DAS Mobility Issues?

[Evita_W]

My mom has mobility issues that are not easily solved with a wheelchair, so sort of similar to your issue. Her joints hurt whether she sits or stands for prolonged periods. We've always been able to get DAS for her just by explaining the problem with positioning. That being said, I'm starting to get nervous because I've heard reports of people who have gotten it in the past having issues getting it now. Hopefully it works out for you!

Really, just when you go in, tell them you need to renew your DAS, generally they won't ask anything further. Also, remember to be kind and know that if they are asking further questions, it is only because they want to make sure they are providing the best solution for your actual needs, as they may have other tools in their arsenal that we aren't aware of.

 

[DisneyOma]

My dad has very similar issues to yours, though with tons of procedures and physical therapy over the years he's doing a lot better at the moment. Frustrating, isn't it? Especially trying to explain it to others who don't happen to have/know anyone with that exact combination of difficulties. Dad's always gotten a DAS for his, though we haven't been in a while and he may not need one next time now that he's improving. I don't know about you, but for Dad a rollator or manual wheelchair are a flat NOPE! Both put immense pressure, instantly, on the exact damaged spot in his lower back. He did use an ECV when he was at his worst, but it was a constant dance of him driving it for awhile, parking it for awhile to walk, someone else in the party driving it for awhile because he couldn't tolerate sitting back down....so tough to figure out how best to manage. Good luck to you! OP, sorry for the hijack. I hope some of this helps...

I get the sitting part - has he tried a donut cushion? How did he manage to eat and sleep at WDW? That's my big concern when I go next month.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, keep in mind that things can and do happen in line that can change the wait time.
A few weeks ago, I was in line for Na’vi River Journey at AK. When I got into line, the posted wait time was 20 minutes and the line was moving steadily. All of a sudden, the lights flickered and the line stopped and stayed stopped - I found out later that electricity had gone out for a few seconds in that part of the park. I stayed in line and by the time I finally got onto the boat, my total wait had been well over an hour.
Almost no lines have anywhere to sit while waiting (a few shows do, but there is no guarantee of being able to use the bench or that it will still be available if you get up to walk around). Some people who need to keep moving have good luck with using members of their group to act as ‘spacers’ behind them so they can keep a bit of space to pace around.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Where do you find the actual seat with back support at WDW? Do you bring one with you?

Most places to sit have a full back, unless you sit on a ledge. A rollator has no back. It has a bar.

 

[JLTraveling]

I get the sitting part - has he tried a donut cushion? How did he manage to eat and sleep at WDW? That's my big concern when I go next month.

He has. And it made the ECV bearable for longer periods of time, but not the rollator or wheelchair. Just completely the wrong angles. Eating was fine, we mostly did quick service at off times. For table service, he'd just get up and take a walk to the bathroom or wherever and back when he needed to. For sleeping, at home he has a bit of an elaborate setup--inflatable wedge under his pillow and a knee pillow that puts his legs in a position that takes pressure off his lower back. Through lots of trial and error over the years, he's mostly figured out how to replicate it in hotel rooms, using their pillows.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I get the sitting part - has he tried a donut cushion? How did he manage to eat and sleep at WDW? That's my big concern when I go next month.

You sleep and eat the same way you do at home.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

NO, no you can't say attention span has anything at all to do with mobility. I'm not even sure how a person could try to stretch that into a mobility issue. Moving on..
All the issues you described are mobility issues. You can pace in line, the stand by line is not going to be stationary for 25 minutes.
Getting into and out of ride vehicles is the very definition of mobility, and a das pass won't help that. That is a ride ops issue. You need to let the ride operations know you require additional time to load/unload. Being in the fast pass line doesn't change the way you get into a ride vehicle.

Actually you can relate it. You can supply distractions while waiting in the line. There are games and other various items just like telling someone to use a wheelchair or rollator. I am not saying to do that but it equates to telling someone their back issues are strickly mobility issues.. moving on...DAS does help with getting on and off attractions. Take Haunted Mansion. If you need them to slow down the moving walkway to get in or out, you need DAS for that alternate entrance if you are not in a wheelchair.
Another issue with back problems are stairs. You need DAS for alternate entrance for attractions with stairs if you show up walking. Just because you can walk doesn't mean there's no disability that DAS will cover. It also doesn't mean you must rent a wheelchair. According to Disney's own website, they state if your issue is based on using a wheelchair, you don't need DAS. if your DR has not reccomended you use one but told you how to handle your limitations, that is what you relate to Guest Services. Sitting in a wheelchair doesn't solve all issues. Unless you have been put into this position, you cannot understand it

