DAS question

[MichelleD23]

For our next trip a relative will be joining us who, due to health issues, can only tolerate a few hours in a park per day. From our understanding with das, she will be able to “check in” to a ride and return when scheduled. Will she be able to check in to several rides back-to-back before she rides the first one? Otherwise she will only be able to ride 2 or 3 rides at most per day.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

NO, you can only have 1 DAS return time at a time. It is not designed to shorten wait time, just to give an alternate PLACE to wait. Just an FYI- if her issues are related to mobility or stamina she is not a DAS candidate. She will be directed to a wheelchair or ECV. DAS is only designed for those for whom the actual line environment is the issue. I think if she can do it, rope drop might be your best bet. Those will be the lowest waits of the day and you may be able to get more in.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

For our next trip a relative will be joining us who, due to health issues, can only tolerate a few hours in a park per day. From our understanding with das, she will be able to “check in” to a ride and return when scheduled. Will she be able to check in to several rides back-to-back before she rides the first one? Otherwise she will only be able to ride 2 or 3 rides at most per day.

The DAS only permits the person with a disability to wait outside of the normal line environment. They still have to wait. Take the time to read the sticky thread on the DAS at the top of this forum. https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...15-digital-das-on-tickets-magicbands.3178976/

Your relative with a disability will need to go to guest services and explain what her needs are that makes it so she can't wait in the normal line environment. Guest services will make a decision on whether the needs will be served by the DAS. If the needs are mobility or stamina related, then a DAS will not be issued and your relative will be directed to use a mobility device, e.g. scooter or wheelchair.

If a DAS is issued, you can obtain a return time from an attraction. The return time is 10 minutes less than the standby line. You can only have one return time at a time. Once it is the return time, you will go to the attraction and scan in at the Fastpass line. After that attraction, you can obtain another return time.

The DAS works best when paired with the Fastpass+ system. You can book 3 fastpasses per park day ahead of your trip, then alternate between fastpasses and DAS return times. For example, we will get a return time from ride 1, go on ride 2 using a FP, then go on ride 1 with the DAS return time, and repeat the process. When your first 3 fastpasses are used up, you can obtain more fastpasses depending on availability.

The ADA doesn't require that Disney ensure a disabled guest experiences as many rides in a few hours as non-disabled guests experience in a longer day. Disney is only required to ensure the disabled guest is able to access the attractions.

 

[jeal]

I also can be in the parks for a limited amount of time. We do exactly as Maggie’smom suggests. It works out very well. One of the nicest things about the DAS return time is that it doesn’t have a time limit. So, if for some reason you don’t get back to the ride until an hour after your return time they still let you go. So, there is no pressure to get back to the ride.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I also can be in the parks for a limited amount of time. We do exactly as Maggie’smom suggests. It works out very well. One of the nicest things about the DAS return time is that it doesn’t have a time limit. So, if for some reason you don’t get back to the ride until an hour after your return time they still let you go. So, there is no pressure to get back to the ride.

That reminds me. I should have mentioned that if the OP's relative is able to return to the parks later in the day after a rest at the hotel, then you can obtain a return time prior to leaving the park and use it when you return.

 

[gap2368]

For our next trip a relative will be joining us who, due to health issues, can only tolerate a few hours in a park per day. From our understanding with das, she will be able to “check in” to a ride and return when scheduled. Will she be able to check in to several rides back-to-back before she rides the first one? Otherwise she will only be able to ride 2 or 3 rides at most per day.

No it is one ride at time. She will need to go to GR and let them know her needs concerns for the lines A wheelchair or ECV might help her a lot.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For our next trip a relative will be joining us who, due to health issues, can only tolerate a few hours in a park per day. From our understanding with das, she will be able to “check in” to a ride and return when scheduled. Will she be able to check in to several rides back-to-back before she rides the first one? Otherwise she will only be able to ride 2 or 3 rides at most per day.

