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

[Talking Hands]

I had that attitude at Pirates of the Caribbean... I wasn't able to walk the line, was alone and the CM was unwilling to help at all... walk, don't ride or push yourself in a manual wc... she didn't care.... I didn't ride. Other times, when I felt up to the walk, I did it... but have to leave the ECV so far away from the exit!

As for Tower of Terror... (I have done this twice).. the CM at the gate directed me to go through the exit and he phoned in that he was sending me in. I had to park my ECV at the exit point of the ride and another CM came out with a manual WC and took me into where the ride loaded. I don't think this is a common practice, but it is available... or at least it was... but it was also at a slow time.

I get the same attitude with Pirates. I use as powered wheelchair but can transfer into the boat myself. They just tell me no. I can't ride. No accommodations period.

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

As I read about all of this I am filled with a huge sense of dread. I have two disabled children, both use wheelchairs. My oldest could use the mainstream line, no problem. My 8 year old overheats easily, has the above referenced bathroom unpredictability/urgency and will meltdown when surrounded in a crowd with no obvious way out. He is also at a point where he is greatly struggling with his differences. We aren't going to plan a trip for awhile because it seems as though we are expected to "sell" the need to GS and I really don't want him to have to overhear me do that.

We'll stick to DCL til they get this ironed out.

 

[Twende]

Yes, to all this.

Specifically, in regard to shows, there are multiple CMs. Let's say you find a CM and explain your need for close seating. You're directed to go elsewhere for entry. At that location, you need to have the same conversation with that CM and then you may have to continue to a final destination with yet another CM. At any point, an innocent CM error could cause issues.

With a pre-qualification, the process moves quicker. The customer isn't repeating themselves multiple times and other customers don't get mad because of the extended conversations at each and every stop.

Not to mention, how tiring that gets to the person with the disability, having to justify their need multiple times to multiple people, when those with other disabilities don't face the same repeat scrutiny because better systems are in place.

I certainly agree with you. This is exactly what happened to me a few days ago. You also have to account for the constant change of CM's. I explained my need to four CM's and ended up with no one passing on the information as we got ready to be seated. It is beyond ridiculous.

I agree that some kind of pre-qualified card would be nice. Something that would help so we do not need to keep repeating ourselves.

I just looked up the Disney VIP tour to see if we could pull that off as it would solve some of my problems. Yikes! The price is so much. There is no way we could get that much money together for this trip in November. Does any one know if any of the off site VIP tours are still in business?

 

[Rowanonfire]

It sounds to me like there is perhaps a supervisor at EPCOT who is insisting that only children with autism are to be issued the new card and they are then telling those CMs who work under them the same thing.

I heard from a Epcot CM that this is 100% not true and they have no idea where these stories are coming from other then some confusion in conversation between CMs and guests.

 

[lhall7]

Are there any reports of anyone getting a DAS card without having a child with autism? I am concerned as I have always gotten a GAC due to my condition. We are traveling next month.

 

[samnbilly]

I was hoping someone could maybe clear up the confusion as to the new system for my needs @ WDW in 2 wks.

I have a chronic, progressive pain disorder that leaves me in severe pain (nerve pain) that affects my lower back, down both legs, ankles & feet.
I have a pain pump that my life literally revolves around the doses. I can have a dose every 3 hrs but it only lasts approx 2 hrs, so I have to either walk or stand & I'm unable to sit until the administration of the next dose. (sorry so descriptive)

When I visit WDW, will I be able to possibly use the new system? I was hoping that I could go on some of the attractions according to the return time (if I'm able to get the new DAS)
I won't be able to ride the rides if my backside is on fire ;(

Any help fellow Dis'ers can offer, I'd appreciate it.

 

[mom23guys2]

I am concerned about getting a return time DAS for my friend when we go next month. She has stage 4 cancer and is undergoing chemo. She will be in a wheelchair but can not wait on long lines. It is too exhausting. We don't get to the park until afternoon and only stay for about 3 hours if that so FP really isn't an option. She really only goes on one or two rides in a park, TSM in HS and the Osbourne lights and maybe visiting the new Fantasyland in MK a few days later.
I thought this DAS return time thing would be a blessing. Last year she never even got to TSM because the wait was too long even with a wheelchair.

Is she going to have an issue getting a card?

 

[Rowanonfire]

I was hoping someone could maybe clear up the confusion as to the new system for my needs @ WDW in 2 wks.

I have a chronic, progressive pain disorder that leaves me in severe pain (nerve pain) that affects my lower back, down both legs, ankles & feet.
I have a pain pump that my life literally revolves around the doses. I can have a dose every 3 hrs but it only lasts approx 2 hrs, so I have to either walk or stand & I'm unable to sit until the administration of the next dose. (sorry so descriptive)

When I visit WDW, will I be able to possibly use the new system? I was hoping that I could go on some of the attractions according to the return time (if I'm able to get the new DAS)
I won't be able to ride the rides if my backside is on fire ;(

Any help fellow Dis'ers can offer, I'd appreciate it.

I struggle to sit and stand also. I am going to go to going to GS and just be clear with WDW what my needs are, and that I feel the return time system on the DAS would be ideal for me. They will try to help I'm sure, just go and explain your needs, just be clear why a mobility device won't help you.

 

[alizesmom]

I have the same toileting concerns. I'm terrified about going through this process. My son is on the Autism spectrum but is not one of the kids that "looks" Autistic. And because of all of this I am afraid people are going to try and "fake" invisible needs and it's going to back fire on my son.

It sounds like all the new rules make faking an invisible need less attractive. I hope your son has no problem getting accommodation.

 

[alizesmom]

I'm curious if people are having better luck getting a DAS in one park more than others. It seems like many of the complaints center around Epcot.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

I'm curious if people are having better luck getting a DAS in one park more than others. It seems like many of the complaints center around Epcot.

