Stressed about convincing Disney I need the DAS - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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So, the new DAS system has me really stressed, and I am really resenting that I need to worry about convincing a guest services person that I truly do need a DAS. They claim they can't ask for doctor's notes due to HIPPA, but I'm going to have to go into a lengthy description of my illness to convince them because I look so healthy. See something wrong with this picture?
What is the least stressful way for me to get the DAS when I go to Disney in a couple weeks with my family? I will be taking my 2 young teens, husband, and my mom to Disney. We have gone to Disney once or twice a year for the past 12 years, because it is was the one vacation place that I could go and only feel minimally ill as opposed to landing in the hospital. Unfortunately, I have a rare disease (Idiopathic Anaphylaxis) that causes me to go into anaphylactic shock at the drop of a hat. It is a rare disease, because I have no allergies (this is usually caused by allergies). My cells are just kind of defective, I guess. Anyway, many things trigger my symptoms, which can range from feeling horrible like you have the flu to increasing steadily to fullblown going into shock (which is bad, because that can be fatal). Now, I am lucky because I have figured out things that trigger the symptoms, and I avoid them (like stress, heat/high temperatures, fatigue, feeling too happy or too sad, tons of foods, medicines, and more). Of course, it's impossible to completely avoid all the triggers, like stress and getting super happy about something; so I take a huge amount of antihistamine medications and that keeps me pretty stable although I will still feel slightly blech and tired all the time. Plus I carry 2 epi pens with me at all times for emergency. Not fun, but, oh well, at least I'm alive and have a great family and life. Still, I like to go on vacation as much as anyone else, and Disney has always been great because the GAC helped prevent those symptoms for me.
So, I am sitting at home stressing over the possibility of getting to MK guest services and having them tell me that since I look healthy and I'm not Autistic, that they won't give me a DAS. Without that DAS we might as well go back to our hotel, because I will end up in the ER if I have to maneuver the parks with my kids as a "normal" person. In the past, I have always saved my GAC from the previous trip and showed that to Guest Services so that they could see what I needed. I also always have with me an ER protocol note from my doctor on his letterhead describing what disease I have and what the ER docs should do to save my life if I am taken to the ER. I have always showed Guest Services that note as well so that they could see that I am not faking an illness.
Do you think that if I tell Guest Services that I have a rare disease, show the doctor's ER protocol note, and show the GAC I used from last trip last March that they will believe me and not argue with me that I don't need a DAS?
(I realize that the DAS isn't anywhere near as helpful as the GAC, which is the reason we are going to Universal most of our trip this time and only going to Disney one day. Still, it's better than nothing....)
Thanks for your opinions!
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Lilyian
Too many Disney World trips to count! Love every second of them!
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I don't think telling guest services about your condition will help you at all. What you need to do is list the activities that are difficult for you and explain what support you need to cope. They won't listen to your medical issues what they need to hear is what you need. Explain to them how the GAC saved your previous trips and what it was that you couldn't have done without it.
I agree - you need to tell Disney what about the DAS helps you, not telling them what your medical diagnosis is. My daughter looks healthy - and yes, she is Autistic - but she has big time problems being in the crush of the people and needs to wait where she can have quite a bit of personal space. That's what I tell the CM's so they know how they can help us. I also hold onto my previous GAC and show it to them too so that too might help you. And good luck with Universal. I personally haven't heard good things about them with people with hidden disabilities.
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Thanks! Actually Universal will be great for me - but only because we are spending a fortune to stay in one of their resorts. When you do that each person in your room gets a card that is an unlimited express pass. Basically it allows you to go to their version of a fast pass line, and people say that even during the busiest days the wait is under 15 min. So pretty much it's like having the GAC except that you essentially are buying the privilege of using it, and you don't have to deal with proving any medical problems. The pass works on almost all but a few attractions. Can't believe that we are not doing Disney for our typical 8 days, but Disney kind of pushed me in this direction if I want to vacation and not get sick. Our 1 day in Disney will be a great experiment to know if we can return for a week or so like we usually do. It's too expensive for me go buy tickets for a week and then find out that this system just won't work out for me. Better to do a test drive first....
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Lilyian
Too many Disney World trips to count! Love every second of them!
Hi Lilyan
It's great that you feel comfortable with Universal. Let's see if we can't get you more comfortable with Disney.
