DAS has changed our vacation

[MinnieVanMom]

SMD: Thank you for the information

 

[SueM in MN]

SMD: Thank you for the information on the pickpockets and food. We are not taking any public transportation other than the flight there. I feel that is best for DS and our family to take private transportation and have a private guide.

I have spent a long doing research and trying to find the best and most highly recommended services.

I am not expecting it to be like Disney at any point. There is no pass or even understanding of unseen disabilities. Therefore, with our preplanning and research, we hope to do well.

Thanks for the heads up on the pickpockets. They seem to be everywhere. Cross body purse with zip closure held with safety pin! I want my purse to be the hardest one to get into.

I am grateful the words of wisdom and am taking all the information provided serious.

You want something like this, worn under clothing.

http://www.ebags.com/product/lewis-n-clark/deluxe-neck-stash/51784?productid=587330

We wore those in Europe. One of the things I have heard of happening with purses, etc, is actual slitting of the bag.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Sue, Another great link.

I have read of purses being slit on TA.

We only have one day away from the resort, but pickpockets are a serious problem anywhere. Smart travelers need to make sure they make it very hard for them to get into a purse or for men pockets.

I have read that men need to put the wallets in the front pocket. Putting an elastic around it makes sure it does slide out. DH using pants with little zips on the fronts also.

General rules: Don't flash cash, don't wear expensive items, keep clothing simple and basic. Don't wear designer clothing. After all, many place are very poor and it could be considered an insult.

I think we have covered every aspect of this and now lets get on to other posts. Thanks again for the good links, word and ideas.

 

[akcire]

This is just an FYI...

Per corporate policy my husband is not allowed to travel in Egypt without an armed guard. That is the requirement of his K&R insurance. My husband works for a large company, but he is a nobody. No C in front of his title. He's maybe halfway up the org chart, with plenty levels of bosses above him. Just something to consider. The only other country he visits with similar policies is El Salvador, where he can only stay at the Sheraton El Presidente, or as he calls it CIA hotel.

Good luck

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

This is just an FYI...

Per corporate policy my husband is not allowed to travel in Egypt without an armed guard. That is the requirement of his K&R insurance. My husband works for a large company, but he is a nobody. No C in front of his title. He's maybe halfway up the org chart, with plenty levels of bosses above him. Just something to consider. The only other country he visits with similar policies is El Salvador, where he can only stay at the Sheraton El Presidente, or as he calls it CIA hotel.

Good luck

I work in international programs for a large U.S. university. Our policy prevents students from traveling on any university program to a country on the U.S. State Department's Travel Warning list. While there is an appeals process in place, an appeal would not be granted for a student who wanted to travel to Egypt at this time. There is simply too much of a danger.

Sue's information is very pertinent.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I just want to wish you luck! If touring WDW with the new DAS procedures in place is too daunting for you, I am not sue sure how you will handle a trip to a foreign country, especially one where unrest can break out at any moment. I'm not sure how old your DS is but hope he will enjoy himself. Safe travels.

PS My DH took a scuba lesson on our honeymoon and ended up popping his eardrum. We had to have a Doctor vist the resort and he had drops prescribed. Just be aware of the unexpected that can happen.

 

[Pakey]

I went to Egypt in November 2010, right before the current problems started. Although it was definitely my favorite international vacation, I'm not sure I would go there now. Hopefully you won't have any problems.

I can tell you that the local airports (not Cairo international) were very crowded. We took a domestic flight from Cairo to southern Egypt and we waited 3 hours in a small room with limited seating. It was so crowded that I didn't have enough arm room to pull my camera from my bag to take a photo of how crowded it was. Cairo International was not bad but those local airports were very congested (we were in 3 different ones) with long lines to go through the security/bag check.

Also, at Valley of the Kings, we waited in lines for the tombs that were as long of a wait as the big rides at WDW. The only difference was that it was over 100 degrees with no shade and there were armed men every few feet. The lines were not as bad at the tombs of the less popular kings but the big guys (Tut, Ramses) were a wait plus you stay in a tight line all the way in and back out.

I was surprised since we were there when schools were in session. Hopefully with tourism at a low point there, you won't have to deal with the crowds. There's nothing you can do about the heat though and it was pretty miserable at Valley of the Kings. I would recommend taking hats that provide some shade for your face.

You won't be able to take any photos inside the tombs and believe me, they are strict about confiscating smart phones if people try to sneak pics. I suggest taking small bills to purchase post cards that they have there of some of the interiors if you want any momentos of what you saw inside the tombs.

