Does DAS help with shows or should I plan on booking dining packages?

[cwnhokie]

Is there any assistance with the wait for shows like Fantasmic or Rivers of Light? Or should I plan on getting the dining package so my son doesn't have to wait as long. He has POTS and has difficulty standing or sitting in one place for long periods of time, fatigue, pain and temperature intolerance. We will probably get a wheelchair also, even though he doesn't want to. I'm nervous about all the things we have to book in advance because I have no idea what he's going to be able to do. We have been to Disney several times but it's been a few years and my youngest hasn't really been that he can remember so we are trying to balance a laid back trip for the 14 year old with a good trip for the 9 year old.

 

[gap2368]

I have heard that you can get a DAS for fantastic I have never tried it, I will be there next week and I may try to get a DAS for ROL for next Tuesday for the 7 pm show.

just a side note so that you can plan for your trip, Most of the time they will not give out a DAS card if the need is just they can not stand or sit too long/ they have fatigue / and tepeture intolerance. SO you will need to explain his need while waiting in line that can not be helped by a wheel chair ( and just because you have a wheel chair dose not mean he will need to sit in a wheel chair the whole time. one thing you can do ( at lest for fantastic ) is have one person in your group stand in line while the others walk around go in to a shop near by or maybe a FP for a near by ride. I would defffently all go get in the line at the same time so the people around you see you all there and get there about 30 minutes before they let you in. ( I have done this a number of times for things that do not let you use a DAS card for when I have some one with me, most of the time the line is only 45 minutes and I try to stay where I can see my friend, so like I will walk around the area go into a near by shop use the bathroom things like that

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I know some people have been able to use it for Fantasmic, but ROL has a much smaller theater and will be very popular. There's no guarantee they will accept the DAS. Try to book a dining package, or get a FP+ when your window opens.

 

[anonymousegirl]

According to the wording, the DAS does not work for shows. However, we have seen reports of CMs applying the DAS inconsistently, so you might get lucky and have some accommodation, but it would never be a certainty.

 

[SMD]

I don't think that dining plans or DAS give you a particular advantage when it comes to available wheelchair seating, which will always be in fixed supply. This is what I've observed at DLR, where few shows offer FP and some only when it's very crowded. Avoiding the wait with a DAS isn't going to help if the line reaches capacity before you're able to return. As PP suggested, you will most likely need to employ a strategy of alternating sitting and standing and in the case of shows try leaving gaps amongst your group that allows moving around while waiting. If you decide to go with a dining plan, you may need to plan midday breaks on those days or, since he's 14, maybe you'd be comfortable allowing him to take a midday break or a longer midday break and meet up again later.

 

[lanejudy]

I know they have given DAS return times for Fantasmic!, however, how helpful it is may be questionable. To my knowledge there is no reserved seating for DAS, so to get a good seat (or an H/A seat) you may still need to arrive fairly early. It's not going to be a situation where you can walk in 10 minutes prior to the show and have a seat waiting for you. It's been a while since we went to F!, but we did the dining plan and arrived maybe 30 minutes prior to the show, found our seats, and then I walked a bit with DD (went to the restrooms, snack bar, light-up souvenir kiosk, etc.).

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[happymommy]

Hi! My daughter also has POTS (she has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), and we started renting a wheelchair for her 3 years ago when she subluxed her shoulder the first day of our trip that time. She now knows she can't do the walking it takes at Disney, so we ended up purchasing a chair for her, just to use at Disney (or other trips that would require the amount of walking that it takes). We rented off site two times, and the last time, the chair was in pretty bad shape, so buying the same one was the same as two weeks rental, so now we have our own and it's clean and new!).

ROL has wheelchair seating as do most shows, so I think as long as you arrive with enough time you can do that.

I'd get a wheelchair for your son. With POTS, you want to make sure he is okay and won't get dizzy or pass out. She gets dizzy and has passed out at school once. It is scary! Also keep up with the fluids and salt!

Definitely get the GAC too. We can wait in the shade with her with it. Heat is not good!

 

[gap2368]

Definitely get the GAC too. We can wait in the shade with her with it. Heat is not good!

Disney stoped the GAC a few years ago, it is now the DAS. and it will depend on what CM you get if they will give you a DAS for heat issues as they say most lines are in side or under shade, for the OP when going to GR think about what your son needs are while waiting n lines that a wheel chair will not cover. He will also be out in the sun at other times too going from attraction to attraction, watching parades and show, things like this a few things you can do

get a fain for him this helps a lot with moving air and making you feel cooler

a hat or an unbrella, I know I hear some saying no, but a hat traps heat in ( one of the first things they do to keep a baby warm is put a hat on him her) I would get a very very small one, and have him use it when it is not that crowed or just open it enough to cover him. but this can really help if he want to watch a show or a parade and there is no shade around. I have also seen people with bandana and getting them weat and putting them on there heads to cool off

I find a little mister help to and often you can get one that is attached to a fain ( I think this alone can make you feel 20 degree cooler.

I find the Colombia clothing to be cooling ( omni freeze, ones like this)

some say a cooling towels I think they some what work but not that well, it is very humid in FL and depending on when you go it may work better then other times ( if you find one cheep and small get it as it may work)

this is all I can think of.

 

[cwnhokie]

Thank you everyone, it's been a while since we have been to Disney due to his illness and I feel like I'm learning everything all over again.