DAS Pass for ankle injury

[ceekay13]

My girlfriend was struck by a car a few months ago and has trouble standing for a long time without pain making line queues a big issue she also has severe anxiety. She does not want a wheel chair or scooter because she is scared to drive one and embarrassed of a wheel chair. I am scared she wont receive one it is her first trip ever and I'm scared this could possibly ruin our trip. Will she be able to receive a DAS pass easily with a doctors note as she will have one because she still does PT and sees doctors for the injury

 

[minnie mum]

She will not qualify for a DAS because of her ankle injury. Disney's accommodation for mobility and endurance problems is a wheelchair or ecv. Nor will they even look at a doctors note.

A DAS would not be much he!p. She would still have to walk many miles per day: at the resort, getting from the resort into the park, and from attraction to attraction, as well as walking thru all the queues. All a DAS does is give you a return time to enter those queues. It isn't going to reduce the amount of walking she will have to do.

Sounds like she needs to come to grips with the reality and practicality of an ecv or wheelchair. Sorry if that sounds blunt. Not sure why she would be afraid of an ecv. Tell her to practice on the ones they have at your nearby grocery or Walmarts.

 

[gap2368]

yes as mum said a DAS will not help her there is so much walking at disney for the most part people at disney do not care about other people they are too busy enjoying there own vacation to worry about others a lot of people do not need a wheel chair or ECV at home but do for disney. I would rent an ECV as pushing a wheel chair can be very trying

 

[aejammers]

The last time we were there my DH wore a pedometer. We averaged walking 8 miles per day. And that was with a mid-afternoon break and lots of sit-down meals. Do not underestimate the distance between the last attraction you ride and the bus/boat/monorail/car, as well as between the drop-off point and your room.

 

[SarahInMN]

I saw the title of your post and wanted to comment because I have been there: I shredded 2 ankle ligaments in 2011 and was booted for about 3 months. There was no way in the boot or out of the boot that I could have done Disney without some sort wheelchair or rolling knee walker in the first 6 months post injury. A rolling knee walker may be a good middle ground for her but navigating/steering it through the crowds is tough. It took well over 6 months for my ankle to be more or less normal even with physical therapy, so if your trip is a few weeks off, she is going to need something.

By the time our 2013 trip rolled around, my ankle was back to normal for the most part: running, working out, etc. I didn't (and still don't) have the stability to navigate dark, slick stairs. I'm fine at Toy Story - well lit, not slick. But if I am going to ride Splash Mountain, I have gotten a GAC (have not tried a DAS) for that one ride to have permission to skip the part of the queue with the stairs.

 

[SueM in MN]

I saw the title of your post and wanted to comment because I have been there: I shredded 2 ankle ligaments in 2011 and was booted for about 3 months. There was no way in the boot or out of the boot that I could have done Disney without some sort wheelchair or rolling knee walker in the first 6 months post injury. A rolling knee walker may be a good middle ground for her but navigating/steering it through the crowds is tough. It took well over 6 months for my ankle to be more or less normal even with physical therapy, so if your trip is a few weeks off, she is going to need something.

By the time our 2013 trip, my ankle was back to normal for the most part: running, working out, etc. I didn't (and still don't) have the stability to navigate dark, slick stairs. I'm fine at Toy Story - well lit, not slick. But if I am going to ride Splash Mountain, I have gotten a GAC (have not tried a DAS) for that one ride to have permission to skip the part of the queue with the stairs.

Both Fastpass and the regular lines are accessible to the point of the stairs, so guests who need to avoid the stairs would wait in line until that point.
with a visible disability - or even with an invisible one, guests don't need DAS (and didn't actually need GAC - although I know there was a perception that guests did) to skip the parts of lines with stairs.
Guests are supposed to let the CM know that they need to avoid the stairs and they will be routed in a way that avoids the stairs.
With a visible need, such as a wheelchair, cast or crutches, guests should be automatically routed. Only guests without a visible need would need to ask.

I agree with the distances. I've worn a Fit it for the last few years. Even taking it easy, we average about 6 miles per day and every day was at least 5 miles - most of the distance outside of lines.

 

[SarahInMN]

Only guests without a visible need would need to ask.

