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

[lovethattink]

OneMoreTry, I think there is something at Disney World for everyone. Though the new rules may have people doing Disney differently in order to have an enjoyable time.

 

[Rowanonfire]

I want to say something that may not be well-accepted, but it seems that some people need to hear.

Disney World is not for everyone. The lines and crowds are difficult for everyone that visits -- even people without disabilities. Everyone gets tired and faces obstacles. The enjoyment comes at a price for even "normal" people. they get tired feet and headaches and joint pain and dehydration and wish they could sit down and rest in the shade when there is no shade to be had. And some people, even those without disabilities just can't take it. So they do something else.

I think that Disney does a great job trying to accommodate the disabled, but they are not able to make it possible for everyone to enjoy the rides and parks. That's just the way it is.

If the misery is greater than the pleasure maybe it's not for you. There are so many great things to do for enjoyment in this country, maybe waiting in line for a 1 minute ride is just not worth it. Think about it. Even at WDW there are fun things to do other than ride the rides.

I hope that Disney can accommodate everyone here, but the "magic" isn't that magic for real.

Sorry, but this is just silly. Disney can provide reasonable accommodations for anyone. Offering accommodations for one disability but not that same accommodation for another if it will help that person is in my eyes unacceptable. If you have a disability that is helped by a DAS I don't think Disney should be so reluctant to give it you - but I understand why it is that way, and I hope for the sake of a lot of people it sorts itself out after a while. The fact is the DAS is there and offered to some, it can help a lot of people, with genuine needs, and at the minute some of those people with genuine needs are being turned away. And that ISN'T right.

I have pretty much decided I won't be trying for a DAS. I am lucky that I have two weeks in Orlando and a 14 day parkhopper ticket. The only way I can manage it the parks is because of that - Because of my conditions, there's no way I can stand OR sit in any significant line, and getting to RD is not a likely possibility either. It's taken a lot of changes in my vacation plans but I am lucky I have enough days to be smart about booking my FPs and still hopefully get to see everything. I truly feel with those with needs who aren't as lucky and are now missing out when they don't have to.

 

[aaarcher86]

Sorry, but this is just silly. Disney can provide reasonable accommodations for anyone. Offering accommodations for one disability but not that same accommodation for another if it will help that person is in my eyes unacceptable. If you have a disability that is helped by a DAS I don't think Disney should be so reluctant to give it you - but I understand why it is that way, and I hope for the sake of a lot of people it sorts itself out after a while. The fact is the DAS is there and offered to some, it can help a lot of people, with genuine needs, and at the minute some of those people with genuine needs are being turned away. And that ISN'T right. I have pretty much decided I won't be trying for a DAS. I am lucky that I have two weeks in Orlando and a 14 day parkhopper ticket. The only way I can manage it the parks is because of that - Because of my conditions, there's no way I can stand OR sit in any significant line, and getting to RD is not a likely possibility either. It's taken a lot of changes in my vacation plans but I am lucky I have enough days to be smart about booking my FPs and still hopefully get to see everything. I truly feel with those with needs who aren't as lucky and are now missing out when they don't have to.

I think it's hard. I'm sure there lots of people that would rather get a DAS instead of a wheelchair/EVC but mobility issues don't qualify (or something similar). I don't think it's appropriate to give out to anyone that wants one or they'll fall into the same issues as the GAC.

 

[Rowanonfire]

I think it's hard. I'm sure there lots of people that would rather get a DAS instead of a wheelchair/EVC but mobility issues don't qualify (or something similar). I don't think it's appropriate to give out to anyone that wants one or they'll fall into the same issues as the GAC.

Not everyone, no. But at the minute it's ridiculous. For example - not all or even the majority of mobility problems are solved with a wheelchair.

 

[1girln3boys]

Not everyone, no. But at the minute it's ridiculous. For example - not all or even the majority of mobility problems are solved with a wheelchair.

Exactly!! I know mines not.

 

[aaarcher86]

Not everyone, no. But at the minute it's ridiculous. For example - not all or even the majority of mobility problems are solved with a wheelchair.

I wouldn't say majority. I've seen a ton of posts with people who just can't walk as much as necessary at Disney but are befuddled that they can't get a DAS and are advised to get a wheelchair because of their dignity.

I do think people are being denied quickly who would qualify in part because of the way they're asking or what they're leading off with and the CMs are jumping the gun.

 

[DLRwish]

I'm here now and the Gac program is awful. I argued for 15minutes with cast member at MK and he kept saying there was no disabillity pass. Their new rule is they only give passes to autistic children and severely mentally challenged adults. No disability passes of any kind. Can we say discrimination! !

Of course it's discrimination.

People are really throwing the word discrimination like the word bully. The more people use it for everything the less meaning it has.

