So Worried about DAS/Wheelchair combo at Disneyland

[OurBigTrip]

What? Why? That's completely unreasonable.

I wondered the exact same thing.

 

[Nevada Jen]

As to the line at city hall to get the DAS, try to think of it from the point of view of someone who has never been there. I didn't know what the giant line was even for. All I assumed was that I was walking past a line that I didn't need to be in and couldn't use to access the building. I needed to go in that building with a wheelchair and took the ramp on the side. It was the only way in. Someone not familiar with how to get a DAS in a wheelchair would undoubtedly assume the same thing as me. Which is why it would be helpful if there was a cast member or a sign stationed at that entrance.

The first day was extremely frustrating. Especially in Fantasyland in the dark. We were watching people who could walk, just enter the cue and we couldn't begin to figure out how to get on the rides in Fantasyland. Every ride procedure was different. Once in the same night, the same ride had a different procedure. We waited in line at the exit only to find out we needed a wheelchair return time that we had to get from the kiosk a good way away in the park. Managing through the crowds, in the dark to a location that we did not know exactly where it was. We get the time, wait the time and then have to get in a giant line to wait our turn in the wheelchair line. Only to find out that they are now not requiring wheelchair return times for the same ride. I am just telling you it was THAT frustrating the first night in Fantasyland in the dark with a wheelchair with the DAS procedure in place. That night, in Fantasyland with lines that are not wheelchair accessible, people in chairs waited longer and spent lots of energy going back and forth to rides and the kiosk and waiting in extra lines. I posted it because I was trying to be helpful to others who might be in the same situation. Not to be rude, but I did not ask whether anyone thought I was being presumptuous or unreasonable. I was trying to be helpful. I am sure other people come here and read these threads because they are as nervous about making their trip work as I was. I wouldn't want them to avoid posting their questions or experiences because they are worried about being attacked.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Seeing one primary entrance to a building you need to access, with a long line of people in line to enter, should have indicated that using an alternate entrance wouldn't permit anyone to bypass the outside line. It would have been a reasonable action to proactively have one or more members of a party wait in the line while one person propelled the wheelchair up the ramp. Or all wait in the line until reaching the stairs, then split up - then there shouldn't be a long wait inside until it were that entire party's turn for assistance.

Yes, every attraction procedure is different, sometimes there are even different procedures for the same attraction on a given day. This information is in the disABILITIES FAQ. Relatively certain the FAQ advises to always approach the Greeter, at each attraction. That FAQ, as well as threads dedicated to the DAS, are pinned at the top of the first page of this forum.

 

[SMD]

Seeing one primary entrance to a building you need to access, with a long line of people in line to enter, should have indicated that using an alternate entrance wouldn't permit anyone to bypass the outside line. It would have been a reasonable action to proactively have one or more members of a party wait in the line while one person propelled the wheelchair up the ramp. Or all wait in the line until reaching the stairs, then split up - then there shouldn't be a long wait inside until it were that entire party's turn for assistance.

Yes, every attraction procedure is different, sometimes there are even different procedures for the same attraction on a given day. This information is in the disABILITIES FAQ. Relatively certain the FAQ advises to always approach the Greeter, at each attraction. That FAQ, as well as threads dedicated to the DAS, are pinned at the top of the first page of this forum.

I have never not seen CMs at some of the places the OP says she passed without seeing a CM. I wonder if the CMs just blend in too well or if the OP wasn't really looking for someone to ask. As far as the FL lines, they often give out return times because the waiting/return line can only accommodate a few parties in the tight space. I understand it can be frustrating to see a line, get in it, only to find out that you need to come back later, but... We're talking about lines that only have 3-4 parties in them. How long could they have been waiting before the CM gave a return time? I don't think that the CMs are just letting parties hop into the line on their own and wait for very long without approaching them with the correct procedure. And yes, the correct procedure could change over the course of the day due to more or less people wanting to ride and the limited waiting space, especially in FL. I think you hit the nail on the head with the need to be proactive. Based on the OP's further explanations, it really sounds like they assumed more often than they should and just tried to breeze through the exits without realizing that the lack of wheelchair return lines really indicated that there were so many guests waiting that return times had already been issued.

