Disneyland chronic pain but can’t use wheelchair, please help!

[Caitief]

I have chronic pain in my hips and all the muscles around them. My issue is the actual standing in line. I tried to register for DAS since being out side of lines where I can stretch and move would really help, but the person said I don’t qualify and said I could rent a wheelchair (which costs extra, but that’s beside the point).

But last time we were in Disney World, we found out that sitting in a wheelchair was worse than standing. The angle my legs were at was excruciating for the muscles that hurt the most and every bump on the ground set waves of pain through my lower body. And my pain is worse than it was back then.

The other option she gave was paying for Genie+. I know it doesn’t cover all the rides and you can’t do that much in a day with it. We are in Disneyland for two days and DCA for one and we most likely will never be coming back.

Is there anything I can do? Anyone else I can talk to? At this point, it seems like my only option is the be at an 8/10 in pain the whole time I am there. I am so frustrated that I’m not the right kind of disabled to get help from Disney.

 

[lanejudy]

Would a rollator help? That is a walker with a seat. I suggest that in combination with your party helping you keep a few feet distance from the party in front, allowing you to move and stretch in the queue with the rollator to allow a seat on occasion to change positions. Many people do some pacing and stretching/moving like this in the queue. If sitting is of no help, skip the rollator.

 

[Her Dotness]

Maybe you did this and still were denied, but did you emphasize that you cannot stand in lines and also are unable to sit for any length of time, making a wheelchair unworkable? Saying pretty much exactly that.

If so, then try again, stressing that mobility aids requiring sitting are unworkable for your condition. You must stand but cannot for lengthy periods.

Another CM may be more understanding. This one seems to have absorbed the "No DAS for mobility issues" rule a little too thoroughly.

 

[jo-jo]

Maybe you did this and still were denied, but did you emphasize that you cannot stand in lines and also are unable to sit for any length of time, making a wheelchair unworkable? Saying pretty much exactly that.

If so, then try again, stressing that mobility aids requiring sitting are unworkable for your condition. You must stand but cannot for lengthy periods.

Another CM may be more understanding. This one seems to have absorbed the "No DAS for mobility issues" rule a little too thoroughly.

I don't know disney land, but at disney world, having DAS doesn't always mean a quick walk though the line. My DH had DAS, we went to the new star wars ride and the line snaked all over the court yard.

Do you have a friend that has a rollartor? Just to get a feel for it. Maybe the height of the seat will work for you. You can walk and sit for a few mins here and there when the line stops.

 

[Caitief]

Would a rollator help? That is a walker with a seat. I suggest that in combination with your party helping you keep a few feet distance from the party in front, allowing you to move and stretch in the queue with the rollator to allow a seat on occasion to change positions. Many people do some pacing and stretching/moving like this in the queue. If sitting is of no help, skip the rollator.

Unfortunately the rollator doesn’t work, but the idea to leave room is a great one! Thanks so much! I’ll make sure my husband knows and helps keep some room and hope the people around me are nice about it.

 

[Caitief]

Maybe you did this and still were denied, but did you emphasize that you cannot stand in lines and also are unable to sit for any length of time, making a wheelchair unworkable? Saying pretty much exactly that.

If so, then try again, stressing that mobility aids requiring sitting are unworkable for your condition. You must stand but cannot for lengthy periods.

Another CM may be more understanding. This one seems to have absorbed the "No DAS for mobility issues" rule a little too thoroughly.

I think we will try again because I emphasized that exact thing and she was very flippant of it all.

The CM told me that DAS was for people “who didn’t understand why they were waiting in line” which seems much more limited than what I thought it was for. Looking at this wonderful board, it seems that she was not right about that one…

 

[Her Dotness]

I think we will try again because I emphasized that exact thing and she was very flippant of it all.

The CM told me that DAS was for people “who didn’t understand why they were waiting in line” which seems much more limited than what I thought it was for. Looking at this wonderful board, it seems that she was not right about that one…

She was wrong, because I know mentally capable adults with chronic fatigue who typically get a DAS by stating they are unable to stand in line for any length of time.

Same for adults/children with ADHD which certainly doesn't render a person incapable of understanding a need to wait patiently.

 

[Her Dotness]

Unfortunately the rollator doesn’t work, but the idea to leave room is a great one! Thanks so much! I’ll make sure my husband knows and helps keep some room and hope the people around me are nice about it.

Good luck with this!

At WDW, DH has even had people lean against the back of his powerchair.

