This will be the first time my grandfather will be coming with us in 20 years and he has very bad arthritis in both knees, which means he struggles with his movements and he isn’t as steady on his feet as he used to be so the moving walkways may be an issue for some rides and he won’t be able to walk long distances or stand in line for long periods of time now that Fastpass+ isn’t currently available but after doing some reading on here am I correct in understanding that he WON’T qualify for
DAS over this? That’s seems odd to me and the type of issues I thought they were designed for?
This is something we’ve never had to deal with before as it’s usually just the three of us but since my grandma died last June we’ve decided to invite him along for this trip so that he wouldn’t be alone for the whole month we’re away (17th Oct - 14th Nov). Having heard about the DAS programme before but never really taking much notice of it because it wasn’t required for us I thought for sure it would cover issues like this but now I’m not so sure after doing some investigating on this subforum. There’s absolutely no way at all we can afford the additional cost of hiring a wheelchair or
ECV inside or outside of the parks for an entire month because that just isn’t in our budget and his pride would likely stop him from using it anyway. I guess what I’m trying to find out is if there’s even any point wasting time at Guest Services that first day trying to acquire this pass for him if we’re likely just going to be embarrassed and turned away and told to hire a wheelchair/ECV instead, which we can’t afford to do? Seems unfair that his enjoyment of the parks with us should have to suffer over this with us having to find somewhere shady for him to sit instead for longer waits and him have miss out on things because of it.
Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated.
OK - as always, my friends who got here before me have give LOTS of great info and advice. Let's just summarize a couple of things, and maybe add a bit of info?
You don't say if you are staying onsite at WDW for the entire trip, but if you are, remember that the Magical Express from the airport has changed how it operates (and will eventually cease operations next year entirely). You will need to be able to get your own bags from baggage claim, and take them with you to Magical Express now.
I'm guessing you might be flying into the US for this trip? If so, remember that the airports *before* you ever get to WDW can be a substantial challenge for someone who has trouble walking long distances or standing, especially anyplace where you have a layover. (Layovers are so stressful for me that if I have to fly, I schedule HUGE layovers so that I don't have to rush or hurry between flights; I *hate* that).
Within the US, airlines will fly all personal medical mobility equipment for free. (Walkers, Rollators, manual or power wheelchairs, scooters). It will be gate-checked, and your grandfather will have the use of it between flights on layovers. Always check for exact procedures and policies with any airline you will fly on for how they will handle disabilities and/or equipment.
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Your confusion about the DAS may be because you are thinking of the "old" GAC system that Disney used to have.
Disney's rules spring from (in WDW's case, almost exactly 50 years) of experience dealing with Guests of all types, including those are who are considered disabled. As you may know, the old GAC system was abused by non-disabled people who were seeking the same "privileges" that disabled Guests were being afforded. (I would happily give up those "privileges" to be rid of my disabilities, but another topic for a different day, right?) This led to several different kinds of "scams" that were regularly being perpetrated at Guest Relations as non-disabled Guests sought the GAC, and the "front of the line" access it once afforded.
Disney's ultimate response was to end the GAC, and start the DAS. And the *primary* question that is asked when a Guest seeks the DAS is "Why can't you stand in the regular queue with everyone else". That's it - that's all you (or me, or anyone else) has to answer. When they changed from the GAC to the DAS, Disney decided that mobility issues would be served through the use of wheelchairs, scooters, Rollators and other personal mobility aids; and that if the Guests need could be met with a personal mobility device of some kind, they were asked to use that, and enter the queues with all other Guests, because the queues have (almost all) been "mainstreamed" and all devices allowed in Disney Parks should "fit" within those queues.
Those who can use the queues, do so with a mobility assistance device of some kind, and no DAS return time. Those who are not served by a mobility device are given a DAS, and utilize the "return time" system to simulate standing in the queue, while allowing them to wait outside the standard queue environment. It does not guarantee a "front of the line" or "skip the line" access. It does not provide a place to sit, or wait; shaded or not. It does often utilize the FastPass+ queue entrances at most rides/attractions, however, there is often still a (shorter) wait inside because you wind up mixed in with the FP+ folks.
