What to do with tickets if denied? + Character meets at DL

[LarsoftheJungle]

Hello,
Total Disney newb here! My autistic son has been begging to go because he saw photos of Star Wars Land, and Star Wars is life. His life can be challenging, so I'd like to indulge him in this. Because his interests are pretty narrow (and potential for overwhelm high), it really wouldn't be worth it to spend so much money on a vacation if we get denied for DAS...but as far as I can tell, you have to have a ticket AND park reservation in order to interview. Is that correct? But I see everywhere that tickets are non-refundable, non transferable, can't sell them. So what do you do if the DAS denial just makes the experience too inaccessible? This feels like such an expensive gamble! Surely I'm not alone. Please tell me I'm mssing something. I see that the name attached to a ticket doesn't actually matter(?)...so maybe I *could* sell them? Is there a way to transfer them? Is there legitimish aftermarket for tickets?

FYI: My sons cognitive disability makes it impossible for him stand in a long line, so it would appear DAS is actually for us, but it sounds like plenty of people are being denied anyway. He's verbal and friendlyish to strangers on zoom, so I fear he would not be "showcasing" his disability well enough () at our interview to get it, despite actually needing it. (If the interview were in person, that would be another story)

On character meets at Disneyland & DAS: I've some some digging, but it's hard because searches keep coming up with answers for Disney World. I'm looking at the Disneyland app and it appears that only the Princesses in the Princess barn have LL. Does that mean DAS can not be used to meet other characters for whom there are lines? Specifically he would only want to meet ElastiGirl (desperately). Does she form a line at Pixar Pier? He'd also just be over the moon to meet Ember. I assume she'll be gone by September though - but that's a question for a different thread.

 

[Karin1984]

I don't know all the answers, but a few weeks ago I couldn't use DAS for outside characters, incl. Pixar Fest characters.
But the lines were moving quickly for most. Didn't see Elastigirl.

 

[Mennamachine]

So, you can handle the talking for your son (assuming he is still a minor), and you will want to focus on what about standing in line is difficult/impossible for your son. If you are able to be flexible with your planning, I would recommend planning your trip for times when DL is less crowded. There are a variety of crowd calculators online that can help pick some times where crowds are lower. When crowds are low, there isn't a significant difference between standby and DAS waits. Depending on your son (obvi I don't know him), you can also work on things to occupy him in lines to mitigate the effects. Even with DAS, he may have to wait 15-20 min or more. Can he watch something on a tablet, can you play games, etc.

Many character meet and greets aren't in formal areas like the Princesses, and they won't have DAS. The lines tend to move pretty quickly though.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Galaxy’s Edge (aka Star Wars Land) is super cool, but remember that there are only 2 rides there, and 1 you can purchase an ILL for. So really you are gambling on 1 ride, if that’s really all he’s interested in.

Also Pixar Pier is in the other park, so you would need park hopper tickets or plan to be there 2 days. As others have said, you can’t use DAS for outdoor character experiences.

If I were you I would think a lot about what your son will actually want out of his time at DL. Only then will you be able to judge if the potential expense is worth it, and to what extent you might be able to use G+/ILLs if DAS is denied.

 

[starlite_]

You can buy tickets from a 3rd party vendor that allows refunds. I think undercover tourist does this for a 5% fee.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I agree with the PP. I would purchase tickets through a 3rd party vendor. Undercover Tourist or Get Away Today. I use GAT and they have travel insurance. DLR doesn’t seem to have a slower time anymore since Covid. It is busy all the time now.

My DD also lives for Star Wars everything as well. The characters in Batuu seem to be roaming as opposed to a character place with a formal line. I have found great success by talking to the character CM. I just explain my DD’s needs and they have been very accommodating (seems to happen in DL and DCA as well). If there is a large group around the character we have also been given a time and place to see them after a break.

My DD has gotten the GAC and DAS in the past. We are not sure anymore. However, we have also used Genie+. I have no idea your son’s challenges, but we have to have a specific touring strategy so she doesn’t get symptomatic. All of Fantasyland does not have Genie+. We definitely rope drop and do Fantasyland in the 1st two hours of the day. Then we have a break during which I will schedule a Genie+ ride. Sometimes we can get another Genie+ ride in or we have done a DAS ride if everything seems to be okay with my DD. We have lunch and head back to the hotel (so much easier to do at DLR than WDW). I will stack Genie+ rides. Sometimes I schedule our return for Batuu and we will get ILL for Rise and Genie+ for Smugglers. Those 2 rides, character meets and photos pretty much take us to the fireworks. The fireworks from Galaxy’s Edge are fantastic!

My DD made a lightsaber at Savi’s. Yes, it was expensive and I worried if she could do it, but she did and it has been her greatest treasure. When she made it, we did nothing else before her scheduled time. We did the lightsaber and the CMs were wonderful!!! We had lunch and went back to the hotel. We then went when it was dark so we could get PhotoPass pictures in front of the Falcon. Yes, it was an expensive day with no rides but it was so worth it. Just an idea.

 

[asc]

My 17 year old child is also pretty social when they see new people on video calls with autism [much different in person] amongst other development disabilities and cognitive impairments and I just explained the challenges and needs in lines and it was approved. They are mostly non verbal but they said hi perfectly and that was all they said on the call.

 

[LarsoftheJungle]

Thank you so much for the tip about the 3rd party vendors! That is incredibly helpful! <3

 

[Kerr84]

Most characters do not have huge lines. I know for Anna and Elsa, I had to speak to a cast member and they gave me a return time for my daughter since she had DAS. They did ask if there was another adult that could wait and hold our spot in line, so I think they only give this out rarely when it is just the DAS holder and 1 caretaker.

If you are a Disney visa cardholder, there is a special Star Wars meet and greet!