Is this considered a mobility issue?

[Brittany Whisenant]

Hey there, I have ankylosing spondylitis (which is basically very bad arthritis in my sacrum/hips/back) and im only 32. Walking is not an issue, walking actually helps me keep the pain at bay. But standing still for long periods of time actually kills me. We are going this month and I'm very very scared im going to wait in a line or two and be out of commission the rest of the day. (The only relief would be laying down). Im super embarassed to even be asking about this as I'm young, have a young family, and don't want to be seen as anusing the DAS system since my issue is invisible. A few people suggested a wheel chair or scooter but that seems like it would be more of a hindrance and not helpful. Any advice?

 

[gap2368]

For the most part I can not walk or stand too long are mobility problems. Can you get a wheelchair and sit when you have to stand in line snd push it the rest of the time

 

[Selket]

Sounds like you don't need a place to sit or does sitting also keep the pain at bay? If sitting helps (vs. standing in one spot) then a mobility device you can sit on would work so your issue could be helped that way. If constant movement is the key (?) then I think explaining your needs to Guest Services would be the way to go. Those with a DAS are not line jumping but returning to the line when their wait time is up. Guest services is trained to help with what will work best for you and many have hidden disabilities.

I worked with someone who had this issue (I think) and she was always moving, rarely sitting in meetings and when she taught classes she was always pacing.

 

[jo-jo]

I've never used DAS, but my understanding is instead of waiting in an hour line, you come back and get into a shorter line but it still might be 15- 20 mins of stop and go. Would that work for you on your feet? What about rides, where even once one gets pass FP/ DAS check points, there are still waiting spots.

If sitting is ok, maybe a rollator is the way to go. Not as big as a wheelchair. easier to move but you still have a spot to sit.

 

[Brittany Whisenant]

No sitting doesn't relieve it or keep the pain at bay. The main goal is constantly moving/walking. Standing for 15/20 minutes is fine b/c I can pace a little or sway back and forth. Sitting in one place for a long time repeatedly also bothers it so that's why I don't think a wheelchair is the right choice. The only way to truly prevent it is walking around or laying down. The long ride wait times (over 30 minutes) is what I'm most concerned about and once it hits there is no relieving the pain unless I'm laying down.

 

[CmdrThor]

The best thing to do would be visit guest services on your first park day and explain your need. I wouldn't worry at all about other guests thinking you are abusing the DAS system. For one, their opinion does not matter. Two, it does really seem like the ability to get a return time would be helpful for you so you can be walking around at a steady pace during your wait rather than waiting in line. The Cast Member you talk to will be the one to approve the accommodation, but I don't think they would tell you to rent a wheelchair or scooter since that would not help you.

 

[Brittany Whisenant]

The best thing to do would be visit guest services on your first park day and explain your need. I wouldn't worry at all about other guests thinking you are abusing the DAS system. For one, their opinion does not matter. Two, it does really seem like the ability to get a return time would be helpful for you so you can be walking around at a steady pace during your wait rather than waiting in line. The Cast Member you talk to will be the one to approve the accommodation, but I don't think they would tell you to rent a wheelchair or scooter since that would not help you.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

 

[gap2368]

if you find you do need to lie down there I first aid in each parks where you can lie down for a bit.



also with n FP the lines is pretty much always moving so you might find you are fine to wait in lines

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I’m in the same boat with arthritis in my lower back and hypermobile joints in my hips and knees that cause me pain. I’ve been dealing with it since I was 20 (I’m 40 now). I don’t use a DAS. I do the sway/walk in place thing and stretch my back regularly. Do I still end up in pain by the end of the day? Yes, but not enough to stop me the next day. But I don’t see a DAS helping me much. I can do the same movement in line that I can do outside of the line, and just because I’m walking at a faster pace doesn’t mean the impact on my lower half is any less. I think it is the sheer amount of time spent upright, not the time moving versus being stationary that causes my pain.

 

[decheez]

From trip reports lately most people are reporting that the lines are basically constantly moving, albeit slowly. Unless you get caught in a cleaning cycle, then it might stop for a bit. But the cleaning cycles affect both the regular queues as well as the FP queue (which DAS uses) so either way you'd be stopped.

