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

[englishrose47]

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.

I know of others who are doing the same thing !

 

[lovethattink]

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?

I'm sure you'll be fine. You already know it's going to be more work on your behalf and you'll get less accomplished in the same amount of time. There is so much magic at Disney besides the attractions. You'll probably begin to notice how much you've missed, once you stop and smell the roses trying to pass the time away. There is much attention to detail. If your son is anything like mine, mine loves that attention to detail and gets thrilled about those little things.

We went to the MK last night. I think we've got this down pat now.
-arrived in the park at 5:45. I went for return time at JC. Dh and ds took their time going to the castle to wait for the 6:15 holiday show.
-I met up with them and we watched the show.
-After the show we got a FP- for Winnie the Pooh
-rode JC
-Got a return time for the Cinderella M&G
-Played one portal of Sorcerers
-Stopped behind the Christmas store and picked up new packs or sorcerer's cards. They were handing out the Halloween cards and last year's Christmas card!
-Went for return time for Cinderella. The FP line was huge. I asked the cm if she had any idea how long the wait would be. She said not an exact time, but possible a half hour wait. I had two kids with ASD with me. One was already pacing and hitting the wall, so we got out of line.
-Rode Winnie the Pooh using our FP
-Stand by for IASM was 5 minutes. Got in the w/c queue. Our wait for a boat to transfer into was approx. 15 minutes.
-ate dinner at the Columbia Harbour House.
-Stand by for Pirates was 5 minutes. Rode pirates.
-went home

The park was packed, and I felt it was a very successful visit with going on rides within a short window. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom kept ds occupied in between. We were there about 4 hours and we accomplished more than we usually do.

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!

Character M&G with DAS can only be done at meets that have the FP+ queue open and a posted time in place. There are only a limited number of M&G that meet this criteria. Ex. Mickey & Minnie at AK and MK, the princesses at Fairytale Hall, Character Spot in Epcot, am I missing any?

Yes, for the princesses there are two separate entrances. You would need a return time for Cinderella and Aurora, then another return time for Rapunzel and Snow White.

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 !

Rosie, I haven't tried to go it alone with JJ yet. But I can't imagine going without a runner. I'm exhausted this morning after all my running around last night. I covered a lot of territory, but I need the exercise.

Dan, I suggest you call or email Disney and see what they suggest.

I learned something new last night about the Jungle Cruise. And it actually made things work better. When I got a return time for JC, the cm informed me that I need to ask for a rope boat. This way the boat is tied to the dock in such a way that it doesn't rock. JJ was able to get right in with assistance from us, sure made the transfer much easier the three of us. I got in the boat and assisted, dh assisted him from outside. In the past, we were lifting him into the rocking boat, I worried about him getting a foot stuck between the boat and dock, and it hurt our backs. The time before he stayed in the w/c, but that isn't necessary since he CAN transfer. Now we know to ask for the rope boat.

 

[delmar411]

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!

From the top of my head, you should be able to get a return time for:

Ariel's grotto (she has FP+)
Mickey
Fairies ( it has a time to return and we've used the old GAC there before.. You go in the exit...I have not used the new card there so I'd just ask how it is handled now)
Belle
Cinderella and friend
Rapunzel and friend

I think that is it. Supposedly anything that has a standby wait time posted is something you can get a return time for so jus ask if you a character M&G with a posted wait time.

 

[Schmeck]

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.

The DAS time does not expire until you use it, so you can take your time getting there. If the FP queue is wheelchair accessible (and most are) then that is the queue you will be in. The Cm at each attraction will instruct you on where to go and what to do. It can vary from hour to hour, depending on wait time, etc.

 

[doberlady]

Do you go to the ride that you want a return time for to have them write the return time on your card.

I read there are kiosks- are there several or at least 1 in each area?

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

Since you have the ECV, couldn't you go on ahead of your husband and get a return time? Then, when he catches up with you, either do something else in the area until your time comes? Or get the retrn time then meet him somewhere and do a different attraction/show?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do you go to the ride that you want a return time for to have them write the return time on your card.

I read there are kiosks- are there several or at least 1 in each area?

Kiosks are at Disneyland; the return times at Walt Disney World are assigned at each attraction.

 

[SueM in MN]

Do you go to the ride that you want a return time for to have them write the return time on your card.

I read there are kiosks- are there several or at least 1 in each area?

If you have not read post 1 of this thread, I would recommend checking it out.
It has FAQs about DAS, specific to WDW.

