Had no trouble getting DAS

[lauritagoddess]

I’ve posted here before about getting a DAS pass for my son who has ASD and anxiety. I was so worried about him being able to advocate for himself, but decided to let him try and only jump in if he really couldn’t do it. We went to guest relations at AK today, and the CM was so nice. He told the CM he’d like to get the pass. The CM started explaining how he could use it before my son even explained why he needed it. He then told the CM that he gets very anxious standing on lines, and the CM said he understood, took his picture, gave him a return time for a ride, and he was done in less than 5 minutes. We were both so relieved. This will hopefully make out trip a lot easier. Just wanted to share our experience.

 

[gap2368]

Glade things works out so well for you

 

[JenBush]

That’s great! Have a fun trip!

 

[DisneyOma]

I see in your info that he's 18. You're an awesome parent to be giving him the tools he needs to be his own best advocate. It's one of the things I work on with kids in our high school all the time, as it's one of the most important things they can learn, IMO. Hope you have a fantastic trip, and thanks for sharing this ❤

 

[lauritagoddess]

And one more update. We didn’t actually have to use the DAS thaf much. I’m a die hard FP user, but I will admit that standby lines do move a lot faster without it. We rope dropped every day and we’re able to ride with minimal waits for the first hour or so. After that a lot of lines weren’t that long or were just doable woth them moving. My son does better in lines when they’re moving, even if they’re longer. In fact, a few times I suggested using the DAS and he said no, just go through the line. It was useful to have for some rides though. We did rides that normally have long lines like MMRR or Soarin’ right at rope drop. But then we would use DAS after that for other rides with really long lines. The CMs were always very nice and helpful. The only instance of feeling a little weird about using the DAS was on Space Mountain. I think someone posted here a month or so ago about feeling stared at as they went through the line. I totally get that. Most rides, the FP line takes a different path so you’re not walking right by the standby line. But Space Mountain, you’re walking right next to it almost the whole way. It was a long walk where we were walking by ourselves right next to the standby line and it did feel a bit like we were being stared at. But even then, there were no comments and it was so nice to be able to use the DAS. All in all. I’d say we used it at most for a couple of rides in each park, but it was good to have it.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

And one more update. We didn’t actually have to use the DAS thaf much. I’m a die hard FP user, but I will admit that standby lines do move a lot faster without it. We rope dropped every day and we’re able to ride with minimal waits for the first hour or so. After that a lot of lines weren’t that long or were just doable woth them moving. My son does better in lines when they’re moving, even if they’re longer. In fact, a few times I suggested using the DAS and he said no, just go through the line. It was useful to have for some rides though. We did rides that normally have long lines like MMRR or Soarin’ right at rope drop. But then we would use DAS after that for other rides with really long lines. The CMs were always very nice and helpful. The only instance of feeling a little weird about using the DAS was on Space Mountain. I think someone posted here a month or so ago about feeling stared at as they went through the line. I totally get that. Most rides, the FP line takes a different path so you’re not walking right by the standby line. But Space Mountain, you’re walking right next to it almost the whole way. It was a long walk where we were walking by ourselves right next to the standby line and it did feel a bit like we were being stared at. But even then, there were no comments and it was so nice to be able to use the DAS. All in all. I’d say we used it at most for a couple of rides in each park, but it was good to have it.

I saw a talk by Temple Grandin and she said for example take the "headphones" with you and not use them. It is just knowing you have them. So it sounds the same here with the DAS. Having it gave a piece of mind and not needing to use it.

 

[Evita_W]

I saw a talk by Temple Grandin and she said for example take the "headphones" with you and not use them. It is just knowing you have them. So it sounds the same here with the DAS. Having it gave a piece of mind and not needing to use it.

Yeah, even with DHs needs, there are times it is needed and times it isn't right now with the shorter waits thanks to the lack of FP. Honestly, it would be great if FP didn't return, especially not FP+, Disneyland's Maxpass style system works much better with his needs.

 

[Little E]

@lauritagoddess Thank you for posting this information. This feedback on your experience is SO helpful! In our past WDW trips, we have always gotten the DAS for our youngest DS. I have done the talking to the CMs at guest services, leaving my family to the side slightly, so DS doesn't hear what I talk about. DS hasn't ever been aware that we have gotten a DAS because of him; he does not like feeling "different", and I have always been careful to respect that. But, DH and I agree that the DAS has made ALL the difference on our prior WDW trips. It's one of the (many) reasons we keep returning to Disney.