That was my problem: once I was back to running, I looked "fine" so, when I asked to bypass the stairs, I was informed that I couldn't skip the stairs as I didn't have a mobility need to do so. I got a GAC (I felt ridiculous for asking for it for 1 ride and just to bypass the stairs) for the next time I rode it and no problem: I was then allowed to bypass the stairs in the queue.

We haven't done splash mountain since 2013 so I'm not sure what I'll do next time we ride it.

 

[KPeveler]

There is actually *more* walking with the DAS a lot of the time, as you need to go to the ride to get a return time, then go somewhere else while waiting for your return time. Even if you have a DAS, that will not eliminate walking or even most of the standing. The DAS does not work for most shows, parades, fireworks, restaurants, stores, meet & greets, Disney transportation, water parks, resorts, anything not in the parks itself, a lot of stuff.

And as others said, an ankle injury will not get the person a DAS. There is no reason to be embarrassed using a wheelchair. I would suggest a scooter, though, as it is a LOT of work to push someone all day. She can try out scooters at a local store, though it does not take long to learn to use one.

If she is self conscious about what others think, she can always put an ankle brace on so there is a "visible" reason for using the scooter. But she will hardly be the only person using a scooter without a "visible" need. I certainly look "fine" and I use a wheelchair full time.

As others have said, most lines are entirely wheelchair accessible, so you go about your vacation as you usually do.

Really, this is all about enjoying your vacation, so who cares was some random strangers think?

 

[Bete]

Go to a local zoo and see if she can walk that park. You can go to a local zoo and practice with a scooter there, too. She can try to walk the zoo, but if she has trouble with the zoo she will have more trouble with Disney.

Besides, you will probably get a lot more hours in the park if she uses a scooter. Most importantly, she will not be in pain. Also, she could could hurt herself even more trying to walk the Disney Parks.

You can get a cheaper rental going offsite for a scooter. There is a post with the preferred vendors.

A short day at the parks is about a 4 mile walk and a long day is 10 miles. Fortunately, you are doing constant walking.

I would suggest alternating rides and shows. That way she can get a rest here and there.

 

[POOHsie]

My girlfriend was struck by a car a few months ago and has trouble standing for a long time without pain making line queues a big issue she also has severe anxiety. She does not want a wheel chair or scooter because she is scared to drive one and embarrassed of a wheel chair. I am scared she wont receive one it is her first trip ever and I'm scared this could possibly ruin our trip. Will she be able to receive a DAS pass easily with a doctors note as she will have one because she still does PT and sees doctors for the injury

Agree with others. She won't qualify for a DAS. Disney won't accept Doctors' notes. Those with mobility issues are told to get a wheelchair or ECV. If your friend doesn't want an ECV and you "volunteer" to push her in a wheelchair, it will ruin YOUR trip. It's too much exertion in the sun and heat for long hours. Great-grandma I could understand. A younger adult -- not so much. You two could rent a wheelchair, but walk the parks, then your friend could ride the wheelchair when the ankle gets really tired or sore. That's a good compromise.

 

[mamabunny]

My girlfriend was struck by a car a few months ago and has trouble standing for a long time without pain making line queues a big issue she also has severe anxiety. She does not want a wheel chair or scooter because she is scared to drive one and embarrassed of a wheel chair. I am scared she wont receive one it is her first trip ever and I'm scared this could possibly ruin our trip. Will she be able to receive a DAS pass easily with a doctors note as she will have one because she still does PT and sees doctors for the injury

If you use a wheelchair, do yourself a favor, and bring along a pair of inexpensive bike gloves. Your hands will thank you.

But first, please, please tell your girlfriend this for me:

You aren't using the ECV in any way that is inappropriate. You have a legitimate need.

I promise you - although you may be feeling very sensitive about using an ECV or a wheelchair at WDW, and you may think that folks are paying close attention to you on your scooter, or in a wheelchair, overall, people are increasingly so very self-absorbed at WDW that you on wheels is simply a non-event. In fact, you will need to watch out while driving or riding in an assistive device at WDW! People at WDW (and everywhere, really - let's be honest) are often so self-absorbed in their phones, conversations, surroundings, etc. that they will WALK RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. While you are moving! Mostly when they aren't busy running INTO you, or BUMPING you. It happens on a startlingly regular basis. Your most effective "weapon" is a bright smile, and a pleasant "Pardon me!". Just remember that it is NOT intentional - they just aren't paying attention to their surroundings. Just try not to run over them if possible LOL!

