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

[samnbilly]

I've been reading many of the posts to try & plan for my needs for my upcoming trip.

I've read where people didn't receive the new DAS because of varied reasons.

I'm not worrying about waiting to get on or see an attraction. I am worried that because my life revolves so much in the timing of my administered pain pump meds that I won't be able to enjoy anything with my family.

My pain pump for my chronic pain & nerve disorder can only give me so many doses in a day & doesn't last the entire time before my next dose, so for that hour in between (I get one dose every 3 hrs & it only lasts 2-it's been a work in progress with the pain Dr.) I'm unable to sit for an hour. I will also have to go to the First Aid station to give wait the time needed laying back so it works properly.

This is my first trip since 2008 & I need an ECV (instead of a W/C, because I'm not able to walk as much & my DH had neck surgery)

Is it ppl with mobility issues that aren't getting a DAS?

I'm worried that they will see me as someone with a mobility issue & not the severe pain issue.
I don't have any issue with waiting until I'm pain free enough that I can enjoy an attraction.

I know this system is new, but my trip is in less than 2 wks & I just want to be able to enjoy some attractions that I can, while my family can also enjoy the ones I can't (while we're waiting for a return time)-

Any advice or suggestions?
I haven't been able to do my FP+ yet because my reservation has had a prob with the tickets not showing up in one system, but showing up in another:Confusing!

 

[lanejudy]

People with "just" mobility issues are not using DAS.

What I suggest you do is think about exactly how your pain meds schedule will impact your ability to wait in lines. Then explain that to Guest Relations. Don't discuss mobility, etc. Don't simply state "severe pain issue." Your post above has some good starting points to discuss how your life revolves around the schedule and that you will need to be at First Aid at specific times to administer the meds.

If you are refused a DAS, request to speak with that CM's immediate manager. And then that person's manager. If still refused, I've read suggestions to try at a different park. MK definitely seems to be getting good "reviews" for how DAS is being handled. Sounds like Epcot might have some training issues, but hopefully by the time of your trip that will be resolved.

I so think you'll be fine with your request. Please report back after your trip so we know how it worked for you!

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[TRICKY_TINK]

Alright totally an aside but what's this autistic children posing a danger in the queue thing about? I cannot believe Disney is letting people use that line. That's really offensive. Right there tells you something isn't right. I hope they clear all of this up soon.

I agree. My Son is autistic and honestly he has done a lot of growing up over the last few years. I am hoping we do not need the DAS at all. I will find out in a few weeks. If I do go for one and they ask if my kid is a danger to others, I cannot say yes. For it's just not possible for 9 yr old to be. At least not an autistic one. Although he has kicked me a few times in his life..

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Anybody have any experience of CM position towards adults with autism? It's not like you reach 18 and it disappears.

 

[lovethattink]

We went to Epcot this morning. Our first stop was to the characters. The wait time was 10 minutes, but as luck would have it, by the time I pulled out ds's DAS from the backpack, it was up to 15. I handed his card to the cm and she wrote down the time. She told me she had to give us a return time because it's a 15 minute wait. We expected that when we saw the time change.

We headed over to Journey Into Imagination and I looked down at the time. She wrote down 14 minutes later as his return time?

Any way, someone along the way saw me pull his DAS out and asked us how it was going. That person said the times written on his card for each attraction were the exact wait times. So I guess ds got a bonus of 1 minute.

Did policy change between last Wednesday and today?

 

[ratlenhum]

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.

We got ours no problem at HS on 10/9. We were actually the first DAS issued at the outside GS. Barely any questions asked. They asked what my son needed. I said I wasn't sure how to explain without trying the DAS first and perhaps coming back later if just getting return times didn't help. They took my sons picture and we were done in less than 10 minutes

 

[ratlenhum]

Just left the party. DAS could NOT be used for the princess M&G. I assume that is the same for Enchanted takes and Mickey.

Probably because there are no fast passes during the party? We used DAS for enchanted tales during regular hours

 

[ArielRae]

We went to Epcot this morning. Our first stop was to the characters. The wait time was 10 minutes, but as luck would have it, by the time I pulled out ds's DAS from the backpack, it was up to 15. I handed his card to the cm and she wrote down the time. She told me she had to give us a return time because it's a 15 minute wait. We expected that when we saw the time change.

We headed over to Journey Into Imagination and I looked down at the time. She wrote down 14 minutes later as his return time?
Any way, someone along the way saw me pull his DAS out and asked us how it was going. That person said the times written on his card for each attraction were the exact wait times. So I guess ds got a bonus of 1 minute.

Did policy change between last Wednesday and today?

I don't know if they had a policy change. I can't find anything on their website about if it is 10min or less you can walk on or about them supposed to subtract 10min from the wait time to account for the wait in the FP line to get on.

