Disabilities Archives

Rich NYC Moms hire handicapped tour guides to cut lines at Disney World

May 14, 2013 by Chip 26 Comments

The New York Post has learned some wealthy NYC moms have figured out a way to cut the long lines at Walt Disney World by hiring disabled people to pose as family members so their kids can jump to the front of the line using a Guest Assistance Card or GAC. GAC’s allow you and your party to bypass the lines like a Fastpass, and since Disney can’t ask you why you need one they are pretty much wide open for abuse like this.

The “black-market Disney World guides” run around$130 an hour, or over $1,000 for an eight-hour day. Not only is their “black-market tour guides” more efficient than Disney World’s VIP Tours, it’s cheaper as well. Disney Tours offers a VIP guide and fast passes for $310 to $380 per hour.

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Filed Under: Disabilities, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World Tagged With: GAC, guest assistance card, Handicapped Tour Guides, New York Post, Passing the Line

More Disney Dreams Coming True for Young Girl

January 17, 2013 by guest blogging Leave a Comment

Some dreams do come true, at least for Grace Edemenson their is one big one coming true! Grace is a twelve year old girl from Holway in the UK and is going to Disney. Sounds like a normal kid’s life…but Grace is different she has global development delay, which means she is confined to a wheelchair and also has trouble communicating.

The good people at Cooper Associates, which supports the Dreams Come True charity, raised the money that is paying for Grace’s trip to Florida.

The Cooper Associates employees did different endurance tests to raise the money including running the London Marathon, climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales and cycling a great distance.

Grace’s mother, Lynda, who lives in the Chestnut Drive area of Holway, said: “I can’t thank Cooper Associates enough for their efforts and I’m delighted that Grace can go to a place she has fantasized about for a very long time.”

Photo credit: Somerset County Gazette

New Bonus Code for Disney Movie Rewards Members (chipandco.com)
Bastos Reclaims Crown at 20th Annual Walt Disney World Marathon (chipandco.com)

Filed Under: Disabilities, Disney & Co, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World Tagged With: disney, Disney Dreams Come True, england, Florida, London Marathon, Scotland, Wales, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World Resort

Family Volunteer Day Kicks Off Holiday Season!

November 21, 2012 by guest blogging Leave a Comment

Children are holding bake sales and penny drives. Teens are loading heavy supplies on an assembly line. Families are adopting families through virtual volunteering. People of all ages are working hard to help those hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Families across the country can join efforts to help those most in need on Family Volunteer Day, taking place Nov. 17. For more than two decades, Family Volunteer Day has been held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season with giving and service.

The day of service is sponsored by Disney Friends for Change, a global initiative that inspires kids and families to take action to help people, communities and the planet, and powered by generationOn, Points of Light’s youth service program. “Family volunteering is a hands-on way for children to learn the values of kindness, compassion, tolerance, community responsibility and good citizenship,” said Concetta Bencivenga, executive director of generationOn. “It’s also a meaningful way for families to spend time together, have fun and help shape a lifelong value of service.” Hundreds of projects will take place across the country on Family Volunteer Day, including:

In Washington, D.C., families will spend the day at the Armed Forces Retirement home visiting with residents and helping them prepare for the holidays with a host of hands-on projects including raking leaves, cleaning up the grounds and hosting a “Wheelchair Wash.”

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Filed Under: Disabilities, Disney & Co, Disneyland, News, Parks & Resorts, VoluntEARS, Walt Disney World Tagged With: American Diabetes Association, disney, Disney Friends for Change, Project Linus, Radio Disney, VoluntEARS, Volunteer Center of North Texas, Walt Disney Company

Is Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside the Right Resort for You?

November 21, 2012 by Jodi 2 Comments

Port Orleans Riverside

My family has enjoyed a couple of weeklong stays at Walt Disney World’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. The question asked above, is it for you, depends on what you are looking for in a Resort, how much time you will actually spend at the Resort, and what types of amenities you prefer. My family stays at the Value and Moderate Resorts, because we do not spend a lot of time in our room or exploring the property. We get our fill of adventure at the Parks and Downtown Disney area and only hit the room to drop off souvenirs or catch a nap. Perhaps when the kids are older and we slow down a bit, we may justify the extra expense of the Deluxe Resorts and their magical appeal. Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of Port Orleans Riverside (POR):

PROS:

The property is absolutely beautiful, quiet, peaceful, and serenely scenic.
Bus service is excellent, with 4 convenient, covered stops. (POR shares buses with only neighboring Port Orleans French Quarter.)
All of the guest rooms have been recently refurbished to include queen beds and flat-screen TVs during 2011/2012 refurbishment.
The Riverside Mill Food Court is spacious and picturesque with lovely views of the Riverside Mill water wheel and Ol’ Man Island, and the food is delicious.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall table-service restaurant serves dinner only, but it’s a great place for hearty Cajun cooking.

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Filed Under: Chip Panel, Disabilities, Downtown Disney, Original Articles, Parks & Resorts, Places to Stay, Planning, Planning 101, Play Areas, Resorts, Tips, Tips &Tricks, Transportation, Travel, Walt Disney World Tagged With: boats, Disney's Port Orleans Resort, Downtown Disney, fishing, French Quarter, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, Resort, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort hotels

Disney World’s Guest Assistance Card Details

November 11, 2012 by Chip Leave a Comment

Disney Worlds Guest Assistance Card Details

For anyone that is visiting Walt Disney World in a wheelchair or if you have another medical condition that requires accommodations, I highly recommend stopping by guest relations to pick up a Guest Assistance Card. This card will help alert Cast Members of your needs and can make your vacation a little easier.The type of card that is issued to you will depend on your needs. They are extremely useful if you have a disability that is hidden. This could include Autism, heat sensitivity, or crowd phobias.

When you arrive at guest relations all you need to do is explain your needs to the Cast Members. If you don’t want to disclose your exact medical condition you are not required to do so. You just need to explain the type of accommodations that you need. Also, make sure that the person requiring the Guest Assistance Card is present when you are requesting it.

If you have a disability that is not visible, I would recommend getting a note from your doctor. It is not required but it can be helpful. Again, you don’t have to disclose your medical condition. Your doctor can just explain what you need to make your vacation more magical. You should also get the Guest Assistance Card if you are using a stroller as a wheelchair so that you can take the stroller into queues when other strollers have to be parked. You can also get a stroller as a wheelchair tag that will help alert Cast Members.You only have to stop at Guest Relations at one park. Once you have the card it is good for all four parks and will be valid for the length of your stay. The type of accommodations that you receive will depend on the type of card that you are issued.

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