Only cards being given out anywhere are for children with autism. Apparently the decision was made yesterday.
Dd has Nuerocardiogenic syncope, pots, eds, ventricular tachycardia, pacts. She passes out a lot. She can use an
ecv but she can't stand or sit for extended periods. Her blood pressure drops when she stands which causes her to pass out.
A list of diagnosis is not going to tell anyone in Guest Relations what the needs are - especially if all the terms are medical terms.
And - I'm not picking on you WantToGoNow, but your post illustrated exactly what I have heard some people say they told the CMs.
To translate:
Neurogenic syncope = temporary loss of consciousness from a change in blood pressure with a slowed heart rate; often occurs when standing up. Syncope is the medical term for fainting
POTS = Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; causes changes of blood pressure when changing position.
EDS = EhlersDanlos syndrome; connective tissue disorder that can cause the 2 conditions above. Common issues are easy bruising, and 'loose' joints that can dislocate.
ventricular tachycardia = fast heart rate that originates in the main pumping chambers of the heart.
PACTS = I'm an RN and I don't know what pacts is.
So, even knowing what the terms mean, doesn't tell what the person needs other than some place to sit - which is what using an ECV in line is.
If there are other needs, it's important to think of what NEEDS the ECV, wheelchair or other mobility device does not meet.
Those needs should be discussed with Guest Relations - not the diagnosis - the needs. What do you need to make the line accessible to you (shorter wait is not an option).
Be clear, concise and give only the details the CM needs.
Remember, the words you are using may be very familiar to you, but may mean absolutely nothing to the CM.
And, keep in mind that the answer you get from a CM may be the answer to the question the CM understood you were asking, not the question you thought you were asking.
What happens when the 19 lines are filled up? I am going down in a few weeks for 6 days, assuming 4 rides a day we would be filled up in day 5..... does this mean we have to go and get picture taken again and get issued a new card?
Once all the lines are filled out, you will need a new card.
Getting a new card will take a shorter time than getting the first card.
Do we know how much past the return time they write down we can arrive and still be allowed to do the attraction?
.
It is on the Disney FAQ, which has a link posted somewhere on here, but to sum it up:
You can go anytime after your return time, but by all accounts, you cannot get another return time until you have gone.
I am assuming that they have a mechanism in place for if the ride is broken at your return time, so that you can get another, but I don't know that part.
cmwade already answered the Return a Time question, but the Return Time is valid until it is used or crossed off.
You can only have one unused Return a Time. (See post one of this thread for more information).
The probable answer for if the attraction is broken, is that the CM will cross off your Return a Time so it is no longer active and will give a Fastpass to use later.
Do I need to get a
DAS since I can't do stairs, or can I just tell the cms at each attraction with stairs?
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You don't need a DAS - that would be something to discuss with the CM at the attraction.
Autism is not the only "condition" that a DAS is needed for. The CM will ask you what your needs are. If you tell the CM you are in a wheelchair because you cannot stand. You are not going to get a DAS. You need to tell the CM all your needs and concerns if you have other non-apparent disabilities or concerns. The DAS is intended for those with non apparent disabilites, not those with mobility concerns. Guest Relations cast are not medically trained so you need to explain to the CM what your concerns are, not what your diagnosis is.
You do not need the DAS to avoid stairs. You will notify them at each attraction.
Think you, Wishes Count.
People who do not have Autism have also reported getting DAS.
EVEN IF the guest has Autism, they would still need to explain their needs. Not all people with Autism have the same needs.
Please remember that guests are not always sharing the correct information. Or the CM is not asking the correct questions to get that information. I work in GR and I worked today. I always asked when someone in a wheelchair was requesting a DAS if they had any other concerns or issues other than using a wheelchair. If they say "No" then no DAS is issued. If they say "Yes" they will need to explain their additional concerns. However just because they have additional concerns does not mean a DAS card is issued.
It may seem like only autistic persons are getting the DAS, but it could be because a large number of people with ONLY mobility concerns, who previously had a GAC are being turned away.(Perhaps ones who do need one, but were not sharing all their concerns) I have a non apparent disability myself, so I realize that not all CM's think the same way I might. If you truly feel that you need the DAS be prepared to explain your concerns
thank you again and hope the next week goes well for sell the CMs
The new card is given to you folded and when folded it is the same exact size as the old GAC cards. Actual measurement? Sorry no ruler around while on vacation.
The old GAC cards are 3.5 inches by 5 inches
I am reading all these posts and it's concerning. Will DAS be given to amputees? My 14 year old daughter is an amputee, she has a wheelchair but being a 14 year old girl, she wants to be as "normal" as possible and she wants to walk the parks. A lot of walking/standing can sometimes cause large blisters on the bottom of her stump, which is really bad for her. We are going at Christmas and really don't want to bring her chair. Have brought it in the past and the crowds make in nearly impossible to get around, never mind people yelling at you when they run into you! I am thinking this will not be an enjoyable Christmas visit and am thinking we may have to change our plans.
I understand that she wants to be as "normal" as possible, but her needs would meet the "mobility and stamina" needs that wheelchairs and other mobility devices handle.
Even if she does get a DAS, there is still a lot of walking involved at WDW - I measured on our last trip in March - the shortest distance we walked was 6 miles and some days were 9 and one was even 12!
Would she maybe accept the wheelchair more if it was "blinged" out with lights, sparkles or something else?
Or, maybe something else would allow her, like a cane or something, would allo her to take some pressure off her stump. So you might want to talk to her therapists and also see if some adjustments to her prosthesis might help to prevent skin breakdown.