Severe Myofaschial Pain and DAS

[JadeStarr]

Okay so I read quite a few pages on the DAS threads but couldn't find anyone with both of my main issues:

1) I can't stand for long periods of time, plus my time in the park can't really exceed 4 hours (well tons of people have this one)
2) I can't sit for any length of time, it results in severe pelvic pain that my narcotics and muscle relaxers can't even touch, this makes wheelchairs, ECVs and other mobility help no help for me. My max time sitting is MAYBE an hour, if I'm lucky.

So I have to move slowly or lay down and I don't think Disney can work with the whole laying down in line bit

I'm wondering what my chances on getting a DAS is. I know I got a GAC for the last 5 years (when I asked for one) but that is no guarantee. The last time I got a card was May of 2013 when my family came in town and wanted to go to the parks with me. 90% of the time I am at the parks (I'm a local), I don't get a card, I just walk around slowly and ride short wait time stuff but my 5 year old nephew likely won't want to do that. He loves Toy Story Mania and the Fantasyland rides that all have ridiculous waits. :/

I'm not big on begging...

 

[lanejudy]

I'm sorry you have so much pain, that must be hard. While you certainly may request a DAS. However, be prepared to be told you have a mobility/stamina issue; Disney's accommodation for that is to use a mobility aide.

Just because a person has a wheelchair does not mean he/she must physically sit in it at all times. It can be pushed (let your nephew ride, put your bags in it, etc.) or parked. Or maybe a rollator would work well -- this is a device like a walker with a seat; stand and push or sit when needed. If you do find you need to lay down, First Aid in each park has beds.

A DAS will actually not get you through the parks in a short time period. With the DAS you are given a return time equivalent to the standby minus 10 minutes. So use of a good touring plan plus FP+ will allow you to do more in a short time period than the DAS. Plus going at a slower time of year.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SMD]

This is for Disneyland, correct? The only ride you've mentioned that ever exceeds an hour is Peter Pan. The longest I've seen Toy Story the last few years is 45 minutes, although it is quite a walk from Fantasyland to Paradise Pier. With even a little planning, you can cut those waits down considerably. For example, ride Toy Story or Peter Pan first thing in the morning. Or plan to be in Fantasyland during parades, when the lines are shorter there. Disney's response to mobility and stamina issues has been to use or rent a mobility device. In your situation you might consider a manual wheelchair or rollator. That way you can push it while walking and sit in it when you need to sit, but go back to pushing it when sitting becomes too much. A wheelchair does not use the standby queue at Peter Pan, and if the wait is too long in the accessible line they will issue a return time, so you can do other attractions without having to stand still or sit that whole time.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

You're most likely to be told that you need to use a mobility aid. I agree with the poster who suggests either pushing a manual wheelchair to sit in when needed or renting a rollator-style walker.

The DAS just gives you a return time for the wait of the standby line minus about 10 minutes. So you would still need to fill that time in between. When you returned, you'd be sent through the FP+ line (WDW) or FP line (DL/DCA) which can have a 10+ minute wait. You should check out the DAS stickies on the top of the board (there are separate ones for WDW and DL/DCA) to really understand how it works and whether you really would qualify.

One thing for actually waiting in lines is, if there are others in your party, have them block a little bit of space off around you so that you can keep moving while in a line.

You're going to be far better off trying to use touring apps to figure out which rides will have the shorter waits at any given time. I don't know if you plan on doing multiple chunks of time with going back to rest in the middle, but if it's DL/DCA you might be able to get a FP before you leave for when you're going to return. If it's WDW, then it's worth making sure you're getting the best out of FP+. Once you've used all your FP+ you can now go to GS (I think it's GS) and request an extra FP+ so that may be something to help you.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I forgot to put in my original post, that you can use First Aid to lie down if lying down for a while will make it possible for you to spend more time in the parks.

I have similar limits to how long I can sit up (and can't walk enough to not use a wheelchair/ECV) so I have loads of sympathy. It's hard and frustrating.

I don't know, as well, if anything from the recent thread about touring with fibromyalgia would help. There is a lot of "use an ECV" in there, but plenty of other good advice. I know they're not the same condition, but there's definitely overlap. That post is at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3276661