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

[SueM in MN]

The Genie is literally just a Blue Genie (from Aladdin) shaped out of a flimsy plastic material that has a spot punched on the top to clip to a lanyard (which funnily enough, they don't provide, so we used the universal one). The plastic is definitely not strong enough to withstand being clipped for 3 days, so my guess is that maybe theirs broke and was probably being help in a pocket or something. Same thing happened to ours halfway through the first day. There is no way to get a replacement if yours breaks so I had to get creative on attaching ours to the lanyard the rest of the time.
Yes, it is one figure for the group. Maybe an adult was wearing it so it didn't get broke. My son was adamant that he wear his since it was his wish!

Thanks.
I actually saw a whole bunch if them today at Epcot.
There was a group of people with disabilities from and organization called Dream Flight.
http://dreamflight.org/what-is-dreamflight-childrens-charity
Here's a link to a British TV story about this years trip:
http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2013-10-21/children-off-to-disney-world-on-the-dreamflight/
That group had lots of them and theirs looked pretty good shape.

I also saw a couple of other individual families with one.

 

[SueM in MN]

I used the standard Disability.Services@DisneyParks.com I stated my son's specific needs (sensory, spatial, fixed thought process, and voiding habits) and asked specifics around when and where I could get a DAS. With his fixed thought process I was very concerned about having to go to GS as soon as we got there when he would be expecting to go straight to rides. I also didn't want to waste his "good" time (mornings are much better than afternoons) waiting in line for a DAS.

That is the address they have posted on their website and also in the Guidebook for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities.

Glad to hear they were helpful to you.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I used the standard Disability.Services@DisneyParks.com I stated my son's specific needs (sensory, spatial, fixed thought process, and voiding habits) and asked specifics around when and where I could get a DAS. With his fixed thought process I was very concerned about having to go to GS as soon as we got there when he would be expecting to go straight to rides. I also didn't want to waste his "good" time (mornings are much better than afternoons) waiting in line for a DAS.

Thanks!

 

[Flinger]

We arrive on Saturday afternoon, but don't plan to really go to the parks until Sunday morning. My fear is it will be quite crowded Sunday morning at the DAS window. Is there any way I can take my daughter late Saturday afternoon or evening to MK and get a DAS without burning a 5 day hopper pass day? If so, how do I make sure they don't dock my hopper day?

 

[livndisney]

We arrive on Saturday afternoon, but don't plan to really go to the parks until Sunday morning. My fear is it will be quite crowded Sunday morning at the DAS window. Is there any way I can take my daughter late Saturday afternoon or evening to MK and get a DAS without burning a 5 day hopper pass day? If so, how do I make sure they don't dock my hopper day?

Go to a Guest Service window outside one of the park entrances.

 

[SueM in MN]

We arrive on Saturday afternoon, but don't plan to really go to the parks until Sunday morning. My fear is it will be quite crowded Sunday morning at the DAS window. Is there any way I can take my daughter late Saturday afternoon or evening to MK and get a DAS without burning a 5 day hopper pass day? If so, how do I make sure they don't dock my hopper day?

Copied from post 1 of this thread (DAS FAQs)

You can go to Guest Relations outside of Any Theme Park without entering the park.
You do need to go thru the security bag checkpoint to get to the outside of the park Guest Relations, but you don't need to actually enter the park. Once you are actually in the park area, look for Guest Relations in the 'wall' of the buildings that make up the outside wall of the park.

MK
Outside of the park Guest Relations is to the right when you face the front of the park after you go thru the bag check point.
Inside of the park Guest Relations is on the left in City Hall after you pass under the train station.
Epcot
Outside of the park Guest Relations is almost straight across from the monorail exit, on the right side of the park entrance. Bag check is closer to the left side of the park entrance; after going thru bag check, go right past the ticket booths and you will find it.
Inside of the park Guest Relations is to the left, after you pass Spaceship Earth.
There is also a Guest Relations booth at the International Gateway, but it appears they may NOT be issuing DAS cards there.
DHS and AK
Outside of the park Guest Relations is to the left as you face the park entrance.
Inside the park Guest Relations is also to the left, soon after you pass thru to actually enter the park.

 

[Erin1700]

Go to a Guest Service window outside one of the park entrances.

