Stroller as a Wheelchair questions

[Oswin]

My family is going to WDW in June to celebrate my graduating with my masters degree and also celebrate my parents' 35th anniversary. My nephew is ADHD/ED and we already have a game plan of using the DAS to make sure he gets his favorite two rides at the Magic Kingdom as often as he wants, but we were wondering about the success and difficulties people have had using strollers a wheelchairs?

I understand that it is either a stamp on the DAS or a tag/sticker you put on the stroller itself, so that is not the part I am necessarily worried about.

He is eight years old and despite being small for his age, he most definitely is too lanky to fit in an umbrella stroller. Do other guests often judge and say rude comments to those that have older children using strollers as wheelchairs in lines? We do not feel comfortable using the DAS card for rides he will ride with us, but is indifferent or non-reactive toward. But he definitely needs his "own" space in crowded places, or he can feel closed in and he can get hostile if this happens. But we are also concerned about other guests saying something, and his overhearing, and his getting upset and losing control.

Would you recommend just going ahead using the DAS for all rides our family wants to ride together instead of DAS + stroller as a wheelchair for the rides that are not "his"? In either case, we definitely plan on taking advantage of staying on site at Saratoga Springs as well as the new Fast Pass+ system. We've already managed to map out all of our park mornings and evenings, with long breaks from 1pm-6pm every day. We have all our dining booked and our fast passes set, but this is the one area we are really concerned about.

This is my first post here on the boards, and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone here for being so informative. All the things I've read here have really helped me plan my family's first big vacation together in ten years!

 

[lanejudy]

Welcome! A stroller-as-wheelchair tag (there is no more stamp) will provide him a safe haven of his own space. If he is too big for a standard stroller, you might look into renting or buying a special needs stroller, which are made for bigger kids. He will not be comfortable in a too small stroller, and it may not have the intended effect. I wouldn't worry about what other guests think, if it is the best solution for your family then you do what's best for you. Most guests will not say anything, and just ignore those who are rude and ignorant.
DAS works best with FP+, I wouldn't try to rely solely on use of a DAS. If you haven't already, I suggest you check out the WDW Disability Access Service Card thread near the top of this forum, the first few posts have the basic info.
Enjoy your vacation!

 

[tigger51276]

Last year was the first year I got the wheelchair tag for my DD5's stroller, she has DBD, ODD, ADHD and PTSD and in the past I've always been able to carry her in a hip carrier as she is small, but there was no way i'd be able to do it anymore as she's gotten too big.

I would say I definitely got a few looks, but at this point i'm used to "those" looks at this point from when she has her outbursts/meltdowns. I just ignore them, I'm on vacation with my kids and i'm just trying to make sure they have a good time with as few "incidents" as possible. While my DD's diagnosis' don't prevent her from being able to walk (it's more keeping her from bolting, hurting others in line for no reason and/or freaking out because of there being too many people in an area) you definitely get looks when you get to the end of a queue and she is able to walk from her stroller to the ride, and yes it's uncomfortable because from and outsiders view she looks perfectly normal, however inside she is anything but, however they don't know that.

I say do what you need to do to keep the child as happy and safe as you can and try not to worry about what others think, in perspective you will most likely never see these people again anyway!

 

[SueM in MN]

My family is going to WDW in June to celebrate my graduating with my masters degree and also celebrate my parents' 35th anniversary. My nephew is ADHD/ED and we already have a game plan of using the DAS to make sure he gets his favorite two rides at the Magic Kingdom as often as he wants, but we were wondering about the success and difficulties people have had using strollers a wheelchairs?

I understand that it is either a stamp on the DAS or a tag/sticker you put on the stroller itself, so that is not the part I am necessarily worried about.

He is eight years old and despite being small for his age, he most definitely is too lanky to fit in an umbrella stroller. Do other guests often judge and say rude comments to those that have older children using strollers as wheelchairs in lines? We do not feel comfortable using the DAS card for rides he will ride with us, but is indifferent or non-reactive toward. But he definitely needs his "own" space in crowded places, or he can feel closed in and he can get hostile if this happens. But we are also concerned about other guests saying something, and his overhearing, and his getting upset and losing control.

Would you recommend just going ahead using the DAS for all rides our family wants to ride together instead of DAS + stroller as a wheelchair for the rides that are not "his"? In either case, we definitely plan on taking advantage of staying on site at Saratoga Springs as well as the new Fast Pass+ system. We've already managed to map out all of our park mornings and evenings, with long breaks from 1pm-6pm every day. We have all our dining booked and our fast passes set, but this is the one area we are really concerned about.

This is my first post here on the boards, and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone here for being so informative. All the things I've read here have really helped me plan my family's first big vacation together in ten years!

As long as he is going to be riding with you, you are allowed to use the DAS.
In fact, he is likely to be more tolerant of a wait for a ride he is looking forward to than one he is indifferent to.

Whether you also use the stroller might depend on the attraction and what the line is like at that attraction.
With DAS or Fastpass Plus, you will be using the Fastpass entrance. He may do fine in that line without using the stroller as a wheelchair, especially if you have enough family members to kind of arrange around him as a buffer to separate him a bit from other guests.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I second the idea of looking at special needs stroller. I would get the tag if needed for like at EPCOT you can not take strollers in the Land or Seas buildings but strollers as wheelchairs can go in there. that is where I got the most looks or comments.