 

[A Mickeyfan]

My advice to OP is to go to Guest Services and explain the reasons. We here are in no position to say yes or no. I will speak from experience, if you plan on watching any fireworks, get a spot where you can sit, stand and pace. I have used a rollator on those nights. It gives me the extra room I need, something to lean on so I don't tip over and sit for a few minutes at a time. It's hard on the back to sit on it more than 10 minutes

 

[Lilsia]

Actually you can relate it. You can supply distractions while waiting in the line. There are games and other various items just like telling someone to use a wheelchair or rollator. I am not saying to do that but it equates to telling someone their back issues are strickly mobility issues.. moving on...DAS does help with getting on and off attractions. Take Haunted Mansion. If you need them to slow down the moving walkway to get in or out, you need DAS for that alternate entrance if you are not in a wheelchair.
Another issue with back problems are stairs. You need DAS for alternate entrance for attractions with stairs if you show up walking. Just because you can walk doesn't mean there's no disability that DAS will cover. It also doesn't mean you must rent a wheelchair. According to Disney's own website, they state if your issue is based on using a wheelchair, you don't need DAS. if your DR has not reccomended you use one but told you how to handle your limitations, that is what you relate to Guest Services. Sitting in a wheelchair doesn't solve all issues. Unless you have been put into this position, you cannot understand it

I think something like sciatica fits into this description. It is horrible because you can't really sit comfortably, an you can't just stand in one spot either. My sciatica acts up everyone once in a while and it is miserable. I usually end up just walking around and then going back to the hotel to lie down.

 

[DisneyOma]

You sleep and eat the same way you do at home.

At home I have a special chair I sit in to relieve the PFD symptoms long enough for me to eat with my family. Not sure that I can bring that on a plane or fit it in my car and then drag it around WDW, KWIM? The poster I asked gave me some great advice though, especially about the sleeping parts.

 

[DisneyOma]

Actually you can relate it. You can supply distractions while waiting in the line. There are games and other various items just like telling someone to use a wheelchair or rollator. I am not saying to do that but it equates to telling someone their back issues are strickly mobility issues.. moving on...DAS does help with getting on and off attractions. Take Haunted Mansion. If you need them to slow down the moving walkway to get in or out, you need DAS for that alternate entrance if you are not in a wheelchair.
Another issue with back problems are stairs. You need DAS for alternate entrance for attractions with stairs if you show up walking. Just because you can walk doesn't mean there's no disability that DAS will cover. It also doesn't mean you must rent a wheelchair. According to Disney's own website, they state if your issue is based on using a wheelchair, you don't need DAS. if your DR has not reccomended you use one but told you how to handle your limitations, that is what you relate to Guest Services. Sitting in a wheelchair doesn't solve all issues. Unless you have been put into this position, you cannot understand it

I need a DAS to avoid stairs? Good to know!

 

[SirDuff]

I need a DAS to avoid stairs? Good to know!

Not unless things have changed.

I also never needed one to have the HM moving walkway slowed down.

 

[DisneyOma]

Not unless things have changed.

I also never needed one to have the HM moving walkway slowed down.

Actually you can relate it. You can supply distractions while waiting in the line. There are games and other various items just like telling someone to use a wheelchair or rollator. I am not saying to do that but it equates to telling someone their back issues are strickly mobility issues.. moving on...DAS does help with getting on and off attractions. Take Haunted Mansion. If you need them to slow down the moving walkway to get in or out, you need DAS for that alternate entrance if you are not in a wheelchair.
Another issue with back problems are stairs. You need DAS for alternate entrance for attractions with stairs if you show up walking. Just because you can walk doesn't mean there's no disability that DAS will cover. It also doesn't mean you must rent a wheelchair. According to Disney's own website, they state if your issue is based on using a wheelchair, you don't need DAS. if your DR has not reccomended you use one but told you how to handle your limitations, that is what you relate to Guest Services. Sitting in a wheelchair doesn't solve all issues. Unless you have been put into this position, you cannot understand it

So the part I highlighted is not correct?

 

[lanejudy]

If you need them to slow down the moving walkway to get in or out, you need DAS for that alternate entrance if you are not in a wheelchair.

You need DAS for alternate entrance for attractions with stairs if you show up walking.

