Thinking about using DAS for the first time

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We have a trip to DLR coming up in a week, and WDW over thanksgiving. Of our 4 kids, one has some complicated digestive issues (with a feeding tube) and a kidney disease that's been causing him to need to use the bathroom urgently; and our youngest is "high risk for autism" (he's just under 3 and won't get a formal diagnosis until then, but he doesn't speak yet and is in ABA and speech therapy, and has a hard time waiting in lines, esp since he can't communicate his needs). I think at least the youngest qualifies for a DAS?

Both kids are too small for most of the E ticket rides. We go to WDW frequently, but haven't been to DLR in a few years - would a DAS even be that useful for the family rides at DLR in early August? It seems like DLR has a lot fewer interactive queues to even try to keep our youngest distracted, and I'm worried he'll throw fits and start head banging in lines. (He's also very strong and hard to hold, and will bolt if we let him out of his stroller for too long.)

I just saw another post about glitches when using both a DAS and FP+. How does it go with a DAS and max pass and/or the regular FP at DLR?

 

[gap2368]

If you think the DAS might help you can go to GR and talk to the CM about your child’s needs. The DAS is need-based, not DX-based two people can have the same DX and one might get the DAS while the other may not. it is up to you to let them CM know your child(s) needs as it has to do with waiting in lines. Just because you have the DAS does not mean you have to use it.

I was one that had a glitch with my DAS FP it was taking FP away instead of my DAS ( even though I was hours from my FP time) the CM at GR were able to see this and added my FP back on.

you can asl ask for a stroller as a wheelchair tag so that you can keep the stroller inlines with you.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

If you think the DAS might help you can go to GR and talk to the CM about your child’s needs. The DAS is need-based, not DX-based two people can have the same DX and one might get the DAS while the other may not. it is up to you to let them CM know your child(s) needs as it has to do with waiting in lines. Just because you have the DAS does not mean you have to use it.

I was one that had a glitch with my DAS FP it was taking FP away instead of my DAS ( even though I was hours from my FP time) the CM at GR were able to see this and added my FP back on.

you can asl ask for a stroller as a wheelchair tag so that you can keep the stroller inlines with you.

One of the things they're working on at ABA therapy w our youngest is delayed gratification. He's up to tolerating 10 seconds bet "asking" for something and getting what it wants. If he waits too long, is prevented from running places, or if we can't figure out what he wants, he throws fits - screams, head bangs, flops on the floor. All the stroller does is prevent him from running off and throwing himself on the ground, but he'll still scream and hit his head. This is the behavior I think the DAS would help prevent, but having never requested one, idk?

AFA our other son, I'm worried he'll NEED to pee 5 times in a 30 minute line. And really he seems to just feel like he needs to go, without actually needing to. He's worn pull ups on previous trips, but now is in underwear during the day (refuses pull ups). I know a lot of potty-training kids have this behavior to some extent, but it's much worse than that (like I said, he has kidney disease).

But if crowds at DLR tend to be less than at WDW (what we're used to), and it's easier to get FP (like if we have no trouble getting HM, Pirates, mr toad, etc whenever we want), we might not need DAS?

 

[OurBigTrip]

Both issues sound like the DAS could make it possible for you - I would definitely ask.

 

[gap2368]

One of the things they're working on at ABA therapy w our youngest is delayed gratification. He's up to tolerating 10 seconds bet "asking" for something and getting what it wants. If he waits too long, is prevented from running places, or if we can't figure out what he wants, he throws fits - screams, head bangs, flops on the floor. All the stroller does is prevent him from running off and throwing himself on the ground, but he'll still scream and hit his head. This is the behavior I think the DAS would help prevent, but having never requested one, idk?

AFA our other son, I'm worried he'll NEED to pee 5 times in a 30 minute line. And really he seems to just feel like he needs to go, without actually needing to. He's worn pull ups on previous trips, but now is in underwear during the day (refuses pull ups). I know a lot of potty-training kids have this behavior to some extent, but it's much worse than that (like I said, he has kidney disease).

But if crowds at DLR tend to be less than at WDW (what we're used to), and it's easier to get FP (like if we have no trouble getting HM, Pirates, mr toad, etc whenever we want), we might not need DAS?

At the parks but EPCOT you can get a return time at Guest information booth ( look in my signature for information) so you do not have to go to the ride ( and the child see the ride) to get the return time. This might help your son

 

[SteveMouse]

There may still be lines for the restroom, and there is no FP available, so you may want to be prepared. Unfortunately, the wait for a companion restroom may be even longer.

