WDW -Disability Access Service (DAS) - ARCHIVED THREAD; no longer vslid

[Granny square]

Disney has never said that children with autism are the main focus here. All you have to do is talk to the GR CMs about your needs and they will assist you when applicable.

It seems that several have been asked if the person is autistic and turned away if not. Hopefully training will continue and stop that crazy.

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

For those wondering why they are asking if the child has autism, they will then ask if your child wants/needs to repeat rides. Some kids will ride one ride all day, or have a compulsive need to ride exactly 3 times in a row. If this is the case they will give you a special card so you can go back on without waiting.

As someone who is trained on the DAS system, there is no "Special Card" that allows multiple ride access one after another. GR may give a family re-admission passes for a certain attraction if that's all their child wants to do, but thats separate from the DAS.

 

[Wishes Count]

kind of you to jump in.

I'm happy to help. I have to admit I was a tad upset with the assumption that GR at AK would know less than GR anywhere else. GR is a global role meaning we can work at any GR location. Every GR cast member has been trained exactly the same and none are superior to others lol

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[buffettgirl]

Can anyone offer up a good touring plan for us in trying to utilize this new DAS, since we will not have immediate access to the Fastpass lines any longer? This will totally change our touring experience and with her low stamina I'm not sure how to make it work.

Actually, if you do what i posted above, alternate the actual fastpass system with the DAS return returns, you should pretty much be able to work it like unlimited fastpasses, with the benefit that YOU control when and how long you wait for anything.

Also, we have 3 other children, so we are a family of 6. We often travel with my parents, so we are often a party of 8 at Disney. My Dad had a serious war injury to his leg many years ago, has rods and pins in his leg, and he walks with a cane and has a number of mobility issues also. In the past, when they traveled with us, I got him a GAC also and it worked out well for our travel party and we could all stay together. My question is, what happens now? Reading the info here tells me he will no longer be eligible for the GAC/DAS - which I have a huge issue with, because I can assure you my "he-man" ex-military Father is NOT going to rent a scooter or a wheelchair, he will simply suffer before he does that. But, really, even if he got a scooter or wheelchair, it doesn't help in this situation because my daughter simply can't wait and go through the regular lines. So, will they let us use the new DAS with 8 guests? I know in the past the limit was 6, that's why I got both of them a GAC. Is there any leeway with the guest number with the new DAS? Any reports on this?

Any info to help me plan for this new DAS during our upcoming trip will be MUCH appreciated! Thanks!!!

I'm sure that the standard "rent a scooter or ecv" is what your dad will be told, but as for number of guests, you'll just have to bring that up with guest services.

I really wouldn't worry too much at this point. By the time your trip arrives things should be running more smoothly, AND, you'll have the benefit of seeing and reading about plenty of others who have had good experiences. As for that one blog you speak about, the reason I am discounting her is that she refuses to believe that any good experiences are anything but trolls and shills from Disney. That's simply not likely, especially when many known members of the disney community have are the ones expressing positive outcomes.

 

[lanejudy]

... We have a 16 year old daughter with Asperger's - she has some panic issues, doesn't care to be touched, certainly can't wait in long lines. She also has Dyspraxia and, at times, can have severe pain and mobility issues along with generally low stamina. For years, since she was a toddler, we just used the Fastpass system because with the old system you could get Fastpasses and the end time was not enforced. So, it was easy to get to the parks early and hit the rides she likes and collect Fastpasses, we could then take a mid day break and go back to the park later in the evening and use our Fastpasses. Well, as we all know, they ended that to get ready for this new Magic Band and Fastpass+ system, so that is when we started getting the GAC. The GAC also met her needs and made it possible for us to have a GREAT experience touring the parks. ...

I'll try to help...first for DD...think hard about WHAT exactly prevents her from waiting in a line. Most of what you've mentioned above could be accommodated by either a wheelchair (pain, mobility, low stamina) which can also provide a "buffer" of sorts to prevent unwanted accidental "touching". Dyspraxia -- as long as she's not touring alone and has to completely speak for herself, I don't see that as an issue, as well as the fact that she shouldn't have to speak to stand in a line. So far, I don't see anything the CMs will consider as "needing to avoid waiting in lines" unless you elaborate more on the "panic issues" as relating to waiting in lines. Think about it with more specifics, not diagnoses or even symptoms. Sorry, I don't intend to sound mean but you're current post isn't providing any information that would qualify for a DAS.

