Help: Best/Easiest GS access outside of park to aquire DAS?

[Badamon]

We're coming in late on a Wednesday night and thinking of lying low on Thursday, settling in, going to grocery store, getting the lay of the land (we're staying off-site) and maybe heading to DTD for the afternoon. We'll be requesting a DAS (we've used the GAC in the past) for our son and I was thinking of heading to a GS on Thursday to get that out of the way so that on Friday we can get an early/quick start at our first park. What do you think the easiest/best GS is that is located outside of a park (I don't want to use a day on our tickets)? I would most likely take transportation from DTD (if possible) to avoid paying for parking since we're not attending a park that day, just need access to GS. Or, maybe they wouldn't charge me to park for that? Better for DH to drop me at and DS at park and then pick us up when done? Any input, it would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

There are two Guest Services locations at DTD itself. Those would probably be the most convenient.

 

[Badamon]

There are two Guest Services locations at DTD itself. Those would probably be the most convenient.

Thanks for the info! That would be super convenient. Wondering if they will have the ability to issue DAS cards or if they are there to assist with DTD stuff like reservations? Any idea as to where I would call to confirm?

 

[disney david]

Thanks for the info! That would be super convenient. Wondering if they will have the ability to issue DAS cards or if they are there to assist with DTD stuff like reservations? Any idea as to where I would call to confirm?

You have to get them at a theme park guest relations I am pretty sure dtd can't issue das they couldn't with gac.

 

[disney david]

We're coming in late on a Wednesday night and thinking of lying low on Thursday, settling in, going to grocery store, getting the lay of the land (we're staying off-site) and maybe heading to DTD for the afternoon. We'll be requesting a DAS (we've used the GAC in the past) for our son and I was thinking of heading to a GS on Thursday to get that out of the way so that on Friday we can get an early/quick start at our first park. What do you think the easiest/best GS is that is located outside of a park (I don't want to use a day on our tickets)? I would most likely take transportation from DTD (if possible) to avoid paying for parking since we're not attending a park that day, just need access to GS. Or, maybe they wouldn't charge me to park for that? Better for DH to drop me at and DS at park and then pick us up when done? Any input, it would be appreciated!
Thanks!

Their no theme park buses from from dtd unless your hotel provides bus service you have to drive to a park. You might be able to get one at a water park and they don't charge for parking.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Only locations actually at a park (so not DTD or any of the waterparks) can issue DAS. We've also had a more recent report saying that they were told that the GS outside the gates is no longer allowed to issue DAS so you wouldn't be able to get one ahead of time anyway. I have no idea if what the guest was told is actually a policy change or if there's confusion (I could see either being true).

 

[OKW Lover]

Since Guest Services at DTD apparently isn't going to work for the OP, I'd suggest bus from DTD to either BC or BW and then hit GS at Epcot's International Gateway, or just wait until you get to the park the first day.

 

[disney david]

In all honesty for the time it take you to take a bus from dtd to beach club walk to gs. I not sure if the outside ones can do it as some are reporting you have to get them on the main guest relations. So you have to use park tickets for then walk to their get walk back to beach club the wait for bus you better of either waiting for your first park day.

If you want to do this I would take te bus to board walk inn then walk to Dhs their main guest relations is closer to the entrance then walk back or take the boat both ways that might save you some time. Unless the out side one can do it ten Epcot will be fine.


Disney is testing a bus from ak to dtd but not sure if the test will still be doing it at the time you travel. And the bus starts around 3 to park close not sure if it runs two hours after park close like resort buses dose but you have to be in ak before park close.

 

[jacquelinemc]

Only locations actually at a park (so not DTD or any of the waterparks) can issue DAS. We've also had a more recent report saying that they were told that the GS outside the gates is no longer allowed to issue DAS so you wouldn't be able to get one ahead of time anyway. I have no idea if what the guest was told is actually a policy change or if there's confusion (I could see either being true).

Over Thanksgiving week we were told at the outside GS at MK that they were no longer issuing them outside of the park, though they ultimately did once they saw we were eligible. I love the idea of securing it prior to park entry so we can take advantage of rope drop like everyone else, so I hope our experience was not consistent with what others experienced.

 

[Michigan]

Since Guest Services at DTD apparently isn't going to work for the OP, I'd suggest bus from DTD to either BC or BW and then hit GS at Epcot's International Gateway, or just wait until you get to the park the first day.

Won't work either. We tried to renew one there and they don't do it, you have to go to the one inside the park to get it.

 

[Talking Hands]

There are two Guest Services locations at DTD itself. Those would probably be the most convenient.

DAS can only be obtained at a theme park. You would need to go to MK, Epcot, DHS or AK

 

[Badamon]

Thank you one and all for the information. I'll try to confirm if outside park (other than DTD) GS issue DAS cards, but it sounds like we'll plan accordingly and visit GS inside our first park on our first day. I appreciate your input!
I think we're at the 1 month mark today! Yahoo!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I don't understand the rationale behind not issuing them at Guest Relations outside the gates. It's frustrating. What purpose does it serve? As it is we can't be in the RD mob (much like I'm sure many others who need a DAS) so we're always already behind everybody else and now on our first park day we have to be even farther behind because we have to stop at Guest Relations inside the park once they let us in? Aaaaaagggggghhhhhh!!!!!!! It's a good thing my touring plan for that day has us meandering through the Oasis, signing up for Wilderness Explorers, and checking out the allergy kiosk with the intention of getting to Dinoland between 10:15 and 10:30. If we were trying to get to rides it would sure put a huge crimp in our plans. At least I know not to waste time popping over on our arrival day to get it ahead of time.

