Just back, really aware of changes on the handling of disabled guests

[A Mickeyfan]

From what I have seen with the CM's and the stretching room for those in wheelchairs, they will make you wait until all are in the room, then they wheel you in last. I see this as I must wait for all to leave the room so I can find my way to the exit door out of the holding area after everyone walks out of the room. I am usually left standing there alone. The CM will guide the wheelchair party into the stretching room. The only time I have seen or heard a CM give anyone a problem is when they try to enter the room without the CM guiding them.. so a tip.. do not try to wheel yourself in there without a CM telling you to .. they will stop you in a stern voice. I see their point too. It is a safety hazard as it is dimly lit and crowded they want to make sure you get in there safely & the other guests around you are safe too. I will give them that much credit....

Me, I am left to fend for myself getting out of the room (I say myself that is when I travel alone).. or anyone else who can walk and is not doing the stretching room... they do not walk you out.. which blows my mind. Where is the safety issue they are talking about as to why they stopped the guests from entering the old way I end up back out there anyway.. and that is after going thru the dark room, then a dimly lit hall to boot! Safety.. no way.. I think Disney dropped the ball on that safety issue

 

[Friendly Frog]

At what point and where are they placing the chairs and ECV's for riders who can transfer?

What about when you get off? Will the ECV be at the exit, or will you have to transfer into a chair and power yourself to your ECV? My memory is a little bad, is there an escalator, or is that Pirates..or maybe I am thinking about Disneyland? Ug.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

At what point and where are they placing the chairs and ECV's for riders who can transfer?

What about when you get off? Will the ECV be at the exit, or will you have to transfer into a chair and power yourself to your ECV? My memory is a little bad, is there an escalator, or is that Pirates..or maybe I am thinking about Disneyland? Ug.

I have seen the chairs & ECV's kept over on the sides where they had been kept entering the old way. You will still go on to the unloading dock to load.. you just go thru the bldg now and then come outside as opposed to just going right into the unloading area

 

[SueM in MN]

At what point and where are they placing the chairs and ECV's for riders who can transfer?

What about when you get off? Will the ECV be at the exit, or will you have to transfer into a chair and power yourself to your ECV? My memory is a little bad, is there an escalator, or is that Pirates..or maybe I am thinking about Disneyland? Ug.

I've been too busy to post more, but they kind of gather guests with wheelchairs and ECVs or other mobility devices together just before the whole group of guests enter the building to go into the first room before the stretching room.

The CM will tell you which side to stay on as you enter that room and also once you enter the stretching room. At the time that the other guests leave, you are told to stay in the room and wait for a CM.
The CM leads the group out a door on the side of the stretching room into a small, quite dark hallway to wait and you are told to not go beyond the sign until a CM comes to take you for boarding.
That door from that hallway goes into the exit hall where all guests exit.
When ready for you, the CM will ask if you can walk 200 feet. The man in the party in front of us was able to and he was asked to drive his ECV to the exit outside to park it there. Then, his party was brought back to the exit for loading. Because my DD can't walk, the moving walkway was stopped and we were able to bring her wheelchair all the way unto the loading area and park on the moving walkway.
After we got on, a CM moved her wheelchair into the exit hallway and it was brought back to us on the moving walkway when the ride was over.
There were some guests on with us who could walk, but not all the way to the outside. Before they entered the loading room, their wheelchairs were parked in the hallway. When they got off, they just walked to the hallway and got into their chair.

There are no stairs or escalators in Haunted Mansion at WDW.

One thought I have is the guests using wheelchairs, ECVs, walkers, etc. are very visible to the CMs besides having been told to stay to one side so we were all grouped together in the stretching room. Even then, there were 4 groups when we went the last time. We were kind of widely spaced and the last group was slow gathering their party. The CM was in front of the first guests, so the rest of us were just following along at a distance from the CM, hoping we were following the path we were supposed to be on because we could not see the CM or the first group.
Guests with invisible special needs look just like other guests in the dark, so on e they are in the room, the CM may have no idea who needs assistance unless they have something visible like a mobility device or a white cane. I wonder if it would work for them to give those 'invisible' guests something that glows in the dark as they come into the building and first make their needs known to the CM. Maybe a card on a lanyard, similar to the red ones they use for wait times. They could be different in some way to mark the needs - like does the guest need to board at the unload area; will the guest board on the 'regular' boarding area, thru a back door, etc. Those would stay with the guest and could be collected by the CM at boarding. Something like that could prevent the invisible guest from being 'lost' in more ways than one.