What are your needs? It's entirely possible the DAS is not meant for your needs. Not giving it to everyone that asks is not discrimination. It's a tool that help with specific issues. I will say, it's not a rule that it's for autistic kids .

So if I go to City hall and claim I have autism or anything on the Spectrum, then I'll be given a DAS automatically because, as you said, I qualify. That's not fair.
The DAS stands for Disability Access Service, not "Autism Access Service". I'd be pretty upset if a Cm would have my a reply like "It's for people with Autism or other mental challenges. " So the CM is basically saying I am NOT disabled because I don't have ASD , and that those with ASD are more disabled than others and therefore are priority.

I'll be emailing Disney about this.


It's infuriating to read the DAS has been covering, for the majority, cognitive and behavioral problems..as if those were the only disabilities in the world.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I wouldn't say majority. I've seen a ton of posts with people who just can't walk as much as necessary at Disney but are befuddled that they can't get a DAS and are advised to get a wheelchair because of their dignity.

I do think people are being denied quickly who would qualify in part because of the way they're asking or what they're leading off with and the CMs are jumping the gun.

Again, I agree 100%. Guests need to articulate what their needs are, and it's up to Disney to decide how they will be accommodated. Saying "I need a DAS" (not saying that anyone here did that), is not the way to approach the situation.

And I do believe that there are some needs that can't be accommodated. When I see people say that they or their children absolutely can't wait more than 5 or 10 minutes, even outside of the line, or that they're only in the parks for 3 or 4 hours, so they have to do as much as they can in that short time, then no, I don't think those people can be accommodated.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Of course it's discrimination.


So if I go to City hall and claim I have autism or anything on the Spectrum, then I'll be given a DAS automatically because, as you said, I qualify. That's not fair.
The DAS stands for Disability Access Service, not "Autism Access Service". I'd be pretty upset if a Cm would have my a reply like "It's for people with Autism or other mental challenges. " So the CM is basically saying I am NOT disabled because I don't have ASD , and that those with ASD are more disabled than others and therefore are priority.

I'll be emailing Disney about this.


It's infuriating to read the DAS has been covering, for the majority, cognitive and behavioral problems..as if those were the only disabilities in the world.

Would waiting the full ride wait time outside of the line accommodate your needs? If so, how so?

Not asking for me, as it's none of my business, but rather to demonstrate what you need to articulate to GS. Because really, that's all a DAS does - provide you with a return time so that you don't have to wait in the standby line.

 

[1girln3boys]

Would waiting the full ride wait time outside of the line accommodate your needs? If so, how so? Not asking for me, as it's none of my business, but rather to demonstrate what you need to articulate to GS. Because really, that's all a DAS does - provide you with a return time so that you don't have to wait in the standby line.

For me yes it would. I need to keep moving otherwise I'm in pain. So no I can't just sit in a wheelchair. Also being in an enclosed line can cause a panic attack. I had one in the FP line at Soarin.

 

[DLRwish]

Would waiting the full ride wait time outside of the line accommodate your needs? If so, how so?

Not asking for me, as it's none of my business, but rather to demonstrate what you need to articulate to GS. Because really, that's all a DAS does - provide you with a return time so that you don't have to wait in the standby line.

Yes. My family and I use the GAC's at Universal and Knott's berry farm and they're exactly like the DAS.

I am able to walk. I am able to do may things, buy my condition is unpredictable. Mine has to do with short-notice syncopal ( or near-syncope) spells of cardiac origin. I have a pacemaker, but the device never prevented all of my syncope episodes, just some. When these occur, I have about 15 seconds between when I know I'm gonna pass out and I actually do. What if I were in a line? What if the line was very crowded or too far a long and I'm not able to get out of it ? Waiting in alternate area gives me control over that situation. If I feel bad, but I'm not in line, I don't have to worry about not having room to lie down, or causing a scene. I have freedom. As mentioned earlier, I am able to walk around the parks and such, only experience perhaps a bit more exhaustion compared to the average guest, so there's no need for a wheelchair.

I've gotten the GAC before the DAS. Boy was it sometimes hard to explain it to them because some CM's can't understand the concept of a disability that's not always there.

 

[aaarcher86]

Of course it's discrimination. So if I go to City hall and claim I have autism or anything on the Spectrum, then I'll be given a DAS automatically because, as you said, I qualify. That's not fair. The DAS stands for Disability Access Service, not "Autism Access Service". I'd be pretty upset if a Cm would have my a reply like "It's for people with Autism or other mental challenges. " So the CM is basically saying I am NOT disabled because I don't have ASD , and that those with ASD are more disabled than others and therefore are priority. I'll be emailing Disney about this. It's infuriating to read the DAS has been covering, for the majority, cognitive and behavioral problems..as if those were the only disabilities in the world.

