Quick Report on DAS experience at DL and DCA

[Nevada Jen]

Just got back from 4 days in Disneyland and California Adventure. This is our second time using the DAS for my daughter (almost 18 but about the size of a 7 year old) who qualifies because of her special needs plus is in a wheelchair full time. This time we had the added bonus of my 10 year old also being in a wheelchair after day one because his healing broken foot would not hold out.

First it was crowded. I wouldn't be surprised if Monday was record crowds for that day, but Saturday and Sunday were about 3 times as crowded as Superbowl weekend last year. Even on Tuesday there were lines to get in and crazy lines in fantasyland within 1/2 an hour of extra magic hour starting.

Generally the DAS process worked much better this time than last year. There was no wait at DCA guest services to get the pass (although it was 2 on a Saturday). We were asked way more questions about her needs than last time. Last year it only took them looking at her and one reason. This time, I finally asked if I had to go on or if I had met the threshold. It made me uncomfortable listing off all my daughters needs. We put 4 people on the DAS and I do not recall them taking a photo this time (but I could be wrong on that), perhaps because DCA uses photos at entry instead of thumb prints. We got our first return time.

The DAS is definitely harder to figure out how to use in DCA. And DCA is very hot compared to Disneyland. This was a big issue for us throughout the days. There doesn't seem to be as much natural shade as DL or maybe it is the direction it is oriented but those who are heat/sun sensitive should come prepared with their own umbrella. At DCA they did not seem to giving out return times at rides. You needed to go to one of the kiosks that were manned by real people (wearing plaid vests in both parks).

In DL, you could get return times at the rides or from a kiosk. It seemed to be much more consistent than last year. At a couple of the fanstasy land dark rides they would only allow one wheelchair in the exit area at a time (which was not so cool with two kids in wheelchairs). In general I felt like they were a lot more aggressive with trying to talk us out of taking the wheelchair down a cue than in the past and did their best to make it appear that we could not wheel my daughter right up to the ride before taking her out of the chair to transfer. They also seemed to be trying to avoid using the WC accessible vehicles (which was a noticeable difference from last year). I don't know, perhaps my daughter looked more with it this year than last which made a difference what their expectations were and how they approached us.

The other thing I noticed that was despite the considerably bigger crowds, there were way fewer people using DAS and wheelchair entrances. So perhaps the DAS system and return times for non accessible rides have curbed some abuse. Also, last time wheel chair return times were different than DAS return times. Last year the wheelchair return times seemed to be based on how many wheelchairs ahead of you, not on the length of the regular line. Now the wheelchair return times are the same as DAS return times (regular line wait time minus 10). And you can only have one active DAS or WC return time.

All in all, the DAS system seems to be running a lot smoother than last time we were there. It is at least consistent throughout the rides and parks, which is a big improvement. Last thing, I went one morning with just my son before he overdid it so bad we had to use a WC and we did the Indy regular line. Having always had a WC kid I had never done the regular que. It is SUPER cool!

 

[Aladora]

JAt DCA they did not seem to giving out return times at rides. You needed to go to one of the kiosks that were manned by real people (wearing plaid vests in both parks).

In DL, you could get return times at the rides or from a kiosk.

This is a change from every time we have used the DAS at DL/DCA, the last time being in August. Every time we have been you could only get a return time at a kiosk not at any of the rides. I wonder if this is a permanent change?

On the whole, it sounds as though the trip was a success which is always wonderful to read!

 

[Nevada Jen]

When we went last year at the same time it was a total guess which way it would happen. I can at least confirm that we were able to get wheelchair return times at Space, RSR, the dark rides in fantasyland, Big Thunder, Pirates and Indy. I suppose it is possible that was because of the wheel chair and not the DAS but that is not how I perceived it. Also despite how busy the park was, the most we ever had to wait at a kiosk to get a DAS time was 2 minutes. The vast majorty of the time we just walked right up and asked for a return time with no one else there.

I also forgot to mention, my daughter ate like a champ! Which means we were changing poop diapers in the park. I was totally impressed with First Aid at DCA. THey have companion restrooms with cots in them and you just ask to change a diaper and they hand you a chuck and a trash bag and send you right back on your own after the first time. I am pretty sure I remember last year we had to sign in and list the reason for the visit and then got sent to an exam room with an exam table (that was at that height and had paper covering it). This was MUCH better.

 

[gap2368]

I wish they had kiosk to get a DAS return time at disney world and at the attraction I think this would be so nice some times the attraction area is so bad I just do not even bother

 

[Aladora]

When we went last year at the same time it was a total guess which way it would happen. I can at least confirm that we were able to get wheelchair return times at Space, RSR, the dark rides in fantasyland, Big Thunder, Pirates and Indy. I suppose it is possible that was because of the wheel chair and not the DAS but that is not how I perceived it. Also despite how busy the park was, the most we ever had to wait at a kiosk to get a DAS time was 2 minutes. The vast majorty of the time we just walked right up and asked for a return time with no one else there.

I also forgot to mention, my daughter ate like a champ! Which means we were changing poop diapers in the park. I was totally impressed with First Aid at DCA. THey have companion restrooms with cots in them and you just ask to change a diaper and they hand you a chuck and a trash bag and send you right back on your own after the first time. I am pretty sure I remember last year we had to sign in and list the reason for the visit and then got sent to an exam room with an exam table (that was at that height and had paper covering it). This was MUCH better.

That is exactly the difference. The WC return times are given out at the attraction and the DAS return times are given out at the kiosks.

(BTW, I am totally not trying to get all nitpicky, it's just that the way that the DAS is handled at DL/DCA is different from the way that it is handled at WDW and I don't want others to get confused...the fact that it is different on both coasts is confusing enough!)