Just a thought: if stamina issues create such difficulties that your relative can only tolerate a few hours in one park per day, then perhaps riding 2-3 rides at most is not such a bad thing. Riding rides is more tiring and challenging than many people think, and it isn't just the lines that require strength and stamina. The rides themselves can be draining (fun, yes, but very tiring). Pushing for more rides in a short time could absolutely exhaust someone with such a short stamina supply. There are times when I can manage only one ride per park visit, if that. And we still manage to have a very good time. So don't be too focused on equating quality of park visit with number of rides done in a day. More rides ≠ better day. Less rides ≠ worse day.

 

[Lilsia]

I think that for someone with stamina issues, breaking up rides with shows is a great way to stretch your experience. A lot of people bypass the "show" experiences for thrill rides. At MK, Mickey's Philharmagic and Laugh Floor are great experiences where you can sit for a while. Epcot has the ones in China, Canada, and France. AK has the Lion King, and Nemo and also, it's tough to be a bug. There are plenty of things to do to fill your time while waiting for your DAS return time. They also have street performers around all of the parks.

 

[HarleenQ]

DAS isn't for limited time in the park, it's for difficulty waiting in a traditional line.

You'll be able to obtain 1 DAS return time at a time. Aside from that, your relative will have 3 FP+ to use regardless of obtaining a DAS or not.

 

[MichelleD23]

thank you all. I don’t understand all of her medical needs but do know that she tires easily has a lot of pain and can’t stand or sit for long periods of time. She hasn’t been in several decades and desperately wants to try and enjoy several rides she’s been dreaming about for many years. She wouldn’t be riding any roller coasters, etc. just low key rides which she could handle

 

[eeyoreandtink]

thank you all. I don’t understand all of her medical needs but do know that she tires easily has a lot of pain and can’t stand or sit for long periods of time. She hasn’t been in several decades and desperately wants to try and enjoy several rides she’s been dreaming about for many years. She wouldn’t be riding any roller coasters, etc. just low key rides which she could handle

Based on just that info, Disney will likely direct her to a wheelchair or ECV. She is gonig to have to either sit or stand to wait regardless of having a DAS vs not, so I don't think it would be of assistance anyway because she would be waiting the same amount of time, just elsewhere.

 

[lanejudy]

Will she be able to check in to several rides back-to-back before she rides the first one?

No, as others have stated, DAS only allows one active "return time." The prior one must be used or canceled before obtaining another.

The first post of this thread explains DAS. You can skip the rest of the very long discussion. https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...15-digital-das-on-tickets-magicbands.3178976/

I don’t understand all of her medical needs but do know that she tires easily has a lot of pain and can’t stand or sit for long periods of time.

I recommend she have a mobility device -- a rollator or wheelchair would probably be better than an ECV, as she can push when she wants to walk and sit when she needs a break. Unless she has other needs that preclude waiting in a standard queue environment, she may not be issued a DAS. So I suggest having plans set without the DAS, and then it's a bonus if she receives one. Make good use of her FP+ selections and maybe use a good touring plan -- or roughly use the plan if not strictly following one.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

Your best plan may be to do a good touring plan. If you couple that with Fastpasses, you can probably get quite a bit done in a short amount of time. If you aren’t trying to do all the headliners, you may find the wait times pretty reasonable. But do plan on using a mobility device. I can tell you from experience, even if you don’t use one in day to day life, it makes a huge difference at Disney and they will probably be able to be in the parks longer and do more if they aren’t pushing themselves physically. Pain takes a lot out of you. If they are up to it, you can take a long break mid day and come back at night. Crowds really thin out in the last hour or so the parks are open and many rides become walk on. You can also get into a line just prior to close and you’ll be allowed to ride. Lines move much faster after the fastpass line shuts down at closing.

 

[MichelleD23]

I didn’t realize leaving and returning was an option.
i will definitely pass that on

 

[MichelleD23]

No, as others have stated, DAS only allows one active "return time." The prior one must be used or canceled before obtaining another.

The first post of this thread explains DAS. You can skip the rest of the very long discussion. https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...15-digital-das-on-tickets-magicbands.3178976/


I recommend she have a mobility device -- a rollator or wheelchair would probably be better than an ECV, as she can push when she wants to walk and sit when she needs a break. Unless she has other needs that preclude waiting in a standard queue environment, she may not be issued a DAS. So I suggest having plans set without the DAS, and then it's a bonus if she receives one. Make good use of her FP+ selections and maybe use a good touring plan -- or roughly use the plan if not strictly following one.

