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

[Schmeck]

I am real nervous about our trip starting this weekend...DH has an undiagnosed orphan disease. He has mobility issues, uses ECV. He can't climb stairs, can't stand for long, legs buckle under him, intentional tremor, muscle spasms including the diaphragm, which can affect his breathing, swallowing difficulty/spasm, multi system involvement including bowel control. I can't imagine being stuck in a line for an hour and then he has a stomach related issue, as has happened numerous times before. And I feel awful that he would have to embarrass himself to a CM to explain he has bowel control issues. The anxiety and fear of being stuck in a line, ug my heart breaks for him...not sure how this trip will go now and not sure if this qualifies him for a DAS? He's a great guy... everyday life is not easy, going to WDW was the one place I knew he could be accommodated that's why we are DVC owners....sigh

If you are staying onsite, will you have access to FP+? You could use FP+ and the regular FP to have 4 attractions as already accessible, then plan the attractions with a longer queue for the times after he has used the restroom. I've got stomach issues myself, and that's how we do the parks (haven't tried FP+ yet though).

 

[luv2sleep]

I am real nervous about our trip starting this weekend...DH has an undiagnosed orphan disease. He has mobility issues, uses ECV. He can't climb stairs, can't stand for long, legs buckle under him, intentional tremor, muscle spasms including the diaphragm, which can affect his breathing, swallowing difficulty/spasm, multi system involvement including bowel control. I can't imagine being stuck in a line for an hour and then he has a stomach related issue, as has happened numerous times before. And I feel awful that he would have to embarrass himself to a CM to explain he has bowel control issues. The anxiety and fear of being stuck in a line, ug my heart breaks for him...not sure how this trip will go now and not sure if this qualifies him for a DAS? He's a great guy... everyday life is not easy, going to WDW was the one place I knew he could be accommodated that's why we are DVC owners....sigh

Can you explain to them that his issues have more to do with his physiological inability to wait long in lines from a gastrointestinal/neurological standpoint and nothing to do with needing to use a wheelchair/ECV? I hear you on the DVC because Disney made things so disability friendly. Was in a little shock over this whole thing after finding out about it after I added on at WDW. I swear I checked the calendar to see if I was within my 30 day purchase window. I was past it.

 

[poohshunny]

Can you explain to him that his issues have more to do with his physiological inability to wait long in lines from a gastrointestinal/neurological standpoint and nothing to do with needing to use a wheelchair/ECV?

I hear you on the DVC because Disney made things so disability friendly. Was in a little shock over this whole thing after finding out about it after I added on at WDW. I swear I checked the calendar to see if I was within my 30 day purchase window. I was past it.

Thanks this is a good idea, worth a shot...sorry I was actually thinking of adding on 2. Trying to be optimistic....

 

[GoinPlaces63]

My husband suffered a stroke and has very limited use of his dominant arm. He also has a severe reaction to sudden changes in elevation and heat.

Is there a list of rides that might give me insight into each ride? He loves rides, so this is very important.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am real nervous about our trip starting this weekend...DH has an undiagnosed orphan disease. He has mobility issues, uses ECV. He can't climb stairs, can't stand for long, legs buckle under him, intentional tremor, muscle spasms including the diaphragm, which can affect his breathing, swallowing difficulty/spasm, multi system involvement including bowel control. I can't imagine being stuck in a line for an hour and then he has a stomach related issue, as has happened numerous times before. And I feel awful that he would have to embarrass himself to a CM to explain he has bowel control issues. The anxiety and fear of being stuck in a line, ug my heart breaks for him...not sure how this trip will go now and not sure if this qualifies him for a DAS? He's a great guy... everyday life is not easy, going to WDW was the one place I knew he could be accommodated that's why we are DVC owners....sigh

The things I bolded are all mobility issues - they are why he is using the ECV.
The CM at Guest Relations doesn't need to know those things.
They need to know what he needs BESIDES the ECV in lines.
Saying the thing I bolded don'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 to know.
• if the detail doesn't affect ability to wait in line/tour, it is not an important detail
• Remember, the words you are using may be very familiar to you, but may mean absolutely nothing to the CM. Use common, everyday words, not medical jargon or initials.

For example, undiagnosed orphan disease and the other things I put in italics tell the CM nothing that they need to know. Those things don't appear to be anything that would affect the waiting in line. (I'm an RN and could not come up with how they would affect waiting).
Adding details they don't need to know just confuses things and keeps them from looking at the actual needs.

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.

There are some attractions that are wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible. Even with a DAS card, you will still need to let the CM set the entrance to those attractions know what he needs for that line - if he can walk in the line, are there stairs he needs to be able to avoid. If he can't walk in the line, he needs to let the CM know this the needs to borrow an attraction wheelchair for that attraction.
Those types of things are attraction level procedures/accommodations and are not handled by the DAS card.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Just coming into say Thank You Sue!

 

[SueM in MN]

My husband suffered a stroke and has very limited use of his dominant arm. He also has a severe reaction to sudden changes in elevation and heat.

Is there a list of rides that might give me insight into each ride? He loves rides, so this is very important.

The disABILITIES FAQs thread will be very helpful yo you.
You can follow the link my signature to get there or find it near the top of this board.

The first post of that thread is an index that tells what is in each post.
Page 2 of that thread has a list of attractive with warnings that will be helpful.

If you have more questions after checking out the FAQs thread, it would be better to start a new thread with your questions so they don't get lost in this very busy thread.

