DAS Cards

[Maryrn11168]

Have to say this new system is terrible!! My son is so sick from all this running back and forth to get signatures and the extensive waiting in the hot weather!! It is a good thing he has enjoyed his time at WDW over the years, because we will not be able to do this, this way any longer. Disney will be getting a nasty letter from me.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[OurBigTrip]

Have to say this new system is terrible!! My son is so sick from all this running back and forth to get signatures and the extensive waiting in the hot weather!! It is a good thing he has enjoyed his time at WDW over the years, because we will not be able to do this, this way any longer. Disney will be getting a nasty letter from me. Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

It might help others if you provided specific problems and challenges that you encountered on your visit.

It might also be productive to provide that same info to Disney, along with suggested improvements, rather than just sending a nasty letter.

I'm sorry that your trip wasn't what you had hopes for.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sorry your trip is not working out.
Without knowing your specific issues and only a few minutes to post, I have a few suggestions to help with the remainder of the trip.

If you are not scheduling your 3 Fastpass Plus, make sure to do that. a DAS works best when used with Fastpass because you can alternate Fastpass Plus and DAS. After using your first 3 Fastpass Plus, you can schedule more at the park kiosks.
Use the Fastpass Plus times for the attractions that would have the longest waits or are must dos for you. That way, you are not tying up the DAS waiting for the longest attractions. That will also shorten the time you are waiting between things.

Your son doesn't have to go to the attractions to get the DAS Return Times. Anyone in your group can take the card and get the Return Time. Your son just has to be present when it is used.

If you leave the park for a break, get a DAS Return Time before leaving the park. The DAS can't be used until the Return Time, but can be used for that attraction any time after the time that days do, when you come back to the park, you can get right into that attraction without waiting.

And, if you haven't checked it out, there is a DAS thread stuck near the top of this board. The first post is DAS FAQs.

 

[bocaj1431]

That is so sad to hear. My absolute favorite part of DW has been to see the moments of pure joy on my sons face. Those moments can be fleeting the rest of the year. I am sorry your trip was not a good one.

Maybe some of the difficulties you had are situations that may be handled differently by DW in the future.

There definitely are mixed reviews about the new system. I feel for those people who spend a great deal of money, time planning; and, are unable to enjoy their trip because of the challenges that can be too much for the individual with special needs. It is difficult when you have a system that worked and due to changes it no longer provides the assistance it did previously.

I am going in two weeks and really hoping the new changes to the GAC will not lead to there being too many challenges. Are there any specific suggestions you might have?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I feel for those people who spend a great deal of money, time planning; and, are unable to enjoy their trip because of the challenges that can be too much for the individual with special needs. It is difficult when you have a system that worked and due to changes it no longer provides the assistance it did previously . . .

{FLAME PROOF CAPE FROM DRAWER TO SHOULDERS}
To Play Devil's Advocate:
1) In cases where DAS is issued, people CAN enjoy the trip.
2) It simply needs a little more planning than the old GAC.
3) As for the GAC, "it worked", but for whom?
. . . those disabled guests that truly needed it?
. . . those disabled guests who could do without, but took it anyway?
. . . those "normal" guests that gamed the system and cheated?
. . . those "normal" guests who had to wait for streams of GAC folks?
4) The ADA and assistance cards are meant for "ACCESS, not EXCESS".
. . . front-of-the-line for a class of people is unfair to others
. . . repeated rides without waiting is unfair to others
. . . not waiting in FP lines liek others is unfair
5) The new DAS, when used wisely, does help and is beneficial.

NOTE: As for changes in-the-future, one never knows. At the moment, WDW and
most CM's are REALLY pleased with the new DAS over the old GAC and do not see
many changes to be made. Even the CM's got dismayed at the abuses of the old
system, let alone other guests.
{FLAME PROOF CAPE BACK TO DRAWER}

 

[bocaj1431]

{FLAME PROOF CAPE FROM DRAWER TO SHOULDERS}
To Play Devil's Advocate:
1) In cases where DAS is issued, people CAN enjoy the trip.
2) It simply needs a little more planning than the old GAC.
3) As for the GAC, "it worked", but for whom?
. . . those disabled guests that truly needed it?
. . . those disabled guests who could do without, but took it anyway?
. . . those "normal" guests that gamed the system and cheated?
. . . those "normal" guests who had to wait for streams of GAC folks?
4) The ADA and assistance cards are meant for "ACCESS, not EXCESS".
. . . front-of-the-line for a class of people is unfair to others
. . . repeated rides without waiting is unfair to others
. . . not waiting in FP lines liek others is unfair
5) The new DAS, when used wisely, does help and is beneficial.

