DAS for parade seating?

Thickey · Aug 25, 2015

My wife has arthritis and the past 2 years we have been to WDW she has managed amazingly well. We have been in October previously and this year going in Mid September. This is mainly due to the reduced crowd levels and better price.

The only times she has had difficulties is when standing for long periods of times. with FP+ and short lines the longest we tend to wait for an attraction is 15 minutes or so which has been manageable. So the biggest problem for her is standing waiting for a parade to start and during.

We did notice that there are some seating areas around MK at least (along the bridge going into Liberty Square for example if I recall correctly) which would enable her to enjoy the parades more. I just feel bad entertaining the idea of getting DAS when she isn't in a wheelchair or crutches. So my questions are these.

Is this a valid case for DAS?
Can she use DAS to get parade seating without a wheelchair?

Thanks for any advice in advance!

gap2368 · Aug 25, 2015

They will tell her to use a WC she will not get a DAS and a DAS can not be used for paraids

tobikaye · Aug 25, 2015

Thickey said:
We did notice that there are some seating areas around MK at least (along the bridge going into Liberty Square for example if I recall correctly) which would enable her to enjoy the parades more. I just feel bad entertaining the idea of getting DAS when she isn't in a wheelchair or crutches. So my questions are these.

Is this a valid case for DAS?

Can she use DAS to get parade seating without a wheelchair?

Thanks for any advice in advance!

The benches are a VIP area, not HA/DAS. I believe that the people they place here are usually per-assigned either due to being part of a VIP Tour or for some other reason determined by WDW. They do occasionally place people there if they are not all used, but it is usually "pixie dust", I believe.

There are 3 HA areas for the parades. The flag pole in front of the train station and in front of the castle in the circle are two and have no seating. Then the third is just past the bench seating you mentioned on the other side of the bridge across from Hall of Presidents. There is a low wall that maybe about 15-20 people could sit on to watch the parade before the wall curves. Those using mobility devices are placed in front of those along the wall.

I do not know if a DAS would allow you in that area or not, but you would probably need to be there extremely early.

Thickey · Aug 25, 2015

Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like we will just have to manage. I have booked the wishes desert party for one night so that will be better than making claim to a spot in the hub. I guess I need to revise my FP+ reservations for parades!

gap2368 · Aug 25, 2015

she can always use a wheel chair she dose not have to sit in it she can push it and when she needs a break she can sit or she can use a roller the thing the you push and has a seat in it. this way she can have a place to sit during parades and the fire work show and she will not be sitting all day getting stiff

asta · Aug 25, 2015

gap2368 said:
she can always use a wheel chair she dose not have to sit in it she can push it and when she needs a break she can sit or she can use a roller the thing the you push and has a seat in it. this way she can have a place to sit during parades and the fire work show and she will not be sitting all day getting stiff

If you use a wheelchair in this manner - not using it to be pushed but walking with it as an assist then using it to sit for a rest - do you still have rights to the handicap areas for parade or fireworks viewing?

gap2368 · Aug 25, 2015

I do not think there is any HC. Area for fier works parades I am not sure but I have heard you have to get there very early so I would just find a spot

lanejudy · Aug 25, 2015

asta said:
If you use a wheelchair in this manner - not using it to be pushed but walking with it as an assist then using it to sit for a rest - do you still have rights to the handicap areas for parade or fireworks viewing?

I believe anybody with a mobility device is allowed into the H/A reserved areas. Generally speaking, they'll allow the guest with the mobility device plus one companion to stand behind or sit in front of the mobility device; sometimes they will allow a larger party but don't expect it.

As mentioned the DAS is not given for mobility/stamina needs, and regardless, I'm not sure if a DAS gets one access to these areas without a mobility device. I'm honestly not sure why those areas might be beneficial to someone without a mobility device; they tend to fill up fast and early, and as noted do not typically provide seating.

OP - would your wife benefit from using a cane-seat? It's essentially a cane that opens out into a tripod stool. That might be another option besides a wheelchair or rollator mentioned above. Folding chairs are not allowed, but a cane-seat qualifies as a mobility device and might help her throughout the parks.

Enjoy your vacation!

