Category Archives DisneySMMoms

Changes with Disney Guest Assistance Cards

If you have followed along with my blog for a while, you know that I am a huge Disney person. I basically grew up going to Walt Disney World, spent my honeymoon there, and have taken my children there multiple times in recent years. On our first trip to Walt Disney World with the kids in May of 2009, I worried about my oldest son. He was in kindergarten, but due to his low muscle tone he would have trouble walking for a long time and get exhausted. This would lead to anxiety and system overload that we did not understand at that time. This was several years and multiple trips before we confirmed that he is an Aspie. We rented a double stroller for the boys and brought a note with us. I had been told that we may want to use our stroller as a wheelchair on a day when NHL was struggling. What I did not realize at the time was that we were given a GAC – Guest Assistance Card along with a sign to put on the stroller for CMs to see. We only used the stroller parking option closer to a venue once. We never used the GAC for anything else because our son did well. Thanks to the Fast Pass system and way that we approached the lines he was able to cope.

Magical Memories at Walt Disney World

Not all individuals with Special Needs are able to do this. For many reasons, the lines, queues, crowds, and other items can be overwhelming to them. The GAC helps them to experience the magic of Disney in a way that they never dreamed possible. Then, this summer, we all heard about people that were trying to abuse the system. This meant that Disney took a look at the Guest Assistance Cards that are currently being used. Last week, rumors started to circulate about the new program that Disney will have for guests. Rather than wait for details, heated posts and more have been going around and around.

Saturday evening, I received a statement from Disney and want to share it with you in case you have not read it:

In our continued efforts to keep you in the loop of Disney experiences that touch families, we would like to share an upcoming change in the Guest Assistance Card.  Disney has an unwavering commitment to making our experiences accessible to all Guests.  After careful consideration, we will be replacing the Guest Assistance Card with the new Disability Access Service Card on Oct. 9 to create a more consistent experience for all our Guests while providing accommodations for Guests with disabilities. Until Oct. 9, we will continue to use Guest Assistance Cards. We look forward to sharing more information about the Disability Access Service Card as we get closer to implementation.

We know that you often share news from Disney with other moms so we have prepared the following questions and answers.

We appreciate your support and look forward to sending you more details as we get closer to October 9th.

In addition to this, some frequently asked questions were included:

Family Fun at Walt Disney WorldHow will the new Disney program work?
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.

Did Disney receive assistance in developing the Disability Access Service Card?

Yes, Disney is engaging disability groups, and Autism Speaks was instrumental in providing feedback as we developed this new process.

Why is Disney making these changes?
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.

Who will be eligible for a Disability Access Service Card?
Our goal is to accommodate Guests who aren’t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities).

Will Guests on wish trips also use Disability Access Service Cards?

No. Guests who are visiting through wish-granting organizations will have access through a separate program.

What should Guests do if they have concerns?
Guests should contact Guest Relations to discuss their assistance needs.

Changes are hard for people to accept, especially when all of the details are not available.  As the parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I have learned to roll with the punches and take everything one day at a time. I can not get bogged down with rumors, speculations, or here-say. Unfortunately, rumors are running rampant right now about the Disability Access Service Cards and we need to try to be patient and trust Disney.

It's Me

Disclosure: As someone that went to previous Disney Social Media Mom Celebrations, I receive information from Disney. I was not asked to share, but wanted to because this topic is important for so may families.

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Social Media Memories at Disney

Our last handful of trips to Walt Disney World have had a major social media presence to them. During our May 2009 trip, I was very limited in sharing items with everyone back home. I was able to send some Facebook photos, but few and far between. By the time we went back to the first Disney Social Media Moms in February 2010, tweeting photos was part of my repertoire. Things continued to magically change as I entered the world of smartphones and more apps allowed me to share memories in real time. During my last visit with TechyDad for the opening of New Fantasyland, we were sharing on Instagram immediately. I adore this way because I can tweet them, share on Facebook, and also connect with a large Disney community right on Instagram. Here are a few of my December 2012 Instagram Disney memories.

Disney Instagrams Collage from New Fantasyland Celebration

Focused on the Magic

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

It's Me

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Duffy the Disney Bear in March

In March of 2011, we flew to Walt Disney World on St. Patrick’s Day for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. It was a magical experience that I have written about many times. The next day, during the conference, we came back to our computers and had a surprise. There was a St. Patrick’s Day Duffy at each place. Another person gave me her Duffy for my other son. When I went back to our room, I surprised the boys. Here they are meeting Duffy all decked out for DisneySMMoms and St. Patty’s Day.

Meeting Duffy the Disney Bear for St Patrick's Day

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Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

It's Me

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Disney Story Telling with Ridley Pearson

Every time you go to Walt Disney World or another Disney park, you are part of a story. The rides, shows, Cast Members, and all of the little details are part of the tale. Now imagine being invited to hear a real Disney author talk and then get a tour of Epcot to see where his visions came from. This happened to me in April when I went to the Disney Social Media Moms celebration and heard author Ridley Pearson explain how The Kingdom Keepers and Peter and the Starcatchers were born. After the session, he took a group of us to visit Norway in Epcot and ride on Maelstrom. This only seemed fitting for the Disney Wordless Wednesday theme of Story Telling.

Newest Kingdom Keepers Book by Ridley Pearson

Author Ridley Pearson

Ridley Pearson on a Disney Cruise

Walking to Norway in Epcot

Author Ridley Pearson in Epcot

Ridley Pearson talks about the Stave Church in Epcot

Hospitality Suite in Epcot's Norway Pavilion

Focused on the Magic

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

It's Me

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Disney Friends

You’ve got a friend in me…  Now that you have the tune in your head, think about Disney friends. Picture certain faces from different places and spaces of Disney history. The possibilities are rather interesting and fun to think a little outside of the box. This week, the theme of the Disney Wordless Wednesday is Disney Friends.

Mickey Mouse and Pluto Fishing at Animal Kingdom

Captain Hook and Smee - Disney Junior Show Hollywood Studios

Dumbo and Timothy Mouse at The Magic Kingdom

Mr and Mrs Potato Head Pop Century Resort

Lilo and Stitch at Walt Disney World

Sharky and Bones - March 2011

Focused on the Magic

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

It's Me

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