MiceChat is reporting there will be changes to DAS at Disneyland

[bidnow5]

The CM used the term qualify I think it's just a way of saying I can get a DAS. If my needs meet their requirements I qualify for one

 

[OurBigTrip]

Oh, I don't know, maybe anyone who doesn't have a sensory disorder:

There is ample evidence on this very board that many guests that don't have "sensory disorders" are able to obtain a DAS, so I'm not sure why you continue to make that claim.

If someone in a wheelchair or stroller as a wheelchair can wait in the line, why should they get a DAS?

 

[emldrl]

This has been a very civil discussion so far, and my hope (not speaking for anyone else here) is that it will continue to be. Being new to the Dis, this is the first time I have been able to participate in a thread on the subject, and I have read lots of past threads that got very heated and were closed. I'm not sure why some posters feel the need to . The DAS has been in effect for over a year now, it has been working fairly well for the most part, and is being tweaked as necessary. I personally think Disney does a wonderful job of working with the disabled, all of us, physically and mentally alike (and yes I am both). I am glad they are making adjustments as needed, and hope they will continue to do so.

 

[SirDuff]

This has been a very civil discussion so far, and my hope (not speaking for anyone else here) is that it will continue to be. Being new to the Dis, this is the first time I have been able to participate in a thread on the subject, and I have read lots of past threads that got very heated and were closed. I'm not sure why some posters feel the need to . The DAS has been in effect for over a year now, it has been working fairly well for the most part, and is being tweaked as necessary. I personally think Disney does a wonderful job of working with the disabled, all of us, physically and mentally alike (and yes I am both). I am glad they are making adjustments as needed, and hope they will continue to do so.

I hope you didn't think I was trying to stir the pot! I really didn't mean my comments as criticism of what anyone posted. It was just a thought that occurred to me while reading the last few posts. I get why people use that terminology, I just also think it, unintentionally, might give off a specific connotation.

 

[aaarcher86]

The reason people keep using the term "qualify" to question whether they will receive a DAS is because it seems like getting one is extremely difficult even if you "need" one. The determination of "need" is being left to the wrong people.

Who should it be left to though?

I haven't seen any horror stories about the difficulty getting a DAS in quite some time. And most of the ones I saw were people that qualified for the GAC but not the DAS and weren't happy about it.

 

[aaarcher86]

Oh, I don't know, maybe anyone who doesn't have a sensory disorder: Snip

No one can determine from a picture whether someone ends a DAS or not, but briefly looking over your photos I assume you're trying to say people in wheelchairs, elderly, and even visually impaired folk.

There are other accommodations laid out for stuff like this. And I'm sorry, but I don't find yahoo answers a credible source of anything at all.

 

[emldrl]

No, of course not, I was not trying to say that at all. I didn't quote people because I don't want to start arguments, but my post was mostly directed at posters who make inflammatory, untrue statements, which I have seen them do in multiple threads. Not sure what the goal there is, but I am enjoying this thread, and don't want it closed due to posters looking for arguments. NOT referring to you at all, or most of the others, your post was just right before mine. Sorry if I upset anyone, I just needed to vent a little. I get that this subject can be emotional for people, but I wish we could have a discussion on here, like we have been, without it getting ruined.

Once again, sorry if I upset anyone, and no, not directed at you.

 

[disneyholic family]

i remember reading a while back - when they were first talking about changes coming to the GAC at WDW - that they were ultimately going to associate everything with the person electronically.

in the article, it said the person would come up to the attraction and the CM would electronically see the person's DAS, his/her picture and how many people were associated with it...

i would think that if it's electronic, that would eliminate the abuses...

people would only be able to obtain one DAS - since it would be tied with the person and his/her ticket...

i hope they do that...anything they can do to block the abusers is welcome in my book..

 

[ttintagel]

It would also be nice if they could add information about accommodations one might need that aren't covered by the DAS. As a visually impaired person, it would be great if it could let the CM's know I needed to sit in certain sections of shows, have loading belts slowed down, etc. I don't mind also describing my needs, but it would be cool if the band could alert them to be expecting me to.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Does anyone know if they are going to roll out an electronic version of the DAS at disney world? I think it would be more convenient to just have everything attached to magic bandsZ. I mean u have your room and dining plus your charging abilities and your fast passes and now you should be able to have your DAS on the magic bands. Less paper and less chance of losing it or forgetting it at your resort or something of that sort. Plus it's more reliable than a cast member.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

It was obvious this was going to happen,
I don't see how the new Das stops abuse anymore then the old system,
You still go through the fp line like the old GAC,and you can get 2 cards to alternate fp times and now not wait for anything since you can collect these times while using your 1st 3 Fps that you've already booked.
It was the perfect system to be abused.