These 2 statements are incorrect. While the old GAC used to provide for such accommodations, the DAS provides for one thing and one thing only -- to wait outside of the standard queue environment. If someone needs to avoid stairs, simply inform the CMs along the queue; if someone needs the walkway slowed, inform the CMs along the queue. The DAS does neither of those things.

 

[Evita_W]

These 2 statements are incorrect. While the old GAC used to provide for such accommodations, the DAS provides for one thing and one thing only -- to wait outside of the standard queue environment. If someone needs to avoid stairs, simply inform the CMs along the queue; if someone needs the walkway slowed, inform the CMs along the queue. The DAS does neither of those things.

This is the way it is supposed to work; however, there are so many new CMs right now that we noticed a few people being told they needed a DAS for the walkway at HM to be slowed or stopped or to avoid stairs. They started to leave until we spoke up and suggested they bring their lead out.

Speaking of new CMs, we actually had an interesting experience at HM this last trip, they were training new CMs and they let us go twice in a row, then even though we didn't need them to, they asked DH if they could bring our ECVs to us because they wanted to train the new CMs on how to do so when needed. He of course allowed them to do so, even though we normally wouldn't as it was helping them, but it was something we hadn't experienced before. We later found out the twice in a row was also them training the new CMs on how to do it for when the lines are shorter, mind you the line was about 45 minutes at that point.

 

[SueM in MN]

These 2 statements are incorrect. While the old GAC used to provide for such accommodations, the DAS provides for one thing and one thing only -- to wait outside of the standard queue environment. If someone needs to avoid stairs, simply inform the CMs along the queue; if someone needs the walkway slowed, inform the CMs along the queue. The DAS does neither of those things.

The old, discontinued GAC (Guest Assistance Card) also had a stamp for seating in the front row. DAS does not include that - if a guest needs assistance with getting to the front row, they need to inform the CMs.

The different stamps that were on the old GAC caused a lot of confusion - especially when a guest had several that contradicted each other. My family observed multiple guests arguing with the CM at shows where the alternate entrance led to the rear of the theater, but the guest had both ‘alternate entrance’ and ‘front row’ stamps. They demanded the CM let them use the ‘alternate entrance’ while the CM was trying to explain the ‘alternate entrance’ led only to the back row.
Those stamps all went away when DAS began in 2013.

This is the way it is supposed to work; however, there are so many new CMs right now that we noticed a few people being told they needed a DAS for the walkway at HM to be slowed or stopped or to avoid stairs. They started to leave until we spoke up and suggested they bring their lead out.

Speaking of new CMs, we actually had an interesting experience at HM this last trip, they were training new CMs and they let us go twice in a row, then even though we didn't need them to, they asked DH if they could bring our ECVs to us because they wanted to train the new CMs on how to do so when needed. He of course allowed them to do so, even though we normally wouldn't as it was helping them, but it was something we hadn't experienced before. We later found out the twice in a row was also them training the new CMs on how to do it for when the lines are shorter, mind you the line was about 45 minutes at that point.

Yes.
The recalled staff had/have to be re-educated on the job duties for the position they are returning to. The leads are the experts for clarification

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I think something like sciatica fits into this description. It is horrible because you can't really sit comfortably, an you can't just stand in one spot either. My sciatica acts up everyone once in a while and it is miserable. I usually end up just walking around and then going back to the hotel to lie down.

Yes, it would, definitely

 

[A Mickeyfan]

These 2 statements are incorrect. While the old GAC used to provide for such accommodations, the DAS provides for one thing and one thing only -- to wait outside of the standard queue environment. If someone needs to avoid stairs, simply inform the CMs along the queue; if someone needs the walkway slowed, inform the CMs along the queue. The DAS does neither of those things.

the stairs on Space Mt are on the regular side. Only way to avoid them totally is to go on alternate side. So yes, DAS does make a difference in stairs . Not that it matter for that particular attraction for me anymore, my back has gotten worse and I can no longer ride it at all. I can't get out of the seat unless someone pulls me out.
There are alternate entrances on the attractions with DAS. You do not use the regular line. Yes, you get your return time, but go go through the alternative entrance

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I need a DAS to avoid stairs? Good to know!

Some attractions, not all but yes. I know for a fact, Space Mt you do.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I need a DAS to avoid stairs? Good to know!

Some attractions, not all but yes. I know for a fact, Space Mt you do.

Not unless things have changed.

I also never needed one to have the HM moving walkway slowed down.

Do they slow it down for you on the regular side? I have only seen it done on the exit side (to enter). I mean I know it's a loop and when it slowed it slows all over, but I have never seen them slow it down on the regular entrance side.