When guests with disabilities’ experience of Hong Kong Disneyland is shaped by the regulations to accommodate their needs, will their “magical day” be any different to anyone else’s? Heidi Yeung talked to HK Disneyland cast members and visiting wheelchair users to get their perspectives.
Table of Contents:
1) Introduction
2) Photo Essay: Wheelchair Rental at HK Disneyland
3) The Wheel Experience
4) Soundslide: “Accessibility of HK Disneyland to Persons with Disabilities
5) Rules of Attraction
5) The One Out of Reach
6) Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth’s Visit to HK Disneyland
Disneyland is “The Happiest Place on Earth”, so surely it does not discriminate against the physically disabled? Indeed, Hong Kong Disneyland is not limited only to those without physical disabilities, it also accommodates those who are physically or mentally handicapped, as well as those who are visually or aurally impaired. In fact, guests who need it may rent wheelchairs for the day at the Disneyland Fire Dept. at City Hall, which is just inside the entrance to the theme park.
Wheechair Rental at HK Disneyland
Wheelchair users visiting HK Disneyland had better bring along a friend or assistant. Because according to the HK Disneyland Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities, cast members (or staff members, as they’re known in other places not promising to offer “a magical experience!”) “are not permitted to physically transfer guests from wheelchairs.” (Pg.3) Simpson Lee at the Stroller & Wheelchair Rental counter said, “we’re not allowed to physically assist wheelchair users unless requested to, because we’re not all trained to do so.”
Despite that, Sarah Fuller, the author of “Wheel Away Disabled Travel – Hong Kong”, who went to HK Disneyland in 2009 with her wheelchair-bound father found the staff at the theme park looked out for visiting wheelchair users and were very helpful.
Sarah Fuller’s impression of HK Disneyland for guests in wheelchairs:
Flat Audio
Sarah Fuller on Hongkongers’ attitudes toward people with disabilities:
SF Attitude Audio
Sarah Fuller on her favourite ride at HK Disneyland to go on with her father:
Jungle Cruise Audio
Click to watch slideshow on the “Accessibility of HK Disneyland for Persons with Disabilities
To help guests with disabilities understand which attractions at the park are suitable for their level of physical capabilities, HK Disneyland has a clear system to indicate what each ride or show requires of a guest’s mobility.
Definitions:
- May Remain in Wheelchair: the ride/show is designed for guests to remain his/her wheelchair.
- Must Transfer from Wheelchair/ECV: guests must be physically removed from his/her wheelchair and be transferred into the seats of the ride/show.
- Must be Ambulatory: guest must not be reliant on a wheelchair/ECV.
- Disney’s FASTPASS: guests who finds it difficult to wait in line for long periods of time may be allocated a specific time to return for the ride and skip the wait.
- Induction Loop Assistive Hearing Enhancement Available: hearing aids are available at this ride/show.
Map of Accessibility of HK Disneyland to Persons with Disabilities (Please view map in satellite option.)
Out of all the attractions at HK Disneyland, Tarzan’s Treehouse was the only one that was – due to its design which involved numerous staircases – not accessible to anyone wheelchair-bound with or without assistance. However, the rafts used to transport guests to and from Tarzan’s Treehouse allowed wheelchair access, and as long as this attraction was not too crowded, wheelchair users were still able to enjoy the ground level of Tarzan’s Treehouse.
On Friday, 3rd December 2010, members of the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth were at HK Disneyland with wheelchair users visiting from Dalian (大連), Mainland China. For Janey Ho and Ng Wai Chu of the HKFHY, this was not their first visit to the theme park, and both praised the facilities available at HK Disneyland for wheelchair users, and those who need visual or hearing aids.
“Overall, the facilities for the disabled at HK Disneyland is pretty good, and there are many rides that we can go on,” said Ng, “There is one problem, though. I find that it’s more difficult for us wheelchair users to wait in line with everyone else. When we’re surrounded by people, it’s a bit harder for us to control our wheelchairs. Especially the electrical ones, some of which are not designed to go slowly and may jump forward. I wouldn’t say we should have priority in lines, but if there were more designated areas for us to wait to get on rides, that would be much better. Because, let’s face it, a wheelchair is cumbersome. Ocean Park has this service.”
Sarah Fuller on waiting in lines:
Queues Audio
The “Festival of the Lion King” was a show that wheelchair users and other guests with disabilities were given priority seating for. Five minutes ahead of regular entrance time for other guests, members of the HKFHY and other persons with disabilities were led into the theatre, and seated in the front. Only when they were settled, did cast members allow the rest of the audience to enter and take their seats.
After the show, the members of the HKFHY and their friends from Dalian make their way to the exits, two hours ahead of the nightly fireworks that starts at 9:00pm. “It’s about time,” said Janey Ho, “We had fun today; but we’re tired.”