Well, no. You would explain to them the issues you have with standing in line, being in an enclosed space, etc. You wouldn't need to mention autism at all. Plenty of people on this thread and others have said they've received the DAS and do not have a cognitive disability. You wouldn't need to mention autism, or CP, or any actual diagnosis at all. The CM denying someone a DAS wouldn't be saying someone isnt disabled, but that their disability does not qualify for that specific accommodation.

What I said was that I'm willing to bet that someone with an issue that does not qualify for a DAS is being given he line 'it's for people with autism or other mental disorders' to try and explain what it's for. Because people with autism are a large group of people that require the DASa no also a disability that people are familiar with most of the time. I DONT think it's a good line and I do wish they'd stop.

However, wanting the DAS and not getting it doesn't automatically mean someone is being discriminated against. It's designed for a specific purpose - to help people who can not wait in a standardized line. They have different options for different disabilities. I've already had a friends husband ask me if they can get the DAS because his wife is pregnant. Pregnancy is not a disability and not giving the DAS for it is not discrimination. I'm sure it would make their touring easier, but it doesn't mean that they qualify for it based in that.

 

[OurBigTrip]

For me yes it would. I need to keep moving otherwise I'm in pain. So no I can't just sit in a wheelchair. Also being in an enclosed line can cause a panic attack. I had one in the FP line at Soarin.

And therein lies the rub - if you can't wait in a FP line, then the DAS will do nothing for you.

 

[DaisyD]

We are one of those families where DAS doesn't work for us. We chose with our pocketbooks and aren't going back til its changed. I'm sure Disney doesn't care and that's fine also. We just don't see the value in running all over the park for 3 rides max a day and it taking all day to do them. Yes, I understand Disney can be a challenge for even the healthiest but it is a shame that they are alienating families that spend a lot of money there. We spent well over 10k this past trip and it was by far the only trip we felt wasn't worth the money. So no more Disney for us til they can come up with something similar to the old way.

 

[1girln3boys]

And therein lies the rub - if you can't wait in a FP line, then the DAS will do nothing for you.

Most FP lines aren't as bad as Soarin was. Not sure why that one was so bad, but it was. I had 3 FP+s for each park. Epcot was so crowed we only did 2. Both Test track and Soarin FP lines were well over 20 min wait. I don't wait over 20 min in standby. I had no issues with my other FP+s or the paper FPs I pulled in HS. So yes under normal conditions a DAS would help me. But I wouldn't have even stayed in Future World to wait the wait time for a DAS bc of how crowded it was, more than even during the summer. It was hard to move around even Main Street doesn't get that bad. It ended up I didn't even need a DAS this trip bc my FP+S and paper FPs worked well enough for what I wanted during this trip.

 

[OurBigTrip]

We are one of those families where DAS doesn't work for us. We chose with our pocketbooks and aren't going back til its changed. I'm sure Disney doesn't care and that's fine also. We just don't see the value in running all over the park for 3 rides max a day and it taking all day to do them. Yes, I understand Disney can be a challenge for even the healthiest but it is a shame that they are alienating families that spend a lot of money there. We spent well over 10k this past trip and it was by far the only trip we felt wasn't worth the money. So no more Disney for us til they can come up with something similar to the old way.

I'm truly sorry that it didn't work for you, but I guess I'm missing something big about the DAS, and I'm hoping that you can explain it to me.

How is that with a DAS you could only do 3 rides in a full day? Was it that the wait times were horrendously long, or is there something with a DAS that caused you to have to wait significantly longer than non-DAS holders?

If it's that bad, I can't imagine that Disney won't tweak it, but I'm hopeful that the won't put a GAC-like system back in place.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Most FP lines aren't as bad as Soarin was. Not sure why that one was so bad, but it was. I had 3 FP+s for each park. Epcot was so crowed we only did 2. Both Test track and Soarin FP lines were well over 20 min wait. I don't wait over 20 min in standby. I had no issues with my other FP+s or the paper FPs I pulled in HS. So yes under normal conditions a DAS would help me. But I wouldn't have even stayed in Future World to wait the wait time for a DAS bc of how crowded it was, more than even during the summer. It was hard to move around even Main Street doesn't get that bad. It ended up I didn't even need a DAS this trip bc my FP+S and paper FPs worked well enough for what I wanted during this trip.

I'm glad for you that were still able to use FP to help you out and make it doable.

 

[DaisyD]

I'm truly sorry that it didn't work for you, but I guess I'm missing something big about the DAS, and I'm hoping that you can explain it to me.

How is that with a DAS you could only do 3 rides in a full day? Was it that the wait times were horrendously long, or is there something with a DAS that caused you to have to wait significantly longer than non-DAS holders?

If it's that bad, I can't imagine that Disney won't tweak it, but I'm hopeful that the won't put a GAC-like system back in place.

