Another DAS Question / Thread

[DRS_Are_Best]

My trip is coming up. I know I've asked this question here before and got great answers, but I want to be sure I know EXACTLY what I want before going down there so I know to ask for things appropriately and not get any flack for anything.

I am traveling as Mom of a family of 5. My two younger kids (8 year old girl/boy twins) are both Autistic. My son also has what we consider to be severe anxiety issues, but only about things that set him off. We have no concerns about lines. We know we can keep them under control no matter how long the wait and, thanks to Touring Plans (and FP+), we have a good idea of how long our waits will be and they are quite reasonable. So PLEASE no Wait Time advice (for me) here.

What I worry about is addressing DS's anxieties. Historically, shows have been a problem (but have been much better since the last time we were in WDW). In case we have a problem, we want to be sure that we're seated on an aisle and (preferably) near an exit. That way, if he has a meltdown, we can easily, quickly, and reasonably quietly get him out of the situation without causing problems for the other guests. We will be traveling with his earmuffs (which we will be using for every show we plan on attending as well as the fireworks and some of the more intense rides (hopefully the R&R coaster). But is this preferential seating something that we can arrange through Guest Relations with a DAS? We are not bringing a stroller or renting a wheelchair (for us, we really don't feel it's appropriate), so my kids' disabilities are invisible unless meltdowns are occurring.

Also elevators are an issue. We already have plans for the resort....we have a calendar entry to call the resort 8 days before check in to arrange with them that we will need a room on the ground floor away from any elevators. Mouse Travel (who we booked through) recommended waiting until then since the rooms aren't assigned until a week before check-in and if we were to do this too early, our request may be lost. We also plan to keep him as far as possible from Tower Of Terror (within reason.....he LOVES coasters and will insist on riding R&R), and we will do our best to shield him whenever such a thing is impossible to avoid. But are there any other places that we need to watch for that might force us on an elevator or near an elevator? I'm hoping that the "elevator" in Haunted Mansion will not be noticed as it's really the whole room that's an elevator.

Sorry for the long-windedness of this post. Just trying to make sure I get everything addressed.

TIA!

 

[Sunnywho]

The DAS can be used at shows with Fastpass. If you arrive earlier than standby guests, you'd have a good selection of seats.

 

[SueM in MN]

In case we have a problem, we want to be sure that we're seated on an aisle and (preferably) near an exit. That way, if he has a meltdown, we can easily, quickly, and reasonably quietly get him out of the situation without causing problems for the other guests. We will be traveling with his earmuffs (which we will be using for every show we plan on attending as well as the fireworks and some of the more intense rides (hopefully the R&R coaster). But is this preferential seating something that we can arrange through Guest Relations with a DAS? We are not bringing a stroller or renting a wheelchair (for us, we really don't feel it's appropriate), so my kids' disabilities are invisible unless meltdowns are occurring.

There is not anything for preferential seating or seating in a specific area.
With GAC, there had been a stamp for seating in the front row for vision needs. All the different stamps were confusing (and people sho had more than 1 stamp often had contradictory stamps).
So when they switched to Disability Access Service (DAS) they got rid of all the stamps and the accommodation for DAS is being able to wait outside of the regular line.
People who need special provisions are told to talk to the CM at the entrance of the attraction. There will be one inside the show directing seating. You can just ask that CM where to sit to be near the exit.
It's usually not an issue to sit on the 'exit end' of the row. Most people are trying to get the middle of the rows in the middle of the theater, so there is often not a lot of competition for the seats you need.
Just keep in mind that the very last row is usually the area for guests with disabilities who have wheelchairs/mobility devices.

Now, what I can tell you about shows is that guests almost always enter from doors on one end the row and exit thru doors on the other end of the row. So, the exit doors are going to almost be exactly across the room from where you enter. The only exceptions I can think of offhand are:
Turtle Talk (where you enter from doors in the side front of the room and exit at the same side back)

Carrousel of Progress (you enter in the rear and exit the same doors - you can't leave during the show though)

Festival of the Lion King (theater in the round, so there is not really an 'end' to the rows. Contact a CM if you need to leave)

Frozen Singalong (I don't remember where everyone exit, but it's not directly across).

