CoriM48
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2015
We just got back from 8 days in the parks. The crowds were higher than were predicted, but with the DAS and FPP, we had a very successful trip!
We got our DAS on our arrival day at the Guest services window outside Hollywood Studios. The CM was super nice and did not ask us a single question (It is possible she saw my son melting down as we waited the 5 minutes in line for our turn). I did tell her I had one last November when it was still a paper pass, but she had to put us into the system since this was the first time back since it had gone electronic. We did not have to bring our entire party...just their magic bands. The entire exchange took about 5 minutes.
The DAS electronic pass worked about 3/4 of the time. The rest of the time we were issued paper return times, which was nice. I could see where that could lead to abuse if you collected multiple tickets, but you never really knew if it would work electronically or not (and we are so grateful for the pass that we made sure never to double dip on principle.) We carefully planned our FPP and our DAS ahead of time in order to minimize walking.
One thing we did not realize is that any linked magic band can get the DAS; it does not need to be the DAS holder's magic band that has it scheduled. We had one CM argue with us about it and actually had to have his manager, who was right there, educate him. The DAS holder does, of course, need to scan the band first when returning to enter the line.
We were sent directly through for lines 10 minutes or less, but were always given return times if the line was 15 minutes or more.
The FP return lines can get long at times, and we sometimes had to wait in that line for 15 minutes. We were prepared for that, but it's important for people to understand that it really can be a while once you return and there will be standing in line. We did have to give up a return time for TSMM because the FP return line was 30-45 minutes long. We understood that's just how it was going to be and knew our son's limits, so we weren't angry, but I think people really do need to understand that the DAS is not an immediate access sort of thing (which we've never considered it). Be prepared for the practical application. It's equal access, not immediate.
Also, it's not just good for rides with FP return lines. Astro Orbiter issues them, too. You just ask for it at the exit. That's the only exception we noticed, but it is a favorite ride of my son's, so it was an important one for us.
Finally, I love the new magic band application. It was great to have it linked electronically, and we found the wordless blue to green Mickey symbol to be MUCH less obvious than having to hold out our paper pass. DAS is a great blessing to our family, and we had a wonderful vacation because of it.
We got our DAS on our arrival day at the Guest services window outside Hollywood Studios. The CM was super nice and did not ask us a single question (It is possible she saw my son melting down as we waited the 5 minutes in line for our turn). I did tell her I had one last November when it was still a paper pass, but she had to put us into the system since this was the first time back since it had gone electronic. We did not have to bring our entire party...just their magic bands. The entire exchange took about 5 minutes.
The DAS electronic pass worked about 3/4 of the time. The rest of the time we were issued paper return times, which was nice. I could see where that could lead to abuse if you collected multiple tickets, but you never really knew if it would work electronically or not (and we are so grateful for the pass that we made sure never to double dip on principle.) We carefully planned our FPP and our DAS ahead of time in order to minimize walking.
One thing we did not realize is that any linked magic band can get the DAS; it does not need to be the DAS holder's magic band that has it scheduled. We had one CM argue with us about it and actually had to have his manager, who was right there, educate him. The DAS holder does, of course, need to scan the band first when returning to enter the line.
We were sent directly through for lines 10 minutes or less, but were always given return times if the line was 15 minutes or more.
The FP return lines can get long at times, and we sometimes had to wait in that line for 15 minutes. We were prepared for that, but it's important for people to understand that it really can be a while once you return and there will be standing in line. We did have to give up a return time for TSMM because the FP return line was 30-45 minutes long. We understood that's just how it was going to be and knew our son's limits, so we weren't angry, but I think people really do need to understand that the DAS is not an immediate access sort of thing (which we've never considered it). Be prepared for the practical application. It's equal access, not immediate.
Also, it's not just good for rides with FP return lines. Astro Orbiter issues them, too. You just ask for it at the exit. That's the only exception we noticed, but it is a favorite ride of my son's, so it was an important one for us.
Finally, I love the new magic band application. It was great to have it linked electronically, and we found the wordless blue to green Mickey symbol to be MUCH less obvious than having to hold out our paper pass. DAS is a great blessing to our family, and we had a wonderful vacation because of it.