 

[1girln3boys]

I'm thinking of requesting a DAS for my bday trip. In the past we've gotten the GAC for my son Nd used FPs for rides he didn't want to ride. But now that we can only use FP+ I think I might request one. I don't mind waiting but I have fibromyalgia and standing still for a long period of time causes me pain in my legs. So I have to keep moving. And no I can't just get a wheel chair bc sitting for to long causes my back to hurt. I'm always in pain but it gets worse being still I have to move.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I'm sure you'll be fine. You already know it's going to be more work on your behalf and you'll get less accomplished in the same amount of time. There is so much magic at Disney besides the attractions. You'll probably begin to notice how much you've missed, once you stop and smell the roses trying to pass the time away. There is much attention to detail. If your son is anything like mine, mine loves that attention to detail and gets thrilled about those little things.

We went to the MK last night. I think we've got this down pat now.
-arrived in the park at 5:45. I went for return time at JC. Dh and ds took their time going to the castle to wait for the 6:15 holiday show.
-I met up with them and we watched the show.
-After the show we got a FP- for Winnie the Pooh
-rode JC
-Got a return time for the Cinderella M&G
-Played one portal of Sorcerers
-Stopped behind the Christmas store and picked up new packs or sorcerer's cards. They were handing out the Halloween cards and last year's Christmas card!
-Went for return time for Cinderella. The FP line was huge. I asked the cm if she had any idea how long the wait would be. She said not an exact time, but possible a half hour wait. I had two kids with ASD with me. One was already pacing and hitting the wall, so we got out of line.
-Rode Winnie the Pooh using our FP
-Stand by for IASM was 5 minutes. Got in the w/c queue. Our wait for a boat to transfer into was approx. 15 minutes.
-ate dinner at the Columbia Harbour House.
-Stand by for Pirates was 5 minutes. Rode pirates.
-went home

The park was packed, and I felt it was a very successful visit with going on rides within a short window. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom kept ds occupied in between. We were there about 4 hours and we accomplished more than we usually do.

I learned something new last night about the Jungle Cruise. And it actually made things work better. When I got a return time for JC, the cm informed me that I need to ask for a rope boat. This way the boat is tied to the dock in such a way that it doesn't rock. JJ was able to get right in with assistance from us, sure made the transfer much easier the three of us. I got in the boat and assisted, dh assisted him from outside. In the past, we were lifting him into the rocking boat, I worried about him getting a foot stuck between the boat and dock, and it hurt our backs. The time before he stayed in the w/c, but that isn't necessary since he CAN transfer. Now we know to ask for the rope boat.

It sounds like you were still able to get a lot done! I just worry because I know I'm not organized and have trouble thinking ahead at what DAS we might need to grab. I suppose once I do it a few times maybe I will figure it out.
Yes, my son is totally distracted by all the little things in life. There should be PLENTY to keep him busy.
Thanks for all your help and advice...it means a lot.

 

[LocaRoja]

We're just back from a week in DW. My 7 yo has autism and getting through the rides this week was no problem without a DAS. We never waited more than 20 minutes to get on any ride at any park all week long. Sure, I saw rides with standby times up to 90 minutes for the headliners during the day; we just did those at rope drop and used FP+ during the day. We pulled paper FP only two times over the week (both times for Test Track); the 3 FP+ reservations/day were plenty for us else wise during this time of year. Every single night this week we were there, Magic Kingdom was empty by 8:30 pm and rides were literally walk on and/or ride over and over again (teacups/dumbo/carousel/etc). We had to wait for Enchanted Tales with Belle to get enough people to run a show several times. If you can come during a less busy time of year, enjoy the parks at opening and closing, and use FP and a sensible touring strategy, you can have a great vacation.

 

[SueM in MN]

We're just back from a week in DW. My 7 yo has autism and getting through the rides this week was no problem without a DAS. We never waited more than 20 minutes to get on any ride at any park all week long. Sure, I saw rides with standby times up to 90 minutes for the headliners during the day; we just did those at rope drop and used FP+ during the day. We pulled paper FP only two times over the week (both times for Test Track); the 3 FP+ reservations/day were plenty for us else wise during this time of year. Every single night this week we were there, Magic Kingdom was empty by 8:30 pm and rides were literally walk on and/or ride over and over again (teacups/dumbo/carousel/etc). We had to wait for Enchanted Tales with Belle to get enough people to run a show several times. If you can come during a less busy time of year, enjoy the parks at opening and closing, and use FP and a sensible touring strategy, you can have a great vacation.

We just got back last night and found the same.

 

[paisleys]

We just got back last night and found the same.

This is great news! Glad you both found the passes worked and had a great time

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

We're just back from a week in DW. My 7 yo has autism and getting through the rides this week was no problem without a DAS. We never waited more than 20 minutes to get on any ride at any park all week long. Sure, I saw rides with standby times up to 90 minutes for the headliners during the day; we just did those at rope drop and used FP+ during the day. We pulled paper FP only two times over the week (both times for Test Track); the 3 FP+ reservations/day were plenty for us else wise during this time of year. Every single night this week we were there, Magic Kingdom was empty by 8:30 pm and rides were literally walk on and/or ride over and over again (teacups/dumbo/carousel/etc). We had to wait for Enchanted Tales with Belle to get enough people to run a show several times. If you can come during a less busy time of year, enjoy the parks at opening and closing, and use FP and a sensible touring strategy, you can have a great vacation.

