Just back, DAS experience...

[MisterPP]

We set up our DAS at Guest Services OUTSIDE Epcot before Epcot opened, and it was very smooth and easy. My daughter has Apraxia, a learning disability and very very mild autistic tendencies (truly we were wondering if she even needed a DAS, but were glad we got it after the first couple of meltdowns) I don't want to say much more because I don't want to get in trouble, but feel free to message me.

When we were at Hollywood Studios several days later, we had to go to Guest Services for Magic band issues (including daughter's picture not showing up for DAS scan) and witnessed Guest Services INSIDE Hollywood Studios and witnessed them grilling an adult who had a heart condition and denying them the DAS pass.

Hollywood Studios was also where we encountered cast members being rude about the DAS pass several times (and after an hour at Guest Services, finding out it was Hollywood Studios issue, not ours), all the other parks were extremely accomodating.

The last day my wife had to go into a wheel chair because of an infected blister on her foot and we were admitted onto several rides quickly even without using the DAS because she was in a wheelchair.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks for the report. Glad Epcot helped you.

So sad to hear what you witnessed at Hollywood Studios. Having been to the parks many time they are the worst Guest Relations. I went there because we bought park hoppers just to see Fantasmic and had even purchased them only 30ish minutes before show time. Well weather cancelled Fantasmic and when we asked to inquire about a refund because we had done no rides and it was clear having purchased them 30 minutes before Fantasmic and standing in the Fantasmic line for an hour before delay that it was all we wanted to do and had done in HS. They would not give us a refund and until I demanded a manager they said there was nothing we could do. What we got as compensation actually cost the company 50 cents as we were issued complementary one day one park tickets. We would have much rather got the cost of the 3 park hoppers back. I brought it up at Magic Kingdom the next day when I went to pick up the tickets and was told they could have issued me a refund but since the comp tickets had already been issued and I said I was okay then MK guest relations could not over ride what HS had done since they have to look like a "united front".

 

[HopperFan]

Any given day anything can happen. We have had great success at DHS and actually for some MB type glitches we try to go there to get them fixed because it's usually done right the first time. Got DAS there in May and they were busy but still couldn't have been easier and CM couldn't have been more pleasant. Once I was there getting my TiW card fixed (reader stops reading) and a guest was in there trying to scam free park tickets. It escalated to a manager and I was so pleased to see the CM remain very calm and consistent and the manager stick to her guns as well. It can't be easy working GR all day with guests constantly beating on you.

 

[gap2368]

Yes I too think it is hit or miss with GR CM I went in to add a friend to my DAS when they found out my friend and I only wanted to ride 2 Rides together and I had a FP for TSMM and 3 any time FP they added her to my TSMM FP and gave her 1 anytime FP took him about 30 minutes to do this but he was great.

Mister I hope you had a great time and that your next trip will be great and that you have learned ways to help your daughter with the park.

 

[lanejudy]

OP, thank you for sharing your experience. And particularly the confirmation of obtaining DAS from an outside the gate Guest Relations at EPCOT.

Guest Services INSIDE Hollywood Studios and witnessed them grilling an adult who had a heart condition and denying them the DAS pass.

I wouldn't necessarily take this as a negative against Hollywood Studios. If the guest simply indicated "I have a heard condition. please give me a DAS." then the CM was correct by asking further questions about the needs. DAS is not diagnosis-based, it is need-based. If his stated need was stamina-related, denying the DAS (and recommending a mobility device) would be the appropriate response based on the details posted about the DAS program.

The last day my wife had to go into a wheel chair because of an infected blister on her foot and we were admitted onto several rides quickly even without using the DAS because she was in a wheelchair.

Generally, use of a wheelchair should not impact wait times. The majority of queues are mainstreamed, meaning accessible to a wheelchair or other mobility device. Those that are not will direct the guest accordingly. I would surmise that you likely hit the parks or those attractions at the right time to have a short wait.


