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

[2tinkerbell]

To me, the problem seems to come from mentioning the diagnosis and then expecting that the CM should know the needs and adjust accordingly. It is hard to know what the individual needs are unless they are explained. For example, my DD has many charateristics of Autism, however, her diagnosis is NOT Autism. My DD has been diagnosed with a right frontal lobe brain injury. If I were to say that to anyone, they would not understand how that brain injury manifests itself, how it affects my DD nor would they know how to accommodate her.

While it is good that we can use this thread to understand the process and the successes and problems with DAS, I don't think that we can expect the same thing because someone else with the same diagnosis did or did not get to utilize the DAS.

From this thread and also from Sue's excellent examples of her DD's needs, I have learned that I should approach GR with the information surrounding my DD's needs and not her diagnosis. In fact, I plan on having my DD advocate for herself and talk to the CM about her needs and possible accommodations. She will be responsible for learning how to utilize DAS. She is capable of doing this for herself.

WE plan on making the majority of the accommodating on what WE have learned works best for us. For example, both of us know my DD handles her emotions better if she isn't hungry. That seems to add another layer that she needs to deal with and she can get overwhelmed quicker. We both know that when she has had too much, we leave. No accommation from Disney will make that go away or better. It is a fact - she has had too much. Neither one of us push forward.

Disney has stated how they are accommating those individuals who need accommodations with the DAS. It is up to us to figure out what we can do to work within their system to have a successful experience. No matter what I think or feel about it, the GAC, which essentially gave my DD an unlimited FP, is no more. It is up to me to decide if or how the DAS will work for my DD.

 

[lhall7]

So does my FIL, and they denied him. I understand the frustration. He can't walk, so yes the wheel chair helps but it doesn't. Everybody isn't at the same level. For example,a das would be great for him because if we get a fast pass and he is asleep we lose our fastpass time. Now if we have a return time, it's ok we can come back. I know you understand where I'm coming from, they told us he can nap in line. I'm thinking to myself these aren't naps, he doesn't decide to go to sleep, or us being able to say 'hey in 30 mins you can sleep' it's just part of the disease. I would focus on not saying anything about getting tired and describe other ways you need help.

I too have MS. And I am also very worried about the new DAS system. We are going in a few weeks. I have always been given a GAC card. I know exactly how you feel. Mine is really body and BRAIN fatigue. I also have issues with my bladder. I do not like discussing this in public and I certainly do not look like anything is wrong with me which makes it even more difficult. I always tell my husband that it is a blessing but a curse at the same time. I don't want people to know something is wrong with me BUT at the same time there are times when I am so mentally and physically exhausted and I mean EXHAUSTED that I wish someone would help me or just understand. And the pain and spasms can be awful. A wheelchair will not help that. Up until this point, Disney always understood, but now I am worried.
Using the FP and FP+ options are difficult b/c of the return times. I have had so many unused FP b/c I could not make it back during the time frame b/c I was in the bathroom or had to go back to the room. MS does affect everyone differently and I don't mind waiting in an alternate location which is exactly what the DAS would allow. I hope Disney gives me that option.

 

[bookgirl]

We'll for us we live here, so no going back home. Also we don't know when he's going to sleep. It's 1 minute he's up and talking and the next he's not. Yes sometimes we can tell it's coming but sometimes it's not like that. If we get a fastpass and he falls asleep, we could miss our time. ( also wasting 3 fps somebody else could use) And it's not like a child sleeping, and we can just wake him up. After he's up, he'll probably be ok for a half hour to 3 hours. So while he was 'napping' we could do things like see and show ( where he would be ok to stay asleep.) Or get lunch or meet a greets. Then once feeling better enter the ride. It's a hit or miss. Sometimes it's a power nap (20 mins) others it might be 2 hours. We don't know. That's why stand by and fastpasses don't work for him. Then factor the additional wait time for the wheelchair rides because he can't transfer and it just doesn't work. Also who said we would ride the ride with his das? Nobody. Even if we could (which I know we cant) We want to ride together. I'm just saying, ms is over looked, IMO and a lot of people who have it, had a gac before and are now being denied. That's all I'm saying

Thanks for clarifying, it wasn't clear in the earlier post.

 

[mrzrich]

The best thing about the DAS was the open ended return time. On Monday we were able to go to MK and get a return time for Splash. DS got involved in His sorcerers of the MK and we wound up on the wrong side of the parade. Then we were wiped out and ready for a break. We went back to our resort, relaxed, swam, ate diner. MK was open late, so after diner we went back to MK and our DAS return time was honored. For those of us that need breaks and return to parks in the evening, a good strategy might be to grab a return time on your way out of the park for your break.

 

[Schmeck]

We'll for us we live here, so no going back home. Also we don't know when he's going to sleep. It's 1 minute he's up and talking and the next he's not. Yes sometimes we can tell it's coming but sometimes it's not like that. If we get a fastpass and he falls asleep, we could miss our time. ( also wasting 3 fps somebody else could use) And it's not like a child sleeping, and we can just wake him up. After he's up, he'll probably be ok for a half hour to 3 hours. So while he was 'napping' we could do things like see and show ( where he would be ok to stay asleep.) Or get lunch or meet a greets. Then once feeling better enter the ride. It's a hit or miss. Sometimes it's a power nap (20 mins) others it might be 2 hours. We don't know. That's why stand by and fastpasses don't work for him. Then factor the additional wait time for the wheelchair rides because he can't transfer and it just doesn't work. Also who said we would ride the ride with his das? Nobody. Even if we could (which I know we cant) We want to ride together. I'm just saying, ms is over looked, IMO and a lot of people who have it, had a gac before and are now being denied. That's all I'm saying

What happens when he falls asleep on an attraction with a ride vehicle?