All I have seen are reports from MK and Epcot. I'm curious about HS as that is the first park we are hitting on our trip.

 

[Twende]

All I have seen are reports from MK and Epcot. I'm curious about HS as that is the first park we are hitting on our trip.

DHS is the GS that refused me. I was actually told to leave the line when needed and then just push my way back in line!
I went to the GS outside the park.

I think they need to do some major tweaking to the system. Disney has always done such a great job of accommodating people's needs and making them have a great time while not having to focus on their physical, mental or emotional problems. I know this is one of the reasons that we felt comfortable buying into DVC years ago. They need to fix this new system or many people, like me, will find other places to spend their time and money.

 

[Rowanonfire]

Re-posting as I'd really like some insight.

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 - or because it's is FP + and I've picked other attractions - Will they still give me a return time for the ride? This would be helpful to know as I try and plan the park possible 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!

 

[buffettgirl]

Re-posting as I'd really like some insight.

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 - or because it's is FP + and I've picked other attractions - Will they still give me a return time for the ride? This would be helpful to know as I try and plan the park possible 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!

as I understand it, if your ONLY need is accessibility and a main queue line isn't accessible, the CM will give you a return time equal to the wait in the main queue, to be used later, in the FP queue. You would not need to obtain a DAS for this. I think this is indicated in Sue M's first post.

 

[infopurposesonly]

I heard from a Epcot CM that this is 100% not true and they have no idea where these stories are coming from other then some confusion in conversation between CMs and guests.

The Epcot CM from that other site where you post? I wouldn't recommend that site for any help with planning your trip or getting information about accommodations. That's not their intention.

 

[Rowanonfire]

The Epcot CM from that other site where you post? I wouldn't recommend that site for any help with planning your trip or getting information about accommodations. That's not their intention.

Nah, this was FB actually! Just relaying info. This was a attraction CM who had DAS training but idk whether they have different training to GS.

 

[DaisyD]

We are in WDW right now. We started today in MK so my mom went to get her pass there. She was greeted by two people before even going up the ramp to city hall. They asked her what she wanted and she proceeded to tell them her neeeds. First was she cannot do steps. She was really only concerned about the steps in Toy Story in MGM but since we were in MK and she has other issues she inadvertently started with the step issue. The CM said no you can't hve it as we don't have steps in MK. She said well I wasn't done with my issues. LOL She then said she can't be out in sun too long so would prefer to get something like the return pass so she could wait in shade so she did get the pass for it.

The pass worked great and we were able to to utilize it, FP+ and our magic bands. At Pirates they did make her leave her ECV outside and grab a push wheelchair through the ride. Was a tad difficult going up the slope in there and I feel sorry for anyone that is weaker then we are trying to push someone up that incline. Other then that, we had no issues.

 

[nataly33012]

I am an annual passholder, along with my fiancé, and I went to Epcot this past weekend for the Food and Wine Festival. I suffer from multiple cognitive disorders, including a severe panic disorder. I have all the clinical evaluations and meds to prove it. Even though I know that legally cast members aren’t allowed to ask for any proof of a disability, I feel like I apparently should have taken all of my proof. I was denied assistance and a DAS at Guest Services by not just the guest services cast member, but her higher-up coordinator. The coordinator was rude enough to tell me that it was only for children with autism who pose a danger to others in lines. I have been provided assistance for the past 3 years, and after that terrible humiliation, I highly doubt we will be renewing our passes this December. I have never felt as humiliated as I did in front of those guests and the cast members. At this point I honestly don’t even know who to call or even complain about this experience to. Once that occurred, we ended up just leaving the park. I defiantly felt discriminated against just because I am 24 years old, and I do not look like I have anything wrong with me. Words honestly can't explain the humiliation I went through.

 

[MEM]

After a frustrating and infuriating experience with a clueless CM at Epcot on Saturday, we went to MK today to see about getting the DAS card there. We went to City Hall and were treated very well by Jose from Ensenada, Mexico. My son's photo was taken, we received the card and a brief explanation and were on our way. Between FP+ and short lines at some of the attractions, we only needed to use the DAS once today, at BTMRR. We still felt like ping pong balls bouncing all over the park but DS19 was able to do everything he wanted to do. Thanks to everyone here who shared their knowledge and advice. My faith in Disney is restored but I am still going to report the CM
at Epcot.

 

[MEM]

I am an annual passholder, along with my fiancé, and I went to Epcot this past weekend for the Food and Wine Festival. I suffer from multiple cognitive disorders, including a severe panic disorder. I have all the clinical evaluations and meds to prove it. Even though I know that legally cast members aren’t allowed to ask for any proof of a disability, I feel like I apparently should have taken all of my proof. I was denied assistance and a DAS at Guest Services by not just the guest services cast member, but her higher-up coordinator. The coordinator was rude enough to tell me that it was only for children with autism who pose a danger to others in lines. I have been provided assistance for the past 3 years, and after that terrible humiliation, I highly doubt we will be renewing our passes this December. I have never felt as humiliated as I did in front of those guests and the cast members. At this point I honestly don’t even know who to call or even complain about this experience to. Once that occurred, we ended up just leaving the park. I defiantly felt discriminated against just because I am 24 years old, and I do not look like I have anything wrong with me. Words honestly can't explain the humiliation I went through.

Been there, just this past Saturday. Angry, Frustrated, Humiliated, ready to sell my 5 DVC contracts. Epcot CMs have not been trained and it seems they pull the DAS guidelines out of their bums. Try MK - you dont need to tell them about your panic disorder. See if you can find Sue's response to my earlier post where she adds a link to Disney's official DAS policy. There is certain language there you should use. The CMs at City Hall seemed very well trained to me when I went there today with my son.