Help me understand the difference between DAS and Genie+ for a 7 year old

[Thumper99]

HI. My cousin's family will be going to Disney in October. They are staying at Poly. My cousin's son is 7 and has ADHD so we believe he is eligible for DAS. Their family is four (2 A & 2K (5 &7) but also the grandparents so a total of 6. Can they get a DAS pass for all six of them if they preregister? We are just reading up on DAS because I've never used it so trying to understand how we prove he has been diagnosed with ADHD. Also, now that Disney has announced the elimination of pre purchasing Genie+ they can still add to their tickets for a limited time. Should they do both? The kids are 5&7 and will most likely reach height limits for most of the rides but won't probably go on the more robust rides so would Genie+ only be a good purchase if they want to ride rides that the kids won't go on? Say for the grandparents to sit with the kids while mom and dad do the other rides? Such a hard decision as it will be easiest just to add the Genie+ now but don't want to advise them to spend money on something they won't really use. Can you do both DAS and Genie+ in the app and use both? I know when my family was using Genie+ we didn't wait long in line once we came back at our times so I think it will be ok for him to be in the shorter Genie+ lines.

Appreciate any advice! They are panning on all four parks! Thanks!

 

[Jellybean9]

My daughter has an ADHD diagnosis and I’ve never felt like she has need DAS. That being said, we have a formal letter from her doctor with her diagnosis. Disney won’t look at any documentation though - you just need to tell them why you need it. Still not sure why one would need it for ADHD.

 

[Lilsia]

You don't tell Disney your diagnosis, they don't want to hear it. They want to hear specifically why a person is unable to wait in the regular line. So what is it about the ADHD that makes it impossible for the child to wait? And you will still be waiting the same amount of time for the ride, you just won't be in the actual queue. And then when you return, you will be in the line with those who have Genie+, and that might be up to a 20 minute wait also. Just so your relatives know that it is not a front of the line pass since all theme parks have a different way of doing things. If the child qualifies for DAS, they will be able to put the rest of the family on it. So they would get a return time for a ride, the child would tap his ticket first, and then everyone else will tap in. The person with the DAS has to ride. I also grew up with undiagnosed ADHD. And as Jellybean9 has stated, it has not manifested in a way that I would need a DAS for it either. Having distractions helps with the boredom and keeping your mind occupied.

As far as Genie+, you can do both Genie+ and DAS, not an issue at all. And they can just get it day of for just the adults if they want, I believe and if I am wrong, someone will correct it. I am not sure if when you purchase it ahead of time, if you have to get it for your whole group or not. Someone will chime in. I have not used Genie+ yet so can not speak to the experience, but from what others have said, times go quickly, especially for the rides that you are talking about. I don't know if it would be worth it for the parents to get or not. They will have to do their research and see if they feel that it is worth it, knowing that they might not get many return times and not for the rides that they really want.

What we did when our kids were younger was that my husband and I took turns taking the kids for a few hours so that the other parent can go do what they wanted to do. That way the kids are still having fun, either at the parks or at the pool, and not just sitting around waiting for mom and dad to get off of a ride. I can't think of a worse thing to do as a kid then to sit with grandma and grandpa while your parents are on rides. No matter how much you love your grandparents.

 

[SueM in MN]

DAS is approved based on needs, not diagnosis. As the previous poster mentioned, some people with ADHD (or any other diagnosis/conditions have a lot of trouble waiting in lines and others don’t.
That‘s part of the reason that CMs don’t want to know the diagnosis or have doctor letters, etc.

When registering for DAS, be prepared to discuss briefly what the concerns are with waiting in line (i.e., not that the child has ADHD, but what about the lines is difficult or what happens when waiting in lines).

DAS and Genie+ are totally separate and different and guests registered for DAS can also purchase and use Genie+
The biggest differences are:
- Genie+ times are based on ‘next available time’. It’s possible the next time may be far into the future or there may not be any Genie+ times available

- DAS Return Times are based on the current wait time in the Standby Line. If the Standby Line has a long wait, the DAS Return Time will be far into the future. For example, if Rise of the Resistance has a 110 minute wait time, the DAS Return Time will be approximately 100 minutes in the future.