Also elevators are an issue. We already have plans for the resort....we have a calendar entry to call the resort 8 days before check in to arrange with them that we will need a room on the ground floor away from any elevators. Mouse Travel (who we booked through) recommended waiting until then since the rooms aren't assigned until a week before check-in and if we were to do this too early, our request may be lost. We also plan to keep him as far as possible from Tower Of Terror (within reason.....he LOVES coasters and will insist on riding R&R), and we will do our best to shield him whenever such a thing is impossible to avoid. But are there any other places that we need to watch for that might force us on an elevator or near an elevator? I'm hoping that the "elevator" in Haunted Mansion will not be noticed as it's really the whole room that's an elevator.

Sorry for the long-windedness of this post. Just trying to make sure I get everything addressed.

TIA!

If you have not already added your request to be away from the elevators, I would suggest making that your first request and THEN follow it up with contacting the resort.

A couple of attractions have elevator access for guests with disabilities. The ones I can think of right now are:

Pirates - small elevator at the exit in a little hallway to the left of the moving ramp. Most people don't even know it is there.

Astro Rockets (not sure of the name) in Tomorrowland at MK. There is no way to ride without going on the elevator.

Dinosaur - this is in the hallway after the preshow presentation, just before boarding. All guests walk in that hallway, but guests who need the elevator stay in the hallway yo use it. Stay to the right of the hallway and he may not notice it.

Test Track - the elevator is past the boarding area, so most guests don't get near it unless they need to use it.

The Land in Epcot - these are for handicapped access to the bottom floor. You need to look for them to see them. On the top floor, the are near the restrooms, to the left of the ramp you enter from. On the bottom floor, they are beyond the exit to Living With The Land.

American Adventure - he may not notice it. There is a white paneled door that has to be opened to actually get to the elevator door. It is on the outside wall to your right as you enter the building. So, if you go to the left, he will probably not notice it at all.

Haunted Mansion is not actually an elevator at WDW and doesn't move up or down (although, most guests think it does).

 

[gap2368]

I would not do COP at the MK as onec it starts at can not be stopped people with DAS fast pass get in things first and get to pick a set first most people do not want to be in the back so you should be fine. I too need to be in the back and on the island and I have not had a problem with it. I have not needed my DAS for this

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

Thanks! We aren't planning on doing COP as we did it our last visit (which was, granted, some time ago, but there hasn't been a refurb on it since then). But I didn't realize that the Astro Orbiter required the elevator to get up there. I just messaged DH so we can decide how we want to handle that one (as it was one of the rides we were planning on trying).

 

[JenLT]

In the past we have had good luck simply talking to the CM before the show started. Tell him or her that your son may panic and you'll have leave suddenly. Ask where to sit to be least disruptive. It may be difficult to talk to the CM when you need to leave as your child will already be freaking out. Good luck!

 

[CoriM48]

You've got this! I love when parents do so much research ahead of time to provide awesome experiences for their kids. One of my kids has some similar issues to what you've described.

We have to talk directly to CM before shows because we also need easy access to the exit and in fact had a very bad situation in Mickey's Philharmagic before we realized we needed to be near an exit. They have always been accommodating to give us a seat near the exit. It might not be a super great view and it won't always be RIGHT NEXT to the exit, but we always are able to get a decent enough sprint to the exit if needed. We do line up extra early for these shows however because a CM won't make someone move to accommodate us and they also aren't going to let us fight against traffic or step over people.

For fireworks, we've had to just watch pretty much from the exit. Not great views, but there isn't a predetermined easy-out spot to watch and the body crushing crowds make my son absolutely out of his mind.

 

[CoriM48]

Also, the Astro Orbiter is elevator-only to access it. Not only that, they pack that elevator VERY tight. My kids don't have issues with elevators and they hate it.