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

[KPeveler]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought when you ask for a DAS you have to have your entire party with you. If each member of a family is asking for a DAS, and they have to have with them the people they want to be able to accompany them for attractions, I think it would be quite obvious to Guest Relations that these people are trying to cheat the system.

I have friends who require a DAS for each member of the party, partly because they split up sometimes, and partly because they have different needs. They have a genetic condition that the whole family has (dominant) so yep, whole family needs a DAS. But they are worried about going into GR to ask, so they have one right now, for one person, and if they get more, they will get them one at a time - they are afraid of people faking or exaggerating and making them look bad.

I have traveled in a group where all 3 of us had a DAS, and all for very different reasons (we were not related).

 

[KPeveler]

I'm not sure that if there are multiple legitimate DAS holders in one group that it is actually breaking any rules by having a different ride with return time on each pass. The pass is specific to the holder, not the group. It's not with the spirit of the change to DAS, but I can't see anything in it that breaks a rule. There's always the possibility that a group may decide later to split up or someone changed their mind before the DAS times come up. It is, as far as I can tell, the main reason someone might choose to lie to obtain a DAS since most of the rest of the perceived GAC "benefits" are gone. I think it would be easier to abuse at WDW than at DL because of the kiosk system at DL. It'll be more awkward and more likely to get questioned when two group members are asking for return times for 2 different rides at the same time at a kiosk.

Actually they do not think twice about handing out 3 different rides to our group of 3, at least when I did it, but we were also traveling with wheelchairs, so honestly, we ended up waiting the amount of time for all three by the end, with the commuting between rides and waiting in the WC line.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Has anyone thus far handed Guest Services a note stating your child's needs instead of saying them out loud? My daughter (aspergers) would be very embarrassed if I talked about her anxiety and that she would have issues if she was sandwiched between a bunch of people for an hour wait.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Has anyone thus far handed Guest Services a note stating your child's needs instead of saying them out loud? My daughter (aspergers) would be very embarrassed if I talked about her anxiety and that she would have issues if she was sandwiched between a bunch of people for an hour wait.

I plan to do this for my son so I'm curious to hear how cm's respond as well.

 

[englishrose47]

The GAC has allowed us to be seated in the handicapped section of shows and the Philharmagic. Any idea how the new DAS would work for that?

My wife and I have the same question. My guess is that we'll find out when the program is officially announced. With all the focus on the controversial aspects of the new program information about the needs of other disabilities hasn't been leaked yet.

Logic says that disability-appropriate seating will remain. With all Disneys efforts to be fair to all, not accommodating the visually impaired would be counter to that.

I encountered this issue earlier this month at FOTLK , I travelled with a group of 8 Developmentally disabled who also had other disabilities 3 of whom needed floor seating . We had a FP+ for the show and as instructed went thru this line . We explained the need for floor seating and were told by 2 cms we should have gone thru the wheelchair entrance . We did not get floor seating and 3 tripped . I did tell a cm and I did call Disney the lady I contacted thru Special Needs di not confirm the going thru the wheelchair line but she did say ALWAYS politely ask for a Supervisor if you are not seated where your special needs require you sit. One more thing there was plenty of floor seating available .

 

[englishrose47]

I have friends who require a DAS for each member of the party, partly because they split up sometimes, and partly because they have different needs. They have a genetic condition that the whole family has (dominant) so yep, whole family needs a DAS. But they are worried about going into GR to ask, so they have one right now, for one person, and if they get more, they will get them one at a time - they are afraid of people faking or exaggerating and making them look bad.

I have traveled in a group where all 3 of us had a DAS, and all for very different reasons (we were not related).

Another lesson learnt! Myself and my co escort explained we were wirh 8 Dvelopmentally disabled (yes they were all with us) Being it was a new program I think we may have been the first such group for these particular CM's and thinking they were doing what wa best put our pix on the cards . Do not do this always make sure a thill riding DD is on at least one of them !! We were okay as the cm's let it pass but 1 of us had to stay with the non thrill riders .

 

[SueM in MN]

Another lesson learnt! Myself and my co escort explained we were wirh 8 Dvelopmentally disabled (yes they were all with us) Being it was a new program I think we may have been the first such group for these particular CM's and thinking they were doing what wa best put our pix on the cards . Do not do this always make sure a thill riding DD is on at least one of them !! We were okay as the cm's let it pass but 1 of us had to stay with the non thrill riders .

