DAS DL question

[MarandaV]

Hi everyone,

We planned a trip months ago for September and since then, a couple of issues have arisen that may require us to get a DAS for at least one member of our party and a wheelchair (able to transfer) for another.
If the trip were not already paid for, we would probably go another time.
I did take the the last three days to read through the original DAS DL thread but nothing had been posted recently, now almost two years into the program.
If anyone could answer some questions, it would be greatly appreciated.

1. One of the members of our party is almost two (meaning no park ticket). Now that DAS is linked to the tickets of the entire party, has anyone experienced resistance/questions from cms as to why we are bringing a total of five (4 adults and toddler) when the DAS is only linked to four tickets?

2. There was some reports of differing cm policies regarding wc return times. Can one member of the party walk over to a ride and ask for a wc return time now or do we all have to be there?

3. Has the "double wait" issue gotten better at all? Or are people still waiting during their DAS return time waiting period and then also waiting a substantial time in either the FP or alternate entrance line?

4. The person who may qualify for the DAS is not able to get locked into a standard queue (especially a line such as Peter) where it is difficult, if not impossible, to backtrack out of the line due to her size. She may need to leave the line suddenly to use the restroom (happens quite often) where she may have just enough time to make it to a restroom if not in line but will not likely make it if she has to "excuse me" her way out of line. Has anyone obtained a DAS for an issue similar to this?

5. Due to the above issue, if the FP lines are long (20+ min), upon returning with a DAS, she may not even be able to wait in a traditional line that long. Is there any way to return with a DAS and not get sent to FP?

6. Have the inconsistencies of the shows settled down? Last I read, some shows did not honor DAS while some others did? For parades and nighttime shows, would our entire party be admitted to the wc viewing area or just the person using the wheelchair?

7. Have any more kiosks been added? I know people mentioned that the lack of them in TT and CC were especially troublesome.

8. We used to use the GAC for my brother when we took him before (CP, stamina issues, etc). He will not be coming on this trip, but I am familiar with the old system and saw many abuses of it. With no DAS needed for wc lines, has it really cut down on people renting wc just to use these alternate lines? That was a huge problem last time we used an assistance program.

Thanks!

 

[gap2368]

I can only speck for disney world but with the fast plase pluse since you do not get a ticket if you are under the age of 2 you do not need a fast pass plus I would think that would be the same for disneyland

as fair as getting the DAS for bathroom problems I have heard of people asking for it here on the DIS boards but did not hear if they got it at disney. I would go to GR and tell them the need and see what they say I have been in the system for over a year ( I went right after they changed) and I have been denieded a DAS card even after explaining all my problems even after I have had times the CM would cut me off after I said 1 thing, so if one say no try the park and then go back and say we have tried it and this is what is happening.

as fair as not being able to do a line that is longer then 20 minutes I think you are really are out of luck on that one the CM can not control a lot of things like if a ride breaks down if someone need more time to get in out of the ride things like that

 

[lanejudy]

The DL & DCA - Disability Access Service Card thread is up-to-date -- the first post has all the details and has been updated when necessary. The rest of that thread started before the GAC -> DAS change and basically involves discussion around the changes.

DAS for bathroom issues seems to be something that varies. Maybe it depends on the person, maybe it depends on the needs, maybe it depends on the explanation. I suggest you discuss the person's needs at Guest Relations. But also be prepared to make frequent restroom breaks -- never pass one without stopping, always use one before entering any queue, etc. Also, if waiting in a 10-20 minute line may be too much, be aware that some attractions last longer than that and there may be no way out once it starts. So I suggest you plan which attractions may or may not be appropriate for this person. The DAS will allow you into the FP line, which may or may not be fast-moving. As to the question of double-waits, I haven't heard that complaint lately; the DAS subtracts 10 minutes from the posted standby wait time, which may or may not be shorter or longer than posted.