 

[bellanotte10]

I've been too busy to post more, but they kind of gather guests with wheelchairs and ECVs or other mobility devices together just before the whole group of guests enter the building to go into the first room before the stretching room.

The CM will tell you which side to stay on as you enter that room and also once you enter the stretching room. At the time that the other guests leave, you are told to stay in the room and wait for a CM.
The CM leads the group out a door on the side of the stretching room into a small, quite dark hallway to wait and you are told to not go beyond the sign until a CM comes to take you for boarding.
That door from that hallway goes into the exit hall where all guests exit.
When ready for you, the CM will ask if you can walk 200 feet. The man in the party in front of us was able to and he was asked to drive his ECV to the exit outside to park it there. Then, his party was brought back to the exit for loading. Because my DD can't walk, the moving walkway was stopped and we were able to bring her wheelchair all the way unto the loading area and park on the moving walkway.
After we got on, a CM moved her wheelchair into the exit hallway and it was brought back to us on the moving walkway when the ride was over.
There were some guests on with us who could walk, but not all the way to the outside. Before they entered the loading room, their wheelchairs were parked in the hallway. When they got off, they just walked to the hallway and got into their chair.

There are no stairs or escalators in Haunted Mansion at WDW.

One thought I have is the guests using wheelchairs, ECVs, walkers, etc. are very visible to the CMs besides having been told to stay to one side so we were all grouped together in the stretching room. Even then, there were 4 groups when we went the last time. We were kind of widely spaced and the last group was slow gathering their party. The CM was in front of the first guests, so the rest of us were just following along at a distance from the CM, hoping we were following the path we were supposed to be on because we could not see the CM or the first group.
Guests with invisible special needs look just like other guests in the dark, so on e they are in the room, the CM may have no idea who needs assistance unless they have something visible like a mobility device or a white cane. I wonder if it would work for them to give those 'invisible' guests something that glows in the dark as they come into the building and first make their needs known to the CM. Maybe a card on a lanyard, similar to the red ones they use for wait times. They could be different in some way to mark the needs - like does the guest need to board at the unload area; will the guest board on the 'regular' boarding area, thru a back door, etc. Those would stay with the guest and could be collected by the CM at boarding. Something like that could prevent the invisible guest from being 'lost' in more ways than one.

they can stop the moving sidewalk?! Ugh I was SO furious that they didn't do that for my father who has muscular dystrophy. They kinda just carried him to our car, and he almost fell a few times, as he has no balance. I don't know if it was just a miscommunication between us, the CMs and my father about his abilities, but he was SO freaked out by the end he refused to go on any more rides the rest of the trip. Should we have asked ahead of time to stop it?

 

[SueM in MN]

they can stop the moving sidewalk?! Ugh I was SO furious that they didn't do that for my father who has muscular dystrophy. They kinda just carried him to our car, and he almost fell a few times, as he has no balance. I don't know if it was just a miscommunication between us, the CMs and my father about his abilities, but he was SO freaked out by the end he refused to go on any more rides the rest of the trip. Should we have asked ahead of time to stop it?

Yes - do ask. We've learned to be very proactive about it. We tell them that he can't walk at all.
Most people only need it slowed, not stopped, so that is what they usually do. They can't stop the walkway at Peter Pan, the exit moving ramp at Pirates and the ramps at Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

We actually pull DD's wheelchair right onto the moving walkway, almost touching the doom buggy.

There is more information about attractions with moving walkways in one of the posts on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread ( near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature. )

 

[bellanotte10]

Yes - do ask. We've learned to be very proactive about it. We tell them that he can't walk at all.
Most people only need it slowed, not stopped, so that is what they usually do. They can't stop the walkway at Peter Pan, the exit moving ramp at Pirates and the ramps at Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

We actually pull DD's wheelchair right onto the moving walkway, almost touching the doom buggy.

There is more information about attractions with moving walkways in one of the posts on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread ( near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature. )

ugh I wish i had read that thread more carefully before I went. I must've just skimmed it . They just slowed it for him, because he can walk, just small distances. But he's also stubborn so i don't know if he would've allowed them to stop it. He wants to prove to himself he can still do things he used to be able to do before his disease got worse.

