DAS Question

[jmbartlett84]

We have a family trip coming up in May & my wife will be 6 months pregnant at the time. Would she qualify for DAS & how exactly does that work? We're more concerned about the time spent standing in line with the baby pressing on her bladder than we are the actual amount of walking. She's in pretty good shape but frequent bathroom breaks has been an issue with all 3 pregnancies.

Thanks for any help!

 

[lanejudy]

Congrats to you and your wife! Here is a link to info about DAS. I have not heard of anyone qualifying for a DAS due to a normal pregnancy; it is not typically considered a "disability." I suggest she take frequent restroom breaks, always before getting in a queue. She may want to consider back-up protection for "just-in-case" leaks.

 

[jmbartlett84]

Ok the only reason I ask about it is because our OBGYN doctor mentioned to us.

 

[lanejudy]

She can ask at Guest Relations. Nobody can guarantee ahead if DAS will be granted, which is why a back-up plan is recommended. DAS is need-based so she should be prepared to explain her needs as related to waiting in a standard queue environment and not the diagnosis.

 

[Jmljasmine]

Congrats to you and your wife! Here is a link to info about DAS. I have not heard of anyone qualifying for a DAS due to a normal pregnancy; it is not typically considered a "disability." I suggest she take frequent restroom breaks, always before getting in a queue. She may want to consider back-up protection for "just-in-case" leaks.

I feel like she should. I can say with normal pregnancy, especially my current one, by that point I have to go to the bathroom every 30-45 minutes. And if I don't, it's not just a leak.

 

[gap2368]

If you do decide to go to guest relations to ask for a DAS i wouldn’t even say she is pregnant just talk about her disability as it has to do with the standing in lines. And make a note of all the bathroom in the park

Also they will not read dr notes so no need in getting one

 

[zoo2tycoon]

If you do decide to go to guest relations to ask for a DAS i wouldn’t even say she is pregnant just talk about her disability as it has to do with the standing in lines. And make a note of all the bathroom in the park

Also they will not read dr notes so no need in getting one

At that point wouldn’t they say to get a wheelchair? I don’t think needing to urinate while pregnant is a reason to even ask for one. Then every parent with a small child would ask for one because we all know kids wait until last minute to go. Why can’t a pregnant woman go before getting in line -

 

[jmbartlett84]

I don't see how a wheelchair helps with bathroom issues? There is a difference between a child waiting until the last minute to go to the bathroom & pregnant woman whose bladder is stretched from a child pressing on it causing bladder spasms, which is something that you actually have to take medicine for.

Like I said earlier the only reason I am even asking the question is because our OBGYN recommended checking into this when we told her we had trip planned for our son's kindergarten graduation.

Just thought I could come here & see if anyone had similar experiences or additional information.

 

[DisneyOma]

I don't see how a wheelchair helps with bathroom issues? There is a difference between a child waiting until the last minute to go to the bathroom & pregnant woman whose bladder is stretched from a child pressing on it causing bladder spasms, which is something that you actually have to take medicine for.

Like I said earlier the only reason I am even asking the question is because our OBGYN recommended checking into this when we told her we had trip planned for our son's kindergarten graduation.

Just thought I could come here & see if anyone had similar experiences or additional information.

The thing about some doctors is that they are so willing to "help" their patients when they really don't have the authority or the actual information. Of course you can ask for one, everyone can ask, as it is based on need, not diagnosis. They may just decline to give you one.

Right now there is no FP program, so all DAS will do is get you through one attraction without a wait in the actual queue, and then you have to go get another one and wait for that. Lines are getting much longer from what I've seen here on the DIS, so she may want to have a back up plan for every other queue you might want to try, otherwise you'll be waiting a lot and standing around someplace besides the queue, etc. That's all DAS is going to get you - a wait outside the queue.

Also, she might want to be prepared for the chance that the attraction breaks down while she is on it, or if it goes into a cleaning cycle right before you board.

 

[ajgardner]

I agree with the above person that said not to discuss the pregnancy but focus on the disability and difficulty with why standing in line would be an issue (bladder spasms and frequency/urgency of urinating). It’s up to guest relations on what they decide, worst case is they say no (so do not bank on it and have a plan in place). My husband has ulcerative colitis and has frequent urgent need to get to a bathroom, we use DAS and I don’t see your situation as much different (personal opinion, guest relations may feel differently). If you truly believe that it would be necessary and useful then there’s no reason not to try.