NOTE: As for changes in-the-future, one never knows. At the moment, WDW and
most CM's are REALLY pleased with the new DAS over the old GAC and do not see
many changes to be made. Even the CM's got dismayed at the abuses of the old
system, let alone other guests.
{FLAME PROOF CAPE BACK TO DRAWER}

You have made a lot of assumptions in the post above!

Everyone's medical conditions or special needs are different thus have different experiences. To assume that your experience is the only type there should be or that your plans should equal the same results for someone else comes across as condescending.

This thread does not seem the appropriate place for your "agenda." Maybe instead you could give support by helping the OP, asking questions rather than assuming, and giving helpful advice like those who already have posted above.

Let's try to be supportive to one another in this community. We get enough discrimination and assumptions made in our lives from those who do not understand; because, they have not experienced what we go through.

 

[OurBigTrip]

You have made a lot of assumptions in the post above!

Everyone's medical conditions or special needs are different thus have different experiences. To assume that your experience is the only type there should be or that your plans should equal the same results for someone else comes across as condescending.

This thread does not seem the appropriate place for your "agenda." Maybe instead you could give support by helping the OP, asking questions rather than assuming, and giving helpful advice like those who already have posted above.

Let's try to be supportive to one another in this community. We get enough discrimination and assumptions made in our lives from those who do not understand; because, they have not experienced what we go through.

I agree with being supportive, but I disagree that there are incorrect assumptions in the post you quoted. I didn't see any assumptions at all. Nor did I see any agenda.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I'm sorry you had a bad time but personally I LOVE the new system. Between FP+ and the DAS we did just as much as we always have. I really like the return times (it's what we do at our local amusement park)

 

[Hannathy]

{FLAME PROOF CAPE FROM DRAWER TO SHOULDERS}
To Play Devil's Advocate:
1) In cases where DAS is issued, people CAN enjoy the trip.
2) It simply needs a little more planning than the old GAC.
3) As for the GAC, "it worked", but for whom?
. . . those disabled guests that truly needed it?
. . . those disabled guests who could do without, but took it anyway?
. . . those "normal" guests that gamed the system and cheated?
. . . those "normal" guests who had to wait for streams of GAC folks?
4) The ADA and assistance cards are meant for "ACCESS, not EXCESS".
. . . front-of-the-line for a class of people is unfair to others
. . . repeated rides without waiting is unfair to others
. . . not waiting in FP lines liek others is unfair
5) The new DAS, when used wisely, does help and is beneficial.

NOTE: As for changes in-the-future, one never knows. At the moment, WDW and
most CM's are REALLY pleased with the new DAS over the old GAC and do not see
many changes to be made. Even the CM's got dismayed at the abuses of the old
system, let alone other guests.
{FLAME PROOF CAPE BACK TO DRAWER}

 

[aaarcher86]

Do you usually go at a cooler time of year? I think temperatures are pretty in line with previous years at this time.

Shops, restaurants, and even other rides have AC. You could wait there instead to help with the heat.

 

[Unas]

I agree with being supportive, but I disagree that there are incorrect assumptions in the post you quoted. I didn't see any assumptions at all. Nor did I see any agenda.

Seems as if anyone likening the old system to a front of the line pass they get accused by some of having an agenda.

 

[bocaj1431]

To Ourbigtrip. Below are the assumptions I was speaking about.

{FLAME PROOF CAPE FROM DRAWER TO SHOULDERS}
To Play Devil's Advocate:
1) In cases where DAS is issued, people CAN enjoy the trip.

No one on this thread said that you couldn't enjoy a trip with the DAS. The OP merely expressed HER experience this trip with the DAS and her child's difficulties.


2) It simply needs a little more planning than the old GAC.

You do not know what planning the OP did or did not do to assume her bad experience was due to her failure to plan. Why not ask before assuming there was no planning. If rusty scupper had asked what was the plan used maybe he could have offered some advice.


3) As for the GAC, "it worked", but for whom?
. . . those disabled guests that truly needed it?
. . . those disabled guests who could do without, but took it anyway?
. . . those "normal" guests that gamed the system and cheated?
. . . those "normal" guests who had to wait for streams of GAC folks?

Why go here? This is what I meant by an "agenda" (notice I did put this in quotation marks). These are rustyscupper's individuals beliefs which are neither right or wrong but do not really seem appropriate to the OP's experience. The OP was just sharing her experience with the GAC and not attacking anyone else's. If she did then I would think this point would apply.


4) The ADA and assistance cards are meant for "ACCESS, not EXCESS".
. . . front-of-the-line for a class of people is unfair to others
. . . repeated rides without waiting is unfair to others
. . . not waiting in FP lines liek others is unfair

He is right but why does he assume the OP believes that the assistance cards are for Excess. She did not say that. By posting this comment it appears as if he is suggesting she believes that. Otherwise why make this point.

