DAS Approval/Denial with New DAS Guidelines START 5/20 WDW & 6/18 DL

[DiznyDiva]

My kiddo was approved for anxiety and AUADHD. The CM was very nice and listened. They are in a call center so you can hear the other CM"s whispering. It took about 15 minutes give or take. She could see that Kiddo had gotten it before and asked if there were any changes or anything to add for the reason she needed it since she had gotten it last in May. I said no. THEN she asked about school accommodation. Her second question was to ask how she did with the crowd, walking round the park, the bathrooms, eating or shows. Took a pic, asked if she could tell us both the quiet places and wishes us a magical day.

 

[jennab]

My kiddo was approved for anxiety and AUADHD. The CM was very nice and listened. They are in a call center so you can hear the other CM"s whispering. It took about 15 minutes give or take. She could see that Kiddo had gotten it before and asked if there were any changes or anything to add for the reason she needed it since she had gotten it last in May. I said no. THEN she asked about school accommodation. Her second question was to ask how she did with the crowd, walking round the park, the bathrooms, eating or shows. Took a pic, asked if she could tell us both the quiet places and wishes us a magical day.

If you don’t mind answering, how old is your daughter? I seem to see a lot of younger kids being approved but not as many teens so makes me wonder how it will go for my son next year.

 

[DiznyDiva]

Kiddo is 14. Looking at her, except that she won't make eye contact, you couldn't tell. CM never asked to speak with her, just asked if she was nearby. Kiddo walked through the room and sat in the corner drawing, After she asked if she could speak both of us when she explained the quiet places and waited until we both gave consent. Kiddo just nodded. There was never any pressure to speak to her.

The CM clearly could see her history and what she had gotten the DAS for before and for how long. Her question was more like had anything changed since the last time. The school question was how she did at lunch and assemblies. The other question was how she did outside of the lines at Disneyland. No questions about grocery stores.

 

[jennab]

Kiddo is 14. Looking at her, except that she won't make eye contact, you couldn't tell. CM never asked to speak with her, just asked if she was nearby. Kiddo walked through the room and sat in the corner drawing, After she asked if she could speak both of us when she explained the quiet places and waited until we both gave consent. Kiddo just nodded. There was never any pressure to speak to her.

The CM clearly could see her history and what she had gotten the DAS for before and for how long. Her question was more like had anything changed since the last time. The school question was how she did at lunch and assemblies. The other question was how she did outside of the lines at Disneyland. No questions about grocery stores.

Thanks! This makes me feel better for my son then too. In the last I’ve never had my son in the room when I’ve done the interview (or right with me when it was in person). He was always in another room or off to the side with my husband and just came for a pic. I was worried they would want to ask him questions and he’s so stubborn and hates being “different” that he’d probably be one to say “oh I can wait in lines just fine, I don’t need help” . He doesn’t like that he does need help in some areas of his life.

 

[DiznyDiva]

I told her right away I would be talking and she was completely cool. Didn't even blink. All she asked if she was there, which they always have. I have never talked in front of her because she feels the same as yours. I just tell her that her brain works faster and more creatively. Many times I have carried my lap top to her to take the picture in the past.

So you saying you kiddo is a normal teenager

 

[naomip]

Husband was not approved despite been approved in the past. Mobility is not an issue. Was approved for Universals program so thats where we will be going

 

[PrincessV]

I’m trying to remember all the details— I volunteered that I thought AQR would work with my husband but had concerns about how we’d handle it without him there. She reassured me that I wouldn’t have to split up from my kids and to see a CM to offer other options beside AQR (she didn’t use the acronym) and said I wouldn’t have to discuss my medical condition. Then after I affirmatively asked something like “Is there a flag or notation so the attraction staff know that I qualify for an alternative option” she said something that was basically yes— I’m paraphrasing but I heard it as “your record would show you’ve requested das but didn’t meet the criteria but may require alternative options.” From context of my question there’s no doubt she knew I was asking about front line CMs. Of course, it’s possible she was mistaken.

I’m still surprised we haven’t heard more first hand reports yet, but I’ll try to ask if we see CMs who don’t appear busy/overwhelmed when we visit next month.

