New to DAS and worried

[Dbktmc]

My family will be traveling to WDW in June this year. We will have 5 people in our group myself, DH, DS (4), and both of my parents. Last year my father had a terrible accident where he almost died. He has recovered for the most part but still has lingering issues. One of the most serious issues is the back problems that remain. He is unable to stand still for long periods of time and will end up in bed for days if he tries to stand still for even a half hour. Both he and my mother were afraid to join us in Disney as they were afraid they would ruin our trip due to inability to wait in any standby line. Thankfully, we were able to convince them that we didn't mind riding less rides then normal.

We have tried to convince him to get an ECV but he is just too proud. (He also can't just sit for long periods of time. He must constantly be changing up walking and sitting.) I told him about the DAS program and he is so upset with me that I brought it up. He is 77 years old and has never needed "help" before. (Please don't judge... he is a very kind man.) He keeps telling me that he will be fine on all of Disney's mild rides... no coasters... but he just can't wait in line. I keep trying to explain how this works and I'm hopeful I can convince him before our trip.

Would this "disability" qualify for DAS? Of course, this all depends on if I can convince him to use the program. If not, we will ride our 3 rides a day and then just leave the park and stay at our hotel.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[Shanti]

The solution to this is ECV, not DAS. I don't know the answer to your question about DAS, but keep in mind how much walking is required at WDW between rides, between transportation & the gates, within resorts...everywhere. Even if you get DAS, he'll still have to walk for miles each day.

Find other people to talk to him about ECV, maybe, or show him photos of how many (non-disabled) seniors use ECVs at WDW to protect their legs and knees. ECVs are common at Disney & will allow him to really enjoy the parks. They can also be parked at various locations inside the park, so he can get up and walk whenever he feels like it.

We took my 72 year-old mother on a birthday trip to WDW in January and I rented an ECV for her from Care Medical. It was waiting for us at the resort, looked great & handled well. Great experience & affordable. Without the ECV, she would have been in pain for much of the trip. With the ECV, my son and I sometimes joked about how hard it was too keep up with Grandma.She'd never used one before, but took to it like a duck to water.

I hope this situation gets worked out for you and your father in the end, so he can have a wonderful trip.

 

[Selket]

My guess is he MAY qualify for a DAS - but you'll have to explain the issues to them and he has to be willing to go in with you at least. It's hard to say as an ECV could help with most of his issues. I always prefer Guest Services in the MK - the CM's just seem better trained although I know it's supposed to be the same everywhere.

Tell your dad this: you need to rent an ECV for your trip. No one will care one way or the other that you are in an ECV - and it will help your family have a much better trip overall. Both of my knees are very bad with arthritis and need to be replaced some time in the near future and I'm only 52 - and I get an ECV to help me get through the parks with my family (I have teenagers). I walk sometimes and ride sometimes. I either park the ECV or let a family member drive it if I want to walk. It is VERY easy to park and walk around - then ride it to the next area. You can do the same in the ride que too - walk some and ride some. I typically don't take it into stores - depends on how crowded it is. There is SO much walking at Disney World - I'm not sure he realizes how much walking is involved....miles and miles...

I'm thinking that even if he has a DAS, he may still need the ECV just to be able to keep up - and also have a guaranteed place to sit right when he needs it - no matter where you are. Probably if I was you, I'd rent an ECV for the week and drive it until he gives in and uses it...lol! Also he should realize the ECV's you rent are much nicer and easier to drive than the ones at grocery stores and such. I actually enjoyed operating the ECV - and it gave me SO much more freedom to do what I wanted - like night and day for my trips. Best of luck.

 

[aaarcher86]

My gut tells me WDW will advise a wheelchair, so he can alternate standing and sitting as needed. Being too proud to use one won't really be considered.

Also, standby lines are rarely at a standstill, IMO. They're typically moving pretty consistently.

 

[minnie mum]

An ecv may not be the answer, but I don't think a DAS is likely - Disney's answer for any mobility problem is an ecv or wheelchair.