 

[SueM in MN]

Guest Relations at MK at WDW has a ramp on one side and stairs to the main door where the line is. I've done several things there when I have been with my daughter who uses a wheelchair.
If we have other members of our group who can go up the stairs, they get into line on the stairs and DD and I come up the ramp and wait on the side until they get into the building. Then we join them.

If it's just DD and I, we come up the ramp then go out one of the doors that lead to the porch where people are waiting outside. We join the line outside when we can as the person who was last in line when we entered gets onto the porch.

WDW often has Guest Relations CMs walking around trying to take care of quick requests that don't require actually going to the desk. So, sometimes the line moves really quickly even though it looks very long.

 

[cmwade77]

What I have done many time at DL is to to talk with the last person in line and let them know that I am behind them, explaining that I can't do the stairs. After all, how do I stand in the line that goes up stairs if I can't do stairs and I am by myself?

But really, I usually go to DCA to get the DAS, as there are no stairs to deal with.

As for when you should get a DAS return time or not, the realistic answer at DLR is if there is a FP line, you will need either a FP, a wheelchair return time or a DAS return time. Additionally, you will almost always need wheelchair or DAS return times for: Matterhorn, Gadget's Go Coaster, Peter Pan, Jungle, Haunted Mansion, Pirates and Small World, Toy Story and Mickey's Fun Wheel even though there is no FP there. This may vary, but this is a good general rule, so that you don't get all the way over to an attraction to find out you needed to get a return time.

 

[SueM in MN]

What I have done many time at DL is to to talk with the last person in line and let them know that I am behind them, explaining that I can't do the stairs. After all, how do I stand in the line that goes up stairs if I can't do stairs and I am by myself?

But really, I usually go to DCA to get the DAS, as there are no stairs to deal with.

As for when you should get a DAS return time or not, the realistic answer at DLR is if there is a FP line, you will need either a FP, a wheelchair return time or a DAS return time. Additionally, you will almost always need wheelchair or DAS return times for: Matterhorn, Gadget's Go Coaster, Peter Pan, Jungle, Haunted Mansion, Pirates and Small World, Toy Story and Mickey's Fun Wheel even though there is no FP there. This may vary, but this is a good general rule, so that you don't get all the way over to an attraction to find out you needed to get a return time.

that sounds like a good summary of all the various things I have seen other people post about Disneyland.
That will probably change as they add more accessible lines - DL did have money allocated to making Mainstream lines where it was feasible.​

 

[cmwade77]

that sounds like a good summary of all the various things I have seen other people post about Disneyland.
That will probably change as they add more accessible lines - DL did have money allocated to making Mainstream lines where it was feasible.​

These attractions will likely never change, as they all have a limit on the number of wheelchairs allowed on at any given time. for these it has very little to do with the queue and more to do with operational concerns.

 

[SueM in MN]

These attractions will likely never change, as they all have a limit on the number of wheelchairs allowed on at any given time. for these it has very little to do with the queue and more to do with operational concerns.

Thanks

At WDW, it did make a difference when the queues became accessible.. For some attractions, the line was made accessible, but the boarding area is still not.
This means guests with mobility devices wait in line with everyone else, but are routed to the accessible area for boarding (usually close to the regular boarding area).
Making the line accessible still makes a difference, at least at WDW. The reason is that having guests with mobility devices wait in the regular line does tend to split people up who would be going to the accessible area.

 

[2tinkerbell]

The thing about FL is that there isn't a lot of space at the exits. Both wheelchair return times and DAS return times use the exit as the entrance. There is always a CM managing the exit line - maybe not right there at the moment you approach the line, but, will be there shortly. If there is a line, just get in the back of the line and wait for the CM to come. If the line is long at the exit and if you don't have a wheelchair return time the CM will most likely give you one as there simply isn't room for parties to queue up. In the case where the guest was told to go back to the kiosk to get a return time, it could very well be possible that in FL they aren't able to issue them at the rides. The kiosk is just around the corner - not very far from the majority of the dark rides in FL.

POTC seems to be the most difficult one for us as there usually isn't a CM until you get all the way into the exit. But again, we just get in the line and the CM comes by and asks for our DAS card. I have seen them issue wheelchair return times. We have also had to wait longer for that ride than we have for others. We know that so I try to schedule POTC right after lunch, a break, etc. - a time when my DD is not tired and she isn't overstimulated so that she can be successful with the wait.

