Need DAS advice and looking for "lay down" restrooms in WDW parks

[Twila12]

My husband and I will be traveling to WDW in February 2016 with family friends - a mom, dad, and their 6-year old son. The son has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair full time. He can transfer to rides from his chair but is unable to do any walking or standing. He also needs to use a catheter on a semi-regular schedule for passing of urine. The catheter isn't permanent; his parents need to take him to a location where he can lay on his back while they "cath" him. A companion restroom isn't ideal because there isn't a place for him to lay down; he is too big (46 pounds) to use a drop-down changing table. Has anyone had experience trying to find such a restroom? I know there are restrooms available at first aid stations at the parks but I'm not sure if those had an area for him to lay down. The parents are already very nervous about the trip and how their son's needs will be accommodated so I'm trying to do research for them to make the trip seamless.
Also, the mom has terminal cancer and will likely be using a wheelchair in the parks. She gets tired very easily and won't be able to walk through the parks for any length of time. I understand that there is a new system in-place and a DAS card will be needed. I'm still confused about how this works. My understanding is that a group is limited to 4 FastPasses per day, correct? It sounds as if the DAS is basically a FastPass for disabled guests? It merely takes 10 minutes off the posted wait time and requires that you come back to the ride at a specific time? Will they be limited to how many rides they can schedule with the DAS just like with FastPass? My understanding is that you can also only schedule on DAS "FastPass" at a time? You can't set up your entire day before even entering the park- is that right? The whole thing sounds like an overwhelming fiasco so I need some guidance. Thanks!

 

[minnie mum]

There are private rooms with cots at each first aid station where the catheterization can be done.

Since the mother will have a wheelchair, she won't qualify for a DAS, since Disney's answer for mobility or endurance problems is to use a mobility device like a wheelchair or ECV. Almost all attractions are w/c accessible.

The only limit to the number of FPs you can have on any day is only based on availability. As long as you have a ticket linked to your MDE account you can prebook 3 FPs. After those are used, you can book another at a park kiosk. Once that is used, you can book another, provided there is availability. Etc. Etc.

You can find details about the DAS here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-disability-access

 

[gap2368]

as minnie said first aid will be your best bet. for the son as far as the mom no she will not need a DAS card as her needs will be meet with an ECV or a wheel chair. I would do your first 3 fast passes for rides that you really want to do then after you use the first 3 you may go to any kiosk and get another one not every one has to go just one person can go for all in the party.

to help the mom with her energy go to shows often they do not have long lines and they are some where that is inside and AC. you can also go to first aid to rest for a bit. meals can also give you some time too they do not need to be sit down but quick service can work.

since you are going in February you should have good weather and more then likely not heavy crowds so that should help you out a lot.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

another vote for the first aid centers with cots to lay down. may not be the easiest to get to but would be where they could do easiest

 

[SueM in MN]

If the mom's needs are met by using a wheelchair, she would not qualify for DAS, which is basically the ability to wait outside of the line. If she feels her need are not met by using the wheelchair, she would need to go to a Guest Relations at a park and explain her unmet needs that are related to waiting in line.

Post one of this thread is information about DAS.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/wd...15-digital-das-on-tickets-magicbands.3178976/
Don't read more than the first post - the other pages are comments from before and just after DAS was put into place and are no longer up to date.

For the restroom question, the bathrooms in First Aid are just handicapped accessible restrooms. They don't have a place to lie down in the restroom. First Aid does have private rooms with cots, which they could use. They would need to have a catheter with attached collection bag is some sort of collection container (I assume they would since it's not possible to catheterize someone lying down without a collection container).

I would suggest they discuss other positions for catheterization with his doctors/care providers. Most males can be catheterized sitting without leaving their wheelchair. At the same time, they may want to discuss teaching the child how to catheterize himself; that is an important skill for independence that many children are taught before starting school. Because of anatomy, it's harder for girls to learn to do while seated, but many girls are also taught as preschoolers.
Even if he can't do it by himself, doing it while seated in his wheelchair will give the much more freedom when out of the home.
If they are not going until February, they have plenty of time to practice (if they already are catheterizing him while he is lying down, it would be minor changes to do it seated).

 

[Bearshouse]

Just want to say that the nurses in the first aid have always been super nice. They are usually the same from park open to park close. They usually remember you so the first time you explain what you need and the next time they are usually opening the door and are saying last door on the right at magic kingdom. Even if there is a line waiting we were told that one area is usually available for people with disabilities. They understand that it is the only place in the parks to take care of personal care needs.

 

[gap2368]

Just want to say that the nurses in the first aid have always been super nice. They are usually the same from park open to park close. They usually remember you so the first time you explain what you need and the next time they are usually opening the door and are saying last door on the right at magic kingdom. Even if there is a line waiting we were told that one area is usually available for people with disabilities. They understand that it is the only place in the parks to take care of personal care needs.

this is very true I even left my bag there one time the next day a different nurse was working and when I walked in the door she goes you left your back here last night do you need it or would you like to leave it here I just looked at her and said leave it and hope I do not forget it. I go so often that now when I come in ( most of the time) the nurse just say you know where to put your things.