DAS Registry?

[jacquelinemc]

Hello! Does anyone know if you have previously been issued a DAS card if that is kept on file? We were there over Thanksgiving and are returning in July. We were issued a card but I don't know that this was done correctly, and don't know whether that is a good thing or not! Because we have two children with autism they combined them under a single name for the DAS, even though in the past they were both included on the GAC. They told me they couldn't issue two cards, even though both children qualified, so they ended up putting the card in my (less affected) daughter's name. I think this is because I was concerned that my son has more issues with stamina, so if the card was solely in his name, my daughter with autism couldn't access the card daily when he returned to the hotel mid-day for a rest. The bottom line is-it totally met our needs...they are similar ages, have similar interests and we were able to use it even when our party of four had to split up. Yet...it seems kind of wrong that my son, who can in no way pass as typical, didn't have a card in his name. What if their interests start to differ? Would it look bad for me to request something to more meet our needs in the event we need to divide and conquer more as they get older? It seems it wouldn't invite abuse to have two cards, each for two people, would it? We could still do parties of four, but it would give us more flexibility if we needed to separate.

 

[OurBigTrip]

If each child has needs that can be met with the DAS, you should request a separate DAS for each child. They can split the party up, just as you mentioned, and then if everyone wants to ride the same ride, simply get a return time on each card.

You just need to be able to articulate the need for each child, AND why you need two cards (potentially different interests, one might go back to the room to rest, etc.)

 

[cmwade77]

If you bring the old card back it can simplify issuing a new one.


That being said, you should definitely be able to get a card for each person that has needs. As you said, there can be different needs or issues.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Are there at least two adults in your party who can clearly explain each child's needs? If yes, split up. Get in separate lines at Guest Services.

 

[jacquelinemc]

If each child has needs that can be met with the DAS, you should request a separate DAS for each child. They can split the party up, just as you mentioned, and then if everyone wants to ride the same ride, simply get a return time on each card. You just need to be able to articulate the need for each child, AND why you need two cards (potentially different interests, one might go back to the room to rest, etc.)

I did request one for each child, and she agreed both met the criteria. I had the old GAC handy as well. That being said, they refused to give me two. (MK Guest Relations outside the park-a location I understand does not consistently offer the cards.). I'm a teacher, advocate, former Special Education PTA President, etc and felt I made a good case for two. Her solution was choosing the card to show my least restricted daughter...it worked, but the logic was flawed. I was willing to give it a try, and intended to return if it didn't meet our needs, but I didn't have to. There were times, however, that it was logistically challenging...my husband returning to the park with my son after a hotel break, but not being able to use the card until he tracked us down. Now that they're older, too, their interests are more varied, as well. I really want to request two for this trip, but I don't want to be perceived as trying to do something unethical. I guess they are worried we would invite extra people to get in line with us?? Lol-as if anyone would want to!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

There have been a couple posts recently where parties have gotten more than one DAS, but the party is split between the 2. So in your case, each child will get a DAS, but only 1 additional person can accompany the DAS owner. They did this to accommodate split parties, but keep people from doubling up on return times. If all 4 of you wanted to ride pirates, you would have to get the return time on both cards.

Maybe this is what they will do for you this trip?

 

[jacquelinemc]

There have been a couple posts recently where parties have gotten more than one DAS, but the party is split between the 2. So in your case, each child will get a DAS, but only 1 additional person can accompany the DAS owner. They did this to accommodate split parties, but keep people from doubling up on return times. If all 4 of you wanted to ride pirates, you would have to get the return time on both cards. Maybe this is what they will do for you this trip?

That would definitely work, and could still be used if even a single parent needed to have both kids-you would just use both cards.

 

[OurBigTrip]

That would definitely work, and could still be used if even a single parent needed to have both kids-you would just use both cards.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm suggesting. There is absolutely nothing unethical about this, and with both kids having different needs, they should each have their own DAS.

If GS doesn't agree, I would politely ask to speak to a manager, and keep moving up the chain.

 

[SueM in MN]

I did request one for each child, and she agreed both met the criteria. I had the old GAC handy as well. That being said, they refused to give me two. (MK Guest Relations outside the park-a location I understand does not consistently offer the cards.). I'm a teacher, advocate, former Special Education PTA President, etc and felt I made a good case for two. Her solution was choosing the card to show my least restricted daughter...it worked, but the logic was flawed. I was willing to give it a try, and intended to return if it didn't meet our needs, but I didn't have to. There were times, however, that it was logistically challenging...my husband returning to the park with my son after a hotel break, but not being able to use the card until he tracked us down. Now that they're older, too, their interests are more varied, as well. I really want to request two for this trip, but I don't want to be perceived as trying to do something unethical. I guess they are worried we would invite extra people to get in line with us?? Lol-as if anyone would want to!

