[blparent] Disney World

[Chad Allen]

Why do we belabor the socio-political ramifications of blindness while
preparing for vacation? Who does that? 

Having fun is the goal. Enjoy your trip!


-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Erin Rumer
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2011 10:42 AM
To: 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Disney World

You're exactly correct in your research and right in your opinion on the
whole fast pass topic Michael.  Please enjoy yourself, have a wonderful time
with your family and make lots of fabulous memories.

Warmly,

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Michael Baldwin
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2011 7:13 AM
To: 'Deborah Kent Stein'; 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Disney World

Wow, it is amazing how a topic can stray from the original question.

I think there might be some confusion on this issue going on. I have not
been to Disney World yet, so someone who has feel free to correct me.

A ride can have up to 4 lines.

Normal queue: of course this is where most people will go to wait in line to
get on the ride

Singles Line: this is where a single person by them self can go, and they
are selected from this line to fill seats. So if the ride holds 4 people per
car, and 3 are waiting in the normal queue, the ride operator will select
one person from the single line to fill that ride car. A group can go
through the line, but they most likely won't be seated with each other, or
be on the same cycle of the ride. Quite often it moves faster than the
normal queue. 

Handicap line: it is usually wider and has ramps instead of steps for people
with disabilities. You need a noticeable disability, or a GAC card to get in
this line. Contrary to popular belief, this line does not always get you on
the ride faster than the normal queue. Some rides have a certain number of
seats available for disabled people, and it usually takes longer to load a
disabled person, especially if they have to transfer out of their wheel
chair. The ride operator has to keep the ride moving at a certain schedule. 

Fast pass line: The fast pass allows park goers to basically schedule their
ride times. You walk up to a machine, insert your park ticket and are given
a time to return to the ride. Those that can see, can see what time the fast
pass is good for, before getting it. They can choose to take the time
offered or wait for a later time. You can only get one fast pass per ticket
per 2 hours, or something like that. Everyone in the party needs to get a
fast pass for that ride. One fast pass is not good for your whole party.

I could be wrong, but I think some people are getting the handicap line and
the fast pass line confused. As a blind person I could use the handicap
line, which at times is slower then the normal queue. I would not use this
line, unless there was someone else in my party that benefited from this
line.

I would have no problem using the singles line, I very much doubt people are
going to think differently of the blind in general because a blind guy went
through the single line and got on faster than their family of 5.

I would also use the fast pass line with no hesitation. That is a perk I
paid for with my park pass, and I have the right to use it, blind or not.
Disney I suppose could try making the fast pass machines talk so we could
hear the time we selected, and put the ticket in Braille, but it seems the
simpler way was just to have a permanent fast pass ticket available. If the
fast pass perk was not available to the general public, I would not use it,
but it is available to the general public, so I will use it. People in the
normal queue are not going to think any different of me, or blind people
because I am taking advantage of a perk that is available to them as well.
They just might think that we were lucky to get one, because there are only
so many available. This is assuming there is a permanent fast pass, I have
not found any such thing in my research on the web or on Disney's site. If
there was, and it worked like the other fast passes, it would only be good
for me. And what fun would that be, not being with my family, that is what
the trip is all about.

Of course, the best option is to plan out your day, and be nice to the CM's.
I have heard of people waiting no more than 15 minutes for a ride during
peak season. It is just a matter of doing what everyone else is not doing,
and getting little extras because they went out of their way to be friendly
to a CM.

We are planning 2 weeks, and looking at spending 6000 to 8000 dollars. So if
I can get a few more rides in to get more for my money, I am sure going to. 

Michael


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