a>? Yeah. That. That is why I am not upset.<\/p>\n

Look. Disney has to do something<\/strong><\/em>. I don’t know that I think this new plan has it right. But I don’t know that any plan will have it exactly right at this point. This is what they have told us the new plan will look like:<\/p>\n

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Changes to Disney\u2019s Guest Assistance Pass<\/h2>\n

How will the new Disney program work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Disability Access Service Card will offer Guests a return time for an attraction based on the current wait time. Guest Assistance Cards will continue to be in effect until Oct. 9. We look forward to sharing more information as we get closer to implementation.<\/p>\n

Did Disney receive assistance in developing the Disability Access Service Card?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, Disney is engaging disability groups, and Autism Speaks was instrumental in providing feedback as we developed this new process.<\/p>\n

Why is Disney making these changes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Given the increasing volume of requests Disney receives for special access to our attractions, we are changing our process beginning Oct. 9 so that it creates a more consistent experience for all our Guests while providing accommodations for Guests with disabilities.<\/p>\n

Who will be eligible for a Disability Access Service Card?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our goal is to accommodate Guests who aren\u2019t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities).<\/p>\n

Will Guests on wish trips also use Disability Access Service Cards?<\/strong><\/p>\n

No. Guests who are visiting through wish-granting organizations will have access through a separate program.<\/p>\n

What should Guests do if they have concerns?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Guests should contact Guest Relations to discuss their assistance needs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is vague and it doesn’t address the need for quiet spaces and shorter lines that many special needs guests need. I think they are purposely being vague. Why would they want to lay a road map out for all the people just looking for the next way to game the Disney disability system?<\/p>\n

While we have always enjoyed shorter lines because that is the way the system is designed, people with mobility issues alone don’t necessarily need shorter lines. We are happy to be treated just like everyone else. That is how we want to live our life anyway. But a lot of traditional entrances, especially in the old part of Disneyland, can’t accommodate a wheelchair. That is why different lines exist. And the new lines that are specially made for wheelchair users like this one are not really made solely for the purpose of making life easier on the wheelchair user<\/strong><\/em>.
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