Anywho i'd also like to thank you. You always have the best information and you're so helpful, you're awesome!

 

[Sean's momma]

They can't stop the walkway at Peter Pan, the exit moving ramp at Pirates and the ramps at Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

When you say the ramps do you mean the funny looking stairless escalator thing?

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

When you say the ramps do you mean the funny looking stairless escalator thing?

they probably do as they are called speed ramps.

 

[SueM in MN]

When you say the ramps do you mean the funny looking stairless escalator thing?

Yes.
It's kind of like an esalator without any steps.
We used to hold DD in a standing position and let the moving ramp bring her up. She's too big to safely do that any more and getting up was always easier than getting down. That rmp is steep and a bit slippery.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Thanks everyone for the information. Dclfun, can you put something glow in the dark on your dog so he won't get stepped on?

We did the Universal haunted houses and took long glow sticks necklaces (kept straight) to give the people in front of us to tuck in the back of their pants or on a belt loop. That way we could see them and not clip them accidentally with our wheelchair. It worked great.

 

[Epeyon]

For those with low vision, CMs are not allowed to assume that you will need assistance through a dark area. You must ask for their help, if they say no after that then ask to speak with a manager.

 

[tinkerbell423]

You do not need a note from your doctor. If you bring one they will not even look at it. You will have to be prepared to tell them what it is you need or what it is that you can not do.

I just wanted to share my experience with this. We have received a GAC for DS and DD (aspergers) without a problem on numerous trips. The CM's were very helpful and kind. However on our 2010 trip I introduced my son and explained to the CM my son's needs then asked for a GAC. She looked at him then back at me and said "What is wrong with him" . I was floored I wish I had my whits about me and answered "Nothing he is just as God made him. What's WRONG with you" but I didn't I just listed his diagnosses and pulled out our doctor's note. I am still mad about this can you tell. We didn't have a problem last trip as he was licking the map to "mark" where he wanted to go as we introduced him

 

[Talking Hands]

Thanks everyone for the information. Dclfun, can you put something glow in the dark on your dog so he won't get stepped on?

We did the Universal haunted houses and took long glow sticks necklaces (kept straight) to give the people in front of us to tuck in the back of their pants or on a belt loop. That way we could see them and not clip them accidentally with our wheelchair. It worked great.

What an awesome idea. Also if you have a hearing loss bring a flashlight so you can see the CMs face better and speech read.

 

[SydneyJoLynn]

To the guests who want to bypass the stretch rooms and think the cast members at the mansion are the most ill in the [disney] world.

The Mansion is a timed operation. By that, I mean when those Mansion doors open, we only have about a minute to transfer about 80-90 guests into a stretch room safely, and create enough room for any guests in ECVs or Wheelchairs. It becomes really awkward when the narrated spiel is going off saying 'No windows and no doors' when the sliding door is still perfectly open because not everyone is fitting inside.

The problem for us comes because we have to be inside that stretch room for safety as well. That means we aren't physically able to walk you to the next location or inform another cast member that you will be meeting them at the wheelchair que. I really wish we could. The CM may appear flustered, or worse, because they don't know how to safely and efficiently get you and your party to the Guest Assistance Cast member without having you walk through back hallways alone. Especially when the park is busy and we have multiple guests needing assistance.

I only say this because I agree there can be a better way to handle the issue of avoiding the stretch room. It's also a warning, because while some cast members may be able to handle the situation more effectively, others will become panicked or stressed. My two cents.

It's a lot to do and think about and solve in less than a minute.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for your perspective.

 

[Talking Hands]

To the guests who want to bypass the stretch rooms and think the cast members at the mansion are the most ill in the [disney] world.

The Mansion is a timed operation. By that, I mean when those Mansion doors open, we only have about a minute to transfer about 80-90 guests into a stretch room safely, and create enough room for any guests in ECVs or Wheelchairs. It becomes really awkward when the narrated spiel is going off saying 'No windows and no doors' when the sliding door is still perfectly open because not everyone is fitting inside.

The problem for us comes because we have to be inside that stretch room for safety as well. That means we aren't physically able to walk you to the next location or inform another cast member that you will be meeting them at the wheelchair que. I really wish we could. The CM may appear flustered, or worse, because they don't know how to safely and efficiently get you and your party to the Guest Assistance Cast member without having you walk through back hallways alone. Especially when the park is busy and we have multiple guests needing assistance.

