Just wanted to share our experience with the DAS. On our first trip 6 years ago with my 2 oldest, we requested the old GAC but never used it. Just felt reassured to have it just in case we needed it. Our trip 3 years ago with my youngest, it was just the 3 of us, so we felt pretty confident DH and I could handle any issues. This time, with all 3 boys would be a little tricker. We didn't want to take advantage of something, but we also wanted the trip to be as smooth as possible for everyone. After our first day in MK where it was really crowded (touring plans 6 -easy wdw 8 & highly recommended) and a disasterous wait at Peter Pan, (wait time was posted at 15 minutes but turned into 40, DS was overwhelmed and really stressed) we decided to stop at guest relations to ask for the DAS. The cast member was very kind and helpful.
We only used it on a couple of rides at each of the parks, when the stand by lines were really long and for his favorite rides. We spent 2 days in each park, except for HS where we were only there 1 day. In MK, we used it for Pooh, Speedway, Buzz and the Jungle Cruise. In Epcot, we used for Test Track & Soarin. DS was scared of the fast part in Test Track, but absolutely loved the design your own car part. In HS, we only used it on Star tours & Toy Story Mania. In AK, just Kilimanjaro Safaris (DS didn't like the drop in Kali River Rapids, so he only rode it once with a FP)
Overall, our experience was very positive. All of the cast members we asked to sign the card were very kind & helpful. We tried to use it once for Pooh, but the ride was down, so we had to wait until it was fixed so a cast member could sign it. And another time, a cast member didn't have a pen, but he told us just to come back and if he wasn't there to explain to the other CM. Except for those 2 occassions, it worked very smoothly. My parents joined us for 1 day in Epcot and just my Dad for 1 day in AK. We were able to add them to the card which really helped. The card allowed us to walk around with DS, find a quiet spot for a snack or watch a show while we waited for our return time. I know the card was really controversial when Disney first announced the changes, but for our family, it was very helpful and made things easier for everyone.
Also wanted to share our experience at Universal. Universal's child swap is different from Disney's - no height requirement. There were a lot of rides that DS did not want to do, so Dh rode with my 2 older boys, then I rode with them. Ds did not even want to ride ET, which is a very gentle ride, kind of like Peter Pan, but on bicycles. Ds saw a picture of the bicycles and I think they looked less secure to him than a regular car or vehicle. Anyway, we didn't push it. The older 2 boys were able to ride twice, so they didn't complain. We also had express pass because we stayed at one of their resorts, so everything went smootly with minimal waiting. Universal also has stationary seating for Despicable Me & shrek. This was great for DS, he could watch & enjoy the show, but not be overwhelmed.
We only used it on a couple of rides at each of the parks, when the stand by lines were really long and for his favorite rides. We spent 2 days in each park, except for HS where we were only there 1 day. In MK, we used it for Pooh, Speedway, Buzz and the Jungle Cruise. In Epcot, we used for Test Track & Soarin. DS was scared of the fast part in Test Track, but absolutely loved the design your own car part. In HS, we only used it on Star tours & Toy Story Mania. In AK, just Kilimanjaro Safaris (DS didn't like the drop in Kali River Rapids, so he only rode it once with a FP)
Overall, our experience was very positive. All of the cast members we asked to sign the card were very kind & helpful. We tried to use it once for Pooh, but the ride was down, so we had to wait until it was fixed so a cast member could sign it. And another time, a cast member didn't have a pen, but he told us just to come back and if he wasn't there to explain to the other CM. Except for those 2 occassions, it worked very smoothly. My parents joined us for 1 day in Epcot and just my Dad for 1 day in AK. We were able to add them to the card which really helped. The card allowed us to walk around with DS, find a quiet spot for a snack or watch a show while we waited for our return time. I know the card was really controversial when Disney first announced the changes, but for our family, it was very helpful and made things easier for everyone.
Also wanted to share our experience at Universal. Universal's child swap is different from Disney's - no height requirement. There were a lot of rides that DS did not want to do, so Dh rode with my 2 older boys, then I rode with them. Ds did not even want to ride ET, which is a very gentle ride, kind of like Peter Pan, but on bicycles. Ds saw a picture of the bicycles and I think they looked less secure to him than a regular car or vehicle. Anyway, we didn't push it. The older 2 boys were able to ride twice, so they didn't complain. We also had express pass because we stayed at one of their resorts, so everything went smootly with minimal waiting. Universal also has stationary seating for Despicable Me & shrek. This was great for DS, he could watch & enjoy the show, but not be overwhelmed.