Is there one at the back entrance to Epcot?

 

[SueM in MN]

Is there one at the back entrance to Epcot?

Yes.
You can also go there. I thought I had edited it to say that people had gotten DAS cards there, but it still says they may not be issuing them there.
The whole list is in my post about 2 posts up from this.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Just picked up DS's DAS card today at the Guest services outside of the MK. I was able to had them a paper where I had DS's needs written down so I didn't have to say it out loud. They read the paper and told me he qualified and went thru the speal on how it works. Then he came out and took DS's picture for the card. Printed out the card and We were on our way. Hope this helps those wondering about being able to hand a letter over rather then say it out loud incase the person needing the card is sensitive to that.

Great idea! I am going next week with my nephew and he does not need me to cue his behaviors by hearing me refer to the reasons he can't always wait in a line. I would rather not ask for trouble! When we were able to have a GAC I never told him what it allowed us to I would just pull it out when necessary.

 

[Lsdolphin]

My nephew has multiple disabilities including ASD, BiPolar, OCD, ADHD, and vision issues. Bottom line although he is ambulatory he has poor balance and depth perception issues which make it difficult for him to access rides with moving walkways and/or steps. In the past the GAC has allowed us the opportunity to ask the CM for assistance and sometimes access alternate entrances to ride. Adam is over 6 ft tall and it is sometimes difficult for me to hold his arm to support and guide him onto ride without him becoming panicky.

This assistance has not necessarily resulted in shorter wait times but has provided a place to wait where we are not closely surrounded by a large number of people. Also the CM have stopped a ride to allow us to board. Under the new DAS system will we still be able to get the same kind of assistance?

The 3 fastpass+ allocation is probably all we would need providing he will be ready to go on a particular ride at the time on our pass. but I would like to be prepared.

 

[Erin1700]

Not knowing exactly how the new DASC will work + not knowing how my fp+ choices will work out + my son and his issues = a very very stressed out mom!!!

I am not looking forward to our trip at all. We leave 12/3.

 

[lanejudy]

My nephew has multiple disabilities including ASD, BiPolar, OCD, ADHD, and vision issues. Bottom line although he is ambulatory he has poor balance and depth perception issues which make it difficult for him to access rides with moving walkways and/or steps. In the past the GAC has allowed us the opportunity to ask the CM for assistance and sometimes access alternate entrances to ride. Adam is over 6 ft tall and it is sometimes difficult for me to hold his arm to support and guide him onto ride without him becoming panicky.

This assistance has not necessarily resulted in shorter wait times but has provided a place to wait where we are not closely surrounded by a large number of people. Also the CM have stopped a ride to allow us to board. Under the new DAS system will we still be able to get the same kind of assistance?

The 3 fastpass+ allocation is probably all we would need providing he will be ready to go on a particular ride at the time on our pass. but I would like to be prepared.

My understanding is that if you simply wish to have the moving walkways slowed/stopped and/or to avoid stairs, then you just need to mention it to the first CM you see at each attraction. There is no need for a DAS, which is basically to provide an alternative waiting area. If your son requires an alternative waiting area in addition to having the moving walkways slowed/stopped and avoiding stairs, then you should go to Guest Relations and discuss those issues specific to his waiting.

Please note that it is against WDW policy for CMs to physically (hands-on) assist a guest entering/exiting a ride vehicle. Can another person come with you to help support and guide him?

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

My understanding is that if you simply wish to have the moving walkways slowed/stopped and/or to avoid stairs, then you just need to mention it to the first CM you see at each attraction. There is no need for a DAS, which is basically to provide an alternative waiting area. If your son requires an alternative waiting area in addition to having the moving walkways slowed/stopped and avoiding stairs, then you should go to Guest Relations and discuss those issues specific to his waiting.

Please note that it is against WDW policy for CMs to physically (hands-on) assist a guest entering/exiting a ride vehicle. Can another person come with you to help support and guide him?

Enjoy your vacation!

Agree with what lanejudy wrote. That is what Disney's new DAS procedure says to do.
If you have not read post one of this thread, the DAS FAQs in that post are a good place to start.