CMs in November were again urging people to fill spaces just as was done pre-pandemic,

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Unfortunately the rollator doesn’t work, but the idea to leave room is a great one! Thanks so much! I’ll make sure my husband knows and helps keep some room and hope the people around me are nice about it.

if you decide to try for DAS again, think about what about lines causes problems other than standing and why sitting in wheelchair does not help. explain why these are the problem and what you have tried

 

[OurBigTrip]

She was wrong, because I know mentally capable adults with chronic fatigue who typically get a DAS by stating they are unable to stand in line for any length of time.

I have no doubt they do get a DAS, but they probably shouldn't. Stamina issues can be accommodated with a mobility aid.

 

[Baldy]

Oh no. I hope you are able to be accommodated. I would try asking again. Maybe explaining it differently or a different CM will make a difference. Please let us know how things work out.
I have a different medical issue but with the same result. Standing stilll is bad but sitting still is worse (besides the fact that my hands would never be able to work the mobility device). I was hoping I would also qualify for DAS. I guess I’ll know in three weeks.

 

[emonade8]

I would definitely try again. My daughter has a condition that presents with similar challenges and she had no trouble getting a DAS for our trip in January

 

[ttintagel]

I’ve known people who were still refused DAS because the CM said Disney’s position was that a mobility device such as a wheelchair or rollator allowed them to change positions between sitting and standing as often as they needed.

So, there is no reason you can’t go back and ask again as many times as you like, But a Plan B in case you keep getting the same answer is a good thing to have.

A Rollator may be better than a wheelchair because the seat tends to be higher, so it’s easier to get up and down with less bending.

As mentioned above, when I have decided to go without a mobility device, I did stretches every time the line stopped moving. It helped a lot. I also knew my own limitations, and didn’t get in lines with a posted wait time too long for me to handle.

 

[Caitief]

My husband sent over an email to disability services at Disneyland and they responded today. The person is going to call us tomorrow or Friday.

I’m going in with so much information from the people here, which is so helpful! I tried a rollator at PT today and found that I am too tall for that to be useful (my PT said she would yell at my for a month if I used one).

Thank you to everyone! Knowing that I’m not alone is so nice. I’ll let you know what happens.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

My husband sent over an email to disability services at Disneyland and they responded today. The person is going to call us tomorrow or Friday.

I’m going in with so much information from the people here, which is so helpful! I tried a rollator at PT today and found that I am too tall for that to be useful (my PT said she would yell at my for a month if I used one).

Thank you to everyone! Knowing that I’m not alone is so nice. I’ll let you know what happens.

good luck

 

[DisneyOma]

My husband sent over an email to disability services at Disneyland and they responded today. The person is going to call us tomorrow or Friday.

I’m going in with so much information from the people here, which is so helpful! I tried a rollator at PT today and found that I am too tall for that to be useful (my PT said she would yell at my for a month if I used one).

Thank you to everyone! Knowing that I’m not alone is so nice. I’ll let you know what happens.

I hope you get the pass - but what are you going to do while waiting for your return time? Do you just keep walking around? I have a similar condition, and find it hard to figure out what to do while I wait for the return time. The idea of having to walk constantly makes me feel exhausted just thinking about it - I've used first aid to do my Pt and rest.

 

[Caitief]

I hope you get the pass - but what are you going to do while waiting for your return time? Do you just keep walking around? I have a similar condition, and find it hard to figure out what to do while I wait for the return time. The idea of having to walk constantly makes me feel exhausted just thinking about it - I've used first aid to do my Pt and rest.

I talked to my PT about this! The plan is to walk around, find places to do stretches (my PT will be making a routine for me depending on where the pain is), and trying to find places with high top seating, since that’s the one way I can sit without hurting more. And adjusting my tens unit - I’ve found on active days it can be a HUGE help.

 

[DisneyOma]

I talked to my PT about this! The plan is to walk around, find places to do stretches (my PT will be making a routine for me depending on where the pain is), and trying to find places with high top seating, since that’s the one way I can sit without hurting more. And adjusting my tens unit - I’ve found on active days it can be a HUGE help.

Most benches are low in the back at the parks. For a high-backed seat, you would have to book a meal at a restaurant?

 

[niclodn]

I have a similar issue and was also told they consider this a mobility issue that does not qualify. I do know others who have been successful. I really think some CM's are more strict than others when it comes to this issue. Hopefully it will work out for you.

 

[Caitief]

The call was not successful, but it wasn’t a complete waste. We were able to report what the other cast member said and the woman did give us advice (and had some compassion unlike the first person I talked to).

She said that since I have tried other mobility decides and they don’t work that my best bet would to go to guest relations in the park and talk to someone there. That if the first person couldn’t figure something out that I should ask to speak to someone else (aka manager). She also gave me the guest relation locations that aren’t City Hall because that can be a longer line and lines are bad for me.

Here’s hoping it works! Thank you all for you advice - I’ll definitely be using it.