I'm a big ole' cynic in real life, and pretty much expect the worst from people. I have also discovered that, despite my pessimistic nature, people continue to surprise me with their ability to creatively cheat the 'system'. Just like the folks who rent campground spots they never set foot on and rooms they don't use to get the onsite guest perks, it would never occur to me to have (or get) 2 DAS cards. I needed 1, so I got one. I spent zero time trying to figure out how to get around the system. It was enough to make sure I understood how to use the system correctly.

The number one most important value in my life is HONESTY. Ask Husband. Everyone who knows me knows that I would likely forgive him for cheating, but I would NOT forgive him for lying about it. People who have worked for me have learned this...some have learned the hard way, and you only get one chance to learn the honesty lesson from me if you learn it the hard way. It is just inconceivable to me that these people who cheat Disney, AND cheat the sick, the disabled, and those with different needs as well as every other guest at the park might have children who learn their values.

Many people already have such a dim view of the disabled, and we don't need more bad press. We're lazy, drug addicts, trying to take people's money via the government by getting disability, etc., etc. I know we could all spend hours debunking the myths (I'm not on disability, for instance, though I need to be and I still work thank you very much). I can't speak for those with special needs, but I imagine they don't want the bad press, either. It's just so frustrating!!!

The more common abuse we're seeing is the "lost" DAS. One party was recently caught with six of them issued to the same person. They apparently "lose" them a lot. (Yes, it was an AP)

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, I don't know, maybe anyone who doesn't have a sensory disorder:
...
Thought this was interesting and just shows you how long this abuse has been going on. And this was back when it was called a Special Assistance Pass.
...
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090212225803AAmDbMa

No one can determine from a picture whether someone ends a DAS or not, but briefly looking over your photos I assume you're trying to say people in wheelchairs, elderly, and even visually impaired folk.
There are other accommodations laid out for stuff like this. And I'm sorry, but I don't find yahoo answers a credible source of anything at all.

Amen re: Yahoo Answers. Wish they would just vanish from the Internet. Such a dangerous source of information, especially medical information.

And Bilge Rat, just to point out, my DAS is not for sensory issues. It was for an ongoing immune disorder.

 

[emldrl]

It would also be nice if they could add information about accommodations one might need that aren't covered by the DAS. As a visually impaired person, it would be great if it could let the CM's know I needed to sit in certain sections of shows, have loading belts slowed down, etc. I don't mind also describing my needs, but it would be cool if the band could alert them to be expecting me to.

I agree with you, they should definitely do that, for hearing and visual impairments. I would think it would be tiresome to have to explain it constantly! I also think that w/c return times should be adjusted to account for having a longer wait at times. (for those with a DAS and those without) The system does still need some tweaks, in my opinion.

 

[disneyholic family]

It would also be nice if they could add information about accommodations one might need that aren't covered by the DAS. As a visually impaired person, it would be great if it could let the CM's know I needed to sit in certain sections of shows, have loading belts slowed down, etc. I don't mind also describing my needs, but it would be cool if the band could alert them to be expecting me to.

they used to have that on the GAC - a stamp that gave you front row seating..
i had that for my mom (who is almost completely blind - what's called 'legally blind'....)..she still can't see much even from the first row, but it's much better than from anywhere else...
i don't know if they even reserve places anymore for people like that..
they used to have reserved areas for people with visual problems...(like the front row of flights with wonder, front rows of fantasmic, etc)

 

[SueM in MN]

they used to have that on the GAC - a stamp that gave you front row seating..
i had that for my mom (who is almost completely blind - what's called 'legally blind'....)..she still can't see much even from the first row, but it's much better than from anywhere else...
i don't know if they even reserve places anymore for people like that..
they used to have reserved areas for people with visual problems...(like the front row of flights with wonder, front rows of fantasmic, etc)

they still do have reserved seating the same as before. You need to ask a CM if you need help getting to it. That works similar go seating in places outside of WDW, like movie theaters.

Even though some people found the GAC stamp helpful, many people with vision problems found it did not help them and it was easier to just not use it.

Some just went to the front row without getting a CM involved at all.
Some found having the stamp actually meant the CM put them into a place that didn't meet their needs, so just didn't use it.
For example, the stamp was for "front row", but some people need more specific - front row, left side of theater - or wanted to be near the front, not necessarily in the front row because being in the front row put the stage above them in some shows (and was hard on the neck).
Then, there were people who had more than one stamp; we saw people multiple times who had a "front row" stamp and a "may use wheelchair access" stamp.
In many cases, those are competing stamps because using the wheelchair access for a show would put you into the very back row.
People didn't understand that and on more than one occassion, we saw people arguing with the CM that their "rights were being violated" because they were not being allowed to use the wheelchair access, when the CM was trying to put them in the area that would meet their vision needs.