Right now, FastPass+ is not in use, however, in addition to DAS users, there are people who are being given special FPs (sometimes due to a Guest Relations issue, or for other reasons at Disney's discretion) and there are still "Wish Kids" who have a sort of front-of-the-line pass. So even during COVID precautions, you may find that be signaled to go on through the FP+ entrance does not guarantee a walk-on experience. Always be prepared to wait, DAS or not.
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Don't take this the wrong way, but Disney won't care if you - or your Grandfather - can't afford to rent a mobility device for the month you are going to spend with them. They rent mobility devices (manual wheelchairs and
ECVs, also commonly known as "scooters" here in the US) and children's strollers because that's a profit center for them. If they don't make money from it, they wouldn't be in the business of doing it themselves - they would rent out the space to a local vendor who would probably have to charge more to cover the rent inside the theme park!
You will have to find a solution on your own. Ideally, you will have a solution that will work from your home all the way to Disney and back again.
As others have mentioned here, there are groups that will loan medical equipment - and if your grandfather is a military veteran, he may find it quite easy. In the US, there are many churches and social and civic organizations (like the Masons, Shriners, Elk, Moose, etc.) that often have a lending closet or similar program.
Some people have had good luck finding free equipment on Facebook Marketplace or with a social media post. Basically, let everyone you know know that you need to borrow a wheelchair for the trip. You may be surprised at what you can borrow!
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Last, I have a message for your Grandfather. Please, share it with him
Grandfather! Greetings from Oklahoma! I hope you are excited about your trip to Disney World; it is one of my most favorite places in the world, and has been for nearly 50 years now!
I know that going on a trip, and using a device - like a wheelchair, or a
scooter, or even a Rollator (one of those fancy walkers with a seat, and a little basket or bag under the seat) is not what you have in mind. But it sounds like you need to use a little help of some kind to have the best possible trip. If nothing else, the people who love you, and are traveling with you will worry less, and have more fun if you are safe, and in less pain.
Think of a wheelchair (or a scooter, a walker, a Rollator and/or a cane) as a *tool*. A tool is what we use to get something done, right? If you want to pound a nail, you use a hammer. If you need to turn a bolt, you use a wrench (or spanner, depending on where you are standing in the world). If you need to see better? You use glasses - those are a tool, too. If you need hearing aids to hear better? Those are a tool. And a wheelchair to help you move around the 40+ square miles of Disney World is nothing more than a tool. Period.
I know it can feel like everyone is going to stare at you. They won't. I promise. In fact you will NOT be the only person there using a personal mobility device - there are THOUSANDS of wheels on the ground at WDW every day! I'm sorry, but unless you look exactly like George Clooney... you will be a non-event in that wheelchair.
You don't have to take my word for it, though. There are all kinds of folks here who can back me up on this.
It's no secret here that I cried the first time I had to use a mobility device at Disney World. I thought I was going to ruin my family's trip. I was devastated. Turns out, we had the best trip ever, because I was able to keep going - I wasn't trying to always find a bench, or the edge of a planter, or a random empty spot to sit on for "just a minute" to rest. My pride had kept me from using the very tool I needed for all of us to have a great time together. After the first day of using that scooter, I woke up in the hotel room, and I didn't hurt nearly as much. I was ready to go have more fun! I had much more stamina, and was ready to go have some lovely "adult beverages" at Disney Springs every evening after the Parks closed, and my family was all tuckered out, and ready to go sleep!
I got my freedom back - my freedom to go as long as I wanted, wherever I wanted. I realized that (at that time) I only needed to use it at Disney World - at home, in my "regular life", I didn't need it at all, so I put that tool away. But when I was at Disney World, it became a regular part of my trip, no different than booking a seat on the plane, or making a reservation for dinner at Le Cellier.
I hope that you, and your lovely family have a wonderful time on your trip, no matter what you decide to do. But please remember this, if you remember nothing else: It's just a tool that you will use, to accomplish a task, to meet a need. Nothing more. It doesn't mean you are "old" (I was barely 50 years old the first time I had to use a scooter at Disney) or infirm. Disney World is a BIG place, and you can easily walk between 3 & 10 miles per *day* without realizing it. Most of us don't do that at home; that's why you will see so many people when you get to Disney World using a mobility device.
Let us know if you have any questions!
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