WDW -Disability Access Service (DAS) - ARCHIVED THREAD; no longer vslid

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Thanks for this info as well. I am trying to plan a post GAC trip. Adult son with quad cerebral palsy, two parents with physical difficulties that need to take turns pushing the wheelchair. Trying to utilize new fast pass system, to minimize walking around. My son wants fast pass for jungle cruise and small world. My question is will he need these as he needs to use the special boats since he can't transfer? Will he just, if I understand the info correctly, just be sent to the "special" line to wait in less busy times ( or be given a return time if busy )? I want to use the fast pass pluses effectively and not waste them if not needed for a certain attraction.
Thanks in advance. I thought I finally had this all figured out. :-)
 
Thanks for this info as well. I am trying to plan a post GAC trip. Adult son with quad cerebral palsy, two parents with physical difficulties that need to take turns pushing the wheelchair. Trying to utilize new fast pass system, to minimize walking around. My son wants fast pass for jungle cruise and small world. My question is will he need these as he needs to use the special boats since he can't transfer? Will he just, if I understand the info correctly, just be sent to the "special" line to wait in less busy times ( or be given a return time if busy )? I want to use the fast pass pluses effectively and not waste them if not needed for a certain attraction.
Thanks in advance. I thought I finally had this all figured out. :-)

We did not use FastPass for Jungle Cruise or Small World. We went to Small World fairly early in the day and were directed through the exit like in the past. We waited for the wheelchair boat for a short period of time and were then put on. No one was waiting for it when we came back around so they let us go again (DD was thrilled!). For Jungle Cruise, we had a pass (similar to FP+) given to us for a mix-up. They told me not to use it and ushered us to the wheelchair line. It wasn't busy because it was in the evening during one of the parades. Cool time for the JC in the dark.
 
Thank you. This is the kind of info we're looking for.and yes, the jungle cruise is really cool at night! Our guide was using a flashlight to point out hidden mickeys. Hope to do this again. So grateful that they have that special boat!
 
Hi everyone. I have some anxiety surrounding our September trip to DW. It will be me, DH, DD (11), and DS(9). The concerns I have are about my ability to manage the parks. I have lupus...it is advanced in a way that has impacted multiple organ systems. The short story is that I am slowly improving, but my stamina is very low. I know that I will need to go back to resort (CSR) for breaks and will need more rest than everyone else.

One thing that will worsen my symptoms is sun exposure. I take precautions with long sleeves, hat, etc., but the sun still does a number on me. The last time I was at disney was 5 years ago and I wasn't very sick yet. I don't remember how many queues are shaded or indoor. My husband thinks I should consider a wheelchair and that I should ask to sit in a shaded area during for our wait jn lines (if available). I'm not sure if the system is set up for that or not.

If you have any advice I would greatly appreciated it. I know I will have to wait in lines and I am completely fine with waiting my turn and everything. I just want to try to not burn myself out on the very first day!

Thank you so much!
 
Hi everyone. I have some anxiety surrounding our September trip to DW. It will be me, DH, DD (11), and DS(9). The concerns I have are about my ability to manage the parks. I have lupus...it is advanced in a way that has impacted multiple organ systems. The short story is that I am slowly improving, but my stamina is very low. I know that I will need to go back to resort (CSR) for breaks and will need more rest than everyone else.

One thing that will worsen my symptoms is sun exposure. I take precautions with long sleeves, hat, etc., but the sun still does a number on me. The last time I was at disney was 5 years ago and I wasn't very sick yet. I don't remember how many queues are shaded or indoor. My husband thinks I should consider a wheelchair and that I should ask to sit in a shaded area during for our wait jn lines (if available). I'm not sure if the system is set up for that or not.

If you have any advice I would greatly appreciated it. I know I will have to wait in lines and I am completely fine with waiting my turn and everything. I just want to try to not burn myself out on the very first day!

Thank you so much!

I would highly suggest renting a wheelchair or ECV from an offsite rental location. CSR is huge and you're going to want it to get around the resort. An ECV will give you more freedom. I have heat/sun tolerance issues similar to those than happen with lupus and one thing that does actually help is conserving my overall energy by using a mobility aid. It will also just help keep you from overdoing things in general in terms of your energy/pain levels. You do not need a DAS if the wheelchair/ECV does provide all the help you need (I realize it probably doesn't, but wanted to make sure you were aware of that). Most queues are mainstreamed so you'll wait with everyone else as normal if all you use is a mobility aid.

