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

[darthtatty]

great list Sue

Isnt the Safari ride at AK slightly different too?

We went on it a couple of years ago and although there wasn't really a queue, we were sent off to the right where the ramp was. We waited in the area with other wheelchair users.
From what I remember, we were waiting a really long time, as they wanted to wait for as many disabled families as possible.

I hope they keep some control, over how many wheelchair users are being given return times.
It would be unfair to expect us to wait the normal time and then extra due to being in a wheelchair.

 

[mhoward223]

The dessert buffet is well worth it.

 

[SueM in MN]

great list Sue

Isnt the Safari ride at AK slightly different too?

We went on it a couple of years ago and although there wasn't really a queue, we were sent off to the right where the ramp was. We waited in the area with other wheelchair users.
From what I remember, we were waiting a really long time, as they wanted to wait for as many disabled families as possible.

I hope they keep some control, over how many wheelchair users are being given return times.
It would be unfair to expect us to wait the normal time and then extra due to being in a wheelchair.

Safari is considered a Mainstream Line because the special boarding area is almost at the end of the queue

 

[Michigan]

Sue you forgot Jungle Cruise has a separate entrance. I really hope they don't make us go down the hill to get a return time. That already is a ride we have to do on one on one days because Megan uses the accessible boat and stays in her chair but I can't lift Michaela on and off anymore. So to go down the hill (piece of cake) get a return time, go up the hill (not fun) to come back at a specific time and then wait for the accessible boat (which always seems to go by just before we get there) is going to stink.

 

[going/again]

If you explain your case to the GR CMs and let them know everything that your son will need, they will make their decision off that,

I thought they were not allowed to ask for proof , but now they have changed it so you have to explain everything in public to them. some people wont like having to discuss their medical problems in front of everyone. my wife was refused one at AK on the 9th as she wasn't going to discuss her problems in a crowded room.

 

[Vidia2]

.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I thought they were not allowed to ask for proof , but now they have changed it so you have to explain everything in public to them. some people wont like having to discuss their medical problems in front of everyone. my wife was refused one at AK on the 9th as she wasn't going to discuss her problems in a crowded room.

i thought you had to say what accommodations you needed, not why you needed it? Like "I need to be able to access a restroom quickly" not "I have crohns and could have an accident in my pants".

 

[disney david]

I thought they were not allowed to ask for proof , but now they have changed it so you have to explain everything in public to them. some people wont like having to discuss their medical problems in front of everyone. my wife was refused one at AK on the 9th as she wasn't going to discuss her problems in a crowded room.

It not asking for proof it explaining what your kid needs in accommodations. You don't need to say what medical you need one more on the accommodation side.

 

[MaggieMollyMom]

I saw another poster state that you can put your concerns in writing (ie why you need a DAS...what accomodations you need)....that way, you are not feeling on the spot, anxious, just wanting to keep private issues private etc....Perhaps this would work for your wife? GOod luck!

I thought they were not allowed to ask for proof , but now they have changed it so you have to explain everything in public to them. some people wont like having to discuss their medical problems in front of everyone. my wife was refused one at AK on the 9th as she wasn't going to discuss her problems in a crowded room.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I saw another poster state that you can put your concerns in writing (ie why you need a DAS...what accomodations you need)....that way, you are not feeling on the spot, anxious, just wanting to keep private issues private etc....Perhaps this would work for your wife? GOod luck!

That's helpful to me that information as well so thank you! I have a bowel disorder as well as other issues and didn't fancy explaining this in public!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I thought they were not allowed to ask for proof , but now they have changed it so you have to explain everything in public to them. some people wont like having to discuss their medical problems in front of everyone. my wife was refused one at AK on the 9th as she wasn't going to discuss her problems in a crowded room.

There is a difference between asking for "proof", such as a doctor's note, and asking for an explanation of needs. They need to know what your needs are so that they know how to best accommodate you. Just a diagnosis name or saying "I need to not wait" doesn't tell them anything. Asking about explanation of needs has always been something they've been able to do.

If you're uncomfortable discussing the needs out loud, you can bring your own note explaining your needs. Some people prefer that because they don't want to share medical details out loud in public, some do it so they know they've explained all of the needs, and some just have anxiety about the entire process and not having to actually verbalize reduces that anxiety. I'd suggest that in the future your wife consider writing down her needs and explanation of why she needs them (a diagnosis tells them nothing, but something like "I have a condition that means I pass out when I overheat so need to be able to wait out of the sun and in air conditioning" would be the sort of explanation they need).

 

[going/again]

i thought you had to say what accommodations you needed, not why you needed it? Like "I need to be able to access a restroom quickly" not "I have crohns and could have an accident in my pants".

That was the only thing she did tell them and all she got in reply was so what are your issues, at which point she decided to leave rather than explain anymore. after 28 trips from UK to WDW she says that's it. she did take her GAC card with her from Xmas to be renewed.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue you forgot Jungle Cruise has a separate entrance. I really hope they don't make us go down the hill to get a return time. That already is a ride we have to do on one on one days because Megan uses the accessible boat and stays in her chair but I can't lift Michaela on and off anymore. So to go down the hill (piece of cake) get a return time, go up the hill (not fun) to come back at a specific time and then wait for the accessible boat (which always seems to go by just before we get there) is going to stink.

Thanks.
Copied it from the park map for guests with disabilities, so they or I might have missed it.

For DAS Return Times, another member of the group can take the DAS to get a Return Time. I don't know if that is true when not using DAS.

I do agree though about the hill - kind of steep.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a difference between asking for "proof", such as a doctor's note, and asking for an explanation of needs. They need to know what your needs are so that they know how to best accommodate you. Just a diagnosis name or saying "I need to not wait" doesn't tell them anything. Asking about explanation of needs has always been something they've been able to do.

