Wait times to get a DAS at Guest Services?

[Elacklen]

We want to get DS a DAS to cope with potential melt downs and wait times. But-we also planned to be at MK at rope drop to maximize our chances of low wait times at the far end of the park. I feel like standing in a line at a Guest Services will impact this, so I'm trying to weigh the pros and the cons. Should we maximize our morning, then get a DAS later in the day when wait times will go up? What are the typical lines at GS and when is the best time to go? I'm imagining the irony of standing in line to get a DAS from avoid standing in line...

 

[Cedarmom]

We got one for my son the first day as we were leaving at 7 pm. No line. Yesterday I had an issue and went back to GS just as the 3 pm parade was ending--no line. You might want to hit rope drop and once the ride lines start to get longer go then. I don't know when you are going, but yesterday we rode for a while on that far end before ever encountering a line longer than 15 minutes. We circled big thunder like 3 times and then just stayed on splash for a second ride. We could have done it a third time but they shut it down for a few, so after a snack we went over to Pirates and jungle. Jungle cruise was the first thing we were not able to walk right on-standby took 17 minutes. We got a second snack and were on tom sawyer's island by 11. We didn't feel the need to get a return time until just before our 1 pm lunch.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

In May, we went right at rope drop at the MK and were in and out in a little over 5 minutes, and that included a little extra wait because the printer wasn't working correctly and the CM had to reprint it. We positioned ourselves near the tunnel on the left so we'd be entering right by City Hall. There was only one other family that made it to GS before us. As soon as we walked in, a CM with an ipad approached us to ask what we needed. It was very easy and I'd do it at rope drop again.

 

[SMD]

You could try to get it the night before outside one of the parks. I would probably just go on a bunch of rides and then when the lines start to build up have someone go ahead and get into the GS line while someone catches up with your son. But it's been a really long time since I've been to MK, so I don't really remember how far you'll be backtracking. I'm thinking that in DL isn't not that bad, and you can ride a Main St. vehicle down there. Also at DLR they give you your first return time when they issue the DAS. Do they do that in WDW?

 

[lisahoo]

We got ours the night before at DHS. Guest Services outside the park had already closed (it was right around 7pm when park was closing at 7. Security let my daughter and I go inside the park and straight over to Guest Services inside the park while DH and other daughter waited at the gate. No guarantee that the lines will be short, but we got very lucky and were in and out in 10 minutes and off to our dinner reservation.

No, you cannot get a return time when you get the DAS pass -- you have to go to the attraction for that. But you can send another adult to get the return time (without the DAS pass holder). But the DAS pass holder MUST ride when you return.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

We got ours the night before at DHS. Guest Services outside the park had already closed (it was right around 7pm when park was closing at 7. Security let my daughter and I go inside the park and straight over to Guest Services inside the park while DH and other daughter waited at the gate. No guarantee that the lines will be short, but we got very lucky and were in and out in 10 minutes and off to our dinner reservation.

No, you cannot get a return time when you get the DAS pass -- you have to go to the attraction for that. But you can send another adult to get the return time (without the DAS pass holder). But the DAS pass holder MUST ride when you return.

You cannot count on getting a DAS at GS outside any of the parks. They will sometimes (often?) refuse to issue it and direct you to the GS location inside the park.

And yes, if you ask nicely, GS will sometimes give you a return time on your DAS when they issue it. We asked for and received a RT for Peter Pan when getting the DAS at the MK. By the time we walked to FL, we were able to go right in.

 

[Elacklen]

Any other recent experiences on getting one at GS outside? That would be awesome, but I understand why it's not allowed. There's not one at DTD, is there? We go there Sun Feb 22 ( arrival day) and hit MK the 23.

 

[lanejudy]

DAS is not available at DTD since there is no use for it there; you can only get a DAS at one of the four major theme parks. Reports have been hit-or-miss as to getting one issued at the outside Guest Relations. Sometimes they don't have the right equipment, and other times they are too busy with ticket issues for guests who cannot get inside to the other location. A Sunday evening might be quiet enough, assuming they have the iPad and printer.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[lisahoo]

Any other recent experiences on getting one at GS outside? That would be awesome, but I understand why it's not allowed. There's not one at DTD, is there? We go there Sun Feb 22 ( arrival day) and hit MK the 23.

We got ours at DHS at park close on 1/28. The outside door to GS was closed, but security let my daughter and I go just inside the park gates to GS.

No guarantees of course, but being polite and asking nicely went a long way.

 

[southernfriedmom]

When we were there the week before Christmas, we got ours outside of MK before rope drop. Not sure if it would make a difference but we were just renewing one we had previously gotten. We also had to activate AP vouchers so for us it would not have been a waste of time even if they wouldn't print the DAS.

 

[Hoodie]

We got ours at the guest services outside the gate while we were waiting for DHS to open. It really depends on how busy they are and if they have the iPad, etc. on hand to process it. We lucked out and no one else was at guest services so they had plenty of time to help out.

 

[ladyjubilee]

We got my son's DAS just before MVMCP on 12/19. The line was actually a bit of a speed bump for us. My son uses stroller as wheelchair, to contain Mr Pinchy Fingers. But the ramp entrance to Guest Services is off to the side, but the line formed outside the front door. We couldn't get in the line outside, beyond the steps. A gentleman in line noticed the dilemma and let us cut in line. It ended up taking about 30 minutes.

 

[CoriM48]

We got our DAS outside DHS around mid-afternoon in November on a Sunday (the week before Thanksgiving). There was a long line, and the cast member who was greeting the line warned us it would be a while, but I kindly told her that I needed to get it on a day when my son understood we would not be entering the park to ride rides and that we were prepared to wait (my son just sat on the benches and watched the parking trams and had his ipad). Within 5 minutes, that same cast member was back with the ipad and issued it for us right there at the benches. It was so kind of her, but she went out of her way to explain that she isn't always able to do that.

 

[kendrab1223]

Yesterday, we were able to get one outside the gates at guest services. We got there about 30 minutes after rope drop and although there were a few families in line behind us, they had no issues doing it. This was our first time trying to get a DAS card, and it went smoothly. I had read horror stories so we almost didn't try (which is why we got there early... to avoid long lines), but I'm glad we did. We didn't end up needing to use it yesterday, but it is good for 60 days (we are passholders), so it'll be good to have if we need it in the future.

 

[syk731]

Great thread, and I am curious as well. We've always visited in low attendance times before and this combined with FP meant that we never needed to use a GAC, but we have our first trip planned for a more crowded time and with FPP, I think we're probably going to need a DAS card too. I was trying to figure out the logistics of getting one. Our first day is an EMH day at MK, which we plan to take advantage of. I'm debating trying to get it at RD vs. trying to get one the night before without entering a park (if so, which one would you recommend trying? - we'll have a rental car and can hopefully just drive up) vs. waiting until later in the day on the first day to get it.

 

[enchantingodin]

Thanks for asking this - I am in the same situation. All replies have been helpful!