DL & DCA -Disability Access Service Card- Post 1 update 12/7/14 DAS tied to ticket

[KPeveler]

If I had to guess, I would say that you get one wait time, period. The idea is that you are waiting in line, just in a safe place. They do not tell you what you must do while that time is passing, allowing people to handle whatever their disability dictates as best, but you are "in line."

And I believe it would be the same in Florida - where it is definitely harder to park hop.

This is based on my guesses and the statements of some Disney people in the past, so I cannot promise this is true. I would just think that if they do not allow two wait times in one park, since that would mean being "in line" twice, you would not be able to be "in line" in two parks.

I am interested to see how the "wheelchair return cards" worked out today, and in the future - the idea was to eliminate wheelchair queues, like happen at Space Mountain, but I would be surprised if that actually happened. After all, they spaced out people with disabilities quite a bit at RSR and there was always a wheelchair line.

 

[KPeveler]

Ok, Space wise those make sense, but if you think about needs as well as accessible paths, the locations need some fine tuning. Hopefully they will do that.

I would also love to know where the ones in DCA are if anyone has that information.

Also, did they provide a list of attractions that you would need to get return times for? I understand that list may change from day to day, so I'm not necessarily asking for it, but I would like to know before I go all the way to a kiosk to did it that I could have gone directly to the attraction instead.

I am going to rely on the app they use for that, to a certain extent. I know I cannot push myself all over the park to find out. Something that has not been made clear to me, are the kiosks "area" specific, or can I get a time for any DAS ride at any kiosk? For instance, can I get a Space time at the kiosk at Haunted Mansion? This would greatly help me plan and save energy for pushing if I could get my next time without having to cross the park!

 

[luv2sleep]

I am going to rely on the app they use for that, to a certain extent. I know I cannot push myself all over the park to find out. Something that has not been made clear to me, are the kiosks "area" specific, or can I get a time for any DAS ride at any kiosk? For instance, can I get a Space time at the kiosk at Haunted Mansion? This would greatly help me plan and save energy for pushing if I could get my next time without having to cross the park!

They told me that you can get a DAS return time for any ride from any kiosk. I assumed this was just inside DL but now I'm wondering if you could get one in DL for a ride in CA. I doubt it but it will be interesting to find out. I was reading on the WDW that a CM said to someone that. "The DAS is for the autistic." That seems pretty narrow to me if that's what it was designed for. In line at City Hall I saw a mom of a son with Down syndrome get one. Her son had similar issues as mine (ASD). The cm who said that should really learn how to talk to people about it.

 

[disney david]

They told me that you can get a DAS return time for any ride from any kiosk. I assumed this was just inside DL but now I'm wondering if you could get one in DL for a ride in CA. I doubt it but it will be interesting to find out.

I was reading on the WDW that a CM said to someone that. "The DAS is for the autistic." That seems pretty narrow to me if that's what it was designed for. In line at City Hall I saw a mom of a son with Down syndrome get one get one. Her son had similar issues as mine (ASD). The cm who said that should really learn ow to talk to people about it.

We don't know for sure if the cm really said that it it was a misunderstanding between the cm and guest.

 

[luv2sleep]

We don't know for sure if the cm really said that it it was a misunderstanding between the cm and guest.

Oh ok.

 

[disney david]

Oh ok.

I just checked the wdw thread again and someone else had a problem at epcot but got a manager involved and think worked it out. So I think it could just be it so new the cms and managers are making some mistakes not saying they are saying it only for autism. But I think that a little more work needs to happen on both sides.


Like to see reports from other parks so far it seems to have some problems at Epcot. Saw on twitter someone got one at mk but not sure their needs.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We're headed to Disneyland tomorrow for the long weekend, and I will report back on our experience with DS16 special needs. We have used the various permutations of the assistance program since he was a toddler.

One of my biggest questions--and something I hope someone who is there today (or yesterday)--can chime in on, is how the RP (return pass) is different from rides that have FP. Specifically, I'm wondering whether they are just funneling people into the FP line or whether with the RP we will be able to use the alternative entrance to bypass the FP line. Some of the FP lines can be really difficult for DS, (which is why we didn't use FP in the first place). If anyone could help clarify this part of the new program, I would really appreciate it.

 

[disneymum58]

I was interested in knowing what they are doing now at rides like Space Mountain? I have been using the Exit to avoid the stairs with my GAC but I don't use a wheelchair. Are they giving out return cards or are people still waiting? How are they coordinating this with the DAS?

 

[luv2sleep]

We're headed to Disneyland tomorrow for the long weekend, and I will report back on our experience with DS16 special needs. We have used the various permutations of the assistance program since he was a toddler. One of my biggest questions--and something I hope someone who is there today (or yesterday)--can chime in on, is how the RP (return pass) is different from rides that have FP. Specifically, I'm wondering whether they are just funneling people into the FP line or whether with the RP we will be able to use the alternative entrance to bypass the FP line. Some of the FP lines can be really difficult for DS, (which is why we didn't use FP in the first place). If anyone could help clarify this part of the new program, I would really appreciate it.