One thing that I have noticed is that the procedure does change with each attraction. It can also change at the same attraction at different times of the day. This is due to how many guests with mobility issues are on the ride and also staffing at that time.

I have taught my DD to always approach the CM of the attraction she wants to ride for instructions. If one isn't right there, she lines up and a CM is usually there in a few minutes. I don't assume anything because I usually make the wrong assumptions.

The line at City Hall can get quite long at times. However there is always a CM there monitoring the line. I can see how this error could have happened. The ramp is to the side of the building and leads to the Restrooms as well. However, there is a podium with a CM at the top of the stairs and you also have to bypass the line to get to the ramp. There is also a CM at the top of the stairs monitoring the line. That CM will let the guest into the building when a CM at the counter is available. There is really no place to wait or queue up inside City Hall. Also, I think DL is trying to make getting the DAS as private as possible. At least that is what we have experienced the 2 times we have been there utilizing the DAS.

 

[aaarcher86]

Not to be rude, but I did not ask whether anyone thought I was being presumptuous or unreasonable. I was trying to be helpful. I am sure other people come here and read these threads because they are as nervous about making their trip work as I was. I wouldn't want them to avoid posting their questions or experiences because they are worried about being attacked.

Not to be rude, (the precursor to saying something rude!), but when you post something on a message board the whole thing is up to discussion - including opinions and questions you don't like.

No one is attacking you. I totally get being frustrated, but I don't know how you thought someone wouldn't comment on your husbands idea that he could sue lol.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I know that this is not as relevant to your (OP's) issues. I personally don't see the difference between those "walking DAS holders" and those "DAS holders" in a wheelchair. It is a person needing Disney's DAS. One person's disability isn't necessarily greater or lesser than another person's disability. Disney doesn't issue the DAS according to degree of disability.

Disneyland works great, but, you need to work within the system and not try to bypass it.

 

[cmwade77]

I know that this is not as relevant to your (OP's) issues. I personally don't see the difference between those "walking DAS holders" and those "DAS holders" in a wheelchair. It is a person needing Disney's DAS. One person's disability isn't necessarily greater or lesser than another person's disability. Disney doesn't issue the DAS according to degree of disability.

Disneyland works great, but, you need to work within the system and not try to bypass it.

The difference is that the DAS applies to every attraction. Wheelchair return times are only given at attractions where the queue is not mainstreamed in. Additionally, a DAS is not given for mobility issues, so there are other issues with waiting when returning to an attraction. So, if the length of the wait is too long when someone returns with a DAS there can be needs that would not be met if they had to wait for the same length of time as someone returning with just a wheelchair and no DAS. This is why every attraction is supposed to have a separate DAS queue from the wheelchair return queue when the wheelchair return queue is longer than 10 minutes (this is what Disney told me directly in emails and on the phone with those that designed the system). Again, this is how it is supposed to work at Disneyland, Disney World may be different than that. Also, the other reason to separate the lines is many attractions can have only a limited number of wheelchair parties, but an unlimited number of parties with DAS cards if they can handle stairs, etc. during an evacuation. So by separating the lines, they actually make the lines go faster for both those in wheelchairs and those with DAS cards.

Really it isn't saying one disability is greater than the other, it is saying one persons needs are greater than the other and in order to accommodate those needs, there needs to be a bit of thought put into things.

 

[2tinkerbell]

When I posted this I didn't know how to quote. I was referring to Nevada Jen's statement "(so DAS walking folks were also using the exits exits as entrances) was pretty much a nightmare." As I stated in my other post, "The thing about FL is that there isn't a lot of space at the exits. Both wheelchair return times and DAS return times use the exit as the entrance."

To my knowledge, there isn't separate lines in FL, but, the CM trying their hardest to keep track of things. It has been my experience that a wheelchair return time and a DAS return time are given the same access to the ride vehicle. Both have waited their turn in the "virtual queue." For example a person with a wheelchair return time of 3:00 arrives at the same time as a person with a DAS return time of 3:00 arrive at the exit at the same time (the appropriate place for most rides in FL) then the CMs were taking them in the order of arrival (whichever guest arrived first). If waiting for a special vehicle, then I can see the wait might being longer for the person with a wheelchair return time.

