DAS Pass - Encopresis

[erikjscott]

I am wondering if anyone has ever applied to DAS with a condition called encopresis. My son is 4 1/2. Without the DAS pass, Disney would be extremely challenging for us. He is being treated by a pediatric gasterenterologist specialist due to a condition called encopresis, which is basically pathological constipation that enlarges the colon size, weakens the nerves that cause the sensation of feeling a bowel movement, decreases both his bowel and bladder control, and also decreases the time until he reaches full urgency. In other words, once he knows he has to go to the bathroom, we need to dash to the bathroom because he often doesn't know until it's already started occurring. It is a condition that takes years to undo not just because of habits, but also because the colon takes a very long time to shrink down again once it is enlarged. His treatment is a course of laxatives, which he takes daily, which also cause his bowel movements to be extremely loose, as well as with a behavior modification program which includes forced bathroom breaks every 30 minutes to an hour (in addition to any urgency issues that he DOES feel, which are frequent, due to the laxatives). His bladder is also affected because the enlarged colon also pushes on the bladder. Basically, we're in an out of the bathroom tens of times a day.

I have a doctor's note explaining the condition because his daycare also needs to know about it, as his bowel movements always look as though he has a virus, and because they are helping with the behavior modification program in having him visit the bathroom on a scheduled basis. He will most likely start kindergarten next year with a 504 for this issue.

Does my son need to be on the DAS call even though he's only 4 1/2 years old? He will definitely not talk on the call and will ignore any questions they ask because he is very shy around strangers.

 

[lanejudy]

The actual DIAGNOSIS is irrelevant and actually Disney prefers not to have that information shared. No documentation is necessary or accepted. To request DAS you need to explain in layman's terms (not medical jargon) why he cannot wait in a standard queue environment.

Does my son need to be on the DAS call even though he's only 4 1/2 years old?

He will need to be present for his picture to be taken. They do not expect a child of that age to verbalize the request.

 

[erikjscott]

The actual DIAGNOSIS is irrelevant and actually Disney prefers not to have that information shared. No documentation is necessary or accepted. To request DAS you need to explain in layman's terms (not medical jargon) why he cannot wait in a standard queue environment.


He will need to be present for his picture to be taken. They do not expect a child of that age to verbalize the request.

Got it. Is my explanation too technical? Should I just say he has a condition that requires him to use the bathroom every 30 minutes?

 

[dreamer17555]

Got it. Is my explanation too technical? Should I just say he has a condition that requires him to use the bathroom every 30 minutes?

I would explain his need, but be aware that it became popular on some groups for people to falsely claim bathroom urgency as a reason they need a DAS and there have been reports that instead of getting a typical DAS they have been granted a bathroom pass instead to let them return to the line as needed.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Got it. Is my explanation too technical?

Along the lines of what @dreamer17555 said I would edit your post to remove your very thorough description. It’s good that you are ready to vocalize what he deals with but you don’t need some bad person googling for ways to get a DAS to stumble on this thread and try to adopt your child’s issues as theirs & then spreading it around to others if it works

 

[DizneyFamof4]

I read an article that since the pandemic Disney's DAS passes have gone up 900%, that is nuts. US has at least started using a 3rd party IBCCES to try and stem the DAS abuse and is making it harder to abuse the system. Disney should at least look into doing something like that. It is just so sad that this has to even be an issue because of the dishonest people and you really do not see this in other countries. In one of the other countries the DAS gets escorted to a waiting area while the family waits in the standard line and when they are at the front the DAS person joins them. This would eliminate a lot of abuse because there is no big advantage for a DAS pass.

 

[SueM in MN]

Got it. Is my explanation too technical? Should I just say he has a condition that requires him to use the bathroom every 30 minutes?

Your explanation is way too long and technical. The CM (Cast Members) don't want diagnosis/condition or a letter from your doctor - people with the same diagnosis can have very different situations/needs.
The question you will be asked will be similar to:
What are your concerns related to disability with waiting in the regular lines?
OR
What concerns with waiting in the regular lines would cause you to leave the line?