On Tues with the GAC we were sent to the alternate entrance line. Yesterday with the DAS we were sent it the FP line. This was for Star Tours.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

On Tues with the GAC we were sent to the alternate entrance line. Yesterday with the DAS we were sent it the FP line. This was for Star Tours.

UGH! This is exactly what I was hoping not to hear. ST is one of the rides I was thinking about. That doesn't make any sense as the RT is supposed to be geared toward the wait time, and some of the FP waits can be really long (ST, Soaring, etc.). Not sure why to have a RT at all if it's just a FP (on FP rides).

 

[luv2sleep]

UGH! This is exactly what I was hoping not to hear. ST is one of the rides I was thinking about. That doesn't make any sense as the RT is supposed to be geared toward the wait time, and some of the FP waits can be really long (ST, Soaring, etc.). Not sure why to have a RT at all if it's just a FP (on FP rides).

Oh no. I made a mistake! We used our own FP for that one. Sorry. I don't know what would happen with ST. I actually don't have a ride to compare with. Sorry for posting incorrectly. Hopefully someone else can better answer your question. Crowds were so low yesterday that we didn't use the DAS at all. My son can only take the parks for 3 hours so after 5 rides he was fine. Going to try toy story with the DAS today. Ill report back. I used the GAC for it on Monday.

 

[cmwade77]

UGH! This is exactly what I was hoping not to hear. ST is one of the rides I was thinking about. That doesn't make any sense as the RT is supposed to be geared toward the wait time, and some of the FP waits can be really long (ST, Soaring, etc.). Not sure why to have a RT at all if it's just a FP (on FP rides).

From what I have been told, they are sending everyone to the FP queue by default; however, you are supposed to simply explain your need to the person directing you and they should allow the alternate entrance.

In my experience at ST, with the GAC I was always directed to the FP queue, but if I was having a bad day and couldn't do the steep ramp, I would simply tell them that I need the elevator.

I would expect the new system to work similar. If they direct in a way that does not meet your needs, explain your needs to them.

 

[Aladora]

In my experience at ST, with the GAC I was always directed to the FP queue,

I was about to post this. We have used the GAC on ST with our son every trip, it is his favourite ride. Every time we have used it, we have been directed into the FP line. Other than using the elevator, I didn't think there was an alternate entrance to ST?

 

[cmwade77]

I was about to post this. We have used the GAC on ST with our son every trip, it is his favourite ride. Every time we have used it, we have been directed into the FP line. Other than using the elevator, I didn't think there was an alternate entrance to ST?

There is for those with ECVs and electric wheelchairs. They are normally given a return time pass and directed to the exit, due to the fact that the entrance cannot support the weight of these devices.

 

[Aladora]

There is for those with ECVs and electric wheelchairs. They are normally given a return time pass and directed to the exit, due to the fact that the entrance cannot support the weight of these devices.

Huh, learn something new every day!

 

[piratenightmares]

I was about to post this. We have used the GAC on ST with our son every trip, it is his favourite ride. Every time we have used it, we have been directed into the FP line. Other than using the elevator, I didn't think there was an alternate entrance to ST?

We have been directed with GAC to the elevator on ST on several occasions so I think that must be the alternate entrance.

 

[tlovesdis]

I was about to post this. We have used the GAC on ST with our son every trip, it is his favourite ride. Every time we have used it, we have been directed into the FP line. Other than using the elevator, I didn't think there was an alternate entrance to ST?

Yes, the ECV's and Wheelchairs go through the exit for Star Tours. It's actually kind of a pain because you have to go through the store, then navigate up the ramp that people are coming down!

 

[piratenightmares]

Yes, the ECV's and Wheelchairs go through the exit for Star Tours. It's actually kind of a pain because you have to go through the store, then navigate up the ramp that people are coming down!

That's weird. We never had to do that before. We just went in through the elevator to the left of the main entrance. Never had to go in through the exit. We've gone through the elevator with my son's wheelchair and also without one using the GAC.

 

[tlovesdis]

That's weird. We never had to do that before. We just went in through the elevator to the left of the main entrance. Never had to go in through the exit. We've gone through the elevator with my son's wheelchair and also without one using the GAC.

Maybe the ECV can't fit in the elevator? I've been using one for years and have always gone through the exit. So maybe wheelchairs go through the elevator???? Not sure!

 

[DLgal]

This may seem like a stupid question, but what would stop someone from Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios and getting another DAS card?

They take down a bunch of info, input it into a computer and take your picture. If you try to get another one, the system will alert the CM that one was already given out.