I only say this because I agree there can be a better way to handle the issue of avoiding the stretch room. It's also a warning, because while some cast members may be able to handle the situation more effectively, others will become panicked or stressed. My two cents.

It's a lot to do and think about and solve in less than a minute.

Nice to know your perspective but that tells me that some CMs need to be better trained to deal with guests with disabilities before working at HM. It can be terrifying going through a dark walkway in a powered wheelchair when you also can't hear the instructions of the CM and there is not sufficient light to speech read their instructions. While I can bring a flashlight, it would definitely ruin the show for others. One bad habit I find in CM is they don't give you time to inform them of your needs before they turn away and are off to another guest. Very frustrating for hearing impaired guests who depend on speech reading to function.

 

[ttintagel]

To the guests who want to bypass the stretch rooms and think the cast members at the mansion are the most ill in the [disney] world.

The Mansion is a timed operation. By that, I mean when those Mansion doors open, we only have about a minute to transfer about 80-90 guests into a stretch room safely, and create enough room for any guests in ECVs or Wheelchairs. It becomes really awkward when the narrated spiel is going off saying 'No windows and no doors' when the sliding door is still perfectly open because not everyone is fitting inside.

The problem for us comes because we have to be inside that stretch room for safety as well. That means we aren't physically able to walk you to the next location or inform another cast member that you will be meeting them at the wheelchair que. I really wish we could. The CM may appear flustered, or worse, because they don't know how to safely and efficiently get you and your party to the Guest Assistance Cast member without having you walk through back hallways alone. Especially when the park is busy and we have multiple guests needing assistance.

I only say this because I agree there can be a better way to handle the issue of avoiding the stretch room. It's also a warning, because while some cast members may be able to handle the situation more effectively, others will become panicked or stressed. My two cents.

It's a lot to do and think about and solve in less than a minute.

Thanks for sharing your POV! I wondered if maybe some CM's don't get as much training in handling unusual situations as it might be hoped. And I'm sure that there's a LOT of pressure from higher up to get a certain number of people through per hour.

 

[icouldlivethere]

To the guests who want to bypass the stretch rooms and think the cast members at the mansion are the most ill in the [disney] world.

The Mansion is a timed operation. By that, I mean when those Mansion doors open, we only have about a minute to transfer about 80-90 guests into a stretch room safely, and create enough room for any guests in ECVs or Wheelchairs. It becomes really awkward when the narrated spiel is going off saying 'No windows and no doors' when the sliding door is still perfectly open because not everyone is fitting inside.

The problem for us comes because we have to be inside that stretch room for safety as well. That means we aren't physically able to walk you to the next location or inform another cast member that you will be meeting them at the wheelchair que. I really wish we could. The CM may appear flustered, or worse, because they don't know how to safely and efficiently get you and your party to the Guest Assistance Cast member without having you walk through back hallways alone. Especially when the park is busy and we have multiple guests needing assistance.

I only say this because I agree there can be a better way to handle the issue of avoiding the stretch room. It's also a warning, because while some cast members may be able to handle the situation more effectively, others will become panicked or stressed. My two cents.

It's a lot to do and think about and solve in less than a minute.

I too really appreciate hearing your perspective as I believe there are always two sides to every story. I'm wondering if there is a reason the back hallway is kept so dark or if maybe they could put more lights back there for all the sight impaired guests who have to use it.

I haven't been on the haunted mansion ride since they changed it to allowing ECV guests in the stretching room but am looking forward to seeing how this works.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I too really appreciate hearing your perspective as I believe there are always two sides to every story. I'm wondering if there is a reason the back hallway is kept so dark or if maybe they could put more lights back there for all the sight impaired guests who have to use it.

I think they might keep the hallway dark for show quality reasons. Keep in mind that all of the Hunted Mansion is dark so having a light on in a hallway when a door is opened could be distracting to other guests. Also there is the possibility that the hallway may be able to be seen from somewhere else so it has to be Dark. That is not to say it will be dark if there is an emergency though.

Next I know this may sound harsh but if someone has difficulty in the dark hallway might I suggest that you not do the hunted mansion unless you have someone who can assist you with you like a friend or family member?