DAS: What happens if the applicant bails?

[BusterAndTheBanshee]

Technically, if the person with the DAS bails, then the rest of the party should also leave and wait on the regular line. Whether or not cast members will enforce this is another matter.

I won't comment on the "morality" of the rest of the party continuing to ride. I'll leave that up to your conscience to decide what is right.

 

[OKWMom]

I agree with the Genie suggestion. My daughter is 25 but is nonverbal and I have no way of knowing if she will ride until the time comes. Even rides that she really likes. She will just put her arms out and not move forward if she decides she doesn't want to ride. This happened last year on Slinky, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, and Test Track. But luckily, our travel party is used to this happening and we just moved on. We never tried to ride without her so I don't know how or if it would have worked.

 

[tetera]

.

 

[Princesca]

This. If our DAS user doesn't want to ride something, we don't ride it; we stick together unless we have decided in advance that we are going to do separate rides and then divide up evenly based on that (but try to avoid even that due to potential ride breakdowns and generally wanting to do things together as a family on vacation).

Fortunately there are so many different attractions available at WDW that we have never even come close to feeling like there wasn't enough for us all to do together....

Yeah, for me, it's more a logistical problem, because if we all want to ride things together, then I want our two families to be linked in the system. But if Disney's policy is to kick the others who waited back into the line, after waiting in the virtual line, because my son might flake on a ride, then we probably do not want to be linked because I don't want them to have to go through that. I'm just trying to figure out how the logistics will work since we do want to travel together and do the rides at the same time, but I don't want them to potentially have to wait for a ride twice. I know their kids can't handle 1.5 hours waiting for one ride.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Yeah, for me, it's more a logistical problem, because if we all want to ride things together, then I want our two families to be linked in the system. But if Disney's policy is to kick the others who waited back into the line, after waiting in the virtual line, because my son might flake on a ride, then we probably do not want to be linked because I don't want them to have to go through that. I'm just trying to figure out how the logistics will work since we do want to travel together and do the rides at the same time, but I don't want them to potentially have to wait for a ride twice. I know their kids can't handle 1.5 hours waiting for one ride.

for that I would look for genie times near your DAS time then they could still ride if your little guy ducks out. plus with your son's age he has to check in first to use DAS which can also be a problem

 

[lanejudy]

if we all want to ride things together, then I want our two families to be linked in the system.

You haven't mentioned your party size but you have mentioned two families and multiple kids...so just to point out DAS is typically limited to 6 total -- the DAS-holder plus 5. Advanced registration sticks to this max (including for DAS Advanced Selections). Once onsite you may be able to connect more guests to the DAS onsite for flexibility, but any given attraction can still limit to 6 max.

I know their kids can't handle 1.5 hours waiting for one ride.

I agree with others that your party needs to consider Genie+ with or without ILL$ for shorter waits and not rely on DAS.

 

[DLgal]

This. If our DAS user doesn't want to ride something, we don't ride it; we stick together unless we have decided in advance that we are going to do separate rides and then divide up evenly based on that (but try to avoid even that due to potential ride breakdowns and generally wanting to do things together as a family on vacation).

Fortunately there are so many different attractions available at WDW that we have never even come close to feeling like there wasn't enough for us all to do together....

Do you still do this when you are literally at the loading area and the DAS user decides right then that they don't want to ride?

 

[SueM in MN]

Yeah, for me, it's more a logistical problem, because if we all want to ride things together, then I want our two families to be linked in the system. But if Disney's policy is to kick the others who waited back into the line, after waiting in the virtual line, because my son might flake on a ride, then we probably do not want to be linked because I don't want them to have to go through that. I'm just trying to figure out how the logistics will work since we do want to travel together and do the rides at the same time, but I don't want them to potentially have to wait for a ride twice. I know their kids can't handle 1.5 hours waiting for one ride.