You want to be ready to answer those questions in one or 2 sentences. If the CM needs more information, they will ask follow-up questions. As others already mentioned, your child will not be expected to speak. Children need to be present to be introduced and have a photo taken, nothing more.
I also want to explain a bit about how DAS works. It doesn't eliminate waiting, it just allows guests using DAS to spend the majority of the wait outside of the line. Guests get a DAS Return Time for attractions the person registered for DAS will go on. DAS Return Times are based on the currently posted wait time in the regular (Standby) Line, minus about 10 minutes. After the DAS wait is over, guests enter the Lightning Lane entrance; the wait there is usually between 10 and 15 minutes, but can sometimes reach 30 minutes.
It's also important to know how long individual attractions last; This is a link to the WDW attraction guide, which includes how many minutes each attraction lasts.

Sticking to your 30 minute to an hour bathroom breaks will be challenging. Depending on when you are going, there may be a wait for restrooms. There are at least many restrooms at WD. You can find lists and maps of restroom locations in the My Disney Experience app

 

[SueM in MN]

I read an article that since the pandemic Disney's DAS passes have gone up 900%, that is nuts. US has at least started using a 3rd party IBCCES to try and stem the DAS abuse and is making it harder to abuse the system. Disney should at least look into doing something like that. It is just so sad that this has to even be an issue because of the dishonest people and you really do not see this in other countries. In one of the other countries the DAS gets escorted to a waiting area while the family waits in the standard line and when they are at the front the DAS person joins them. This would eliminate a lot of abuse because there is no big advantage for a DAS pass.

I would take that article with a HUGE grain of salt.
Disney does not release information on the number of DAS given out, so anything in an article is guessed/made up by the writer.
The IBCCES system that Universal is using doesn't necessarily cut down on abuse. There is a long thread on this board about Universal and the IBCCES.
The types of things they are accepting as proof don't necessarily mean that someone actually needs accommodations for attractions; they accrept copies of handicapped parking permits, IEP reports and letters from doctors that just say "my patient has a disability". There are ways to 'cheat' on some of those, especially doctor letters.
The person applying checks off what accommodations they are requesting, without any proof that they actually need those things. IBCCES and Universal also have the same language as Disney uses that says if any of the statements/information given is found to be false, the person's park pass can be revoked.
Some of the things done in other countries would not be allowed in the US - for example, escorting the DAS person to the front of the line to wait alone while the rest of the family waits in line. Waiting alone would b difficult for some people. Staying in one place for a long time would be difficult for others.

If anyone wants to discuss IBCCES or Universal, please keep it to the thread about those subjects.

 

[shosh1530]

My son struggled with encopresis for many years. We uses DAS primarily due to cognitive issues, so I can't speak to requesting based on this.

But a few other thoughts to share based on our experiences:

-There are companion/family restrooms and also a bathroom you can use at the First Aid station that may give you extra room for dealing with clean up in the event of an accident. Spend some time looking on the app to see where these things are.

-Are you using a stroller? If so make sure you have enough room for some clothing changes. If not, you might want to rent a locker.

-How does your child do using public restrooms? Mine absolutely refused during those early years. Staying as close to the parks as possible was key for us in order to take sometimes multiple breaks.

-Have you talked to your doctors about your travel plans? We would ease up on the laxatives temporarily for travel, especially when having to get through plane flights or long car rides. But of course only follow what your doctor recommends.

-For a lot of kids, this condition can go hand in hand with other issues like ADHD, ASD, anxiety, sensory stuff. If this is your first time visiting Disney or a theme park, plan to take it slow. We went the first time when my son was 5 and he was completely overwhelmed. He couldn't handle most of the rides.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[mamabunny]

Got it. Is my explanation too technical? Should I just say he has a condition that requires him to use the bathroom every 30 minutes?

We can’t give you a “script” to use - that’s against the rules in these parts.

