Please help! DAS?

♥ Mandi ♥ · Feb 10, 2016

Hi everyone,
I suffer from a chronic skin condition in which one of the side effects is anhidrosis, or the inability to sweat. We almost always visit the parks in November/December because the weather is cooler, and I am sure I will be okay for the most part aside from at the Animal Kingdom. After almost passing out there in May a few years ago, a CM suggested a GAC and I was able to use it as needed for certain queues that didn't have A/C.

Of course, I take all measures necessary to ensure I don't overheat, but am wondering if the DAS would help at AK in queues that have long waits with no shade and/or A/C.

I am not sure if anyone has heard any instances of being given the DAS for these types of issues. Again, this is just a question, I am not meaning to offend anyone if I am misunderstanding the use of the DAS.

Thanks, everyone!

Mrsjvb · Feb 10, 2016

The DAS is for reasons that preclude you from waiting in a standard line for ANY reason that is not mobility related. my guess is, you probably meet that criteria.

gap2368 · Feb 10, 2016

my guess is no since most lines are inside because of one of my many medical problems I have to be careful of getting over heated when I first went to get a DAS card this is what I told the CM and they said no and then when I told then some other problems I have I was given a DAS card because of the other problems. I think they are becoming more lax at giving them out I have heard one person walk in and say can we get that card so we do not ave to stand in line. the CM just signed them up for a DAS no question asked.

I would try and be parpard for them not giving you one

you can have a cooling towel
fain
misster
umbrella for when there is no shade
and other things that you problem all ready do

also even with a DAS it is hard to find places inside and most of then are opened and not that cool
I find AK to be the hardest park for me that I can only do it for a few hours first thing in the morning and this is with A DAS card.

I would also as at AK I think you could have a better chance of getting it there

StirlingSilver83 · Feb 10, 2016

So we usually get a DAS pass for my son when we go because he is on the spectrum and will meltdown if he has to wait longer than a certain amount of time in line...I am usually a nervous wreck when going in to request a DAS bc a part of me is always afraid they are going to not grant my son a DAS and then our vacation is pretty much ruined bc we can't do as much and its harder on him and I feel if we are paying all that money I want my son to enjoy himself and not be miserable all the time. That being said I am appalled that someone would just go in and request the DAS pass so they don't have to wait in line and then the cast member just giving it to them no questions asked! Anyways...to the OP my theories on the DAS is it never hurts to ask whether or not you qualify. When you go in to request it though go in with the attitude of you are going to get it and don't ask questions about whether or not you qualify. The cast members will let you know if the pass is right for you or not. But also go with a plan B so if you don't qualify for it than you have a back up plan to keep you safe from passing out of overheating.

MakiraMarlena · Feb 10, 2016

You will need to explain to them why you need to wait someplace other than the regular line. You may be able to explain it so that they won't decide you should just use a mister or cooling towel. But you should know that if you get it, having the DAS won't shorten your wait, you will need to find another place to wait that is cooler. Which assumes you can find someplace cooler. It's true that if you just need shade, you can use an umbrella, but it appears you have some other needs besides that.

Maggie'sMom · Feb 10, 2016

No one here can say for sure if you will be given a DAS or not. What I would recommend is to go to guest services and explain what issues you have standing in a regular queue. Yes, many if not most of the lines in WDW as a whole are covered and air conditioned, but many at AK are not. It sounds as if the DAS could help you if you can find a cooler, shaded place to wait until your DAS return time.

DisneyOma · Feb 10, 2016

♥ Mandi ♥ said:
Hi everyone,
I suffer from a chronic skin condition in which one of the side effects is anhidrosis, or the inability to sweat. We almost always visit the parks in November/December because the weather is cooler, and I am sure I will be okay for the most part aside from at the Animal Kingdom. After almost passing out there in May a few years ago, a CM suggested a GAC and I was able to use it as needed for certain queues that didn't have A/C.

Of course, I take all measures necessary to ensure I don't overheat, but am wondering if the DAS would help at AK in queues that have long waits with no shade and/or A/C.

I am not sure if anyone has heard any instances of being given the DAS for these types of issues. Again, this is just a question, I am not meaning to offend anyone if I am misunderstanding the use of the DAS.

Thanks, everyone!

I think it would depend on when you are planning to go? Obviously you can't do the summer, as there's no way to avoid the heat just when walking into the parks from the bus stops and parking lots. So May through September would be a bad time for you to go because the DAS only works for attractions with FP+, so it wouldn't work for waiting to get into the parks, waiting for a tram, waiting for a bus, walking around the parks etc. You'd still be out in a lot of heat!

