DAS in Tandem

[Mrsjvb]

it is not your responsibility to make a child's vacation magical unless it is YOUR child. and sooner or later they are going to have to learn that you are incapable of always and easily doing the stuff they want you to do. their vacation will not be ruined if you have to skip a ride or go back to the hotel alone

you have a responsibility to YOURSELF when it comes to enjoying something. I Learned long ago to never go on vacation or do a theme park/state fair with people of any age who do not do things the way you do things. makes everyone miserable.

 

[johnsgrl]

I can only re-state (and emphasize) what you have been told, go to GS and tell them why waiting in line is a problem for you. If it is given, you will still have to wait in the FP line and it MAY be longer than a few minutes, and you can indeed have your family build the bubble around you for that time. Use a good touring plan to hit what you can at the low times if possible, and enjoy your trip!

oh, and boy do I understand the issues caused by the removal of smoking areas! I get it, but it does not make it any easier. Build time to hit the few there are in your touring plan, and be ready for them to disappear or move over-night!

 

[k8Davies]

So I was considering trying to get a DAS in hopes that I can survive and at least stay stable enough to pretend to enjoy this trip so my family won't know how miserable I am

Oh @AmberMK can't really add to what the guys have already posted.

But I wanted to send some virtual hugs and support and I really hope you do manage to enjoy the trip.

Also I don't know your family but I am sure they would want you to hid it if you are struggling; as you need to make sure you're taking care of yourself

 

[AmberMK]

I can only re-state (and emphasize) what you have been told, go to GS and tell them why waiting in line is a problem for you. If it is given, you will still have to wait in the FP line and it MAY be longer than a few minutes, and you can indeed have your family build the bubble around you for that time. Use a good touring plan to hit what you can at the low times if possible, and enjoy your trip!

oh, and boy do I understand the issues caused by the removal of smoking areas! I get it, but it does not make it any easier. Build time to hit the few there are in your touring plan, and be ready for them to disappear or move over-night!

I totally understand the idea. Some of those smoking areas were in the WORST possible places, so I understand why those needed to be moved. I was smoking in the one that was on the pathway next to the castle, it seemed like an ideal spot, totally out of the way, until hoards of mothers and daughters came surging up the path, that's when I found out that at one end of the path (where we were) was fantasy land, at the other end was Merida. Who in their right mind puts an (extremely overloaded) smoking area between princesses??? I didn't use that one again after I figured it out, especially since we went down to peek at Merida and saw NO "smoking this way" kinds of signs at that end, so the kids were essentially forced through the smokers since they were already at the other end of the path, unless they went all the way back down and went around to the other end of fantasy land. NOT COOL!

But two?? TWO??? In parks the size of MK and AK? (No, that one where I have to "clear customs" again to get back to the park does NOT count). It's just insanity for those of us who have an actual medical reason for our smoking. And before anyone freaks, yes, some of us really do have a real, honest to god, medical reason. Mine is that my doctors can't find any combination that actually helps me. The *best* result I've ever gotten is sleeping 20 out of every 24 hours, and the other four hours I was so groggy all I did was sit around and stare into space. There are 4 out of the first 7 years of my son's life that I can barely remember because of all the drug/therapy/behavior modification combos they were putting me through trying to fix me. Every few years they test my thyroid some more and try again and I lose a few more months. It never works. Smoking works. Even my doctor told me I'd never be able to quit unless medicine comes up with a magical new pill.

It's super frustrating. I really do understand that some people don't like it, I understand that they want to avoid it as much as possible, I even totally agree that they *should* be able to mostly avoid it. But I'm not sure what they are actually accomplishing with this, the 6 or 7 that were there when I went last time were ALWAYS full, sometimes crammed tight enough that I went in search of another hoping it would be empty enough to not trigger me before I could light up, and I was there in early/mid October, I can't image them during the summer at full capacity. This is only going to make it so much worse. And worse, I'm convinced this will just encourage people to smoke where they shouldn't for a lack of space.

Full smoking areas in MK and AK kinda scares me for this upcoming trip. There are no alternatives to try anymore. I don't now how I will deal with it if I go through everything trying to keep myself human, only to be chased out of the park by a lack of calm down areas, otherwise known as DSAs.