If his problem is just standing still for a prolonged time, well, the standby lines are rarely at a stand still. They move pretty constantly, but slowly. ( unless the ride has been stopped.)

But if even moving slowly is a problem, but he prefers not to sit for too long, then a wheelchair or a rollator might be of more use. He can take either of these into the queues and either push them or sit as he needs. But someone in your party would have to be willing to push him when he's sitting in the chair.

 

[SteveMouse]

My expectation is that aaarcher is correct.

FP lines could realistically have a wait of 20 minutes, and maybe a few minutes longer.

You also need to be prepared for any ride to break down, resulting in a (potentially) unexpected lengthy period of sitting (or standing, even if in a FP line, if the ride is delayed).

It is perfectly plausible also that one could be standing (or sitting) on a bus for a half hour to get to/from a park.

 

[Dbktmc]

Thanks for your insight. While an ECV would be beneficial, i know that it probably won't happen. His disability at this point is that he can not stand in a slow moving line for anything past 10 minutes. He suffered a broken back and broken ribs in his accident and he has recovered to the point that he can walk at a very slow pace. We know that we will need to take frequent breaks as we walk through the parks.

I should have mentioned that we have been to Disney over 40 times so I am quite familiar with how the standby lines work. I know that the few steps it moves (and yes, in June, the lines can easily be 2+ hours for many attractions) every few minutes will not work for him.

After reading your comments I think that is is best to just call Disney. We will have some hard decisions to make if they won't help us.

 

[PlutoPony]

Has your father been to WDW before and does he truly understand the amount of walking required? It can be a challenge for a perfectly healthy, active, fit 77 year old, let alone someone who's been through what he has (and congrats to him for coming through all that!). Something else to keep in mind is that there aren't as many benches and seating areas around the parks as there used to be. Many many benches have been removed so your options are more limited in finding a place to rest when it's needed. Having your own seating with you available at all times - ala rollator w/seat, wheelchair, ECV - could be big benefit.

If 10 minutes is the limit he can essentially be in line, I'm really not sure how you can mitigate the issue. Even with a DAS, you would be going through the FP line and you can't count on that being <10 minutes unfortunately.

If you do call Disney, be aware that many of the people working the phone lines have never been in the parks and are not always aware of what really goes on there. They also are not able to make a call on whether your father would qualify for a DAS. That a is only determined in person at WDW Guest Services.

Hope you are able to find a solution that works for you all

EDITED to correct that DAS goes through FP line. Sorry - my fingers + brain didn't connect, thank you SteveMouse for pointing that out!!

 

[SteveMouse]

To clarify, when guests return to an attraction to use their assigned DAS return time they go through the FP, not standby line.

The PP is correct: many of the phone agents have not been to the parks, nor can they determine whether anyone will qualify for DAS. Even if they have (been to the parks), often their information is not in sync with what is actually happening in the parks.

I'd also be a bit concerned about your trip timing: June can be a bit warm, and that can be additionally draining when someone's not feeling great.
It can also be crowded. Also note that Disney seems to be constantly removing benches- there is NOTHING like what used to exist in terms of places to sit.

OP, I do hope, like the PP, that you are able to find a solution.

 

[Mrsjvb]

One of the most serious issues is the back problems that remain. He is unable to stand still for long periods of time and will end up in bed for days if he tries to stand still for even a half hour.

We have tried to convince him to get an ECV but he is just too proud. (He also can't just sit for long periods of time. He must constantly be changing up walking and sitting.) I told him about the DAS program and he is so upset with me that I brought it up. He is 77 years old and has never needed "help" before. (Please don't judge... he is a very kind man.) He keeps telling me that he will be fine on all of Disney's mild rides... no coasters... but he just can't wait in line. I keep trying to explain how this works and I'm hopeful I can convince him before our trip.

Would this "disability" qualify for DAS? Of course, this all depends on if I can convince him to use the program. If not, we will ride our 3 rides a day and then just leave the park and stay at our hotel.