I'd suggest searching the board for prior posts about traveling with sun & heat sensitivity. You certainly could request a DAS so you could wait in a location that is indoors & air conditioned for those queues that are partially outside, but you need to be able to explain your need for it in terms that have nothing to do with your mobility/stamina. Most queues are shaded and most of the heat/sun will be walking between attractions, but it's definitely worth trying to avoid Other things to do are to plan, as much as possible, to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Making rope drop, taking a break at the hotel for the hottest parts of the afternoon, and then coming back in the evening are going to be some of the most helpful things for you. (I am assuming the September was something non-negotiable, however, in the future you might want to consider going later into the fall or in the winter. September in FL is still generally hot enough that it's a month I won't even consider a trip.) It's also worth looking into frog togs or another cooling device to have.
 
I would highly suggest renting a wheelchair or ECV from an offsite rental location. CSR is huge and you're going to want it to get around the resort. An ECV will give you more freedom. I have heat/sun tolerance issues similar to those than happen with lupus and one thing that does actually help is conserving my overall energy by using a mobility aid. It will also just help keep you from overdoing things in general in terms of your energy/pain levels. You do not need a DAS if the wheelchair/ECV does provide all the help you need (I realize it probably doesn't, but wanted to make sure you were aware of that). Most queues are mainstreamed so you'll wait with everyone else as normal if all you use is a mobility aid. I'd suggest searching the board for prior posts about traveling with sun & heat sensitivity. You certainly could request a DAS so you could wait in a location that is indoors & air conditioned for those queues that are partially outside, but you need to be able to explain your need for it in terms that have nothing to do with your mobility/stamina. Most queues are shaded and most of the heat/sun will be walking between attractions, but it's definitely worth trying to avoid Other things to do are to plan, as much as possible, to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Making rope drop, taking a break at the hotel for the hottest parts of the afternoon, and then coming back in the evening are going to be some of the most helpful things for you. (I am assuming the September was something non-negotiable, however, in the future you might want to consider going later into the fall or in the winter. September in FL is still generally hot enough that it's a month I won't even consider a trip.) It's also worth looking into frog togs or another cooling device to have.

Thank you so much for the helpful response! I will look into renting an EVC. I know the heat will still get to me. Thankfully I live in Texas so it won't be quite as big of a shock to my system. Do you think it would be worth it for me to call and ask if shaded queue areas are available? I know they can give a DAS out before arrival or anything, but I just want to try to know how this will all play out when I get there. I'm so excited, yet TERRIFIED for this trip. I have been doing chemo & antibody therapy since Oct and it really zaps me. My drs are fine with my attempting to go so long as I rest and listen to my body (so much easier said than done at Disney!!!)

Thank you again. I really appreciate your help.
 
September is still a VERY hot and humid time in Orlando. Honestly, if you can postpone until a later month, that might help you a lot.

As for stamina, you'll be best served by renting an ECV. This will also be WDW's response, as there are very few places to sit other than restaurants or on the curb.

Most lines at WDW are either indoors (A/C) or under a roof canopy (amount of shade may depend on the sun's position throughout the day). There really is no place to sit while in line without having a mobility aid - such as an ECV - and definitely no way to join your party in line. Most of your sun exposure will come throughout the parks, not while in lines. You might want to look into some cooling devices -- Frogg Togg neck scarves are popular, misting fan, cooling vest, etc. It sounds like you already plan mid-day breaks back at the resort, which will be very good to get you out of the hottest part of the day.

DAS cannot be given out or even guaranteed over the phone before you arrive at the park. You can call with questions, though you'll probably get the best responses here on the DIS; unfortunately, the phone CMs are at a phone center location and may not have ever set foot in a WDW park, so answers can vary greatly on the phone.

Enjoy your vacation!
 


I have to be careful of not overheating. I love partly cloudy days:rotfl:. I have brought a small folding umbrella to provide some shade in the parks. One of the HA viewing spots for the MK parade was in a very sunny spot. The umbrella helped.
 
Can anyone tell me how Guest Services is about writing out needs on a paper head of time instead of having to explain them out loud and causing a potentially embarrassing/anxiety inducing situation for a guest? Has that been acceptable with the DAS?
 
I have to be careful of not overheating. I love partly cloudy days:rotfl:. I have brought a small folding umbrella to provide some shade in the parks. One of the HA viewing spots for the MK parade was in a very sunny spot. The umbrella helped.

I may have missed it and you may have already stated using them but have you tried the Frog Togg Chill pads? I found about them on here a couple years ago and they have been a lifesaver. I imagine that in combo with the umbrella that would help immensely. Someone in another thread suggested the snap ice packs for anxiety which I am going to try (I have panic attacks and anxiety disorder) but that might be another tool to keep in your arsenal to keep yourself from overheating.
 
Can anyone tell me how Guest Services is about writing out needs on a paper head of time instead of having to explain them out loud and causing a potentially embarrassing/anxiety inducing situation for a guest? Has that been acceptable with the DAS?
Other people have done that.
I would probably preface it to the CM by saying something like, "I get really nervous, so I wrote down my needs for you to read."
 
