Question regarding using service dog plus DAS

[BethCPTSD]

Hello,
I'm new to the board, although I've been reading it for a long time. I have many severe, developmental post-traumatic disorders, including Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which keeps me highly symptomatic, including hallucinations, psychotic-like symptoms, constant flashbacks, tics, etc. and I'm mostly housebound. I believe however, based upon certain facts pertaining to my other disorders that a trip to WDW could be very helpful overall (as it's associated with so many positive things for me) and all my systems (I have severe Dissociative Identity Disorder) have been able to focus on (outside of symptoms) for several months now...so I'm planning a trip with my husband and my (large) service animal (a goldendoodle) for next winter (starting Jan 2nd, for two weeks.)

I'm pretty certain I will be eligible for the DAS, as long as I explain my needs well to the CMs at Guest Services. But my question relates to also having a service dog (it's fully trained to mitigate the symptoms of my various disabilities). I am aware that people with service dogs usually use the wc access line, and I've heard that at WDW (as opposed to Disneyland, where I've always had annual passes) ALL of the attractions are wc accessible, is this true? Does that mean I should NOT ask for a DAS, since I should be using the wc accessible line everywhere? Or would it makes sense to still ask for a DAS?

Does anyone have any other advice, or any experiences you'd like to share dealing with similar disabilities at WDW?

I've searched for this answer all over and not really found a response that suits my question directly. I hope this will makes some sense to you and someone will be able to address it for me. Thank you so much! You all seem like a very welcoming and sweet group of people, who enjoy Disney as much as I do! It's a great escape for my over taxed brain!

 

[lanejudy]

to the disABILITIES Forum!

To my knowledge, use of a service dog is a completely separate issue from the DAS. If the guest has need for a DAS and uses a service dog, neither one precludes use of the other. You are correct that the majority of queues at WDW are wheelchair accessible, but so are the FP+ queues which are utilized by the DAS. This link is to the WDW page regarding service animals. The dog will be allowed on some rides, others will offer a kennel or you may utilize a type of rider switch so someone in your party remains with the animal while others ride.

You may find the disABILITIES FAQs thread pinned near the top of this forum helpful, as well as the first post of the WDW - Disability Access Service thread. If you have specific questions about taking your service dog to the parks, many here have experience.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[gap2368]

as judy said just because you have one dose not mean you can not have the other. As fair as getting the DAS card you need to think about what kinds of help you need in lines and how waiting out side of lines would help. I know someone how is blind and uses a service dog and she dose not have any problems waiting in lines and so she dose not need a DAS card. while someone else might.

most lines as disney world are wheel chair assessable I think out of all 4 parks there are 4 ( jungle cures, Big thunder, space mountain, at MK and space ship earth at EPCOT

 

[BethCPTSD]

Hi! Thank you, LaneJudy and Gap! I do think I have a pretty good grasp on how the DAS works and what facts about myself they would be most interested in that pertains to best using the DAS. The last time I was at Disneyland though, my service dog and I used the GAC, so it's been awhile.

Perhaps it's too personal of a question, but as I'd said, I also wondered if other people with mental illnesses might be able to share their experiences in the parks... what was challenging what was helpful, etc. I have read many/most of the posts on anxiety disorders, autism, and physical disabilities. I wonder also about disorders such as mine (like I said, I also have a primary diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder) that involves a great deal of internal state changes, even psychotic type symptoms, and how people deal with such issues in the parks. As I move throughout intensive therapy, it seems I'm more in touch with what my symptoms are and how intrusive and disabling they are, so this level of awareness changes my life a lot and almost makes it as if I'm MORE symptomatic than the past, although I'm really not. All that to say... does anyone relate?

Thank you for your kind responses thus far.

 

[gap2368]

I think the best thing to do when asking for a DAS card is think about what you would need in crowded places with a lot goi g on around you. Even if two people have the same problem they may need two different things. If GR suggest something and you do not think it will work try it and see if it dose not go back and say I have tried this and it is not working because of this and see what they say

 

[BethCPTSD]

Does anyone even have, maybe, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? It can be quite different than regular PTSD. Thanks.