Thanks for any insight.

he will NOT qualify for a DAS. his issues are mobility related and the only accommodation Disney offers is an ECV or Wheelchair. he does NOT need to use it all the time. the only way this will work is if you take full advantage of FP+ and use a turing plan that minimizes standing in line.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Disney can't promise you any sort of accommodation or DAS over the phone. Even if the person on the phone says you can get a DAS, that doesn't mean the CM's you talk to at Guest Services will give you the DAS, because the phone CM's are not authorized to issue a DAS.

When we went in November just about every FP line was at least 10 minutes. We would move a few feet forward every few minutes, but it was not what you would consider continuous movement. I have pain in my legs and back from standing to long and I would fidget and switch my weight from foot to foot as we were standing there to lessen the pain. If he can't or won't use an ECV, wheelchair, or rollator then you really need to consider if he can handle this trip. There are not many places to sit in the parks any longer so without bringing his own mobility device to sit on he is often going to be forced to stand.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm struggling to see how he could take frequent breaks walking in the parks without having an ECV or wheelchair for a seat when needed. 10 minutes of walking won't even get you from the bus to the Jungle Cruise. If he is determined to go, you need to be equally determined he rent an ECV. He doesn't have to be a slave to it, someone else can drive it if he needs to walk for a bit. I worry for your trip and for his well being if he tries to see the parks without one.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Would he be content to enter the parks with you, ride things like the WDW railroad, tomorrow land transit authority, shows that you can walk on and not have to wait? Then, find a place to sit for a while so you can do some other attractions with lines? Or maybe he returns to the resort? Better for him to go on the trip and limit what he does rather than not go at all. Maybe you can do some table service meals together too.

 

[Dbktmc]

Has your father been to WDW before and does he truly understand the amount of walking required? It can be a challenge for a perfectly healthy, active, fit 77 year old, let alone someone who's been through what he has (and congrats to him for coming through all that!). Something else to keep in mind is that there aren't as many benches and seating areas around the parks as there used to be. Many many benches have been removed so your options are more limited in finding a place to rest when it's needed. Having your own seating with you available at all times - ala rollator w/seat, wheelchair, ECV - could be big benefit.

If 10 minutes is the limit he can essentially be in line, I'm really not sure how you can mitigate the issue. Even with a DAS, you would be going through the FP line and you can't count on that being <10 minutes unfortunately.

If you do call Disney, be aware that many of the people working the phone lines have never been in the parks and are not always aware of what really goes on there. They also are not able to make a call on whether your father would qualify for a DAS. That a is only determined in person at WDW Guest Services.

Hope you are able to find a solution that works for you all

EDITED to correct that DAS goes through FP line. Sorry - my fingers + brain didn't connect, thank you SteveMouse for pointing that out!!

Thanks for letting me know about the lack of benches. My parents were in Disney with us in 2013 when we went for Christmas.

I appreciate everyone's opinions. I spoke with several people at Disney and I am satisfied with what they told me. I understand that many of you feel that he doesn't qualify and feel that is a mobility issue. There are a few details that I didn't feel comfortable posting in an online forum so you don't have the entire story. After my conversations with cast members I feel that I can work with what their response was.

While I understand that several of you feel that Disney cast members on the phone can't promise a DAS card, I also know that no one on this forum can guarantee that he won't either.

As I stated, I'm satisfied with the cast members that I spoke with and I appreciate everyone's opinions.

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

As helpful as these boards may be in other areas, this is not where you will get an answer to your question. You will need to speak to guest services and explain why you need a DAS. Don't go in asking if you'd qualify for one. Go in and explain your needs and how they do not allow you to wait in line and that you need the accommodations.

 

[gap2368]

My family will be traveling to WDW in June this year. We will have 5 people in our group myself, DH, DS (4), and both of my parents. Last year my father had a terrible accident where he almost died. He has recovered for the most part but still has lingering issues. One of the most serious issues is the back problems that remain. He is unable to stand still for long periods of time and will end up in bed for days if he tries to stand still for even a half hour. Both he and my mother were afraid to join us in Disney as they were afraid they would ruin our trip due to inability to wait in any standby line. Thankfully, we were able to convince them that we didn't mind riding less rides then normal.