December through March tend to be a lot cooler, so it would probably be safer to go then, and then you might not even need a DAS. Youcould still ask for one, of course, but my guess is that it will be cool enough (70'F) in most outdoor queues. If you pick one of the low crowd times to go (second and third week in January is reported to be great) the SB queues should be pretty much indoors/under cover for most AK attractions. The only outside/no cover ones would be the Dinoland carnival type ones?

gap2368 · Feb 10, 2016

DisneyOma said:
The only outside/no cover ones would be the Dinoland carnival type ones?

I am at work and on my phone so sorry for any spelling errors

The safar is an out door line but covers with big fans. Everest is in side for the most part not sure if it is aced the water ride never done do not like to be wet so I do not know but I think it is out side. The rides In Dino land are out side but there is only 2 and the little roller coaster is covers the donsor ride is covers and inside shows I am not sure

I think with a little planing getting there early setting up FP for 10:30 11 ish and then doing the inside rides I think the op could do just about every thing and you can get more FP when you use your 3

Like the PP said you will have most of your problems just walking around so do every thing you can to keep your self safe

♥ Mandi ♥ · Feb 10, 2016

Thanks, everyone! I will give it a shot.

lanejudy · Feb 10, 2016

Mrsjvb said:
The DAS is for reasons that preclude you from waiting in a standard line for ANY reason that is not mobility related.

The first half of this statement is true. The second half is not true. DAS is not given if another accommodation will work instead; that is true of most mobility needs, but also some other needs that can be accommodated without a DAS.

OP -- you may certainly ask. If I were you, though, I would be sure to have a back-up plan. Some people have reported being denied a DAS for heat-related concerns. The reasons have been reported upthread by others -- mainly that most queues are indoors and air conditioned, or at least covered/shaded and using fans, and there is much more sun/heat exposure outside the lines. I suggest that if you are not given a DAS and encounter a specific queue that is problematic for you, then go back to Guest Relations and talk about that specific situation to see what they can offer. They will work with individuals who express specific needs.

Enjoy your vacation!

wilkeliza · Feb 10, 2016

You were given a GAC because there use to be a stamp that would alert that it was suppose to only be used for queue that were not indoors or in the shade. With the DAS that stamp went away so there is no way to make it where you can only use it for queues that don't have shade. It would be an honor system.

As others have said there is no harm in asking but make sure you have a back up plan if they say no. So bring an umbrella, use a misting fan, wear Dr. Chill clothing or use frogtoggs.

I hope you are able to enjoy your vacation!

redberyl · Feb 10, 2016

I tend to disagree with the others. My daughter has a heart condition and is very sensitive to heat, even in a wheelchair in the shade she declines quickly and we have to leave the park early. This is what most people who say they can't handle the heat mean, and it is true that they don't give DAS for that reason. Anhidrosis can be very different from my daughters situation, and that of many other posters. It can be fatal. Even in shade with fans and misters, most of us will sweat, which makes the shade and fans much more effective. We are all walking around with our own body powered ,head to toe, constant misters, that we call sweat. Even frequent use of a mister won't do the same job. if it is hot and a person has anhidrosis, air conditioning can be a life saving necessity. If you go and it is a hot day, I would definitely apply for DAS

DisneyOma · Feb 11, 2016

redberyl said:
I tend to disagree with the others. My daughter has a heart condition and is very sensitive to heat, even in a wheelchair in the shade she declines quickly and we have to leave the park early. This is what most people who say they can't handle the heat mean, and it is true that they don't give DAS for that reason. Anhidrosis can be very different from my daughters situation, and that of many other posters. It can be fatal. Even in shade with fans and misters, most of us will sweat, which makes the shade and fans much more effective. We are all walking around with our own body powered ,head to toe, constant misters, that we call sweat. Even frequent use of a mister won't do the same job. if it is hot and a person has anhidrosis, air conditioning can be a life saving necessity. If you go and it is a hot day, I would definitely apply for DAS

If the condition can be fatal, I hope the OP has more sense than to go when it is hot, because there's a whole lot more outdoors/heat/sun just getting around the parks than one would encounter in a queue.

ForeverDance · Feb 12, 2016

I was granted a DAS for my daughter for heat related reasons on our last trip. Mind you it was August. I just nicely explained what her health concerns were and also that I understood that she wouldn't need it for most locations but that there were definitely some rides with outdoor or non-air-conditioned queues that she would not be able to handle. I'm not saying that you would get it and I would definitely have a plan in place for if you can't get it, but it's a possibility. All you can do is ask.

Please help! DAS?

♥ Mandi ♥

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Mrsjvb

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gap2368

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StirlingSilver83

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MakiraMarlena

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Maggie'sMom

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DisneyOma

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gap2368

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♥ Mandi ♥

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lanejudy

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wilkeliza

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redberyl

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DisneyOma

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ForeverDance

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