Since you will have both a wheelchair user and a DAS holder in your party -- you may find conflicting accommodations and your party may need to split at times. As an older park, DL has more "alternative" entrances for those needing mobility device access. The wheelchair return times are issued to try and spread out that wait time, since logistically only so many wheelchairs/ECVs can be on the ride or parked at the exit at any given moment. I believe the wheelchair return times are also added to the whole party's tickets. DCA should be entirely accessible through the standby and FP queues.

I'm not as familiar with the west coast parks. If there is FP and a standby, then DAS should be available. If there is no FP, that means there is no alternative to waiting in the standby queue and no DAS.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[nikkislaght]

2. There was some reports of differing cm policies regarding wc return times. Can one member of the party walk over to a ride and ask for a wc return time now or do we all have to be there?

when we went in April.. you only needed one member of your party to get a return time..but needed everyones ticket.

8. We used to use the GAC for my brother when we took him before (CP, stamina issues, etc). He will not be coming on this trip, but I am familiar with the old system and saw many abuses of it. With no DAS needed for wc lines, has it really cut down on people renting wc just to use these alternate lines? That was a huge problem last time we used an assistance program.

I have no idea if the rental of wheelchairs has cut down.. depending on the ride the line was either long or short.. now that you have more people that use canes and other forms of aides able to use the wheelchair entrances,, the lines are still congested at times.. as in every line in the parks..

Hope you have a great trip

 

[Aladora]

Hi everyone,

We planned a trip months ago for September and since then, a couple of issues have arisen that may require us to get a DAS for at least one member of our party and a wheelchair (able to transfer) for another.
If the trip were not already paid for, we would probably go another time.
I did take the the last three days to read through the original DAS DL thread but nothing had been posted recently, now almost two years into the program.
If anyone could answer some questions, it would be greatly appreciated.

1. One of the members of our party is almost two (meaning no park ticket). Now that DAS is linked to the tickets of the entire party, has anyone experienced resistance/questions from cms as to why we are bringing a total of five (4 adults and toddler) when the DAS is only linked to four tickets?

2. There was some reports of differing cm policies regarding wc return times. Can one member of the party walk over to a ride and ask for a wc return time now or do we all have to be there?

3. Has the "double wait" issue gotten better at all? Or are people still waiting during their DAS return time waiting period and then also waiting a substantial time in either the FP or alternate entrance line?

4. The person who may qualify for the DAS is not able to get locked into a standard queue (especially a line such as Peter) where it is difficult, if not impossible, to backtrack out of the line due to her size. She may need to leave the line suddenly to use the restroom (happens quite often) where she may have just enough time to make it to a restroom if not in line but will not likely make it if she has to "excuse me" her way out of line. Has anyone obtained a DAS for an issue similar to this?

5. Due to the above issue, if the FP lines are long (20+ min), upon returning with a DAS, she may not even be able to wait in a traditional line that long. Is there any way to return with a DAS and not get sent to FP?

6. Have the inconsistencies of the shows settled down? Last I read, some shows did not honor DAS while some others did? For parades and nighttime shows, would our entire party be admitted to the wc viewing area or just the person using the wheelchair?

7. Have any more kiosks been added? I know people mentioned that the lack of them in TT and CC were especially troublesome.

8. We used to use the GAC for my brother when we took him before (CP, stamina issues, etc). He will not be coming on this trip, but I am familiar with the old system and saw many abuses of it. With no DAS needed for wc lines, has it really cut down on people renting wc just to use these alternate lines? That was a huge problem last time we used an assistance program.

Thanks!

Hi there! We've used both the old GAC and the newer DAS with our son on multiple trips so I'll try and answer some of your questions.

1. I'm certain that in dealing with the child too young to need an entry ticket, all that you would have to do is let the CM know. When you go up to the CM and hand them all of the tickets for them to check the RT, all you should need to say is that the little one is too young for a ticket.