 

[AmberMK]

I just wanted to be sure everyone knows that I am reading every single post, and I greatly appreciate all your efforts to help and ease me about my upcoming trip, I really do.

I have not been replying to the ones I could not add to in some way, and it suddenly occurred to me that you all might think I was ignoring you and your advice, and I want to assure you I am not. I'm taking it all in and processing it along with what my research is giving me to help create the perfect plan of survival.

Thank you, each and every one of you that took time out of your day for me.

 

[DisneyOma]

But two?? TWO??? In parks the size of MK and AK? (No, that one where I have to "clear customs" again to get back to the park does NOT count). It's just insanity for those of us who have an actual medical reason for our smoking. And before anyone freaks, yes, some of us really do have a real, honest to god, medical reason. Mine is that my doctors can't find any combination that actually helps me. The *best* result I've ever gotten is sleeping 20 out of every 24 hours, and the other four hours I was so groggy all I did was sit around and stare into space. There are 4 out of the first 7 years of my son's life that I can barely remember because of all the drug/therapy/behavior modification combos they were putting me through trying to fix me. Every few years they test my thyroid some more and try again and I lose a few more months. It never works. Smoking works. Even my doctor told me I'd never be able to quit unless medicine comes up with a magical new pill.

What ingredient is it in the cigarette that calms you down? Why not get that in pill form? Then you are not risking lung cancer, stress from finding a smoking area, and $$$ for cigarettes. And if your doctor can't figure out a remedy, maybe it is time for a new doctor?

 

[AmberMK]

What ingredient is it in the cigarette that calms you down? Why not get that in pill form? Then you are not risking lung cancer, stress from finding a smoking area, and $$$ for cigarettes. And if your doctor can't figure out a remedy, maybe it is time for a new doctor?

The truth is no one knows why smoking has a calming effect over anxiety and panic attacks, it has something to do with pure tobacco (not the chemical laden paper they chop up for commercial smokes, but the stuff you put into pipes that is 100% tobacco leaf). I roll my own pure tobacco cigarettes, and it is WAY more effective than the commercial smokes, and also WAY less dangerous because of the lack toxic chemicals cigarette companies put in their slurry that they then color dry and chop to look like tobacco. I do know that chewing tobacco does not have the same effect for people like me, so it's either the smoke itself that contains the natural chemicals OR it's the delivery method that causes the effect.

Also, there is no way I could take a pill and save money over smoking. Because I do not buy commercial cigarettes, but tobacco and tubes and make my own, I spend roughly 16 dollars for between one and two weeks worth of smokes, depending on how bad a week it's been. There is no way in all of Hade's pretty blue fire that medical science can find, replicate, and produce whatever the mixture of chemicals is, and then sell it to me for somewhere between 8 to 16 dollars a week. I'd be lucky to get it for 16 dollars a pill. There is also no promise that a pill would actually work, there is a reason that medications have different forms, it might end up being some form of medical inhalant, and who's to say that they won't eventually find out that that causes cancer just like smoking, since at least some of the same chemicals will be involved? Either way, I'd spend more on the medical treatment, with no guarantee of success, and probably no way to know for sure that it wasn't just as dangerous as smoking.

As for my doctors, I've had several dozen over the past 24 years, including specialists, and even some naturalists bordering on voodoo witch doctors. I was serious when I decided I was going to solve my anxiety problem and quit smoking, I had just found out I was pregnant and that was the driving factor I needed to solve my problem, my son would need me. The problem is they just can't find a solution for me or anyone like me, with a complex set of anxieties and a slightly off brain chemical makeup (at least that's what they tell me is the big problem that won't allow regular anxiety meds to work for me.) But as I can't take most medications, they almost all have some horribly adverse or reverse affect on me, I don't know why I thought this type of medication was going to be any different. I still keep going back, I still keep looking into every "works every time cure", I still keep trying. They simply don't work for me. And like I said, even the medical professionals have said I won't be able to quit until something does work... well... unless I wanted to end up in a straight jacket or jail.

