DAS and FP+ questions

[PatMcDuck]

Just back from WDW. We got my son's DAS at Epcot, and we brought his DAS from DL, and that seemed to make it easier, they did not ask questions about his situation in detail. They did have to take a new photo.

2 weird situations that confused me. One day we had FP+ at BTRR. We got there during our window, the CM was busy with a small line of guests asking questions. We then saw that we could not enter the regular queue (he is in a Convaid chair at the parks, and has problems with steps but can walk). When we got to the top of the exit, where the sign said to go, the CM said, where is your WC pass? I said, no, we are in our FP+ return window, not using DAS here. She said we could go ahead to ride THIS time. Which left me confused. We were not using the DAS, not using a WC type request for access? We were using a FP+, one of our 3 for the day. But we were also supposed to get a 2nd return time, to come back even later than our FP+ time? I am not trying to be obtuse here, I just do not understand. Is BTRR a ride that we should NOT get a FP+ time for, OR a DAS return time, and instead get a WC return time? What rides are like this, where you have to wait twice?

The other weird one for me was at the Safari ride at AK. Again, I had a FP+. I was not using the DAS, not using a WC access request. We entered the line, along with all the other FP+ guests, many with strollers. I wanted to park his Convaid chair with the strollers (it looks like a big red stroller) and get him to walk the rest of the way. I KNOW the WC line gets very long, and it was about 5:20 pm, and oh yeah, 90+ degrees. The stroller CM says, "OH NO, you CANNOT park THAT here!" I said why not, she just kept raising her voice and yelling, and I said, look, I have a FP+, and I know the line for the WC gets really long, and I do not want to be on it. She said, "you can park the chair up there, and NOT be on that line". So I moved on. Sure enough, the next CM points us to the WC line, which was a mile long. The FP+ line was short, and people were getting one quickly. She said, you must go there, and I was forced to do this. I was POed. After waiting there 15 minutes, I was able to scoot OFF the line thru a roped path. I pushed DS over back towards the Safari, and parked his chair just outside the stroller parking, and walked DS thru the stroller parking and back onto the FP+ line. No CM questioned me. I know, a little nuts, but we were on a truck in a few minutes. Question? I assume the best way for us is to park the Convaid and have him try to walk the whole line, I guess. Why couldn't we park his chair with the strollers? It was late in the day, it was not overflowing with strollers or anything like that, and I HAVE parked it there before.

I am trying to figure out the best way to get around the parks. We did not use the DAS much, in 6 days, used it 5-6 times. At DL, we used it much more, because it is easier out there with the kiosks and the paper FP. In the 90 degree heat at WDW, it was difficult to approach rides and return, and of course using FP+ also helped us quite a bit. It was a great trip overall, of course. Stayed at Art of A, which I love.

 

[KPeterso]

Maybe I can help with the Big thunder question...

When I went with my Mom in September, we also had a FP+ for BTMR. I was asked when I went to the entrance of the line if we needed a return time (Mom was in a scooter) or if we had a FP+. I told her we had FP+, and I was asked to scan my band. Once it turned green, the CM wrote out a return card for right now that had the time as fastpass on the top, so we could be immediately boarded via the exit. We were on just a few minutes later parking the scooter at the exit.

 

[lanejudy]

When it's busy, WDW is using "wheelchair return" cards to manage the long lines that can get backed up at the accessible entrances. If you have a FP+, the CM should have you scan your band and then give you a return time with that time so it can be used immediately. If you are not using FP+, but rather standby, the wheelchair return time will be later. This is completely separate from the DAS.

I've heard other reports of people being told they can't park wheelchairs at the Safari, too. I think it's just CM's who are confused. Even if they can transfer, some people can't walk the distance from stroller parking to the ride entrance, so possibly they are used to directing all wheelchairs to the accessible queue. But I agree, you should be allowed to park a wheelchair if able to walk. That accessible queue backs up.

I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation!

 

[PatMcDuck]

ok, the BTRR now makes more sense. We should have waited for the CM, and scanned our bands. I will do that the next time. Makes sense, to prevent a long line at the exits with WC. I can't have DS walk that queue, it has stairs, I think?

The Safari thing, I could see that on a busy day, there might not be room for lots of wheelchairs in there, but seriously, the strollers are often just as large as a wheelchair these days. And how many guests would even want to park a WC there? The CM was very unpleasant. I have parked his chair there on other trips, and I thought it would be nice to only have DS walk 1/2 the queue vs the entire thing. He can walk, but I need to pick my spots during the day, where I need him to walk. (like the Space Mt and Soarin' line queues, we get a FP+ but he walks, the hills are too much for me to push him). She could have had me walk it thru the stroller area, out the exit, and let me park it there (which is where I DID park it later), and then allow me to continue on the FP+ line. I think I was annoyed because I had a FP+ for the ride. Live and learn. I could have handled it better if it had not been so so hot, too.

Thanks all! This was our first DAS trip to WDW, so I am still getting the hang of it.

 

[SueM in MN]

ok, the BTRR now makes more sense. We should have waited for the CM, and scanned our bands. I will do that the next time. Makes sense, to prevent a long line at the exits with WC. I can't have DS walk that queue, it has stairs, I think?

I agree with the others - when we had Fastpasses for an attraction that gives out wheelchair return cards, we went to the Fastpass return area, they scanned our bands and then gave us a wheelchair return card with a time starting right then.

BTMRR does not have any steps, but it does have a lot of up and down ramps, including a very steep one right before you reach the boarding area.

The Safari thing, I could see that on a busy day, there might not be room for lots of wheelchairs in there, but seriously, the strollers are often just as large as a wheelchair these days. And how many guests would even want to park a WC there? The CM was very unpleasant. I have parked his chair there on other trips, and I thought it would be nice to only have DS walk 1/2 the queue vs the entire thing. He can walk, but I need to pick my spots during the day, where I need him to walk. (like the Space Mt and Soarin' line queues, we get a FP+ but he walks, the hills are too much for me to push him). She could have had me walk it thru the stroller area, out the exit, and let me park it there (which is where I DID park it later), and then allow me to continue on the FP+ line. I think I was annoyed because I had a FP+ for the ride. Live and learn. I could have handled it better if it had not been so so hot, too.

Thanks all! This was our first DAS trip to WDW, so I am still getting the hang of it.

They should allow guests the choice to park the wheelchair.
I know many guests do not know that the Safari trams load in one area and unload in another. And, also do not know how many guests realize how far they will have to walk from the regular unload area to the stroller pick up.
They should explain that and let the guest decide.

I have in the past heard people yell at the stroller CM about how they would not have parked their wheelchair in the stroller parking if they had known how far the walk was!

So, I'm guessing she thought that you were planning on going on to the accessible boarding area, but thought stroller parking was where wheelchairs needed to be parked. (or, it was hot, hot and she had gotten yelled at by one guest with a wheelchair already who didn't realize how long the walk was).
Maybe next time, tell the CM there that you want to park the wheelchair there and Use the regular boarding and unload areas.