New to the DAS

[tigger53]

we will be in Disney world in July and my daughter has mobility issues and will be in a scooter, she also has other heath issues as well. So my questions are, our first park is the magic kingdom, we were told you go to guest services to obtain the DAS, is it then good for the rest of the stay at the other parks, there is conflicting info on this, there seems to be some new rules that allow access for up to 14 days, is this true? Also she can not wait in the regular line, do we wait somewhere else? Thx in advance. I’m a bit stressed doing all of this as we never had a Disney vacation with this many issues.

 

[Weedy]

Typically a DAS is not issued for people in wheelchairs/scooters.
She will be able to take her scooter in most lines. So if you tell them the scooter is the issue they will tell you to use the lines.
A DAS is usually issued for people who had disabilities like autism that have difficulties waiting in a line.
Her other issues may allow her a DAS you just need to stop by City Hall in the Magic Kingdom or and Guest Services at any of the parks and explain why waiting in a typical line is difficult for her

 

[Mrsjvb]

Why can’t she wait in a regular line? You have to be able to explain that in order to be eligible for a DAS. If she qualifies, you will get a return time ( one at a time) for each ride you request. You would come back to the ride when your time window opens up. At that point you will(usually) enter the FP+ line.. which may still have a wait.

A DAS. Is good for 14 days from issue date, at all theme parks( not valid on busses, or water parks)

 

[Selket]

I believe it's good for up to at least 2 weeks - there's a FAQ pinned on this board with info on the DAS. Once a return time is given you can wait wherever you want until your return time is ready. I suggest having a touring plan strategy and get fast passes for the 3 rides you can ahead of time (that anyone can get with tickets). I have a lot of luck getting additional fast passes during the day after I use up the first 3 especially if I"m not too picky about what I do. Perhaps check out the "refresh" strategy mentioned on the TP boards if you aren't familiar with it. I rent an ECV (I don't need a DAS for my issues) and doing this keeps me going from thing to another even during busy times. Since a DAS return time may be long, this can fill in while you wait if your daughter doesn't need to rest.

All the best for your planning and vacation!

 

[tigger53]

I appreciate your reply’s. There are more issues than just being in a scooter. We are not trying to line jump. Mobility is just the tip of the iceberg. When I called Disney they are not looking for a doctors note, which she will have, as that is an invasion of the health policy. I have limited the information here because of that same thing. I am just looking for info regarding a stressful time that I want to be truly magical for her. Thank you again.

 

[lanejudy]

If you haven't seen it yet, you might find the first post of the WDW - Disability Access Service (DAS) thread helpful. The first post has been kept up-to-date with the few tweaks over the years since this program launched. You can ignore the rest of that thread as discussion around the time the program was new.

they are not looking for a doctors note, which she will have, as that is an invasion of the health policy

Correct that they do not want or need a doctor's note; they likely will refuse to read it if offered. Incorrect about any health policy. I assume you are thinking of HIPAA, which has nothing to do with theme parks and only pertains to those who have access to your medical records - such as doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, insurance, etc. Any information a patient willingly shares is not against HIPAA, regardless of the recipient; a patient who requests a doctor to write a note, and then willingly shares that note, is not against HIPAA policy. Disney does not want a note because doctors tend to write in "medical-ese" and say something like "my patient has been diagnosed with XYZ and needs to have any accommodations requested." Disney CMs aren't medical professionals and may not know what XYZ diagnosis means; also the doctor is well-meaning but does not know the operations of the theme park, and 2 patients with the same diagnosis may have differing needs in the theme park. CMs want to know a person's needs as pertaining to waiting in a standard queue environment - they can then determine what accommodations -- DAS or otherwise -- can be offered.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[OurBigTrip]

I appreciate your reply’s. There are more issues than just being in a scooter. We are not trying to line jump. Mobility is just the tip of the iceberg. When I called Disney they are not looking for a doctors note, which she will have, as that is an invasion of the health policy. I have limited the information here because of that same thing. I am just looking for info regarding a stressful time that I want to be truly magical for her. Thank you again.