Here is what I found:

What is a Disability Access Service Card and how does it work?
The DAS Card is designed to accommodate guests who arent able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). A Disability Access Service Card will be issued at Guest Relations main entrance locations and will offer guests a return time for attractions based on the current wait time. As soon as the Guest finishes one attraction, they can receive a return time for another. This service can be used in addition to Disneys FASTPASS Service and Disney FastPass+ service.

Also I think everyone going that has a smart phone should have this link below available to pull up on their phone on demand. It clearly states on their site who can get a card and how it works. guest services can't argue with disney's own website.

Save this link to your phones. Official Disney PDF:
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...ervices/disability_access_service_card_01.pdf

 

[intheshadows]

Be sure to explain your needs.

"I can't wait in line" will receive an answer of "then may I suggest use of a mobility device or our fastpass system?"

PM me for a less general answer.

 

[Iggipolka]

My wife is very worried about the whole DAS issue as she has cognitive and psychiatric issues related to military service, that greatly impact her ability to manage touring the parks w/o assistance. She's pretty much spiraled down into stating "We're going to sell our DVC points and not go to Disney anymore."

My hope is that our upcoming trip to WDW in February will change her mind, but I do think that we won't be traveling during peak times of year anymore. This is unfortunate, since our kids and extended family can only visit when school isn't in session.

I'm really disappointed in the change to the DAS and have written to Disney to express my concerns. I hope that they are paying attention to the feedback they are getting.

 

[Schmeck]

My wife is very worried about the whole DAS issue as she has cognitive and psychiatric issues related to military service, that greatly impact her ability to manage touring the parks w/o assistance. She's pretty much spiraled down into stating "We're going to sell our DVC points and not go to Disney anymore."

My hope is that our upcoming trip to WDW in February will change her mind, but I do think that we won't be traveling during peak times of year anymore. This is unfortunate, since our kids and extended family can only visit when school isn't in session.

I'm really disappointed in the change to the DAS and have written to Disney to express my concerns. I hope that they are paying attention to the feedback they are getting.

How can you be disappointed when you haven't tried it yet? To me, it sounds like everyone has made up their minds that it's not going to work, and they haven't even tried it yet.

 

[tinkerpea]

How can you be disappointed when you haven't tried it yet? To me, it sounds like everyone has made up their minds that it's not going to work, and they haven't even tried it yet.

Because its obvious to many who live with certain conditions and would have used FP and touring plans in the past that the DAS card will not be enough for "some" up enjoy the parks.

Some people without even trying out the new system will already know from daily life struggles that this wont work, by all means many can say "you have not tried it yet" and for others they will try and it will work,but there are those that this system just wont be enough for.

 

[Schmeck]

Because its obvious to many who live with certain conditions and would have used FP and touring plans in the past that the DAS card will not be enough for "some" up enjoy the parks.

Some people without even trying out the new system will already know from daily life struggles that this wont work, by all means many can say "you have not tried it yet" and for others they will try and it will work,but there are those that this system just wont be enough for.

Nothing in the world stays the same, and how do guests with disabilities handle those changes outside of WDW? If they don't handle them, then the programs they are in should be held accountable for not doing their jobs. Our students at school learn all about 'blooper days', because the best laid plans get destroyed by a fire drill, or a broken copy machine, or an absent teacher.

No, the DAS is not unlimited FP access like the old GAC. Are people not willing to try it because they are used to that special access, or unwilling to go the extra step and schedule FP+, use FP, and the DAS? (That's like having 5 GAC-like experiences for attractions, and they work for more attractions than the old GAC used to as well.) I don't see Disney changing their policy to allow any old GAC-like access. I've got a call back number from GS on my answering machine, and I will be discussing this very issue with them some time this week.

 

[OurBigTrip]

My wife is very worried about the whole DAS issue as she has cognitive and psychiatric issues related to military service, that greatly impact her ability to manage touring the parks w/o assistance. She's pretty much spiraled down into stating "We're going to sell our DVC points and not go to Disney anymore."

My hope is that our upcoming trip to WDW in February will change her mind, but I do think that we won't be traveling during peak times of year anymore. This is unfortunate, since our kids and extended family can only visit when school isn't in session.

I'm really disappointed in the change to the DAS and have written to Disney to express my concerns. I hope that they are paying attention to the feedback they are getting.

First, thanks to your wife for her service.

Second, she'll have assistance - she won't have to wait in the lines, she can be away from the crowds and noise while she waits. Or, she can take in shows or rides with shorter wait times, since, for very good reason, the DAS return is a beginning return time, not a hard and fast return time.

 

[samnbilly]

Thx for some of the input.

Honestly, I'm not upset with the change. I'm worried because I heard of other ppl not getting a DAS.