 

[SteveMouse]

Pregnancy in and of itself is not considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, may be considered disabilities. See https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/pregnancyandada.aspx

 

[jmbartlett84]

Thank you all for the information & tips!

 

[Jmljasmine]

At that point wouldn’t they say to get a wheelchair? I don’t think needing to urinate while pregnant is a reason to even ask for one. Then every parent with a small child would ask for one because we all know kids wait until last minute to go. Why can’t a pregnant woman go before getting in line -

Because while that works for some pregnant women, some do indeed need to go every 30 minutes. Small children don't need to go that often unless there is a problem. Many lines plus ride time can be longer then 30 minutes. Depending on how the baby sits and the woman's unique anatomy, things can be difficult.

 

[Jmljasmine]

I don't see how a wheelchair helps with bathroom issues? There is a difference between a child waiting until the last minute to go to the bathroom & pregnant woman whose bladder is stretched from a child pressing on it causing bladder spasms, which is something that you actually have to take medicine for.

Like I said earlier the only reason I am even asking the question is because our OBGYN recommended checking into this when we told her we had trip planned for our son's kindergarten graduation.

Just thought I could come here & see if anyone had similar experiences or additional information.

I agree. Check into it and don't mention pregnancy just the bathroom frequency and issues with long lines from that. As we can see here, there are some people who don't understand that pregnancy can cause disability and isn't easy for everyone. (Spoken as someone who is currently pregnant with the same issue as your wife, and unfortunately sciatica in addition).

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Pregnancy is not a disability.

 

[jmbartlett84]

I don’t think anyone in this thread has said pregnancy is a disability. It is has been said that pregnancy can cause some disabilities that may require DAS.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We have a family trip coming up in May & my wife will be 6 months pregnant at the time. Would she qualify for DAS & how exactly does that work? We're more concerned about the time spent standing in line with the baby pressing on her bladder than we are the actual amount of walking. She's in pretty good shape but frequent bathroom breaks has been an issue with all 3 pregnancies.

Thanks for any help!

she may or may not get DAS but have a back up in case she is denied DAS as DAS is never a for sure thing. as others have said Doctor note will not help wont even be looked at. since she will have to be there they will see she is pregnant that unless you can get a CM to hear you past the pregnant it will not happen

 

[Lilsia]

So I have bladder damage that causes me to have to go often and urgently, which is what being pregnant is like. My bladder issue is VERY similar to what it was like when I was pregnant. You can't just "hold" it because you have something pushing down on it. That very much is a disability in the sense that it is not normal. With my issues, I can not go on a ride if the wait is longer then 20 minutes because I would not make it back to the bathroom. And yes, I do go that often. If you explain the issue, instead of just saying "because of pregnancy", they can be very reasonable and understanding. Physical issues are no less a "disability" then mental ones. I went 7 months pregnant and can tell you that it is exhausting to spend even a few hours in the park. Make sure your wife takes very frequent sit down breaks and drinks plenty of water. Now, with the masks especially, it is easy to not drink enough because it is more of a hassle. Every pregnancy is different and can affect a woman differently. I carried my babies "internally" and hardly had any belly so they took up all of the space of my organs and I could barely breath at times. Pregnant woman need to take care of themselves because it is so hard on a body. Have a fun trip.

 

[Lilsia]

I agree. Check into it and don't mention pregnancy just the bathroom frequency and issues with long lines from that. As we can see here, there are some people who don't understand that pregnancy can cause disability and isn't easy for everyone. (Spoken as someone who is currently pregnant with the same issue as your wife, and unfortunately sciatica in addition).

I had the same issue with the sciatica. It was horrible. What kills me is that pregnant woman are told just to "deal with it", while grown men go on disability because of sciatica. Mine still acts up at times and my baby is 19 years old.

 

[SteveMouse]

A disability is really a negative variation from what‘s considered “normal,” often with a duration or frequency component as well (e.g., is the difference permanently manifest in the individual or does it occur at a frequency significantly greater than normal), The difference, or perceived difference, from “normal” helps imform whether there is an accommodation to be provided.

irrespective of any issuance of a DAS, realize that, in addition to potential issues with unexpected ride cleanings or ride breakdowns, there may very well be significant lines for the restroom itself and many people waiting in line may also have a need to go so may not let anyone pass.

Also be aware that there may not be a convenient place to sit if she gets tired. Disney has, over the rears, removed a lot of seating. Given that one must unmask to eat, my expectation is that there may very well be a higher demand for seating in table service dining areas. I would not rely on being able to find empty seating on a whim in these locations and especially during popular dining times.