Besides lanejudy’s note about the party size, when making a DAS Return Time, you don’t need to choose to include everyone who is linked to the DAS.
The DAS registered person is automatically checked, but you can choose which of the other guests who are linked to the DAS to include in that DAS Return Time

 

[tetera]

Do you still do this when you are literally at the loading area and the DAS user decides right then that they don't want to ride?

Yes.

 

[DisneyOma]

Yeah, for me, it's more a logistical problem, because if we all want to ride things together, then I want our two families to be linked in the system. But if Disney's policy is to kick the others who waited back into the line, after waiting in the virtual line, because my son might flake on a ride, then we probably do not want to be linked because I don't want them to have to go through that. I'm just trying to figure out how the logistics will work since we do want to travel together and do the rides at the same time, but I don't want them to potentially have to wait for a ride twice. I know their kids can't handle 1.5 hours waiting for one ride.

What are you planning on doing while you are waiting for the DAS return time? You don't have to just sit around - there are plenty of other attractions you could go to, do rider swap if there are little ones too small to ride the attractions with height requirements, get a meal, etc. It's not like you have to stand outside of the attraction entrance for an hour and a half, KWIM?

I think that if you go to WDW and think you are "getting kicked out" of the LL queue because the DAS holder has decided not to ride you might be going with some tricky expectations. If you want LL access, budget that into your trip with $LL and Genie+ for the rest of your party? Then you can get a DAS time and schedule a LL return that would work for the rest of the group. Remember that the rest of the party could enter the queue when you request the DAS and just wait in the standby queue.

 

[Princesca]

Honestly I really never wanted to be tied to my phone anyway and this is starting to sound pretty confusing and complicated, so maybe we will just pass on DAS this trip. I would have a hard enough time coordinating DAS much less in addition to G+ and ILL.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone.

 

[Evita_W]

We have had this situation at some attractions, usually it is DH has an issue where he can't get on a ride, such as due to a knee issue or the restraint doesn't work with his body type, etc.

In all cases, we tell the CM at the load platform what the situation is and that we used a DAS and let them direct us as to what to do. If they say the others can't ride, then we would accept that, no issue as that is the actual rule; however, we have never once had that happen, generally, they insist the rest of us ride and usually also give a recovery FP.

Please note that we don't ask for this, we simply ask what we should do, as we don't always know the way to get out of the attraction, etc. I am also not implying in any way that this will or even should be what happens, just what our experience has been up to this point. Again, we don't expect them to do that and don't ask for that.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Its pretty simple. If the DAS person isn't riding then the party will need to get in the standby line (or buy G+). Any attempt otherwise is an abuse of the system(not directed at OP).

 

[AmyMac1109]

Honestly I really never wanted to be tied to my phone anyway and this is starting to sound pretty confusing and complicated, so maybe we will just pass on DAS this trip. I would have a hard enough time coordinating DAS much less in addition to G+ and ILL.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone.

I'm sorry you feel this way. We don't bother with ILL, but do purchase G+ to use in conjunction with DAS (since our DAS rider is unable to or won't ride many of the thrill rides). It's truly not as complicated as you think. If you're using either G+ or DAS, you're already using your phone. The additional phone use caused by utilizing the second system is neglible. All of your scheduled plans show up in the same place on the App. If your plan is to avoid ALL phone use then you'll be waiting in many long lines, which is likely to be a miserable experience for both the DAS eligible rider and everyone else.

My suggestion, if you don't want to purchase G+ and there is a legitimate concern that the DAS rider may chicken out on a ride, then have the other riders get in the standby line as soon as the DAS rider requests a return time. In theory, since DAS return times are based on standby times, the non DAS riders should reach the front of the line about the time the DAS rider returns. You or another adult can take the DAS rider for a snack, or to a ride with a short line, or to sit in the shade, or to a play area, or to the bathroom...anything to pass the time while the other riders are waiting standby. Then, even if the DAS rider chickens out on the ride, the other riders can go on.