 

[lanejudy]

I haven't been to DLR, but my DD has a kidney condition and frequent urination. We take our days slow, stopping at every restroom we pass, and definitely a restroom stop before getting in a queue. She also uses incontinence products. I don't know how old your son is, but I think GoodNites makes a boxer-style pull-up, maybe put them on over his underwear, and definitely bring a change of clothes (or two). If he's old enough to reason with, ask him which is worse - wearing a pull-up or having an accident and then walking through the crowds to the restroom with wet pants to get changed. She hates both options, but chooses the less embarrassing. There are lines for the restrooms, and queues may not be "quick" even with DAS, then the length of the attraction as well - you need to be prepared for delays. It's best to plan for "worst case" scenarios rather than hoping for "best case" possibility.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

One thing to note: unlike at WDW, at DLR, not all rides are on the FP system. So using FP with DAS is super helpful (we do this a lot!), but it isn't going to help on any ride that isn't on the FP system -- for those rides, you'll only have DAS or the standby line to work with. (Not everyone knows this and it can be a bit of a shock on day one in the parks!)
This Superthread from the Disneyland (California) forum -- the trip planning forum for DLR -- has great information about the FP/MP system at DLR: "Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/. DLR has legacy FP which is free from the FP machines and MaxPass (MP) which is currently $15/day/person and allows you to get FPs from your smartphone. We find that DAS and MP work wonderfully together. Some people like DAS alone. Some people like FP/MP alone. You'll figure out what will work best for your family.
Also, have a plan for what to do if you end up waiting in the DAS or FP return line for longer than you anticipated. Lately, some of our DAS return waits have been surprisingly long, e.g. anywhere from 20 minutes up to, in one extreme case, an hour. Just be aware that this can happen and know what you will do if it does. And have a plan for both boys if the ride breaks down while you are on it. (Better to have a plan and not need it than to need it and not have one, right?)
Try posting your question in the Disneyland (California) forum. We have many posters there who use DAS in the parks. You'll get lots of good help and suggestions.

 

[DisneyOma]

One of the things they're working on at ABA therapy w our youngest is delayed gratification. He's up to tolerating 10 seconds bet "asking" for something and getting what it wants. If he waits too long, is prevented from running places, or if we can't figure out what he wants, he throws fits - screams, head bangs, flops on the floor. All the stroller does is prevent him from running off and throwing himself on the ground, but he'll still scream and hit his head. This is the behavior I think the DAS would help prevent, but having never requested one, idk?

AFA our other son, I'm worried he'll NEED to pee 5 times in a 30 minute line. And really he seems to just feel like he needs to go, without actually needing to. He's worn pull ups on previous trips, but now is in underwear during the day (refuses pull ups). I know a lot of potty-training kids have this behavior to some extent, but it's much worse than that (like I said, he has kidney disease).

But if crowds at DLR tend to be less than at WDW (what we're used to), and it's easier to get FP (like if we have no trouble getting HM, Pirates, mr toad, etc whenever we want), we might not need DAS?

A DAS will not help with some of this - if the little one only has a 10 second patience, and will scream and hit his head, he's not going to make it through the FP queue. They are not 'get right on' lines at all. Expect at least a 10 minute wait. Your older son is going to have to hold it on the attraction as well - so have a plan for that?

 

[Aladora]

One of the things they're working on at ABA therapy w our youngest is delayed gratification. He's up to tolerating 10 seconds bet "asking" for something and getting what it wants. If he waits too long, is prevented from running places, or if we can't figure out what he wants, he throws fits - screams, head bangs, flops on the floor. All the stroller does is prevent him from running off and throwing himself on the ground, but he'll still scream and hit his head. This is the behavior I think the DAS would help prevent, but having never requested one, idk?

AFA our other son, I'm worried he'll NEED to pee 5 times in a 30 minute line. And really he seems to just feel like he needs to go, without actually needing to. He's worn pull ups on previous trips, but now is in underwear during the day (refuses pull ups). I know a lot of potty-training kids have this behavior to some extent, but it's much worse than that (like I said, he has kidney disease).

But if crowds at DLR tend to be less than at WDW (what we're used to), and it's easier to get FP (like if we have no trouble getting HM, Pirates, mr toad, etc whenever we want), we might not need DAS?