2. We do not need a WC so I'm going to have to leave this question to someone who knows more about it!

3. This really depends on how busy the park is and how many people are in the FP line. Ride breakdowns can have a big effect on the length of time you wait, if a ride had broken down earlier in the day then there will likely be a larger than normal number of people in the FP line. Typically, we have not waited more than 5 or 10 minutes in the FP line and those waits are for rides you would expect to wait such as IJ or Soarin'. (I find that no matter how you enter those lines, the wait is long!) Rides that do not have a FP line have had fairly short RT waits.

4. No one here can answer that, only the GR CM you speak to at the park can.

5. If a ride has a FP line, then you will be sent to that line when you return after your return time. Other than some notable exceptions such as IJ and Soarin', I can't think of many other rides where the FP wait is 20+ minutes. Star Tours can get close to that but not often. Of course, if a ride breaks down or is temporarily closed while you are in line then all bets are off!

6. See # 2 above.

7. Not that I am aware of. There are still the same # of kisoks in roughly the same places.

8. I'm not sure, I have never really noticed.

I'm not as familiar with the west coast parks. If there is FP and a standby, then DAS should be available. If there is no FP, that means there is no alternative to waiting in the standby queue and no DAS.

Clarification to the quote in bold.

If there is a FP and SB, then the DAS is available and you return to the FP line.

If there is no FP but there is a SB line, then the DAS is still available but you need to ask a CM at the ride and they will direct you to where you need to go when you return.

The only times that I am aware that the DAS cannot be used are: Character M&G where there is no FP and outdoor shows. I'm not 100% sure about Aladdin or Mickey and the Magical Map.

Many attractions at DL and DCA do not have FP, all of FL comes to mind. You can still use the DAS for these rides but you will typically return via the exit.

 

[MarandaV]

Thanks, that clears up some unknowns.

 

[lanejudy]

If there is no FP but there is a SB line, then the DAS is still available but you need to ask a CM at the ride and they will direct you to where you need to go when you return.

Thanks for that clarification!

 

[Belle1997]

To let you know last time I tried to get a DAS I had issues. They just saw the chair and were not listening to my other needs to one. They did not give me one at first. I too use a power wheelchair. I too have issues where I need to leave the line fast because of bladder issues. They did not care. They did not see the danger of trying to get a power wheelchair through a queue line fast. Because the line is accessible. I did not give up I went to the information booth on Main street once I left City Hall and asked again why? They gave me a pass. I was very upset. Because it can be extremely scary when you need to go and feel trapped. I only go to Disney once a year. They are so use to Locals taking advantage of the system it is actually harder to get one. So if you do not get one go ask again at another spot. They are not trained very well.

The have about 5 places where you go to get a DAS time it is on your card.

Also even if you do not have a DAS rides like Peter Pan if using a wheelchair use the exit. You line up there thus avoiding the queue.

 

[SMD]

To let you know last time I tried to get a DAS I had issues. They just saw the chair and were not listening to my other needs to one. They did not give me one at first. I too use a power wheelchair. I too have issues where I need to leave the line fast because of bladder issues. They did not care. They did not see the danger of trying to get a power wheelchair through a queue line fast. Because the line is accessible. I did not give up I went to the information booth on Main street once I left City Hall and asked again why? They gave me a pass. I was very upset. Because it can be extremely scary when you need to go and feel trapped. I only go to Disney once a year. They are so use to Locals taking advantage of the system it is actually harder to get one. So if you do not get one go ask again at another spot. They are not trained very well.

The have about 5 places where you go to get a DAS time it is on your card.

Also even if you do not have a DAS rides like Peter Pan if using a wheelchair use the exit. You line up there thus avoiding the queue.

I could see where at DL they might be more hesitant to give one since most of the queues aren't accessible and use the same return queue as DAS anyway. Unlike DCA where most are accessible. It might have been easier to just try there, which is the park where you're more likely to be in a queue. Plus the Chamber of Commerce in DCA is much more accessible than City Hall, so that's one less step when you can skip the narrow ramp. However, I don't think that there's any proof that locals are the ones abusing DAS. In fact, some of the reports here from non-locals have described the expectation that they can double dip wheelchair return times and DAS returns and non-locals have advised other visitors to lie. Don't blame us when the evidence on this board alone says otherwise.

