Touring plans with wheelchair and DAS

[MG3G]

Does anyone happen to know if touring plans the company can be adjusted to take in account both a wheelchair and DAS? I want to put more planning into our trip and thought a software might be good for us but I don't know of a good program to take into account our unique situation. DS will have a DAS if he needs it. I use a scooter. Most often we will use the HC wheelchair area lines because we will be together. I could see him using DAS for larger attractions that I can't take his siblings on perhaps. I almost think it's going to be more trouble then it's worth to try to sort out FP, DAS and HC lines and I'm not sure how to manage the three systems best.... Suggestions?

 

[fairy8i8]

I am going to be in a wheelchair for our trip coming up this weekend. I wondered the same thing. I have a touringplans account.

I am normally pretty commando without a wheelchair, so giving up that freedom to race through the parks is hard for me.

While spending hours before your trip optimizing for all of the programs sounds like a good investment, I came to the realization that the wheelchair lines and wait times for attractions with a DAS are going to be optimized naturally by using a standard touring plan. I did this at Disney World last May. By doing the major attractions early as recommended in a touring plan, I did not have to constantly get return times and figure out what to do in the meantime. Instead, because the waits were already less than 10-15 minutes for standby, the CMs just let us right on the rides. Of course there I was not prepared for any wheelchair accommodations (I assumed all lines were mainstream, so it was a surprise to be directed elsewhere or occasionally get a return time ticket). Honestly, the wheelchair line and return time tickets sometimes saved us time, but sometimes they made things take longer than standby, so it all evened out.

Since you have several children with you, get their input for attractions they want to see, especially if you know they will want to ride some rides multiple times, and then get the touringplans software and plug everything in. It should hopefully give you an optimized version. From there, if you know there are accommodations because afternoon waits, etc. are longer, then maybe look around on the map to see if there is a ride with a typically short wait time. After you print out your touringplan, just add a note of close by rides you could do while you wait for your return time. Or you could use the wait time to shop, get snacks, have bathroom breaks, or sit quietly if your DS needs a break.

I am using a standard custom touringplan. None of the lines are very long in my plan, so I think that things will work out just about right. If we are ahead of schedule, all the better! But at least I won't get frustrated for hours in the Space Mountain wheelchair line where only one person can ride at a time because I know that waits eventually even out.

 

[ArchOwl]

I do not know of any software that will help with DAS/wheelchair/and FP. All those variables I think are just too much.

When I travel with kids with special needs whose utilize a DAS, I usually start by letting them pick what goes on the DAS. Then I use the FP system to let the other kids/members of the group pick what is important to them. Between both systems, normally we are able to make sure everyone gets what they need.

Perhaps with your situation you could focus mainly on the wheelchair line and DAS. Using both of those, you shouldn't have a great need for FPs unless your party is going to split up a lot.

I have some experience with both of these lines (DAS and wheelchair), so I might be able to give you ideas on what to do first. We could brainstorm some ideas here if you tell us what you are looking to do.