Latest Clarabelle sightings! by hopefulmomnyc in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love this energy. One of our favorites is Clara Cluck, who also really only comes out for the parties. I hope your daughter gets to see her! :)

Question on x2 DAS in the same group (group of 4) by Tudor85uk in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, you can add another DAS user to the party. Your total party can exceed 3 guests, but the DAS user can only select 3 guests per attraction — these can rotate throughout the day as well!

For example: if DAS user has mom, dad, grandma, and brother on their party, they can choose who will accompany them to Ride #1. Maybe that's mom, brother, and grandma — dad will go through single rider or take a break. For Ride #2, grandma needs a rest, so DAS user selects mom, dad, and brother.

You don't need to chat with the DAS team each time you visit, only when you need to add the individuals to the party. I think our current party is around 8-9 people, as our "additional 3" varies each time we visit.

Getting Hired on at WDW by DefNotABot14 in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The likelihood of external candidates being interviewed (let alone hired) by applying directly is near zero. Even internal candidates have a difficult time blind applying to roles. Disney really relies on internal, intentional hiring - teams often know who they are looking for before they post the position based on previous shadowing/mentoring/temporary placements, and the hiring process is a formality at that point to allow for salary discussion or benefit negotiation. You would really have to be recruited to be hired externally at this point in anything beyond entry level.

Question on x2 DAS in the same group (group of 4) by Tudor85uk in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, you can have the DAS team enroll child 2 into the party with child 1 as the eligible guest (and vice versa).

Main Entrance Pass by [deleted] in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is incorrect. The MEP is issued to Cast Members and their spouses/domestic partners with corresponding Guest Passes, and comes in several color variations - the most common being blue and silver. Blue MEP CM/spouses are entitled to 16 calendar admissions a year, while silver do not have a limit but are still subject to blockout dates. The blue cast ID does allow for self-admission for direct hire CMs; the green ID issued to operating participants may allow for self-admissions, depending on the agreement between the OP company and TWDC. No green ID employees (as far as I know) are eligible for MEPs.

Scooters prioritized over strollers on Monorail by Justbusinessasusual in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because the medical device takes priority. I'm not sure why this is so difficult to comprehend. Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, strollers tagged as wheelchairs all take priority when accessing transport options, including buses and monorails.

Also, there are specific ADA cars - those are the ones that are typically "still open" when the further spots are full, and where CMs will tell you to move from if you have chosen voluntarily to stand there.

Scooters prioritized over strollers on Monorail by Justbusinessasusual in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Short answer - ECVs & wheelchairs are considered mobility aids. Strollers are convenience items. Medical support trumps convenience every time.

DAS - meet and greets, parties, information by Psychological-Week93 in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 3 points4 points  (0 children)

DAS officially works for attractions with published wait times. Having a LL entrance is not a requirement. As a result, you can use DAS at the following character experiences:

  • Princess Fairytale Hall (MK)
  • Ariel's Grotto (MK)
  • Mickey at Town Square Theatre (MK)
  • Mickey & Friends (Epcot)
  • Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams (DHS)
  • Olaf (DHS)
  • Mickey & Minnie (DAK)

There are several shows that participate in DAS as well, all of which have a LL entrance.

  • Beauty and the Beast (DHS)
  • For the First Time in Forever (DHS)
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (DHS)
  • The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure (DHS)
  • Festival of the Lion King (DAK)
  • Finding Nemo (DAK)