 

[Belle1997]

All I know is what I saw before the DAS was implement. I used the power outlet at City Hall to plug in my chair. I was just amazed at the line up to get a GAC card. It was like they were giving them out like candy. I can see why they had to change to a DAS. I saw so much abuse before the system was changed. Maybe it only happened the day I sat there. I believe many people not just locals would have tried to get one. I also believe if you are caught faking it to get a pass you should be banned from the park for a long time. So you are right it is just not locals. It bothers me so much when I see people taking advantage of a system that set to help all people enjoy the park. It bothers me that people lie and those that truly needed are not believed.

 

[KPeveler]

One thing that is not always made clear is that since the DAS and the wc return times are linked to your tickets, you can only have one return time at once - for example, you cannot have a wc return time AND a DAS return time at the same time. The person getting the return time will need all the tickets of those riding when getting it.

I have had some CMs tell me that in order to get a wc return time, you need the person in the wc present. Also, you get DAS return times at the kiosks, but the wc return times at the rides themselves (or did the last time I was there). I am not sure if that will make a difference to your plans.

There is really nothing they can do about the wait after you return. For a lot of the rides that do not have a FP line (and even some that do in DL), the return line *is* the exit, so there is really no other way to get into the ride. I have talked with CMs about this, since I also cannot always wait in the really long return line, but most of the people in that line will be in a similar situation. When I see a line like that, I sometimes go and ride something else or get a snack or something...

 

[PatMcDuck]

When we were at DL in January, the WC return time was put on the groups passes, just like the DAS return time. And with that system, you cannot have both a WC return time AND a DAS return time ticking on the same passes. To be clear, I mean if you have a WC return time, you cannot get a DAS return time, until you use that WC return time. (before they used the passes, you could have both, DAS on your card and a separate paper WC return time). This is true for the whole party, so if the group has a person getting WC return times, and another getting DAS return times, other people in group could only be on one or the other at the same time.

I was told this, because I attempted to do it, I can't remember why, I was confused. Wait, I think I was asking to use a WC standby entrance at a ride, and I already had a DAS return time. I was told I needed a WC return time instead of being able to do a WC standby line. Now this was a busy week, and perhaps it has changed again, this was January 2015.

 

[SMD]

That's another thing. You can't always tell in advance if you'll be given a WC return or just allowed to wait. They don't always use them on every ride. Sometimes the WC return line may seem short, but if there a bunch of WC returns already given out they're not going to let anyone jump ahead and get right in the line.

Space Mountain is now sending DAS up the ramp and through the FP line and only sending WC returns through the exit. They have a system where they have a card with the number in the DAS party to hand to the FP person at the entrance to the building. I've seen the CM at the first FP check who hands out the numbers be verbally abused by DAS returners who either don't want to go up the ramp or take the numbered card or both every time I've been waiting to hand over my own FP since they started doing it. I haven't been on SM in awhile, so hopefully people will get used to the new system and calm down.

 

[cmwade77]

1. One of the members of our party is almost two (meaning no park ticket). Now that DAS is linked to the tickets of the entire party, has anyone experienced resistance/questions from cms as to why we are bringing a total of five (4 adults and toddler) when the DAS is only linked to four tickets?

CMs usually can tell when a child is too young to need a ticket, so generally this shouldn't be an issue, if he looks old for his age, you might have to say something.

2. There was some reports of differing cm policies regarding wc return times. Can one member of the party walk over to a ride and ask for a wc return time now or do we all have to be there?

The last I have heard, you have to have everyone's ticket and the person in the wheelchair to get a wheelchair return time.
NOTE: You can no longer have a wheelchair return time and a DAS return time on the same ticket at the same time.

3. Has the "double wait" issue gotten better at all? Or are people still waiting during their DAS return time waiting period and then also waiting a substantial time in either the FP or alternate entrance line?

