DL & DCA -Disability Access Service Card- Post 1 update 12/7/14 DAS tied to ticket

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Thanks for sharing your experience.

I have tried to be positive about the changes and wondering how it will work for my DD. This gives me hope that all will work out fine.
 
Got back last Sunday morning (red eye) and will report that the new DAC is not that bad but I still prefer the GAC. As already stated, the CM were extremely nice at Guest Relations as well as the kiosks. We could get our return time there and then also get a FP to another busy ride. Of course, we were completely expecting the crowds we encountered as we went over Thanksgiving and they were there. Actually, the day before Thanksgiving was not too bad and Friday morning it rained so that kept the lines down. Our son did not quite understand that we could not just walk up to the FP line anymore and we tried everything we could to divert his attention or would go to a shorter wait attraction. We did chose to go standby on many rides and that worked out ok-the line to Star Tours read 25 minutes and it ended up being more like 45 minutes so that was tough but thankfully out daughter kept our son amused as best as she could. We did Magic Mornings and were able to do many rides at least once. We are not heading down to WDW until next Christmas but I am assuming the kiosks and DAC will work the same as DL. Hope this helps anyone who is going.
Elizabeth
 
Not sure if this has been posted but when I was in the parks tonight the Wheelchair Return Cards now have a window (I was told an hour) for you to return. So it really does act more like a regular FP. This means the people returning really are spaced out more, and will hopefully help with the random bunching that was happening before.

They did NOT change the DAS, so there is no end window for that, but the wc return times DO have a window of, I believe, an hour. Hopefully this will cut down on abuse too, since people can no longer collect wc return cards, which act like a FP in many ways, and then use them.as their leisure. It really does treat the person like they are in the line.

Not sure if this happened WDW or if thr change is permanent or just for busy times, but I do know that was the system in place today.
 
We are going to WDW in March and I've been watching this thread lately...we have a large group of 13 going with a large variety of needs. We are very familiar with the GAC and have been able to use that as needed over the years. We will need a stroller as a wheel chair as our son has CP and our daughter has medical needs that will require her in the stroller a lot. We have adults who have other needs that they have needed to use the GAC also. We are only going to 2 parks and want to make the best of those two days. Im not wanting to work the system but would love to hear how to make the best of the new DCA and WC card. Ive written WDW guest relations about our group and they ensured we wouldn't see many changes from GAC and would be able to have a great experience. Im glad Im hearing positive experiences lately, hope that keeps up!
 
forgive me for not reading through the posts, but has anyone experienced using the DAS during a 10/10 crowd day?

DF and i are getting married on 2/14 (i know, groan), and while initially DF told me no parks (mostly since i am going to WDW five days later..), he's relented since we've been trying to think of how to occupy my parents and little brother since they are coming from the east coast. we're already doing dinner at steakhouse 55, and i know my mom will have a hard time walking around with the park gates right there and not going in.

so anyways, right now 2/14 is not 10/10, but the following days are, which is a given as it is president's day weekend as well. my brother has DS/autism/epilepsy, and we've always used the GAC at WDW. we're keeping an open mind about the DAS. i'm just wondering what it's been like for those who have gone during crowded times. the problem is not the waiting per se, but the waiting in a sea of humanity on a crowded day when there are no quiet places to be found.

if we don't go into the parks, we're considering knott's berry farm (which i see their system is the same as DAS essentially, but allowing walk-ons for rides under 10 minutes wait time).

thanks everyone. my mom is pretty nervous about what the DAS will entail so i'm trying to provide all the information i can to ensure her it will be okay.
 
forgive me for not reading through the posts, but has anyone experienced using the DAS during a 10/10 crowd day?

DF and i are getting married on 2/14 (i know, groan), and while initially DF told me no parks (mostly since i am going to WDW five days later..), he's relented since we've been trying to think of how to occupy my parents and little brother since they are coming from the east coast. we're already doing dinner at steakhouse 55, and i know my mom will have a hard time walking around with the park gates right there and not going in.

so anyways, right now 2/14 is not 10/10, but the following days are, which is a given as it is president's day weekend as well. my brother has DS/autism/epilepsy, and we've always used the GAC at WDW. we're keeping an open mind about the DAS. i'm just wondering what it's been like for those who have gone during crowded times. the problem is not the waiting per se, but the waiting in a sea of humanity on a crowded day when there are no quiet places to be found.

if we don't go into the parks, we're considering knott's berry farm (which i see their system is the same as DAS essentially, but allowing walk-ons for rides under 10 minutes wait time).

thanks everyone. my mom is pretty nervous about what the DAS will entail so i'm trying to provide all the information i can to ensure her it will be okay.
First off, Knott's has on paper what sounds like a similar system, but the reality is completely different.