Think of it like this - the ECV is a TOOL, and nothing more. The eyeglasses that I use? A tool - to help me see better. I'll bet you have used a calculator at least once in your life... that is a TOOL to help with math. (I stink at math, so I always have a calculator handy). These are all tools that people use every day. So, an ECV is also a tool for humans who have trouble walking/standing. It's about using the tools that are available - and appropriate - to make the most of your time at Disney World.

We were just at the parks in February of this year. I take my own ECV with me wherever I travel. People seemed MUCH more accepting of it, and even more helpful at times (holding doors, etc.) It was, overall, the easiest trip I ever had using an ECV.

You can practice using an ECV at your local grocery store, Walmart, Target, etc. If you can master one of those huge, lumbering beasties, a rental at WDW will feel like a race car! And so you know - 99% of the people who use ECVs at WDW have a "hidden disability", like me. You can't tell just by looking at me why I need an assistive device.

So my advice to you? Get on that ECV and ride. Smile & wave at everyone like the Princess you are, and make eye contact. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks; the chances that you will see ANYONE from Disney World outside of your trip ever again? You have better odds betting on the lottery. You stand a better chance of getting struck by lightning! Your odds of winning the lottery AND get struck by lightning in the same day are better! You will NEVER see those people at Disney World again, in all likelihood. So don't worry about them. They are all too busy worrying about themselves, and taking "selfies" and posting pictures of their lunch on Instagram anyway.

Have fun, and may you have the most Magical trip yet!

°o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o°


General info about renting a scooter for an on-property stay at WDW:
WDW has a fleet of ECVs that are available for rental at the front of each theme park. Current rate is $50/day, and you can "hop" your daily rental to another park - provided that park has a scooter available. There is also a deposit required that ranges from $20 - $100 depending on location.

It is true that the theme parks will often run out of rental scooters fairly early in the day. As people go back to their resorts, or to another park in the afternoons, more WDW units are available then. The WDW scooters have just recently been replaced; they are designed to be a heavy-duty workhorse unit (like the ones you see at grocery stores, minus the giant wire cart on the front).

Many people prefer to have an ECV available to them all the time. Some of the Resorts are HUGE, and the walking there alone can add up really fast! Not to mention if you decide to visit another Resort, or go to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs (which is growing in size daily!)

Walt Disney World has a list of "Featured Providers" (found on this page)

All of these companies are reputable - and they are the ONLY Orlando companies that can drop off and leave an ECV at your WDW Resort Hotel, so that it is waiting for you when you arrive.

These "Featured Providers" are also the only companies that you are allowed to simply leave the ECV at the WDW Resort hotel at the end of your stay, and walk away, knowing that it will be picked up.

All of the other scooter rental companies MUST meet you to both drop off the scooter, and pick it up when renting on/for WDW property. They are NOT allowed to leave the scooter for you, and you are not allowed to just walk away from it at the end of the rental. Add extra time as appropriate if you are going to use a non-Featured Provider for your rental, for both drop off and pick up.

All of the non-WDW scooter rental entities in Orlando can typically beat Disney's rate by a significant amount, when you look at a multi-day rental. You can rent for any amount of time - from one day to one year.

Hope this helps!

 

[gap2368]

I wanted to add that like others have said most will not notic your GF in a wheelchair or ECV. one time when I was leaving the MK a laddy riding an ECV was laying on her horn and this was right after the fier works so it was packet getting out some one turned to her and Said ma'am we can't go any faster or move for you can you please stop the lady in the ECV made a nasty remark at witch point people around her just ignored her. I think as long as your GF uses comman since she will be fine

 

[lanejudy]

That was my problem: once I was back to running, I looked "fine" so, when I asked to bypass the stairs, I was informed that I couldn't skip the stairs as I didn't have a mobility need to do so. I got a GAC (I felt ridiculous for asking for it for 1 ride and just to bypass the stairs) for the next time I rode it and no problem: I was then allowed to bypass the stairs in the queue.

We haven't done splash mountain since 2013 so I'm not sure what I'll do next time we ride it.