We've done DL with our son 11 times with our 12th trip coming up in August as well. We have used the DAS (and the GAC before that) every trip so I can definitely answer any questions you have about how it is best used in DL as compared to WDW (which we have done twice now).

I'm just finishing up payroll for our company but will come back here and post some thoughts as soon as I am done. If you have specific questions that you wanted me to look at, please post them here or send me a pm.

 

[Aladora]

We have a trip to DLR coming up in a week, and WDW over thanksgiving. Of our 4 kids, one has some complicated digestive issues (with a feeding tube) and a kidney disease that's been causing him to need to use the bathroom urgently; and our youngest is "high risk for autism" (he's just under 3 and won't get a formal diagnosis until then, but he doesn't speak yet and is in ABA and speech therapy, and has a hard time waiting in lines, esp since he can't communicate his needs). I think at least the youngest qualifies for a DAS?

Both kids are too small for most of the E ticket rides. We go to WDW frequently, but haven't been to DLR in a few years - would a DAS even be that useful for the family rides at DLR in early August? It seems like DLR has a lot fewer interactive queues to even try to keep our youngest distracted, and I'm worried he'll throw fits and start head banging in lines. (He's also very strong and hard to hold, and will bolt if we let him out of his stroller for too long.)

I just saw another post about glitches when using both a DAS and FP+. How does it go with a DAS and max pass and/or the regular FP at DLR?

One of the things they're working on at ABA therapy w our youngest is delayed gratification. He's up to tolerating 10 seconds bet "asking" for something and getting what it wants. If he waits too long, is prevented from running places, or if we can't figure out what he wants, he throws fits - screams, head bangs, flops on the floor. All the stroller does is prevent him from running off and throwing himself on the ground, but he'll still scream and hit his head. This is the behavior I think the DAS would help prevent, but having never requested one, idk?

AFA our other son, I'm worried he'll NEED to pee 5 times in a 30 minute line. And really he seems to just feel like he needs to go, without actually needing to. He's worn pull ups on previous trips, but now is in underwear during the day (refuses pull ups). I know a lot of potty-training kids have this behavior to some extent, but it's much worse than that (like I said, he has kidney disease).

But if crowds at DLR tend to be less than at WDW (what we're used to), and it's easier to get FP (like if we have no trouble getting HM, Pirates, mr toad, etc whenever we want), we might not need DAS?

Okay, payroll is done so I can sit down and write out some thoughts and answers.

In no particular order, since I tend to write in a stream of consciousness way...if you have the idea of FP/Maxpass down then you can skip this next bit.

FP (and to a greater extent, MaxPass) works really well with DAS so I would definitely get familiar to how the system works in DL because it is different from WDW. We have never had any issues with FP/MP and DAS but then again, we also didn't have any issues with FP+ and DAS.

Maxpass is really not a separate system of fastpasses but instead it might be easier to think of it as a different way to get Fastpasses.

Without MP, you have to go to the FP kiosk and get your FP that way. Insert your ticket and your FP will be loaded onto it. A FP reminder will print out but you can also see it in the Disneyland app.

With Maxpass, you open the DL app and book your FP that way. A big benefit of this is that you can scan into your current FP ride and while in the FP line you can book your next one!)

Unlike FP+, you can't pick the time you prefer, you can only get the next available time slot.

Using MP, you can grab your next FP when one of the following conditions has been met:
You scan into your current FP
or
90 minutes has passed since you last booked a FP
or
Your current FP time is open. (your FP is booked for 9:00-10:00 and it is now 9:01.)

Without MP, you can grab your next FP when one of the following conditions has been met:
You scan into your current FP
or
120 minutes has passed since you last booked a FP
or
Your current FP time is open. (your FP is booked for 9:00-10:00 and it is now 9:01.)


Something to be aware of relating to FP, there are not as many attractions in DL/DCA that have a FP line such as Mr. Toad and most of the Fantasyland rides. Here is what I think it a complete list:

Disneyland Park Rides with FastPass:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Fantasmic!
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• “it’s a small world”
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Disney California Adventure Park Rides with FastPass:

• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• World of Color

Okay, I think that covers FP and MP...on to DAS.

Even if it will not solve all of your youngest's issues, it really sounds like the stroller as a wheelchair tag will help some of them. If nothing else, it will give him an enclosed area where he can go if he gets overwhelmed. Sunglasses and headphones really helped our son at that age.