 

[aaarcher86]

The best thing about the DAS was the open ended return time. On Monday we were able to go to MK and get a return time for Splash. DS got involved in His sorcerers of the MK and we wound up on the wrong side of the parade. Then we were wiped out and ready for a break. We went back to our resort, relaxed, swam, ate diner. MK was open late, so after diner we went back to MK and our DAS return time was honored. For those of us that need breaks and return to parks in the evening, a good strategy might be to grab a return time on your way out of the park for your break.

That's a really good idea.

 

[Sunnywho]

What happens when he falls asleep on an attraction with a ride vehicle?

A wheelchair is a mobility accommodation.
Napping in a wheelchair is a MS fatigue accommodation.
Using a DAS is an invisible disability accommodation.
Napping in a wheelchair while using a DAS would be a trifecta of accommodation.

Seriously though I would like to see a report from someone with MS who was issued a DAS? So far there have been several denials.

 

[Disneylvr]

The best thing about the DAS was the open ended return time. On Monday we were able to go to MK and get a return time for Splash. DS got involved in His sorcerers of the MK and we wound up on the wrong side of the parade. Then we were wiped out and ready for a break. We went back to our resort, relaxed, swam, ate diner. MK was open late, so after diner we went back to MK and our DAS return time was honored. For those of us that need breaks and return to parks in the evening, a good strategy might be to grab a return time on your way out of the park for your break.

What an excellent idea! I am noting this for future trips.

 

[cmwade77]

The best thing about the DAS was the open ended return time. On Monday we were able to go to MK and get a return time for Splash. DS got involved in His sorcerers of the MK and we wound up on the wrong side of the parade. Then we were wiped out and ready for a break. We went back to our resort, relaxed, swam, ate diner. MK was open late, so after diner we went back to MK and our DAS return time was honored. For those of us that need breaks and return to parks in the evening, a good strategy might be to grab a return time on your way out of the park for your break.

too bad they don't do the kiosks there. It here at DLR, we can get a return time for either park in either park. I was just thinking it would be really nice to be able to do that at WDW.

 

[Bean786]

What happens when he falls asleep on an attraction with a ride vehicle?

We have only encountered this once. He's in his chair so after the ride it's easy to get him off and it sucks he fell asleep and might have to start the process over. But if he's asleep in line before the ride they don't allow you on. Normally if he makes it on the ride, he typically makes it threw the ride or activity.

 

[Wishes Count]

thank you! I've started to confuse myself!

One. Ore! Mom can't do stairs but doesn't need a specific ride vehicle at tsm. Can those two issues be reconciled?

Unfortunately no. Because of the way the ride path is set up the only way to avoid stairs is to take the ramp and wait for the accessible car. It is A LOT of stairs too, so if she has difficulty with even a few, I would not recommend trying it out

Random question. Do you get a new picture taken everytime?

Right now, yes. On the DAS there is a QR code that GR will be able to scan and pull up your info/photo. However right now we don't have that capability yet, but it is coming soon.

 

[lanejudy]

... One. Ore! Mom can't do stairs but doesn't need a specific ride vehicle at tsm. Can those two issues be reconciled?

Unfortunately no. Because of the way the ride path is set up the only way to avoid stairs is to take the ramp and wait for the accessible car. It is A LOT of stairs too, so if she has difficulty with even a few, I would not recommend trying it out ...

Actually, we have utilized a regular ride vehicle while bypassing the stairs at TSMM. DD does not need the accessible vehicle, so they'll pull a regular ride vehicle over to the alternate boarding area for us at the same time another party is getting into the accessible vehicle. Unless something has changed recently, that's been our experience.

 

[disney david]

Actually, we have utilized a regular ride vehicle while bypassing the stairs at TSMM. DD does not need the accessible vehicle, so they'll pull a regular ride vehicle over to the alternate boarding area for us at the same time another party is getting into the accessible vehicle. Unless something has changed recently, that's been our experience.

One car the accessible car and one a regular car

 

[lovethattink]

Right now, yes. On the DAS there is a QR code that GR will be able to scan and pull up your info/photo. However right now we don't have that capability yet, but it is coming soon.

This is good to know to prepare my son. What will they do with the old one? If it gets torn in front if him he will freak.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

This is good to know to prepare my son. What will they do with the old one? If it gets torn in front if him he will freak.

Oh yes, mine would too!

 

[cmwade77]

This is good to know to prepare my son. What will they do with the old one? If it gets torn in front if him he will freak.

That's been the process with the GAC, my suggestion is to quietly ask the CM to wait until you have left to tear up the old one.

 

[Granny square]

Thank you for the information about tsm

 

[mrzrich]

This is good to know to prepare my son. What will they do with the old one? If it gets torn in front if him he will freak.

You don't have to bring in your GAC to get a DAS.

 

[lovethattink]

That's been the process with the GAC, my suggestion is to quietly ask the CM to wait until you have left to tear up the old one.

Will do. I did take a picture of it, that should help. Everything holds a special memory for him and he doesn't like to throw things away.

 

[SueM in MN]

Will do. I did take a picture of it, that should help. Everything holds a special memory for him and he doesn't like to throw things away.

They previously tore them up so people would not try to reuse them. Since they changed to a totally new system, they may let you keep it.
But, since their process is to tear it up, they might do that automatically, without really thinking about it.