What we can do is remind you that the DAS essentially creates a private virtual queue for the individual and their travel party (up to 6 total on 1 DAS) that allows the DAS holder to wait outside the physical queue for a ride, show or attraction.

During that waiting time, the DAS holder and their party are free to go and do whatever they like, including restroom breaks, shopping, eating meals or snacks and even experiencing other rides, attractions or shows.

When it is time for the DAS holder to enter the line, they will enter through the Lightning Lane, so there is still a portion of the physical queue to navigate once the “waiting” period is over. It is not a front-of-the-line pass; it shortens the physical queue so that the DAS holder and their party (theoretically) arrives at the Lightning Lane merge point at the same time they would have if they had joined the queue at the main entry point.

If someone is denied the DAS (either before arrival, or after they are at the Theme Parks) they can always ask again after they have tried to navigate the Park without one. At that point, there is often more valuable and immediate feedback to give a Cast Member about exactly why the person needs to utilize a DAS.

 

[DisneyOma]

I read an article that since the pandemic Disney's DAS passes have gone up 900%, that is nuts. US has at least started using a 3rd party IBCCES to try and stem the DAS abuse and is making it harder to abuse the system. Disney should at least look into doing something like that. It is just so sad that this has to even be an issue because of the dishonest people and you really do not see this in other countries. In one of the other countries the DAS gets escorted to a waiting area while the family waits in the standard line and when they are at the front the DAS person joins them. This would eliminate a lot of abuse because there is no big advantage for a DAS pass.

I'd love a link to the article

 

[HopperFan]

I'd love a link to the article

ITM (a totally non-credible source) discussed it, and was sharing the info from a video by MOUSETRAP NEWS - a satire site (aka fake news) who made up the 900% number.

Likely the DAS has had a big increase in requests since Genie+ but too many "Disney" based sites just make up and exaggerate with bait for clicks. Folks need to stop believing most the sites.

 

[Lewisc]

3% of guests were using the old GAC. The 3% accounted for 30% of the capacity of a then newish ride at DL (maybe TSM).

Anecdotal evidence suggests, at least part of the day, 40% of WDW haunted mansion capacity is for DAS holders.

 

[Weedy]

Just so you’re prepared
There is still can be waiting for things that the DAS doesn’t cover.
Transportation to the Parks: the line for the monorail can be busy and there are times that it has to wait for clearance to enter the next station.
Buses if you are taking the bus to and from your hotel at park open and close there are lines for the bus.
Also for the restroom
I’m sure you are use to planning ahead but be sure to pack a change of clothes and wipes.

 

[AprilsZoo]

During that waiting time, the DAS holder and their party are free to go and do whatever they like, including restroom breaks, shopping, eating meals or snacks and even experiencing other rides, attractions or shows. <emphasis added>

Just to clarify: a DAS holder can only have one “active” DAS return time, at a time.

So a DAS time can be requested for Teacups, and the party can go to another attraction, but you can’t get another DAS time until you use or cancel the one for teacups.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Disneychick75]

I read an article that since the pandemic Disney's DAS passes have gone up 900%, that is nuts. US has at least started using a 3rd party IBCCES to try and stem the DAS abuse and is making it harder to abuse the system. Disney should at least look into doing something like that. It is just so sad that this has to even be an issue because of the dishonest people and you really do not see this in other countries. In one of the other countries the DAS gets escorted to a waiting area while the family waits in the standard line and when they are at the front the DAS person joins them. This would eliminate a lot of abuse because there is no big advantage for a DAS pass.

I can tell you that when we went in November 2023, there were not very many people in the return lines. Not sure if that was because of the time of year but it did not appear that people were abusing DAS.
Even of Dis ney went with IBCCES, people who are dishonest would abuse the system.

 

[SueM in MN]

3% of guests were using the old GAC. The 3% accounted for 30% of the capacity of a then newish ride at DL (maybe TSM).