Your youngest might benefit from a DAS, however there is no system in DL or WDW that will allow for a less than 10 second wait. Even with the DAS or FP or FP+, your wait for some attractions can be upwards of 20+ minutes. Some may be much less than that (after you have waited for your DAS return time to become active) but you (and he) will have to wait at some point. While a DAS will allow you to wait outside the standby line, your son will still need to wait a bit in a line. The DAS will not prevent all waiting.

How do you handle waiting with him in your day to day life? A line at the grocery store or at the bank for instance? If you are flying, how do you deal with those lines? Does he have things to play with that will keep him occupied for 20+ minutes?

Even though many people frown on it, some sort of electronic device was a godsend when DS was little. A handheld game device like a Nintendo DS may be too old for your youngest but at that age I think we had a Leapfrog system for our son. One thing we always always always insisted on is that if he was playing with any sort of electronic device, he HAD to wear headphones. (Side note, we found that wearing the headphones really helped him deal with crowds because he did not have to deal with all the noise.) Our son is now 14 and we allow him to bring his phone or gaming system into the parks to use while we are in line. It has really helped him with waiting, we went from him not being able to wait in lines over 5-10 minutes a few years ago to now where he if okay with 30 minutes.

DS had a huge issue with time and specifically his inability to understand the passage of time. (I am probably not making a lot of sense, but bear with me!) Because he did not understand the concept of time, telling him we had to wait 20 minutes for a ride meant nothing to him and he would freak out after a really short time. We helped this by giving him one of of phones as a timer. We would set a 20 minute timer and he could actually SEE the second counting down in a visual way. I wonder if you could try this with your youngest and see if that helps?

Your other son is a little bit more difficult. Because you will have to wait in a certain amount of lines and given the lack of washrooms in the attraction queues, you will need another solution for him other than not waiting in any lines at all. If he refuses to wear pull-ups, what about cloth training pants like these: Big kid training pants

Other than that, you have only a few other options.
1. Stop at every washroom as you go by and make him try to go pee.
2. Let him know that he has two choices: Use a pull up at the parks or not go.

It's tough but sometimes you have to give them an ultimatum...and then carry through with it.

Whew, if you made it through that and understood all my rambling then I tip my hat to you!

Good luck and please feel free to ask more questions!

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Okay, payroll is done so I can sit down and write out some thoughts and answers.

In no particular order, since I tend to write in a stream of consciousness way...if you have the idea of FP/Maxpass down then you can skip this next bit.

FP (and to a greater extent, MaxPass) works really well with DAS so I would definitely get familiar to how the system works in DL because it is different from WDW. We have never had any issues with FP/MP and DAS but then again, we also didn't have any issues with FP+ and DAS.

Maxpass is really not a separate system of fastpasses but instead it might be easier to think of it as a different way to get Fastpasses.

Without MP, you have to go to the FP kiosk and get your FP that way. Insert your ticket and your FP will be loaded onto it. A FP reminder will print out but you can also see it in the Disneyland app.

With Maxpass, you open the DL app and book your FP that way. A big benefit of this is that you can scan into your current FP ride and while in the FP line you can book your next one!)

Unlike FP+, you can't pick the time you prefer, you can only get the next available time slot.

Using MP, you can grab your next FP when one of the following conditions has been met:
You scan into your current FP
or
90 minutes has passed since you last booked a FP
or
Your current FP time is open. (your FP is booked for 9:00-10:00 and it is now 9:01.)

Without MP, you can grab your next FP when one of the following conditions has been met:
You scan into your current FP
or
120 minutes has passed since you last booked a FP
or
Your current FP time is open. (your FP is booked for 9:00-10:00 and it is now 9:01.)


Something to be aware of relating to FP, there are not as many attractions in DL/DCA that have a FP line such as Mr. Toad and most of the Fantasyland rides. Here is what I think it a complete list:

Disneyland Park Rides with FastPass:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Fantasmic!
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• “it’s a small world”
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Disney California Adventure Park Rides with FastPass:

• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• World of Color

Okay, I think that covers FP and MP...on to DAS.

Even if it will not solve all of your youngest's issues, it really sounds like the stroller as a wheelchair tag will help some of them. If nothing else, it will give him an enclosed area where he can go if he gets overwhelmed. Sunglasses and headphones really helped our son at that age.