I'm not sure I understand.
Is your daughter also disabled or was she one of the people supervising?
So, they did not put the disabled person's picture on 2 of the cards, but put yours instead? Did they only give you 2 cards for your whole group and put the attendants pictures on since one of you will always be with them.

Am I understanding correctly?

 

[clanmcculloch]

I encountered this issue earlier this month at FOTLK , I travelled with a group of 8 Developmentally disabled who also had other disabilities 3 of whom needed floor seating . We had a FP+ for the show and as instructed went thru this line . We explained the need for floor seating and were told by 2 cms we should have gone thru the wheelchair entrance . We did not get floor seating and 3 tripped . I did tell a cm and I did call Disney the lady I contacted thru Special Needs di not confirm the going thru the wheelchair line but she did say ALWAYS politely ask for a Supervisor if you are not seated where your special needs require you sit. One more thing there was plenty of floor seating available .

Did you tell the CM at the queue entrance that people in your group need floor seating due to disabilities? It's best to inform the CM at the queue entrance of any seating needs. What reason were you given once inside that you couldn't sit in those floor level seats? Just because you hadn't gone through the wheelchair line?

 

[Sunnywho]

I'm not sure I understand.
Is your daughter also disabled or was she one of the people supervising?
So, they did not put the disabled person's picture on 2 of the cards, but put yours instead? Did they only give you 2 cards for your whole group and put the attendants pictures on since one of you will always be with them.

Am I understanding correctly?

DD is usually 'dear daughter' but in this context I think she means 'developmentally disabled'.

 

[eblondie]

It says that the time you will be given is the current wait time - 10-15minutes. What happens if the wait time is 15 minutes? Do they want you then to only use the normal line?

 

[Gracie09]

That kind of abuse of the system is sickening. I wish there was some kind of safeguard against that kind of abuse. It is true that FP are gone earlier and standby lines are longer. We stayed offsite for the 2nd time since DAS started. The most attractions we were able to hit in a day was 2, since standby isn't an option. On Friday, DS needed his DAS renewed, but the queue to get into GS at Epcot was too long and in the sun at 4pm, so we ate at Sunshine Seasons and walked around. By 7pm the queue was not in the sun and was still lined up out the door. Got his DAS renewed. He was beat, so headed home. Saturday was our Sea World day. Got one attraction in there, the new penguin one (110 minute wait for the non-rider) and trick or treating. Then headed back to the motel. Sunday was our MNSSHP. Went on Buzz and the speedway before the party started. Then focused on the party. Monday was back to Epcot. No rides at all. Did 2 countries of Agent P and a few Kidcot stops. Spent a nice amount of time up in the Chase Lounge. With GAC the most attractions we were able to do in a day averaged 4 rides. So DAS has halfed that. And for him there's no coasters, no simulators, no TSM, no tea cups, etc. If we did not have annual passes and did not live so close to the parks, it would be a waste of money for us to go. Being nearby and having the annual pass allows us the opportunity to go frequently and enjoy what we can do. We are stopping and smelling the roses. Doing and seeing things that are not rides.

I'm confused. Did you not try and use the das after you had it? Or did you try and couldn't for some reason. For example you said on Monday you did agent p and kidcot. Did you try a ride but it not work out or did you just decide not to even try.

 

[lovethattink]

I encountered this issue earlier this month at FOTLK , I travelled with a group of 8 Developmentally disabled who also had other disabilities 3 of whom needed floor seating . We had a FP+ for the show and as instructed went thru this line . We explained the need for floor seating and were told by 2 cms we should have gone thru the wheelchair entrance . We did not get floor seating and 3 tripped . I did tell a cm and I did call Disney the lady I contacted thru Special Needs di not confirm the going thru the wheelchair line but she did say ALWAYS politely ask for a Supervisor if you are not seated where your special needs require you sit. One more thing there was plenty of floor seating available .

I hope they weren't hurt when they tripped.

I'm glad you shared the advice given to you.

 

[delmar411]

It says that the time you will be given is the current wait time - 10-15minutes. What happens if the wait time is 15 minutes? Do they want you then to only use the normal line?