Again, I'm glad you had a great vacation and thank you for sharing your experiences!

 

[SMD]

I wouldn't necessarily take this as a negative against Hollywood Studios. If the guest simply indicated "I have a heard condition. please give me a DAS." then the CM was correct by asking further questions about the needs. DAS is not diagnosis-based, it is need-based. If his stated need was stamina-related, denying the DAS (and recommending a mobility device) would be the appropriate response based on the details posted about the DAS program.

Or that particular guest has been in GR before and claimed numerous ailments without success. Maybe even been verbally abusive to CMs before. You can't tell a lot from a snapshot of an interaction.

 

[OurBigTrip]

OP, thank you for sharing your experience. And particularly the confirmation of obtaining DAS from an outside the gate Guest Relations at EPCOT.



I wouldn't necessarily take this as a negative against Hollywood Studios. If the guest simply indicated "I have a heard condition. please give me a DAS." then the CM was correct by asking further questions about the needs. DAS is not diagnosis-based, it is need-based. If his stated need was stamina-related, denying the DAS (and recommending a mobility device) would be the appropriate response based on the details posted about the DAS program.



Generally, use of a wheelchair should not impact wait times. The majority of queues are mainstreamed, meaning accessible to a wheelchair or other mobility device. Those that are not will direct the guest accordingly. I would surmise that you likely hit the parks or those attractions at the right time to have a short wait.


Again, I'm glad you had a great vacation and thank you for sharing your experiences!

Well said on all counts!

 

[Dusinberre]

Ok, I apologize if this post takes this thread in a slightly different direction - I'm actually currently debating rather or not to get a DAS status during my upcoming family vacation. I have never gotten one in the past because I've been afraid of looks and comments. I am ambulatory with a significant limp and I use an AFO. I have CP and also a tracheal stoma. I worry that I may not be "disabled enough" and or I worry that people will think I'm abusing the system. I have no doubt I would get it if I asked but I dread the possible comments from other guests.

 

[gap2368]

No one knows for sure if you will get one or not you can go to GR and talk to them about your needs if they give you a DAS you do not have to use it

 

[Baklava]

The nice thing about the DAS as opposed to the GAC is that it seems reasonably discreet. Magic bands are less visible than a special card.

Go to GR. If the DAS is not appropriate they may have other tips to offer. If it is appropriate, use it when needed and if you find you don't need it it's easy to just not use it.

 

[Dusinberre]

No one knows for sure if you will get one or not you can go to GR and talk to them about your needs if they give you a DAS you do not have to use it

You are correct - I should have said I'm confidant I would be approved not that I have no doubt. Because I really don't know. That comment was based on how people tend to react to seeing a person with a trach.

 

[OurBigTrip]

You are correct - I should have said I'm confidant I would be approved not that I have no doubt. Because I really don't know. That comment was based on how people tend to react to seeing a person with a trach.

Unless your trach makes it difficult/impossible for you to wait in the actual line, I don't see how it would have effect on whether or not you get a DAS. Based on what you've said here, I would guess that you won't get one, but no one can say for sure.

 

[redberyl]

You are correct - I should have said I'm confidant I would be approved not that I have no doubt. Because I really don't know. That comment was based on how people tend to react to seeing a person with a trach.

In my experience with trachs they need suctioned frequently, and suctioning can wait a few minutes but not half hour or more as some lines might be. You technically could suction in line but the sound would likely be unpleasant tothose arount you in line, and often causes a very strong cough that causes mucus to spray out of the trach which is a potential health hazard to those in line around you. I would think for that reason alone anyone with a teach would get a das. There are other reasons someone with a teach might need a das, but that's the main reason. Sorry if my post offends, but lots of people have insisted, some quite rudely, that my daughter who has numerous health problems and has a trach won't qualify for das. No one on here can determine who will get a das, if you don't have a specific health problem you don't know the extent of difficulties it can create, so stop judging. Rant over now.

