Simple explanation of DAS please

[Elephantay]

I thought it was a return time given to people who have difficulty standing/waiting in line...? But recently I've known of two very different experiences. One is a family with a daughter and parent on the spectrum ( very high functioning and verbal), plus extended family. The child would have trouble in LONG waits, but not under 30 or so....They were given a DAS for their entire party of over 20 people.
The other is a family with an adult child with DS who would have trouble understanding and waiting, and they were not given a DAS.
Wondering who qualifies and how?
Thanks

 

[mcall12]

I thought it was a return time given to people who have difficulty standing/waiting in line...? But recently I've known of two very different experiences. One is a family with a daughter and parent on the spectrum ( very high functioning and verbal), plus extended family. The child would have trouble in LONG waits, but not under 30 or so....They were given a DAS for their entire party of over 20 people.
The other is a family with an adult child with DS who would have trouble understanding and waiting, and they were not given a DAS.
Wondering who qualifies and how?
Thanks

the lines (as in the physical queues) are mainstreamed to allow for access for folks using a mobility aid to assist with issues related to being able to walk/stand/stamina. It’s often framed as “Disney made me get a wheelchair” but the reality is the accommodation is creating the line in such a way that it allows folks using these tools (wheelchairs, ECVs, rollators, etc) to enter the line and access the attraction in that way. It’s up to the individual to decide which kind of aid would best support their day at the park. The few lines that aren’t mainstreamed in WDW usually offer return times for guests in wheelchairs so that they can use an alternate entrance that is accessible.

The other example you cited is someone for whom there is no physical accommodation that would prevent the queue from becoming too overstimulating (for example), so the DAS provides the user and their party the opportunity to wait somewhere that is appropriate to their needs until it is time to ride. There are some physical limitations resultant from disabilities/chronic conditions that may also be aided by the use of a DAS so it is not only for those with cognitive conditions/challenges.

Not commenting as to the specific situation or how many guests on the DAS, etc.

 

[gap2368]

Also remember the Das is not DX based but need based. You have to explain how waiting in line effect you

 

[Disney.Dreamin.Dee]

You're allowed up to 6 people per DAS.
So it would not have accommodated a party of 20 even with 2 members of the party having DAS unless they were given special permission.

As for who qualifies, that's determined by the CM really.
You have to explain why its difficult for you to stand in a traditional line rather than explain what your disability is.
If the reason is due to mobility that could be remedied by a wheelchair it would not qualify them.

 

[DisSurfer878]

You also mention that one situation is "well they don't understand waiting".

To be fair, many children (or adults with cognitive issues) don't understand waiting. That alone isn't the problem. If the not understanding waiting will trigger a dangerous situation (like a child eloping to escape the queue, maybe) then that is a different qualification.

If they don't understand waiting but just stand there grumbling about it and aren't putting themselves or others in a bad situation, then that doesn't qualify.

 

[DLgal]

Occasionally a CM will grant a DAS to a larger party than 6. We've had them do it for us up to 10 total, but they would only do that for one day (which was all we needed anyway, and I was clear that if they couldn't go that high, we understood). Point being, they CAN make the DAS for any size group they want, it's at CM discretion.

There is no way to know why the second party was not accommodated other than to suggest that they did not have a convincing argument as to why they needed it. Simply having diagnosis X doesn't automatically qualify one for a DAS. You have to explain why/how waiting in a traditional queue is problematic for the individual. If they could not provide concrete examples, they would have been denied.

And also, just to comment on the group with the autistic members, as you are not the parent of that child, you have no idea what that child can handle. "High functioning/verbal" doesn't mean what you think it means.

 

[Elephantay]

Actually, I am the child's therapist and know the family well. They have several adult family members on the spectrum- and I was surprised- pleasantly so for them because it greatly enhanced their trip- that they were allowed to have their entire extended family given a DAS. I was pretty sure the child, who had had one before, would get one again but was surprised that the adults ( one of which I know well), did.
The other situation is a family we are close to, and their adult son has DS. He struggled. Lots of actual issues when he was waiting in line. He's a big guy so it was difficult for all of them. I don't think they will go back which is upsetting as they were SO excited for their trip.
So I asked for clarification because I have many clients who go to WDW, and want to help them if I can to get the help they need. I'm often asked because we love WDW and go often.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Actually, I am the child's therapist and know the family well. They have several adult family members on the spectrum- and I was surprised- pleasantly so for them because it greatly enhanced their trip- that they were allowed to have their entire extended family given a DAS. I was pretty sure the child, who had had one before, would get one again but was surprised that the adults ( one of which I know well), did.
The other situation is a family we are close to, and their adult son has DS. He struggled. Lots of actual issues when he was waiting in line. He's a big guy so it was difficult for all of them. I don't think they will go back which is upsetting as they were SO excited for their trip.
So I asked for clarification because I have many clients who go to WDW, and want to help them if I can to get the help they need. I'm often asked because we love WDW and go often.

It sounds like then multiple members of the 20 person party had DAS, not just one person, even if that wasn't explicitly explained to you.

It all sounds like the other family did not properly explain their adult child's needs.

It also feels super icky that you are posting clients personal experiences online, but not my place.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually, I am the child's therapist and know the family well. They have several adult family members on the spectrum- and I was surprised- pleasantly so for them because it greatly enhanced their trip- that they were allowed to have their entire extended family given a DAS. I was pretty sure the child, who had had one before, would get one again but was surprised that the adults ( one of which I know well), did.

As others have posted, the usual number of guests for a DAS is 6 (5 plus the person with a disability). Anything more than that is an exception and might require a Supervisor/Lead to approve. Even with exceptions, more than 8 or 9 total per DAS is unusual.
My guess is that the reason their entire party of 20 were included is that enough individuals in the group were registered for DAS that most had only 6 linked to the individual DAS.

The other situation is a family we are close to, and their adult son has DS. He struggled. Lots of actual issues when he was waiting in line. He's a big guy so it was difficult for all of them. I don't think they will go back which is upsetting as they were SO excited for their trip.
So I asked for clarification because I have many clients who go to WDW, and want to help them if I can to get the help they need. I'm often asked because we love WDW and go often.

That situation sounds like the family did not explain his needs. If all they said when requesting DAS was that he didn’t understand waits, it’s unlikely DAS would be given. I’ve been in Guest Relations behind people who gave that explanation and when asked to elaborate, they just kept repeating the same thing.
Guests need to be prepared to explain what issues they think will prevent them waiting in line. If they don’t know, or DAS was not issued, they can always go back to Guest Relations and explain they issues they did have.

 

[SueM in MN]

Closing thread since question was answered