PatMcDuck · Aug 25, 2015

I found the FP+ area for the fireworks to be great. I use it for my adult son, he uses a WC type chair at WDW. I was able to place his chair at the front of the FP+ area, and in front of the fencing is a walkway path that is kept clear during the pre show and fireworks. (people can walk by but not stop, so no kids on shoulders immediately in front of DS in his chair. First time in years he (and I) could see the castle projections in the pre show.

Of course, no real seating there, so it might work best for OP's wife to combine with a manual WC.

SueM in MN · Aug 26, 2015

Just to clarify, the handicapped viewing areas for parades co not have seating; the only sesting is if you have a wheelchair, ECV or other seated mobility device.

The CMs line up mobility devices across the front of the area, very close together (nearly touching). At least one companion may stay with the guest using a mobility device, standing behind them. If it is very busy, they may limit to not one companion per mobility device. During extremely busy times, they sometimes have 2 rows of mobility devices.
Plan to arrive at least an hour before the parade, as these areas can fill up quickly.
I have seen guests access the area using PAPER DAS and GAC before the switch to electronic. I sm not sure they are still doing that, now that DAS is electronic. At any rate, guests who were not using mobility devices were placed at the back of the viewing area, behind all the mobility devices.

There are no handicapped viewing areas for fireworks - the rationale seems to be that the fireworks are in the sky, so can be seen by just looking up. (Just reporting the rationale I have heard).

HopperFan · Aug 26, 2015

1) I also have arthritis (lifelong) and I don't think she will be given a DAS. They will tell you to rent a WC or use other mobility device.

2) My DS has used the GAC/DAS for years. Our experience with the HA Viewing has been mixed and I wouldn't depend on using it even if you got a DAS. MK parade viewing (there is no special seating), we used to use it sometimes if there was room on arrival. We were usually told if more WC users showed up we would have to leave. It just made more sense for us to find our own spots early and wait, one of us walking DS around if needed. At Illuminations we were firmly told that only those with WC can use the area. It remained fairly empty. Never tried again.

I think your best bet for parades is find a spot early that includes some seating option. In Liberty Square there are some walls by Hall of Presidents and Frontierland there are wood decking areas by the shooting gallery. This seating works well for me to sit. The FoF parade was built with very tall floats so visibility is good and MSEP is easy to watch sitting back.

Thickey · Aug 27, 2015

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was 99% sure that there was a seating area with a rope and a disabled flag hanging from it. But I obviously am mis-remembering.

As you all say there is absolutely no benefit to standing in a disabled only area and we would be better off finding our own place to view and sit on a wall etc. There is a huge difference for my wife at least between needing a chair/scooter and being uncomfortable standing for a long time.. We are luckily not at the point of needing a scooter and I hope that we won't be for a long time at least.

We wil have to plan some things better than last year and make do, it does seem sometimes that Disney hates having people sit down but I am sure they have a good reason for it.

19 days till we go. Can't wait!!

sharadoc · Aug 27, 2015

Hi. I have the same issue. Here's my advice.

Frontierland. There are platforms you can sit on. There's an outside seating area in Pecos Bills too. Just know you can't move stools out to the curb.

Benches in front of the Frontierland Shooting Gallery. Great view. You are back from the crowd a little and can see everything up high, plys through an opening for a walkway too.

Sleepy Hollow up against the wall and watch the parade go over the bridge to Liberty Square.

The key thing to remember is that the parade is up high. You don't have to be right up against it to get a perfectly fine view.

SueM in MN · Aug 27, 2015

If you get there early, the train platform balcony is also an excellent place to watch the parade. There are some benches and people move them along the railing.

PsychoCelloChica · Aug 28, 2015

My little secret is to try and get the sleigh that sits outside of the Christmas shop. Sure you're a few feet back, but you can sit down the whole time and still have a nice view above everyone else. I do have much better luck for MSEP than for FoF, but if you time it right, you could have her grab it and rest while you run and grab food for a late lunch.

DAS for parade seating?

Thickey

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gap2368

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tobikaye

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Thickey

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gap2368

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asta

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gap2368

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lanejudy

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PatMcDuck

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SueM in MN

combining the teacups with a roller coaster

HopperFan

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Thickey

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sharadoc

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SueM in MN

combining the teacups with a roller coaster

PsychoCelloChica

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