... My Dad had a serious war injury to his leg many years ago, has rods and pins in his leg, and he walks with a cane and has a number of mobility issues also. In the past, when they traveled with us, I got him a GAC also and it worked out well for our travel party and we could all stay together. My question is, what happens now? Reading the info here tells me he will no longer be eligible for the GAC/DAS - which I have a huge issue with, because I can assure you my "he-man" ex-military Father is NOT going to rent a scooter or a wheelchair, he will simply suffer before he does that. ...

Dad is his own worst enemy. Disney will not provide a DAS for him; the standard accommotion for mobility and stamina issues has always been to rent a wheelchair or ECV (or use another mobility device such as cane, walker, rollator). He already uses a cane, so maybe that is all he needs as far as aid and to avoid stairs or request moving walkways be slowed. Unfortunately, as hard as this sounds, his ego is really not WDW's problem or concern. As former military I'm surprised expects others to accommodate him, he should be prepared to adapt to his environment - in this case, that means utilizing a tool available to him that will prevent pain and fatigue with minimal interruption to the rest of the family. There is way more walking involved getting around the parks than there is standing/walking in lines. If he gets a wheelchair, he can push it at times (or someone else can) and sit when needed. Or an ECV will give him more independence.

Related...maybe dad and DD can share a wheelchair? She also has mobility and stamina issues -- again regardless of other concerns, there is way more walking involved around the parks and WDW is going to suggest a wheelchair for her. Maybe they could share and that would help both of them? Also, it allows each to think they are "helping" the other rather than needing it entirely for themselves.

... Also, we have 3 other children, so we are a family of 6. We often travel with my parents, so we are often a party of 8 at Disney. ... So, will they let us use the new DAS with 8 guests? I know in the past the limit was 6, that's why I got both of them a GAC. Is there any leeway with the guest number with the new DAS? Any reports on this? ...

While Guest Relations CM's do have some leeway to allow more than 6 people on one DAS, that is at their discretion and mainly intended to keep families with young children together. You don't mention the ages of the other kids, but you have 4 adults so I don't know if they will make an exception for you or not. I'd be prepared to plan splitting if necessary. Does everyone truly always ride every ride together? Maybe splitting for a time, then re-grouping for meals and a ride or 2 together (without DAS) would allow each to focus on a specific area of the park they most prefer. Or maybe some ride while some shop or stop for a break and snack.


So, in general terms, try not panic about the new system until it has had time to work through some kinks. If your next trip isn't in the immediate future, you have time to wait for reports and tweaks and probably more tweaks and even more tweaks as this rolls out. But I encourage you to think outside the box for ways to meet your family's needs without skipping lines and relying on DAS the way you did with a GAC. Check out some touring plans - if not for specifics at least for determining which parks and which areas of each park have lower crowds throughout the day.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[lanejudy]

About the Autism and "looping" issue

The reports I saw specifically asked about riding multiple times due to autism, not that it was offered. Maybe I missed something, but it appeared that she was given ~4 Fastpasses. She was told "each person will need to use this to ride" so it was definitely not intended that there would be 4 rides, but instead 4 riders, though I suppose the family could split that as they see fit. Also, it sounded like the CM recommended they get the Return Time on the DAS, then use the Fastpasses, then ride again using the Return Time. Again, it appeared this was for 1 ride and (assuming the whole family rides both times) just 1 additional ride. The CM also says something along the lines of "we can do this for you today as a special accommodation" - which leads me to believe it's not going to be a regular accommodation and since she had to sign a specific piece of paper to receive those extra Fastpasses it might not be available to the same family another day.

Just my thoughts and observations

I also agree with posters who are indicating there are other conditions besides autism that might make a person want/need to ride multiple times.

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

About the Autism and "looping" issue

The reports I saw specifically asked about riding multiple times due to autism, not that it was offered. Maybe I missed something, but it appeared that she was given ~4 Fastpasses. She was told "each person will need to use this to ride" so it was definitely not intended that there would be 4 rides, but instead 4 riders, though I suppose the family could split that as they see fit. Also, it sounded like the CM recommended they get the Return Time on the DAS, then use the Fastpasses, then ride again using the Return Time. Again, it appeared this was for 1 ride and (assuming the whole family rides both times) just 1 additional ride. The CM also says something along the lines of "we can do this for you today as a special accommodation" - which leads me to believe it's not going to be a regular accommodation and since she had to sign a specific piece of paper to receive those extra Fastpasses it might not be available to the same family another day.

