Need Advice Re: a DAS Phone Call Pre-Trip

[Little E]

Hi All!

I just got back from a trip with my oldest DS and his buddy for their college spring break, and I'm headed back to Pop for a spring break trip with my DH, youngest DS and his buddy for their high school spring break.

We have been to WDW many times, and we have accessed the DAS for my youngest son every time. He is on the autism spectrum, and he wrestles with both anxiety and OCD, and waiting in lines is his kryptonite. The DAS has made all the difference in our trips, and itis one of the reasons we return to Disney each year. We are so grateful for this accommodation.

This year's trip is different because we won't have big brother with us (he's the college kiddo with the different spring break dates) and instead we're bringing my son's friend. Additionally, we will be at Pop at the same time as another friend's family; our MDE accounts and trips are linked, and we have some dining reservations together. Their son is really looking forward to hanging out with my son and his buddy...all three are great friends. These are exciting things for us, but already my son is so, so anxious about how things will go. We definitely want to access DAS to help make this trip go smoothly. I have tried several times to call to get the DAS set up on our account. We are within our 30 day window, and I feel like a call would alleviate a little of DS's anxiety...he doesn't want the friends to overhear our conversation with guest services about accessing DAS. Each time I have started the online chat to call, with my son waiting in the wings to be part of that call, I get the "sorry, we're not taking any more calls today" message. I have called on the weekends, and during the week with no luck. Because I was just at WDW last week, I actually stopped by guest services to get advice about how to call and set up DAS via phone. The CM had no advice to give other than "keep trying".

So, I'm wondering if anyone has had luck with accessing DAS via a phone call before a trip? If so, what worked for you in terms of a time of day or day of the week for calling? Worst case scenario, we'll go to guest services on our first day in the park, but I'd love to have DAS all set up with a phone call beforehand, so DS isn't so worried about it. Any advice anyone has would be great. Thanks so much!

 

[bambialways4ever]

You have to try early in the day. I recommend getting on first thing at 7 am eastern. You're getting that message because you are getting on too late where the chat is already closed d

We signed up two weeks on a weekend and hit "start chat"at 7am on the dot and were done in 45 minutes. BUT even if you get on at 7 am, it can still take hours so you need to be prepared to wait.

Also, it sounds like you are traveling with a large party. Disney is now being VERY strict on the limit of people that can use the DAS with the DAS holder. It will be your som, and 5 more, and that's it. They are not making exceptions anymore outside of immediate family based on reports.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, people have been successful calling. My family did it in less than an hour total, including setting up 5 days of DAS Advance Selections for our trip in February 2022.
We did it around 11 am, central time, so not early. Many people suggest trying right at 7 am; be aware if you are a trying to get in before they actually opened at 7 am (like a minute or 2), you will probably get the default ‘night‘ message, saying they are not accepting any more calls. If you get that message early in the morning, try again a minute or 2 later.
Recent experiences have mostly ranged from 1-2 hours on the short side and 5-6 hours on the long side.

The previous poster made a good point about the number of guests linked to DAS. The usual number is 6 total (5 plus the person with a disability); anything more than that is an exception. People have been reporting they were not able to get more than 6 during the video chat and we’re told to go to Guest Relations in a park to ask about an exception to add guests. There is no guarantee for a number greater than 6 and even if you have more linked, individual attractions may not issue a DAS Return Time for more than 6.

There are several threads talking about this already, so I’m going to refer you to these threads.
WDW DAS changes summary thread

DAS pre-registration; how long expect to wait

I am closing this thread to avoid having discussions people need to look at in so many places.