Typically they move through fairly quickly at the return points; however, it is possible that there is a longer than normal wait when returning due to ride breakdowns, etc. If this happens to be the case, let the first cast member know your concerns, there are usually various options that they can offer. For example, at Pirates, there is a bench outside, the person and maybe one or tow other members of your party can wait at while the rest are in the return line and the CM can you let you know when the wait is around 10 minutes or so.

4. The person who may qualify for the DAS is not able to get locked into a standard queue (especially a line such as Peter) where it is difficult, if not impossible, to backtrack out of the line due to her size. She may need to leave the line suddenly to use the restroom (happens quite often) where she may have just enough time to make it to a restroom if not in line but will not likely make it if she has to "excuse me" her way out of line. Has anyone obtained a DAS for an issue similar to this?

I have similar issues, they will do everything they can to not issue the DAS to you if you get the same CMs that I did. They suggested getting FP, the problem that I ran into is my issue hit and I ended up past the return window for my FP on more than one occasion. They suggest having the rest of your party wait in the regular line and then merge in with them, most attractions will say they can't do this and then there are issues for ones that do. We'll use the aforementioned Pirates, when using the alternate entrance, the CMs are great about being able to tell me when my wait will be about 10 minutes and letting me join in, they are unable to do this for those in the regular queue and let's just say as a result, we left early one day. There are also attractions where, as you rightly point out, it is virtually impossible to get out of the middle of, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise are all ones that spring to mind.

Yes, it is possible to get a DAS for this situation, but be prepared to explain in detail, with examples why standard queues and the alternatives they are suggesting don't work, unless the alternatives they suggest will work for you of course, they just don't work in our situation.

5. Due to the above issue, if the FP lines are long (20+ min), upon returning with a DAS, she may not even be able to wait in a traditional line that long. Is there any way to return with a DAS and not get sent to FP?

Please see my comment on number 3, there are ways to accommodate this fact.

6. Have the inconsistencies of the shows settled down? Last I read, some shows did not honor DAS while some others did? For parades and nighttime shows, would our entire party be admitted to the wc viewing area or just the person using the wheelchair?

Since one member is in a wheelchair, this will be a lot easier, just please remember to not use the benches if you don't need it, so that others who may not need a wheelchair, but need a seat for waiting 2 hours for a parade that last 30 minutes may need.

7. Have any more kiosks been added? I know people mentioned that the lack of them in TT and CC were especially troublesome.

More kiosks have not been added; however, most (if not all) of the attractions now seem to be able to issue wait times for their own attraction, both for DAS and wheelchair return times.

8. We used to use the GAC for my brother when we took him before (CP, stamina issues, etc). He will not be coming on this trip, but I am familiar with the old system and saw many abuses of it. With no DAS needed for wc lines, has it really cut down on people renting wc just to use these alternate lines? That was a huge problem last time we used an assistance program.

You seems to get a lot of mixed answers on here, but in my experience, yes it really has cut down on the issue. The other issue with the GAC program was people who would hand their pass to others and the GAC holder would not ride. Having pictures helps with this a lot as well. I would say overall, the wheelchair return lines have dropped about 85% in length, but you are waiting with the DAS.


Please note my responses may not match up with others, this is just based on my personal experience and hopefully this information helps you out.

 

[cmwade77]

Space Mountain is now sending DAS up the ramp and through the FP line and only sending WC returns through the exit. They have a system where they have a card with the number in the DAS party to hand to the FP person at the entrance to the building. I've seen the CM at the first FP check who hands out the numbers be verbally abused by DAS returners who either don't want to go up the ramp or take the numbered card or both every time I've been waiting to hand over my own FP since they started doing it. I haven't been on SM in awhile, so hopefully people will get used to the new system and calm down.

This makes a lot of sense for those that can handle the ramp, which is at an angle that is not ADA compliant, so I certainly understand why some would express concern that they cannot do the ramp.

Also, how are the handling the exit? A large portion of those who use a DAS cannot handle stairs and considering that there are stairs at the exit, this may be an issue.