Disney Parks Disability Access Service Card Questions Answered

As most of you know, today Disney Parks implemented the much talked about changes to their guest assistance program. Here is an overview of the new program:

DISNEY PARKS DISABILITY ACCESS SERVICE CARD QUESTIONS

Disney Parks has long recognized and accommodated Guests with varying needs. Guests can visit Guest Relations to discuss their individual situation, and Disney Parks will continue to provide assistance that is responsive to their unique circumstances.

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What is a Disability Access Service Card and how does it work?
The Disability Access Service Card is designed to accommodate Guests who aren't able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). A Disability Access Service Card will be issued at Guest Relations main entrance locations and will offer Guests a return time for attractions based on the current wait time. As soon as the Guest finishes one attraction, they can receive a return time for another. This service can be used in addition to Disney's FASTPASS Service and Disney FastPass+ service.

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What will Disney Parks do if a Guest is concerned the Disability Access Service Card doesn't meet their needs?
Disney Parks have long recognized and accommodated Guests with varying needs and will continue to work individually with Guests with disabilities to provide assistance that is responsive to their unique circumstances. Guests should visit Guest Relations to discuss their individual needs.

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Who will be eligible for a Disability Access Service Card?
Disney Parks' goal is to accommodate Guests who aren't able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). Guests should visit Guest Relations to discuss their assistance needs.

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How will Guests get a Disability Access Service Card?
A Disability Access Service Card will be issued at Guest Relations main entrance locations. Guests will participate in a registration process, which also includes having their photo taken.

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Why is Disney Parks doing this?
Disney Parks is modifying the current Guest Assistance Card program so it can continue to serve the Guests who truly need it. The new program is designed to provide the special experience Guests have come to expect from Disney. Disney Parks also hopes it will help control abuse that was, unfortunately, widespread and growing at an alarming rate.

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Does the Disability Access Service Cardholder have to be present to obtain a return time at an attraction?
No. Another member of the Disability Access Service Cardholder's travel party may obtain a return time but the Disability Access Service Cardholder must board the attraction with his or her party.

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Where do Disability Access Service Cardholders go to receive return times?
At Walt Disney World® Resort, Guests will go to the attraction to receive a return time.

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Does a Disability Access Service Cardholder have to ride the attraction at the exact return time listed?
No. Return times are valid until redeemed by the Disability Access Service Cardholder.

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How long is a Disability Access Service Card valid?
A Disability Access Service Card is valid for up to 14 days depending on a Guest's ticket entitlement.

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Is a Disability Access Service Card issued at one Disney theme park valid at other Disney theme parks?
Yes, the card will be valid throughout the resort at which it was issued.

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Why doesn't Disney Parks ask for proof of disability, such as a doctor's note?
Disney Parks takes Guests at their word and there are legal restrictions around asking for proof.

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Is this the only service available to Guests with disabilities?
Disney Parks offer a variety of services to Guests with disabilities, such as Disney's Handheld Device that offers assistive listening, captioning and audio description. Additionally, Disney Parks has developed a "Guide for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities." This serves as a tool on how best to experience its theme parks and is expected to be available online by mid-October.

Disney Parks will continue to provide excellent guest service and accessible experiences. Guests should visit Guest Relations at any park should they feel they need assistance due to a disability.

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Does a Guest whose disability is based on the necessity to use a wheelchair or scooter need a Disability Access Service Card?
No, a Guest whose disability is based on the necessity to use a wheelchair or scooter does not need a Disability Access Service Card. Depending on the attraction, the Guest will either wait in the standard queue or receive a return time at the attraction based on the current wait time. Guests with additional needs should discuss them with Guest Relations.

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Will Disney Parks continue to provide a service to wish-granting organizations?
The change will not affect those who are visiting on trips organized by wish granting organizations. There is a separate program for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here

Guest Author Sunday-Autumn Barnes

Guest Author Sunday

The Disney Gals Welcome Back

Guest Author Autumn Barnes

This week Autumn gives us some great tips about how to get the most out of your trip Walt Disney World when traveling with a child with special needs.

Traveling to Walt Disney World with a Special Needs Individual pt 2.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what I had learned in preparing to travel to Disney World with a special needs individual, and how this would be my husband and I’s first trip to the House of Mouse with a child. Today I am writing to tell you what we learned by experience, and if we survived.

Let’s start with the surviving part. Yes, we did, and to be honest our little friend “E” was great and I think Drew and I may be spoiled by this, because now we will assume ALL kids who go to WDW with us will be such fun, well behaved, mellow travel companions.  “E” unlike me is a morning person, so he was usually up and ready to go before I was in the morning. What we started doing at character meets was Drew and I would go first and just clue in the Princess or character that “E” was non-verbal, but this did NOT stop him from trying to kidnap Peter Pan. Yes, you read this right, the three-year old grabbed Peter by the hand at the “spindle” heading into Adventureland and took him for a walk all the way to the Crystal Palace. This by the way is one of those moments where I have to give HUGE props to the cast members because Peter just went with it crowing and talking away to “E” about becoming a lost boy etc., and his “handler” just sat and laughed with the rest of us.  The longest line we really stood in was for the Little Mermaid ride. Yes! We were there for the first weekend they opened it for dress rehearsal and you have NO idea how wonderfully excited I was.

Guest Author Sunday-Stephanie McKinney

Welcome Guest Author Sunday- Stephanie McKinney

     Welcome to Guest Author Sunday!  We were amazed to discover that there were still many people out there just like ourselves that had Disney magic, advice and stories they wanted to share, but no place to share it ( and here we thought we were the only people in the universe not to have a Disney Blog). And thus Guest Author Sunday was born. To start us off, meet super mom Stephanie McKinney.  Most people know the remarkable McKinney family and their inspirational story. For those who do not, fellow Disney Fan David Mullican wrote a beautiful article about these amazing parents.  To learn more about the McKinney family and read David's story, click here.  The world is truly a better place because of Stephanie, her husband Eric and their fabulous brood of children!  Thanks Stephanie for being our first honorary Disney Gal Guest Author!

Blessings of the GAC

 This may very well be a redundant post, I’m not sure. I just want to tell people about how the GAC helped my family enjoy the absolute most of each WDW park!  What’s the GAC you might say…”An amazing program”, I will promptly respond!  GAC stands for Guest Assistance Card. It allows guests with disabilities, special needs, and severe circumstances to have a chance at enjoying the attractions, shows, and all forms of entertainment just like everyone else.  I’ll admit, after reading about Fastpass a few years ago, I was so excited. Re-reading about them here lately, and about how much of a push it is to get in, get one, and get back for ride really intimidated me. It’s not bad, and no I’m not just THAT lazy…I have 6 little ones that will be following me to and fro, and everywhere in the parks.