Our family December DAS experience

[Bete]

We can only deal with the present for fastpass plus. Hopefully, it will develop into a better product. Until it does, I think we need to give others opinions as per our own experiences, right now. I really feel you have to plan your day differently, now. There is turmoil right now.

I honestly believe it will be a better product for onsite and offsite guests in the future. I understand that it will probably be a better product for onsite guests in the future over the offsite guest. I can understand the business side of that decision.

I think this has been a hard pill to swallow, right now on both fronts for the onsite and offsite guest.

Right now, I think Disney took a product that worked-legacy fastpass and they broke it. Now, they need to repair it and fix it. There have been two, IT Vice Presidents at Disney that have been let go because of the problems associated with all of this. Even Disney knows this is not working as well as they expected. There are financial costs associated with all these changes, too. Supposedly, this is costing a lot more than initially budgeted. All of which will ultimately fall on the consumer, us.

 

[andrews_dad]

If his needs are met with a wheelchair he will not qualify for a DAC. We went down there with my 80 y/o mom in early Dec and tried at both DS and MK to get my mom one and both times were refused. They'd take one look at her ECV and just tune the rest of what we were saying out. We tried to tell them that she had needs the ECV did not meet (some senile dementia and anxiety where she doesn't do well in crowded spaces, brittle diabetic with frequent unexpected drops in blood sugar where she will pass out, easily fatigued, respiratory problems, vision problems--eyes don't adjust from light to darkness well, on medications that cause her to not tolerate heat and to get sunburned, etc). The only thing we were asking for was a quieter, less crowded place to wait, but we were refused. At DS we were told that the DAC was mainly for kids with autism and WDW didn't really offer anything for the elderly anymore, other than ECVs and wheelchairs. We go to WDW 4-6 times a year and this was the worst trip we've ever had. Due to my mom not being able to stay in the parks past lunch and FP return times being for later in the afternoons or evenings, we got to use only one FP- the entire week for Soarin. We were staying offsite, so did not qualify for FP+. Usually we can just get to the parks at rope drop, get fast passes with decent return times, ride before the parks gets crowded and get out of there around lunch. That strategy no longer works, because fast passes run out alot sooner and the few that are available have later return times that we couldn't use. Both FP and stand by lines are alot longer now. We are all three annual passholders, but for the first time in years will not be renewing them. The CM at DS really hurt my mom's feelings when she said, "Well really what rides can an 80 y/o ride anyway?" My mom doesn't ride the coasters, but loves the shows and slower rides. She loves playing Toy Story Mania, but did not even get to ride it once this trip. The CM made her feel like she didn't belong at WDW due to her age. We weren't asking to get on the rides quicker, just wanted a quieter, less crowded place to wait where she wouldn't be bumped into.

No, needs not met with wheelchair. Will be first trip without the "old" GAC if we go, but not sure do-able with what I am reading. He gets very confused and agitated when waiting in crowds. Will need to be on the move or watching a show to stay entertained. He can still walk and we lost him at HS for 60 min last trip because he will scoot away in a flash when idol. His eyes light up like a 4 year old when he seems Mickey, though. Melts my heart every time. And he loves Small World ride. I will have to see more of these reports, but I will be sad to deprive him his last trips there if the new GAC procedure is as bad as it seems at first blush.

 

[aaarcher86]

If you have been following other people experiences whether it's an onsite guest or offsite guest there are many in both groups that are not happy with fastpass plus vs. legacy fastpass or DAC vs. GAC. Yes, there are some who like fastpass plus who stay onsite, but there are some who don't. The onsite guests have stated they do not want to be this regimented and that they were able to get more fastpass legacy passes than the current three offered with fastpass plus. I'm not saying it's totally bad. I haven't heard a single offsite guest liking it. I'm sharing it doesn't work for us. We will find out how all of this will pan out. I've been a loyal Disney World fan, but this last trip changed my mind in a hurry. I've been onsite and offsite at Universal and there are better options for offsite guests than what Disney World is offering right now. I know Disney is going full speed ahead with fastpass plus; I'm just hoping that it gets better than it is now. I hope you have a great trip and let us know how it works for you when you get back. Maybe, you will learn some tricks that will benefit us all.

I haven't been keeping track. I had actually seen an offsite DAS user mention how easy scheduling the FP+ was at AK.

I don't think my Feb trip will offer much insight or tips. It's just 2 adults which is a whole different ball game than a trip with kids and a DAS.

 

[danielle782001]

Question to clarify...if the wait is 15 minutes or less we can use the FP line with the DAS?

 

[tinkerpea]

Question to clarify...if the wait is 15 minutes or less we can use the FP line with the DAS?

It's meant to be if its 10 min or less you can go straight through the FP line,
Some CMs will let you go through at 15 many will put 5 min wait down on your card!

I have been when there is 30 min wait and the CM has put a 5 min wait down!! So very I consistent right now.

 

[danielle782001]

It's meant to be if its 10 min or less you can go straight through the FP line,
Some CMs will let you go through at 15 many will put 5 min wait down on your card!

I have been when there is 30 min wait and the CM has put a 5 min wait down!! So very I consistent right now.

okay...thank you