- Genie+ times have a window of time for use (at least they did).

- DAS Return Times remain active until they are used, cancelled or the attraction/park closes for the day. There can only be one active DAS Return Time.

The person registered for DAS must go on the attraction, so it can’t be used on things the DAS user is not going to ride. Those would be good ones to use Genie+ on.

 

[TwoMisfits]

It sounds like the parents will need G+ regardless, b/c they have rides they want that their children do not.

And regardless of diagnosis, I would not make plans with a DAS unless and until Disney approves your relative's family for one. As many posters have said, you need to show need for a pass, and many ADHD children do not have or request a pass b/c they can wait in line age appropriately (aka - they aren't perfect, but no 5-7 year olds are). That said, if there is a demonstrable need, request one. But be ready to both articulate the need and to handle a possible denial.

 

[Thumper99]

Thank you all for the helpful information! I will pass this on to my cousin for her to understand. I understand it’s not a “ front if the line” pass but I didn’t understand how it worked. I wish I’d have known about this for my sister on her last trip because she has serious claustrophobia and had to miss rides with queues that were too long as they wind through things.

 

[Lilsia]

Thank you all for the helpful information! I will pass this on to my cousin for her to understand. I understand it’s not a “ front if the line” pass but I didn’t understand how it worked. I wish I’d have known about this for my sister on her last trip because she has serious claustrophobia and had to miss rides with queues that were too long as they wind through things.

Just an FYI, some of the newer rides have queues that wind around also. They are not nearly as long, obviously, but the can get a bit claustrophobic too if you have to wait any length of time.

 

[midwestdee]

My daughter has an ADHD diagnosis and I’ve never felt like she has need DAS. That being said, we have a formal letter from her doctor with her diagnosis. Disney won’t look at any documentation though - you just need to tell them why you need it. Still not sure why one would need it for ADHD.

I agree - I have 2 diagnosed grandkids and their parents have never requested DAS but I guess everyone is different.

 

[shosh1530]

I agree - I have 2 diagnosed grandkids and their parents have never requested DAS but I guess everyone is different.

Yes, that's exactly why it is based on need and not diagnosis. My ADHD-diagnosed child (with co-morbid anxiety and sensory processing issues) absolutely needs and has benefited from DAS. Even with the accommodation of waiting outside the regular queue overall he will ride many less rides than other families in a day and often can't go more than 2 hours at a stretch in the park (although we are getting better at figuring out planning down time in the park).

 

[DisneyMama811]

Yes, that's exactly why it is based on need and not diagnosis. My ADHD-diagnosed child (with co-morbid anxiety and sensory processing issues) absolutely needs and has benefited from DAS. Even with the accommodation of waiting outside the regular queue overall he will ride many less rides than other families in a day and often can't go more than 2 hours at a stretch in the park (although we are getting better at figuring out planning down time in the park).

I'd love tips on dealing with sensory processing at Disney, my youngest has a mild sensory processing disorder and can quickly feel overstimulated at times

 

[shosh1530]

I'd love tips on dealing with sensory processing at Disney, my youngest has a mild sensory processing disorder and can quickly feel overstimulated at times

The thing that probably helps us the most is hotel breaks. Staying very close (like either the GCH or one of the closest places on Harbor Blvd.) have helped us be able to get back to the hotel quickly (sometimes 3 or 4 breaks a day).

Being able to use DAS has also been very helpful. My kid is more sensory seeking than avoidant though - he gets most overwhelmed when he feels confined or when things aren't moving (like stuck in line).

One challenge that has been hard is when rides unexpectedly breakdown when you are on them. This will almost certainly happen, so make plans for it. My son managed it ok by playing on my phone while waiting.

I also try to make sure he eats something every two hours with frequent snack breaks.

Thankfully he has done better with each trip as he knows more what to expect. Watching ride videos and looking at maps/pictures of the park have been helpful too. And just taking an overall slower pace.