Questions for upcoming trip re DAS

[tazdev3225]

I have been to Disney World multiple times using an ECV so I am well aware of how they work as a mobility issue. I am planning a trip in late November and have a few issues to deal with regarding my group.
A.) My DH had Charcot surgery in April. He is a diabetic and unfortunately this is a complication. He will be in an ECV so that part is taken care of. However, he had 2 strokes after the surgery and he isn't steady on his feet. The strokes caused some vision issues and numbness on his left side. The biggest foreseeable issue is rides with moving conveyers like Haunted Mansion or Spaceship Earth. Would a DAS deal with his needing the belt slowed or stopped to get him on. He is depressed enough that this has happened, he's only 59 years old, and feels like a burden. I just want to do what I need to do to keep him safe.

B) My one grandson is 3 years old and newly diagnosed as Autistic and he has some other issues. The biggest problem is that he is a flight risk and has major melt downs when he needs to wait. Would his stroller qualify as a wheelchair since we can confine him for his own safety as well as anyone around him. We can keep him occupied in the stroller. My daughter also has a 2 year old so it isn't always easy to try and chase the older grandson.

She was told by someone who was recently in Disney that she just goes and gets it and gets to the front of the line. I know we have all heard those false stories but of course I know nothing.

Any help would be appreciated. I haven't had to worry about a DAS before so this is somewhat uncharted waters for me. Thanks.

 

[lanejudy]

The biggest foreseeable issue is rides with moving conveyers like Haunted Mansion or Spaceship Earth. Would a DAS deal with his needing the belt slowed or stopped to get him on.

No need for DAS -- just inform the CM at each ride that he will need the moving walkway slowed. Most rides this shouldn't be a problem; PeterPan and the PeopleMover can't be slowed or stopped; during extremely busy times other rides may not be able to slow/stop but they will inform you when you ask.

Would his stroller qualify as a wheelchair since we can confine him for his own safety as well as anyone around him. We can keep him occupied in the stroller.

Absolutely! Just stop by Guest Relations and explain why he needs the stroller-as-wheelchair tag.


There is no "front of the line" access except for kids on Wish trips. And if the stroller-as-wheelchair tag solves the issues with your grandson, they may not issue a DAS.

There is more information about DAS in the sticky pinned near the top of this forum. Only the first couple of posts are needed, the rest was discussion at the time the program changed from GAC to DAS a few years ago.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[tazdev3225]

Thanks, I knew there is no front of the line DAS but it's easier to nod and say I will find out from the DIS. She NEVER believes me. I think the stroller as a wheelchair will solve 99% of our issues.

I did read the sticky but I still wanted to be sure. I did know about Peter Pan but forgot about the People Mover so that was a help. His strokes have created so many issues. He feels like he should just stay home and of course we have all said that is ridiculous. We just need to adjust a few things.

 

[gap2368]

I have been to Disney World multiple times using an ECV so I am well aware of how they work as a mobility issue. I am planning a trip in late November and have a few issues to deal with regarding my group.
A.) My DH had Charcot surgery in April. He is a diabetic and unfortunately this is a complication. He will be in an ECV so that part is taken care of. However, he had 2 strokes after the surgery and he isn't steady on his feet. The strokes caused some vision issues and numbness on his left side. The biggest foreseeable issue is rides with moving conveyers like Haunted Mansion or Spaceship Earth. Would a DAS deal with his needing the belt slowed or stopped to get him on. He is depressed enough that this has happened, he's only 59 years old, and feels like a burden. I just want to do what I need to do to keep him safe.

B) My one grandson is 3 years old and newly diagnosed as Autistic and he has some other issues. The biggest problem is that he is a flight risk and has major melt downs when he needs to wait. Would his stroller qualify as a wheelchair since we can confine him for his own safety as well as anyone around him. We can keep him occupied in the stroller. My daughter also has a 2 year old so it isn't always easy to try and chase the older grandson.

She was told by someone who was recently in Disney that she just goes and gets it and gets to the front of the line. I know we have all heard those false stories but of course I know nothing.

Any help would be appreciated. I haven't had to worry about a DAS before so this is somewhat uncharted waters for me. Thanks.

A) this sounds like it is mobility and a DAS does not help with mobility. when you get to a ride with a moving walkway you just need to tell the CM that he will need more time to get on the ride they will be able to stop or slow the ride down the only two times they can not is fro PP and the people mover. ( I have heard that they can sometimes stop the people mover so if you would like to try this I would talk to the CM at the bottom and tell them your Dad need he will have to go up to the scond floor where they load on his own ( with out a mobility device and walk some but it is worth it to ask if you want to do this ride.

