Ok you guys want some tips on using DAS? Here goes from the perspective of someone who went from using GAC the first part of her trip and switched to DAS the last two days. I was in Disney from Sep 21 to Oct 11 of this year (2013). DAS was implemented on Oct 9, my second to last day of the trip.
I have a severe mobility-disability and a fragile body that leaves me wanting to avoid high crowd situations such as tight queues to protect myself from harm. I also use a power wheelchair and ride in wheelchair accessible vehicles where available. I am unable to do most of the transfer-only rides like the rollercoasters because my body won't safely allow me to ride or brace myself. I need lots of leg room and someone to lift me into vehicles if there's a step involved. There are a few transfer-only rides I can do (Test Track, Soarin' and Star Tours). Pirates was on my list too but they got new boats recently and now I don't have sufficient leg room to ride safely.
Before DAS was implemented I spoke with several CMs at the rides I'd use my old GAC for. I had the habit of using it at those long wait, crowded queue attractions like Toy Story, but if the way was under 20 minutes usually I just went in Standby. In the two weeks before DAS was implemented I used my GAC 4 times, for Soarin' and TSM. There are 7 possible rides where I'd use my GAC in Disney: all with notoriously busy queues and wheelchair vehicles or hard transfers (i.e. ones where family had to lift me into/out of a vehicle).
I talked to the CMs at my rides because I wanted to know what to expect. All were assured the only difference for me was that I'd get a Return Time and come back for my ride later. My concern was that given how DAS was written I'd encounter problems obtaining one from Guest Relations. There's a strong bias against people in wheelchairs obtaining a DAS. The assumption is that wheels alone solve all needs.
So October 9th I presented myself to Guest Relations in EPCOT. There I explained my needs to a CM and asked for a DAS card. He initially denied me insisting the program was for autistic kids, and only some autistic kids. I encountered his wheelchair bias and had a difficult time getting him to listen to my reasons for asking for a card. But I politely questioned his assumption there was no program for those with my sort of disabilities. That had him checking with a manager who took over my questioning. I was able to explain my concerns and needs and the manager issued me a DAS.
Unfortunately because it took longer for me to get a DAS and I was already starting out late in the day, I was not able to use it for a ride before my scheduled dinner plans. I got a Return Time for Test Track, but too close to my dinner. After dinner it was too chilly for me to do the ride. I skipped it and frankly went home feeling very discouraged by my experience at Guest Relations. Unlike as the Ride CMs assumed all week I did have trouble initially obtaining a DAS.
The next day I started fresh and went to Hollywood Studios. This day worked much better. I started out getting a Return Time at Toy Story where I met some very nice managerial CMs manning the Return Time distribution and talking to guests about DAS, I learned several things I wasn't told the day before.
1) Every DAS card has a barcode. Once a special needs guest has been approved and entered into the system, they can scan the barcode and reprint a new card. I was told to keep my card and just bring it back for future trips to make this process go much faster. No need to repeat myself every time. They also would keep my photo on file so could reprint that as well.
2) Anyone can cross out a Return Time on the back of the card. I still had my time for Test Track unused from the day before. When I brought it to the attention of the TSM CMs they just crossed that out and gave me a new time for TSM.
3) Think of a DAS as a guaranteed FP. You'll have to start planning your day like FP holders do, but at least you won't have to get to an attraction at rope drop or hang around to closing to use a Return Time. Go for the longest wait time first, then spend your time on queues for the under 30 minute attractions.
4) You can only have ONE return time at a time. That's why you save it for the longest waits and fill it with other things. You can also have regular FPs and FP+ times. Those able to utilize FP+ may want to pre-schedule their days around those 3 major attractions, spaced out with a DAS Return Time inbetween.
5) Anyone can get a Return Time filled out on the card. So you can send a runner ahead to grab a FPs and get a Return Time. Helpful if you have a disabled family member you don't want to send near a ride either because it causes meltdown confusion or they have physical stamina issues making repeat trips.
6) The DAS holder (one on the photo) MUST go on the attraction to redeem the Return Time. If he/she decides not to, then CMs will not let anyone else in the party board. If the DAS holder changes their mind, cross off the Return Time and get one for something else.
7) The DAS Return Time tells you how long you must wait before you come back. You can come back any time after that. (My TSM return was 85 mins. I came back 110 mins later because I was doing other things.)
8) Those with wheelchairs whose needs are all met by the wheels may encounter some inaccessible queues. Places where there are stairs. This is true for Star Tours and Spaceship Earth. In that case, you will be issued a Return Time ticket based on the Standby wait. This is a paper ticket that works like a DAS Return Time but is only good for the day and only for wheelies. When I went to Star Tours I presented myself at the Standby queue with just my wheelchair (I kept my DAS in my pocket since it already carried a Return Time.) Standby was 20 mins. A CM wrote me a Return Time ticket for 10 mins. (It's Standby minus 10 mins.) I went to the bathroom and returned 15 minutes later. Then I was admitted into the attractions wheelchair accessible loading path. Boarding went as usual from there.
A DAS holder would not have been given a second Return Time for this attraction since they had one active for TSM. It's for wheelies only. If they had no Return Time, they would be given a new RT of 10 mins like me.
9) When asking for a DAS, think specifically about what issues you have with waiting inside a queue of people. Being uncomfortable or not wanting to wait are not sufficient reasons for also needing DAS. They are being very strict about this because they're trying to cut out the cheaters and abusers. If your needs are met with wheels and you can have a productive day with FPs and FP+, you will probably find DAS doesn't offer you anything better. It is stressed repeatedly that DAS will not allow you to just walk onto a ride, go for repeat entries and avoid all waiting. It only affords you the ability to wait elsewhere where you can tend your needs and schedule your attractions with a bit more ease.
10) Currently they are not tracking wheelchair car demand so there's no staggering. You may find you return an hour or so later and still have to wait extra for the wheelchair line to clear. BUT they have seen more wheelie users in Standby (those scooter folks mainly). This is spacing out demand better. Unlike DisneyLand, scooters/ECVs can fit perfectly well in pretty much all queues.
11) Be calm, be patient and try to work on your planning a little more. DAS doesn't have GACs flexibility but it can help you have a more productive day. If you visiting WDW over the next few weeks and months, also take the time to talk to CMs about your experiences. They are taking copious notes now and looking for ways to improve the program. A stop at Guest Services at the end of your day to report on your findings will help them greatly. As is a nicely written letter when you get home.
All change is stressful. Just try not to let that boil over into unreasonable anger. You'll ruin your own vacation if you do.