It wait time minus 10mins. If it is 15 then you wait 5 mins.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm confused. Did you not try and use the das after you had it? Or did you try and couldn't for some reason. For example you said on Monday you did agent p and kidcot. Did you try a ride but it not work out or did you just decide not to even try.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes, this is my son's 2nd DAS. It just isn't working out very well for him. He picks an attraction then changes his mind when it's time to ride, or is ready to leave the park, or gets side tracked by catching a lizard or something else and doesn't want to ride like he did originally.

That particular day you are asking about, we didn't even try.

On Sunday we were given two anytime/same day FP because the cm at Epcot who was unable to print out our party tickets on Friday, surprised us when she said we could pick up 2 fast passes when we go to the MK to pick up the party tickets. She said it was for the extra time involved for the run around.

It was a very appreciated gesture and we used one of them to ride Buzz Lightyear on Sunday. The other one we didn't use. But did use the DAS to ride the speedway. Much to our surprise it was at 10 minutes, so he got to go right in line. Maybe we just have to stick to those with a 10 minute wait for him?

The same thing has happened to us at Universal. More times than not, we go home with a wait time not used. That's why I'm hoping Disney will up the time from 10 minutes to a longer period of time, or give leniency on FP return time.

 

[Schmeck]

It says that the time you will be given is the current wait time - 10-15minutes. What happens if the wait time is 15 minutes? Do they want you then to only use the normal line?

I didn't see it in the first 4 posts (the ones SueM is editing with updated info) but I thought that if the standby wait time is 15 minutes or less, the guest would be sent in the stand by queue.

 

[cmwade77]

I didn't see it in the first 4 posts (the ones SueM is editing with updated info) but I thought that if the standby wait time is 15 minutes or less, the guest would be sent in the stand by queue.

The official rule is that if the wait time is 10 minutes or less, the guest will be sent directly to the appropriate queue, which is most likely not the stand by queue, as there may be reasons that the standby queue doesn't work for the individual, regardless of the length of wait. This is what is written on the Disney site that is SueMN has previously linked to.

It has been reported on here that some CMs are allowing people straight in when the line is a 15 minute wait or so, not seeing the point of making someone wait 5 minutes. But that is up to the CM.

 

[mrzrich]

As for the 10 to 15 min wait, the answer is "it depends". Truly.

IASW had a 15 min wait and the CM let us in the FP line immediately. POTC had a 15 min time and the CM said either wait 5 min or get in the Stand by line.

Spaceship Earth had a 10 min wait and they let us right in the FP line. Under the Sea had a 10 minute wait and they sent us to the Standby line.

 

[SueM in MN]

DD is usually 'dear daughter' but in this context I think she means 'developmentally disabled'.

I think the OP will have to clarify it because I could be taken either way.

It says that the time you will be given is the current wait time - 10-15minutes. What happens if the wait time is 15 minutes? Do they want you then to only use the normal line?

As for the 10 to 15 min wait, the answer is "it depends". Truly.

IASW had a 15 min wait and the CM let us in the FP line immediately. POTC had a 15 min time and the CM said either wait 5 min or get in the Stand by line.

Spaceship Earth had a 10 min wait and they let us right in the FP line. Under the Sea had a 10 minute wait and they sent us to the Standby line.

I think 'it depends' is probably going to be the answer.

There are some attractions that don't have a Fastpass entrance. There are also times (like right after park opening) when the Fastpass line is not operating.

For many people, 5-10 minutes in the Standby line will work. So, it is up to the guest to explain if they are sent there and can't use that line.

 

[SueM in MN]

Did you tell the CM at the queue entrance that people in your group need floor seating due to disabilities? It's best to inform the CM at the queue entrance of any seating needs. What reason were you given once inside that you couldn't sit in those floor level seats? Just because you hadn't gone through the wheelchair line?

I agree that the place to ask is at the queue entrance. That CM would be the one to direct people with non-visible disabilities where to go. The wheelchair waiting area is beyond that point.

I wonder if the floor seating was already filled or did not have space for that size of party?

There really is not that much floor level seating.

 

[AutisticAlice]

I'm not sure if it's been addressed, but I have some concerns. I understand you can come BACK to the ride at certain amount of time. However, my concern is for those who are unable to understand that they can't ride at that moment. I think this is going to cause a lot of issues for those with autism, including me. For me, things have to be done now. They can't wait until later or I will have a massive meltdown. I'm also bad with time and so are my parents. I just feel like this would become more of a disaster. I really liked the GAC because you didn't have to worry about coming back to the line when it was shorter. That's my concern/opinion on this.