Considering DAS

[sweetmama17]

Hey there. I'm considering getting DAS for my son who has SPD and anxiety. Most of the time he is ok (and looks ok) until he's not. My goal is to avoid a 7 year old melting down in line right before a ride because he had too much time in line to think about how he doesn't want to try it. Once he experiences a ride, he typically loves it and can't wait to go back on it (though refuses coasters at this point, which is fine) We have had some uncomfortable experiences with him bailing out last minute (mostly do to waiting too long and fear of the unknown) at other parks. I'm assuming this is good use of DAS.

Does DAS help with rider swap? Now that he is essentially tall enough for all the rides will DAS allow him to not be in line for a ride I know he isn't going to ride. For example, his brother loves TOT (and all coasters) and both parents love to ride it with him but the 7 year old will have a fit waiting in a line that he isn't going to ride. I'm not asking to use DAS for these rides just to be able to do rider swap outside the line like they do for kids who aren't tall enough.

Does DAS work for early entry and does anyone know if they allow rider swap in general during early entry?

Also how strict are they on masks with kids with SPD? Both parents and older sibling have no problem with masks and the 7 year old wears them reluctantly when needed but he still kind of sucks at it even with lots of practice the past 2 years.

Thanks.

 

[lanejudy]

The first post of this thread will give you more information about DAS and how it works, how to request it, etc.

WDW Summary of New DAS Changes

DAS and Rider Swap are two separate programs. To use DAS, the DAS-holder (your son) needs to ride the attraction, so I don't think it would help any if he wishes to skip the ride. Ask at the attraction, sometimes they'll issue the digital RS even for kids "tall enough" but other times they do require everyone to walk the queue and swap at boarding. Which it sounds like wouldn't work for him.

DAS can be used whenever there is a posted wait time. How useful that is a early-entry depends on how quickly the crowds build. Rider Swap should be allowed at early-entry.

Officially, WDW has no exceptions to the mask rule. While rules can change, I recommend preparing him to wear the mask.

 

[DLgal]

Just wanted to point out that having a DAS means "waiting" the same amount of time to get on a ride. So, if your kid is going to perseverate and psych himself out of riding something, he is going to do it in that space of time between you requesting the DAS for that particular ride and going back to ride it. Unless you plan to be stealth about it and make the DAS reservation on the app without telling him and then just saying "ok, time to ride X now."

 

[MS_Warrior]

We were just there and they were very strict about masks inside of buildings - no matter the age (any one over 2) or disability of the child. He will be expected to have it on and covering his mouth and nose anytime he’s inside or on a ride.

 

[Sunnywho]

I would recommend going through the process and describe it to the DAS chat person just as you described here.

If rider swap is important to you, it doesn't hurt to ask and to explain that he cannot go through the queue. In the past, with three kids, I would stay later in the park with my oldest to do all the coasters and my husband would take the babies back to the hotel. Or vice versa.

 

[JenLT]

Just wanted to point out that having a DAS means "waiting" the same amount of time to get on a ride. So, if your kid is going to perseverate and psych himself out of riding something, he is going to do it in that space of time between you requesting the DAS for that particular ride and going back to ride it. Unless you plan to be stealth about it and make the DAS reservation on the app without telling him and then just saying "ok, time to ride X now."

That is totally how we are going to do it. I definitely will not mention the ride until we are ready to go to it. My son would insist lets go right now then! I'm going to try my best to use Genie + and DAS together so we have less time in between lines and I am crossing my fingers that will work and maybe they'll be a few short lines especially at rope drop.

 

[DisneyOma]

Also how strict are they on masks with kids with SPD? Both parents and older sibling have no problem with masks and the 7 year old wears them reluctantly when needed but he still kind of sucks at it even with lots of practice the past 2 years.

Thanks.

According to posts on the main theme park board, masks are optional starting in a few days. Guests will still need to wear them on transportation though.

 

[lanejudy]

According to posts on the main theme park board, masks are optional starting in a few days. Guests will still need to wear them on transportation though.

Starting tomorrow -- Thurs. Feb. 17th.

Beginning February 17, 2022, Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.

Last time they dropped the masks, they picked it up again a month later. So keep an eye on things if you have a trip coming up this spring.

 

[Evita_W]

Starting tomorrow -- Thurs. Feb. 17th.

Beginning February 17, 2022, Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.

Last time they dropped the masks, they picked it up again a month later. So keep an eye on things if you have a trip coming up this spring.

Anything is possible, but I don't see it happening unless a state or country requires them to do so. Florida probably won't do that, California is a wild card and they have made it clear they want the same rules on both coasts. But honestly, a lot of people, especially the cast members seem to be glad it has been lifted, as they no longer have to be the mask police.

Even the transportation CMs are over it, but they have to enforce it per federal law.

 

[lanejudy]

We're not going to discuss whether the mask rule change is good/bad/indifferent. The point of my post is to share the new rule, and also mention that [any] rules can change so be sure to keep an eye on things if planning an upcoming trip.

There are other aspects of the OP's question, let's stick to those points.

 

[sweetmama17]

Thanks all. I did see the announcement.

I will try to ask the CM at the front about rider swap and see what they say. I guess I'm not quite sure if DAS is for the ride lines why it doesn't work even if they aren't riding (but still have to wait in line).

Hopefully this will give us a first trip to gauge what works best for him without too much stress (or a meltdown) and we can better plan our future trips once I know what rides he will go on and his line wait tolerance.

I'm going to try and call this weekend to do the video chat. Here's to hoping I'm not on the phone all weekend!

 

[ttintagel]

Honestly, a LOT of accommodations at the parks fall under the heading of “It can happen and it doesn’t hurt to ask, but it’s not guaranteed so make sure to have a Plan B in your pocket.”

 

[TwoMisfits]

Thanks all. I did see the announcement.

I will try to ask the CM at the front about rider swap and see what they say. I guess I'm not quite sure if DAS is for the ride lines why it doesn't work even if they aren't riding (but still have to wait in line).

Hopefully this will give us a first trip to gauge what works best for him without too much stress (or a meltdown) and we can better plan our future trips once I know what rides he will go on and his line wait tolerance.

I'm going to try and call this weekend to do the video chat. Here's to hoping I'm not on the phone all weekend!

B/c Disney is only accommodating the DAS holder's ride needs, not the others who get benefits by knowing the DAS holder. They offer G+ and ILL to handle the other ride holders needing a short line for lines a DAS holder won't ride. They will not likely be flexible on this point, but will refer you to their other paid services.

 

[SueM in MN]

B/c Disney is only accommodating the DAS holder's ride needs, not the others who get benefits by knowing the DAS holder. They offer G+ and ILL to handle the other ride holders needing a short line for lines a DAS holder won't ride. They will not likely be flexible on this point, but will refer you to their other paid services.

Exactly.
If he isn’t riding, he doesn’t need any accommodation in the line.
Disney is very clear that the person DAS is for needs to be riding/going on the attraction. This is prevent abuse; people have registered ‘grandma’ or another ’non- rider’ and used that to have everyone else ride.