 

[Evita_W]

Would a device where you could alternate between standing and sitting be of help?

There are scooters like this one available: https://www.mobilityscootersdirect.com/ev-rider/ev-rider-stand-n-ride-3-wheel-mobility-scooter.html

Not sure if this would be problematic or not.

 

[MinnieMSue]

With distancing you never need to stand still in lines. The lines basically moved consistently when we were there for spring break. But if they stop you still have a fairly large amount of space you can move around in so it really shouldn’t be an issues if you are there while covid restrictions are still in place.

 

[paisleys]

I fractured my sacrum and pelvis years ago. Standing for a length of time will put me in pain for days. I have never had an issue with standing in Disney lines though, they always seem to move even just a bit at times but lately they seem to consistently move.

 

[MinneTinK]

I’m 34 & suffer from the same issues! The more movement the better & one flare up takes me out for at least 1-2 days too. We are visiting in June & I’m nervous, let me know how it goes & any tips you may have. Good luck!!

 

[Evita_W]

I am not sure if it would be allowed, but perhaps something like this would help:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ya...oubles-as-treadmill-to-help-you-stay-fit/amp/
Just a thought, you obviously know your body better than anyone else, but it looks like there are companies innovating in this area.

 

[sparky68]

Sounds like you don't need a place to sit or does sitting also keep the pain at bay? If sitting helps (vs. standing in one spot) then a mobility device you can sit on would work so your issue could be helped that way. If constant movement is the key (?) then I think explaining your needs to Guest Services would be the way to go. Those with a DAS are not line jumping but returning to the line when their wait time is up. Guest services is trained to help with what will work best for you and many have hidden disabilities.

To be brutally honest there is an advantage to getting the DAS. With the das pass you have a constantly replenishing supply of available fast passes.
Whether the pass is appropriate is not up to me to decide, but to reject the fact that it gives a potential benefit to the person with the pass is being dishonest.

 

[maybethisyear]

Hey there, I have ankylosing spondylitis (which is basically very bad arthritis in my sacrum/hips/back) and im only 32. Walking is not an issue, walking actually helps me keep the pain at bay. But standing still for long periods of time actually kills me. We are going this month and I'm very very scared im going to wait in a line or two and be out of commission the rest of the day. (The only relief would be laying down). Im super embarassed to even be asking about this as I'm young, have a young family, and don't want to be seen as anusing the DAS system since my issue is invisible. A few people suggested a wheel chair or scooter but that seems like it would be more of a hindrance and not helpful. Any advice?

Have you had your trip yet? I am 36 and have the same issue. We are planning a trip for February and I am petrified. We last visited in 2018, and I had the trip planned with precision and fastpass utilization. We never waited for anything. This time, I am not sure I should even go with DAS being refused for a lot of people. If I have to stay still or relatively still and not be able to alter my movement/position regularly, I will be incapacitated after the first day.

 

[maxiesmom]

Have you had your trip yet? I am 36 and have the same issue. We are planning a trip for February and I am petrified. We last visited in 2018, and I had the trip planned with precision and fastpass utilization. We never waited for anything. This time, I am not sure I should even go with DAS being refused for a lot of people. If I have to stay still or relatively still and not be able to alter my movement/position regularly, I will be incapacitated after the first day.

How many people are your traveling with? Could they make a little bubble of space in the line, enough space that you can move around a bit?

 

[ttintagel]

When I chose to go without a mobility device, I did a lot of stretches whenever a line wasn’t moving and it helped a lot.

You may or may not be issued DAS.

If you’re not, and the stretching doesn’t help, the wheelchair/ rollator still might. Nobody says you have to sit in it for the whole duration of the line. You can sit for a few minutes to relieve the pain, then get back up and move about. Lather, rinse, and repeat as much as you like and as much is helpful for you.

 

[ttintagel]

Also, I choose not to wait in lines that are longer than I can handle. If the posted wait time is longer than I’m comfortable waiting, I go do something else and come back later.