That was an issue with GAC -- some CMs required a guest to have one even though the rules did not. Nothing about the DAS indicates a need to avoid stairs, you'll simply have to mention it at the queues that give you trouble.

To the OP: I agree with others about havng your GF practice on an ECV at a store at home. A doctor's note won't do any good and they likely will refuse to look at it. She doesn't have to ride the ECV at all times - it can be parked while she walks a bit for shorter lines.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a copy of a post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Click to expand it so you can read it.
It lists attractions which involve a period of time standing for all guests unless they have brought a mobility device into line with them. Using DAS would not provide any assistance with this because it is part of the attraction - often part of the preshow.

Many attractions involve a preshow or a wait in a 'holding area' for 10-15 minutes or more. Those are often shows that have guests 'collect' in a prehow area while another 'set' of guests is in the show. Once the first guests leave the theater, the doors open for the next set of guests who are waiting in the preshow area.
Having a DAS (Disability Access Service) card will not prevent you from standing in those situations. Most of the areas have a very few or no seats at all and you have to wait in the preshow area to get into the show.
Some examples of places where you would have to stand - DAS or not would be:
Studio
Great Movie Ride
American Idol Experience
Muppet Vision 3D
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
One Man's Dream (This is a walking tour)
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Magic Kingdom
Railroad - there is not a preshow, but the train has to come to the station for you to board it.
Tiki Room
Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion
Country Bear Jamboree
Mickey's Philharmagic
Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor
Stitch's Great Escape
Enchanted Tales With Belle - the first part of the experience is about a 2 minute introduction to the story while standing in Belle's father's workshop. The second part is standing in the wardrobe room for about 5 minutes while roles are assigned for play parts. There is no place to sit for either of these. Guests are seated on backless padded benches for the remainder of the show.

Epcot
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Mission Space
Test Track
Circle of Life (Movie at The Land)
Soarin'
American Adventure
Reflections of China (a 14 minute movie that has no seats, just rails to lean against)
O Canada (a 14 minute move that has no seats, just rails to lean against

Animal Kingdom
It's Tough to Be a Bug
Festival of the Lion King (you will need to wait for the next show)
Wildlife Express Train (you will need to wait for the next train - they leave every 5-7 minutes)
Flights of Wonder (there may not be a place to sit when waiting for the next show)
Finding Nemo (you will be standing during your wait for the next show)

Having a wheelchair or ECV would give you a place to sit during those kinds of attractions and would also help you cover the distances for a WDW visit. Many people don't think about how much they walk in a day at WDW, but the average is at least 3 miles per day.
Many of the lines are very long distance to walk from the entrance to the actual boarding area. For example, Soarin is about 1/4 mile from the entrance to the line until the boarding area. There is an equal distance from the point you complete your flight until you get back out of the ride.
A DAS would not usually shorten the distance and the DAS is only used in lines and does nothing to help you get from place to place.

 

[tinkerpea]

My girlfriend was struck by a car a few months ago and has trouble standing for a long time without pain making line queues a big issue she also has severe anxiety. She does not want a wheel chair or scooter because she is scared to drive one and embarrassed of a wheel chair. I am scared she wont receive one it is her first trip ever and I'm scared this could possibly ruin our trip. Will she be able to receive a DAS pass easily with a doctors note as she will have one because she still does PT and sees doctors for the injury

I agree with what everyone has said about getting an ecv,
But wanted to touch on the anxiety, as it seems nobody else has.
If your girlfriend when in the park feels she is not coping well with anxiety in the long Q, then she may qualify for a DAS card based on that,.
As many find waiting the Q time outside the traditional Q works alot better for severe anxiety. As it's not a mobility related condition I would definitely ask about it instead of her suffering in the parks and it ruining you're trip

 

[gap2368]

if she has anxiety about using a wheel chair and would like a way not to use one then a DAS will not help her out as there is so much walking to do even with out the lines she will be in pain and need something if she has anxiety then she may be able to get one there do not care about the DX just what you need in lines. I would suggest getting some type of mobility device and going on with your day if you notice that you are having problems with XYZ in line go to GR and tell them this is what is happening to me in line and see what they have to say about that. ( I would have said this ealer but I misread your post I read she had anxiety about using a wheel chair )

 

[cmwade77]

Both Fastpass and the regular lines are accessible to the point of the stairs, so guests who need to avoid the stairs would wait in line until that point.
with a visible disability - or even with an invisible one, guests don't need DAS (and didn't actually need GAC - although I know there was a perception that guests did) to skip the parts of lines with stairs.
Guests are supposed to let the CM know that they need to avoid the stairs and they will be routed in a way that avoids the stairs.

