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

[aaarcher86]

my son's going on a grant a wish..do I have to get a das card? just wondering...

If that is the same as Make A Wish then he will be using a special system of his own, not DAS.

 

[Gracie09]

my son's going on a grant a wish..do I have to get a das card? just wondering...

You should contact make a wish. They have a different procedure for wish trips. I hope your family has an incredible time

 

[whitebayou]

Thanks....

 

[ShhhQ]

I am worried for other reasons. The first specifically being that I will be walking my child up to the ride- hence he will see the ride and think we are going on it. He'll get excited. Then I will break his little heart as we walk away from it because he doesn't have the cognitive abilities to understand why we aren't going on the ride. He will just understand that he wants it, we went to it, and now he can't have it. And he isn't even close to understanding about time. For that reason, I think the kiosks would work. The funny really not so funny) the folks at Disneyland are complaining about all the extra walking the kiosks create. And while I think they would work better for our circumstance, they are right. With 1 kiosk in each land, you are forced to walk back and forth from it for every ride, which also creates lots of extra walking. I just hope they figure out soon how to make this system better. We are going the first week of December, and unfortunately I am not looking forward to this trip at all. And I should be. :/

You make an excellent point...Maybe you should email Disney and ask for their advice. Maybe if they hear from enough people with this kind of issue, they will realize how important kiosks are and expedite them... Just a suggestion.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have a very hard time going up or down steps. Is that something I can get accommodated for? I use a cane or scooter for getting around, but even 1 step is hard, I cannot do one without a hand or handrail. I am concerned about shows like Finding Nemo, festival of Lion King, even Fantasmic. I had always had to explain to CMs, and some were more understanding than others.

Thanks.
Bobbi

 

[AndreaA]

I disagree about the FP number. My survey averaged at 3. We use at least 3, usually 4.

For endurance/walking issues, WDW strongly recommends an ECV or wheelchair. WDW is huge (compared to Disneyland) and even the walk from the bus to the gate can be quite a hike.

Do you realize that KPeveler uses manual wheelchair in her everyday life? She is saying that she cannot push herself around in circles all day, and I quite agree with her that it is asking way too much from people who are already at a disadvantage physically/cognitively.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Thank you to everyone for the great advise and feedback with experiences obtaining and using the DAS system.
I have seizure disorder and another neurological disorder and our DS has Autism/ADHD. As my symptoms have progressed we starting getting the GAC. Then my son was diagnosed and his "issues" are a matter of safety to him and those around him. We got him his own card because there were some rides my husband would take him on which I would be unable to ride.
Being a teacher we are limited to when we are able to travel. The heat is not good for my Dystonia either so no matter when we go it is DS' diagnosis hit hard or mine...or both.
We will be in WDW for Christmas (22-30). FP+ and Dining Ressies have been booked on the first available day.
I have written out, for each of us, what accommodation(s) we need and bullet points under each accommodation as to why it is needed.
We will arrive some time the 22 and are staying on property. Are we able to get our DAS Cards on the 22nd at one of the GR windows outside of one of the parks? DS will be able to do better with that since we usually ride the Monorail our first night anyway than have to go to GR at our first park when he is ready to go. With a new program he will spend 1/2 an hour holding up the line as to how HE thinks it should be and how HE will fix it when HE works for Disney. Yep we've tried to prepare him for the difference...Gotta love the Aspie mind.

 

[jlaalja]

I am worried for other reasons. The first specifically being that I will be walking my child up to the ride- hence he will see the ride and think we are going on it. He'll get excited. Then I will break his little heart as we walk away from it because he doesn't have the cognitive abilities to understand why we aren't going on the ride. He will just understand that he wants it, we went to it, and now he can't have it. And he isn't even close to understanding about time. For that reason, I think the kiosks would work. The funny really not so funny) the folks at Disneyland are complaining about all the extra walking the kiosks create. And while I think they would work better for our circumstance, they are right. With 1 kiosk in each land, you are forced to walk back and forth from it for every ride, which also creates lots of extra walking. I just hope they figure out soon how to make this system better. We are going the first week of December, and unfortunately I am not looking forward to this trip at all. And I should be. :/

I'm in the same situation with my daughter. She will not understand why we aren't riding the ride she sees when we are getting the return time. This could create major meltdowns. Unfortunately, she can become "fixated" on something and can't let it go. We will try to avoid her seeing it (have someone else get the return time) as much as possible but not always logistically practical. We will try to make it work! Still nervous.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes but Disney is Excellent about giving people OPTIONS! Such as if you don't want to do the finger scan, fine show a picture ID such as your Drivers license with your ticket media and no need to do the finger scan.
It appears, they are giving people the option to say 'no' if they are ASKING 'do you mind if I take your picture?' Personally, I don't care if it is on the DAS. I said they should have put them on the GACs a long time ago! But then again, I also said that the GAC did almost always shorten the wait time but was always 'corrected' and told that was not true/accurate. Funny?? If it didn't, why did so many people want them.... so much so that they needed to do away with the GAC totally??!!