If you're uncomfortable discussing the needs out loud, you can bring your own note explaining your needs. Some people prefer that because they don't want to share medical details out loud in public, some do it so they know they've explained all of the needs, and some just have anxiety about the entire process and not having to actually verbalize reduces that anxiety. I'd suggest that in the future your wife consider writing down her needs and explanation of why she needs them (a diagnosis tells them nothing, but something like "I have a condition that means I pass out when I overheat so need to be able to wait out of the sun and in air conditioning" would be the sort of explanation they need).

And the need has to relate to your ability to access attractions.

 

[cmwade77]

Thanks.
Copied it from the park map for guests with disabilities, so they or I might have missed it.

For DAS Return Times, another member of the group can take the DAS to get a Return Time. I don't know if that is true when not using DAS.

I do agree though about the hill - kind of steep.

Another member of the party can get it, but what if you are there in your own? Some will have the strength to do the hill once, but not twice. Just wondering how someone should handle that.

 

[SueM in MN]

Another member of the party can get it, but what if you are there in your own? Some will have the strength to do the hill once, but not twice. Just wondering how someone should handle that.

That would be a question I would ask at Guest Relations. They may have a solution that would work on an individual basis.
You could also try asking at one of the close by attractions that are NOT down the hill - like Aladdin Magic Carpets or Tiki Birds. They may have some ability to have an area lead assist you.

 

[ratlenhum]

We are going to MNSSHP on Monday. I forgot to ask if the DAS could be used during the party, so I called the guest services phone number today. I was told yes.

You shouldn't need to use it. We were at the parties on 10/10 and 10/11, both sold out parties, and we didn't see a wait time over 10 minutes. Anything we went on was basically a walk on. By the time you walked the queue you were boarding

 

[SueM in MN]

Moved from DL thread - posted in error.

I have a question re the accessible queues. From the sound of it, all FP queues are accessible, even on rides where the SB line isn't? For example, BTMR and SM. It says to obtain a FP or if they are not available, see a CM. My question is - if I CHOOSE not to get a FP - say because it is 4 hours in the future, while the SB line is an hour - Will they still give me a return time for the ride? This would be helpful to know as I try and plan the park without a DAS. I can book my FP+ then for rides with totally accessible queues, and get the return times for the others, and get on without queuing in line in pain for a long time!

Edit: This was intended for the WDW thread if the mods would please move it!

 

[OneMoreTry]

We just back from our trip, and this is the first opportunity I’ve had to post this. I hope it is informative.

The short version is that our experience with the DAS was very good. The cast members were well informed and upbeat, and I think the system worked as it was intended. It is not as easy as the GAC was, but I think it is a good and fair system. My only concern is that it would be possible for dishonest guests to write in their own return times.

A couple other notes: We did not see anyone else using a DAS card. The return time is the current Stand By wait minus 10 minutes. There was one time the CM’s let us right on a ride with a 20 minute wait, but the other time there was a 20 minute wait, they gave us a 10 minute time.

Oct 9 we were in the Magic Kingdom. A CM standing outside Guest Services at the bottom of the wheelchair ramp assisted us. No one else in line. He asked what our concerns were and what type of assistance we needed. (In other words, why do you need a DAS card?) He took DD’s picture, went inside, printed the card, brought it back outside and read word for word the list of disclaimers and instructions that are printed on the card. Then he had me sign the card.

Our strategy was to use DAS card and fast passes. (Our resort wasn’t participating in FP+.) We sent runners to get FP for Winnie the Pooh then met at Space Mountain. We showed them the DAS card. The wait time was 20 minutes, and since (in their words) the line was so short they let us right on -- through the FP line. After SM we went over to Buzz Lightyear. The wait there was also 20 minutes. They subtracted 10 minutes and gave us a return time of 10 minutes. That worked -- we used the companion bathroom and took a ride on the People Mover.

Next we got FP for the new Mermaid ride (can’t remember exact name) and used our Winnie the Pooh fast passes. After that we rode Small World which had 10 minute wait, had another bathroom break and then used our Little Mermaid fast passes. We then got Splash Mtn fast passes and a DAS card return time for Haunted Mansion, with a time of about 20 minutes.

We ate lunch at Liberty Tree, then rode Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain.

I’m skipping some details, but will say that we got to Pirates just as they announced a temporary closure. The wait time was 45 minutes so I asked the CM to give me a return time so we would have one if and when it reopened, which she did. A while later, when it looked as if Pirates might not reopen, we got a return time for Aladdin’s Carpets instead. They just crossed off the Pirates time unused. Before using that time, Pirates reopened and my older daughter and niece wanted to ride that, so I had them reissue another return time for Pirates again, crossing of the Aladdin time. The point being, if you don’t want to use a return time, they’ll just cross it off and issue another.

By then our DD was exhausted and we called it a day.

Using the GAS card and Fast Passes together worked well. I’m not sure how we’ll be able to anticipate FP+ times in the future and use them along with the DAS card. Maybe that will turn out to be even easier, although as you can tell what we did wasn’t difficult. We’ll just have to see.

My take home message is that I don’t think anyone needs to be anxious about the DAS system. As I said, it is a good system and worked well for us. The CM were all on board, well informed, very nice and helpful.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for the report and glad it worked for you.
There are some rumored 'pieces' I have heard with the wait time to prevent people from just writing one. They are pretty reliable rumors, so probably have just not been instituted yet.

I'm going to add it to the WDW DAS thread so all the experience will be in one place.
There will be a re-direct link from this thread to there for the next week.