Your youngest might benefit from a DAS, however there is no system in DL or WDW that will allow for a less than 10 second wait. Even with the DAS or FP or FP+, your wait for some attractions can be upwards of 20+ minutes. Some may be much less than that (after you have waited for your DAS return time to become active) but you (and he) will have to wait at some point. While a DAS will allow you to wait outside the standby line, your son will still need to wait a bit in a line. The DAS will not prevent all waiting.

How do you handle waiting with him in your day to day life? A line at the grocery store or at the bank for instance? If you are flying, how do you deal with those lines? Does he have things to play with that will keep him occupied for 20+ minutes?

Even though many people frown on it, some sort of electronic device was a godsend when DS was little. A handheld game device like a Nintendo DS may be too old for your youngest but at that age I think we had a Leapfrog system for our son. One thing we always always always insisted on is that if he was playing with any sort of electronic device, he HAD to wear headphones. (Side note, we found that wearing the headphones really helped him deal with crowds because he did not have to deal with all the noise.) Our son is now 14 and we allow him to bring his phone or gaming system into the parks to use while we are in line. It has really helped him with waiting, we went from him not being able to wait in lines over 5-10 minutes a few years ago to now where he if okay with 30 minutes.

DS had a huge issue with time and specifically his inability to understand the passage of time. (I am probably not making a lot of sense, but bear with me!) Because he did not understand the concept of time, telling him we had to wait 20 minutes for a ride meant nothing to him and he would freak out after a really short time. We helped this by giving him one of of phones as a timer. We would set a 20 minute timer and he could actually SEE the second counting down in a visual way. I wonder if you could try this with your youngest and see if that helps?

Your other son is a little bit more difficult. Because you will have to wait in a certain amount of lines and given the lack of washrooms in the attraction queues, you will need another solution for him other than not waiting in any lines at all. If he refuses to wear pull-ups, what about cloth training pants like these: Big kid training pants

Other than that, you have only a few other options.
1. Stop at every washroom as you go by and make him try to go pee.
2. Let him know that he has two choices: Use a pull up at the parks or not go.

It's tough but sometimes you have to give them an ultimatum...and then carry through with it.

Whew, if you made it through that and understood all my rambling then I tip my hat to you!

Good luck and please feel free to ask more questions!

If our youngest is distracted he usually does ok. He's fine in his stroller if we're moving or if there's something to hold his attention (watching a parade, for instance). Crowds don't seem to bother him, he's very friendly (he would prob try to go hug everyone around us). He's only 2 and doesn't know how to use devices, although we're working on a picture exchange app so he can make requests. I'm worried about him waiting for 30+ mins in line bc while we could hold him for 10-20 mins, he is very strong and is solid like a brick - holding him for much longer would def be difficult, especially if we're doing it on multiple rides in a row. If we set him down, he'll try to run off/hug strangers/possibly get upset and hit his head on the ground,... Also, if he's stuck in his stroller in an unmoving or slow line with no distractions (such as cool things in the queue to look at), he'll prob get upset. (He's generally ok at restaurants since there's food and he can color; he's happy running around grassy or "secluded" areas (like outside Soarin' at Epcot), etc, it's really just the types of queues I remember being at DLR that I'm worried about.) I quite honestly never take him to the bank (don't know the last time I was even in one), I try not to take him shopping (but he rides in a stroller or cart if I do), at airports we use precheck and he rides in his stroller until the last second. If he does throw a fit in our everyday life, it's a short duration. We don't have any everyday situations where we're waiting in line after line like at a theme park. We do go to wdw frequently (few times a year), but his behavior didn't become apparent until about a year ago, he's getting heavier (harder to carry and wrangle), and I remember DLR having tighter lines with far fewer interactive features and fewer areas to take a break where he can run around.

AFA our older son, we can try to reason with him about wearing a pull up, but even with one on he'll most definitely say he needs to go to the bathroom. I think he just has a sensation of needing to pee without actually needing to go, bc if distracted (like when he's on a ride), he's ok. I'm less worried at wdw bc there are so many interactive queues, but I remember few if any at DLR. He's also been in a pull up at our previous trips to WDW, so him preferring to use a toilet is also new for us. Actually, getting a tag for his stroller might be best, since we'll need to hang his feeding pump on it in the evening.

