It has been a full week since Walt Disney World changed their old Guest Assistance Card (GAC) program to Disability Access Service (DAS). We here at the Temporary Tourist have tested this new system over three parks and four visits. We showed you how our first day went of using the DAS at Walt Disney World and as we reported then, the same thing occurred on each of our visits. All the cast members we had to interact with regarding the DAS and any accommodations were wonderful. They were nice, respectful and courteous.
We went to Magic Kingdom twice, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I am not going to go into details in this summary of each of those visits and experiences, we do however go into all the details in the videos in this post, if you want to hear more about how our experiences went.
The overall theme of our experience with using the DAS is inconsistency. Every time we went into a Guest Relations office we were instructed in something different. We found that we received a lot of push back at MK on day two when requesting accommodations, but ended up getting the accommodations we needed for Carson. Epcot was the park we got the most push back from, and we were told they were out of reAd passes. It was challenging to get what we needed for Carson, but in the end we did get accommodations. I do want to make sure I note, the CM we dealt with at Epcot was EXTREMELY friendly, and even said she was sorry at one point that we were having to go through this.
On day two at MK, when requesting accommodations they asked for my Drivers License and had me fill out a form. She then went to the computer and entered some information before giving us reAd passes. I remarked to Pat that I would like to know why she wanted my Drivers License, but then didn’t think too much about it after that. Well today we headed over to Animal Kingdom, and as what is now a part of our visits to the parks, we headed first to Guest Relations. Once it was our turn, we again got a wonderful CM who patiently answered my questions. When explaining to her what our situation was, and what accommodations we need, she asked me if I had an id #. I had no idea what she talking about, so after a little more investigating, she asked for my Drivers License and was able to pull me up in the system and see what accommodations we had previously received at MK. She explained that they have this system so we don’t have to keep repeating our needs when going to the parks. That the CM at the Guest Relations we are visiting, should be able to pull us up and take care of our needs.
Ok while this sounds WONDERFUL, it hasn’t been what we have experienced being done. Nothing was said at Epcot in regards to it, and it was so difficult getting accommodations when we were there, so I was really surprised to be told this today. Again, inconsistent….
For exact details on how each of these visits to Guest Relations went, be sure to watch the videos.
My Opinion
I would prefer the GAC over this DAS any day of the week. I am finding that I am constantly having to advocate for my child at guest relations even though Disney said all we would have to do is let them know our situation and accommodations would be made. Yet every time I go into Guest Relations I am told different things and have yet to have the same thing said to me twice.
This new system requires much more work and stress on me. I find I dread having to go into Guest Relations because I am not sure what to expect, or how much push back I am going to get when requesting accommodations for Carson.
I am disappointed in Disney, that they now have a system in place that is far below that of the other two large theme parks in the area. When Universal and Sea World can offer a system that is better than WDW, I would think that they would take note and make changes accordingly.
Now, while I am not a fan of this new DAS, I will say this. It is NOT the end of Walt Disney World for families with disabilities. Yes, it will take more work and you will need to be prepared to advocate for your child’s needs or the needs of the disabled person in your party. The system is doable, but it will take planning and it will take patience on the parts of the non-disabled persons to make it work.
I do believe Disney is still tweaking the new system, and I am hoping to be able to report differently on it in the next couple of weeks. I am hoping that as time goes by we will start to see some consistency throughout the parks and that they do use the computer system they have in place. I really dislike constantly having to explain what accommodations we need and why. It seems so invasive after the first two or three times.
These are my opinions based upon my visits using the DAS for a child on the Autism Spectrum. These are SOLEY my opinions.
Aunesty & Patrick Discuss their thoughts on the new DAS and how it has worked for them over this first week
The videos are being published – as they are published I will post them below. (I am NOT wearing any makeup and we have the kids running around, so we did have to take “intermissions” when we Becca needed help with them)
I apologize if this sounds dense, but I have been fantasy-planning a trip to Disneyworld for myself and another wheelie, and this is the first time I’ve heard about the change from the GAC. I use a scooter at WDW not only because of mobility issues, but because I suffer from severe chronic pain/fatigue and can only spend 3-5 hours in a park depending on how hot it is.
I’ve read a lot about how it affects children (especially those on the spectrum, like my godson), but not so much on how it affects adults. Are there still lines for wheelchairs/scooters, or have they been folded into the regular lines? How about theaters, where the wheelie line was separate specifically because it lead directly to the back row rather than down a flight of stairs?
Obviously, I’m not expecting you to be an expert, but I’m hoping now that you’ve had a few months of experience with the DAS you can shred some light – so I can start turning our fantasy into reality!
all the wheelchair lines and access are the same as before. We use our stroller as a wheelchair and utilize the DAS with the wheelchair line for our son.
actually some Wheelchiar Lines now use the white card return process. They give you a little like card with a wait time on it, just like the DAS card. But these locations, you can just go up and ask for your white card, and don’t necessarily have to have a DAS card in order to get a return time. This is because the lines are not wheelchair equipped, and is used for most all Wheelers.