Just my thoughts and observations

I also agree with posters who are indicating there are other conditions besides autism that might make a person want/need to ride multiple times

The re-admission passes given out at GR now seems to be a way of making the change easier on everyone and will most likely not continue in the future. If the pass has DAS written on it, the DAS card issued must be shown at the time of redemption and must be used by the one pictured.

 

[alizesmom]

Change is hard for anyone and harder for our kids. But we need to give the DAS a chance. My 7 yr old son will no longer be eligible because of his wheelchair which is fine since he can't ride unless no transfer is involved. The GAC didn't really help him anyway. Try living with the fact that no accommodation can help you. My 8 yr old daughter can walk some but is low functioning autism. She doesn't understand waiting and physically abuses herself when she has to wait ( punches her face till it bleeds if not restrained). The old GAC was great for her but in my opinion it wasn't fair for other kids who had to wait while she got what was basically unlimited fast passes. The DAS evens the field for those kids. My daughter can still ride anything she wants with the use of a DAS, she doesn't have to wait in line, we just need to readjust our thinking and planning. It won't be as easy or fun for us at WDW but it will be fair.

 

[Rowanonfire]

Try living with the fact that no accommodation can help you..

I think this is a fact many people forget. Disney is not really magic. Sometimes it is not possible to provide a perfect experience for everyone, with every health condition. Sometimes, you are asking too much or it is just not safe or reasonable.

 

[Sunnywho]

I work GR at AK and I can tell you we have just as much experience issuing The cards as anywhere else. The lobby location has a counter like any other indoor location. Only the windows is there a glass barrier.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thanks, it helps to know what to expect.

 

[tarak]

The re-admission passes given out at GR now seems to be a way of making the change easier on everyone and will most likely not continue in the future. If the pass has DAS written on it, the DAS card issued must be shown at the time of redemption and must be used by the one pictured.

That was the impression I got. Get your return time for the DAS, use the fastpasses, and then return at the time on the DAS. That way, they get to ride twice in quick succession.

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

That was the impression I got. Get your return time for the DAS, use the fastpasses, and then return at the time on the DAS. That way, they get to ride twice in quick succession.

Yes that's exactly what it is. It'll be a temporary procedure until people understand that they can use the regular FP system also to double up their rides.

 

[livndisney]

Yes that's exactly what it is. It'll be a temporary procedure until people understand that they can use the regular FP system also to double up their rides.

If this is true-all Disney is doing is feeding the beast. If at some point those "extra" Fastpasses are going to go away-then people will flip about that.

 

[HollyEpcot]

Hi! Given all of the discussion on this site, I hope this isn't too trivial a question, but how are wheelchairs managed on mainstream lines? As of now, unless his condition worsens, we expect that Grandpa will be able to transfer out of his manual wheelchair for rides. Is there enough room available for this? At what point does the transfer occur? How do we know where to get the wheelchair when the ride is over?
Thank you very much for your help!

 

[2tinkerbell]

I have been thinking about this since the announcement of the change. Yes, it will make our usual way of touring different. Taking note of that, I have been wondering how I can make the DAS work for my DD and how I can be sure that the experience is a positive one. Maybe I am up in the night (which I most often am - both figuratively and literally) with my current plan.

My DD doesn't like surprises and she like to know what is happening next or what will happen. She likes to have things pretty spelled out for her prior to taking action. Sometimes I get tired of the constant "Let's discuss this" comments. However, if I don't stop and discuss things, her frustration level with just increase and her "beaker will overflow."

My plan is for DD to read, watch youTube, videos, etc. and decide on the attractions that are "must dos." We will go armed with this information as well as parade times, show times, park hours, menu ideas, etc before even leaving our house for our trip. If DLR was using FP+ we would be armed with that before leaving as well.