That was apparently your experience, but not everyone's.
What happened depended on the stamp/stamps people had on their GAC. Some stamps had nothing at all to do with time and were for things like front row seating or a waiting place out of the sun.

As I usually said, a person's wait using a GAC could be shorter, longer or the same as someone not using a GAC.
And , plenty of people had the experience of waiting longer.
The GAC card and now the DAS do say:
- please use Disney FASTPASS Service to reduce your wait time
- this service does not provide immediate or priority attraction access

The DAS is clearer in the Terms and Conditions and does say "when utilizing this service, it is possible to experience waits greater than the posted wait time."

 

[KPeveler]

That was apparently your experience, but not everyone's.
What happened depended on the stamp/stamps people had on their GAC. Some stamps had nothing at all to do with time and were for things like front row seating or a waiting place out of the sun.

As I usually said, a person's wait using a GAC could be shorter, longer or the same as someone not using a GAC.
And , plenty of people had the experience of waiting longer.
The GAC card and now the DAS do say:
- please use Disney FASTPASS Service to reduce your wait time
- this service does not provide immediate or priority attraction access

The DAS is clearer in the Terms and Conditions and does say "when utilizing this service, it is possible to experience waits greater than the posted wait time."

Yes, my friend had a GAC, tried to use it to go in the alternate entrance/waiting area of Matterhorn (accessible queue) - and they told her to wait in the line. Her GAC had nothing to do with a wait - it said she could sit in the front row of a theatre due to her vision impairment. She was really annoyed because she thought a GAC meant skipping lines. Not all GACs were about accessing a line. In fact, the people on camera and the ones running the rental scams - that was about ONE stamp of the many that were available. It just got the most press, and so assumptions were made.

And not only are there terms and conditions on the DAS about waiting, but they make you sign your full name under them, saying you read them and agree. So they are covering themselves on that one.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Thank you to everyone for the great advise and feedback with experiences obtaining and using the DAS system.
I have seizure disorder and another neurological disorder and our DS has Autism/ADHD. As my symptoms have progressed we starting getting the GAC. Then my son was diagnosed and his "issues" are a matter of safety to him and those around him. We got him his own card because there were some rides my husband would take him on which I would be unable to ride.
Being a teacher we are limited to when we are able to travel. The heat is not good for my Dystonia either so no matter when we go it is DS' diagnosis hit hard or mine...or both.
We will be in WDW for Christmas (22-30). FP+ and Dining Ressies have been booked on the first available day.
I have written out, for each of us, what accommodation(s) we need and bullet points under each accommodation as to why it is needed.
We will arrive some time the 22 and are staying on property. Are we able to get our DAS Cards on the 22nd at one of the GR windows outside of one of the parks? DS will be able to do better with that since we usually ride the Monorail our first night anyway than have to go to GR at our first park when he is ready to go. With a new program he will spend 1/2 an hour holding up the line as to how HE thinks it should be and how HE will fix it when HE works for Disney. Yep we've tried to prepare him for the difference...Gotta love the Aspie mind.

Oh my gosh! Thank you for the idea of going the night before to get a DAS! I have been fretting all week about how we are going to convince my autistic son that we had to go get a DAS card when were supposed to be riding rides! I hope this can be done. Thanks again for the idea

 

[stitchlovestink]

That was apparently your experience, but not everyone's.
What happened depended on the stamp/stamps people had on their GAC. Some stamps had nothing at all to do with time and were for things like front row seating or a waiting place out of the sun.

As I usually said, a person's wait using a GAC could be shorter, longer or the same as someone not using a GAC.
And , plenty of people had the experience of waiting longer.
The GAC card and now the DAS do say:
- please use Disney FASTPASS Service to reduce your wait time
- this service does not provide immediate or priority attraction access

The DAS is clearer in the Terms and Conditions and does say "when utilizing this service, it is possible to experience waits greater than the posted wait time."

I didn' t say it was *everyone's*. But if you read elsewhere other than THIS board, it was clearly the majority!! I mean seriously? Why would people want to cheat the system if it was INCREASING their wait time? Can you honestly explain to me why someone would do that? I would like to understand... I am being serious... I would like to truly understand the thought process behind that.
And I know that FP statement was previously printed on the GAC but in our experience, WE NEVER saw it enforced...not saying it wasn't....but not in our presence....nor when I used mine.

It was smart of Disney to specifically clarify this on the DAS esp since they have changed the whole system so drastically.