 

[poohshunny]

The things I bolded are all mobility issues - they are why he is using the ECV.
The CM at Guest Relations doesn't need to know those things.
They need to know what he needs BESIDES the ECV in lines.
Saying the thing I bolded don'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 to know.
• if the detail doesn't affect ability to wait in line/tour, it is not an important detail
• Remember, the words you are using may be very familiar to you, but may mean absolutely nothing to the CM. Use common, everyday words, not medical jargon or initials.

For example, undiagnosed orphan disease and the other things I put in italics tell the CM nothing that they need to know. Those things don't appear to be anything that would affect the waiting in line. (I'm an RN and could not come up with how they would affect waiting).
Adding details they don't need to know just confuses things and keeps them from looking at the actual needs.

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.

There are some attractions that are wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible. Even with a DAS card, you will still need to let the CM set the entrance to those attractions know what he needs for that line - if he can walk in the line, are there stairs he needs to be able to avoid. If he can't walk in the line, he needs to let the CM know this the needs to borrow an attraction wheelchair for that attraction.
Those types of things are attraction level procedures/accommodations and are not handled by the DAS card.

Thank you Sue this certainly helped to clear up my questions!

 

[NYDisneyKid]

 

[WantToGoNow]

My dd was unable to get one at Epcot yesterday due to CMs that insisted they were only for autistic children. I did the talking for her at the MK this am and got it with no problems. Got a time for Haunted Mansion but she and dd9 are in search for characters instead.

 

[sharadoc]

Thanks again Sue for all your work on this thread. The experiences and comments have been really helpful.
I was wondering if we could possibly set up a new thread weekly for folks to share their experiences, so we know when to "start". As I'm sure the process will evolve and change every day, we can all learn from the changes.

Thanks to all the posters who are willing to share their personal experiences. We all really appreciate it.

 

[sharadoc]

Don't forget - no debates here!!!! We don't want the thread closed.

 

[Disneylvr]

I am going to be very interested in reading reports from those that use DAS during the busy times. WDW is relatively uncrowded, for Disney, right now so guests are getting on the attractions fairly quickly even with the return times. Unfortunately we have to visit WDW during some of the busiest times of the year like spring break and Memorial Day week. I can see we will really need to make use of FP+, FP (if it is still available for our next trip) and the DAS.

 

[sdfan99]

what about me? I have knee braces that i wear all the time But I don't usually use a wheelchair. I was able to get a GAC can I get a DAS card ?

 

[livndisney]

what about me? I have knee braces that i wear all the time But I don't usually use a wheelchair. I was able to get a GAC can I get a DAS card ?

What are your needs?

 

[sdfan99]

I can't handle lines longer than 20 - 25 minutes.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Following my motto of "details vary per situation, yet can get very misinterpreted or even abused, yet the details aren't important but the bigger picture is" I wont go into details but the bigger picture.


While I've officially had my needs taken care off at DHS GR today, also talked to Epcot GR yesterday. Both how they filled in that accomodating me and how communication was done? A+. The thing I was almost sad to notice was the almost "being scared" to offend me, constantly asking if it was OK to ask "fill in question", overly thankfull for me understanding the change, constantly asking if I was accomodated properly or might need more. Makes you wonder how much abuse they've already been dealt. And no; those questions were nothing other but very base questions they absolutely need to accomodate and are not getting into any privacy.

For those worried about waits; DHS was very busy at GR when I popped by, yet I was helped right away when coming up and still CM's left to help guests. Blew my mind, have to say and had a bit of an idea of what to expect.

While the CM had an advice on what would work best for my needs, I was left the choice between the options available. Given the discussion raised; I'm a 24/7 powerchair user (well, ok, when not bedridden ) and chair is no "issue". Both experiences were of CM's very open to the odds of their being more needs than mobility, stamina etc.

Already has positive expectations in general about the system. Did expect long waits, definately was positively surprised there. New versus old system, would be highly surprised if my experience suffers any. That's taken into account being at WDW currently and it still being so new and for sure will have some kinks and hick ups. I wouldn't be surprised to already find this will accomodate my needs better than the old system, directly linked to the big overhaul. I'm sure it will eventually be an even better accomodating my needs than the old system once the newness wears off and FP+ is the norm etc. etc. But then again, I found Disney already very accomodating towards me within the old system and my issues with that not being linked directly to how they accomodated ME.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I can't handle lines longer than 20 - 25 minutes.

Because?


We're not trying to "bully" anybody here, but just stating this will not work that well at GR. This gives them basically nothing to work with, whether it being to accomodate a need in way X, Y or Z or by explaining how in the new system the general experience tackles that or how the individual needs to deal with that themselves by A, B or C.

You'll need to communicate. You can't wait longer than 25 minutes? Why? What happens? What are the issues?

To give a silly example; someone could say "I can not walk stairs". Peachy, but that CM will have no clue this guest might also thus have needs for rides that require the guest to pull up their legs. Because the CM assumed the guest might not be able to make the combination of lifting legs up and moving body upwards. A guest who can not navigate stairs because they can not lift their legs more than 2 inches, will be much better helped out when explaining that 2 inches-issue. That guest will also have VERY different needs than a guest who also can not do stairs because they can not handle the combination of lifting leg and moving upwards, but can lift their legs when entering a vehicle that is at same level with them.

 

[ttintagel]

From what I'm reading, it sounds like maybe they're using the implementation of the new system as an opportunity to tighten up training and get everybody on the same page who might not have been before, even on issues that aren't actually changing. If so, that's wonderful!

 

[bargirl95]

Do only get return times for rides or can you get them for meet and greets as well? My 6 year old DD is on the spectrum and is very fearful of most of the rides but loves all the characters.