How does the disability access system work in Disneyland Paris? What is the difference between and Priority Pass and an Easy Access pass? Which disabilities qualify? How do you prove eligibility and how do you apply for a disability pass? Then how do you use the disability pass in Disneyland Paris and s it any good? I am answering all of these questions and more in order to help you make the most of your time in Disneyland Paris when a member of your party qualifies for either a Priority Pass or Easy Access Pass.
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Disability & Accessibility At Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is committed to providing a magical experience for all of their Guests. MagicALL is their approach to accessibility and is intended to empower those with disabilities and special needs through a collection of offerings and services provided for Guests, Cast Members and the community.
Disneyland Paris
What Are The 2 Types Of Disability Access At Disneyland Paris?
Priority Access Card
What is a Priority Card and am I eligible?
A Priority Card gives priority (but non-immediate) access to attractions, shows, parades, Selfies Spots, restaurant and shop checkouts. With an official document proving disability accepted by Disneyland Paris, you and an accompanying person are also entitled to a 25% discount on your Park Ticket or Annual Pass.
Request your Priority Card upon arrival, or save time by requesting your card online up to 1 month before your visit! You’ll need to present an original document issued by the government or medical authority upon arrival in order to collect it. Please note, a medical certificate will not be sufficient.
How Do I Request A Priority Card?
If you have an officially-recognised disability you can apply for your Priority Card online up to 1 month in advance.
Which UK Issued Documents Are Required To Provide Proof Of Disability?
Disneyland Paris accept the following valid documents the UK;
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance Award
- Personal Independence Payment
- Parking Card for Disabled People
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- National Disability Card ID
- Disabled ID
- Access Card
- Recognised Assistance Dog ID Card, issued by
- Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
- The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)
- Assistance Dog UK (ADUK)
- Registration Card BD8
- Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
Be ready to present your valid proof of disability document on the day.
The online process once you click through to register for your priority card;
- Select the date of your visit
- Indicate your level of autonomy by answering the questions necessary to create your card.
- Enter your contact information and upload a valid passport photo
- Receive a confirmation e-mail. If you can’t find the e-mail in your inbox, check your spam folder.
- Pick up your card on the day Your card will be valid for 7 days. If you postpone or cancel your stay, you will need to make a new request.
Which Proof Of Disability Should I Use?
My children are eligible for Priority Access Cards at Disneyland Paris as they have Autism. I chose to use the Access Card (sometimes referred to as the CredAbility Card or a Nimbus Card) as I felt it would be the most straight forward method. Each card cost £15 and lasts 3 years, I felt it would be far simpler than any of the other proof which many involve many sheets of paper.
Easy Access Card
What is an Easy Access Card and am I eligible?
If you have a recognised Long Term Chronic Disease, we can support you with simplified (but non-immediate) access to our attractions. Present your Easy Access Card and ‘appointment book’ at an attraction, and we’ll give you a timeslot during which to come back and ride. You can make a 2nd reservation when the 1st is over.
To get your Easy Access Card, you’ll need an original medical certificate in French or English signed and stamped by a medical doctor and less than 3 months old, indicating the Long Term Chronic Disease and the number. You can find the list of Long Term Chronic Diseases here.
The long term chronic diseases include;
1. Debilitating stroke.
2. Bone marrow aplasia and other chronic types of cytopenia.
3. Chronic arterial disease with ischemic events.
4. Complicated schistosomiasis.
5. Chronic heart failure, chronic heart valve disease, serious heart arrhythmia, chronic congenital heart disease.
6. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
7. Severe primary immunodeficiency disorder requiring long-term treatment, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
8. Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
9. Severe neurological and muscular disorders (including myopathy), severe epilepsy.
10. Haemoglobinopathy, chronic constitutional/severe acquired haemolysis,
11. Haemophilia and severe constitutional haemostatic disorders.
13. Coronary artery disease.
14. Acute/chronic respiratory failure.
15. Leprosy.
16. Parkinson’s disease.
17. Inherited metabolic disorders requiring long-term specialised treatment.
18. Cystic fibrosis.
19. Acute/chronic nephropathy and primary nephrotic syndrome.
20. Paraplegia.
21. Periarteritis nodosa, acute disseminated lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis.
22. Severe progressive rheumatoid arthritis.
23. Long-term psychiatric disorders.
24. Ulcerative colitis and progressive Crohn’s disease.
25. Multiple sclerosis.
26. Progressive structural scoliosis (where the curve is 25 degrees of more) through to spinal maturity. 27. Severe ankylosing spondylitis.
28. Organ transplant disorders.
29. Active tuberculosis.
30. Malignant tumour, lymphoma or haematopoietic cancer.
How Can I Get My Easy Access Card?
For Easy Access Cards, you can request it on the day of arrival by presenting an original medical certificate (in French or English signed and stamped by a medical doctor and less than 3 months old) indicating the Long Term Chronic Disease at the concierge or reception desk of your hotel, or at the entrance to the Disney Parks.
Our Experience At Disneyland Paris With The Priority Access Card
My children are eligible for a Priority Access card (as opposed to the Easy Access) so for the rest of this article I shall share our experiences in and around the parks using the priority access system.
Keep The Card Accessible
You’ll need to present the pass numerous times throughout the day, so keep it accessible at all times. If you’re using a lanyard, I’d recommend using a sealed pouch to attach the pass so that it can’t slip out.
Using The Pass
How you use the pass will depend upon where you are in the park and what you are trying to access.
Rides & Attractions
For some rides and attractions you will be asked to head to the exit of the attraction, others will have a specific and shorter disability queue and others will require you to use the premier access lane. Present your pass to a cast member near the attraction and they will show you where to go.
Shops
Look for the disability signs at the checkouts for the faster queues.
Restaurants
Showing your pass in restaurants will get you access to special queues and allocated seating.
Character Meet & Greets
The character meet and greets would in different ways, depending upon whether they fall into the “character meet” or “attraction” within the Disneyland Paris app. For character meets, show up to the location showed on the map within the app before the character meet opens (times can be found on the Disneyland Paris app) and speak to a cast member, who can provide you with an appointment time. For character meets that are classes as attractions (such as Meeting Mickey in Fantasyland and meeting Darth Vader in Discoveryland) you can join the disability queue.
Parades
To make use of the disability spot to watch the parades, head up Main Street towards the castle ad you will find a roped off area on the left.
Shows
Look for the disability queues when you arrive at the show venues.
Fireworks
The entrance to the disability fireworks area can be found to the left of the castle as you look at it with your back to Main Street.