I get the skepticism, I really do. Nobody wants to believe there might be a real medical issue that smoking can be the "medication" for. But it's true, and while I will not claim that I am not also addicted (I do not know for sure, but I assume that I am since smoking is addictive) it does not appear to be the reason I smoke *at this time*. I say that because my smoking increases, and more importantly DECREASES, with my anxiety levels, and I've been smoking very near the same amount for years. Addicts don't have the decrease or that kind of stability. I will say that I am absolutely positive that if medicine or voodoo doctors ever do find something that works for me, that is when I'll find out how addicted I am and I have no doubt it will be a real witch to get over.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

@AmberMK ,

Have you tried neurofeedback or biofeedback therapy? We've been treating my DD with neurofeedback for her bipolar disorder and have been able to decrease her meds. Her neurofeedback therapist said that anxiety is the diagnosis she's had the most success in treating. It would definitely be more expensive than your current smoking, but you might be able to achieve longer term improvements without the side effects of pharmaceuticals or smoking.

Just something to look into.

 

[Kaytie]

Who in their right mind puts an (extremely overloaded) smoking area between princesses???

Well, in 'fairness', the DSA was there first. I suppose we could ask who in their right minds puts a Princess near a smoking are ;D

Some of those smoking areas were in the WORST possible places,

Honestly, one that made the most sense to me was overlooking the Speedway.

 

[AmberMK]

Well, in 'fairness', the DSA was there first. I suppose we could ask who in their right minds puts a Princess near a smoking are ;D

Honestly, one that made the most sense to me was overlooking the Speedway.

LOL. You have me there Kaytie. The last time I was at Disney before this last trip you could smoke anywhere in the outside parts of the park, that was back just before they build HS, so I wasn't aware that the DSA was there first.

 

[Bete]

I'll chime in a different way. You are going at Christmas. So, enjoy the shows and entertainment more than the rides. Epcot is number one in that way. There's the Candlelight Processional, different singing groups, and storytellers in World Showcase explaining their Christmas traditions. I guarantee your mom would love doing Disney this way. Your nieces and nephews are new to Disney; so, they can be satisfied doing a mixture of rides and shows. You don't have to do just rides.

You have regular shows to enjoy in every park like the Lion King sow in Animal Kingdom and you can see the parades and fireworks. There are character meet and greets that will give everyone wonderful memories.

Since you are staying onsite at a Disney resort I would utilize extra magic hours and do the early morning ones at each park. The crowds are lower at that time. I would get park hopping passes. I would spend the morning in the early morning park, have lunch there and leave. Take a mid day break back at the resort. Then, go to a different park for the rest of the day. Your mom will appreciate the rest and so will you. You can catch up on your smoking at this time, too. Knowing you will have the time for this should relieve a lot of stress and anxiety. The others can take a rest or enjoy the pool for a while.

With regards to rides and your mom it's best for someone to be ahead of her to help her in and out and someone behind her in case she fell back or whatever. Boat style rides will probably be the most difficult like Pirates of the Carribean in Magic Kingdom. There may be a few instances where you can get your mom close to a ride with the scooter and get her off the scooter and let someone else park the scooter for the ride. That will be less walking for her. Make sure she is holding on to someone while walking. The Great Movie Ride in Disney Studios comes to mind where this would work well.

Wheelchairs are welcomed on some rides where scooters are not allowed. Maybe, there will be transfer wheelchairs you can use temporarily and park the scooter for the ride queues.

Don't forget to utilize fastpass plus. You need to link everyone in your party for this to work with all of you. You get to make advance fastpass reservations 60 days out for three attractions per day. Once you use those three you can try for a fourth, fifth and so forth on the go. I would use the advanced three fastpasses in the morning. While doing your rest at the resort you can try for a fourth fastpass for your return time to the park.

You can try for DAS and see what happens there. It may help you. Fastpass helps; so, make sure you utilize it.

If you are not early risers then I think your plan of attack will be much more difficult. The best suggestion then is to alternate rides with shows; so, you can relax a little at a show. Again, your mom will appreciate having a rest.