We go at the end of July, and I've wrestled with whether to get the DAS this trip. We haven't been to the parks since 2017, and DS is now 17. He still has issues with ASD/OCD/anxiety, and I feel like the DAS would be nice to have just to know we have it in case he needs it. I'm also trying to determine if I should still be the one to do the talking, or if I should have him speak to CMs at guest services. It would mean I would have to explain what the DAS actually is, and that we've gotten it for him in the past. I can't decide if this is a good and empowering thing, or if this might devastate him. Again, DS doesn't like to be "different" from others, and doesn't want any different treatment. However, he's not very self aware and doesn't understand how useful the DAS has been when he's been close to melting down. I'm also concerned that CMs might look at this 17 year old boy and question why we need the DAS. In the past, I always knew how to explain what was needed to CMs, and to be fair, when he was younger, it was pretty obvious to CMs at guest services too. Now, as an older kid, it might not be so obvious? So, I'm still trying to figure this one out...

@Evita_W We went to DL in 2018, and we found Maxpass to be fantastic! We like it much more than FP+ at WDW. I would love it if a Maxpass type of format found it's way to the World.

 

[Evita_W]

@lauritagoddess Thank you for posting this information. This feedback on your experience is SO helpful! In our past WDW trips, we have always gotten the DAS for our youngest DS. I have done the talking to the CMs at guest services, leaving my family to the side slightly, so DS doesn't hear what I talk about. DS hasn't ever been aware that we have gotten a DAS because of him; he does not like feeling "different", and I have always been careful to respect that. But, DH and I agree that the DAS has made ALL the difference on our prior WDW trips. It's one of the (many) reasons we keep returning to Disney.

We go at the end of July, and I've wrestled with whether to get the DAS this trip. We haven't been to the parks since 2017, and DS is now 17. He still has issues with ASD/OCD/anxiety, and I feel like the DAS would be nice to have just to know we have it in case he needs it. I'm also trying to determine if I should still be the one to do the talking, or if I should have him speak to CMs at guest services. It would mean I would have to explain what the DAS actually is, and that we've gotten it for him in the past. I can't decide if this is a good and empowering thing, or if this might devastate him. Again, DS doesn't like to be "different" from others, and doesn't want any different treatment. However, he's not very self aware and doesn't understand how useful the DAS has been when he's been close to melting down. I'm also concerned that CMs might look at this 17 year old boy and question why we need the DAS. In the past, I always knew how to explain what was needed to CMs, and to be fair, when he was younger, it was pretty obvious to CMs at guest services too. Now, as an older kid, it might not be so obvious? So, I'm still trying to figure this one out...

@Evita_W We went to DL in 2018, and we found Maxpass to be fantastic! We like it much more than FP+ at WDW. I would love it if a Maxpass type of format found it's way to the World.

We have noticed several of what appears to be FP kiosks being added in new locations or additional ones I existing locations throughout the park over the past week on almost a daily basis. They are all covered, but it makes me suspect we will hear something about FP soon and even more than that, but think something like Maxpass with free FPs at kiosks will be done based on the number, some locations have almost 20 kiosks now.

Of course until there is an actual announcement, we can't really know.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have noticed several of what appears to be FP kiosks being added in new locations or additional ones I existing locations throughout the park over the past week on almost a daily basis. They are all covered, but it makes me suspect we will hear something about FP soon and even more than that, but think something like Maxpass with free FPs at kiosks will be done based on the number, some locations have almost 20 kiosks now.

Of course until there is an actual announcement, we can't really know.

What is the difference between Disneyland’s Maxpass and WDW Fastpass besides the Maxpass costs money and WDW Fastpass is (or at least was) free?

 

[Starwind]

We go at the end of July, and I've wrestled with whether to get the DAS this trip. We haven't been to the parks since 2017, and DS is now 17. He still has issues with ASD/OCD/anxiety, and I feel like the DAS would be nice to have just to know we have it in case he needs it. I'm also trying to determine if I should still be the one to do the talking, or if I should have him speak to CMs at guest services. It would mean I would have to explain what the DAS actually is, and that we've gotten it for him in the past. I can't decide if this is a good and empowering thing, or if this might devastate him. Again, DS doesn't like to be "different" from others, and doesn't want any different treatment. However, he's not very self aware and doesn't understand how useful the DAS has been when he's been close to melting down. I'm also concerned that CMs might look at this 17 year old boy and question why we need the DAS. In the past, I always knew how to explain what was needed to CMs, and to be fair, when he was younger, it was pretty obvious to CMs at guest services too. Now, as an older kid, it might not be so obvious? So, I'm still trying to figure this one out...