Could you tell us a little about what your specific needs are? What would you need the DAS to do for you to help you adapt the parks for your health needs?
Hi Lilyan
It's great that you feel comfortable with Universal. Let's see if we can't get you more comfortable with Disney.
Could you tell us a little about what your specific needs are? What would you need the DAS to do for you to help you adapt the parks for your health needs?
I was going to ask the same thing. What accommodations did the GAC provide? I know for us, the GAC allowed my daughter to use an alternate entrance when not using her wheelchair. With the nature of her disability, the massive amount of walking we do at Disney World would render her unable to walk after a day or so. Under this new system, I don't think she will qualify for a DAS.
From what you described, I would think that your GAC accommodations were a bit more than that.
I was going to ask the same thing. What accommodations did the GAC provide? I know for us, the GAC allowed my daughter to use an alternate entrance when not using her wheelchair. With the nature of her disability, the massive amount of walking we do at Disney World would render her unable to walk after a day or so. Under this new system, I don't think she will qualify for a DAS.
From what you described, I would think that your GAC accommodations were a bit more than that.
I'm looking forward to hearing how Grace does this next trip!
I also used my GAC for the alternate entrance. I have trouble in lines with too many squiggly turns on my ECV. I also have issues with people crowding me & making me feel trapped & closed in on..
Thanks! Actually Universal will be great for me - but only because we are spending a fortune to stay in one of their resorts. When you do that each person in your room gets a card that is an unlimited express pass. Basically it allows you to go to their version of a fast pass line, and people say that even during the busiest days the wait is under 15 min. So pretty much it's like having the GAC except that you essentially are buying the privilege of using it, and you don't have to deal with proving any medical problems. The pass works on almost all but a few attractions. Can't believe that we are not doing Disney for our typical 8 days, but Disney kind of pushed me in this direction if I want to vacation and not get sick. Our 1 day in Disney will be a great experiment to know if we can return for a week or so like we usually do. It's too expensive for me go buy tickets for a week and then find out that this system just won't work out for me. Better to do a test drive first....
I hate to worry you but we had universal express for three days in august and some lines were great but in the afternoon we were waiting an hour plus for rides as so many people has express passes. If you are going at a busy time you will have times when waits are substantially longer than 15 mins.
From reading many people's negative experiences with the DAS system, it seems to me, like others have made mention, that it is really important to talk about why the DAS will be helpful, and not simply stating that I'm special and need to be accommodated..... yeah, that's great, but HOW?
Far too many people have abused the system, it is is key to explain why you need the DAS. Realize that the CM's job isn't to deny you the DAS...quite the opposite, I'm sure they would LOVE to help you out, and make your trip to WDW that much more magical, but they aren't medically trained, nor can they offer to "diagnose" what will allow you to enjoy your time.
As has been said, be clear about what Disney can do to help you accessing attractions. In my case, since I'm blind, sure I CAN try to weave through the lines to a ride, but it is far easier if I have the ability to access an attraction using an alternate (and possibly shorter) entrance. I don't mind waiting my fair turn, but it is stressful for my wife to try to weave through lines while keeping an eye on me and my daughters It is MUCH easier now that they are older, but that is how the GAC helped me in the past. When I go in January, I'll be explaining this to the CMs and asking to get a similar level of accommodation with the DAS as well.
Most of all, don't stress about it, Disney wants to make sure their guests are happy, so they return year after year. Make sure you're calm, and have a great conversation with the CM and let them give you the first shot of magic for your trip!
Hope you have a great time!
Tim
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Hey, check out my blog all about being active with a disability -> activeandblind.com
For anyone stressed about getting the DAS card because you are not sure if Disney will see your issue as a valid issue then email WDW Guest Communications.
I was concerned that my back issue would be deemed a "mobility issue" and I would be denied the DAS card so I emailed Disney with my concerns and I received a call from a CM at Guest Communications/Guest Relations yesterday. I was told that my issue is most definitely worthy of the DAS card and that I should not be denied it. The CM told me she was going to create a "Magic File" for me with all the information we discussed and why I should have the DAS card so that if the CM at Guest Relations at the park denies me the DAS card, I can tell them about the file for them to look it up and see what was discussed.
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It is MUCH easier now that they are older, but that is how the GAC helped me in the past. When I go in January, I'll be explaining this to the CMs and asking to get a similar level of accommodation with the DAS as well.
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