Making a DAS As Helpful As Possible

[DRS_Are_Best]

Hi everyone --

I'm posting this question without reading the boards first....sorry.....

We are preparing a trip to The World in November. We'll be traveling with 2 8.5-year old twin children, both with a diagnosis of Autism (I realize that official diagnoses don't necessarily matter, but providing it for context for my questions). This is their second trip to the world.....the first was when they were 2 years old and we travelled there just 2 days after the doctor told us they were "Clearly on the spectrum". At that time, we had no idea what we were facing and we really did everything by the seat of our pants. This time, we have time (and knowledge) to think things through. I'm not so worried about DD....we can address her issues fairly easily.....it's DS that's a concern.

For the record, what we are thinking of doing is requesting this with a "just in case" attitude. We plan to avoid using any extra accommodations as long as he can handle the situation(s). But we want to have something in hand, just in case and be ready to use it should the need arise.

So, as I'm just learning about this whole system, here are my specific questions:

1. Do we get the DAS for the whole trip or do we have to do it at each park / facility? And, if it's only good for the one location and we have to do this for each destination, will it be good for the entire visit or do we need to repeat the process every time we visit said location? (we are planning 3 days at MK, for example)

2. How specific do we need to be when requesting allowances? Do you need to be VERY specific or can we mention that we're playing it by ear and seeing how much he can handle?

3. How flexible are the cast members? If we are entitled to certain accommodations, how likely are they to help us enforce those when we realize they are needed?


TIA!

 

[gap2368]

the way the new DAS card ( now linked to the magic band) is you go to a line if it is longer then 10 minutes you will get a come back time minus 10 minutes then you enter the fast pass line. it is good for 60 days at any of the 4 theam parks

when you get the DAS card you will need to say what accommodation they need in the line some CM what a lot of information some do not
they will take a picture of your child and scan the band. it can be used at any fast pass attraction and meet and great but not for fire works or pairaids

for the most part there is not extra accommodation

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

What we are really looking for is for the shows and other such events (parades, etc). The last time he was there, he couldn't sit through any of these things. DH and I would take turns leaving the shows or whatever we were attending and walk with him while the other parent stayed with the other 2 kids. I was hoping that the DAS would give us a seat allowing us easy exits should the need arise. I'm not TOO concerned about the lines....we're going at a quiet time (anticipated crowd levels while we're there are between 2 and 4) and we have done enough research that we should be able to minimize waits (between FP+ and Touring Plan itineraries).

We also have drummer headphones that he wears when he's in unfamiliar locations (or loud places). I'm hoping that the DAS would allow him to wear them during the trip, potentially even on the Rock-N-Roller Coaster (they are quite tight and I doubt there will be any danger of them coming off....especially since he usually keeps his hands over them).

 

[gap2368]

the DAS card will not help with where you can sit all though you can just say I need to sit where I can leave easy ( I do that at every thing and never had a problem) the same goes with head phones

 

[lanejudy]

I suggest you check out the WDW - Disability Access Service (DAS) thread pinned near the top of this forum. You only need to read the first post, not the pages of discussion after.

1. Do we get the DAS for the whole trip or do we have to do it at each park / facility? And, if it's only good for the one location and we have to do this for each destination, will it be good for the entire visit or do we need to repeat the process every time we visit said location? (we are planning 3 days at MK, for example)

The DAS will be good for 60 days, at any of the four major theme parks. You may request one at any Guest Relations inside any of the four major theme parks, possibly at the outside location. You can get it on your first day, or last day, or any day in between when you realize you need it.

2. How specific do we need to be when requesting allowances? Do you need to be VERY specific or can we mention that we're playing it by ear and seeing how much he can handle?

To request a DAS, you'll have to explain what his needs are as related to waiting in a standard queue environment.

3. How flexible are the cast members? If we are entitled to certain accommodations, how likely are they to help us enforce those when we realize they are needed?

I'm not sure what you are asking here...? The DAS allows you to wait somewhere other than in the standby queue. If you need other accommodations, you'll have to ask.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[HopperFan]

What we are really looking for is for the shows and other such events (parades, etc). The last time he was there, he couldn't sit through any of these things. DH and I would take turns leaving the shows or whatever we were attending and walk with him while the other parent stayed with the other 2 kids. I was hoping that the DAS would give us a seat allowing us easy exits should the need arise. I'm not TOO concerned about the lines....we're going at a quiet time (anticipated crowd levels while we're there are between 2 and 4) and we have done enough research that we should be able to minimize waits (between FP+ and Touring Plan itineraries).