Enjoy your vacation!

She’s not guaranteed a DAS due to medical issues? Does she need documentation from her doctors?

 

[piccolopat]

She’s not guaranteed a DAS due to medical issues? Does she need documentation from her doctors?

DAS is not tied to medical issues except as it relates to a person's ability to wait in a normal line. As PP stated, DAS is not provided for any mobility or stamina related issues as these can/should be addressed via mobility device like a wheelchair or ECV. If your relative has another issue that is not mobility related but precludes them from waiting in the usual line, a DAS may be issued. They will need to clearly explain the reason they cannot wait in line. This is NOT the same as saying what the medical condition they have is and cast members will not ask or be interested in that information. Under the ADA, Disney is not permitted to ask for medical documentation anyway. For example, my SIL has a severe back issue and cannot walk long distances and so we got him a wheelchair while we were in parks. All of the ride queues are wheelchair/ECV accessible except a few which provide an alternate means of entry. A DAS would not be issued for his needs since they can be addressed by a mobility device. For someone with other than mobility needs, a DAS can be very helpful. Some examples might be someone with sensory disorders or irritable bowel syndrome where waiting in a long, confined queue is not possible. Hope this helps.

 

[Lilsia]

She’s not guaranteed a DAS due to medical issues? Does she need documentation from her doctors?

Because of HIPAA regulations, they can not ask for any kind of medical documents. They can't even ask for your diagnosis. You just have to explain why you can't wait in line.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Your best plan may be to do a good touring plan. If you couple that with Fastpasses, you can probably get quite a bit done in a short amount of time. If you aren’t trying to do all the headliners, you may find the wait times pretty reasonable. But do plan on using a mobility device. I can tell you from experience, even if you don’t use one in day to day life, it makes a huge difference at Disney and they will probably be able to be in the parks longer and do more if they aren’t pushing themselves physically. Pain takes a lot out of you. If they are up to it, you can take a long break mid day and come back at night. Crowds really thin out in the last hour or so the parks are open and many rides become walk on. You can also get into a line just prior to close and you’ll be allowed to ride. Lines move much faster after the fastpass line shuts down at closing.

this is a good idea. The only thing I would say is to also take into account how tiring loading and unloading from rides can be on someone with mobility and or stamina issues. It may be worth planning at least a little rest time between attractions, especially ones where she will have a hard time loading and unloading.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

She’s not guaranteed a DAS due to medical issues? Does she need documentation from her doctors?

Whether she is given a DAS depends on what her needs are. Some needs can be addressed with the DAS, and some are better addressed with a mobility device. If her needs are entirely related to mobility or stamina, she will be directed to get a wheelchair or ECV. If she has other needs that are not met with a mobility device and would be helped by the DAS, then the DAS will be issued. That's why she needs to explain to guest services why waiting in the standard line environment is difficult for her.

As an example, my DD is on the autism spectrum. She has difficulty with chaotic and confined spaces and loud noise. The DAS helps her with the chaotic and confined spaces by allowing us to get a return time for a ride, wait outside the queue, then enter the FP line, which limits her exposure to things that are difficult for her to handle. To handle the loud noise part, when she was younger, we used the noise-reducing earmuffs. Now that she's a teen, her iPod and headphones help. So her needs are met with a combination of the DAS and our own adaptations.

In contrast, my mother has bad knees. Her mobility is very limited. If she were ever to come to WDW with us, the DAS wouldn't help her because even if it shortens her time standing in line, she would still struggle to get around the park outside of the attraction lines. Her needs would be best met with an ECV or wheelchair, preferable one rented offsite so we could use it around the resort and to get from the bus depot to the gate.

 

[daisy2013]

Because of HIPAA regulations, they can not ask for any kind of medical documents. They can't even ask for your diagnosis. You just have to explain why you can't wait in line.

It has nothing to do with HIPAA. The ADA covers access to areas of public accommodation. The ADA limits what can be asked.