Return Times without DAS

[Song of the South]

I had the call this morning for our trip next week. I was told that it sounded like mobility issues and that there would be wheelchairs at every ride (I have my own and the park ones I have had to use are ridiculously dangerous ie without working brakes!) and that I could get a return time for any ride just by asking just as before no need for DAS.
Now, I haven’t been to WDW since May 2021 but I was very surprised to hear that anyone can get a return time for any ride. Is that true?
If it is not true, what do I do? Call again to discuss my needs with the video DAS person? Wait and go to GS in the park? I was really surprised and thrown by the conversation with the DAS decision person. I have to take someone with me to my doctor appointments because I get thrown off. It didn’t occur to me, that for the DAS interview I’d need someone to help.
Thanks for any insight!

 

[Disney.Dreamin.Dee]

DAS is not for someone with a mobility issue that a wheelchair could solve.
You have to give specific reasons for why you cannot wait in the traditional line.
You will not be given a return time if you do not have DAS.
IF you have specific reasons other than needing a wheelchair for why you cannot wait in a traditional line I would write them down and then do the video chat again or I would go to guest services once you enter a park.

 

[Song of the South]

Ugh. Thank you for your reply. I was afraid that I was correct ie rides not giving return times to anyone vs a DAS. I am upset I was told that. I will chat again and try to have a more accurate conversation. Thank you again.

 

[SueM in MN]

I had the call this morning for our trip next week. I was told that it sounded like mobility issues and that there would be wheelchairs at every ride (I have my own and the park ones I have had to use are ridiculously dangerous ie without working brakes!) and that I could get a return time for any ride just by asking just as before no need for DAS.

The bolded parts are NOT correct information.
Wheelchairs are NOT available at every attraction. There are attraction wheelchairs where/when:
- the line is not ECV accessible. People who can’t walk in line can park their ECV and walk in line or ask to use an attraction wheelchair for the line.
- there is a wheelchair accessible ride vehicle which is not ECV accessible. Guests using ECVs can borrow an attraction wheelchair in order to use the accessible vehicle if they want.

Guests CAN’T just get a return time for any ride just by asking. That was NEVER the case either with DAS or Guest Assistance Card, which was in use before DAS.

Now, I haven’t been to WDW since May 2021 but I was very surprised to hear that anyone can get a return time for any ride. Is that true?

No. That is not true and has NEVER been true. DAS didn’t change other than guests can now either register for DAS in person or by video chat AND guests who have DAS can make DAS Return Times on the My Disney Experience app or at the attraction/Guest Relations.
There are only a couple attractions total in all of the WDW parks that are not wheelchair accessible. For those few attractions, there is a different place to enter for guests using mobility devices like wheelchairs or ECVs.
For those attractions ONLY, guests who are using a mobility device will be given a return time. Examples of those attractions are Jungle Cruise and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The majority of attractions do not have a special entrance and do not give return times to anyone who doesn’t have DAS.

If it is not true, what do I do? Call again to discuss my needs with the video DAS person? Wait and go to GS in the park? I was really surprised and thrown by the conversation with the DAS decision person. I have to take someone with me to my doctor appointments because I get thrown off. It didn’t occur to me, that for the DAS interview I’d need someone to help.
Thanks for any insight!

If your needs are based on needing to use a wheelchair, ECV or other mobility device in lines, you don’t need and won’t be given DAS.
IF you have additional needs that are not related to mobility and are NOT met by using a mobility device, you can discuss those needs with Guest Relations to see whether or not you qualify for DAS.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Basically, if you had no need for a wheelchair, would you then be able to wait in the regular line? If you could, then you don’t really need a DAS.

 

[Selket]

I had the call this morning for our trip next week. I was told that it sounded like mobility issues and that there would be wheelchairs at every ride (I have my own...

If you still have questions I would just go to GS once you arrive. It sounds like you travel with a WC already so you won't need to rent one or use any of the provided ones. I agree with others that mobility issues they will recommend a mobility device (I use an ECV at the parks) but if you have other issues or questions, etc. there's no downside to asking at guest services I've never been offered a return time when I show up at a ride with an ECV so not quite sure why they said that!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you still have questions I would just go to GS once you arrive. It sounds like you travel with a WC already so you won't need to rent one or use any of the provided ones. I agree with others that mobility issues they will recommend a mobility device (I use an ECV at the parks) but if you have other issues or questions, etc. there's no downside to asking at guest services I've never been offered a return time when I show up at a ride with an ECV so not quite sure why they said that!

It’s only a very few specific attractions that are not ECV accessible that give return times.
None are at AK or the Studios as far as I know. The only one I know of at EPCOT is Spaceship Earth, which may just have you wait at the exit.

 

[lanejudy]

I wonder if the recent reports of “anyone can get a return time in the park” is a bit of a mixed-up message referring to Genie+ but the CM isn’t explaining that clearly?

 

[SueM in MN]

I wonder if the recent reports of “anyone can get a return time in the park” is a bit of a mixed-up message referring to Genie+?

That’s one of the things I was thinking also

 

[Song of the South]

Thanks everyone for your help! I messaged in the app the things from my chat earlier that I was told/what my understanding was & it was all incorrect—as y’all said it was.
I may try to chat with the DAS people again tomorrow or will wait until I am there next week. I was really hoping things had changed to the point that the accommodations I need were mainstreamed. It’s okay that they aren’t. I appreciate everyone’s time and assistance!

 

[DisneyOma]

Thanks everyone for your help! I messaged in the app the things from my chat earlier that I was told/what my understanding was & it was all incorrect—as y’all said it was.
I may try to chat with the DAS people again tomorrow or will wait until I am there next week. I was really hoping things had changed to the point that the accommodations I need were mainstreamed. It’s okay that they aren’t. I appreciate everyone’s time and assistance!

If the issues are mobility related, then Disney's line is that you provide the mobility aid you need. They offer wheelchairs and ECVs for daily rental, but any other device (walker, rollator, electric wheelchair) you'd need to bring yourself.

 

[Song of the South]

Update: Spoke with the registrar again and I was wrong about what I thought was said. All is cleared up.

 

[Disney.Dreamin.Dee]

Update: Spoke with the registrar again and I was wrong about what I thought was said. All is cleared up.

Were you able to get DAS then?

 

[SueM in MN]

Update: Spoke with the registrar again and I was wrong about what I thought was said. All is cleared up.

Thanks for reporting back and glad they were able to clear it up for you.
I’m guessing you were told basically what posters here explained?

 

[Song of the South]

All the information here was correct.

Yesterday, I was focused on what I was being told and figuring out if it would meet my health needs. In all, mobility is a part of, but not the most important part of, the picture. I got thrown off and that is okay. I was worried it was once and done but no one seemed to mind or be ill about the follow up contact. Today, I focused on sharing my symptoms that make daily health struggles and situations that impact my health. It took a very short amount of time and was no big deal. Essentially, today went as I expected yesterday to have gone.

 

[gap2368]

All the information here was correct.

Yesterday, I was focused on what I was being told and figuring out if it would meet my health needs. In all, mobility is a part of, but not the most important part of, the picture. I got thrown off and that is okay. I was worried it was once and done but no one seemed to mind or be ill about the follow up contact. Today, I focused on sharing my symptoms that make daily health struggles and situations that impact my health. It took a very short amount of time and was no big deal. Essentially, today went as I expected yesterday to have gone.

Glade things works out better today