Trying to convince my mum to take a DAS pass

[Yorkie2011]

Hi all,

My mum had back surgery (a Balloon Kyphoplasty) and ever since finds it very difficult to stand still for long periods of time. Other than that her mobility is good even to the point of going on most rides when we had FPs back in 2019, but with no more FPs she is very self conscious about the whole thing now and doesn’t want to make a fuss, which has resulted in her flatly refusing to use a scooter or apply for a DAS pass and would rather sit somewhere whilst the rest of us ride.

Just wanted to check on here if a DAS pass would be right for her and not cause Disney to reject her and nullify her ticket as she would appear pretty normal walking into the interview. Also, if anyone has any good arguments in favor of the DAS that I could use to convince her that would be great too!

Thanks in advance

 

[smallworldnh]

There is nothing to be embarrassed about and it will be a Godsend for her and all of you for her to get the DAS! Our trip would have turned out much differently had my mom not qualified!! Good luck!

 

[OurBigTrip]

Their first suggestion should be a wheelchair or ECV, as that would be the appropriate accommodation for her issue.

 

[gap2368]

second the wheelchair or ECV I just got back and there few places to sit other then the ground when waiting for the return time an ECV or wheelchair would give her just that some where to sit when she needed to sit

 

[TwoMisfits]

If your mum does not want a pass, it is likely that Disney would suggest a mobility device as the 1st accommodation option, until that proved unable to meet her need.

 

[Yorkie2011]

Well that’s the problem, she’s reluctant to get the pass, but I know she’s triple reluctant to get an ECV, to the point where she probably wouldn’t go if she had to use one. She can walk fine. If you met her in the street you’d never know she had a back problem. It’s the standing still for longer than 15 mins part that takes it’s toll.

Thanks for everyone’s replies, got some thinking to do!

 

[tsumgirl]

Well that’s the problem, she’s reluctant to get the pass, but I know she’s triple reluctant to get an ECV, to the point where she probably wouldn’t go if she had to use one. She can walk fine. If you met her in the street you’d never know she had a back problem. It’s the standing still for longer than 15 mins part that takes it’s toll.

Thanks for everyone’s replies, got some thinking to do!

Your mom is very lucky that you are looking out for her! I just wanted to share that for me, accepting that I needed a mobility aid was very emotional for me. It definitely improved my ability to do more things, but my pride took a hit as well as my self-confidence.

My best advice would be to be patient and go at her pace while gently pointing out at the park that there are younger people (myself included) using ECVs and it's no big deal. It doesn't mean she's getting old and it'll make life so much easier for her. Be prepared to rent an ECV for her at the park, or from a 3rd party if there are none available, if and when she decides she's ready. If she prefers to walk, park it or drive it for her if you're moving a far distance. Show her that she will not be chained to the ECV and it doesn't define her.

I hope the trip works out well for you!

 

[Karin1984]

Tell her she is more of a fuss to opt out in advance from making memories together.

 

[RoseGold]

She doesn’t have to get a DAS pass if she has a wheelchair, which seems like an obvious solution.

She might not know that with a wheelchair (not a rental scooter), you can go all the way through almost all queues, they park it at the exit, and done! It’s super easy, you sit through the whole line.

Id make a detailed plan that involves her sitting on a lot of benches because she can’t wait in any queues. There aren’t many benches, so this has to be planned. She will be across the park at the bench. Let her pick. She said she wants to sit, she will sit.

I’m not sure I would bring her, honestly. It isn’t worth it if she aggravates and injury or it causes more fighting. There’s no medal for suffering of not getting a wheelchair. I’d tell her that. I don’t want to be responsible for you needing moreback surgery. This isn’t worth it to me.

 

[lanejudy]

Benches are hard to come by anymore, or any place to sit; depending when you go, it may be hard to get into QS locations just for a rest break without doing a mobile order. So bringing a seat with her is the best advice -- that can be a wheelchair, an ECV or a rollator which is a walker with a built-in seat. She can push it (or anyone else in your party can push it) but have a seat when needed to change positions and avoid standing.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Well that’s the problem, she’s reluctant to get the pass, but I know she’s triple reluctant to get an ECV, to the point where she probably wouldn’t go if she had to use one. She can walk fine. If you met her in the street you’d never know she had a back problem. It’s the standing still for longer than 15 mins part that takes it’s toll.

Thanks for everyone’s replies, got some thinking to do!

