DAS - Tokyo Disney and Hong Kong Disney - For Reference

[asc]

We were just in Tokyo and Hong Kong and went to both parks, last month.

FYI, in Hong Kong, they still appear to have the old card and essentially had you go to the exit to ride. Oddly, without much wait but the lines were really not bad at all so it would not have been an issue to return.

Two most awesome rides were grizzle gultch (sort of a hybrid ride between expedition Everest, big thunder and also rocking roller coaster with the immediate acceleration) and mystic point...pretty much unlike any other ride at Disney...well both are...

In Tokyo, they had a card where they wrote return times down - about 10 or so less. No picture required.

In some cases, you just went in FP line, other times, they walked you to the alternate exit on the ride when the FP line was jammed.

Tokyo Disney was jammed full and it was only a Tuesday and no holidays...

It was easy to explain needs in English at both parks.

 

[Mousequake]

I had the same experience at Tokyo Disneyland-- we had a short letter written our and translated detailing my daughter's needs just in case, but found that there was usually someone at Guest Services who spoke English well enough that we didn't need it.

A word of warning for those of you thinking about a trip to Tokyo Disneyland that have special medical needs that require frequent visits to First Aid, though-- it's a different situation there. The chances of finding someone who speaks more than a few words of English (at least from our experience) are slim. The letter came in EXTREMELY useful there.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . we had a short letter written our and translated detailing my daughter's needs just in case . . . First Aid . . . The letter came in EXTREMELY useful there.

1) I used to go to Japan every fiscal quarter for business.
2) Although I know a little ("少し") Japanese, having printed cards always helped. *
. . . great for restaurants, especially out-of-the-way eateries
. . . helpful in stores where English may not be all that common
. . . wonderful when asking police for directions or assistance
3) Your hotel Concierge will gladly do a printed translation for you.
4) As mentioned above, they come in REALLY handy in many circumstances.

* In addition to the card/letter for Disney, get several 3"x5" note cards
with notations for other situations/locations. I still have a half dozen cards
we laminated due to the frequent trips.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

As far as I know, the change to the DAS was only for the US parks. Since other countries have different laws, the systems used at the parks outside the US are related more to the laws in that country. For example, AFAIK at Disneyland Paris, they do require documentation for anyone needing any sort of accommodation due to disability (I think this includes wheelchair users who want to use wheelchair accessible entrances). If Disney tried that in the US, it would be illegal, but in Europe it's allowed.