5) The new DAS, when used wisely, does help and is beneficial.


This comment makes the assumption that the OP did not use the DAS wisely. Is it not possible that she did and their particular needs or experiences could have resulted in a bad experience?

NOTE: As for changes in-the-future, one never knows. At the moment, WDW and
most CM's are REALLY pleased with the new DAS over the old GAC and do not see
many changes to be made. Even the CM's got dismayed at the abuses of the old
system, let alone other guests..

What does this have to do with this person's personal experience. People definitely abused the GAC and you can bet there will be people who abuse the DAC. It is impossible to eliminate abuse all together but again what does that have to do with the OP's post.

{FLAME PROOF CAPE BACK TO DRAWER}

I agree with being supportive, but I disagree that there are incorrect assumptions in the post you quoted. I didn't see any assumptions at all. Nor did I see any agenda.

There were assumptions made. If the OP had attacked those who had positive experiences then rustyscuppers post would make sense. But the OP merely expressed frustration over her personal experience. And my post certainly did not negate anyone's positive experiences so why turn this thread into that? This is what I meant by "agenda". I should have used a different word to express taking someone's post and turning it into something else. Sorry.

 

[OurBigTrip]

To Ourbigtrip. Below are the assumptions I was speaking about.





There were assumptions made. If the OP had attacked those who had positive experiences then rustyscuppers post would make sense. But the OP merely expressed frustration over her personal experience. And my post certainly did not negate anyone's positive experiences so why turn this thread into that? This is what I meant by "agenda". I should have used a different word to express taking someone's post and turning it into something else. Sorry.

So as not to turn this into a debate, I'll make one statement and then move on...IMO, you read a whole lot into RustyScupper's post that simply wasn't there.

 

[Kellykins1218]

So as not to turn this into a debate, I'll make one statement and then move on...IMO, you read a whole lot into RustyScupper's post that simply wasn't there.

 

[SueM in MN]

Enough with arguing.

Let's get back to some suggestions that might be helpful to the OP.

 

[Disneylvr]

My daughter has issues with getting overheated especially since she started taking a new medication recently. Our trip was one month ago and the temps for the week were above average. One day at the MK we pushed her too hard and for too long in the heat at the MK and a big time meltdown resulted so we quickly left MK and went back to our Disney resort.

Thankfully we did find that combining FP+ use with the DAS worked well most of the time. We did have more idle time than usual but DD coped better than expected. We also rescheduled our trip from Memorial Day week to April 26 - May 3 and I think that also helped tremendously in making the DAS/FP+ combination work better for her. I was the DAS return time runner in our family but I carefully planned our day so that DAS and FP+ attractions on our schedule were closer together. For example I planned two mornings at MK. The first morning we did Buzz as FP+, Peoplemover Standby, Laugh Floor Standby, Mermaid FP+/and DAS for a second ride, Peter Pan FP+ before 1pm FP lunch at Be Our Guest. This was the day we pushed her too long in the heat/humidity. She was done after Peter Pan yet we didn't leave the park. Second morning at MK, FP+ for Big Thunder Mountain, DAS for Splash, FP+ Haunted Mansion, Standby for Pirates, FP+ for Magic Carpets, DAS Jungle Cruise. We started near opening time and were done by lunch time. In the evening we would return to the parks for 2-3 hours and use DAS or standby only for our park of choice. The hardest parks to plan FP+/DAS times close together are Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Did LOTS of walking to get it done there but I did the walking to do it and DD stayed with DH.

I am so sorry things haven't gone well for your son. I hope you will write to Disney and state what worked and ways it could be improved/changed to better accommodate your son.

 

[Maryrn11168]

Well, 6 months ago, when I had to decide what U wanted to eat, I made a reservation for 10:30am breakfast at Crystal Palace, my kids do not eat really early. 2 months ago when I had to decide what rides I wanted to ride, I booked our fast passes. So we had a 910-1010 @ Big thunder mountain, 10:15-11-11:15 Splash and 1:15 @ space. Got to BTM, but Splash had 10min standby, so we jumped on that then hit BTM, rime for Breakfast. While walking to breakfast pirates has only a five minute wait, but then we will be late for breakfast-would blow off breakfast, but I do not have $80 ti throw away. can you sign my card for later? No! But we have Breakfast, sorry no. Ok, off to eat. After l
Breakfast, get card signed for pirates 40 minute wait, go to Haunted Mansion , wait 30 minutes, skip PP, cause its 45min and I can mot get another signature because we have have pirates. OK, time to ride pirates lets run there, get there ride is broken. They have no idea how long it will be down. Now, it is our window to ride Space Mountain, run across the whole park to Space Mountain to find that it is also down, no idea when it will be back up. 40 min wait for Buzz, get signature and then what?? We have to walk all the way back across the park to find another ride that we have to wait an hour to ride.
We have in the meantime, we have used countless snack options from our dining plan, to keep him, as well as everyone else in our party hydrated.
This is only a view of our 1st few hours of a 7 day trip. Back to the room & some went to pool. Back to MK later for our 9pm dinner at be our guest. Lines are still ridiculous. We could get a signature for space, but then we walk to Peter Pan, then back to space! It seems like all we did was laps around the magic kingdom!