We have tried to convince him to get an ECV but he is just too proud. (He also can't just sit for long periods of time. He must constantly be changing up walking and sitting.) I told him about the DAS program and he is so upset with me that I brought it up. He is 77 years old and has never needed "help" before. (Please don't judge... he is a very kind man.) He keeps telling me that he will be fine on all of Disney's mild rides... no coasters... but he just can't wait in line. I keep trying to explain how this works and I'm hopeful I can convince him before our trip.

Would this "disability" qualify for DAS? Of course, this all depends on if I can convince him to use the program. If not, we will ride our 3 rides a day and then just leave the park and stay at our hotel.

Thanks for any insight.

He dose not need a DAS card and more then likely will not get one even if he would want one

I would rent a wheel chair he dose not have to sit in it the whole time he or someone else can push it

Or he can get a roller and use this

 

[gap2368]

Thanks for letting me know about the lack of benches. My parents were in Disney with us in 2013 when we went for Christmas.

I appreciate everyone's opinions. I spoke with several people at Disney and I am satisfied with what they told me. I understand that many of you feel that he doesn't qualify and feel that is a mobility issue. There are a few details that I didn't feel comfortable posting in an online forum so you don't have the entire story. After my conversations with cast members I feel that I can work with what their response was.

While I understand that several of you feel that Disney cast members on the phone can't promise a DAS card, I also know that no one on this forum can guarantee that he won't either.

As I stated, I'm satisfied with the cast members that I spoke with and I appreciate everyone's opinions.

Just remember that they will tell you what you want to hear to get you to go to disney it maybe another story when you get there. yes there maybe things you did not tell us but when you go to GR tell them his needs in line what can make his trip better they may or may not give him a DAS card but I would try what ever they say and if it dose not work for you ( they may give you a DAS card ) go back to GR and say we are trying this and it is not working because of this is there something I have not tried or something like this.

Disney is hard for any one long days a lot of people a lot of things going on around you add in any disability and you got a more stressful trip

 

[kaytieeldr]

We have tried to convince him to get an ECV but he is just too proud. (He also can't just sit for long periods of time. He must constantly be changing up walking and sitting.) I told him about the DAS program and he is so upset with me that I brought it up.

A rollator would be a great, flexible compromise.

My guess is he MAY qualify for a DAS - but you'll have to explain the issues to them and he has to be willing to go in with you at least.

I'm confused. There's nothing in anything the OP has written that gives the impression her father can't speak for himself.

Would he be content to enter the parks with you, ride things like the WDW railroad, tomorrow land transit authority, shows that you can walk on and not have to wait? Then, find a place to sit for a while so you can do some other attractions with lines?

Many of the attractions listed seem to require sitting for extended periods - something the person at issue seems to also have trouble with.

I understand that many of you feel that he doesn't qualify and feel that is a mobility issue.

Several posters have stated mobility, but generally anyone who has mobility or stamina problems is advised by in-park Guest Services CMs a wheelchair or ECV is what's available to them.

While I understand that several of you feel that Disney cast members on the phone can't promise a DAS card,

Not feel. Know from experience. It's great that your phone conversations indicate that he will be able to get a DAS, but in reality only the Guest Services Cast Members at the parks can make this determination. Again, generally when the is request is for mobility or stamina issues, the option offered is to rent a mobility assistance device (or come prepared with one.)

 

[aaarcher86]

I hope it works out for you, but I strongly encourage you to have a back up plan.

 

[Chainsaw]

I *think* you can use Rider Swap for this situation. If you are visiting with small children, you can definitely use Rider Swap. Feel free to convo me if you aren't familiar with this process, since you've been to the park 40 times, you probably know about it... I'm just learning bout it myself, but I think I've got the hang of it and I did read that parties with small children, frightened children and people with disabilities were eligible.