I would ask her what she will do if she can not wait with your party in line and there is no bench nearby or because there are so few benches it is already full. most counter serves make you have an order picked up to enter, so no just sitting to rest. with a wheelchair or ECV she already has her seat to wait. both can go thru most lines all the way to ride and then it meets you at the exit.

 

[RoseGold]

Oh, and if you did try DAS, they're not going to nullify her ticket. They might approve it. Worst case scenario, they're just going to tell her to rent a wheelchair, which is the obvious solution.

You know exactly who they are targeting with the nullify ticket stuff, and it's not people with recent back surgery.

 

[Woth2982]

Hello, I am 39 and had major spine surgery in 2019, I am also going to be 5 months pregnant when I go to Disney. The surgery helped my back get to about 95% pain free, however just like your mom, standing still for long periods of time causes a lot of pain. I can walk fine and definitely have an invisible disability. I will be renting an ECV for our trip. Like your mom I do not "look" disabled, and frankly if people stare at me that is their problem. I want to comfortably enjoy my trip and my mom who is a nurse and my OBGYN think it is the best option. I will not require a DAS because the ECV can go through most of the lines, so people will not be "judging" me for using a DAS if that is what your mom is afraid of.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides the situations other posters mentioned, keep in mind:
- you can guarantee she would have a mobility device available (ECV/wheelchair/rollator)

- you can’t guarantee DAS would be issued to her

- even if she has DAS, certain attractions include a standing wait time with nowhere to sit. It’s mostly shows, where you need to wait for the theater to open before you go in and can sit.
It can also include attractions that load in batches or have preshows (examples: Soarin, Test Track, Flight of Passage)

- unexpected things can happen that slow or stop lines. For example, in June, I was in line for Pandora’s Na’vi River ride, with a wait time of 20 minutes when I got into line. The line had been steadily moving and I was almost to the boarding area when the lights flickered off for less than 5 seconds. That triggered a ride ride reset and I finally got on after almost a 60 minute wait.

- waiting for a bus can easily be more than 15 minutes. There may be a limited number of benches at resort bus stops, but no guarantee of getting a seat. The park bus stops don’t have benches.

 

[jo-jo]

How about a rollator...

https://smile.amazon.com/Drive-Medi...keywords=rollator&qid=1634055149&rdc=1&sr=8-5
Lighter, smaller than a wheelchair , but still has a seat when needed.

 

[Yorkie2011]

Thanks so much everyone. Lots of ideas!

 

[gap2368]

Could you give your mom some extra room in line for her to past back and forth

 

[magicalfoursome]

Several years ago my mom came with my family to WDW. She is totally independent at home. She lives alone, drives and doesn’t need any assistance. But she does have knee and ankle pain which are worsened when she is on her feet for long periods of time. She was very reluctant to get a wheelchair. I basically told her that we either rent her a wheelchair or she sits at the front of each park and misses out on making memories. We rented the wheelchair and we all had a great time together! It gave her the ability to enjoy the parks with us. It is silly to not use a wheelchair when it will make the experience so much better for everyone. It’s an easy solution!

 

[Grumpy92]

Yorkie2011 I completely sympathize. We had the same issue with my Father, no way on the wheelchair and he felt he was not disabled enough to get the DAS, even though he was eligible. I think once your mother is in side the park she will see that she is not the only one and WDW is disability friendly. We convinced him to give the DAS a try for one park and let him see how it worked and how when we approached CMs for the return times we were not the only ones making the request, other disabled guest were as well. We also showed him that it allowed our visit to run smoother and we all take breaks, drink some free ice water and take in the views of the park while we waited for our next time. It really made our whole family's experience visiting the park more enjoyable. It has totally changed his view of visiting the parks and he ask for the pass before we get there.

Just an update, once the Genie app goes into affect you will no longer have to approach a CM for a return time. You can if you wish or you can do it on the app. When you return, you go to the Lightening Lane and they scan your app or magic band. As far as any stranger is concerned you may have the purchased the Genie+ or the pass. No one will know.

 

[DisneyOma]

Whether or not she gets a DAS, can she walk 5-8 miles a day? I know you said she can walk, but can she walk that much? And to be honest, I don't know of many queues where there is more than a few minutes of standing still - most move forward at a slow pace (even the LL queue will be like that) and a DAS will not get her a place to rest if the queue is not moving quickly enough. Also, she'd either have to walk around waiting for the return time, or find a place to sit and wait, etc. She could queue for something else, but then she'd be standing in another queue, right?