While you would still have to have a backup plan and thus figure out how you would approach it if you do have to explain.... after the first time I got DAS I haven't had to explain the *why*, I've been able to start the conversation with the CM with "I haven't visited for a while, but I would like to please renew my DAS pass". And they then proceed to renew it [they may take a new picture], ask if I have any questions or anything else they can help with and we are on our way.

Other people on here have reported similar success with renewing their DAS, though every so often someone will report they were again asked to explain the "why" so be prepared for that possibility. But it seems that most of the time when renewing it is a straightforward renew [make validity dates current, link the people that need linking for this trip, take a new picture, answer questions the guest may have].

Good luck.

 

[Evita_W]

What is the difference between Disneyland’s Maxpass and WDW Fastpass besides the Maxpass costs money and WDW Fastpass is (or at least was) free?

No preplanning, when you want to get a FP, you open the app and it tells you what the return time is for each attraction. It gives you an hour to return. You don't pick the time, but it does generally account for ADRs automatically. If you don't pay for Maxpass, you have to go to the kiosk at each attraction, you pay and you can book via phone. Additionally, once FPs are sold out, if you don't have Maxpass, you are out of luck for the day, but if you have Maxpass you can score FPs still if someone cancels them. So basically, the old paper FP system with an option for being able to use the phone. And you can generally only get one at a time, but sometimes you can get more than one depending on return time and you can get a new one the second you first scan your pass upon entry into the FP queue if you have Maxpass.

 

[SueM in MN]

No preplanning, when you want to get a FP, you open the app and it tells you what the return time is for each attraction. It gives you an hour to return. You don't pick the time, but it does generally account for ADRs automatically. If you don't pay for Maxpass, you have to go to the kiosk at each attraction, you pay and you can book via phone. Additionally, once FPs are sold out, if you don't have Maxpass, you are out of luck for the day, but if you have Maxpass you can score FPs still if someone cancels them. So basically, the old paper FP system with an option for being able to use the phone. And you can generally only get one at a time, but sometimes you can get more than one depending on return time and you can get a new one the second you first scan your pass upon entry into the FP queue if you have Maxpass.

I guess I prefer how Fastpass works/worked at WDW then.
Guests could book 3 per day ahead of time thru My Disney Experience app, but it was usually possible to change and even find 3 the day before or day of visit (at least in our experience). After using the first 3, one more could be booked at a time, including at a different park on My Disney Experience. There were multiple kiosk stations in the park to schedule Fastpasses at any attraction If guests did not want to or couldn’t use the My Disney Experience app.

Having the 3 prebooked ones helped us plan our day. We generally used those for either things with long waits or things our daughter can’t ride.

That said, I would not be surprised if WDW brought a form of Maxpass. I‘m not sure how it would be received at WDW since other than not preplanning, it sounds a lot like paying for a system the same as what the free Fastpass was at WDW.

 

[Evita_W]

I guess I prefer how Fastpass works/worked at WDW then.
Guests could book 3 per day ahead of time thru My Disney Experience app, but it was usually possible to change and even find 3 the day before or day of visit (at least in our experience). After using the first 3, one more could be booked at a time, including at a different park on My Disney Experience. There were multiple kiosk stations in the park to schedule Fastpasses at any attraction If guests did not want to or couldn’t use the My Disney Experience app.

Having the 3 prebooked ones helped us plan our day. We generally used those for either things with long waits or things our daughter can’t ride.

That said, I would not be surprised if WDW brought a form of Maxpass. I‘m not sure how it would be received at WDW since other than not preplanning, it sounds a lot like paying for a system the same as what the free Fastpass was at WDW.

Honestly, once you try it, you would see how superior the system really is. Oh, and you get photopass downloads included with Maxpass. I could also see WDW making Maxpass a free benefit for resort guests and charging others for it.

Really for DHs needs, it is much better to not need to preplan FPs in advance. Much better to be able to get them based on what he is up for riding at the time.

