We went to DL resort last weekend. All day Friday and most of the day Saturday. We took my best friend who had never been. It was the first time I have used a DAS and a wheelchair. The experience was far above and beyond what I expected.
I have Systemic Mast Cell Disease, Dysautonomia (Tachycardia and Hypotension), and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. In the past we've managed to do entire WDW vacations without using a DAS or wheelchair.
First...security at DL. They were amazing. I am on TPN and IV meds and they wanded me instead of sending me through the metal detectors. Very easy and very quick.
DAS- we got it Friday morning at DAS. I explained to them why I need it (mainly for GI and blood sugar issues and complications from those plus TPN complications). They were very, very nice and explained everything since we had never used it before. And the CM also told us about asking to avoid stairs if needed, especially later in the day, since at the time, stamina wasn't a concern and we weren't planning on a wheelchair. She did ask me a hypothetical situation and how I would need to handle that and how the DAS would help (basically, 90 minute line, what could happen that would make me have to leave the line, etc). But very nice and very simple.
We basically used the DAS for rides all 4 of us were going on and would use fastpass for rides that only 2 or 3 of us went on and of course used FP for any rides I would not be going on since the DAS cant be used for those. It worked out amazingly well and the DL app was so helpful.
Most of the time, our return time was 30 minutes or less from when we got it. But I would use that time to go to first aid to do meds (IV meds every 2 to 3 hours) or go to first aid to lie down if needed. It was great to be able to go to the ride when it worked for us and not be confined to a 1 hour window. I was doubting the trip beforehand because I didn't want my friend to miss out on everything because of my health and this kept that from happening. And it was very, very crowded not just with grad nite groups but a lot of elementary and middle school groups.
All and all, I really appreciate the DAS and so glad that Disney has something in place for people who need it.
As far as the wheelchair...we never planned on renting one since we were going to first aid so often and I would usually just rest for 20 minutes or so after meds. But I had a pretty bad mast cell flare Friday night and even after extra meds and resting for an hour, I was still pretty weak and tired and in pain so we rented a wheelchair for the rest of the night because I wanted to stay for parade and fireworks. So easy and the CMs were so helpful and we did not encounter any issues whatsoever with fellow park attendees. They were also very polite and helpful.
I have been very wary of going to DL because of how much it costs and how much I have progressed physically in relation to my illnesses but after this trip, I definitely think the value is still there and we are actually hopefully going back in a couple of weeks just for a day trip.
But all in all, I really cannot say enough great things about all of the CMs we encountered wherever we went. So helpful and polite. And the first aid nurses at both parks were also absolutely wonderful.
I have Systemic Mast Cell Disease, Dysautonomia (Tachycardia and Hypotension), and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. In the past we've managed to do entire WDW vacations without using a DAS or wheelchair.
First...security at DL. They were amazing. I am on TPN and IV meds and they wanded me instead of sending me through the metal detectors. Very easy and very quick.
DAS- we got it Friday morning at DAS. I explained to them why I need it (mainly for GI and blood sugar issues and complications from those plus TPN complications). They were very, very nice and explained everything since we had never used it before. And the CM also told us about asking to avoid stairs if needed, especially later in the day, since at the time, stamina wasn't a concern and we weren't planning on a wheelchair. She did ask me a hypothetical situation and how I would need to handle that and how the DAS would help (basically, 90 minute line, what could happen that would make me have to leave the line, etc). But very nice and very simple.
We basically used the DAS for rides all 4 of us were going on and would use fastpass for rides that only 2 or 3 of us went on and of course used FP for any rides I would not be going on since the DAS cant be used for those. It worked out amazingly well and the DL app was so helpful.
Most of the time, our return time was 30 minutes or less from when we got it. But I would use that time to go to first aid to do meds (IV meds every 2 to 3 hours) or go to first aid to lie down if needed. It was great to be able to go to the ride when it worked for us and not be confined to a 1 hour window. I was doubting the trip beforehand because I didn't want my friend to miss out on everything because of my health and this kept that from happening. And it was very, very crowded not just with grad nite groups but a lot of elementary and middle school groups.
All and all, I really appreciate the DAS and so glad that Disney has something in place for people who need it.
As far as the wheelchair...we never planned on renting one since we were going to first aid so often and I would usually just rest for 20 minutes or so after meds. But I had a pretty bad mast cell flare Friday night and even after extra meds and resting for an hour, I was still pretty weak and tired and in pain so we rented a wheelchair for the rest of the night because I wanted to stay for parade and fireworks. So easy and the CMs were so helpful and we did not encounter any issues whatsoever with fellow park attendees. They were also very polite and helpful.
I have been very wary of going to DL because of how much it costs and how much I have progressed physically in relation to my illnesses but after this trip, I definitely think the value is still there and we are actually hopefully going back in a couple of weeks just for a day trip.
But all in all, I really cannot say enough great things about all of the CMs we encountered wherever we went. So helpful and polite. And the first aid nurses at both parks were also absolutely wonderful.