I have to ask, how does this work when the CMs at the attractions insist that you must have a DAS (or previously a GAC) to bypass the stairs or turnstiles (something that is painful for me to do with my knee, walking, even distance is fine, but the way I have to turn to get through them doesn't work)?
Now granted, this has been at Disneyland, but I have either had this happen or watched it happen to others at Peter Pan, Casey Jr's Circus Train, Autopia, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Jungle Cruise, Star Tours, Big Thunder, California Screamin', Grizzly River Run (this is an odd one though, as it only applies to exiting and makes it really difficult when you don't have a mobility device and no paper cards) and Splash Mountain within the past couple of months.

And I would normally say that this is an issue with training, but to happen at this many attractions makes me question that.

Now, I do have a DAS and end up getting the assistance that I need, but I have tried the methods they suggest when they didn't want to issue me one and they most definitely did not work for me for these among other reasons.

 

[SMD]

I have to ask, how does this work when the CMs at the attractions insist that you must have a DAS (or previously a GAC) to bypass the stairs or turnstiles (something that is painful for me to do with my knee, walking, even distance is fine, but the way I have to turn to get through them doesn't work)?
Now granted, this has been at Disneyland, but I have either had this happen or watched it happen to others at Peter Pan, Casey Jr's Circus Train, Autopia, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Jungle Cruise, Star Tours, Big Thunder, California Screamin', Grizzly River Run (this is an odd one though, as it only applies to exiting and makes it really difficult when you don't have a mobility device and no paper cards) and Splash Mountain within the past couple of months.

And I would normally say that this is an issue with training, but to happen at this many attractions makes me question that.

Now, I do have a DAS and end up getting the assistance that I need, but I have tried the methods they suggest when they didn't want to issue me one and they most definitely did not work for me for these among other reasons.

There was a stamp for avoiding stairs on GAC. While they're now saying you technically didn't need a GAC to avoid stairs. But they had the stamp, so if the CM required it, I'm not going to blame a front line CM for that disconnect. They never had an "avoid turnstile" stamp, and I can't imagine the comes up very often. Plus, they're not standard, so most people might have an issue with 1-2 at most. If anything, I'd guess that there must be some kind of emergency exit that avoids the exit turnstiles. The way to avoid it on the entrance may just be to have a mobility device. It's that standard answer that just because you don't need one in every day life, a day in a theme park is different and if you have pain that's considered mobility/stamina. Or you could ask for a ride lead every time, but that's not necessarily going to get the result like even a cane or rollator would.

 

[cmwade77]

There was a stamp for avoiding stairs on GAC. While they're now saying you technically didn't need a GAC to avoid stairs. But they had the stamp, so if the CM required it, I'm not going to blame a front line CM for that disconnect. They never had an "avoid turnstile" stamp, and I can't imagine the comes up very often. Plus, they're not standard, so most people might have an issue with 1-2 at most. If anything, I'd guess that there must be some kind of emergency exit that avoids the exit turnstiles. The way to avoid it on the entrance may just be to have a mobility device. It's that standard answer that just because you don't need one in every day life, a day in a theme park is different and if you have pain that's considered mobility/stamina. Or you could ask for a ride lead every time, but that's not necessarily going to get the result like even a cane or rollator would.

I am not saying they did have an avoid turnstile stamp (although, they are fairly common on older attractions: Train (except Main Street), Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Teacups, Casey Junior, Snow White, Pinnocio, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Haunted Mansion (exit) all have them, I am sure that I am missing some, but these are just the ones that I know of), what I am saying is that to avoid stairs, CMs at the attractions with stairs (except Indy for some reason) insist you have to have a DAS or mobility device to avoid the stairs.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Years ago at Disneyland (which has a lot of turnstiles in Fantasyland) I had to get a GAC to avoid those narrow turnstiles, so at one point they did issue a GAC (although I have no idea what stamp they used).