We also have drummer headphones that he wears when he's in unfamiliar locations (or loud places). I'm hoping that the DAS would allow him to wear them during the trip, potentially even on the Rock-N-Roller Coaster (they are quite tight and I doubt there will be any danger of them coming off....especially since he usually keeps his hands over them).

It can not be used at parades, fireworks.... It can only be used where there is a FP+ AND a Standby line. The return time is determined by the Standby wait time.

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Mrsjvb]

Each child needs their own DAS. get it any at Guest relations and it is good for your entire stay for all parks

the sole accommodation is waiting the length of the standby line (minus ten minutes) outside the line then being sent through the FP+ line when you return. only ONE ride/attraction at a time can have a return time. if an attraction does not have a FP+ line DAS cannot be used. if a SB line is shut down for any reason you cannot get a DAS return time

you need to explain exactly why Junior cannot wait in a standard line. he does not have to be right there but the CM issuing the DAS must see him and take his picture. for the rides anyone can get the return time but the person with the DAS must ride.

 

[stitchlovestink]

the way the new DAS card ( now linked to the magic band) is you go to a line if it is longer then 10 minutes you will get a come back time minus 10 minutes then you enter the fast pass line. it is good for 60 days at any of the 4 theam parks

when you get the DAS card you will need to say what accommodation they need in the line some CM what a lot of information some do not
they will take a picture of your child and scan the band. it can be used at any fast pass attraction and meet and great but not for fire works or pairaids

for the most part there is not extra accommodation

Last week it was NOT subtracting 10 minutes. If the standby line was 60 minutes, it was assigning a return time an hour later, not 50 minutes later.

 

[gap2368]

it should have been minus 10 minutes you could have talked to the CM who did the return time for you

 

[stitchlovestink]

it should have been minus 10 minutes you could have talked to the CM who did the return time for you

I commented about this and they said the system automatically assigns the time. They cannot change that. The time assigned is what it is.

 

[SMD]

I commented about this and they said the system automatically assigns the time. They cannot change that. The time assigned is what it is.

It's possible that the just hadn't updated the posted standby time, but the wait was actually 70 minutes at the time.

 

[stitchlovestink]

It's possible that the just hadn't updated the posted standby time, but the wait was actually 70 minutes at the time.

It NEVER took 10 minutes off any of the times I used it ALL week. I asked at 4 different locations and always got the same response, the computer assigns the time. It appears that the system is not subtracting 10 minutes at this time. I watched this all week. This was my experience.

 

[gap2368]

I have been to Disney for 12 days with the new systom and it has always taken 10 minutes off the wait time for me

 

[DisMommyTX]

With the DAS, we found it more effective to use our FP+ reservations differently. We traveled during a peak time and found using the fp+ for parades and fireworks allowed us to arrive later (less time trying to stay in one place) and have more space to spread out. Then that DAS was used for rides with longer wait times which would have normally been a FP. During less busy times, you can probably find less crowded viewing areas without fp, just avoid Main Street. Great parade viewing can be found in Frontier Land and Liberty Square. We liked watching the fireworks from behind the castle or over by Tomorrowland.

For shows, we would arrive later, and get seats near exits. The "best" seats were not usually the best for us. Less time sitting and easy escapes made for much more enjoyable viewing than being crammed in the center.

Get the card, and don't feel guilty about using it. We also found it helpful to split up occasionally. For example, Dad took DS to the stunt show at Hollywood Studios while I took DD to see Beauty and the Beast. And if she wanted to ride something with a long ling, one of us took him to get a snack or play somewhere.

Be flexible and do what works for your family.

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

Thanks again! We too tend to go for the seats that are generally considered to be less desirable because in our life, they're exactly what we need. As I mentioned, Touring Plans is rating the crowds between a 3 and a 5 the entire time we are there (3-4 most days) so waits shouldn't be THAT long. And we are good about going on a higher thrill ride followed by a more sedate attraction (for MK especially) so that we can reduce the likelihood of sensory overload. It's going to be fun....just trying to prepare myself so when I request the DAS, I know what we should be asking for.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thanks again! We too tend to go for the seats that are generally considered to be less desirable because in our life, they're exactly what we need. As I mentioned, Touring Plans is rating the crowds between a 3 and a 5 the entire time we are there (3-4 most days) so waits shouldn't be THAT long. And we are good about going on a higher thrill ride followed by a more sedate attraction (for MK especially) so that we can reduce the likelihood of sensory overload. It's going to be fun....just trying to prepare myself so when I request the DAS, I know what we should be asking for.