Since our trip will involve me picking up my race packet at the Disneyland Hotel as well as our Park Tickets first thing, this will be on our "Daily Schedule" sheet. After that, visiting GR to get a DAS will be listed. My DD and I will utilize FP or get a RT or both for the attractions she wants to go on first. We will also utilize one of the Park Apps that indicate the wait times. Armed with this information, we can then make a schedule or a plan. While we are waiting for either our FP or RT, we can have lunch, visit a shop, or just enjoy the fun on Main Street. Rinse, repeat.

One of the positive things - in my mind - is that there will be several times during the course of our day that we will need to sit down, re-group, and discuss what is going to happen next. This will provide many opportunities for DD to keep her frustration and overloaded feelings in check. It will also provide me with opportunities to think about what is working and what isn't working so great.

Yes, it might be a slower pace. Yes, it will be different. Yes, it is doable.

YMMV - this is just my current thinking on how to handle this change.

My mother always told me you get out of life what you put into it. It is my believe that if you go into something with a negative attitude and expectations, that is what you will get back - a negative experience.
I want our upcoming trip to be a positive experience for both my DD and me.

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

If this is true-all Disney is doing is feeding the beast. If at some point those "extra" Fastpasses are going to go away-then people will flip about that.

The "extra" fastpasses will never go away, but will change to the FP+ system (hopefully by the end of the month/ early November, buts that's a different conversion all together.) But the extra FPs that anyone with a DAS can use will never leave.

 

[book_junkie]

Heya-
Sorry to detract (derail?) from the current trending but I had a question that I'm hoping I can get answered maybe.

Hubby has Crohn's, and has been increased on his infusion treatments in the couple of weeks, which is going to change how we work the parks. We managed before with just renting an ECV when he was having a bad day, but I'm worried that with the increase in treatments may cause an increase in fatigue/stamina issues/incidents. We're going during a slower time (week after Thanksgiving) but I had a couple of questions.

1. Does the new DAS work during special events like the Christmas Party? Or do we have to get a special/new/different thing if needed?

2. Would a DAS even work for something like Crohn's where you need to get out of the line quickly for something? I'm not worried about waits, but just an exit strategy if needed for emergencies? Or is that not possible any more (it used to be with the GAC but his Crohn's was never that severe)?

Thanks-

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

Hi! Given all of the discussion on this site, I hope this isn't too trivial a question, but how are wheelchairs managed on mainstream lines? As of now, unless his condition worsens, we expect that Grandpa will be able to transfer out of his manual wheelchair for rides. Is there enough room available for this? At what point does the transfer occur? How do we know where to get the wheelchair when the ride is over?
Thank you very much for your help!

I'll start this off by saying that your family does not need (and will not receive) a DAS for this.

It is different for each attraction. The majority of attractions have standby queues that are w/c accessible, and for those that do not, you will be directed to the correct queue for that specific attraction. If you have any doubt, simply ask a CM! The transfer location will also differ for every attraction, with almost all of them being directly next to the ride vehicle if needed. Once again if you are not sure just ask!

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

...

Edited above to shorten my response

Another hint I would give is this:

If you are going to experience a show or parade, get a DAS filled out for an attraction you want to experience right after, so by the time that show/parade is done, you don't have to wait any longer, and your child doesn't have to feel like they are being turned away!

 

[darthtatty]

Hi! Given all of the discussion on this site, I hope this isn't too trivial a question, but how are wheelchairs managed on mainstream lines? As of now, unless his condition worsens, we expect that Grandpa will be able to transfer out of his manual wheelchair for rides. Is there enough room available for this? At what point does the transfer occur? How do we know where to get the wheelchair when the ride is over?
Thank you very much for your help!

Hi I cant fully help but know a little information for you.

There is usually plenty of room to transfer and you usually transfer some of the rides have walkways at the end. So consider if this is a problem, some can be stopped-there is a list in the FAQ (I think)

Some mainstream queues are not accessible by wheelchairs e.g. at MK Splash Mountain, wheelchair users enter via the exit.
At these rides-you need to see the cast member at the entrance to the main queue, you will then be given a card (like a fastpass card with a return time)

Personally im wondering if you can get more than one of these at a time?
We usually do Splash & Big thunder together, so I wonder if we can get a return time for both of these at the same time as theyre the only things we do in that area.
Does anyone know?

Wheelchairs are usually waiting as you get off the ride or near the exit.
The cast members are very good at putting them in the right spot and if they recognise you, they'll bring the wheelchair closer if they can.
We've been during the busy times in August and the system has run well.