 

[Suejacken]

I’ve posted here before about getting a DAS pass for my son who has ASD and anxiety. I was so worried about him being able to advocate for himself, but decided to let him try and only jump in if he really couldn’t do it. We went to guest relations at AK today, and the CM was so nice. He told the CM he’d like to get the pass. The CM started explaining how he could use it before my son even explained why he needed it. He then told the CM that he gets very anxious standing on lines, and the CM said he understood, took his picture, gave him a return time for a ride, and he was done in less than 5 minutes. We were both so relieved. This will hopefully make out trip a lot easier. Just wanted to share our experience.

Glad you didn’t have any problems. i love that you let your son handle it himself. I am sure that made him feel really good and great job by the CM

 

[SueM in MN]

Honestly, once you try it, you would see how superior the system really is. Oh, and you get photopass downloads included with Maxpass. I could also see WDW making Maxpass a free benefit for resort guests and charging others for it.

Really for DHs needs, it is much better to not need to preplan FPs in advance. Much better to be able to get them based on what he is up for riding at the time.

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.
I don’t see the advantages you see compared to WDW’s Fastpass, especially at the cost (what I found for Disneyland was $20 per day per person).
I also am not sure it would work at WDW without prearranging Fastpasses - there are too many on site hotels and too many people.
I could see WDW keeping the Fastpass program as it is for guests staying at WDW resorts and having a paid program for other guests or for guests who want more than the ‘resort guest’ program.

 

[lauritagoddess]

We started going to both WDW and DL when they still had paper FP and also used FP+ in WDW and MaxPass in DL, so lots of use of them from the time my son was little. It did really make trips much more doable for him. I did likethaf with FP+ you didn’t necessarily need to rope drop since you had those 3 guaranteed FP, although it was less helpful in parks with tiers. It did locomotive you into your park choices though, which MaxPass or the old paper FP system didn’t. Although with park reservations now, you’re already locked into a park. I do think I liked the MaxPass a little better, but DL is a different animal than WDW. People pre-plan their WDW trips a lot more than DL, so I think we’re more open to pre-planning their FP+. I said it above, and I’ll say it again here, as much as I love FP, standby lines were much better this trip without them, at least on the rides without the extremely long waits. A moving line is much easier to tolerate. But a long line is still a long line. There was no way my son could have tolerated a 60 minute wait no matter how long it was. What amazes me is how people wait in 90+ minute long lines for SDMT or SDD while standing outside in the sun and heat. We did use DAS for SDD and I couldn’t fathom how people were getting their kids to just wait like that.

 

[OurBigTrip]

We started going to both WDW and DL when they still had paper FP and also used FP+ in WDW and MaxPass in DL, so lots of use of them from the time my son was little. It did really make trips much more doable for him. I did likethaf with FP+ you didn’t necessarily need to rope drop since you had those 3 guaranteed FP, although it was less helpful in parks with tiers. It did locomotive you into your park choices though, which MaxPass or the old paper FP system didn’t. Although with park reservations now, you’re already locked into a park. I do think I liked the MaxPass a little better, but DL is a different animal than WDW. People pre-plan their WDW trips a lot more than DL, so I think we’re more open to pre-planning their FP+. I said it above, and I’ll say it again here, as much as I love FP, standby lines were much better this trip without them, at least on the rides without the extremely long waits. A moving line is much easier to tolerate. But a long line is still a long line. There was no way my son could have tolerated a 60 minute wait no matter how long it was. What amazes me is how people wait in 90+ minute long lines for SDMT or SDD while standing outside in the sun and heat. We did use DAS for SDD and I couldn’t fathom how people were getting their kids to just wait like that.

Because unlike those folks with a DAS, they have no choice but to wait in the line if they want to ride.

 

[Evita_W]

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.
I don’t see the advantages you see compared to WDW’s Fastpass, especially at the cost (what I found for Disneyland was $20 per day per person).
I also am not sure it would work at WDW without prearranging Fastpasses - there are too many on site hotels and too many people.
I could see WDW keeping the Fastpass program as it is for guests staying at WDW resorts and having a paid program for other guests or for guests who want more than the ‘resort guest’ program.

With Maxpass, if you rope drop and fully work the system within the rules, you could do every attraction, except shows like Tiki room, etc. by no later than 2 PM without ever needing to use a DAS. And the shows are only because some are long.

 

[Evita_W]

Because unlike those folks with a DAS, they have no choice but to wait in the line if they want to ride.

Even when FP is running they still wait these times or longer.