Das pass

[MeganMango]

Hi all!


I'm going to WDW in 2 weeks with my dad. I go a few times a year but he hasn't been since he was a kid. He broke his foot a few years ago and is pretty overweight so he'll be renting a scooter.


How hard is it to obtain a DAS pass? I love my dad, but he's just s different person. It is NOT just the physical issues, he has mental/emotional ones too. Such as severe depression and anxiety. He's on disability here at home and does not work. Sleep disorder and a range of emotional issues. The sleep disorder makes it hard to do day to day things and spends most days in bed. I'm really worried if he doesn't explain why he needs a DAS pass, he'll be miserable and will refuse to go on rides with me due to not wanting to wait in line. (Not because he's impatient but can get very very angry and mean when he's uncomfortable.) He comes off fairly normal but likes to impress everyone he meets even though me (and the rest of his family) know his mental issues are pretty severe. I'll be the only one going with him.


How much will he have to explain to a cast member? Am I able to explain for him while he waits in another room? I'm afraid he'll try to play it off cool but truly am concerned for him waiting in a long line, getting mean and very angry, and leaving. I don't want him to feel humiliated or embarrassed, so what's the process? I am aware there will still be waiting but would be a relief to be able to go sit inside somewhere or walking around.

 

[danielocha30]

Exactly they way you say on the post, you need to explain what exactly is hard for him to manage lines, not his medical diagnosis, all information will help a cast member to determine if a DAS pass will help, usually are issued to people who can't mentally stand for long periods, or can handle being surrounded with lots of people because of sensory issues, beware that mobility issues are not resolved with DAS, good luck! and Have a great trip!

 

[lanejudy]

You might want to take a look at the first post of the WDW - Disability Access Service thread pinned near the top of this forum. It explains the DAS. You are certainly welcome to request one for your dad, but he will need to be present after the initial conversation to get his picture taken. I suggest you concentrate your discussion/request on why waiting in a standard queue environment is hard for him. Maybe think about other situations and draw on those experiences (grocery store, movie theater, etc.). I would not focus on the physical issues (broken foot and weight) or his lack of good sleep or disability from work -- those aspects do not necessarily translate to needing the DAS accommodations at WDW.

As a note... if he is on an ECV, he will have a very hard time leaving a queue -- it's even hard on foot but with an ECV there just isn't space to push past people. I'd be sure he understands that if it's a concern. If he really needs to leave the queue, it's possible but not easy and not something you'd want to repeat. (Not as simple as getting out of line at a crowded grocery store and leaving the building.)

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[gap2368]

I would just think about him waiting in line and go in and even you can tell the CM. I just say Tell the CM what your dad struggles are as it is too waiting in line.

 

[tobikaye]

I agree that you should do the talk with the CMs for your dad if he has anxiety. My sister is high functioning special needs. She can get up in front of a 100 people and give speeches without notes and not be worried at all. Anything with an element of rejection, such as requesting assistance passes at parks, and she is a bundle of nerves. I tend to have to ask at parks for the passes unless the person has already struck up a conversation and settled her nerves a bit.

 

[FortForever]

Have him wait outside while you talk to the CM at Guest Services about it. Then, bring him in to get his photo taken and Magicband scanned. Explain to them just as you have explained it here. I do this for my (adult) son as he gets embarrassed if I talk to anyone about his problems.

 

[unwritten01]

Fort and Daniel have it covered exactly as it should be. All of you enjoy your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

The one thing I would add is that it would be very important for you to talk about this with your dad before you get there. Make sure he understands what DAS would do to help him and what you are planning to do to help him obtain one.
Without doing that, he could get very angry and feeling that you went behind his back.

The other thing that you might want to check out - whether or not he gets DAS - is using a touring plan. There are a couple of helpful tour planning sites - www.touringplans.com is a very popular one.
Using ideas from there can help you to avoid the busiest times and places.
Also make sure to schedule the 3 Fastpasses each guest gets. DAS works best when used with Fastpass

 

[BethCPTSD]

OP -- good luck. I have many psychiatric and physical disabilities, so I understand the difficulty of your problem. I wish you the best of luck and hope you both enjoy your trip very much!

Beth