We are here now, with DD in a wheelchair. We have seen people who did not have wheelchairs using the same boarding area as us at Haunted Mansion, Toy Story Mania and Buzz Lightyear.
In one case, one of the people had a cane (so did have visible need) and in another case, they were right behind us and I heard them explain they needed the walkway stopped because of balance issues.

 

[lovethattink]

Not knowing exactly how the new DASC will work + not knowing how my fp+ choices will work out + my son and his issues = a very very stressed out mom!!!

I am not looking forward to our trip at all. We leave 12/3.

I understand how frustrating unknowns can be. You have almost a month to research and figure out what will work out best for your son.

I don't know what your son's issues are, but these are things that helped us.

1. Get the DAS the day before you need it, if possible.
(We went at night when ds would not be out in the heat or sun.)

2. Have someone wait in the GS line while ds and someone else walk around or look at things. Then join you when it's your turn at the counter.
(Our wait was 35 minutes, by the time we got to the counter, ds was DONE. Lesson learned and didn't do that again.)

3. Use a runner to get times so that ds doesn't have to walk away from attractions and go back to them.

4. Pay attention to current wait times and plan DAS and FP- accordingly.
(Obviously, this can't be done ahead of time, but it worked out great for our son on Monday evening. He and dh got a FP- for Buzz. I got a return time for Enchanted Tales. We returned to Enchanted tales, then headed to Buzz. Stopped at Pooh and got a wait time, then proceeded to Buzz. We didn't, but since we were in the window to get a new FP- time, we could have stopped by one of the machines and got one for Dumbo, Under the Sea, or Philharmagic before going to Buzz.

Hope this helps. Things went very well for us Monday. It's been hit or miss with ds and the DAS depending on how he is that particular day. Monday and the first day went very well though.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I understand how frustrating unknowns can be. You have almost a month to research and figure out what will work out best for your son.

I don't know what your son's issues are, but these are things that helped us.

1. Get the DAS the day before you need it, if possible.
(We went at night when ds would not be out in the heat or sun.)

2. Have someone wait in the GS line while ds and someone else walk around or look at things. Then join you when it's your turn at the counter.
(Our wait was 35 minutes, by the time we got to the counter, ds was DONE. Lesson learned and didn't do that again.)

3. Use a runner to get times so that ds doesn't have to walk away from attractions and go back to them.

4. Pay attention to current wait times and plan DAS and FP- accordingly.
(Obviously, this can't be done ahead of time, but it worked out great for our son on Monday evening. He and dh got a FP- for Buzz. I got a return time for Enchanted Tales. We returned to Enchanted tales, then headed to Buzz. Stopped at Pooh and got a wait time, then proceeded to Buzz. We didn't, but since we were in the window to get a new FP- time, we could have stopped by one of the machines and got one for Dumbo, Under the Sea, or Philharmagic before going to Buzz.

Hope this helps. Things went very well for us Monday. It's been hit or miss with ds and the DAS depending on how he is that particular day. Monday and the first day went very well though.

I hope I manage all this o.k. next week. I feel like I'm organized. Well maybe not as much as some on DISboards with a binder and all, but I've got an itinerary to start with, which will clearly change for my ASD boy, but something to start with. It's just every time I hear someone describe their day with DAS I get dizzy trying to follow it! Lol!
How is everyone keeping all this straight in there minds while in the parks?

 

[Lsdolphin]

Agree with what lanejudy wrote. That is what Disney's new DAS procedure says to do.
If you have not read post one of this thread, the DAS FAQs in that post are a good place to start.

We are here now, with DD in a wheelchair. We have seen people who did not have wheelchairs using the same boarding area as us at Haunted Mansion, Toy Story Mania and Buzz Lightyear.
In one case, one of the people had a cane (so did have visible need) and in another case, they were right behind us and I heard them explain they needed the walkway stopped because of balance issues.

Thank you so much! We will be arriving next Thurs. but of course I have not told my nephew yet so hard to keep my mouth shut when I am so excited!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I haven't read through this entire thread, I actually couldn't make it through the first post. I have lots of questions and sad about the new system but hey what are you gonna do?

