New to DAS & Questions

[Shoshana]

I've rented wheelchairs at the park for my 12-year-old for each of our last few trips. She has significant pain when walking for more than short distances or standing for any length of time and the pain is worse now than it was last year (complex reasons, and she is in treatment).

Even with the wheelchair, she's still in pain every single day of our trip. If I asked for DAS assistance, would it help in any way? How might it help?

Thank you!

 

[OurBigTrip]

The DAS allows you to get a return time, based on the current standby time minus 10 minutes, after which you can return and enter the FP+ line. It is meant to aid those who have non-mobility related issues with waiting in line. If your daughter's needs are met by using a wheelchair, which it sounds like they are, the DAS won't do anything for her, and it's unlikely she would be issued one, although only CMs at Guest Relations can make that decision.

 

[gap2368]

I've rented wheelchairs at the park for my 12-year-old for each of our last few trips. She has significant pain when walking for more than short distances or standing for any length of time and the pain is worse now than it was last year (complex reasons, and she is in treatment).

Even with the wheelchair, she's still in pain every single day of our trip. If I asked for DAS assistance, would it help in any way? How might it help?

Thank you!

From what you said I do not think a DAS card will help her out. If she has a hard time sitting for a long tim she can walk some if this will help

 

[Shoshana]

So what you're saying is that I should take her through the lines with the wheelchair? That would make sense, but wow, that's so much extra pushing for me in tight spaces, many more inclines, corners, etc., for me! In the past, we've left the wheel chair outside of the rides. I guess I could rent a wheel chair for the resort, but again, that's a lot of pushing. I'm not sure there's an answer here -- she's in pain, or I'm exhausted.

 

[gap2368]

Yes this is what Disney will more then likely tell you get a wheel chair off site and one that fits her and she might be able to push her self some

 

[SMD]

If she is able to walk short distances would she be able to push the wheelchair herself in lines? She could put any items like a backpack on the seat and then depending on where her pain comes from using the wheelchair for minimal support may help alleviate some of the stress of walking (actually, a rollators would be better for this, but it sounds like she needs the chair for outside of lines.) Then if she needs to sit the wheelchair is in the line already and only then would you have to push it until she is able to walk again.

 

[gap2368]

i ended up hurting my foot and my friend when to get the return times even that trip I ended up walking over a mile

 

[Shoshana]

If she is able to walk short distances would she be able to push the wheelchair herself in lines? She could put any items like a backpack on the seat and then depending on where her pain comes from using the wheelchair for minimal support may help alleviate some of the stress of walking (actually, a rollators would be better for this, but it sounds like she needs the chair for outside of lines.) Then if she needs to sit the wheelchair is in the line already and only then would you have to push it until she is able to walk again.

I had not even thought of this. She could push the chair up the inclines, around corners, etc. and when we're stuck standing for any length of time, she could sit down. THANK YOU! I can't believe this never occurred to me. I just know that pushing the chair in the heat for 10-13 miles per day is all I can do -- If I had to add the queues to that, I'd be in trouble. A scooter would be ideal, but she's too young!

 

[Shoshana]

didn't intend to make a double post.

 

[DisneyOma]

Depending on the size of your twelve year old, (is she tiny, average sized, adult sized?) I'd recommend renting an appropriately sized wheelchair from an offsite vendor. That way she'd have it for the resort on the way back, and would have transport all the way to the bus stop or car.

Most of WDW is accessible by wheelchair, including most of the queues.

 

[Shoshana]

Depending on the size of your twelve year old, (is she tiny, average sized, adult sized?) I'd recommend renting an appropriately sized wheelchair from an offsite vendor. That way she'd have it for the resort on the way back, and would have transport all the way to the bus stop or car.

Most of WDW is accessible by wheelchair, including most of the queues.

We are the same size. If we rented a Walker Mobility wheelchair, she'd take the 18 inch chair. She weighs more than 100 pounds (16"). Do you think it would be a better quality chair? Would it be easier to push? I have no idea what size chairs the parks have, I imagine they'd have to be bigger than 18" to accommodate larger guests.

