Tuesday Topic: DISNEYLAND DISABILITY DILEMMA
Wow, talk about timely. I’m taking my son Jonathan (DS, ADHD, 28) to Disneyland on October 18. It’s our annual BIG DEAL, and we’ve always relied on and been grateful for the Guest Assistance Card. Now a great deal of hoopla has hit the internet about Disney canceling that GAC program on October 8. What’s going on?
Where Do We Stand Right Now?
You can call Disneyland, like I did today at (714) 781-4636. I didn’t like any of the options the robot offered, so I simply pressed O like a properly exasperated mom and spoke to a living, breathing human. Hooray! The human gave me as much information as he had; apparently the staff hasn’t been given the minutiae of all the details yet, though I assume if you call that number closer to October 9, you’ll get more.
Here’s what we know at this point today, September 24: The new program goes into effect October 9 and is called the Disability Access Services Card.
What’s the Disability Access Services Card?
This DAS card will get you a come-back time for the Fast Pass line of the attraction you want to see. Do we need a card for every attraction we want to see? I asked. The human didn’t know. Call closer to October 9 and hopefully you will find out, he said.
Where Do We Get This Card?
As before with the Guest Assistance Card, you have to first go to City Hall in Disneyland. Where is City Hall? As soon as you enter Disneyland proper (after going through the checkpoint), City Hall is on your left. Stand in line and explain your child’s needs to the staff once you get up to the counter inside.
What If Waiting in Lines is Still a Problem?
If this new system is a disaster for your child, the Disney staff advised me that you can go back to City Hall again and say, “This DAS card isn’t working for my child. What are my other options?” I was told that, true to Disney standards, accommodating a guest is very high on their priority list. Disney does not want bad press.
You Can Sign The Petition
MoveOn.com has a petition going, and you can sign it here.
You Can Read More
A local-to-Disneyland group, Special Needs Orange County, has an informative article on their site that you might find helpful. They suggest using tact and grace over pitchforks and torches, and give good information, including the fact that “Autism Speaks was instrumental in providing feedback” as Disney formed this new plan. There are also FAQs in this article answered directly by Disney.
So there you are. That’s about as up-to-date as we can get at this point. Stay tuned. If I have any helpful information to add after our trip to Disneyland on October 18, 10 days after the disability policy changeover, I’ll let you know.
Heading off soon to the Happiest Place On Earth,