B) you can go to GR and ask for a stroller as a wheelchair tag, the may want to know why you need it. So be ready for a reason why. If staying in his stroller is all he needs a DAS will not be given. if you think a stroller as a wheelchair tag is all that is needed but find out later it is not you can always go back to GR and talk to them about a DAS. It is not like you can only ask for accommodation one time. Also if you find it is hard for you to do something go and talk to a CM there maybe something that can be done to help you out, but if you do not ask the CMcan not help you.

The thing the DAS does is it lets you wait outside the line and when you come back you go in the FP line. You still wait ( most of the time 10-15 minutes) but not the whole time. So if buz has an hour wait you will come back in 50 minutes to ride buz and go in the FP line.

 

[Hoodie]

Thanks, I knew there is no front of the line DAS but it's easier to nod and say I will find out from the DIS. She NEVER believes me. I think the stroller as a wheelchair will solve 99% of our issues.

I did read the sticky but I still wanted to be sure. I did know about Peter Pan but forgot about the People Mover so that was a help. His strokes have created so many issues. He feels like he should just stay home and of course we have all said that is ridiculous. We just need to adjust a few things.

People get what they "know" stuck in their heads. All she needed was one person saying "the disability card give you front of the line access" and that will be what sticks. You then have to prove differently.

We're going through the same thing with my mom. She'll need an ECV next time we go and insists that we won't need my son's DAS because she'll be FOL because of the scooter. The only experience she has with mobility issues is from when we went right after our exchange student broke his foot. He was in a wheelchair and got FOL, mainly because it was 25+ years ago and that's how it worked WAY back when - when scooters were rare and nothing was mainstreamed. Heck, 2 parks didn't even exist. Still, don't try to tell her any differently. Nothing has changed in almost 30 years.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a disABILITIES FAQs thread stuck near the top of this board which has a lot of helpful information (I also have a link in my signature).
This link is to page 2 of that thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...ed-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/page-2
Post 28 on that thread is about attractions with stairs and moving walkways. Some can be slowed or stopped; they are noted in that post.

By the way - People Mover is listed as an attraction where guests must be ambulatory. Wheelchairs and ECVs need to be parked at the bottom and there is a steep moving ramp to get to the attraction loading area one floor above ground level. Getting ‘off’ the ramp at the end can be difficult; especially for someone who is not steady or has an sensory issues. If that ramp is stopped for any reason, it is quite slippery to walk up or down. The moving walkway can be slowed, but they don’t like to even slow it much because there have been situations where guests have gotten out of the ride car while it was on the track. Honestly, the moving ramp to get up to the attraction is more difficult than the moving walkway.

A couple of other things to think about -
All attractions except People Mover, Swiss Family Robinson and Tom Sawyer Island are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding. Not all are ECV accessible, for those the guest either needs to walk in line or use an attraction wheelchair. Those are well marked on park maps and the entrance to attractions. There is also information about them in the disABILITIES FAQs.

Vision may be an issue with safely driving an ECV, especially in crowded parks like MK or areas with narrower walkways. The ECV driver needs to be prepared to slow down or stop frequently - people often dart out in front of you with little or no warning.
I’d suggest trying Epcot first to see whether he will have any issues with driving. It has a lot wider walkways, many areas are not as congested and there are fewer small children darting out.

 

[Follower of Walt]

1. Da

 

[k8Davies]

Can't really add too much to what already been said. I Just wanted to put your mind at ease about your grandson as I travelled to Disney last year booked the trip before my son who'd just turned 3 was diagnosed with Autism and developmental delay.

I was so worried about the Disney trip especially coming all the way from the UK, but thanks to the wonderful advise from the this board about the DAS pass and the pushchair as a wheelchair tag - which like the rest of the posters said got from guest relations.

We had a fantastic trip not only because the pass and tag, it was the whole experience the photographer took extra time with us to get nice family shots, the characters handler and characters were wonderful and were really switched on about the condition and made my son feel at ease.

Even the restaurants let just the 3 of us have booths as my DS is happier in enclosed spaces, the wait staff getting us the bill earlier so we could pay before he'd finished eating so when he wanted to go we could.

I think I was in guest relations every day of my holiday filling out those great customer service card as every was just so brilliant

So this time I'm really looking forward to my trip as I know as a family we are going to have a fantastic trip.

 

[tazdev3225]

A) this sounds like it is mobility and a DAS does not help with mobility. when you get to a ride with a moving walkway you just need to tell the CM that he will need more time to get on the ride they will be able to stop or slow the ride down the only two times they can not is fro PP and the people mover. ( I have heard that they can sometimes stop the people mover so if you would like to try this I would talk to the CM at the bottom and tell them your Dad need he will have to go up to the scond floor where they load on his own ( with out a mobility device and walk some but it is worth it to ask if you want to do this ride.

I know it is more of a mobility issue and I have at least 10 trips where I have been in an ECV, several of them solo. I just never needed the walkways slowed and wasn't sure of the protocol. The DAS question was more of a can we get one for additional needs if necessary. Still need to check a few things out with my husbands doctors.

