2 special needs kids-DAS?

[WonderlandisReality]

We are working on planning (early stages) a trip to Disney in the next few years with our two children who have moderate and severe cognitive disabilities. Target is to go just before the oldest is 10, youngest will be 8. Emotionally will be ~4-6. I have been lurking and following this board and understand how the DAS card works, with one person in the party who is eligible.
I have two questions I can't find addressed regarding this process:
1. Assuming both children fall into the eligible category (guessing here as we still struggle with outings to grocery stores, they are in Special Education 100% of the school day, in addition to both having physical brain abnormalities) is it of any benefit to obtain a DAS card for each child or does one for the entire party serve the same purpose?
I also am somewhat concerned about explaining to a cast member (in a public setting) the reasons why my children have these issues as most stem from pre and post natal abuse and neglect inflicted during the first few years of their life by birth family. Its a touchy subject that they remember. Would kinda suck starting off happiest vacation ever by drudging up extremely painful past. This leads me to my second question. 2. Would guest services accept it in writing so everyone (especially the kids) didn't have to hear? I understand they ask what would make it difficult to stand in line, but it's going to be difficult to explain that raised voices, certain (sometimes unknown) phrases and individuals in close proximity of a certain gender can cause violent issues and perhaps just leave it at that (or maybe that's fine, I don't know). But even explaining this around the older child could turn the day sour.
I would like to add that DAS isn't our only approach to this vacation, we are already trying to prep, choosing resort that is quiet but close to park in case of extreme meltdown, going for an extended period of time so we can take time/days off and not trigger anyone. In addition to about a million other details.
Thanks in advance.

 

[wilkeliza]

It is possible to have it in writing but you can also request to speak with them away from the kids as it is sensitive. You also don't have to give specifics just why so they don't need to know it comes from abuse or anything like that.

Please be aware though there is no way Disney can guarantee your kids don't hear those phrases are don't come in close contact with a person that fits that description. I don't know what the phrase is or what type of person but what if it is the Cm loading and unloading, the one at the FP split, the dad who is in FP line right behind or in front of you, older sibling of another group etc. DAS does not guarantee no interaction with other people as you still have to wait in the FP line which can be up to 15 minutes sometimes more but usually less.

The only benefit of having 2 is if you plan on splitting up at any point. The big issue with using 2 DAS is a person can only have 1 active return time. It is easier if it is only a party of 4 because I imagine if one child decides not to ride a guardian would need to stay back anyways but if it is more then 4 the issues arrive when one person who wanted to ride ends up on the DAS return time of someone who changes their mind. So if you are only a group of 4 it might be benifitial if your kids have a tendency to change their mind so one parent can be on a return time with each DAS holder so if one decides not to ride the other can still go and vice versa.

 

[SteveMouse]

You don't need to explain the root cause of an issue about why you are requesting DAS- you need to be able to explain why the individual cannot wait in line.

e.g. Disney is not particularly interested in the name of the condition I have (and it wouldn't tell them much without a lengthy explanation)- they're interested in how it impacts my ability to wait in queue.

Do be aware that even with a DAS, there are ample opportunities to be in fairly crowded situations- buses/monorail/boat transportation, queues for quickservice restaurants, attractions that don't have FastPass+, show, (a number of attractions have "preshows" or part of the experience- such as the Haunted Mansion stretching room- that can get fairly crowded.

You can request a DAS card for each person and have non-DAS holders associated with each card, but as the PP suggests, you can have only one active return time. If I were waiting in line with guest services to request DAS for one child, I'd be tempted to request for the other child, as there's little additional time required and gives more flexibility.

 

[DisneyOma]

We are working on planning (early stages) a trip to Disney in the next few years with our two children who have moderate and severe cognitive disabilities. Target is to go just before the oldest is 10, youngest will be 8. Emotionally will be ~4-6. I have been lurking and following this board and understand how the DAS card works, with one person in the party who is eligible.
I have two questions I can't find addressed regarding this process:
1. Assuming both children fall into the eligible category (guessing here as we still struggle with outings to grocery stores, they are in Special Education 100% of the school day, in addition to both having physical brain abnormalities) is it of any benefit to obtain a DAS card for each child or does one for the entire party serve the same purpose?
I also am somewhat concerned about explaining to a cast member (in a public setting) the reasons why my children have these issues as most stem from pre and post natal abuse and neglect inflicted during the first few years of their life by birth family. Its a touchy subject that they remember. Would kinda suck starting off happiest vacation ever by drudging up extremely painful past. This leads me to my second question. 2. Would guest services accept it in writing so everyone (especially the kids) didn't have to hear? I understand they ask what would make it difficult to stand in line, but it's going to be difficult to explain that raised voices, certain (sometimes unknown) phrases and individuals in close proximity of a certain gender can cause violent issues and perhaps just leave it at that (or maybe that's fine, I don't know). But even explaining this around the older child could turn the day sour.
I would like to add that DAS isn't our only approach to this vacation, we are already trying to prep, choosing resort that is quiet but close to park in case of extreme meltdown, going for an extended period of time so we can take time/days off and not trigger anyone. In addition to about a million other details.
Thanks in advance.