 

[SteveMouse]

Not to mention the unfairness @ Epcot for those using the IG- imagine being 25 minutes behind those first in at RD.

It's kind of ironic- you have to stand in a (long) line to get help with not standing in line. I really should be able to complete a form online before my visit, save a picture, show up with a reservation number, have Disney confirm my id, and off I go.

 

[aaarcher86]

Not to mention the unfairness @ Epcot for those using the IG- imagine being 25 minutes behind those first in at RD. It's kind of ironic- you have to stand in a (long) line to get help with not standing in line. I really should be able to complete a form online before my visit, save a picture, show up with a reservation number, have Disney confirm my id, and off I go.

The a GAC required the same thing. It's just the way it's always been.

 

[poohnpigletCA]

Not to mention the unfairness @ Epcot for those using the IG- imagine being 25 minutes behind those first in at RD.

It's kind of ironic- you have to stand in a (long) line to get help with not standing in line. I really should be able to complete a form online before my visit, save a picture, show up with a reservation number, have Disney confirm my id, and off I go.

What is the IG?

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Not to mention the unfairness @ Epcot for those using the IG- imagine being 25 minutes behind those first in at RD.

It's kind of ironic- you have to stand in a (long) line to get help with not standing in line. I really should be able to complete a form online before my visit, save a picture, show up with a reservation number, have Disney confirm my id, and off I go.

There's absolutely no way that WDW would make it possible to apply for/get a DAS online. It would be easier to abuse than the DAS or GAC ever has been. Part of the deterrent for abusing the DAS is the inconvenience of getting a DAS. An online form would make it far more convenient.

I do think that it's a poor idea that they've stopped letting the GS right outside park entrances and the IG entrance at EPCOT issue DAS. The GAC was issued at this GS locations, if I'm remembering correctly. Some of the lines described on disBoards at GS in the parks to get a DAS have been unreasonably long.

Is it just the changes happening at WDW (DAS, magic bands, FP+, etc.) that are causing the longer lines at GS? From what I've heard (I haven't been to WDW since any of the changes), the GS wait is being described as worse than they were at the same time of year, etc. as they were pre-DAS. Does it really take that much longer for the CM to issue? If it's not how long it takes to issue a DAS causing the back-up, WDW is probably expecting the length of GS lines to return to a more normal level as everyone gets used to the changes. I still think they should let the DAS be issued from the GS locations at entrances, but I'm not sure that will make a huge difference for the length of GS lines inside the parks.

 

[disney david]

There's absolutely no way that WDW could make it possible to apply for/get a DAS online. It would be easier to abuse than the DAS or GAC ever has been. Part of the deterrent for abusing the DAS is the inconvenience of getting a DAS. An online form would make it far more convenient.

I do think that it's a poor idea that they've stopped letting the GS right outside park entrances and the IG entrance at EPCOT issue DAS. The GAC was issued at this GS locations, if I'm remembering correctly. Some of the lines described on disBoards at GS in the parks to get a DAS have been unreasonably long.

Is it just the changes happening at WDW (DAS, magic bands, FP+, etc.) that are causing the longer lines at GS? From what I've heard (I haven't been to WDW since any of the changes), the GS wait is being described as worse than they were at the same time of year, etc. as they were pre-DAS. Does it really take that much longer for the CM to issue? If it's not how long it takes to issue a DAS causing the back-up, WDW is probably expecting the length of GS lines to return to a more normal level as everyone gets used to the changes. I still think they should let the DAS be issued from the GS locations at entrances, but I'm not sure that will make a huge difference for the length of GS lines inside the parks.

They have separate my magic plus help Centers in each park that will help with magic bands and fast pass plus. So the lines should be shorter now due to them having a separate place to go for help.

I think it a equipment issue that the iPads the gs have now have to be used either at front gate or giving to fast pass plus testing. So the out side gs locations might not have a way issue them. So they have you go to the inside location where they can put more equipment and make it raise for the cm to take the picture.

 

[jacquelinemc]

The a GAC required the same thing. It's just the way it's always been.

GACs were issued outside of the parks. And it is ironic that the population that has the hardest time waiting in line have yet another line to wait in, and miss out on the opportunity to head straight to the attractions at rope drop. Securing our pass was always a reason to get there early...and the first timers will wait in the outside GS line before being redirected to the inside GS location. I purchased an extra park day for our first travel day this time just to be able to get our DAS that first evening so we will have it in place for our first full day.

 

[aaarcher86]

GACs were issued outside of the parks. And it is ironic that the population that has the hardest time waiting in line have yet another line to wait in, and miss out on the opportunity to head straight to the attractions at rope drop. Securing our pass was always a reason to get there early...and the first timers will wait in the outside GS line before being redirected to the inside GS location. I purchased an extra park day for our first travel day this time just to be able to get our DAS that first evening so we will have it in place for our first full day.

I was referring to the wait itself. It's always been there. I'd hope they reconsider not giving them outside the parks. I don't think the reports of them refusing to have been consistent enough to be sure they absolutely arent anymore.