 

[OurBigTrip]

In my experience with trachs they need suctioned frequently, and suctioning can wait a few minutes but not half hour or more as some lines might be. You technically could suction in line but the sound would likely be unpleasant tothose arount you in line, and often causes a very strong cough that causes mucus to spray out of the trach which is a potential health hazard to those in line around you. I would think for that reason alone anyone with a teach would get a das. There are other reasons someone with a teach might need a das, but that's the main reason. Sorry if my post offends, but lots of people have insisted, some quite rudely, that my daughter who has numerous health problems and has a trach won't qualify for das. No one on here can determine who will get a das, if you don't have a specific health problem you don't know the extent of difficulties it can create, so stop judging. Rant over now.

No one is judging.

 

[DisneyOma]

Ok, I apologize if this post takes this thread in a slightly different direction - I'm actually currently debating rather or not to get a DAS status during my upcoming family vacation. I have never gotten one in the past because I've been afraid of looks and comments. I am ambulatory with a significant limp and I use an AFO. I have CP and also a tracheal stoma. I worry that I may not be "disabled enough" and or I worry that people will think I'm abusing the system. I have no doubt I would get it if I asked but I dread the possible comments from other guests.

You need to be able to explain why waiting in the standard queue is not possible for you. If it is a mobility or stamina issue, the CMs will state that you may rent an ECV or wheelchair at the parks, or bring your own. Please realize that the average family walks miles a day at WDW. It's a long haul just from the bus/parking lot to the front gates at all of the parks.

 

[gap2368]

Yes no one is judging it is not that people with XYZ disability get a DAS and people with ABC disability do not get one it is up to the person with the disability to go to GR and say in line I need fill in the blank or I have problems when this happens how can I enjoy the park for some a DAS is what will help them for other something else

 

[Anchored]

We set up our DAS at Guest Services OUTSIDE Epcot before Epcot opened, and it was very smooth and easy. My daughter has Apraxia, a learning disability and very very mild autistic tendencies (truly we were wondering if she even needed a DAS, but were glad we got it after the first couple of meltdowns) I don't want to say much more because I don't want to get in trouble, but feel free to message me.

When we were at Hollywood Studios several days later, we had to go to Guest Services for Magic band issues (including daughter's picture not showing up for DAS scan) and witnessed Guest Services INSIDE Hollywood Studios and witnessed them grilling an adult who had a heart condition and denying them the DAS pass.

Hollywood Studios was also where we encountered cast members being rude about the DAS pass several times (and after an hour at Guest Services, finding out it was Hollywood Studios issue, not ours), all the other parks were extremely accomodating.

The last day my wife had to go into a wheel chair because of an infected blister on her foot and we were admitted onto several rides quickly even without using the DAS because she was in a wheelchair.

Fellow apraxia parent here! My DD has global apraxia and SPD (sensory seeker) and her DAS is a godsend. I don't see many with the diagnosis so just stopping by to wave!

 

[CoriM48]

Thank you for your post. We are checking into the Swan next Saturday and planned to get our son's DAS outside either Epcot or HS that day instead of waiting until the next day inside MK. We had a great experience with a CM outside HS last November.

Question for the OP: Did you get your DAS outside Epcot in the front or outside the International Gateway?

 

[TxWriterMama]

Animal Kingdom's GR is also a good spot for getting your DAS. Last year, we did kiddo's (still paper cards) at MK which was an, ahem, adventure because of the slow moving line. This year, we visited AK our first day. We were in and out there very quickly and the CM went ahead and popped a DAS for Expedition Everest on our magic bands while she was setting it up!

 

[gap2368]

Question for the OP: Did you get your DAS outside Epcot in the front or outside the International Gateway?

It will depend on the time of day if there are a lot of guess that have ticket problems you will be asked to go inside to get your DAS or if the thing that they use ( I think it is an iPad or iPod is not working or they do not have it then again you will be asked to go inside I would say try it since you will not be going when a lot of people are trying to get in.