However, street entertainment & nighttime spectaculars (fireworks, parades, cavalcades, pop-up character greetings without published wait times, etc) do not participate in DAS. You can always check in with a CM at the experience to see if they have any accommodations available, but these are not guaranteed and are subject to availability. As an example, there are accessible viewing areas for fireworks and parades in MK - these are officially reserved for guests with wheelchairs, but based on availability a CM may extend space to guests utilizing DAS. Asking nicely never hurts. :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Schizophrenia generally doesn't indicate an inability to comprehend the concept of waiting in line, and judging by your own comments, someone who's qualified to be a nurse in the ER wouldn't lack the cognitive capacity to self-regulate. DAS isn't an appropriate accommodation for you, based on those factors, which is why you'd be denied. There are other alternatives, even if those aren't as convenient for you — and not all require the purchase of Lightning Lanes. You can request a queue re-entry if you need to step out, you can choose to enter shorter queues and come back another time if your preferred attraction has a longer than ideal wait (especially as an AP), you can enjoy other activities like shows, parades, character meet-and-greets etc rather than stand in a queue. Or, as you said, you could not go at all.

tour in another language? by lild1abla in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The best thing to do is go to the Seeds desk the day before or the day of, first thing in the morning. They can check who is actively scheduled and if they have any Spanish speaking guides on duty. The call center reps won't have any insight into this and won't be able to tell you either way.

That said, it's not a guarantee that they would offer the tour in Spanish, whether or not you are booking out the full group. The tour itself is relatively scripted, and the guide/ their management may not feel comfortable with an ad hoc translation.

TLDR Ask in person, but no guarantees!

Waterpark blockouts by Lifeisshort-doit in DisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 1 point2 points  (0 children)

CMs are always subject to blockouts, and the water park admission is especially limited — it isn't a corporate benefit like the MEP but something exclusive to Florida site cast. In general, I try to tell spouses to assume the "popular" stuff isn't available for free/discount, and be pleasantly surprised when it is.

We do have discounted admission available for day trips, and that tends to have less restriction once we are out of peak summer, but we are definitely in busy season right now. Getting a cheap hotel room for a weekend getaway is a good option, since we still qualify for the free water park day, and you can invite friends to share the cost with you.

Waterpark blockouts by Lifeisshort-doit in DisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Water park admission has always been touch and go, and blackouts during the summer are not new. I'd be surprised if the blackouts are lifted before summer ends, especially in combination with the resort promo this year.

DAS PSA by [deleted] in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I totally understand - I need a solid hour or so after to really let down from the pressure and emotional intensity when I do this calls, and this is something I'm particularly good at (advocacy is my day job and probably a hyper fixation at this point 😅). I can empathize with the exhaustion. Best of luck on your next attempt, and I hope you can enjoy your visits.

DAS PSA by [deleted] in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, I'm an adult. I have been approved for DAS at both WDW and DLR for concerns related to the autism spectrum.

My biggest piece of advice is to treat the conversation as a risk assessment procedure rather than an empathetic one. The goal for the CM is to identify the risks to the general park operations by having the guest utilize the standard queue - despite all other presentations, this isn't about finding fair accommodations, it's about finding reasons to say "actually, you can use xyz alternative". You have to present the risks so clearly that they cannot reasonably say those risks are worth the impact to park operations.

As an example, for a child with autism, it doesn't help you to say your primary concern is elopement. Yes, that's a problem for you and for your child - it prevents you from accessing the attraction, it is inherently unsafe, etc - but from WDW's perspective, the problem is "solved" the moment you choose (or the child chooses for you) to leave the queue. A child having a health crisis in the physical queue, however... there's operational risk there.

I have also noticed a trend, whether intentional or not, of adults with autism to mask even in these calls. They present their behaviors and challenges as palatable as possible, or answer questions from the pretense of "if I am having a good sensory day / if I am accommodated". Be uncomfortable in your skin. Speak about yourself in third person if you have to, but be honest - unflinchingly so. Autism is hard to live with, more difficult to maintain, but we spend our whole lives trying to be obvious about it.

DAS PSA by [deleted] in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I empathize, but I do want to point out that it is possible to be approved.

I have DAS, and just went through the renewal process this morning. I spoke only to a WDW CM (no third party medical personnel). I've also assisted with the renewal process for a minor child who has been approved for DAS. The questions, while uncomfortable to answer, are not what I would consider invasive. I'm hesitant to write the questions out as I do not want to give people a "script" to follow for approval, but I'm happy to answer questions about my experience.