Can anyone tell me how Guest Services is about writing out needs on a paper head of time instead of having to explain them out loud and causing a potentially embarrassing/anxiety inducing situation for a guest? Has that been acceptable with the DAS?

I've done this & had no problems with CM's willingly taking my note & nicely providing the assistance I need.
 
I'm not sure if this info has been posted yet but AP holders can now get the DAS for 60days at a time.
 
Just spend 3 days at WDW. Our 2yo has a seizure disorder. She is severely developmentally delayed, non mobile & non verbal. She also has hypotonia, CVI & retinopathy so she is very floppy and doesn't have good head control and we know she can see because she recognizes people and objects, just unsure of how much she sees and processes.
She loves Disney though! I think it's all the stimulation, the movement, the colors. We have a "stroller as a wheelchair" red tag that we used on our trip. I can't even begin to tell you how nasty people were to us. Several nasty comments from other guests. At epcot, in "the land" building, we had at least 5 people make comments of how we must have "snuck" the stroller in. When I said to one woman on the elevator "we didn't sneak it in, she's disabled" the woman started mocking me saying oh yeah sure , she's not disabled. At little mermaid in MK I had a man yell at us for "cutting" the line (we did not cut, we were ushered into the wheelchair parking section" and then he started yelling that we were those people like on the news that fake things to get ahead in line. I just can not believe how nasty complete strangers were. Has anyone else had this happen? Do you ignore people or try to explain to them why your child has the tag?
Lastly, I was a bit disappointed at MK. Their baby care center is not wheelchair accessible. I was surprised because the one at hollywood studios was so nice & we were able to take the stroller in. At MK, I had to park the stroller outside (even with the tag on it) and carry my daughter and all of her gear in which was not an easy task. Is there anywhere else at MK that is handicap accessible and offers a place to change and feed a young child? What would they do if the mother was in a wheelchair? Seems a bit off to me.

All in all, we had a wonderful trip. I tried very hard to not let the comments of others get to me. I'd give anything to wait in a real line and have my daughter walk onto a ride like other healthy two year olds. I'd happily ditch all the gear and the stroller to have her take steps in "the land". I guess others just don't get it.
 
Just spend 3 days at WDW. Our 2yo has a seizure disorder. She is severely developmentally delayed, non mobile & non verbal. She also has hypotonia, CVI & retinopathy so she is very floppy and doesn't have good head control and we know she can see because she recognizes people and objects, just unsure of how much she sees and processes.
She loves Disney though! I think it's all the stimulation, the movement, the colors. We have a "stroller as a wheelchair" red tag that we used on our trip. I can't even begin to tell you how nasty people were to us. Several nasty comments from other guests. At epcot, in "the land" building, we had at least 5 people make comments of how we must have "snuck" the stroller in. When I said to one woman on the elevator "we didn't sneak it in, she's disabled" the woman started mocking me saying oh yeah sure , she's not disabled. At little mermaid in MK I had a man yell at us for "cutting" the line (we did not cut, we were ushered into the wheelchair parking section" and then he started yelling that we were those people like on the news that fake things to get ahead in line. I just can not believe how nasty complete strangers were. Has anyone else had this happen? Do you ignore people or try to explain to them why your child has the tag?
Lastly, I was a bit disappointed at MK. Their baby care center is not wheelchair accessible. I was surprised because the one at hollywood studios was so nice & we were able to take the stroller in. At MK, I had to park the stroller outside (even with the tag on it) and carry my daughter and all of her gear in which was not an easy task. Is there anywhere else at MK that is handicap accessible and offers a place to change and feed a young child? What would they do if the mother was in a wheelchair? Seems a bit off to me.

All in all, we had a wonderful trip. I tried very hard to not let the comments of others get to me. I'd give anything to wait in a real line and have my daughter walk onto a ride like other healthy two year olds. I'd happily ditch all the gear and the stroller to have her take steps in "the land". I guess others just don't get it.

This really surprises me. I've been in there tons of times and there is nothing that stands out as not WC accessible... was it just the CM that said no? Seems to me there is no stairs and the halls and doors are wide enough. :confused3
 
This really surprises me. I've been in there tons of times and there is nothing that stands out as not WC accessible... was it just the CM that said no? Seems to me there is no stairs and the halls and doors are wide enough. :confused3

The CM said no. I even showed her the red tag and she said absolutely not because it's a safety hazard. She said there is only one exit so it wasn't allowed. I was surprised too. After a few mins of trying to struggle with gear I walked out in tears. I didn't try the one at epcot or AK but the one at hollywood studios was very nice.
 
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