DL uses kiosks to get the return times. At Knott's, you have to go to each attraction and most of the wait times just to get to someone to give you the return time is longer than the wait times, but if you can't do stairs, then you have no other choice.

Knott's has a 30 minute (last I heard) window to come back within and if you don't, then you have to get a new wait time.

When you return, you have to wait again to get to where you can enter (usually the same wait you waited to get the return time).

Disneyland, you go to the Kiosk, tell them what you want to ride next and they will write the return time and you can go anytime after that return time, but you can't have more than one return time at a time.

That being said, you can use FP and if a wheelchair is used, wheelchair return time cards (these have a 1 hour return time window) as well.

I have been on a very busy day and using the DAS does work well, the only thing to keep in mind is if it is that busy, getting around the parks may be more difficult, but with proper planning, it's still doable.

I would not expect 2/14 to be a 10/10 day, but I would expect it be fairly busy. If you can get there at park opening, it won't be as bad though. In fact it will probably be fairly light until about 2:00 is when you will start noticing the crowds, then be quite crowded from about 4:30 on.
 
First off, Knott's has on paper what sounds like a similar system, but the reality is completely different.

DL uses kiosks to get the return times. At Knott's, you have to go to each attraction and most of the wait times just to get to someone to give you the return time is longer than the wait times, but if you can't do stairs, then you have no other choice.

Knott's has a 30 minute (last I heard) window to come back within and if you don't, then you have to get a new wait time.

When you return, you have to wait again to get to where you can enter (usually the same wait you waited to get the return time).

Disneyland, you go to the Kiosk, tell them what you want to ride next and they will write the return time and you can go anytime after that return time, but you can't have more than one return time at a time.

That being said, you can use FP and if a wheelchair is used, wheelchair return time cards (these have a 1 hour return time window) as well.

I have been on a very busy day and using the DAS does work well, the only thing to keep in mind is if it is that busy, getting around the parks may be more difficult, but with proper planning, it's still doable.

I would not expect 2/14 to be a 10/10 day, but I would expect it be fairly busy. If you can get there at park opening, it won't be as bad though. In fact it will probably be fairly light until about 2:00 is when you will start noticing the crowds, then be quite crowded from about 4:30 on.

thank you!! that clears a lot up. especially the difference at knott's.

he is able to transfer from wheelchair, so i don't think the wheelchair return time cards apply to us, right? he has to be in it the whole time until it's time to get on the ride though (or else we'll face the infamous plop n' drop...).

unfortunately rope drop is not likely an option for 2/14, but we can for 2/15. we'll have to see! thanks again.
 


I am also someone who has not read the entire thread. I am anticipating the need for an ECV for my July trip. I have moderate to severe arthritis in one knee and am asthmatic, I am able to transfer myself. I will be doing the DIS ABD trip and am adding a number of days after the trip to explore further. I have used an ECV once before for only 1 day at DL a couple of years ago. With the current changes to the procedures for those of us with disabilities I see I will need a Wheelchair Return card. Do I get this from the handicapped entrance, in most cases the exit from what I recall from my last trip, or the kiosks? Like everyone else here I just want to have fun and am willing to wait my appropriate turn.

I was hoping to see some recent reports from someone who has has a similar situation in terms of needing an ECV. I will listen to the podcast the Bowlings did.
 
I am also someone who has not read the entire thread. I am anticipating the need for an ECV for my July trip. I have moderate to severe arthritis in one knee and am asthmatic, I am able to transfer myself. I will be doing the DIS ABD trip and am adding a number of days after the trip to explore further. I have used an ECV once before for only 1 day at DL a couple of years ago. With the current changes to the procedures for those of us with disabilities I see I will need a Wheelchair Return card. Do I get this from the handicapped entrance, in most cases the exit from what I recall from my last trip, or the kiosks? Like everyone else here I just want to have fun and am willing to wait my appropriate turn.

I was hoping to see some recent reports from someone who has has a similar situation in terms of needing an ECV. I will listen to the podcast the Bowlings did.
If you have not read post one of this thread, you may want to read it.
That post has the DAS FAQs.

