DAS for mobility + heat stroke

[Pezzy318]

My dad has high risk of heat stroke, and he will also be requiring knee replacement surgery this fall. We will be getting him a scooter for our upcoming trip, which we normally dont need. I'm concerned about his ability to get back out of line with a scooter in case of heat stroke. Will Disney grant a DAS pass? Individually, I dont think either of these conditions qualify, but the combination is my roadblock.

 

[SueM in MN]

No one can say for sure ahead of time.
He will need to be able to explain (briefly) how his disability prevents him from waiting in the standard line.

Even with DAS, its important to still take precautions to avoid heat. The easiest is trying to go early morning and later in the day and avoid the hottest part of the day. AK is consistently the hottest park - probably all the vegetation adds another layer of humidity.
if you can, try to alternate outdoor rides/attractions with indoor ones.

 

[verleniahall]

My guess is that it will be no due to the mobility part

 

[DisneyOma]

Luckily most of the queues at WDW are either air conditioned or under cover with huge fans blowing on the guests. You are more likely to have issues with waiting for transportation to the parks/between the parks.

 

[gap2368]

I would be proactive about the heat issue. Like a wide brim hat or a clip on umbrella a clip on fan for his ECV cooling towel. Just Incase the CM says no

Also try and do things that have out side lines in the early morning and or later in the day. And maybe use your FP for out door ones.

 

[lanejudy]

I would do as much as you can to pro-actively mitigate the heat risk for him. That might be certain clothing, wide brimmed hat, cooling towels, fans or misting fans, there are fans that can be attached to a scooter, alternating indoor/outdoor activities, time of day, always having cool beverage to avoid dehydration, etc. The DAS will actually do little to mitigate the heat, possibly the opposite as it will put you outside rather than inside in a queue. Shops can be crowded so he may find it difficult to navigate often with a scooter, dining locations often require that you purchase food, etc. so it can be hard to locate an inside spot to wait out a DAS return time.

You can certainly ask at Guest Relations. Keep the request specific to his non-mobility needs, even explaining how the scooter won't help that issue.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[AnneK]

Working with the heat is something that you yourself really need to take control of, the DAS won't do much for you and I would not expect to receive it. Travel during the cooler months (Nov-Feb), wide brimmed hats, cooling towels and fans. Go during the early morning hours, go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the day, go back in the evening after sunset.

Most of the lines are shaded or air conditioned.

 

[Jake]

He will be cooler on a scooter. You can get a battery fan to used. Cooling towel. Planning ahead of time. fast passes. Breaks in air conditioned stores, restaurant.

 

[gap2368]

One more thing to think about is a sit down lunch around 2-4 When it is the hottest this way you know you have a cool break and some where to all sit take the time to really relax and do a quick service for dinner when it gets cooler out

 

[Pezzy318]

Working with the heat is something that you yourself really need to take control of, the DAS won't do much for you and I would not expect to receive it. Travel during the cooler months (Nov-Feb), wide brimmed hats, cooling towels and fans. Go during the early morning hours, go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the day, go back in the evening after sunset.

Most of the lines are shaded or air conditioned.

Yes, we are traveling in November. My concern is more so that he has a condition that makes him extremely susceptible to heat stroke. He knows when he's about to pass out, but he needs to exit the line quickly if that happens. My concern is him being stuck on the scooter in the line should he be about to pass out.

 

[DisneyOma]

Yes, we are traveling in November. My concern is more so that he has a condition that makes him extremely susceptible to heat stroke. He knows when he's about to pass out, but he needs to exit the line quickly if that happens. My concern is him being stuck on the scooter in the line should he be about to pass out.

He would be stuck on the scooter in the FP queue as well, and it wouldn't be an easy exit there either. Many of them parallel the standby queue for the most part. What are the conditions that make him get heat stroke? Being outside, under-hydrated? Those are things he should be able to manage, especially since he will be able to exert less effort while being on the scooter.

 

[jo-jo]

I have no first hand experience, but would a cooling vest do any good? Or perhaps have those instant cool packs like for first aid.

 

[gap2368]

I have no first hand experience, but would a cooling vest do any good? Or perhaps have those instant cool packs like for first aid.

The instant ice pack do not last long the ones I had some did not last 30-45 minutes not sure if that would be much help

 

[Pezzy318]

He would be stuck on the scooter in the FP queue as well, and it wouldn't be an easy exit there either. Many of them parallel the standby queue for the most part. What are the conditions that make him get heat stroke? Being outside, under-hydrated? Those are things he should be able to manage, especially since he will be able to exert less effort while being on the scooter.

Yep, absolutely correct that it would be a challenge getting a scooter out anywhere. But at least fast pass is shorter, and usually already in the AC.

 

[Pezzy318]

I would do as much as you can to pro-actively mitigate the heat risk for him. That might be certain clothing, wide brimmed hat, cooling towels, fans or misting fans, there are fans that can be attached to a scooter, alternating indoor/outdoor activities, time of day, always having cool beverage to avoid dehydration, etc. The DAS will actually do little to mitigate the heat, possibly the opposite as it will put you outside rather than inside in a queue. Shops can be crowded so he may find it difficult to navigate often with a scooter, dining locations often require that you purchase food, etc. so it can be hard to locate an inside spot to wait out a DAS return time.

You can certainly ask at Guest Relations. Keep the request specific to his non-mobility needs, even explaining how the scooter won't help that issue.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you! Good suggestions!

 

[DLgal]

I don't think this will be that much of an issue in November. It's not usually that warm. Just keep him well hydrated, use hats, lightweight clothing, etc.

 

[bluecruiser]

Temperatures can vary in November. I was at WDW in November 2018 and the high was in the 80's during most of my trip. While that's certainly better than 90's, it's still sunny, hot, and humid. So uncomfortable for me that I vowed never to go in November again.

 

[DisneyOma]

Yep, absolutely correct that it would be a challenge getting a scooter out anywhere. But at least fast pass is shorter, and usually already in the AC.

The standby queues are also in the AC, or have cooling fans and cover from the sun. You should really be concerned about the times waiting for the bus, etc. Also, the DAS doesn't get you any place to stay out of the sun/heat. You could be out there even more by using the DAS, KWIM?

 

[Jperiod]

My daughter is sensitive to heat. We had a cooling type towel and rolled some ice into the middle and draped it around her neck. The ice kept it cool and slowly melting to keep the towel wet. Keeping electrolytes up is important too.

 

[jo-jo]

The instant ice pack do not last long the ones I had some did not last 30-45 minutes not sure if that would be much help

I wasn't thinking as a whole day use. Just like we got into this line, we are stuck and the AC is not working, this is going to be a problem....break out the instant ice packs. Again no first hand knowledge, but I thought putting something cold against pulse points aids in cooling the body.