We're a walking yard sale....suggestions appreciated :).

[mtnprotracy]

My son (23-yo non-verbal, DD, autism) has gotten a DAS each time we've visited since 2008--probably 5 times in all. Our last visit was in 2018--and oh, my! Things have changed. Just trying to digest all the changes makes my head spin.

Adding to the confusion, my husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's Disease in 2013, and I was diagnosed with subacute cutaneous lupus in 2020. We also have a 10 year old son who wants to ride ALL the things in every park.

Our trip is 03/09 through 03/13. We're staying in the Fort Wilderness cabins. We've attempted to do the online meeting for the DAS three times. I just can't sit next to the computer all day. After an hour's wait each time, I disconnected.

So...my questions. Zeke (DS) has issues with respecting personal space. If we're in line for a long time he is definitely going to attempt to annoy our neighbors. Hubby stiffens up horrible after remaining still for more than 5 minutes. I can't be in the sun (even indirect with sunscreen for more than 10 minutes) without causing a flare up. I'll take all the precautions with sunscreen and medication, but if I get a flare up while there, I'll be useless. And, I'm the glue that holds it all together. We scheduled for early March--hoping to beat the heat. But, alas, climate change is getting the best of us! It will be hotter than our summer highs in Western NC for our entire visit.

Question 1 -- how do I express this when I meet with a cast member? Is it a one person shot for the DAS? Which of us would be the best bet to have our needs met?

Question 2 -- there are so many rides/experiences that our 10 year old will want to do that our disabled son will not want to do (for instance, Avatar, Expedition Everest, the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride). The husband and I would love to parent swap so he can ride twice, but our disabled son won't want to ride at all. Does it matter who has the DAS in this situation?

Question 3 -- thoughts on the Genie Plus option? I think that's what it's called. I really don't want to spend extra, but I want to make sure the 10 year old gets as much out of the trip as the rest of us, so I'm willing to go that route if necessary....especially for Guardians of the Galaxy.

 

[RoseGold]

The DAS rider has to go first and ride. I guess they could chicken exit on some rides, but policy is they have to ride.

I'm here now, and it is hot. If you can't handle heat, March might be too late to go. There isn't a lot of shade, and it's a lot of walking outdoors. I guess you could try those sun umbrellas or rent a scooter with a cover?

You are traveling FL and TX spring break, so peak peak peak. You probably need some expectations for your youngest, and I would absolutely expect to buy G+ and ILL plus DAS to do this at all.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

My son (23-yo non-verbal, DD, autism) has gotten a DAS each time we've visited since 2008--probably 5 times in all. Our last visit was in 2018--and oh, my! Things have changed. Just trying to digest all the changes makes my head spin.

Adding to the confusion, my husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's Disease in 2013, and I was diagnosed with subacute cutaneous lupus in 2020. We also have a 10 year old son who wants to ride ALL the things in every park.

Our trip is 03/09 through 03/13. We're staying in the Fort Wilderness cabins. We've attempted to do the online meeting for the DAS three times. I just can't sit next to the computer all day. After an hour's wait each time, I disconnected.

So...my questions. Zeke (DS) has issues with respecting personal space. If we're in line for a long time he is definitely going to attempt to annoy our neighbors. Hubby stiffens up horrible after remaining still for more than 5 minutes. I can't be in the sun (even indirect with sunscreen for more than 10 minutes) without causing a flare up. I'll take all the precautions with sunscreen and medication, but if I get a flare up while there, I'll be useless. And, I'm the glue that holds it all together. We scheduled for early March--hoping to beat the heat. But, alas, climate change is getting the best of us! It will be hotter than our summer highs in Western NC for our entire visit.

Question 1 -- how do I express this when I meet with a cast member? Is it a one person shot for the DAS? Which of us would be the best bet to have our needs met?

Question 2 -- there are so many rides/experiences that our 10 year old will want to do that our disabled son will not want to do (for instance, Avatar, Expedition Everest, the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride). The husband and I would love to parent swap so he can ride twice, but our disabled son won't want to ride at all. Does it matter who has the DAS in this situation?

Question 3 -- thoughts on the Genie Plus option? I think that's what it's called. I really don't want to spend extra, but I want to make sure the 10 year old gets as much out of the trip as the rest of us, so I'm willing to go that route if necessary....especially for Guardians of the Galaxy.

not sure if either you or your husband would be able to get a DAS not your older child. that way you can use the DAS for rides the older one will not ride. being able to rider swap will be up to CMs at each ride. will older child be willing to stand in line even if not riding? if older child gets DAS it can not be used if that child does not ride. if neither of you can get DAS then Genie+ will be the way to go for the rides 10 year old wants to ride

 

[lanejudy]

@mtnprotracy The first post of THIS THREAD may be helpful. Honestly, DAS has not changed, other than you can request in advance and qualify for 2 Advanced Selections (kind of like FP+). And you can now obtain DAS through the MDE app without going directly to the attraction. Otherwise, DAS is the same as it always has been.

If your son qualified in the past, most likely he will qualify again for this trip. Be sure to explain his needs not the diagnosis.

Your husband -- what you stated in your post is most likely to be considered "mobility/stamina" in nature. The recommendation will be to use a mobility device. He can push a wheelchair or rollator, then sit/stand as needed to change positions and avoid stiffening up; maybe even do some pacing or stretching in the queue - have your party hang back from the party in front of you to create a little space. There are very few benches or places to sit outside the queues either.

You -- may or may not qualify for DAS. Most of the queues are either under cover/shade or indoors, so you could spend more time outside with DAS. Take all the precautions you can including long sleeve/long pants SPF clothing, big hats, etc.

To your questions:
1) each individual may qualify for DAS, that is entirely up to you if you want to request (see notes above) for each. If you do advanced registration, be aware each of those individuals must be available during the chat. Yes the chat wait can be long -- do you have a phone or tablet that you can use? Walk around the house, fix dinner or do laundry, etc. while waiting, then pop back to your computer once they answer. If only 1 person has DAS, be aware that to use the DAS that individual named on the DAS must ride the attraction.

2) you can ask about Rider Swap at each attraction. It may or may not work out well for you. They may require you to all wait in the queue and then swap at boarding, which may not work well for your oldest's needs. Many of us end up in this situation. Genie+ would be great to use for these attractions - if you purchase for everyone, your sons can swap bands (so the youngest gets to ride twice).

3) See above. Genie+ would help your youngest get to ride the attractions he wants.