If mobility is your main issue, that will be taken care of by having the ECV.
At Disney's California Adventure, most lines are accessible, so don't have return times.

The kiosks are only for DAS, not for wheelchair return times. From everything I have seen, the wheelchair return times are given out at what is listed as the 'mobility entrance' for the attraction.
KPeveler is at DL often and will probably reply more completely.
 
Thanks Sue. I had read the first post, but some later trip experiences had me concerned. No one has posted much after the initial implementation. Hopefully there will be some other reports in the next few months.
 
For ECVs, Sue has it right. DCA doesn't generally have any attractions with return times, as the lines are mainstreamed. There are sometimes exceptions, such as RSR, if the wheelchair queue is beginning to get too backed up, they will sometimes issue return times (usually a longer wait than the standby line though) to spread out the wheelchairs. This has become extremely rare with the new DAS system fully implemented, but I have heard that it does still happen from time to time.

DL is a different story all together, return times are given out for:
  • All of Fantasyland, except the Matterhorn, which has a mainstreamed queue.
  • Finding Nemo Subs (when and if they reopen)
  • Space Mountain
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Pirates
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Splash Mountain
  • Big Thunder (Rumor has it that this queue may become mainstreamed when it reopens though)
  • Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin (Only when FP is running, otherwise it is a mainstreamed queue when it isn't running)
  • Autopia, when the queue is going up the steps (NOTE: The lift is broken more that it is running at this attraction, so be sure to ask if it is running before getting a return time, not all CMs stop to think about the lift being down as a problem that would mean that the return time was useless. Likewise, if they are not giving out return times, always ask the first CM if the lift is working, nothing like getting up there and not being able to ride because the lift is broken).

In all cases, wheelchair and ECV return times must be used within 1 hour of the return time and they usually will just let you get on the ride if the wait time is 20 minutes or less.

Some other exceptions to the rules and things to note:
  • Gadget's Go Coaster is not mainstreamed, but at last report was not handing out return times, even when the line was over 20 minutes.
  • Innoventions - It should be noted that you will usually need to point out to the CMs that you need the alternate entrance, they usually try to direct you up the ramp, which is not accessible.
  • At Star Tours, you must now transfer to a wheelchair (there are ones provided) prior to using the elevator.
  • Peter Pan usually now requires transferring to a wheelchair prior to using the accessible entrance, but this does seem to vary by CM and in some cases by the size of the ECV, etc.

Since I don't personally use a wheelchair or ECV, there may also be others that I am unaware of, but these are the ones that I am aware of at this time from going with those that do.
 
As for the rides that want you to transfer to a wheelchair, as a solo traveler, this probably won't work for me. I will most likely have a cane with me due to my arthritic knee. Hopefully I can just walk from that point. The ECV is mainly to avoid further damage to the knee and my lack of stamina. I will keep watching this thread for more info.
 
Provided the necessary accommodations are met for access, this is what to expect in the time management stamina changes to the system?

If the ride standby wait time posted is 90 mins. "Regular" rider should expect to board the ride at approximate the 90 min mark.

DAS Rider-no mobility issues or main stream line: Go to kiosk and to be given a ride return time for 80 mins. ( 80 mins -10 min (walk to kiosk before the ride, wait time in the kiosk line, walk back to the ride.) wait time= 90 min ride line length.). At the 90 min mark, while 'Regular" rider is boarding the ride, the DAS rider will just be entering the fastpass lane. Thus the DAS user should expect to, and will be, waiting normal ride times PLUS the extra time equal to the wait in a fast pass line?

DAS rider in chair on non mainstream rides, or rides with special cars: Should expect even longer wait times than any of the examples above, since you will need to wait the 90 min stand by time, and then also wait for a wheelchair load time which is usually much longer than just a fastpass line? May possibly wait behind existing return wheelchair users or may even be turned away and asked to use a wheelchair return time, which could be 2 times or more the standard wait times posted in the regular line?
 
The 10 minute wait time is not to make up for the walk, which is something every guest at the park must go through. It's to make up for the time spent waiting in the FP line. So your wait time, from the time you get to pick up the return time, should be the same as a standby guest entering the ride at that time (90 minutes in standby line or 80 minutes waiting somewhere else/doing other things plus 10 minutes in FP line).

