Just Returned - DAS for Child WCF

[Ratatosk]

Just got back from Disney World and using the DAS for the first time. Checked in at City Hall at Magic Kingdom and explained DS11's needs. They explained it should be used in conjunction with FP plus, that it wasn't front of the line access -- everything covered here on this site.

We had Fast passes for Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean for the first day -- DS' favorites. Only issues I had with the FP system was some of the more popular rides are sold out months in advance -- 7 dwarves mine ride and Toy Story Mania with standby times being 80-120 minutes. So the DAS worked well in terms of getting a return time. Sometimes if the standby time wasn't too long, we'd ride the ride and use our DAS return time afterwards or later on in the day.

One evening Test Track broke down before we could ride, so the next day we approached the ride to get a different return time and they gave us a fastpass to use immediately AND a DAS return time, which was awesome.

We did overhear a few people grumbling about not being able to use the DAS multiple times, shrug. And once a gentleman approached us after we got a return time for 7 dwarves, demanding to know what time they gave US as a return time.

All in all it was a good trip. Not really DAS related, but there seemed to be a LOT of people who either didn't understand the FP plus system and that they had to use the specific times listed on the FP or were trying to talk their way onto the ride, so sometimes the fast pass lines got bogged down with staff either trying to explain to people or people just blocking it. Also, a few times when I tried to change FP times via my cell phone, I got error message. Usually it was on the days when the parks were much more crowded, so I suspect the system got overwhelmed.

 

[Kellykins1218]

We did overhear a few people grumbling about not being able to use the DAS multiple times, shrug. And once a gentleman approached us after we got a return time for 7 dwarves, demanding to know what time they gave US as a return time.

Like it was any of his business? People can be so rude.

 

[Candleshoe]

.....

 

[Candleshoe]

And once a gentleman approached us after we got a return time for 7 dwarves, demanding to know what time they gave US as a return time.

Wait, he wanted to know what time your family got the return time. or, did he want to know what time HE and your family got the return time?

The first is RUDE. The second is rude and creeeepy!

 

[lanejudy]

... And once a gentleman approached us after we got a return time for 7 dwarves, demanding to know what time they gave US as a return time. ...

Now see I had a different take on this than some of you. DH says I view the world through rose-colored glasses and tend to look for the good in people/situations rather than seeing the bad.

Yes, maybe the man was rude by "demanding" (I can only rely on OP for tone) -- but his question may have been based in frustration. There have been posts about people getting incorrect return times.; and the busier the parks get the more likelihood of errors. PP indicates standby waits were 80-120 minutes. So let's say the ride had a 100 minute standby, and the gentleman received an incorrect return time on his DAS (or the DAS for someone in his family), maybe he was told to return in 110 minutes rather than 90 minutes. Others have been quite frustrated by that scenario with shorter waits involved, when you start talking 1.5 to 2 hours -- it's a chunk of time. Or maybe that was the first time they'd ever used DAS and they hadn't understood the process. So he asked "what return time did YOU get?" Granted, we hope everyone speaks politely at all times; but frustrations can get the better of any of us on occasion.

Ratatosk -- I'm glad you had a good trip. Thank you for coming back to report that it went well.

 

[SMD]

Yes, maybe the man was rude by "demanding" (I can only rely on OP for tone) -- but his question may have been based in frustration. There have been posts about people getting incorrect return times.; and the busier the parks get the more likelihood of errors. PP indicates standby waits were 80-120 minutes. So let's say the ride had a 100 minute standby, and the gentleman received an incorrect return time on his DAS (or the DAS for someone in his family), maybe he was told to return in 110 minutes rather than 90 minutes. Others have been quite frustrated by that scenario with shorter waits involved, when you start talking 1.5 to 2 hours -- it's a chunk of time. Or maybe that was the first time they'd ever used DAS and they hadn't understood the process. So he asked "what return time did YOU get?" Granted, we hope everyone speaks politely at all times; but frustrations can get the better of any of us on occasion.

It's still rude to involve another guest in your frustration. If you have an issue with the return times being handed out, take it up with a CM, ride lead or GS. You don't drag another guest into your issue.

 

[lanejudy]

It's still rude to involve another guest in your frustration. If you have an issue with the return times being handed out, take it up with a CM, ride lead or GS. You don't drag another guest into your issue.

I see your point. However, I don't necessarily perceive someone asking a question as "drag another guest into your issue." I can honestly see someone say "excuse me, would you mind telling me what return time you just received? I'm not sure I understand this DAS thing correctly." I personally would not approach another guest like that because I am relatively shy; if I questioned it at all I would go back to the CM. But many times when I'm out (mall, grocery store, errands, school, church, etc.) someone might ask me a question that really isn't my business. Some people don't think twice about asking questions of strangers who clearly have nothing to do with their situation.

Rudeness is never acceptable, regardless of who is being addressed, the situation or question. So the gentleman's demeanor may well have been rude, which was uncalled for.

 

[Ratatosk]

By his tone, I think he was frustrated with the whole process and was double checking to see if they'd been treated unfairly. Still took me aback. Maybe if he'd been a bit calmer, polite instead of demanding to see our DAS.

7 dwarves standby waits looked to be 80 minutes at the start of each day, plus for us it was kinda off the beaten path. When one of use "ran" to get a return time with the DAS, there were wall to wall people from either direction Peter Pan to Winnie the Pooh and those rides had huge standby waits as well. I'll admit we got spoiled with the GAC in the past.

 

[cmwade77]

Really, I know a lot of people don't like Disneyland's scanning the passes, but it does avoid the issue of getting inaccurate return times.

 

[blondietink]

When we were there in December, most of the people with DAS cards were complaining to us of having to use the DAS system instead of the front of the line access they were expecting. I just told them I thought it was wonderful and we were using the FP+ system in conjunction with DAS, but had not needed to use DAS because we had made FP+ reservations in advance. We were even able to make FP+ reservations for 7DMT 2 days in advance when they released more slots. We also were able to use FP+ after all of our reservations were used for the day.

Honestly, I think we rode more rides this past trip than we have ever been able to before. Scheduled FP+ towards mid-day, early afternoon, got to the parks at opening and rode lots of rides, then our FP+ rides, then got more FP+. By that time it was time for parades, fireworks, etc. and we had some very full days.

 

[tinkerpea]

It would not necessarily bother me if someone with a Das asked to see the time I got,
I actually have had issues myself in the past with the whole inconsistent time thing.( I've never asked another guest to see theirs) however I've had them forget to take off the 10 mins or even add time!
Another problem I've faced,that I've not wanted to mention this before as I don't know which way it would be taken....here goes
On more then a few occasions I've been given lower Das times then what I should by young male CMs and surely I can't be the only one.
Not wanting to get the individual's into trouble I have gone to GS and mentioned that they need to educate their CMs as the Above has happened.
It's been A difficult situation as I know it's wrong.
So I can understand the frustration when there is not a consistency,then of course you get the CM's that try And give you pixie dust by giving you a lower Time not to the degree of the above but still from say 45min wait to say 20 mins.