A few of the affected rides:
Jungle Cruise
Thunder Mountain Railroad
Space Mountain
It’s a Small World
Star Tours
I believe the raceway also has this policy at Magic Kingdom, but it’s not a line I transfer for easily, so I haven’t used it.
What I usually do is make my FP+ plus reservations for rides NOT on this list, then use my DAS (because my issues go beyond mobility) to fill in gaps.
Show lines will still work the same way, in terms of access to the back row. Just be aware, you might not necessarily be going through the fast pass line outside.
One of the problems that DAS has, for all users but slightly more so for Wheelchar users users is that it does not take into account the Disney inflates their wait times. For example, the minimum time usually posted at Under the Sea is 20 minutes (i’ve had several cast members tell me that for some reason times under this don’t like to stay on the sign???). This will trigger the cast member to put a 10 minute return time on your desk card, but several times I’ve gone through the standby queue, only to have the actual wait be about 5 minutes! The reason I say this is particularly bothersome as a wheelchair user, is that if you have to wait for the wheelchair accessible vehicle, this will only add to the wait.
Mind you it’s not a big deal, but if you find your waiting an extra five or 10 minutes for five or six rides, that’s an up to an hour out of your day that no DAS users don’t have. It’s mostly okay, because you can do so that waiting in the shade or grabbing a drink, but it’s a little on the irritating side. (The folks over it unofficial guide/touring plans have documented Disney’s padded wait times policy pretty substantially. It’s in part crowd control, part “pleasant surprise” to make for Happy Guests.)
Hi Aunesty, I want to thank you for your blog posts. My son Isaac is autistic, and we are going to WDW next month (February). Isaac and I will be alone at the parks while my husband is in a conference. We will be there for six days. Your blog posts have really helped me get a feel for what to expect, what to ask for, etc. Thank you thank you! I am wondering, now that the dust has settled on the DAS, what things are like now? Also, how does the roll-out of the fastpass+ system affect things like ReAd cards, etc? I would so appreciate a follow-up post. Thanks again!
We got DAS cards for my kids last week, we made a conscious decision to do it at MK because of the negative things we heard about the process at Epcot. We also use stroller tags. The only question the CM asked was if the stiller tags covered all out needs. I said no and he stopped me from explaining any further and set up our DAS cards! It was so quick and painless! He also said if we needed anything to come back and let them know. Now the woman helping my mother was a little more difficult and had a hard time looking past her wheelchair to listen to the fact that she had more than a mobility issue but with a little insistence my mother got her DAS card settled too!
How will the dad card work for people with just mobility issues?
Das
The short answer is it won’t. If you only have mobility issues, without other compounding factors that make waiting in line difficult, you’ll be directed to the standard line.
In the handful of places where the standard line is not wheelchair accessible, like star tours, big thunder Mountain Railroad, it’s a small world – places that have long had alternate entrances? You’ll be given a white card with a return time on it that is specific to that ride. This functions in the same way the DAS does in the sense that you’ll be given a return time approximately 10 minutes shorter than the standard wait time, and when you return you’ll be able to enter through the alternate entrance. However, the cards are individual, and not listed as they are on the back of a DAS card. This is only true for attractions that have alternate wheelchair entrances. Most interactions will direct you to the standard line, or advise you to obtain a fast pass.
Again, if there is something beyond mobility issues that impacts your ability to wait in line, then you should speak with Guest relations and request to obtain a DAS card on the basis of those other complicating factors. Note that guest relations has been inconsistent in considering complicating factors for those with mobility disabilities, although they are supposed to. So if you get pushback but really feel that you need the DAS system, request a Cordinator or Manager.
@Renee try letting the cast members know that your son needs to be close for visual reasons. Because that’s the real issue, he needs to be close enough for good visualization. May put you in the disabled seating, or even better nice close seating that is near but not in the “disabled seating” – Because that is Disney’s overly politically correct term for wheelchair seating. Understand that there are two sections of disabled seating, one near the front which I think is where you tried to sit, and one the very back. Obviously for your needs, the one at the very back would not make sense, but it is still disabled seating because there is a space for a wheelchair, and then benches for those with the wheelchair user in their party to sit on.
You are right obviously not everyone with a disability requires a wheelchair. But, only in the disabled seating area, can they seat wheelchair users and their families. We had had the issue before this theater, after purchasing the candlelight dinner package, where there was no place for my husband to sit with me in the wheelchair seating area, because the benches Were full. There were plenty of places to set wheelchairs, but Members of their party had to sit somewhere else. So I think that is the problem is they’re trying to avoid. But obviously, they should have accommodated your sons visualization issues. I know that people with low vision are able to request front row seating at many shows. This is not the same cause, but it is a very similar issue.
