Autism and Disneyland ?

[Zane21]

My 15yo has autism. We have been bringing him to DL since age 2.5, when the help with lines was incredible.( we have been 6 time) We have not been in 4.5 yrs, so I am wondering how different the help is now? Is it better or worse? I need to frontload him about changes as he has a phenomenal memory and will remember how it used to be.

 

[Aladora]

My 15yo has autism. We have been bringing him to DL since age 2.5, when the help with lines was incredible.( we have been 6 time) We have not been in 4.5 yrs, so I am wondering how different the help is now? Is it better or worse? I need to frontload him about changes as he has a phenomenal memory and will remember how it used to be.

It is different but in my opinion not worse.

You still go to City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce, same as with the GAC. You will still have to explain what needs your son has that make waiting in the standby line difficult. The CM might ask some questions about his needs and how the DAS will help him with those needs. If he qualifies for the DAS, they will ask for his ticket and the tickets of everyone who is going to be attached to his DAS. They will then load the first return time onto his ticket and let you know the time you can go to that attraction. The return time is based on the standby time minus 10 minutes (or so). Then, when that time comes, you simply go to either the FP line and give the CM all of the tickets to scan or if there is no FP line you simply ask the CM at the end of the attraction line where to go. Once you have used that return time, simply go to one of the kiosks located around the parks and ask for a new one. You can definitely use fast passes as well and I encourage people to use them effectively.

The return times do not expire (same day) and one thing I tell people to do is that if they are going to take a break for lunch, dinner, decompression time, to get a return time before you take the break. That way, you can let your son know that when the break time is over, he will be able to ride X.

You can get a return time for any attraction at either park.

We've used both systems with our 11 year old on multiple trips and actually find that the DAS is a more "autism friendly" one. The return times help us to teach our son about time and that he cannot get immediate gratification. We also have moved from him not being able to wait in any lines at all to not letting him use it for lines less than 30 minutes.

When the change happened, we spent a lot of time preparing him for the new system and I know that it helped a lot. Knowing what was going to happen really helped him deal with the new way of doing things and now, after a bunch of trips with the new system I doubt he even remembers the old way.

For me, I like not having to show the big card. I find this new way is a lot more discreet, especially with attractions that have FP.

 

[lanejudy]

There is information about the DAS in the DL & DCA - Disability Access Service Card thread pinned near the top of this forum. You only need the first post, as the rest was discussion.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SMD]

Other things that are different that you'll notice right away are more thorough security checks, including metal detectors, photos taken at the ticket booths when you enter, and a photo taken of the DAS holder. And return times for FP are now* strictly enforced. Also, I believe that GAC used to use the exit to enter Space Mountain. DAS returns now goes through the FP line. I'm not sure if any other rides use a different entrance now.

*now strictly enforced. Typo.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Not sure if that was a typo but return times for fastpass are enforced now in general. I assume they are even if you have a DAS but I don't think I have ever missed a fastpass window! Really prep for the security if you anticipate that will be a problem. First it causes a line (sometimes huge) at bag check (which never used to happen much). Second, its a bit random with the metal detectors. Sometimes it is everyone, sometimes it is just random. You don't really know what you will be walking into and it changes on any given day and even mid day or mid stream. Also, if your son looks like a typical teen, he is more likely to be chosen "randomly" than an adult to go through the metal detector. Its no airport security. You can just say, he has autism do you mind if I go through first and show him how its done. Chances are they will tell him to skip the metal detectors or just let you go instead. So first they hand check your bag and then you might go through a metal detector. Its kind of hard to explain but my "typical" child who is darn close to being on the spectrum, is very discombobulated/stressed/freaked about it every time because of the lack of clear rules and the general chaos of the moment.