Oh and BTW, the article that You referenced yourself (in post one I believe...Theme Park Insider article) about the need to revamp the GAC clearly talks about it giving front of the line access (which is what it did "most" of the time!) And how that would no longer be the case with the new DAS. So I am not making this up. You referenced it yourself as well.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Oh my gosh! Thank you for the idea of going the night before to get a DAS! I have been fretting all week about how we are going to convince my autistic son that we had to go get a DAS card when were supposed to be riding rides! I hope this can be done. Thanks again for the idea

This is why I am hoping someone can give a yes or no. Not only is there DS, but also DD who is NT and will not be all too excited to have to wait for her brother. And with my disabilities I can't exactly send DD off with DH.
The more we have gone to Disney the more we have tried to teach DS the art of flexibility. He doesn't see me do the dining ressies, but now scheduling the FP+s 60 days out, not being able to use the FP+s split in other parks so there is no need for PH (we canceled our PH and saved!), just the little things that we were able to use to teach flexibility and then the ride/park/show/meal would be the positive consequence now appear to be a little more complicated.
Oh well...we will figure it out.

 

[cmwade77]

The reason is that there was a perception that it reduced wait times. And yes, there were attractions where it did and attractions where it didn't. I did do some comparisons on wait times by simply noting the standby line times throughout the day and noting how long I waited at each attraction and overall it was within 15 minutes of the standby lines each day I did this. But there were attractions where the wait was substantially shorter and ones that were longer. The ones that were longer were usually the ones that had stairs or other physical barriers.

Now the potential for abuse is if someone only used the GAC on the attractions that had the shorter waits. Someone abusing the system had the ability to do just these and use the regular lines at other attractions.

Given this, the wait times are not really an issue in and of themselves, what is an issue is the extra traveling. Once this is fixed, most people that truly needed the GAC will likely find that they are able to do more attractions under the new system.

 

[cmwade77]

This is why I am hoping someone can give a yes or no. Not only is there DS, but also DD who is NT and will not be all too excited to have to wait for her brother. And with my disabilities I can't exactly send DD off with DH.
The more we have gone to Disney the more we have tried to teach DS the art of flexibility. He doesn't see me do the dining ressies, but now scheduling the FP+s 60 days out, not being able to use the FP+s split in other parks so there is no need for PH (we canceled our PH and saved!), just the little things that we were able to use to teach flexibility and then the ride/park/show/meal would be the positive consequence now appear to be a little more complicated.
Oh well...we will figure it out.

I don't see why not, people have reported getting the DAS at GR outside the animal Kingdom gates.

 

[mrzrich]

. Are we able to get our DAS Cards on the 22nd at one of the GR windows outside of one of the parks? DS will be able to do better with that since we usually ride the Monorail our first night anyway than have to go to GR at our first park when he is ready to go. With a new program he will spend 1/2 an hour holding up the line as to how HE thinks it should be and how HE will fix it when HE works for Disney. Yep we've tried to prepare him for the difference...Gotta love the Aspie mind.

Yes you can get a DAS at the GS that are outside of the turnstiles. We did this at MK

 

[mrsksomeday]

Yes you can get a DAS at the GS that are outside of the turnstiles. We did this at MK

Thank you so much for this confirmation!!

 

[stitchlovestink]

The reason is that there was a perception that it reduced wait times. And yes, there were attractions where it did and attractions where it didn't. I did do some comparisons on wait times by simply noting the standby line times throughout the day and noting how long I waited at each attraction and overall it was within 15 minutes of the standby lines each day I did this. But there were attractions where the wait was substantially shorter and ones that were longer. The ones that were longer were usually the ones that had stairs or other physical barriers.

Now the potential for abuse is if someone only used the GAC on the attractions that had the shorter waits. Someone abusing the system had the ability to do just these and use the regular lines at other attractions.

Given this, the wait times are not really an issue in and of themselves, what is an issue is the extra traveling. Once this is fixed, most people that truly needed the GAC will likely find that they are able to do more attractions under the new system.

Bolding is mine...
Really?
Interesting findings in your research. We would see a standby wait time for Splash Mtn of at least 60 min, if not more, and using the GAC we were on and off the ride in under 30 min and that INCLUDED the ride time. Using an ECV I would board at the exit because of the stairs.

But I have to disagree with you on being able to do more attractions....maybe most people. But some due to individual circumstances will be more limited under this system. But at this point Disney has made its decision and it is what it is.

 

[cmwade77]

Bolding is mine...
Really?
Interesting findings in your research. We would see a standby wait time for Splash Mtn of at least 60 min, if not more, and using the GAC we were on and off the ride in under 30 min and that INCLUDED the ride time. Using an ECV I would board at the exit because of the stairs.

But I have to disagree with you on being able to do more attractions....maybe most people. But some due to individual circumstances will be more limited under this system. But at this point Disney has made its decision and it is what it is.

I definitely used the word most for a reason, there will be exceptions, as you say depending on needs. These are based on my experiences and my needs, but it did seem to average out.

 

[Sunnywho]

Some days while we are there I will, and some we are going solo. For my hubby it is a work/ vacation trip. But I imagine all the single parents that are traveling with just their SN children are having similar thoughts. Maybe disney should start providing "runners" for all of us. Lol.

If you explain at Guest Services, they may be able to offer extra accommodations for the days you are solo. ReAds might be appropriate but they'd have to decide that.