I totally get the anxiety and apprehension. I was so nervous the first time I asked a ride CM about AQR! But both of my experiences were SO low-stress and low-effort in the end: the CMs were clearly uninterested (in the best way, not in a bad way) in a lengthy conversation about it - they just wanted to know what I needed in simplest terms and promptly gave me the option they had at their disposal without looking at my account or asking any more probing questions beyond, “Is it that you’re unable to wait in the physical line?” at one ride.

My advice is to open with a clear and concise request - something like, “I’m unable to wait in a line this long and my children cannot wait without me - how can we access this ride?” See what the CM offers and if it’s not a viable option for your needs, say so and ask for a supervisor if need be… but I really do not think you’ll need to. As an aside, I think you’ll find pretty low crowd levels all of next month, too, which will help both with low wait times and easygoing CMs. Hang in there: you’ve got this!

 

[voxparse]

I don’t recall if I mentioned it earlier but she actually said that they would not expect me to split from my kids (the older one is almost 10)…so I’m not too worried about that—it’s just the unknown that’s got my anxiety in overdrive. We’re going to explain to our kids in advance that the system has been “reset” and we will probably be doing less than our last trip—I’d rather see sad faces in advance than at the parks so I’m going to set expectations low— if everything goes smoothly then it will be a happy surprise.

Just remember how lucky your kids are to have parents that spend time with them and take them to theme parks at all. Everyone has limitations and when your kids grow up they aren’t going to think back to all the times things were limited because of this or that disability, they are going to remember all the fun Disney trips and how their parents pushed through disabilities to make that happen.

 

[nalababybear]

Just remember how lucky your kids are to have parents that spend time with them and take them to theme parks at all. Everyone has limitations and when your kids grow up they aren’t going to think back to all the times things were limited because of this or that disability, they are going to remember all the fun Disney trips and how their parents pushed through disabilities to make that happen.

This is the way. Not all heros wear capes.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Just remember how lucky your kids are to have parents that spend time with them and take them to theme parks at all. Everyone has limitations and when your kids grow up they aren’t going to think back to all the times things were limited because of this or that disability, they are going to remember all the fun Disney trips and how their parents pushed through disabilities to make that happen.

Thank you—I needed to hear this. I also have kids who think hanging out at the pools is sometimes more fun than being at the parks — so I’m going to try to think of fun “new” things we can do that are less ride/parks driven that will still be quality family fun time, e.g. we’re hoping to make it to the drone show if the weather cooperates.

 

[voxparse]

Thank you—I needed to hear this. I also have kids who think hanging out at the pools is sometimes more fun than being at the parks — so I’m going to try to think of fun “new” things we can do that are less ride/parks driven that will still be quality family fun time, e.g. we’re hoping to make it to the drone show if the weather cooperates.

If you haven’t before there are a series of activities around animal kingdom lodge and when you finish each you get a special bead on a string of beads. We spent an entire day just doing the bead activities in between pool time and had a blast. Anyone can do them even if you aren’t staying there. My sons favorite was getting to make food enrichment for the giraffes.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven’t before there are a series of activities around animal kingdom lodge and when you finish each you get a special bead on a string of beads. We spent an entire day just doing the bead activities in between pool time and had a blast. Anyone can do them even if you aren’t staying there. My sons favorite was getting to make food enrichment for the giraffes.

Good reminder.
Animal Kingdom Lodge probably has the most varied and interesting activities, but most of the resorts have some special things going on

 

[KatieKepic]

We did ours tonight for our August trip to DL. We waited about 4 hours and it took about 15 min. It was for my 16 year old son. He’s qualified in the past at both WDW snd DL and qualified this time. Our CM was very thorough and I felt she really wanted to be sure we needed it but was very polite. She let me do the talking on my son’s behalf. We’re a family of 4, 2 adults and 2 teens.

 

[Katiegrose]

I have been trying the last two days to connect for DL but despite about 4 hours waiting I had to leave my brother who will be primary. Tomorrow is our last day together before we travel out. If I am not successful, how successful have you been with in person registration? Have the lines been awful? Will they register you a day before your park visit in person? We may fly in earlier and go in person Saturday ahead of our trip. Just trying to plan. It was kind of a last min trip and we live in separate states so this was the window I had to be with him.