I'm part of an agency that takes individuals with developmental disabilities on vacations who otherwise wouldn't be able to travel on their own. I escort a group of 8 people to WDW once a year, along with my fiancé who accompanies the groups with me we travel in a group of 10. The size of our group puts us in a different situation, we don't have one person with a disability and 9 other people, we have 8 folks with special needs and 2 who are there to accompany them. In the past with GAC we would get 2 cards for the group, with the new system would we get 8 or 10 cards? I can find this very time consuming having to get all the cards stamped with a return time (if that's even how it works, I'm not sure). I know another group just like ours went last month and they only got to experience half of what they normally do. It's sad because I feel with the new system it forces you to do more commando planning which is very difficult with a group of our size and dynamic. Getting our group from point A to point B probably takes 3 times as long as others so returning for fastpass times or these new wait times means we will have to stay closer and experience less. I'm not trying to complain but I'm wondering what suggestions anyone may have to make the new system run smoothly for our group. Also we sometimes have someone in a wheel chair as part out our group, I've hear their access is different but limited to how many can ride with them. How would a wheelchair and group of 10 work? I hope I followed the guidelines in my post. Thanks.

 

[IndianaPrincess]

Can someone assist me with how the DAS works with character meet and greets at Disneyworld. We went to Disneyland last month and the kids didn't get to meet any characters unless we just ran into them on the street (they do not have any means to use the DAS for characters there).

So I understand that if the character has a fastpass available, then you can get a return time. I am having trouble finding which characters this applies to. Please tell me if I have this right...

At Magic Kingdom, you can get a return time for Mickey and the four princesses at Princess Faire and Enchanted Tales with Belle (not a meet and greet but you get close to a character so I'm putting it on my list). Ariel does not have fastpass, the Sideshow characters does not have fastpass, the fairies do not have fastpass. Merida??? Am I missing anyone or anyplace?

Okay next question - For the princesses, would we need to get a return time twice? I haven't been there but I get the feeling that it is 2 and 2, not 4.

THANK YOU!

 

[englishrose47]

I haven't read through this entire thread, I actually couldn't make it through the first post. I have lots of questions and sad about the new system but hey what are you gonna do?

I'm part of an agency that takes individuals with developmental disabilities on vacations who otherwise wouldn't be able to travel on their own. I escort a group of 8 people to WDW once a year, along with my fiancé who accompanies the groups with me we travel in a group of 10. The size of our group puts us in a different situation, we don't have one person with a disability and 9 other people, we have 8 folks with special needs and 2 who are there to accompany them. In the past with GAC we would get 2 cards for the group, with the new system would we get 8 or 10 cards? I can find this very time consuming having to get all the cards stamped with a return time (if that's even how it works, I'm not sure). I know another group just like ours went last month and they only got to experience half of what they normally do. It's sad because I feel with the new system it forces you to do more commando planning which is very difficult with a group of our size and dynamic. Getting our group from point A to point B probably takes 3 times as long as others so returning for fastpass times or these new wait times means we will have to stay closer and experience less. I'm not trying to complain but I'm wondering what suggestions anyone may have to make the new system run smoothly for our group. Also we sometimes have someone in a wheel chair as part out our group, I've hear their access is different but limited to how many can ride with them. How would a wheelchair and group of 10 work? I hope I followed the guidelines in my post. Thanks.

Dan you said it well !!I am another escort for the same agency and our situation is differnt . I do know we can ger multiple cards that would be for 5 each . Our situation is similar to anyone traveling alone with someone who needs a DAS. Running ahead leaves the other with all 8 , so really not an option. As Dan says Commando style planning is needed and of course there is no one we will be able to do as much. We used to Park Hop but that is pretty much out now !! I totally understand the need for the change, but am just trying to figure out how to give the "Guys" the most experience possible. I did not know before that CMs were NOT allowed to assist. But if they would stop the belt we could manage !

 

[pixietwin]

I cannot read through 80 plus pages of comments. But this is how I feel...I have multiple disabilities and my husband has MS. In 2010 we both went and used a GAC card. Since I cannot sit or stand for long periods of time, it really made the trip bearable. I just cannot wait in lines. I have to use the ECV the whole trip. We had reservations at Poly for Feb 2014 before the announcement of the new disability changes. But after this, we are cancelling our trip. I have good memories. I wish we could go back but we cannot handle the new requirements of getting the fast pass. I read how many people use 'runners' to go back and forth to pick up the fast passes. Can't do this. So we're sad to cancel the trip but do so knowing our limitations.