 

[DLgal]

My suggestion, if you don't want to purchase G+ and there is a legitimate concern that the DAS rider may chicken out on a ride, then have the other riders get in the standby line as soon as the DAS rider requests a return time. In theory, since DAS return times are based on standby times, the non DAS riders should reach the front of the line about the time the DAS rider returns. You or another adult can take the DAS rider for a snack, or to a ride with a short line, or to sit in the shade, or to a play area, or to the bathroom...anything to pass the time while the other riders are waiting standby. Then, even if the DAS rider chickens out on the ride, the other riders can go on.

More likely the other party members will be done with the ride before the DAS return comes up, since almost all of the standby wait times are grossly overinflated. How do you think they sell so much G+?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Honestly I really never wanted to be tied to my phone anyway and this is starting to sound pretty confusing and complicated, so maybe we will just pass on DAS this trip. I would have a hard enough time coordinating DAS much less in addition to G+ and ILL.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone.

G+/ILL do sound like the better solution for you. That said, if you get in trouble in the parks and find your little one can’t do stuff you can always go to guest relations and discuss if a DAS will help the situation. There is no requirement to have it before you start your trip.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Honestly I really never wanted to be tied to my phone anyway and this is starting to sound pretty confusing and complicated, so maybe we will just pass on DAS this trip. I would have a hard enough time coordinating DAS much less in addition to G+ and ILL.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone.

if you only want to do one program I would do the G+ as both use same lines and if little bales at end of line rest can still ride and some times they will rider swap so you could ride with someone afterwards. you would use your phone for DAS if you go that route

 

[smartlabelprint]

I would definitely use DAS for your little one’s communication issues. I’ve only used it at Disneyland, for comparison. Even my 6 yo (last trip) mostly wanted Casey jr, etc type rides. They do not have G+ and my kids couldn’t have tolerated waiting directly in the line. They did much better in a quiet section of the park having snacks. For what it’s worth, my just turned 3 yo didn’t do any of the behaviors you allude to at 2. He has disabilities, but just now has started struggling with transitions, dropping to the floor when the result is unexpected. For all 3 of my disabled kids the “terrible 2’s” didn’t exist, but right around age 3 we saw lots of meltdowns with transitions and disappointments. I would take the advice of your child’s therapists, they see varying levels of disabilities and have a better handle on what is “normal” behavior.

Another tip, I don’t know how a child with a disability can handle 6 days. Just to temper your expectations for the trip I’ll share what my kids can handle. Every other day for 5 park days, 6 hours max in 3 hour increments with a big rest in the hotel midday. No character meals or anything “big” on those days. Despite doing this my daughter had a breakdown and we didn’t head to the parks until after lunch one day. On our last park day my 7 yo son refused to go. I talked him into it, he discovered space mountain and walked back to the hotel with dad for the rest of the day. Of course YMMV, but I wanted to share our perspective with littles. We have taken our kids to the park every year (until covid) starting at 4 months old. Our next parks only trip will be 4 park days alternating rest days.

 

[4Hawks]

Did not read previous responses, but I wanted to share that this has happened to us more times that I care to count
My DD gets DAS for sensory issues and anxiety, and because of her anxiety, she sometimes backs out of rides right as we're loading (even rides she's been on before without an issue). We've never been asked to leave. I just explain our situation and they let us exit or wait to the side, while my DH and DS ride. I've also been offered the chance to ride when DH and DS are done, at some of the rides.

Incidentally, not-DAS related, but this happened at Miss Adventure Falls in Typhoon Lagoon...at the very top of the conveyor belt, my DD gets an anxiety attack and starts crying and screaming to get off. The CM stops the ride and DD and I start to get off. But the CM told me not to worry, to stay and ride...and she walked all the way down with my DD and told her where to wait for us. Then walked all the way back up and restarted the ride. I was so thankful.

The DAS program gets a lot of criticism, but our experience with it has been great and the CMs have always gone out of their way to help us, not to police it.