Accessibility Services in Disneyland Paris

Taking my son, Ben, to Disneyland Paris was a completely different experience from the US parks, and it’s all because of documentation.

My family recently traveled to Europe, where we spent a couple of days in Disneyland Paris. In the US, Ben uses DAS to navigate the parks; in Paris, he was issued a Priority Card- and the difference is a game-changer.

Disneyland Paris has two different categories for guests with disabilities to navigate the parks. The difference is in the documentation you provide. If you are determined to be disabled by your government and have the paperwork to back it up, you will receive the Priority Card. If you have a chronic illness that requires assistance, you may qualify for an Easy Access Card.

Disneyland Paris Terms that Differ from US Parks

This could all be very confusing if I don’t point out a couple of terms that differ between the US parks and Disneyland Paris.

Lightning Lane = Premier Lane

Disability Access Service (DAS) = either Priority or Easy Access (depending on the guest)

The Priority Card at Disneyland Paris

First, it’s important to know that the Priority Card is only given to guests who have an officially recognized disability by their government and have the paperwork to prove it.

Documentation required for United States guests

1. Disability card issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
2. Parking Card for Disabled People
3. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Verification Letter
4. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Verification Letter
5. VA Disability Compensation Benefits
6. Accesspass: America The Beautiful

The Priority Card gives you immediate access to the appropriate queue for attractions, a reserved area for parades and shows, and even access to a dedicated line for shops and food. Crush Coaster was the only attraction that directed us to a special access queue instead of Premier, that queue was close to 30 minutes, while the standby wait was 90. It was a dream to work with, we just showed Ben’s card, and they let us in.

Ben was allowed to bring three guests to attractions and theaters with him, and one guest to the reserved area for parades and outdoor shows.

And There Are Discounted Tickets For Priority Card Holders?

If you do not have a package that includes a resort stay, you can purchase discounted tickets for the cardholder and one guest. These tickets are purchased on-site when you process your access card. The discount applied to our tickets with a package was actually a better deal than the priority discount.

We noticed that in London and Paris, every attraction with an entrance fee offered free or discounted tickets to guests with a disability ID. This is clearly the norm in Europe.

Easy Access card in Disneyland Paris

The Easy Access card is for guests with a long-term chronic illness that makes standing in long standby queues challenging or impossible, but they are not legally considered disabled. To receive an Early Access card, you need a signed doctor’s note with a date stamp within 3 months of your park visit. There is a list of conditions that qualify. Please note a cultural difference, they have grouped developmental delays, including Autism, with psychological conditions, so don’t panic when you don’t see them on the list.

The Easy Access card works similarly to the Disability Access Service (DAS) in the US parks. You make a reservation or return time in an appointment book. Unfortunately, it is not digital; you must see a cast member at the attraction, and they enter your time in the book.

I’m guessing the guest number is the same as Priority, a total of four for attractions and theaters, and two for parade viewing and outdoor shows (like fireworks).

How to Apply for Accessibility Cards (Priority and Easy Access)

The most important factor in receiving an accessibility card is your paperwork. Then you simply take your paperwork, identification, and the person applying for the card to either guest services or the concierge at your Disney resort.

If you qualify for Priority, you are welcome to email them 30 days before your park visit, but we did that and never received a reply. There was no problem, they just had to ask some questions about mobility and if he would be able to evacuate from the attractions if necessary. The email process included a questionnaire that would have covered those questions.

The cast member will take a photo of the cardholder and print your cards. The priority card resembles a license card, complete with special effects on the back, with QR codes to link (they are now disabled), making it very hard to counterfeit.

Why Can’t We Have this in Disney World and Disneyland?

I’m not a lawyer, but we have to assume there are privacy and accessibility laws that prevent the Disney parks in the US from having this process. Also, children in the US do not have identification as they do in Europe. Across the pond, most have passports or a national ID. We don’t have identification until we are 18 or driving.

But what do you think? Do you wish we had the same system at Disney World and Disneyland?