das only for non-visible disabilities?

[redberyl]

I called guest relations to discuss my concerns about taking my daughter to disney, and the man I spoke with was so mean! Besides being incredibly rude, he said my daughter won't qualify for a das because she has a trach and das is ONLY for people with non-visible disabilities. My concern is that because of her heart and lung disease her stamina is so poor and she goes into respiratory distress very quickly in even moderate heat. Im afraid she'll go into respiratory distress in some of the longer outdoor lines. She physically would be unable to make it to the front of the line. Im hoping this guy just didnt know what he was talking about. I did think they had to make the decision in person, and they can't really tell you over the phone?

 

[LockShockBarrel]

phone cms strike again.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I called guest relations to discuss my concerns about taking my daughter to disney, and the man I spoke with was so mean! Besides being incredibly rude, he said my daughter won't qualify for a das because she has a trach and das is ONLY for people with non-visible disabilities. My concern is that because of her heart and lung disease her stamina is so poor and she goes into respiratory distress very quickly in even moderate heat. Im afraid she'll go into respiratory distress in some of the longer outdoor lines. She physically would be unable to make it to the front of the line. Im hoping this guy just didnt know what he was talking about. I did think they had to make the decision in person, and they can't really tell you over the phone?

Yes, they will make the decision in person, but you need to be prepared to explain her needs and how waiting outside of the line will help accommodate those needs. They don't care about diagnosis, it's all about the needs of the guest.

If you stress that her issue is stamina, they will most likely deny the DAS, as their perspective will be that stamina issues can be addressed by a wheelchair.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm sorry you had to deal with that this evening Never an excuse for rudeness. And not to excuse poor training, but unfortunately, phone CMs are not always the most knowledgeable about what happens in the parks -- the call center may not even be located in FL and some phone CMs may never have set foot in the parks.

However, in this case the CM is right in some respects. Determination of DAS eligibility can only be determined by Guest Relations CMs once you arrive at a park. Nobody on the DIS can guarantee a DAS, nobody on the phone or email can guarantee a DAS.

DAS is for hidden (non-visible disabilities). It is not available to those with strictly a mobility or stamina concern. Based on what you posted above, your daughter would be accommodated by a stroller-as-wheelchair and likely not qualify for a DAS. If she has other needs that impact her ability to wait in a standard queue environment, you should be prepared to discuss the NEEDS and not the diagnosis (or equipment, etc.). A DAS will not eliminate the needs to wait, just allows you to wait elsewhere while your place is virtually held in line for you. DAS entry is through the FP+ line, which at busy times has been report at upwards of 20 minutes.

If heat/humidity is a problem, you might want to consider a trip during off-peak cooler weather. If that is not possible, you might look into cooling vests or such. Maybe a misting fan. Stay hydrated.

I believe I have directed you to the WDW DAS sticky near the top of this forum in another post. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask and people here will try to provide insight to help you plan.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Wendydagny]

I have a daughter with a trach as well, and honestly they never asked me anything. The cm just said sure we will get you a DAS. And I had dozens of CMs throughout the park make sure we knew about the DAS over the course of our stay.

My planned spiel that I never got to tell them was that with her medical issues it is unsafe for her to wait in an embedded queue.

 

[redberyl]

This is my worry, that we'll get there and I won't explain it properly, ans we'll be denied a service that would help. Now I know to avoid the word stamina! Using her stroller/wheelchair wont help, because even sitting down she'll have trouble breathing in the heat. We've used misters at our local park, and they don't seem to help. We are hoping to go in december, however the last time I went to disney it was the first week of February and temperature reached 90 3days in a row so that's no guarantee. I have read the sticky, still a bit unclear to me. I want to take my daughter to disney, but not at the expense of her health. Seems like there's a program in place to help with that, just trying to figure out if we'll be able to access it before investing a lot of money in a trip we might not be able to enjoy.

 

[Michigan]

This is my worry, that we'll get there and I won't explain it properly, ans we'll be denied a service that would help. Now I know to avoid the word stamina! Using her stroller/wheelchair wont help, because even sitting down she'll have trouble breathing in the heat. We've used misters at our local park, and they don't seem to help. We are hoping to go in december, however the last time I went to disney it was the first week of February and temperature reached 90 3days in a row so that's no guarantee. I have read the sticky, still a bit unclear to me. I want to take my daughter to disney, but not at the expense of her health. Seems like there's a program in place to help with that, just trying to figure out if we'll be able to access it before investing a lot of money in a trip we might not be able to enjoy.

I sent you a private message

 

[bidnow5]

Have you looked into a cooling vest

 

[clanmcculloch]

DAS is not just for invisible disabilities. Probably 99% of people (made up number to say almost all) who need one have invisible disabilities but if a person has a visible disability which would make waiting in the regular queue unsafe then they would qualify for a DAS. The point of the DAS is to provide a safe place to wait besides the queue. If somebody is for example (I'm making something up), on a respirator and is in danger of having it knocked then I could see needing to wait elsewhere. This is visible but it's still a need for a DAS.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if they'll give you a DAS or not based on the issues you listed. For the stamina they'll say to use a wheelchair or a stroller as a wheelchair. For the heat, the DAS really doesn't help much because most queues are indoors where it's air conditioned. I'm not saying not to ask. You need to be prepared to explain why waiting in the regular queues won't be safe for her. I'm saying I'd be prepared with a backup plan in case you don't get it. In general you need to figure out cooling strategies, not just for WDW but for any hot day even at home. Cooling vests, frog togs, chili pads, etc can make a big difference.