 

[AmberMK]

I'll chime in a different way. You are going at Christmas. So, enjoy the shows and entertainment more than the rides. Epcot is number one in that way. There's the Candlelight Processional, different singing groups, and storytellers in World Showcase explaining their Christmas traditions. I guarantee your mom would love doing Disney this way. Your nieces and nephews are new to Disney; so, they can be satisfied doing a mixture of rides and shows. You don't have to do just rides.

You have regular shows to enjoy in every park like the Lion King sow in Animal Kingdom and you can see the parades and fireworks. There are character meet and greets that will give everyone wonderful memories.

Since you are staying onsite at a Disney resort I would utilize extra magic hours and do the early morning ones at each park. The crowds are lower at that time. I would get park hopping passes. I would spend the morning in the early morning park, have lunch there and leave. Take a mid day break back at the resort. Then, go to a different park for the rest of the day. Your mom will appreciate the rest and so will you. You can catch up on your smoking at this time, too. Knowing you will have the time for this should relieve a lot of stress and anxiety. The others can take a rest or enjoy the pool for a while.

With regards to rides and your mom it's best for someone to be ahead of her to help her in and out and someone behind her in case she fell back or whatever. Boat style rides will probably be the most difficult like Pirates of the Carribean in Magic Kingdom. There may be a few instances where you can get your mom close to a ride with the scooter and get her off the scooter and let someone else park the scooter for the ride. That will be less walking for her. Make sure she is holding on to someone while walking. The Great Movie Ride in Disney Studios comes to mind where this would work well.

Wheelchairs are welcomed on some rides where scooters are not allowed. Maybe, there will be transfer wheelchairs you can use temporarily and park the scooter for the ride queues.

Don't forget to utilize fastpass plus. You need to link everyone in your party for this to work with all of you. You get to make advance fastpass reservations 60 days out for three attractions per day. Once you use those three you can try for a fourth, fifth and so forth on the go. I would use the advanced three fastpasses in the morning. While doing your rest at the resort you can try for a fourth fastpass for your return time to the park.

You can try for DAS and see what happens there. It may help you. Fastpass helps; so, make sure you utilize it.

If you are not early risers then I think your plan of attack will be much more difficult. The best suggestion then is to alternate rides with shows; so, you can relax a little at a show. Again, your mom will appreciate having a rest.

Thank you, Bete, for the wonderful suggestions. Thanks to having a fantastic boyfriend that took me a few years ago just because, I do have a great appreciation for the Fastpass system (especially since my failure to use it ended so badly that one day), and I am very carefully working out the best places to use these already, despite it still being 65 days before I can make any.

In order to avoid as many lines as possible, I spent extra to get the Deluxe dining plan so I could do character meals instead of having to stand in line for characters (I really am trying to avoid NEEDING the DAS at all via careful planning, so that even if I have it, I only need it when I really NEED it). A meal I can eat and leave, and no one will think twice about it because I'm a smoker, which means the kids can eat, enjoy the characters, and not really miss anything. At this point, after careful prodding, I believe that there will only need to be one character line, Elsa, and as big of a Disney fan as I am, I'll probably send the parents through with the munchkins for that one as it seems to still be exceedingly popular with fairly long lines.

I seriously considered adding the park hopper option, but it made planning for breakfast, lunch, and dinner far too difficult for me. It worked out very well for me to plan one park a day and then be able to focus on getting the meals we wanted on that day. I managed to get all the character meals I wanted (none of the great before opening breakfasts sadly), but I did get them all. They have not scheduled the candlelight processional for the time of my trip, and I'm now waiting to hopefully get a river of light package (my sincere hope is this will score me a get in early to AK).

I do have plans to take a few hours in the middle of each day as down time/recharge back at the hotel. First, the munchkins LOVE them some pool time, and second I know I'm gonna need the time. The only day's I didn't plan this for is the first day (we will be arriving mid morning, so that eats into the break time, but I scheduled HS for that day for that exact reason) and the last day, where we will be "forced" out by 6 pm no matter what, but I'm actually planning on spending the second half of the day at Disney Springs and dinner at TRex before going to a local hotel and heading home in the morning.