It's maybe easiest to think of DAS as a single thing, set up to meet specific type of needs that can't be met just by asking a CM. It is set up to meet needs/disabilities related to waiting in line only. That is all it handles.

Other needs are handled in other ways - things like ramps and signs for access without stairs, seating in the front row marked reserved and handicapped, wheelchair spots, accessible ride cars.
Guests can ask a CM for assistance with all of those things.
For example, if the spots they need are already filled, the CM can make room or ask others to move. That is just like in a movie theater outside WDW - people with vision disabilities don't get a card that says they need front row seating.

One of the other issues with GAC was that because some people had a GAC with a stamp for front row setting, many CMs expected anyone asking for it to have a GAC with that stamp.
Requiring a GAC or any 'proof' would put them out of compliance with the ADA, which says people with disabilities can't be forced to show proof of disability and need to be handled in the Mainstream as much as possible (same way as other people).

This is a different way of looking at things for many people, but when you think about it, the 'waiting in line' needs are really the main ones that can't be met in the Mainstream.

 

[emldrl]

I get what you're saying Sue, I just think that, on a very narrow scope, that further tweaks could be made. Particularly when it comes to visual and hearing impairments, and adjusting w/c wait times when needed. I realize it could quickly turn back into the old system, but I think just a few improvements to the already successful system would be great. Maybe they could just put it on the electronic stuff, separate from the DAS. That would probably be even better, since not all of the above would have a DAS.

 

[Jedana]

The number one most important value in my life is HONESTY. Ask Husband. Everyone who knows me knows that I would likely forgive him for cheating, but I would NOT forgive him for lying about it. People who have worked for me have learned this...some have learned the hard way, and you only get one chance to learn the honesty lesson from me if you learn it the hard way. It is just inconceivable to me that these people who cheat Disney, AND cheat the sick, the disabled, and those with different needs as well as every other guest at the park might have children who learn their values.

The people who are cheating the system don't have the same values as you.

Sorry if that offends anyone, but if one schemes or lies to cheat the system, then that person is dishonest.

I posted, when the DAS was coming out, that Disney stated their goal was to go electronic at the parks. Eventually the MB connected DAS will be available at WDW. DL is a smaller venue, and easier to do a trial run at, get some of the kinks worked out.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Thanks Sue for that post.

My DD has visual difficulties. The stamp didn't work for us and we still found ourselves asking a CM to help accommodate our needs. We also did, and still do, what we needed to do to accommodate my DD's needs ourselves. We do that everyday so why should going to Disney be any different?

The change of going electronic is scheduled for Disneyland. Disneyland doesn't have Magic Bands or Fast Pass + yet. They did try the electronic linking with the Frozen Meet and Greet and so they found out it works and how to do it. Disneyland does have a different population than WDW in that it has more locals. Different doesn't mean bad or good, just different. It isn't bad or good that there are more locals, it just is.

 

[disneyholic family]

Erin, i agree with you that it would be great if the whole thing were linked to the magic band. No card. Just the band.
The person would walk up to the attraction and the CM would immediately see it on the screen - DAS + X people.

and that somehow the system itself would be programmed with it, so that multiple magic bands wouldn't make a difference (i have to say that i don't understand how people are using multiple MBs to get more fastpasses).

if only people would be honest, but i guess that's too much to ask (and terribly disappointing to me).

 

[amyamya]

I was worried about getting a DAS for my DS with ASD but then I read a woman over on the DLR board talking about how she got a DAS because she had a bladder infection/UTI and had to use the restroom so much she couldn't wait in line. This makes me furious. I am so mad at the people who ruin it for the kids/people who really need it.

 

[emldrl]

I was worried about getting a DAS for my DS with ASD but then I read a woman over on the DLR board talking about how she got a DAS because she had a bladder infection/UTI and had to use the restroom so much she couldn't wait in line. This makes me furious. I am so mad at the people who ruin it for the kids/people who really need it.

Have you ever had a UTI? If it is severe enough, it can be debilitating. Then again, when I've had them, there was NO way I could leave my bed, let alone go to a theme park, so yeah, probably an abuser. I do think though, that if someone has kidney/colon problems, and cannot wait in super long lines, that's not an abuse. So, I guess it just depends on the situation, and it's not for me to judge. If you saw me getting a DAS, you (general you) might think I was an abuser too, but I'm definitely not!