I have to adjust my entire life according to this pump (it has numbing medicine in it to help put out the "fire"

Will they see it as a mobility issue & not give me one?

I feel that I can work with the return times, etc.
as I said, I'm going to have to go to First aid to admin my dose.

I'm just looking for some assistance, not start another, This wasn't a FOTL Pass!

What do I say? My nerve pain makes me unable to wait in lines at certain times, but other times I can?? So confused!!!

For example-if the line was 50 min & I gave myself a pain pump dose 1hr & 45min ago, I cannot wait in that lime because I won't be able to sit down, but if they change my return time, I will be able to? Ugh

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thx for some of the input.

Honestly, I'm not upset with the change. I'm worried because I heard of other ppl not getting a DAS.

I have to adjust my entire life according to this pump (it has numbing medicine in it to help put out the "fire"

Will they see it as a mobility issue & not give me one?

I feel that I can work with the return times, etc.
as I said, I'm going to have to go to First aid to admin my dose.

I'm just looking for some assistance, not start another, This wasn't a FOTL Pass!

What do I say? My nerve pain makes me unable to wait in lines at certain times, but other times I can?? So confused!!!

For example-if the line was 50 min & I gave myself a pain pump dose 1hr & 45min ago, I cannot wait in that lime because I won't be able to sit down, but if they change my return time, I will be able to? Ugh

I would tell them that you have to administer pain medication at exact times during the day, and that while you don't mind waiting for a ride, you can't be stuck in a line when it comes time to administer the medication. Having a DAS, where you can wait outside of the lines and where you aren't tied to an exact return time will give you the flexibility you need to administer your pain meds on the required schedule.

 

[Nixie]

I am not worried because I don't think we will even be trying for one. I am not good at expressing myself and the thought of having to go to guest services to explain what our needs are and why (infront of my children may I add) doesn't sound like fun. It actually sounds like an anxiety producing moment to me. We made I through one trip without one (because I didn't even know they existed). I think with careful planning, FP+, and such we will do what we can. I think for my daughter's needs we will just ask at the rides that have those moving sidewalks to slow them down or stop them. For my son, we will just proceed how we do at other places. We will circle him if in a big crowd, not wait in lines if they are over 20 mins, try and keep a reg eating and break schedule, and just try and go with the flow. I know we will not be able to accomplish everything, but I will try to do as much as we can.

 

[Wishes Count]

Anybody have any experience of CM position towards adults with autism? It's not like you reach 18 and it disappears.

DAS is based on what accommodations you need, not your age, so guests of all ages can be accommodated.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Wishes Count]

I don't know if they had a policy change. I can't find anything on their website about if it is 10min or less you can walk on or about them supposed to subtract 10min from the wait time to account for the wait in the FP line to get on.

Here is what I found:

Also I think everyone going that has a smart phone should have this link below available to pull up on their phone on demand. It clearly states on their site who can get a card and how it works. guest services can't argue with disney's own website.

Save this link to your phones. Official Disney PDF:
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/help/guest-services/cognitive-disabilities-services/disability_access_service_card_01.pdf

I'm just curious. What do you feel is being denied Or what is happening that you feel is contradictory to Disney's official information?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cmwade77]

I am not worried because I don't think we will even be trying for one. I am not good at expressing myself and the thought of having to go to guest services to explain what our needs are and why (infront of my children may I add) doesn't sound like fun. It actually sounds like an anxiety producing moment to me. We made I through one trip without one (because I didn't even know they existed). I think with careful planning, FP+, and such we will do what we can. I think for my daughter's needs we will just ask at the rides that have those moving sidewalks to slow them down or stop them. For my son, we will just proceed how we do at other places. We will circle him if in a big crowd, not wait in lines if they are over 20 mins, try and keep a reg eating and break schedule, and just try and go with the flow. I know we will not be able to accomplish everything, but I will try to do as much as we can.

I am curious how you handle expressing your needs when not at the parks?

Another alternative to verbally explaining is to write down your needs and simply explain when you hand them the note that you are not good at verbally explaining, so you wrote it down for them, that way they don't think it's a doctor's note that they won't look at.

Now, by all means if you can work around needing the assistance, go for it, but my point is that if you need the assistance, there are ways to ask for it without having to be able to express yourself verbally.

Based on my experience at DCA on Friday, I think I am going to write out things that I have to explain at each attraction in a brief manner, so that a CM can see what my needs are at a glance. It does get tiring to say that you need to avoid stairs, etc. at each and every attraction that something might apply to, but there is a way that I can handle it to make it easier on me. Disney used to do this for me under the GAC; however, they were limited by the stamps they had. For example, I can't handle turnstiles in many cases and there was no stamp for that, but I am able to explain this on my own card. As a result, this may turn out to work better for many people.