 

[gap2368]

are the kids in to thrill rides at all, or if they are into doing a lot of rides look at the VIP tours there are ones that are not the privet ones so they will not be as expensive and you really do get a lot of rides in and you use the FP lines

here Is the page to the VIP tours https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/vip-tour-services/

and here is the page to the classic https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/ultimate-classics-tour/ I think it is just MK and it say you get up to 10 rides on this.

I do not know your budget but I have done the trills one and it is worth every penny

 

[Bete]

Without park hopping passes you have two choices. Go to the extra early park anyway and realize later in the day it will be more crowded. You still get in a great morning with less crowds. Another trick is to make your way to the back of the park by the time the general public gets in on the extra early mornings.

The next choice is to completely avoid the extra magic parks all together with the idea that the crowds would be more leveled out all day.

Keep in mind dining reservations can be changed. I've tweaked our plans a few times all ready. With a bigger group it's harder to change but doable. It's not impossible to change.

From what I understand Candlelight Processional Packages are available now. I've made our reservations all ready. You may not know the narrator available yet, but the packages are open to making reservations now.

One final thought is you may be able to split your group up at times. Just have a meeting place at a certain time. Let the kiddies go on more rides while you and your mom enjoy more shows.

 

[twitterpated31]

I'm sorry....
I had to stop reading and respond when I saw your fears about your niece/nephew finding out how "crazy" you are.
In that post I heard the love you feel for them, your generosity in providing them with a dream trip, your wishes for them to have an amazing experience.
If this has come through so strongly to me, a perfect stranger, then what must they see?
Crazy is a label adults put on. Not so much young kids. To them you are who you are. They might not understand if you seem sad or sick or scared but it sounds like you are in tune with your triggers and give yourself some space.
I hear your worries about having a miserable trip. There may be some rough patches but I'd encourage you not to forget the joy and excitement the little ones will have. Maybe focusing on their joy might help ground you when you feel the awful feelings begin to rise.
I'm sorry to write so much. I was just really touched by what you wrote.
Wishing you and your family a magical vacation!!!!

 

[AmberMK]

I'm sorry....
I had to stop reading and respond when I saw your fears about your niece/nephew finding out how "crazy" you are.
In that post I heard the love you feel for them, your generosity in providing them with a dream trip, your wishes for them to have an amazing experience.
If this has come through so strongly to me, a perfect stranger, then what must they see?
Crazy is a label adults put on. Not so much young kids. To them you are who you are. They might not understand if you seem sad or sick or scared but it sounds like you are in tune with your triggers and give yourself some space.
I hear your worries about having a miserable trip. There may be some rough patches but I'd encourage you not to forget the joy and excitement the little ones will have. Maybe focusing on their joy might help ground you when you feel the awful feelings begin to rise.
I'm sorry to write so much. I was just really touched by what you wrote.
Wishing you and your family a magical vacation!!!!

Thank you for your kind words.

I know the munchkins just see me as me. And yes, I have been living with me a long time, I learned long ago how to deal with me and my triggers, and for the most part I can keep anyone from seeing my issues as anything other than "she's easily irritated and quick to leave" or "she's a smoker, she'll be back". And usually, I'm quick to avoid allowing triggers to push me too far... usually.

Never be sorry for saying your piece, good or bad, you should be heard. I can not tell you what it means to me for someone to see how important the munchkins and my mom's trip being perfect is to me and appreciate it, rather than some of the responses I've gotten from real time people, who just can't seem to understand that a once in a lifetime trip is ... well... once in a lifetime. There is only ever ONE first time. To listen to some of the real timers, it doesn't matter at all, cause ya just go back.

Yeah... you can always go back, and I hope their lives are filled with Disney every day and Disney trips every year... but it will never again be the FIRST time. Ya know?

This is why I came here, instead of listening to them when they started giving those kinds of answers. I just needed people that actually understand Disney, and more importantly the FIRST TIME at Disney!

 

[DisneyOma]

I can not tell you what it means to me for someone to see how important the munchkins and my mom's trip being perfect is to me and appreciate it, rather than some of the responses I've gotten from real time people, who just can't seem to understand that a once in a lifetime trip is ... well... once in a lifetime. There is only ever ONE first time. To listen to some of the real timers, it doesn't matter at all, cause ya just go back.