What are starter fast passes? did guest relations write in the wait time for the ride you asked for? How did they handle the readmissions did you tell them the ride? What if you dont know which rides yoru son will flip out about and want to re ride. Sorry for all the quesitons I am so nervous about this new system.
I am nervous my son can only handle so much time in the parks period with sensory issues I am so scared about xmas break (we would never have gone during the time but I had a baby and only vacation time otherwise I travel in early November or late January outside of marathon) and a 2 plus hour return time we will never go on anything. He will become so anxious waiting and flip out and home we go.
Erin,
Your concerns are valid and your questions are good ones. I am going to do my best in trying to answer them and offer you what comfort I can about your vacation, but like I said in the last video, I don’t know how it will work during the busier times. But I do trust Disney.
When we got our DAS for the first time, we discussed what accommodations we would need (you can see the entire process we went through on this post: http://temporarytourist.com/wdw-disability-assistance-serviccard-das-walt-disney-world/ )
We now know that Guest relations can start you off like at an attraction with your first wait return time, I HIGHLY recommend getting it when getting your DAS.
The Readmission passes are good for any ride, so you don’t have to know which ride your child will want to loop. Just be sure to talk to the Guest Relations person and tell them your needs.
While it has been difficult at times to get the accommodations we need for Carson, we have always received accommodations to make sure he can still “do” Disney. I am sure you will find that they are going to be helpful, even if you have to advocate for him, you should be fine.
Thank you so much for your insights and experiences with the new system. We are taking our son to WDW for his 30th Birthday in December. When we booked the trip we did not know about the changes to come. I am so anxious now because we are taking him at such a busy time without the Gac. We will try to use every tip and recommendation that you are making but the anxiety is growing steadily. Our son is not autistic but has a genetic disorder that has many of the same characteristics and sensory overload problems. I only pray we run into well informed CM who can help us with the accommodations that he needs.
while I am not a “fan” per se of the new system, I will say this, I am SURE that the Cast Members will take of making accommodations for you.
Can I ask what accommodations did they end up granting.
we have received starter fastpasses, been offered to have the Guest Relations write in a wait time to start us off (so we could start the wait without having to walk all the way to the ride), been given reAds and been given one other type of pass as well. Only day 1 and day 4 did we receive the same accommodations.
Thank you so much for posting about your experience. It is very helpful to know what I will be working with when I get there.
Hi Aunesty I Am A Mom Of 35 Year Old Bobby On The Spectrum as well and and We Are Disney Annual Pass Holders. We Have Been To Epcot 3 Times In The Past Week And I’m Confused as To Why You Did Not Receive A DASC That Is Good For 2 Weeks As We Did On Day 1. I Know That There Is Still Some Inconsistency But Guest Services Should Have asked How Long Your Stay Was!!!!. I Agree This Is Going To Make All Us Mom Warriors Be Very Creative In Dealing With The 1 Hour Plus Waits For The More Popular Rides. I Have Not Gone To The Other Parks Yet As We Have Been Going for The Eat To The Beat Concerts ( Bobby Loves The Bands And Music). We Unfortunately Have Experienced The First Push Back By A Disney Cast Member At The American Gardens Theater Yesterday. As I Tried To Sit In Disabled Seating I Was Moved To Seating Behind A Tree Halfway Back In The Theater 🙁 !!! As Bobby Is A Visual Creature This Was Totally Unacceptable) 🙁 As I Was Told Those Were For People With Wheelchairs!!! As A Manager This Cast Member Rebuffed My Every Attempt To Advocate For My Son In As Positive A Manner As Possible.( I Sat In This Same Disabled Seating At 3 Other Concerts) Disney Needs To Make Sure That All Castmembers At Every Level Understand That NOT EVERYONE WITH A DISABILITY REQUIRES A WHEELCHAIR !!!! As I See It And You Have Experienced There Is A Lot Of Inconsistency. If The Greeting Castmember At A Ride Doesn’t Know How To Fill Out The Return Time ( Stand By Wait Time Minus 10 Minutes = Your Return Time) Ask To See A Supervisor
I Have Not Been Asked For A ID As Of Yet As I Am Still Working With The Pass I Got On October 9th That Is Good For 2 Weeks From Then.
our DAS is good for two weeks (14 days) – but we also are requesting additional accommodations to meet Carson’s needs. Without the additional accommodations we wouldn’t be able to do the parks with Carson at all. So I am thankful they are personalizing it, but still wish they were consistent in their approach.
Thanks for the report. Enjoyed hearing from you on the Special Mouse podcast. I am fortunate that my guys are older and don’t need as many accommodations, but still a little stressed at the idea of getting used to waiting when we’re used to showing the card and going into the fastpass line.
Thanks for the insight, that’s an interesting method they are using with the ID’s, hopefully that will make things easier. I can’t wait to see the videos once they are uploaded.