For some reason WDW was mobbed the week we went. Never was before. Even the MNSSHP was sold out for first time we were there. My mom cant handle sun or heat with her meds. She can't do steps but is supposed to walk with her new knee. She did get ecv but needed to walk too. The way they did DAS was just messed up to us. Instead of us going to our 3 or 4 rides we usually do we had to get DAS, go somewhere, come back to DAS, and so on. FPS were unheard of. We had 2 FP+ on the magic band but that was it. The ones available were more thrill rides which she doesn't do. The entire week was a pita and certainly not worth the money we paid to stay at WDW.
By the time we all walked from one end of park to get DAS signed to other end where our FP+ was then back again for the DAS it was tiring even for us healthier folks. LOL

When we go to Disney we try to get in there about 10am and out by 1 or so. We are not there long as my mom just can't tolerate the heat, sun and geesh dont get her started on crowd manuevering in an ecv.
Our schedule in MK is usually HM, Pooh, Small world, and Pirates. Small world line was out the door and past the old restaurant. There was no fast pass line there. So we would have had to wait out in the sun til we finally got under cover. We were told no DAS card to sign either. We could wait in line or do something else. We chose to leave.
Pirates we couldn't go in the back way like we used to. My mom had to leave her ECV outside and take a wheelchair into pirates. She really hated that part but we both guided her through as best we could. It used to be so nice to walk into the back avoiding slopes and waiting our turn in there.
HM they gave us a DAS return time. We came back and we were put in the FP line which was a 30 min wait. While it was covered she was still out in the heat, they still had my mom trying to drive her ecv in the line. Not so bad til you get to the place where everyone merges. She was literally steered into a trash can til a CM came to her rescue. When we got in there they let us view the stretching room, which we said we could skip, then moved us out the back door to park the ECV then walk back into the reg line again. Why not just let her go to the back door to begin with and park it then go to the inside line. She has to have it slowed down anyway to get in the doombuggy. The whole thing was a stupid ordeal to say the least.
Pooh had no FPs. I couldn't get any online weeks before and there was none available at the park. The DAC return time was almost 2 hours. We chose not to wait that long as it was getting too hot and we were tired of walking around and finding shelter.

All in all, it was not so magical this trip. While I understand cheaters, I do feel it penalizes folks that really need to get in and get out of the sun and heat. It's not like we were doing 10 rides a day but with the GAC we could do the 4 that made my mom happy and get back to the Poly for relaxing. My mom is not a thrill ride person anymore so I don't think its asking too much. Until they put another GAC system in, we won't be returning. Our decision and no one elses. We can spend our money elsewhere that is more fitting for my 80 y/o mom. I see the DAS works great for others and I'm truly happy for them. We will miss the parks but it is what it is.

 

[aaarcher86]

We are one of those families where DAS doesn't work for us. We chose with our pocketbooks and aren't going back til its changed. I'm sure Disney doesn't care and that's fine also. We just don't see the value in running all over the park for 3 rides max a day and it taking all day to do them. Yes, I understand Disney can be a challenge for even the healthiest but it is a shame that they are alienating families that spend a lot of money there. We spent well over 10k this past trip and it was by far the only trip we felt wasn't worth the money. So no more Disney for us til they can come up with something similar to the old way.

Would you mind elaborating?

I just scheduled my FP+ for a 1 day trip. They are:

BTMRR 9-10a

Haunted Mansion 10-11a

Space Mountain 11-12p

With a DAS intermittently I could easily get in 5-6 rides in a 3 hour period which is pretty good IMO, and similar to what people were accomplishing with the GAC.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Of course it's discrimination. So if I go to City hall and claim I have autism or anything on the Spectrum, then I'll be given a DAS automatically because, as you said, I qualify. That's not fair. The DAS stands for Disability Access Service, not "Autism Access Service". I'd be pretty upset if a Cm would have my a reply like "It's for people with Autism or other mental challenges. " So the CM is basically saying I am NOT disabled because I don't have ASD , and that those with ASD are more disabled than others and therefore are priority. I'll be emailing Disney about this. It's infuriating to read the DAS has been covering, for the majority, cognitive and behavioral problems..as if those were the only disabilities in the world.

It's not all about ASD. They don't care about your diagnosis they care about your NEEDS! Quit looking at it and explaining based on a diagnosis. Start basing everything off the needs! If they have out a pass to everyone that says I can't wait in line, Disney would be in a world of hurt. Yes my child has ASD but my Aunt has Lupus, my other Aunt has Fibromyalgia, my mom has Hashimotos, and I battle with severe hypoglycemia. All of our NEEDS are different.

I understand there are frustrations. I am very concerned with our trip that starts Saturday but I have come to the conclusion that I can't make up my mind until I see it for myself. I will be stating my exact needs and I will not be telling them any diagnosis. Most of the CMs don't know the true effect that a disease has on the body, but they have heard SOMETHING about most. The little bit they do know may lead them to assume you don't need a DAS.