 

[Aladora]

If our youngest is distracted he usually does ok. He's fine in his stroller if we're moving or if there's something to hold his attention (watching a parade, for instance). Crowds don't seem to bother him, he's very friendly (he would prob try to go hug everyone around us). He's only 2 and doesn't know how to use devices, although we're working on a picture exchange app so he can make requests. I'm worried about him waiting for 30+ mins in line bc while we could hold him for 10-20 mins, he is very strong and is solid like a brick - holding him for much longer would def be difficult, especially if we're doing it on multiple rides in a row. If we set him down, he'll try to run off/hug strangers/possibly get upset and hit his head on the ground,... Also, if he's stuck in his stroller in an unmoving or slow line with no distractions (such as cool things in the queue to look at), he'll prob get upset. (He's generally ok at restaurants since there's food and he can color; he's happy running around grassy or "secluded" areas (like outside Soarin' at Epcot), etc, it's really just the types of queues I remember being at DLR that I'm worried about.) I quite honestly never take him to the bank (don't know the last time I was even in one), I try not to take him shopping (but he rides in a stroller or cart if I do), at airports we use precheck and he rides in his stroller until the last second. If he does throw a fit in our everyday life, it's a short duration. We don't have any everyday situations where we're waiting in line after line like at a theme park. We do go to wdw frequently (few times a year), but his behavior didn't become apparent until about a year ago, he's getting heavier (harder to carry and wrangle), and I remember DLR having tighter lines with far fewer interactive features and fewer areas to take a break where he can run around.

AFA our older son, we can try to reason with him about wearing a pull up, but even with one on he'll most definitely say he needs to go to the bathroom. I think he just has a sensation of needing to pee without actually needing to go, bc if distracted (like when he's on a ride), he's ok. I'm less worried at wdw bc there are so many interactive queues, but I remember few if any at DLR. He's also been in a pull up at our previous trips to WDW, so him preferring to use a toilet is also new for us. Actually, getting a tag for his stroller might be best, since we'll need to hang his feeding pump on it in the evening.

As I said in my previous post, it sounds as though your youngest could possibly benefit from using the DAS, however there is no mechanism at DL/DCA or WDW that would either eliminate waiting entirely or guarantee waiting no more than "xxx" minutes. In the FP line there is going to be some level of waiting, even in the most optimal situation.

So, your planning will need to start from that reality, that even with the DAS and stroller as a wheelchair tag you will need to wait in lines.

Best case scenario for non-FP attractions using the DAS occurs at some of the Fantasyland rides such as Alice. Someone in your party goes to a GS kiosk and gets a DAS return time for Alice, let's pretend that it is 10:00am and the regular stand by time is 40 minutes. You would get a return time for 10:30am. Between 10:00 and 10:30am you can do whatever you want...shop, get a snack, go on another attraction, go to Toon Town and let the kids run around. Anytime after 10:30 you make your way back to Alice and go up to the CM at the end of the queue. Let them know you have a return time and they scan your tickets. You will now be directed into the exit of the ride and you make you way up to the CM. This is where is can get tricky because there may be no one else there waiting to board using a return time or they may be 1 or more other parties there waiting. If there is no one else there waiting then you should be able to board the ride shortly, typically we have found that you will wait for a couple of ride vehicles to unload before they load your party. If, however, there are other groups waiting there, you will have to wait in that line which can take time. This is one of the best case scenario attractions, the ones where you enter through the exit once your return time has come around. Peter Pan is the one major exception to this in that there is almost always a fairly long line of people with return times waiting to ride and there is no FP at PP in DL.

Using a DAS return time at an attraction that has FP just means that you wait the standby wait time minus 10 minutes and then you join the FP line just as if you had a FP. As you probably know from your WDW trips, the FP line can be lengthy and can get 30+ minutes long.

You mentioned that your youngest can't use electronic devices but what about loading some kids shows onto your phone for him to watch? A 20 minute episode of say, Curious George, might keep his attention long enough? (Is Curious George still on? My DS loved it when he was really little)

I wish I had other advice but even with the DAS and the SaWC tag, you will have to deal with waiting in lines. Some as short as a minute or two and some 30+ minutes.

 

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Is your youngest going to enjoy anything about the parks? Last year we went when my kids were 3&4 (both sensory disabilities) and it was a pretty hellish trip. We were in parks 2 hrs using DAS & MP. Break then 2 more hours. Ours have less intense needs than your son. Can a relative stay in the hotel with him? Bring grandma along? Aunt?