I hadn't planned on asking this. I just stumbled across this forum looking to see what forums were here besides the Disneyland Resort one. We've had passes before but this is the first time with passes while we've known our son who just turned three is deaf. Try standing in line with a three year old deaf boy and not being able to explain the wait to him. He's out of control. We only went a couple times since we got the passes but we never used a special assistance pass or considered one. Should we in the future?
Thanks,
Satch

Steve, I would definately go to City Hall and get an SAP, if you read this thread you are aware that it doesn't mean there won't be 'any wait' in fact 'sometimes' the wait is a bit longer than the regular queue but not often....what the pass allows you to do is use the 'alternative' entrance, sometimes that is the exit... in Fantasyland as of our last visit all the rides used the exit for the SAP guests, it allows you a bit more flexiablity in the wait area because one of you can be there with the pass while the other entertains your son until it is time to board. The major advantage is that flexability in the 'wait' time, if a ride has fast pass it's a good idea to go ahead and grab a fast pass instead of relying on the SAP.....faster boarding in most cases. As your son gets older and can read Disneyland has/had (I haven't had to ask for one in several years so this might be outdated information) a written 'story' for each ride that you can obtain at City Hall and it has reflective captioning at least for Mr. Lincoln (once again ... several years since I needed it so that might be outdated as well) your best best bet is to ask for a guidebook for the disabled guest when you go thru the gates on your next visit :)


Oh and on a fun note, several of the characters we have met can actually SIGN! I don't know if they learned because of their job or got the job because they could sign, but I have to say that to a little kid having Hook sign Hi there and ask "having fun" makes their entire trip!

Also, I know your child is not reading yet, but some attractions have closed captioning or reflective captioning. The sooner you get to know how those things work and make good friends with the very wonderful CMs who make it happen, the better! :)

The link in my signature goes to a FAQ that has some information about services for the Deaf at WDW - Disneyland is a bit different, but you get the idea of what kind of services are possible for you in the future. They really do a great job.

There is also a page on helping sensitive kids have a good time. Although it is written with kids on the autistic spectrum in mind, I know that we see some of the same problems in kids with other issues. ALL 3-year-olds have a problem with lines, but life is just a bit different when you can't "tell" a child what to expect next... look at some of the hints, maybe you will get a good idea. :)

I'm going to add a little public service announcement here based on an experience I had in Fantasyland. Please keep in mind that I do have experience using SAP's on occasion, when friends and family members have needed them, so I'm do know what it's like to be on the SAP holding side.

One night we were in Fantasyland on the carrousel. My husband and son were in line while some friends and I waited to watch them ride. A family came up to the exit and simply opened the gate to enter the ride. The parents were laughing a lot so of course, we assumed we'd just witnessed someone "cheat" the line.

We notified the nearest CM what we saw happen and she was great. She walked right up to them and was polite but was definitely going to take care of it. Well, it turned out they had an SAP, they just hadn't bothered to wait for the CM to come let them into the attraction.

SAP's don't give anyone permission to write their own rules. This family didn't even look for the CM. The Dad looked at me later and showed me his SAP and made a comment about I didn't need to tell on him because he had an SA pass. Well, I don't care if he had an SA pass, he didn't follow the SA procedure and he was rude, IMO.

OK off soapbox-- I definitely think you should get an SA Pass while you are still adjusting and learning to communicate with your son (and he with you.) Good luck learning to communicate with your son! I know it will be a challenge. I only have experiencing teaching signs to children who can also hear but it's been so wonderful when a child who could not communicate to me could finally make a sign to tell me what he wants! Take care!

Adrienne K

What she said. :)

The "A" in SAP is for "Assistance" from the CMs, not for "Access" -- be very nice to the CMs, expect to wait a reasonable amount of time, and you will do just fine. The CMs need to be aware of what type of assistance is needed, so they can assure the safety of all guests. They also may need to limit the number of disabled guests who ride at the same time, again for safety reasons.