Anecdotal evidence suggests, at least part of the day, 40% of WDW haunted mansion capacity is for DAS holders.

The old Guest Assistance Card (GAC) data can't be used to extrapolate to guests using DAS at WDW. The programs are very different and DL has a lot more day visitors - many with Annual Passes who go several times per week. Unless someone is observing right at the scan in point all day and can see that guests are scanning in using DAS, there is no way to tell. Anecdotal evidence is not reliable Evidence.

DAS has one accommodation - ability to wait outside of the regular line. The wait is based on the current posted wait in the Standby line; after waiting, the guest(s) using DAS return to the Lightning Lane to enter the attraction. If I guest wants to go on the same attraction more than once, they need to wait a second time.

GAC had a number of different accommodations meant to address different disabilities. These were added as stamps to the cardboard GAC card. Stamps included things like first row seating, avoiding stairs, using an alternate entry (which could be the Fastpass line or the exit if the regular line wasn't accessible). There was also a stamp for immediate access - a green arrow. It was intended for guests on Make a Wish trips, but a lot of people had that stamp, especially people with autism, who said they could not wait in line.

The attraction in question was Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland and mostly involved the green arrow stamp. When it opened, it was noted that the Fastpass line was very long, much longer than expected. As a result, they were running out of Fastpasses much earlier in the day than expected. As CMs watched the line, they noticed large numbers of guests who were using the green arrow GAC, riding and getting right back into line to ride again multiple times.
That was NOT against the rules for the card they had, but was not the intended/expected use for it. So, a very small number of guests were riding over and over and using most of the ride capacity.

DAS addressed those issues in several ways:
- moved MAKE A WISH accommodation from Guest Relations in the parks to the wish granting organizations
- eliminated all the different accommodation stamps and simplified to one accommodation- waiting outside of the line a time roughly equal to the current wait in the Standby line.
- moved from a cardboard card to a digital version attached to the guests' Disney profile.

The waiting was what the DAS lawsuit was about. A group of guests whose children were autistic argued that DAS violated the ADA because they were not capable of waiting at all, inside or outside of the line and needed immediate access to all attractions. Disney won the lawsuit.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I read an article that since the pandemic Disney's DAS passes have gone up 900%, that is nuts. US has at least started using a 3rd party IBCCES to try and stem the DAS abuse and is making it harder to abuse the system. Disney should at least look into doing something like that. It is just so sad that this has to even be an issue because of the dishonest people and you really do not see this in other countries. In one of the other countries the DAS gets escorted to a waiting area while the family waits in the standard line and when they are at the front the DAS person joins them. This would eliminate a lot of abuse because there is no big advantage for a DAS pass.

I'm sorry but that part I put in bold sounds absolutely nuts to me. A lot of the people using DAS are kids and can't be separated from one or both parents. And sitting in a room while someone waits?? My kid would lose his mind because that would be just as difficult as the queue.

OP - Have you gone on your trip yet? How did it go? My son has had similar issues over the years. For vacations, we would often put him in pull-ups, just in case. Especially on airplane rides or long car rides.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

I can tell you that when we went in November 2023, there were not very many people in the return lines. Not sure if that was because of the time of year but it did not appear that people were abusing DAS.
Even of Dis ney went with IBCCES, people who are dishonest would abuse the system.

Along those same lines… our first post pandemic trip when lightening lanes were not being used by the general public, it was easy to see who was and wasn’t using DAS. It was far fewer than I expected but it could be because many people who use DAS were not comfortable with masking or being in public yet. I do think EVC usage is way up since they have stopped letting people get DAS for mobility issues.

 

[Lewisc]

Unless someone is observing right at the scan in point all day and can see that guests are scanning in using DAS, there is no way to tell. Anecdotal evidence is not reliable Evidence.

I agree, to a point. Anecdotal evidence isn't great but it can sometimes give you information that is interesting and some value.

lentesta, touringplans, posted on a different fan forum. Some his data is talking to CM. Some came from physically counting people using DAS over an hour or so.