B) you can go to GR and ask for a stroller as a wheelchair tag, the may want to know why you need it. So be ready for a reason why. If staying in his stroller is all he needs a DAS will not be given. if you think a stroller as a wheelchair tag is all that is needed but find out later it is not you can always go back to GR and talk to them about a DAS. It is not like you can only ask for accommodation one time. Also if you find it is hard for you to do something go and talk to a CM there maybe something that can be done to help you out, but if you do not ask the CMcan not help you.

The wheelchair tag was what I thought could be the best solution as he is a runner. The stroller is for his safety because when he gets in his head to run he can be a danger to himself.

The thing the DAS does is it lets you wait outside the line and when you come back you go in the FP line. You still wait ( most of the time 10-15 minutes) but not the whole time. So if buz has an hour wait you will come back in 50 minutes to ride buz and go in the FP line.

I do understand what the DAS is, just needed some advice for clarification on needs.

There is a disABILITIES FAQs thread stuck near the top of this board which has a lot of helpful information (I also have a link in my signature).
This link is to page 2 of that thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...ed-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/page-2
Post 28 on that thread is about attractions with stairs and moving walkways. Some can be slowed or stopped; they are noted in that post.

Thanks I will go back and read them again.

By the way - People Mover is listed as an attraction where guests must be ambulatory. Wheelchairs and ECVs need to be parked at the bottom and there is a steep moving ramp to get to the attraction loading area one floor above ground level. Getting ‘off’ the ramp at the end can be difficult; especially for someone who is not steady or has an sensory issues. If that ramp is stopped for any reason, it is quite slippery to walk up or down. The moving walkway can be slowed, but they don’t like to even slow it much because there have been situations where guests have gotten out of the ride car while it was on the track. Honestly, the moving ramp to get up to the attraction is more difficult than the moving walkway.

I completely forgot about that ramp, I've slipped on it when it wasn't moving. It's one of the few rides he can do because of restrictions from the drs. I'll make sure we have 2 strong adults right there with him.

A couple of other things to think about -
All attractions except People Mover, Swiss Family Robinson and Tom Sawyer Island are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding. Not all are ECV accessible, for those the guest either needs to walk in line or use an attraction wheelchair. Those are well marked on park maps and the entrance to attractions. There is also information about them in the disABILITIES FAQs.

Having traveled in an ECV for at least 10 trips I did know that but thank you for the reminder. He isn't happy about it but knows that it's necessary

Vision may be an issue with safely driving an ECV, especially in crowded parks like MK or areas with narrower walkways. The ECV driver needs to be prepared to slow down or stop frequently - people often dart out in front of you with little or no warning.
I’d suggest trying Epcot first to see whether he will have any issues with driving. It has a lot wider walkways, many areas are not as congested and there are fewer small children darting out.

I am worried about the vision but he sees the eye specialist right before we leave. It's more peripheral and we plan on being his eyes. I may take him shopping with me one day just so he can practice.

Can't really add too much to what already been said. I Just wanted to put your mind at ease about your grandson as I travelled to Disney last year booked the trip before my son who'd just turned 3 was diagnosed with Autism and developmental delay.

I was so worried about the Disney trip especially coming all the way from the UK, but thanks to the wonderful advise from the this board about the DAS pass and the pushchair as a wheelchair tag - which like the rest of the posters said got from guest relations.

We had a fantastic trip not only because the pass and tag, it was the whole experience the photographer took extra time with us to get nice family shots, the characters handler and characters were wonderful and were really switched on about the condition and made my son feel at ease.

Even the restaurants let just the 3 of us have booths as my DS is happier in enclosed spaces, the wait staff getting us the bill earlier so we could pay before he'd finished eating so when he wanted to go we could.

I think I was in guest relations every day of my holiday filling out those great customer service card as every was just so brilliant

So this time I'm really looking forward to my trip as I know as a family we are going to have a fantastic trip.

Thank you. I have travelled with an autistic grandson but he was a little older when we went. He's the Mikey in my signature. I was blessed with 3 grandsons on the spectrum. We know the little guy will present some issues but my daughter is prepared for it.

I appreciate the replies, thanks

 

[gap2368]

I do understand what the DAS is, just needed some advice for clarification on needs.



I am worried about the vision but he sees the eye specialist right before we leave. It's more peripheral and we plan on being his eyes. I may take him shopping with me one day just so he can practice.



Thank you. I have travelled with an autistic grandson but he was a little older when we went. He's the Mikey in my signature. I was blessed with 3 grandsons on the spectrum. We know the little guy will present some issues but my daughter is prepared for it.

I appreciate the replies, thanks

ok The DAS only lets you wait outside the line it will not tell the CM that you need the walkway lowed, or need other things for this you will need to talk to the CM that you see in line.