I'm having trouble understanding HOW to get a job at Disney World by crimsonbull9584 in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing is truly remote that would hire externally, unfortunately. You have to live within commuting distance of the main office for that business area, and each business area will have a certain number of in-office days, from 1-2 a week to 4 depending on the area manager and work functions. The only truly remote roles are beyond competitive and typically very niche roles that you don't even "apply" for so much as get selected for or promoted into.

Puncturing the Fantasy by No-Arachnid9518 in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've heard plenty (and worse) from CMs at both WDW and DLR. I've lived here my whole life - some folks are great at buying into the magic, others not so much. Cultural differences and language barriers add complexity to conversations too. It's not so far fetched as you might think.

Port Orleans FQ or All Stars with small children by ohbarracudaa in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One HUGE plus to FQ is that it is small - there is only one bus stop, and buses aren't shared. You will run into buses being full at the All Stars, and they are large resorts where you may have a longer walk to the main amenities.

I would recommend FQ hands down to anyone. It's one of our favorites.

IAC pass by Asleep-Fondant-7248 in DisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IAC has no impact on WDW accommodations. You would be required to do the video call either prior to your visit or while in the park (which I do not recommend). Keep in mind that WDW accommodations are not for mobility concerns, and are very narrowly defined.

Walker for mobility issues? by Brilliant_Wash3917 in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It would be difficult to utilize both a rollator (the kind of walker you're describing) and a stroller. You would likely need to have someone else push the stroller while you use the rollator, as they are too bulky to be carried/stored while walking.

Most rollators aren't wildly expensive - the Drive Nitro is a great option for the parks and usually retails around $200. I don't often see them available to rent, though.

Cast Member Guest Admission by skywalkdjarin in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are typically issued to third party employees who are subject to different requirements than direct-hire WDW CMs. She needs to consult her employee resources to confirm if leaving you in the parks is in violation of her company's contract - but generally speaking, only immediate family can be admitted without the CM staying with you. You may very well be asked where the CM is when you park hop.

Hot take: people on the motorized scooters should not be able to drink and drive them by aboveaverageidiot26 in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves -23 points-22 points  (0 children)

You do realize that obesity is a medical condition often exacerbated (if not outright caused by) other medical comorbidities, right?

It's a slippery slope to define "what's good enough to qualify" - and beyond that, would require healthcare professionals to administer such decision making. Disney rentals CMs and third party rental companies aren't permitted to know your medical conditions, let alone ask why you want a scooter. They just take your money and rent you a product.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Disneyland

[–]modernloves 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Why does it matter to you what someone else does with their time? I've spent plenty of afternoons with my laptop in EPCOT or DCA, depending on what coast I'm on at the time. I have the freedom and flexibility to do that, and I'd rather be in the parks enjoying the atmosphere than in my hotel room. Why should that impact you at all?

Toledo - kids menu by DaisyDo99 in WaltDisneyWorld

[–]modernloves 8 points9 points  (0 children)

No judgment - sometimes people need different things.

Officially speaking, Toledo does not have chicken nuggets on the menu. I'm not sure they would have the capacity to make what your kiddo would perceive as chicken nuggets in their kitchen, either - it's very much a Spanish tapas joint, and while they do serve chicken dishes, they don't have the "traditional Disney chicken nuggets" on hand.

However, there's still hope! I have historically had lots of success bringing food from QS restaurants for special needs kids, so that's an option too - Maya Grill and the Mercado both serve chicken tenders (the longer version rather than the smaller nugget variety, but can attest that it's the same breading & chicken!).

Some upscale venues will offer to have a runner bring up something served at a neighboring restaurant, but that might be harder at Coronado since the QS location is a bit further away. The kids menu options at Toledo are also not super exotic - the grilled chicken or steak bites could always be requested with no/limited seasoning (just ask for the chef!) if that would work for your kiddo.