Disneyland with DAS

[Kebby]

Hi!

We are seasoned wdw vets going to DL next week. Few questions:

1. Where are the kiosks that I need to go to in order to get DAS return?

2. Which rides can I get DAS directly at?

3. Can I only use DAS at FP rides? What about Peter Pan or many of the fantasyland rides with no fp?

4. Das for fantastic or WOC?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

First off, this classic thread has great information: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Lots of fun reading there!

1. The Information Kiosks (marked by dark green umbrellas and CMs wearing plaid) can be found on the paper maps and the app. The easiest one to find in DL is at the Hub (by the Adventureland entrance), right by the Jolly Holiday Bakery -- this one has the ride board with wait times. There is one outside the exit to HM. There is one between the Dumbo ride and Casey Jr. Train in FL. One in TL by Store Command. You can always go to City Hall.
In DCA, easiest one to find is at Carthay Circle, right across from CCR and by the fountain. This one has the ride board with the wait times. There is one right outside Cars Land. There is one on Pixar Pier by Jesse's Carousel. And you can always go to Chamber of Commerce on BVS.
2. Not sure about this, although I've heard it can be done. I always use the kiosks, CH, and CoC.
3. DAS can be used for all/almost all rides. I've been told that it can't be used for the DLRR and for the Main Street vehicles, but we've never needed to use it for those anyway. Those lines are usually not very long. DAS works for all rides in FL.
4. No DAS for F! or WOC, but there are HC viewing areas for both shows. Ask CMs about this -- it depends on your situation. For example, if you have a F! dining package and need to remain on your ECV or in a wheelchair, I understand that CMs will allow you to stay in the last row of the reserved area -- where you will have a very good view and not block anyone else's view. WOC has a designated HC viewing area with bench seating. You will still need a WOC FP for entry to this area.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

 

[cmwade77]

The DAS can't be used for the railroad, red car trolley, tiki room or really any attraction with no lines. For the railroad, if you need the alternate entrance and don't have a wheelchair, just let the engineer know why.

They also generally will not give return times for attractions with less than a 15 minute wait time posted.

As tonight you can get them at attractions or not, I have, but others have said they couldn't, so who knows?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Feel free to post any further DLR questions (DAS related or not) on the Disneyland (California) board -- we have many posters there with lots of DAS experience of all kinds. All questions welcome!

 

[TZ11]

Last year when I went to Disneyland I went to get the DAS and they told me I HAD to rent a stroller to put the tag on it. My son is 7 and doesn’t need a stroller or wheelchair but he has ASD And can’t wait in long lines or be in tight spaces with people for very long. Having to lug an empty stroller around and making sure he is by my side at all times was not easy! We’re going next week and I’m hoping that we don’t have to do that again. Does anyone know if they still make you do that?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Last year when I went to Disneyland I went to get the DAS and they told me I HAD to rent a stroller to put the tag on it. My son is 7 and doesn’t need a stroller or wheelchair but he has ASD And can’t wait in long lines or be in tight spaces with people for very long. Having to lug an empty stroller around and making sure he is by my side at all times was not easy! We’re going next week and I’m hoping that we don’t have to do that again. Does anyone know if they still make you do that?

The decision to give a DAS is based on the answers to two questions: What is the problem with waiting in lines? And how will having a DAS help with that problem? Since the answers to those questions will be different for each guest (and sometimes different for the same guest on different visits), there is no way to know if a CM at Guest Services will ask you to rent a stroller or not. It all depends on the answers to those two questions and the CM's decision on the best way to deal with the situation at that time. There is no one way to deal with handling a DAS request -- each request is dealt with on an individual basis. Explain your current request and see what solution the CM thinks is best. Will you be getting MaxPass? (You can ask about this in the Disneyland trip planning forum.) MP is a wonderful resource that can work very well with DAS if you will be riding rides that are on the FP system. We've found MP to be enough of a help that some days we don't even need to use DAS.

 

[cmwade77]

Last year when I went to Disneyland I went to get the DAS and they told me I HAD to rent a stroller to put the tag on it. My son is 7 and doesn’t need a stroller or wheelchair but he has ASD And can’t wait in long lines or be in tight spaces with people for very long. Having to lug an empty stroller around and making sure he is by my side at all times was not easy! We’re going next week and I’m hoping that we don’t have to do that again. Does anyone know if they still make you do that?

And you should have promptly explained to them why renting a stroller isn't a viable option, but really they try to avoid giving out the DAS at Disneyland whenever possible, so sometimes you do have to (politely) push back with why you need the DAS and not a mobility device. To me his issues do not sound mobility related, so not sure why a stroller would be suggested.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... To me his issues do not sound mobility related, so not sure why a stroller would be suggested.

It might have been suggested not for mobility, but rather as a safe, enclosed place to wait out of the crowds. Some parents use the wheelchair strollers (with a blanket over the top) as an isolated, secure place for their kids to escape from the crowds and the resulting, escalating anxiety. Perhaps the CM didn't explain that very clearly.

 

[cmwade77]

It might have been suggested not for mobility, but rather as a safe, enclosed place to wait out of the crowds. Some parents use the wheelchair strollers (with a blanket over the top) as an isolated, secure place for their kids to escape from the crowds and the resulting, escalating anxiety. Perhaps the CM didn't explain that very clearly.

Right, but it appears that solution does not work for them and you simply have to explain why that doesn't actually work.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Right, but it appears that solution does not work for them and you simply have to explain why that doesn't actually work.

I agree, but it appears that at the poster's last visit, the CM in question did not understand or just did not accept the explanation. I was just offering a possible reason why that CM might have suggested a stroller as an answer when it wasn't for a mobility purpose.

 

[audrey2580]

Here now using DAS for the first time. City Hall told me you can apply for your DAS at any kiosk, you do not need to go to city hall. I confirmed this with the kiosks members as well. This should save you some time as the city hall line is often long.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Here now using DAS for the first time. City Hall told me you can apply for your DAS at any kiosk, you do not need to go to city hall. I confirmed this with the kiosks members as well. This should save you some time as the city hall line is often long.

Good to know that they are telling guests this (hopefully this will be upheld consistently now) -- but be aware that sometimes the kiosks will send you back to City Hall or to Chamber of Commerce for your DAS/renewal. Just a heads up so that no one is caught by surprise if this happens. It doesn't mean anything is wrong -- it just happens sometimes.

 

[cmwade77]

Good to know that they are telling guests this (hopefully this will be upheld consistently now) -- but be aware that sometimes the kiosks will send you back to City Hall or to Chamber of Commerce for your DAS/renewal. Just a heads up so that no one is caught by surprise if this happens. It doesn't mean anything is wrong -- it just happens sometimes.

They only tend to do this when there is a technical issue with their device that is used to issue a DAS.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

They only tend to do this when there is a technical issue with their device that is used to issue a DAS.

As I said, when it happens, it doesn't mean that anything is wrong with the request or with the guest making the request. It just happens now and then, so it helps if guests know that the possiblity exists.