Subsonic Radio

Micechat today released info in the new Disabled Assistance Program. The new program will release on October 9th 2013 at Disneyland.

Summary: Guests will go to Guest Services to get a card (with photo ID) and then go to kiosks elsewhere in the park to make ride reservations. Like a Fastpass return time, less 10 or 15 min, the reservations allow you to not wait in line, but you will not be able to get more than one at once. You can get other types of Fastpasses during this time though. People may not qualify for the program if they are in wheelchairs at DCA (and maybe AK and DHS, since all have accessible queues?)

Pretty much every ride on DLR property is accessible, with the exception of some walk through attractions and the submarines which have simulated versions. DCA is mostly accessible, but the only rides that have super long waits (Toy Story and RSR) have their own stations to dispatch riders so that they do not interrupt the flow, feel rushed, and also negate the need to build elevators.

I can't see it being useful during the slower times of the year though, since it would mean a longer wait for some rides vs just waiting in the traditional line.

The information I saw also indicates that the person being issued the pass will get their photo taken, and will have to be present at the kiosk and also at the attraction or no one will be allowed to ride via that access.

So basically, it is the exact same system as before but with a photo op? The key to the previously abused (but only in a minor number) system was that the people who had the passes went on with you.

Wizzard419 wrote:So basically, it is the exact same system as before but with a photo op? The key to the previously abused (but only in a minor number) system was that the people who had the passes went on with you.

Not exactly. Instead of being able to ride any attraction, you have to get a return pass at one of the kiosks, and you can only hold one pass at a time. From what is being listed, the return time is based on the current wait time at the attraction, so it isn't really a fastpass either. The one advantage is that you could theoretically hold one of these return passes and then also get regular fastpasses for a different attraction. I think it will help cut down on the people using the system that don't really need to use GAC. And with more and more of the queues being handicapped accessible, I foresee this new system being changed in the future as well, although I think there will be a need for certain disabilities to simply have a return time, severe autism for an example.

It takes a few idiots to ruin a good thing for the people who realy need the assistance.

Actually, it only takes a few bloggers to ruin it and then a morning talk show to do a segment, since people had been abusing the system for years/decades without any real issue. It is a waste of resources since you end up buying and installing an entire new system, spending time to document and train staff, and none of this will turn a profit. I wonder, if when it is slower, they will just not use the system at all. For example, if you were to go during the slow times, many of the rides are walk on or under 10 min wait.

I can see them turning the system off during slow times. And Wizz is right: people have been taking advantage of the system for a while, so why the change now? Maybe it just seemed easier for cast members (even if it isn't - we all know about "time savers" invented by well-meaning clods).

Wizzard419 wrote:Actually, it only takes a few bloggers to ruin it and then a morning talk show to do a segment, since people had been abusing the system for years/decades without any real issue. It is a waste of resources since you end up buying and installing an entire new system, spending time to document and train staff, and none of this will turn a profit. I wonder, if when it is slower, they will just not use the system at all. For example, if you were to go during the slow times, many of the rides are walk on or under 10 min wait.

I'm sure they will tweak it as they go. Plus if the wait times are that low, people that require assistance probably will be fine with whatever queue they are directed to anyhow.

Actually that brings up a question, do they enforce the new FP return time rules now that it has entered the slow season? It really seems silly to do it now.

Wizzard419 wrote:Actually that brings up a question, do they enforce the new FP return time rules now that it has entered the slow season? It really seems silly to do it now.

I would imagine so. It's kind of hard to retrain guests to follow the rules, allow them to not follow the rules for awhile, and then make them follow the rules again! Maybe one of our fellow subbers that makes it to the parks a lot *cough*cough*rdeacon*cough*cough can help us out with an answer to that question

I am not actually sure if that rule is enforced at DLR or if it is WDW only, but the last time I used a FP machine was to get a ticket for World of Color, and last time for a ride was to get my preview passes for Star Tours. I stay far away when it gets packed.

The FP system hinders more than aids an AP holder, but the AP always allows you to come back another time if wait times are unreasonable. I think I've grown less fond of FP over time because too many arriving guests get a pass as their first option, unbalancing the system.

I am kind of surprised they haven't changed the system (at least for RSR) since attractions can be out of passes within an hour or two of opening. It also might simply be that after a few years of operation the lines will not be as bad.

Wizzard419 wrote:I am kind of surprised they haven't changed the system (at least for RSR) since attractions can be out of passes within an hour or two of opening. It also might simply be that after a few years of operation the lines will not be as bad.

It does seen like it would be nice if the FP could be spread out throughout the day a little more. I know that they run out fairly early for some attractions in WDW as well.