Getting DAS but not using it/ canceling return times?

[Capitalangel]

I have lurked,read a bunch of the threads, and think I have this right but want to confirm my thinking. My 5 year old son has some sensory processing and integration issues as well as other delays and challenges. He is sometimes very unpredictable in what he can/can't handle. I was thinking of going ahead and getting the DAS but use it more as a plan B if that makes sense.

My thought was when I got to an attraction we would get a return time but then go ahead and stand in the standby line. If DS is able to handle and stay in the standby line then when we get off the ride we can cancel the DAS return time and if he is not able to wait/ starts to have a meltdown, we could get out of line, let him calm, and then use the DAS return time.

Does this seem reasonable? This is my first trip to WDW with my children and I am finding it very different in planning then when it was just my husband and I

 

[DisneyOma]

I think that's a great idea - let him experience a bit of the queue if he can, but have a backup plan if it is too much to handle. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes.
That would work.
Just keep in mind that the DAS Return Time you are given will be equal to the wait in the standby line minus 10 minutes.

 

[Capitalangel]

Thanks. I have no issue with waiting our turn. I don't want to force those around us to have to deal with a meltdown but I also don't want to use the service if my son is doing ok at the time. I am hoping since we are going at low season (end of Jan/ Beginning of Feb) it will reduce some of the overwhelming. Has anyone ever used the "calm" areas that are available? I saw them mentioned in the guide for cognitive disabilities.

 

[gap2368]

I have done the same thing. have a great trip. I have my own calm area that I use some are the ones that they disney suggest to use some are my own do not be afread to ask a CM where a quiet place is if your son is in the middle of a melt down, I have had some CM come up to me and ask me if I need a quiet place before

 

[Mrsjvb]

just have a back up plan to the back up plan if the actual line is NOT easily exited from.

 

[gap2368]

yes some lines are not easy to exit from at all

 

[SueM in MN]

Almost all lines are actually at least 3 feet wide to accommodate wheelchairs, so would be wide enough to pass by people to get out.
The issues may be with how far you are in - you may have a long way to backtrack back out - and how your child would handle going out in that situation.

Also, remember, like every other guest, you will have 3 Fastpass experiences you can preschedule. Most people use those for things they know they want to do that are likely to have long waits.

 

[DisMommyTX]

That sounds like a reasonable plan. Don't feel guilty about using the DAS when necessary. The standby queue can be very loud, overwhelming, and unpredictable. And that walk back out of the standby line is very, very long with a child who has passed his limit. Do what is best for your child and family. The others in line will appreciate it too, even if they don't know it.

Also, there is no need to cancel a DAS return time. Doing so uses CM time without providing any benefit. It will be canceled automatically when you reserve the next DAS.

 

[gap2368]

Almost all lines are actually at least 3 feet wide to accommodate wheelchairs, so would be wide enough to pass by people to get out.
The issues may be with how far you are in - you may have a long way to backtrack back out - and how your child would handle going out in that situation.

Also, remember, like every other guest, you will have 3 Fastpass experiences you can preschedule. Most people use those for things they know they want to do that are likely to have long waits.

yes most lines are wide enough to back track to get out there is one at MK that really is not with out really pushing past other guest

 

[Baklava]

As much as I applaud anyone not abusing or over-using DAS, you may be going a little farther than necessary. If you arrive at a ride and think he may need the DAS, get it, use it and don't stress! I think most of us have a pretty good grip on when our kid is getting squirrely and when in doubt, save yourself the long term fall out and just use the DAS. I know that for part of the day on our last DL trip we didn't use my daughter's GAC at all because she was fine, but there was a point when it started to get iffy and at that point we used it just in case. Even if he's going to make it through *that* line okay, is it going to negatively impact the next hour?

 

[Toffeewoffy]

To be fair, the chances of going in on a DAS return time and walking straight to the front of the FP return queue without having a single person in front of you already waiting where the two queues meet is pretty rare. In most cases (unless we go in at the entrance because of my ECV) there's still a 10-minute wait to be pulled forward to go on the actual ride. My DD has Asbergers, which is high-functioning autism. Doesn't stop her throwing a major strop in front of hundreds of stangers, mind you (and she's 21 now). Anyway, with the DAS now being put on your Magic Band, there's no way for anyone seeing you come up to the FP return entrance and telling them you're using your DAS return time rather than any FPs you may have to think anything other than that you're returning on a FP.

And anyway, it's none of their business. Going in the FP return line will still give your son an idea of what the queues are like (they run parallel in most cases albeit in a straight line rather than zig-zagging back and forth) without 'subjecting' him to the stresses of waiting over an hour in the standby queue.