 

[lanejudy]

Will they register you a day before your park visit

Yes! The “2-30” days was changed to just “as soon as 30 days” before a visit. So yes that includes the day prior or even day off. Note that last I heard lines at the park were long and people were being encouraged to try online with a QR code.

 

[Katiegrose]

Yes! The “2-30” days was changed to just “as soon as 30 days” before a visit. So yes that includes the day prior or even day off. Note that last I heard lines at the park were long and people were being encouraged to try online with a QR code.

Yeah I have read where it is taking a while. It is going to be tough bringing him to the esplanade and not going to the parks, but we can grab dinner at Downtown Disney or the hotels if we do have to go. I hope I can get in early today as we will have until about 2 PST before he has to leave for camp. I thankfully only have one meeting and have my mom to monitor while I am on it.

 

[pmcpmc]

My advice is try the rides first without Das ,take CM reactions and actions of your child or children in line . Go to DAS area .you are given an IPad to speak to a third party group.Your child’s diagnosis is not required and will not be asked for .It is only what happens when you are in line.The interviewer is not a health professional.They are only trained to discuss in line reactions.You will given a decision that best suits your needs.
Ride cast members are very receptive to your needs ,my experience You do not need to fret about it and it takes a very short time at the DAs area before receiving the iPad and microphone.

 

[KPeterso]

I have been trying the last two days to connect for DL but despite about 4 hours waiting I had to leave my brother who will be primary. Tomorrow is our last day together before we travel out. If I am not successful, how successful have you been with in person registration? Have the lines been awful? Will they register you a day before your park visit in person? We may fly in earlier and go in person Saturday ahead of our trip. Just trying to plan. It was kind of a last min trip and we live in separate states so this was the window I had to be with him.

Yes! The “2-30” days was changed to just “as soon as 30 days” before a visit. So yes that includes the day prior or even day off. Note that last I heard lines at the park were long and people were being encouraged to try online with a QR code.

Yeah I have read where it is taking a while. It is going to be tough bringing him to the esplanade and not going to the parks, but we can grab dinner at Downtown Disney or the hotels if we do have to go. I hope I can get in early today as we will have until about 2 PST before he has to leave for camp. I thankfully only have one meeting and have my mom to monitor while I am on it.

Hope you can get in online. When I registered my mom at the park, the cast member said they only have 8 stations to do the online interviews there, so long wait times are expected. But if not, it should not be too bad to register at the parks. We went last week on 7/4. I made sure we were there early (but did not get there quite as early as I had wanted) and I believe we got to the Accessibility Line about 7:45-50 in the morning and we only waited maybe 20 or so minutes in line before we got up to the front to a cast member. I think it was about 8:15-20 when we made it into DCA with the approved DAS.

 

[Katiegrose]

Hope you can get in online. When I registered my mom at the park, the cast member said they only have 8 stations to do the online interviews there, so long wait times are expected. But if not, it should not be too bad to register at the parks. We went last week on 7/4. I made sure we were there early (but did not get there quite as early as I had wanted) and I believe we got to the Accessibility Line about 7:45-50 in the morning and we only waited maybe 20 or so minutes in line before we got up to the front to a cast member. I think it was about 8:15-20 when we made it into DCA with the approved DAS.

Thanks for the insight! I am hoping we can change to an earlier flight tomorrow AM and get in and get it done on a non-park day. We aren't really rope drop people. But given my Brother has no idea about the trip and we are surprising my nephew for his birthday, I expect he will be up super early (hence wanting to come in earlier haha). Plus we are on the east coast, so rope drop at DL isn't as bad as DW.

 

[PinkPixel]

Kiddo is 14. Looking at her, except that she won't make eye contact, you couldn't tell. CM never asked to speak with her, just asked if she was nearby. Kiddo walked through the room and sat in the corner drawing, After she asked if she could speak both of us when she explained the quiet places and waited until we both gave consent. Kiddo just nodded. There was never any pressure to speak to her.

The CM clearly could see her history and what she had gotten the DAS for before and for how long. Her question was more like had anything changed since the last time. The school question was how she did at lunch and assemblies. The other question was how she did outside of the lines at Disneyland. No questions about grocery stores.

That's Interesting. The last time my child was registered for DAS in April the cast member said she could see she was previously approved, but that they do not keep a record of the reason for granting the accommodation. I then restated the reason and so on.