Not to be a pain, but there is one thing and one thing only you get with the DAS - the ability to wait outside the line. It will have no effect on seat location, ability to wear headphones or anything else. It isn't a matter of you knowing what to ask for - you have to be prepared to explain why your child can't wait in a regular line. That's the only reason to get a DAS.

Good luck, and have a wonderful trip!

 

[gap2368]

Thanks again! We too tend to go for the seats that are generally considered to be less desirable because in our life, they're exactly what we need. As I mentioned, Touring Plans is rating the crowds between a 3 and a 5 the entire time we are there (3-4 most days) so waits shouldn't be THAT long. And we are good about going on a higher thrill ride followed by a more sedate attraction (for MK especially) so that we can reduce the likelihood of sensory overload. It's going to be fun....just trying to prepare myself so when I request the DAS, I know what we should be asking for.

The DAS card will not give you any thing about where you sit you can tell the CM at the place where you are if you need to sit some where and they will try to accommodate you but I have found that you can just sit any where you can find a sit

 

[CoriM48]

AS others have said, the DAS really only functions as a wait time/location tool. It doesn't offer any other type of accommodations.

With that being said, the CMs are usually fairly kind if you respectfully and discretely ask for something within reason (and sometimes flash the DAS). For example, at Turtle Talk with Crush, the adults are all required without fail to sit in the back. I quietly asked the seating CM if I could sit in the very back row of kids with my 7yo son on my lap because there was no other way he would be able to sit with his peers. I kind of flashed the DAS pass while I asked, and I think because I was kind, quiet, and only asking to sit in front of the adults, he said yes. I made sure not to take video so I wouldn't give the appearance of trying to get a better shot. But his kindness allowed our son to be able to sit with the other kids, something he desperately wants to do but often can't.

On the flip side, I did the same thing at the opening room in Storytime with Belle (asked to kneel at his height next to him) in the back row of kids, and the CM treated me like I was an entitled adult that needed a good slap and refused, so it really depends on the CMs when you asked for extra help at the individual attractions. But overall we found them to be very helpful when we asked for seats near the exits or in the back rows. But we always had a backup because we knew it wasn't a guarantee and we would be grateful for whatever help they could give us.

I'm curious if others have been allowed to wear their headphones on the roller coasters. We always assumed no, but it would be great for my son if that was allowed!

And I think we're going to be in the World that same week as your family! Gotta love the crowds the week before the week of Thanksgiving!

 

[gap2368]

AS others have said, the DAS really only functions as a wait time/location tool. It doesn't offer any other type of accommodations.

With that being said, the CMs are usually fairly kind if you respectfully and discretely ask for something within reason (and sometimes flash the DAS). For example, at Turtle Talk with Crush, the adults are all required without fail to sit in the back. I quietly asked the seating CM if I could sit in the very back row of kids with my 7yo son on my lap because there was no other way he would be able to sit with his peers. I kind of flashed the DAS pass while I asked, and I think because I was kind, quiet, and only asking to sit in front of the adults, he said yes. I made sure not to take video so I wouldn't give the appearance of trying to get a better shot. But his kindness allowed our son to be able to sit with the other kids, something he desperately wants to do but often can't.

On the flip side, I did the same thing at the opening room in Storytime with Belle (asked to kneel at his height next to him) in the back row of kids, and the CM treated me like I was an entitled adult that needed a good slap and refused, so it really depends on the CMs when you asked for extra help at the individual attractions. But overall we found them to be very helpful when we asked for seats near the exits or in the back rows. But we always had a backup because we knew it wasn't a guarantee and we would be grateful for whatever help they could give us.

I'm curious if others have been allowed to wear their headphones on the roller coasters. We always assumed no, but it would be great for my son if that was allowed!

And I think we're going to be in the World that same week as your family! Gotta love the crowds the week before the week of Thanksgiving!

there is no more card to show so you will have to tell the CM that your son has special need and what he need to be able to enjoy the attraction or show. The only way I can do the line for space mountain is with my ear buds in my ear I had just walked passed the second Mickey touch point when a CM asked for a party of 1 I raised my hand and was walked right to the front I waited maybe 3 seconds then I was on the ride I still had my ear buds in and no CM said a word to me I enjoyed that ride so much more that I did it for the rest of the times with no one saying a word to be.