Does it always work like that? No. Sometimes it's more, and sometimes it's less. But it's something that will even out over experience provided there aren't issues like mechanical failures or the occasional large group entering (which would back up the line for anyone, DAS guest or not).

For non-mainstream rides, there are more significant problems with equal wait time because of fire code restrictions. The simplest solution may be simple rationing of times because as per the fire code, there can only be a certain number of guests who cannot evacuate on their own on the ride at any given time. That would be far less than equal access if you walked up to a ride and found the next 15 wheelchair spots booked, but when the ADA runs into fire code, I think the fire code usually wins.
 
Hi

I am new to this thread and going to Disney for the first time the year. My son is 12 years old and has Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy, I predict he will need a wheelchair for access around the parks as he tires easily and has difficulty in walking distances. In the UK where we live, he would get a disabled pass no problems, at theme parks but reading forums here it appears the new DAS card will not be given out on mobility issues relating to his disability issues alone, is this right?

I am just trying to get prepared for him, we will be going in August which will be very crowded. any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi

I am new to this thread and going to Disney for the first time the year. My son is 12 years old and has Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy, I predict he will need a wheelchair for access around the parks as he tires easily and has difficulty in walking distances. In the UK where we live, he would get a disabled pass no problems, at theme parks but reading forums here it appears the new DAS card will not be given out on mobility issues relating to his disability issues alone, is this right?

I am just trying to get prepared for him, we will be going in August which will be very crowded. any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi

I am new to this thread and going to Disney for the first time the year. My son is 12 years old and has Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy, I predict he will need a wheelchair for access around the parks as he tires easily and has difficulty in walking distances. In the UK where we live, he would get a disabled pass no problems, at theme parks but reading forums here it appears the new DAS card will not be given out on mobility issues relating to his disability issues alone, is this right?

I am just trying to get prepared for him, we will be going in August which will be very crowded. any advice would be greatly appreciated.
That is correct.
DAS is not for mobility related issues only.

This thread is about Disneyland. If you are going there, DCA (Disney's California Adventure) has accessible queues for most attractions. With a wheelchair, you would just get into the queue. This is why guests don't need a DAS for mobility devices - the CM can see the mobility device sand direct you to the correct place.

Disneyland Park has more older attractions which don't have accessible lines - in many cases, you enter thru the exit. For those, you would be given a wheelchair return card at the attraction. When the time comes, you would return and be allowed to enter.
The reason for giving return times is to avoid large lines of guests waiting for access.
 
I've read the sticky and several posts but I just want to make sure I understand if you will humor me. My dd has low muscle tone and physical delays, so she can't walk or stand. That is her only issue. We will get a sticker saying we can take her stroller through the line. Correct? So when we are at Disneyland, we will just go through the line but with her stroller so that we don't have to carry her the entire day. I appreciate any help because we are new to this whole thing.
 
I've read the sticky and several posts but I just want to make sure I understand if you will humor me. My dd has low muscle tone and physical delays, so she can't walk or stand. That is her only issue. We will get a sticker saying we can take her stroller through the line. Correct? So when we are at Disneyland, we will just go through the line but with her stroller so that we don't have to carry her the entire day. I appreciate any help because we are new to this whole thing.
That is correct

If the only concerns in line are mobility and would be met by using her stroller in lines as a wheelchair, all you will need is the sticker.
 
I have read this entire thread and there is a lot of good info. I can't find info for my exact question, so hoping someone will have experience in this. DL has been our go to vacation since my DS5 was diagnosed with medical issue. It causes a lot of behavioral issues, several similar to ADHD and autism. My biggest concern is he gets stuck and there is absolutely no way to change his mind, if he wants to ride xx he's going to be in line for it NOW. His line breaking point is about 20min before a meltdown because he's not where he thinks he should be; people are too close to him; people are not moving fast enough; etc. These can be violent. The GAC was perfect for us. We did regular lines if they were short enough and used the GAC card otherwise. RR was UGLY last year with the hour wait time with GAC ticket. We only managed once in 12 days to ride RR and that was only because we got the FP while he was napping in his stroller. We are considering canceling our August trip and bidding ado to Disneyland. We are very sad since it was the only place he seemed to be understood and we could enjoy as a family relatively meltdown free. At least we will have the memories if he takes a turn for the worse.
 
Sorry pressed send before I asked my question:

Anyone dealt with something like this on the new DAS system? If so how did it go? Any suggestions? Thank you!
 
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