I think I can clarify a little bit for you about why the CM would not give you 2 cards.
When you went over Thanksgiving was relatively close to when DAS started on October 9th and things were still a bit in transition.
Soon after DAS started, people started posting on Facebook pages and blogs that they were getting 2 DAS cards - in your example of having 2 kids with special needs, they got 2 DAS cards, each valid for up to 4 people.
They didn't do it to get extra people in line, they posted they did it so they could get double the number of DAS Return Times.

So, for example, mom would take DAS #1 and get a Return Time for Winnie the Pooh while dad used DAS #2 to get a Return Time for Peter Pan. The group of 4 would use the first DAS Return Time, then dad would use that DAS to get a Return Time for a third attraction for all 4. By repeating that over and over, they could get on many attractions without ever waiting.

Disney isn't clueless and did have people watching social media. I've heard from CMs that the first response to trying to deal with this issue was what happened to your family - giving only one DAS per family, whether there was one person who qualified for a DAS or more than one.
That was the policy in effect set the time you went.

People wrote to Disney about the same kind of issues you mentioned being problems with having a 'family' card, rather than having individual cards.

There have been a couple posts recently where parties have gotten more than one DAS, but the party is split between the 2. So in your case, each child will get a DAS, but only 1 additional person can accompany the DAS owner. They did this to accommodate split parties, but keep people from doubling up on return times. If all 4 of you wanted to ride pirates, you would have to get the return time on both cards.

Maybe this is what they will do for you this trip?

I've seen a number of posts here and on different social media after the first part of 2014.
Disney is currently handling needs for multiple DAS cards in a single group by issuing a DAS to each person who needs a DAS, but each card will be valid for only part of the party.

 

[SueM in MN]

I forget to answer your first question -

Yes, they do keep the DAS information on file. Bringing the one that was issued to your daughter around Thanksgiving will help to speed her getting a new card.
There is a QR code on the back of the card (it looks like a square with black squiggles in it). When you take it back to Guest Relations, they will ask you a few questions, read the code and print a new card for her. At that point, you will let them know that your son also needs a card so that they don't make hers valid for 4.
Bringing the old card does speed up the process.

Since your son did not have a card before, they will need to register him and make a card for him.

 

[twinboysmom]

So glad I read this. We have twins with severe ASD and will need a DAS. We need two cards as their interests are not the same and we frequently split them up to do different things. I guess DH will get one with one and I will get the other.

 

[jacquelinemc]

I forget to answer your first question - Yes, they do keep the DAS information on file. Bringing the one that was issued to your daughter around Thanksgiving will help to speed her getting a new card. There is a QR code on the back of the card (it looks like a square with black squiggles in it). When you take it back to Guest Relations, they will ask you a few questions, read the code and print a new card for her. At that point, you will let them know that your son also needs a card so that they don't make hers valid for 4. Bringing the old card does speed up the process. Since your son did not have a card before, they will need to register him and make a card for him.

Thank you Sue for your response and all your input!

 

[emeraldmom]

We had the same issue when we went Dec 2013. We were a party of 5. Both of my boys qualify for DAS, for different reasons. Actually 4 of the 5 people in my party qualify, but only my boys need the DAS cards.

They tried to give me one card. I brought up the same issues as you are mentioning. Much of the time my boys like the same things, but there are some times they differ. For example, one likes to ride Dinosaur at AK, the other does not. I politely disagreed with the GR CM. This was at GR inside MK. She finally told me she was not authorized to issue 2 DAS cards to one family I said okay, who is authorized. She went in the back and came out with somebody else, not sure what his title was, but basically a supervisor.

This new CM offered to issue a DAS pass to each of my boys. One would be for a party of 3, the other for a party of 2. This way when they want to do separate things they can, when we all want to do something, we just get a time on both cards. This worked pretty well for us overall.

I will say that I really had to push for this. My boys are okay with hearing their needs discussed, but one of them is very bothered by confrontation. He is high functioning autistic (Asperger's). He was a little upset by this discussion between myself and the first CM. I am not a rude person, there was no shouting or name calling, or anything of that negative stuff we've all heard stories about. I simply told her that was she was offering was not going to work for my family, and what I wanted her to do. Which was either issue them each a pass, or come up with a different plan for accommodating both of their needs.

Once the second CM approved it, they were both issued and we were on our way. Just be prepared that you may have to stand your ground a bit to get what your children need. If you think that might upset your little ones, maybe they could stand back a little bit with Dad while you talk to the GR CM. I don't know if it still requires special approval to get 2 DAS cards issued or not. I will be taking both of ours back with us when we go this Dec, and am hoping it is a little easier than last time.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Are there at least two adults in your party who can clearly explain each child's needs? If yes, split up. Get in separate lines at Guest Services.

You don't need to get into two lines. If each child qualifies, they can get their own. We easily got one for each of our boys after explaining their needs and the fact that we needed to be able to split up at times. There were just four of us so they put 2 & 2 on each card. It was quick & simple.