Yeah... you can always go back, and I hope their lives are filled with Disney every day and Disney trips every year... but it will never again be the FIRST time. Ya know?

This is why I came here, instead of listening to them when they started giving those kinds of answers. I just needed people that actually understand Disney, and more importantly the FIRST TIME at Disney!

You've got to let the 'perfect trip' scenario, the 'first trip' scenario go. It's just a perfect way to set up for failure, IMO. You might end up setting yourself off with all the 'perfect' worrying.

Instead, start coming up with 'what if' scenarios - I find having a plan for as many issues as possible calms down my anxiety. I know no trip is perfect, life isn't perfect.

 

[cobright]

Generally speaking, I have no sympathy for smokers. Filthy and intrusive habit. And yet... I have a great deal of sympathy for those people dealing with anxiety. So... Here we are...

If my anxiety were assuaged by smoking cigarettes, I would find a way. Nature of that beast is that it is a transgression of the rules and it's an obvious one. Literally , where there's smoke... Have you tried vaping? Tobacco addicts I've talked with tell me it hits the spot nearly as well as a pall mall. If so, get the sort that lets you choose the liquid separately. The liquid comes in various strengths. Get a juice that delivers a cigarette's worth of nicotine with just a puff or two. If your liquid is mild in flavor and not blatantly tobacco flavored you would be able to sneak a puff from time to time without anyone knowing or caring. A friend of mine vaped throughout a day at Cedar Point, exhaling through the straw of a half-empty cup of ice water.

I don't know what the WDW policy on vaping is. I've seen a fellow guest huff on a nicorette inhaler at his table in the Yachtsman. Yet it's often the case that e-cigs are lumped in with cigarettes as an analog. In such a case, While you might be able to puff away completely undetected, I wouldn't advise you to attempt to dodge the rules. That said, finding an e-cig that satisfies you might still be a better option because you can choose a juice that get's you the nicotine in less time. Dodging out to a smoking section is still a hassle but less so than if, once you get there, it takes 6-8 minutes to puff through a smoke.

 

[DisneyOma]

Generally speaking, I have no sympathy for smokers. Filthy and intrusive habit. And yet... I have a great deal of sympathy for those people dealing with anxiety. So... Here we are...

If my anxiety were assuaged by smoking cigarettes, I would find a way. Nature of that beast is that it is a transgression of the rules and it's an obvious one. Literally , where there's smoke... Have you tried vaping? Tobacco addicts I've talked with tell me it hits the spot nearly as well as a pall mall. If so, get the sort that lets you choose the liquid separately. The liquid comes in various strengths. Get a juice that delivers a cigarette's worth of nicotine with just a puff or two. If your liquid is mild in flavor and not blatantly tobacco flavored you would be able to sneak a puff from time to time without anyone knowing or caring. A friend of mine vaped throughout a day at Cedar Point, exhaling through the straw of a half-empty cup of ice water.

I don't know what the WDW policy on vaping is. I've seen a fellow guest huff on a nicorette inhaler at his table in the Yachtsman. Yet it's often the case that e-cigs are lumped in with cigarettes as an analog. In such a case, While you might be able to puff away completely undetected, I wouldn't advise you to attempt to dodge the rules. That said, finding an e-cig that satisfies you might still be a better option because you can choose a juice that get's you the nicotine in less time. Dodging out to a smoking section is still a hassle but less so than if, once you get there, it takes 6-8 minutes to puff through a smoke.

If it's only the nicotine - then there are so many alternatives. But I thought she's stated that she has to smoke, so it's more mental/emotional.

Vaping is only allowed in smoking areas at WDW: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/

 

[cobright]

If it's only the nicotine - then there are so many alternatives. But I thought she's stated that she has to smoke, so it's more mental/emotional.

Vaping is only allowed in smoking areas at WDW: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/

I come from a family of heavy smokers, though not one myself, and several who have managed to quit have commented that vaping is the closest to actual smoking of all the nicotine replacement therapy methods. It may serve whereas other forms of nicotine supplement does not.