Will this 2 Year Old Autistic Child qualify for DAS

[Angel Ariel]

OP - no one here can tell you with 100% certainty if the child will qualify for a DAS or not..only the CMs in the park can do that. I would highly recommend asking about the stroller as a wheelchair option, which is separate from the DAS. The safe haven that the stroller provides may be enough to help the child go through lines on its own. I would also recommend that the family bring a blanket (thin) or fabric cover for the stroller (see picture below)...perhaps something like that would also help create that safe haven "pod" the others were talking about. We also found it useful for stroller napping

(ETA- sorry it's horizontal! I uploaded from my phone. This is a cover I made for our stroller before our DLR trip. I have very few sewing skills This is just basic hemming..I freehanded the cut along the bottom so that the fabric didn't touch the wheels and hemmed from there. I think I bought 3 yds of fabric, but had a bunch left over..would need only 2 probably)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Will he even qualify since he is not a "ticketed" guest(under 3).

1) Yes, he "could" qualify.
2) But, that decision will be made AT the Guest Service counter.
3) The CM will ask several questions to determine if DAS is available to this person.
4) Due to the age, the questions will be slightly different, and there will be more of them.
5) The object is to make certain the adults are not using the child as an excuse for quicker ride access.
6) And, yes, this does happen frequently. Adults try to skirt the system any way they can.
.
NOTE: Don't even bother bringing the Doctor Note. CM's are not allowed to look at them or to have them influence a decision. The note can be too easily faked or even borrowed fro others, and the CM is not medically knowledgeable enough to determine the ramifications of the medical condition mentioned.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

DAS does not provide quicker ride access. You still have to wait to board the attraction, although not in the actual queue.

 

[Amazynglydisney]

I'm not sure what having a DAS would even do for a young toddler with a developmental disorder. The types of services it provides are not needed for a small one. The child will be with an adult who can tend to his/her needs for less stimulation and to handle any meltdowns.

There are many benefits of DAS when it comes to a toddler with a developmental disorder. Sensory issues would make it difficult for them to be in enclosed areas with a lot of people. My son gets claustrophobic sometimes as well as very impatient standing in line because he doesn't get the concept of it he just wants to keep moving so it would make it easier on him to have a DAS and the more meltdowns we can avoid the better.

 

[SMD]

DAS does not provide quicker ride access. You still have to wait to board the attraction, although not in the actual queue.

Yes it does. When the standby line is 10 min or less it provides immediate access through the FP queue. It also allows the waiting time to be used for other activities like restroom breaks and meals, which extends the time between attractions for non-DAS users. And for people who completely fabricate their need then it provides an extra FP while they wait for another ride because in reality the liars have no problem waiting in line. In another thread the OP said this is a family trip for 19 people. Using a DAS for a child under 2 will likely shorten the wait times for the other 17 members of the party who can go on rides without height restrictions while someone waits with the 2 year old.

 

[mshanson3121]

When the standby line is 10 min or less it provides immediate access through the FP queue. Using a DAS for a child under 2 will likely shorten the wait times for the other 17 members of the party who can go on rides without height restrictions while someone waits with the 2 year old.

No, it doesn't. We tried this when we were there with our DAS and were told by two CM's - no, this is not the rule. The only "set" DAS rule is that it gives you a return time that is based on the current queue length. It is then up to the individual CM to decide if they want to just "let you through" or not on a shorter wait time. Some will, some won't.

Also, no, it will not help all 17 members of their party. A DAS card is only good for up to 6 party members, including the one it's issued for, so 13 of the other members will have no benefit at all.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yes it does. When the standby line is 10 min or less it provides immediate access through the FP queue. It also allows the waiting time to be used for other activities like restroom breaks and meals, which extends the time between attractions for non-DAS users. And for people who completely fabricate their need then it provides an extra FP while they wait for another ride because in reality the liars have no problem waiting in line. In another thread the OP said this is a family trip for 19 people. Using a DAS for a child under 2 will likely shorten the wait times for the other 17 members of the party who can go on rides without height restrictions while someone waits with the 2 year old.

It may not be through the FP queue for 10 minutes or less - it's supposed to be via the standby queue, unless that's changed.

 

[Aladora]

It may not be through the FP queue for 10 minutes or less - it's supposed to be via the standby queue, unless that's changed.

This was our experience a few weeks ago. In fact, the system would not even assign a DAS time if the SB time was less than 20 minutes.

 

[SMD]

No, it doesn't. We tried this when we were there with our DAS and were told by two CM's - no, this is not the rule. The only "set" DAS rule is that it gives you a return time that is based on the current queue length. It is then up to the individual CM to decide if they want to just "let you through" or not on a shorter wait time. Some will, some won't.

Also, no, it will not help all 17 members of their party. A DAS card is only good for up to 6 party members, including the one it's issued for, so 13 of the other members will have no benefit at all.

At DL park they let DAS users through the accessible entrance (except on Space, and then only sometimes) when the queue is too short for a DAS return time. I thought it was the same at WDW. I'm actually not sure about DCA, but fewer rides have FP at DLR, so that's probably why. Unless they've recently changed their policy you can get a DAS for more than 6 people, you just all have to go to GS together. Although in the OP's situation with a group of 19 on NYE it's actually probably better to wait in the queue. Your own party can act as a buffer, whereas waiting outside the queue during the busiest time of the year is going to be much more hectic and crowded.