A DAS is given based on needs, not diagnosis. There's no reason to tell the CM the life history of your children. You just have to explain to the CM how waiting in the standard queue is difficult for your children. The CM doesn't need to know that they are in "Special Education 100% of the school day" as a standard queue isn't a school setting, etc. The DAS is very specific - it gives you a return time (wait minus 10 min?) so you don't have to wait in the standard queue. One person with special needs may qualify for a DAS while another person with special needs may not. Depends on the needs, and if they can be met with a mobility device, a DAS or something else.

 

[gap2368]

We are working on planning (early stages) a trip to Disney in the next few years with our two children who have moderate and severe cognitive disabilities. Target is to go just before the oldest is 10, youngest will be 8. Emotionally will be ~4-6. I have been lurking and following this board and understand how the DAS card works, with one person in the party who is eligible.
I have two questions I can't find addressed regarding this process:
1. Assuming both children fall into the eligible category (guessing here as we still struggle with outings to grocery stores, they are in Special Education 100% of the school day, in addition to both having physical brain abnormalities) is it of any benefit to obtain a DAS card for each child or does one for the entire party serve the same purpose?
I also am somewhat concerned about explaining to a cast member (in a public setting) the reasons why my children have these issues as most stem from pre and post natal abuse and neglect inflicted during the first few years of their life by birth family. Its a touchy subject that they remember. Would kinda suck starting off happiest vacation ever by drudging up extremely painful past. This leads me to my second question. 2. Would guest services accept it in writing so everyone (especially the kids) didn't have to hear? I understand they ask what would make it difficult to stand in line, but it's going to be difficult to explain that raised voices, certain (sometimes unknown) phrases and individuals in close proximity of a certain gender can cause violent issues and perhaps just leave it at that (or maybe that's fine, I don't know). But even explaining this around the older child could turn the day sour.
I would like to add that DAS isn't our only approach to this vacation, we are already trying to prep, choosing resort that is quiet but close to park in case of extreme meltdown, going for an extended period of time so we can take time/days off and not trigger anyone. In addition to about a million other details.
Thanks in advance.

when getting a DAS card they do not care about DX ( I hardly every say my DX) they just care about what kinds of problems your child has waiting in line. so think of that and what they need in line.

I some time s write ( have in on my phone) my needs but this is for lines If I need something and the CM have never had a problem with it. you could write out what your child's needs are but just know the CM may have more questions for you, and your kids do not need to be right with you if you have another adult going they can stand off to the side with the kids while you talk and then the kids can come over for the rest ( picture)

 

[WonderlandisReality]

Please be aware though there is no way Disney can guarantee your kids don't hear those phrases are don't come in close contact with a person that fits that description.

No, of course not. Nor is that even a remote expectation of Disney or any entity for that matter. Thus why we are waiting and working until they can function in public a little better.
My secret fear after agreeing to plan this trip is that our family will negatively impact another's vacation. I would love nothing more than to blend in and not to be noticed in public the entire time we are there.

 

[wilkeliza]

No, of course not. Nor is that even a remote expectation of Disney or any entity for that matter. Thus why we are waiting and working until they can function in public a little better.
My secret fear after agreeing to plan this trip is that our family will negatively impact another's vacation. I would love nothing more than to blend in and not to be noticed in public the entire time we are there.

Don't worry about others. I just wanted to make sure you knew DAS doesn't guarantee you won't experience any of those triggers since there will still be people around.

 

[DisneyOma]

No, of course not. Nor is that even a remote expectation of Disney or any entity for that matter. Thus why we are waiting and working until they can function in public a little better.
My secret fear after agreeing to plan this trip is that our family will negatively impact another's vacation. I would love nothing more than to blend in and not to be noticed in public the entire time we are there.

Unless your children are physically violent to strangers, they will not have a negative impact on another family's vacation unless that other family chooses to let that happen. Kids (and adults) have rough moments at WDW all the time - kids cry in the queues, scream in the queues, have full out meltdowns, adults yell at each other, swear, and behave rudely. If it's not your family, you can choose to respond or ignore. We try to ignore. Sometimes my daughter will try to redirect the kids if she can (she's great with kids, and wants to be a CM some day!) but we ignore the adults, and just notify a CM if it looks like it is turning scary. So don't worry about others - just think about what you need to have a great time at WDW with your family.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I would say the reason to get a das for both is that it is very likely one will need time not in the park because of a meltdown while the other needs to be separated and going to the park is a good way to do that. When you are together just always use one card. You might be surprised how well the vacation goes. Being in another world can be a huge relief to kids like yours. I say that from experience not just because it sounds good. Of course, lack of routine can be a killer so don't plan on that I'd also consider not waiting too long to take the trip. There is a huge bonding component to Disney that might serve you well as a family even if the kids appear to have a harder time of it on the surface.

 

[tobikaye]

I agree that each should have their own DAS in case of needing to divide up. My cousin and her family are going to WDW in early summer and have asked if my sister and I might want to join them since I am getting an AP during my January trip. If we decide to join them, we would have 2 DAS for our group. My cousin's son and my sister both have special needs and issues with lines. If we go, then there will definitely be times when everyone would divide up.