No one here wants or needs to know the specifics of her health issues, but you will need to be able to explain to the CM why she can’t wait in the line, unrelated to her mobility issues. They don’t need a diagnosis, they need to know her needs related to waiting in the queue.

 

[tigger53]

Once again thank you for your responses with the info I needed. Very much appreciated.

 

[seashoreCM]

Put it another way, what bad things happen or what bad things do you think would happen if you and your family, DD on her scooter, followed the crowd into the regular ride line and others from the crowd came in behind you. The quiet passage of time as you all move through the line does not count as something bad.

If you go to Guest Relations to discuss the DAS, you would describe the bad things that happen, not the reasons or causes of the bad things. If no bad things happen happen then you do not need the DAS.

 

[camper06]

we will be in Disney world in July and my daughter has mobility issues and will be in a scooter, she also has other heath issues as well. So my questions are, our first park is the magic kingdom, we were told you go to guest services to obtain the DAS, is it then good for the rest of the stay at the other parks, there is conflicting info on this, there seems to be some new rules that allow access for up to 14 days, is this true? Also she can not wait in the regular line, do we wait somewhere else? Thx in advance. I’m a bit stressed doing all of this as we never had a Disney vacation with this many issues.

to answer your questions, the DAS is issued for 60 days. We were at Disneyworld last October, and then took an unexpected trip in December. when I went to renew the DAS, the CM told me they stay active for 60 days now and just asked if the people in the group were the same as before. As for waiting after you get the return time, there is no designated waiting area. You are free to use a fastpass, go on a ride with a short standby wait, get something to eat, use the restrooms, see a show, etc.

You can get another DAS return time after the first one has been used or cancelled by you. The return time will be good till park closing, if for some reason you are unable to use it at you initial return time.

Have a great trip!

 

[Hoodie]

Do answer your last question - you wait where ever you want. There is no alternative waiting area. We usually use the time to have lunch or a snack.

 

[Disneylvr]

When my daughter was younger (she is now 16) we used a mobility device for her. It was a large special needs stroller, a Convaid to be specific. We had no problem getting a DAS because her needs went way beyond mobility. Just be ready to describe why your daughter needs to wait outside the regular lines. In our daughter's case, waits longer than 15-20 minutes in close, confined and loud lines/waiting areas can cause agitation and meltdowns....and that is just the way we state it at Guest Relations. She is non-verbal so she cannot explain this herself at GR, we do. We tend to plan our FP+ and DAS return times in an area since we revisit each park multiple times. For example for our MK morning we have FP for Mine Train, Buzz and Peter Pan. We will use DAS for other Tomorrowland/Fantasyland attractions IF NECESSARY. We don't always need to use the DAS. We spend the DAS wait time in quiet out of the way areas, having a snack/meal, using the family assist restrooms and maybe allowing daughter to purchase a special toy as a positive reinforcer if she has waited patiently and is well behaved. She loves those spinning toys they sell in the parks. She is 16 but cognitively/developmentally she is closer to 3 or 4 in many ways. We usually spend no more than 4-5 hours in the parks at a time. So the next time we visit MK, we will coordinate FP and DAS return times in Frontierland/Liberty Square/Adventureland area to help alleviate extra walking. I will say, this is MUCH harder to do in Epcot where everything is so spread out. Your daughter's DAS, despite which park is was issued at, is good at all 4 parks for the length of your vacation and locals/AP holders report that is is actually valid for 60 days.

I don't know if our experience will help you plan but I am always happy to assist when I can. Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[DisneyOma]

I appreciate your reply’s. There are more issues than just being in a scooter. We are not trying to line jump. Mobility is just the tip of the iceberg. When I called Disney they are not looking for a doctors note, which she will have, as that is an invasion of the health policy. I have limited the information here because of that same thing. I am just looking for info regarding a stressful time that I want to be truly magical for her. Thank you again.

Does she regularly use a scooter? If not, and she has issues with being in a queue, would that hamper her ability to use the scooter safely? If she doesn't use one regularly, perhaps some practice beforehand? (To me, not being able to handle a crowded queue and being on a scooter seems like asking for more stress, KWIM?)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Does she regularly use a scooter?

And is she at least 18?