It has been my experience that the CMs and Disney as a whole are working hard to make sure everyone has equal access in the best way they can. I have had nothing but positive experiences. In fact, my DD has had several occasions when CMs have gone over and beyond and have given her pixie dust.

 

[cmwade77]

When I posted this I didn't know how to quote. I was referring to Nevada Jen's statement "(so DAS walking folks were also using the exits exits as entrances) was pretty much a nightmare." As I stated in my other post, "The thing about FL is that there isn't a lot of space at the exits. Both wheelchair return times and DAS return times use the exit as the entrance."

To my knowledge, there isn't separate lines in FL, but, the CM trying their hardest to keep track of things. It has been my experience that a wheelchair return time and a DAS return time are given the same access to the ride vehicle. Both have waited their turn in the "virtual queue." For example a person with a wheelchair return time of 3:00 arrives at the same time as a person with a DAS return time of 3:00 arrive at the exit at the same time (the appropriate place for most rides in FL) then the CMs were taking them in the order of arrival (whichever guest arrived first). If waiting for a special vehicle, then I can see the wait might being longer for the person with a wheelchair return time.

It has been my experience that the CMs and Disney as a whole are working hard to make sure everyone has equal access in the best way they can. I have had nothing but positive experiences. In fact, my DD has had several occasions when CMs have gone over and beyond and have given her pixie dust.

If there is over a 10 minute wait when you return, they are supposed to give priority to the DAS card holders according to their official rules. That being said, I have seen them make several offers to accommodate such cases, such as a guest recovery pass to another attraction and one for theirs to come back at a time when there is less of a wait. There are various other ways it is handled, but what happened to my friend who has a DAS card, a service animal and a walker at Indiana Jones should never happen. When they returned, it was still a 45 minute wait before they could get on the attraction. This should have been handled a lot differently than it was and that is my point that according to the official rules, a DAS card holder has already waited in line and so has the person with the wheelchair return time, in an ideal world both would get on immediately when returning. We all know that isn't possible and it may not be possible for them to both be put on at the same time. So, the DAS card holder is supposed to be given priority due to the fact that the needs are greater and this is what can be done to accommodate them.

 

[SirDuff]

If there is over a 10 minute wait when you return, they are supposed to give priority to the DAS card holders according to their official rules. That being said, I have seen them make several offers to accommodate such cases, such as a guest recovery pass to another attraction and one for theirs to come back at a time when there is less of a wait. There are various other ways it is handled, but what happened to my friend who has a DAS card, a service animal and a walker at Indiana Jones should never happen. When they returned, it was still a 45 minute wait before they could get on the attraction. This should have been handled a lot differently than it was and that is my point that according to the official rules, a DAS card holder has already waited in line and so has the person with the wheelchair return time, in an ideal world both would get on immediately when returning. We all know that isn't possible and it may not be possible for them to both be put on at the same time. So, the DAS card holder is supposed to be given priority due to the fact that the needs are greater and this is what can be done to accommodate them.

This is the first time that I've heard of this rule. Could you share a link to it? It would be great to understand all the official rules.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's not in the blog http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/disney-parks-disability-access-service-card-fact-sheet/ which verbatim from the .pdf
And it doesn't appear to be in the Terms & Conditions printed on the DAC http://www.lovethatmax.com/2014/01/how-disney-disability-card-works.html
In fact, the T&C indicates that guests using it may not get immediate access when they do return, and that waits may be longer than the posted time.

 

[aaarcher86]

This is the first time that I've heard of this rule. Could you share a link to it? It would be great to understand all the official rules.

I've never heard that either.

 

[cmwade77]

This is the first time that I've heard of this rule. Could you share a link to it? It would be great to understand all the official rules.

As I said, it's what those that designed the system have told me personally, so I am pretty confident they know what they are talking about.

 

[OurBigTrip]

As I said, it's what those that designed the system have told me personally, so I am pretty confident they know what they are talking about.

It doesn't matter one whit if that's how they designed it, or if it's how they thought they were designing it - that doesn't make it "official policy". If the "official policy" was that DAS users got immediate access upon return, the Disney FAQs and the DAS itself wouldn't say the opposite.