 

[gap2368]

have her sit on some paper them mark the widest part of where she is sitting this is the size of the chair that you will need ( or this is what I have been told) it is easer for her to self push a chair that fits her better then the larger chairs at disney. it sounds like she can walk some if he was walking in lines maybe have her walk between some attraction and sit in lines would work better since most lines ( I know not all) are some what flat and when you do go up hill have her help you some, turning corners in most lines is not that much of a problem again have her help some too. and like I said before she dose not have to be seated all the time she can push some too depending on where her pain is what type of pain this could help a lot and I am sure you have talked to her Dr about this is there any OTC meds that she can take before hand dose cold packs or hot back help not really know is kind of hear also I have a friends daughter with some kind of problem with her back that makes walking hard and they have her doing exercise to strength her back and it has helped a lot.

 

[DisneyOma]

We are the same size. If we rented a Walker Mobility wheelchair, she'd take the 18 inch chair. She weighs more than 100 pounds (16"). Do you think it would be a better quality chair? Would it be easier to push? I have no idea what size chairs the parks have, I imagine they'd have to be bigger than 18" to accommodate larger guests.

The wheelchairs onsite take a beating! Getting one offsite that fits her would make it easier on you too.

 

[minnie mum]

I've found the chairs from offsite agencies to be in better condition and more comfortable to sit in. DH has found them somewhat easier to push. The Disney ones tend to be well worn, have iffy brakes, and may have "supermarket cart " front wheels.

You've probably learned this from prior trips, but wear fingerless padded gloves ( cycling or weight lifting) to prevent blisters on your hands from pushing the chair.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Remember if you find things aren't working for you, you can always go to guest services to discuss a DAS. Just because a CM says no the first time does not mean that the next CM will say no as well. And you always have the right to speak to their lead. They are often more flexible about giving a DAS if a CM is being "unsympathetic".

 

[wilkeliza]

Remember if you find things aren't working for you, you can always go to guest services to discuss a DAS. Just because a CM says no the first time does not mean that the next CM will say no as well. And you always have the right to speak to their lead. They are often more flexible about giving a DAS if a CM is being "unsympathetic".

I would say 99% of CMs aren't being unsympathetic they are just following the rules. The DAS is for situations where a wheelchair isn't a proper accomidation. In OPs case a wheelchair sounds like it is the best bet as there is no guarentee there will be a place to sit and wait or a short line upon return. FP returns can be upwards of 30 minutes.

 

[gap2368]

I was in GR for a good 45 minutes trying to do something in that time I heard 3 CM say they were the heights person there when a guest asked to talk to someone else now I can not tell you what the CM told me but they will often tell you they are the highest person there but I do agree that the OP needs are meet with a wheel chair

 

[stitchlovestink]

There is always someone higher....often they are in the back. They are going to tell you that in hopes you will take their answer. But when I had a different issue and worked my way Up the chain of command, I learned there are definitely higher ups. You just have to be insistent. The one even gave me his business card to contact him directly.
And it's not the decision of ANYONE HERE to decide if anyone's else needs are met or not. That is Disney's decision!!!

 

[gap2368]

I know I was just saying what happens when I was there I know some very hier ups at Disney I also know what happens when the hier ups come on stage then ask you to go back stage to talk to them but most guest or the 3 at GR took the CM at there word but going back to the OP if what she need was what she said a DAS card would be no good or would give her more then any other guest at Disney would get and that is not what a DAS card is for

 

[gap2368]

And it's not the decision of ANYONE HERE to decide if anyone's else needs are met or not. That is Disney's decision!!!

Yes only disney can decide on whether or not to give someone a DAS card but lets take a step back the OP said her daughter was in pain from walking or standing so a wheel chair would give her some place to sit when she needs too. latter the OP said that her DD was walking in lines ( or that is what I gathered ) some and my self suggested that her DD walk some using the wheel chair to help and sit some and to take the wheel chair in line. the OP said thank there had not thought of that. this would give the DD some place to sit when need be she could walk when need be and it would be a much better trip and the OP would not need to push the DD all the time. a suggest was made to get one off site as those tend to be better.

just because some one ask about a DAS card dose not mean it is the best option for them a lot of CM will just say no you do not need a DAS card your needs are meet with a wheel chair and not let the person know they do not have to sit in it the whole time.