When would you recommend going to guest services

[JosieMouse]

We will be arriving at about 6pm on October 1. We won't be going to a park that night. Should we go that night just to get the DAS card or wait until the next morning when we go to Epcot. Can you go to guest services without using park admission?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Should we go that night just to get the DAS card or wait until the next morning when we go to Epcot.
. . . getting DAS outside of a park is questionable
. . . sometimes they will, sometimes they will not issue it
. . . typically it is better to just wait until you are inside the park

Can you go to guest services without using park admission?
. . . anything within a park needs a park admission
. . . at a minimum, you would need one for yourself and one for the person/child for whom the DAS is requested
. . . even if just wanting to go to GS

 

[Goin'Again???Yes!!!]

I have always had good luck dealing with guest services in Downtown Disney, however often crowded.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have always had good luck dealing with guest services in Downtown Disney, however often crowded.

That does work for many other things, but DAS is only available at Guest Relations in one of the theme parks.

You may be able to get it at one of the parks at the Guest Relations just outside of the park. There is more information in the DAS thread stuck near the top of this board.
Whether or not you can get it there depends on how busy it is and whether they have what they need to issue one. So, if you are OK going to the park and maybe not being able to get one, it might be worth the trip.

EDITED TO ADD: seeing the number of kids in your group and that you are going in October when it is not usually going to be very crowded, I would wait until the morning.
Make sure you have scheduled your Fastpass Plus times so you have something to start with.

 

[stormer]

We usually hit one or two rides first thing in the morning and then go to GS.

 

[SueM in MN]

We usually hit one or two rides first thing in the morning and then go to GS.

Yes, that can be a good way to do it, especially with children who want to do something when they get to the park.
There is no rule that says you have to request a DAS first thing.

That can also help you to miss the first group of people coming to Guest Relations who might be there because of ticket reasons.

 

[JosieMouse]

Thanks everyone. Will get them our first park day around 10:30.