Great news! Glad you had a great trip. I hope my "strategy" works just as well as yours!
It would be nice to not need DAS at all either for my 7 year old ASD boy. I'm just not sure how things will go since we've never been on vacation, let alone Disney! He has a lot of anxiety and honestly, I don't think he will want to go on too many of the headliners anyway. I think the only headliners we have on our "list" are TSM, Buzz, possibly Soarin', Enchanted Tales with Belle and the Mermaid ride I think are the ones that would have longer lines. I'm no sure on our choices for DHS. Here's hoping the low crowds stay low for next week (that is why I chose this week after all) and we can come back with a great report as well!

 

[lovethattink]

Saturday and Sunday were particularly busy at WDW due to the last weekend of F&W Festival, the Veteran's Day weekend, the start of the Christmas decorations and shows, and the Food and Wine 1/2 Marathon.

We went to MK both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, when we passed by Epcot their parking lot was full due to the run. So many more people were going to MK.

We had successful evenings at both. Didn't stay on property, so didn't have magic bands. Saturday is described above.

And last night was we covered more attractions in a shorter period of time alternating between FP- and DAS. We arrived just before 5:30pm to MK and left the park during the fireworks. During those 3 and a half hours we rode Tomorrowland Speedway, Buzz, Dumbo, Pooh and ate supper at Pecos Bills.

Alternating between FP- and DAS we covered the same amount of attractions in the same amount of time as prior with the GAC. The only difference was the amount of foot traffic required in me running for passes and return times. The waiting time for ds was filled with him playing Sorerers of the Magic Kingdom and eating supper; so he had no idea he was waiting.

Speedway - DAS - return time 6:15
Buzz - FP- with return time 6:55 to 7:55
Pooh - DAS - return time 7:12
Dumbo - FP - return time 7:45 to 8:45

The longest actual waiting time for ds was 30 minutes waiting to get onto the ferry to get back to the TTC. But he was sound asleep in his w/c and again had no idea.

 

[englishrose47]

-

Rosie, I haven't tried to go it alone with JJ yet. But I can't imagine going without a runner. I'm exhausted this morning after all my running around last night. I covered a lot of territory, but I need the exercise.

Dan, I suggest you call or email Disney and see what they suggest.

.

I did call and was told the agency should send more escorts But I also emailed and they replied and said I would be contacted in a week or 2 !! I do think that knowing ahead of time next year will be easier as I would make dining ressie more carefully and have a better idea of what FP+ times would work for us . Also will pay close attention to Crowd Calendar in the planning . I am sure Disney will have fine tuned the system by then and made some accomadations

 

[sharadoc]

We're probably starting our trip at Epcot around 5pm on our arrival day. Can anyone tell me if the CMs there have gotten better? Should we do the GS outside the park or inside? Or choose another park? We want to hop over to DHS that night, maybe we should just go there.

Just wondering, do they observe your kid and how they handle waiting in the GS line to decide if they deserve a DAS?

Another idea, any chance we could start a new version of this thread each month? Keep the first page FAQ but share current stories of requesting and using the DAS since circumstances are different from week to week - crowds, parties, etc.

Thanks Sue!

 

[livndisney]

We're probably starting our trip at Epcot around 5pm on our arrival day. Can anyone tell me if the CMs there have gotten better? Should we do the GS outside the park or inside? Or choose another park? We want to hop over to DHS that night, maybe we should just go there.

Just wondering, do they observe your kid and how they handle waiting in the GS line to decide if they deserve a DAS?

Another idea, any chance we could start a new version of this thread each month? Keep the first page FAQ but share current stories of requesting and using the DAS since circumstances are different from week to week - crowds, parties, etc.

Thanks Sue!

We just had a GS CM at Epcot give us completely wrong information about how/where DAS is used. I am not sure they are all "up to speed" yet.

 

[1girln3boys]

Anyone know how Hollywood Studios in handling DAS. I really don't want them to give me a hard time or just tell me to rent a wheelchair because that won't help me as I can't sit for long periods of time and I can't stand still for long periods of time either. I really have to keep moving. I don't even stay still in my sleep .

 

[Badamon]

Please forgive me if this is a repeat question.
Is there guest relations for a DAS in DTD? Hoping to "take care of business" well outside of the parks prior to our first full day. I do realize we can go to GR outside of the entrance to the parks, but was hoping to spend our first day getting our groceries done and then visiting DTD. Thanks for the info.