My son has Cystic Fibrosis and we have always come to Disney because of how well we could deal with his needs. He is a Make-a-Wish kid. Speaking of that, what do they do with them???

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Disneylvr]

Well, 6 months ago, when I had to decide what U wanted to eat, I made a reservation for 10:30am breakfast at Crystal Palace, my kids do not eat really early. 2 months ago when I had to decide what rides I wanted to ride, I booked our fast passes. So we had a 910-1010 @ Big thunder mountain, 10:15-11-11:15 Splash and 1:15 @ space. Got to BTM, but Splash had 10min standby, so we jumped on that then hit BTM, rime for Breakfast. While walking to breakfast pirates has only a five minute wait, but then we will be late for breakfast-would blow off breakfast, but I do not have $80 ti throw away. can you sign my card for later? No! But we have Breakfast, sorry no. Ok, off to eat. After l
Breakfast, get card signed for pirates 40 minute wait, go to Haunted Mansion , wait 30 minutes, skip PP, cause its 45min and I can mot get another signature because we have have pirates. OK, time to ride pirates lets run there, get there ride is broken. They have no idea how long it will be down. Now, it is our window to ride Space Mountain, run across the whole park to Space Mountain to find that it is also down, no idea when it will be back up. 40 min wait for Buzz, get signature and then what?? We have to walk all the way back across the park to find another ride that we have to wait an hour to ride.
We have in the meantime, we have used countless snack options from our dining plan, to keep him, as well as everyone else in our party hydrated.
This is only a view of our 1st few hours of a 7 day trip. Back to the room & some went to pool. Back to MK later for our 9pm dinner at be our guest. Lines are still ridiculous. We could get a signature for space, but then we walk to Peter Pan, then back to space! It seems like all we did was laps around the magic kingdom!

My son has Cystic Fibrosis and we have always come to Disney because of how well we could deal with his needs. He is a Make-a-Wish kid. Speaking of that, what do they do with them???

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Oh wow!!! Lots of rides down during your MK day! So sorry.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . a Make-a-Wish kid. Speaking of that, what do they do with them???

1) Kids as Make-A-Wish guests are handled differently.
2) I shall not go into it on a public forum.
3) You need to talk to your MAW sponsor or Give-Kids-The-World folks.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Well, 6 months ago, when I had to decide what U wanted to eat, I made a reservation for 10:30am breakfast at Crystal Palace, my kids do not eat really early. 2 months ago when I had to decide what rides I wanted to ride, I booked our fast passes. So we had a 910-1010 @ Big thunder mountain, 10:15-11-11:15 Splash and 1:15 @ space. Got to BTM, but Splash had 10min standby, so we jumped on that then hit BTM, rime for Breakfast. While walking to breakfast pirates has only a five minute wait, but then we will be late for breakfast-would blow off breakfast, but I do not have $80 ti throw away. can you sign my card for later? No! But we have Breakfast, sorry no. Ok, off to eat. After l Breakfast, get card signed for pirates 40 minute wait, go to Haunted Mansion , wait 30 minutes, skip PP, cause its 45min and I can mot get another signature because we have have pirates. OK, time to ride pirates lets run there, get there ride is broken. They have no idea how long it will be down. Now, it is our window to ride Space Mountain, run across the whole park to Space Mountain to find that it is also down, no idea when it will be back up. 40 min wait for Buzz, get signature and then what?? We have to walk all the way back across the park to find another ride that we have to wait an hour to ride. We have in the meantime, we have used countless snack options from our dining plan, to keep him, as well as everyone else in our party hydrated. This is only a view of our 1st few hours of a 7 day trip. Back to the room & some went to pool. Back to MK later for our 9pm dinner at be our guest. Lines are still ridiculous. We could get a signature for space, but then we walk to Peter Pan, then back to space! It seems like all we did was laps around the magic kingdom! My son has Cystic Fibrosis and we have always come to Disney because of how well we could deal with his needs. He is a Make-a-Wish kid. Speaking of that, what do they do with them??? Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

My understanding is that there has been no change for MAW children.

I think that for future trips, a good touring plan would be most helpful in preventing the cross-crossing in the parks.

There is no question that the DAS requires a different touring style than the GAC, because the ability to disregard wait times is gone. But it can definitely be done successfully.