 

[DisneyOma]

At DL park they let DAS users through the accessible entrance (except on Space, and then only sometimes) when the queue is too short for a DAS return time. I thought it was the same at WDW. I'm actually not sure about DCA, but fewer rides have FP at DLR, so that's probably why. Unless they've recently changed their policy you can get a DAS for more than 6 people, you just all have to go to GS together. Although in the OP's situation with a group of 19 on NYE it's actually probably better to wait in the queue. Your own party can act as a buffer, whereas waiting outside the queue during the busiest time of the year is going to be much more hectic and crowded.

At WDW, the FP+ queue has seldom been immediate access when I've been there - usually a 5-10 minute wait, so getting access that way is not quicker when no DAS is allowed. I seriously doubt WDW is going to allow access for 17-19 people on a toddler's DAS as well. That would be serious abuse of the system - they wouldn't even all be in one ride vehicle.

 

[mshanson3121]

At DL park they let DAS users through the accessible entrance (except on Space, and then only sometimes) when the queue is too short for a DAS return time. I thought it was the same at WDW. I'm actually not sure about DCA, but fewer rides have FP at DLR, so that's probably why. Unless they've recently changed their policy you can get a DAS for more than 6 people, you just all have to go to GS together. Although in the OP's situation with a group of 19 on NYE it's actually probably better to wait in the queue. Your own party can act as a buffer, whereas waiting outside the queue during the busiest time of the year is going to be much more hectic and crowded.

Per Disney: "How many guests in one party can be covered under the DAS Card?

The maximum is 6 guests per card. If you have special circumstances or any concerns, talk to Guest Relations."

So the rule is 6 guests, but it does sound as though they will make an accommodation for larger groups. Though I'd be surprised if you could get 19 on one card.

 

[SueM in MN]

Per Disney: "How many guests in one party can be covered under the DAS Card?

The maximum is 6 guests per card. If you have special circumstances or any concerns, talk to Guest Relations."

So the rule is 6 guests, but it does sound as though they will make an accommodation for larger groups. Though I'd be surprised if you could get 19 on one card.

Larger group is more like 8 in the same family with supervisor/lead approval.
Even then, they do let you know that you may be split into a group of no more than 6 for some attractions.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

from what is out there about the DAS, they will most likely not issue a return time to a full party of 19 based on one toddler's DAS.

And no, it will not shorten the wait for the other 17 people. They will be waiting just as long to ride the attraction that there is a return time for, as the toddler does. Just because they might be able to ride something else in the interim does not shorten their wait time for any attraction.

During the weekend over this New Years holiday, it will be difficult to find a place that isn't wall to wall people, especially in the MK.

And the FP queue does not provide immediate access. There are already guests with FPs waiting in the FP queue. If you are in the FP queue you could still conceivably wait 10 to 15 minutes to board the attraction, depending on the attraction. If the standby wait is 10 minutes or less, even with a DAS you go into the standby queue.

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Thank you everyone for your help! They've actually opted not to use the DAS and just take him on the 3 FP+ that they have booked

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Also, for the record, this was a question based upon their immediate family..2 parents, a 6 year old, a 4 year old and the 2 year old....not the entire traveling party.

 

[SMD]

At WDW, the FP+ queue has seldom been immediate access when I've been there - usually a 5-10 minute wait, so getting access that way is not quicker when no DAS is allowed. I seriously doubt WDW is going to allow access for 17-19 people on a toddler's DAS as well. That would be serious abuse of the system - they wouldn't even all be in one ride vehicle.

But when the standby line is only 20 minutes it is very unlikely that the FP return will be 10 minutes. Sometimes the DAS is faster, let's not pretend that it never is. My response was to the claim that DAS doesn't provide quicker access. Yes, it can and does. And for people who would fabricate a story to obtain one, even a 1 minute advantage or a perceived benefit (like having a non-expiring extra FP) is worth the effort it takes to abuse it.

 

[DisneyOma]

But when the standby line is only 20 minutes it is very unlikely that the FP return will be 10 minutes. Sometimes the DAS is faster, let's not pretend that it never is. My response was to the claim that DAS doesn't provide quicker access. Yes, it can and does. And for people who would fabricate a story to obtain one, even a 1 minute advantage or a perceived benefit (like having a non-expiring extra FP) is worth the effort it takes to abuse it.

The DAS itself is not faster - except maybe by 10 minutes, if the CM takes that time off, which some are saying is not happening now that the times are put on the Magicbands and cards. So actually they have the FP+ wait time and the standby time together. Also, if the standby time is short, then you maight not be given a DAS, and have to use the standby queue. All in all, it doesn't save time - you also have to go to the attraction and get the return time, then go wait - but it does allow you to go on something else, do something else while you wait.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There may be some abusers, but not the amount there were back when you could get a GAC and receive immediate access to the fastpass line for all attractions AND immediate repeat rides.

It is a bit like having another fastpass, in that you can go do something else until the return time if you wish. It doesn't shorten wait times though. But it's not as convenient now, I doubt many groups will be hiring a "ringer" so they can get a DAS.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am going to close this at this time.
The OP's question was answered.