 

[thankudrivethru]

I am so glad for the changes in the FP+ and the DAS. Because I usually went to WDW with DS alone, it would be very hard for me to run around securing times and bringing DS to the rides and then have to wait.

So instead we are going to Egypt! In just a few days we leave for a vacation on the Red Sea and a trip to Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings.

You are joking right?! You really going to Egypt?! Do you know they have major political and social unrest. I won't even go into detail, but is not safe right now to be traveling there.

I would reconsider for your safety. Even right now it's unsafe to be traveling as a woman INTO Egypt If your son wants to Scuba dive go to Mexico, they have great deals right now.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

There is a colossal difference between being in Disney with some flaws and going to a country where I presume you don't speak the language and will be around people who won't understand a sensory issue. If your child was to have any kind of outburst I can't fathom the reaction would be a good one. The very heavily tourist areas might be a different story but imagine if you were somewhere where you had no way to explain to people around you what was happening.

This sort of trip is overwhelming to people without issues, and while IRL experiences are great this seems rather extreme. There are plenty of other IRL experiences and destinations to go to rather than pick one where violence and danger for tourists is practically a given.

 

[sukhakuli]

Given your past posts descriptions of his on the ground all out screaming fits, maybe you should reconsider. That could be criminal where you are going. Especially if he can be violent. Maybe a couples trip? I'd honestly be afraid to take my kids there right now. Is there another destination you might be interested in?

Going to Egypt is a dream of mine, but we don't travel overseas. My son has autism as well, and he just wouldn't be able to do it and enjoy it. Maybe when he gets older. I'm really chafing to take the kids overseas, though! But we do take them places that are not one of the Disney Parks. We love National Park vacations, and my ds does really well hiking and being outdoors. There are a lot of really cool things to see in this country, as well.

Have you looked in to other places to scuba dive? There are amazing places all over the world that aren't so dangerous to Americans right now.

I don't know. It's not that I think that non-WDW vacations are bad. But if you are going to Egypt solely because you don't like the DAS, well, that doesn't seem like a logical decision, KWIM? If it's a life long dream, then that makes more sense, but I would advise you to wait a few years until the political climate is better.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

My DH went to Egypt a few years ago for a business trip . He (thankfully) missed by only days an attack on a bus full of Western tourists where several were killed. Also, he thought he was being super careful with what he ate and drank, but came home with a case of dysentery that took over one month to clear up.
Personally, I think it's way too risky, especially with the volatile political situation currently happening.

 

[Sunnywho]

Stay alert and enjoy the trip. The advisory against tourism has probably dropped the prices making it more affordable. The advice to get an armed guard seems like good advice. I wouldn't go myself but I'm not a risk taker in any way.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Guys, they leave in a few days. I don't think they are going to cancel now.

Good luck OP. Be careful and always plan 10 steps ahead.

 

[Carnie]

I don't get how a line at Disney is unacceptable but going to a violent, unstable country teeming with third world health and safety issues is "just fine".

 

[ilovemk76]

I don't get how a line at Disney is unacceptable but going to a violent, unstable country teeming with third world health and safety issues is "just fine".

Or why DH won't help at WDW but he will in Egypt?

 

[mistysue]

I don't get how a line at Disney is unacceptable but going to a violent, unstable country teeming with third world health and safety issues is "just fine".

I've kept trying to figure out how to say "I hope you all get home alive" without it looking like sarcasm, but I'm serious. I don't get it either. This is the only anti DAS or FP+ post I've seen that truly makes the change not seem like a big deal. Everything gets put into perspective when you compare WDW to this sort of IRL experience.

 

[Briarmom]

I used to live in Egypt. If your son actually has a disability where he can't deal with WDW....good luck.

 

[thankudrivethru]

I don't think the OP is going to Egypt.

 

[thankudrivethru]

I don't get how a line at Disney is unacceptable but going to a violent, unstable country teeming with third world health and safety issues is "just fine".

To each is their own, ya know?

 

[tinkerpea]

Although the OP properly has not picked the best time to go to Egypt they have picked the safest places!
I don't believe they will be in any direct danger as long as they stay out of Cairo which it seems they are doing.
As for not taking a special needs child, I took my twin 3 yr olds and my autistic 6yr old and had an amazing time,
I did not take him or my twins to the pyramids and most likely would never go again myself unless I wrapped my hair up and maybe dyed it, as I have very long natural blonde hair! Which caused many problems.
But the cruise, Luxor and the resorts was wonderful, and everyone was simply amazing with my children even when my son was screaming the place down.

I hope the OP has a wonderful trip Egypt is a truly remarkable place, and my dearest friends have lived in Cairo for 9years as music teachers and love it.