Which is worse, DAS or paid fastpass?

[LovePop]

My son has been severely disabled since birth, but his disability isn't obvious. We've been going to WDW yearly for over 10 years now, and I've always made the fastpass work for us so that I never needed to ask Disney for their disability pass. It made me feel very proud of myself (that I managed such a feat*), very proud of my son, and very good about my family. At home, we have to deal with his disability every day, and it's difficult, but in Disney World, we can pretend that it doesn't exist, that he is just like everybody else, and we are just like every other family. It is so wonderful that for past few years, I have forgotten that DAS existed.

(*Please note that I am not saying this to make other families who can't avoid the DAS feel bad. I am just saying that I'm lucky enough to be able to make the fastpass work for us, but I understand that it can't work for everyone.)

But now, it is obvious Disney is going to charge for the fastpass. And not for a small amount either. Imagine paying $72 to get my family of 4 fastpasses to ride Buzz Lightyear (you have gotta to be kidding me.) If we pay for as many fastpasses as we normally use, it will double out ticket prices, that is, another $3000 per trip.

Now, financially, I can afford this. For one thing, I can reduce our park visits to every other year or less. Or stay offsite. Or save more money. But it just feels so odd that I think it will take the fun out of using the fastpass. On the other hand, using the DAS will force me to be reminded, before every ride, that we are a disabled family, something I most definitely won't enjoy. I don't know which is worse.

I've been thinking about this for days and haven't figured out what to do. What would you do if you were in my situation?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Get the DAS obviously.

Your son is disabled. It's something he needs to have an enjoyable vacation.

We were in your boat for a long time. My younger brother has autism, and for a long time, we made due with Fast passes. Eventually, as he got older, it became evident to us that the FP system wasn't enough in his case. He gets fixated on certain rides, so if FPs weren't available for that ride or the line was long, that became a problem.

Now we get the DAS, and we all have a much better time because we know that he won't meltdown because he got to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine train like he wanted to.

We also have season passes to our local amusement park, which only has a paid FP equivalent. Up until this year, we always just stood in line (he and I are the only ones with passes, so I take him). I figured it was a good life skill for him to have and that since we're there a lot, missing a ride wouldn't matter too much to him. I was wrong. A near meltdown taught me I was wrong. We started getting the disability pass there. He does so much better with more frequent breaks and fewer lines. He was also super stressed from covid, and it did make sense to stress him out more when we were going there specifically to destress.

Just because it used to work doesn't mean it will always work, and that's okay.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Get the DAS obviously.

Your son is disabled. It's something he needs to have an enjoyable vacation.

We were in your boat for a long time. My younger brother has autism, and for a long time, we made due with Fast passes. Eventually, as he got older, it became evident to us that the FP system wasn't enough in his case. He gets fixated on certain rides, so if FPs weren't available for that ride or the line was long, that became a problem.

Now we get the DAS, and we all have a much better time because we know that he won't meltdown because he got to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine train like he wanted to.

We also have season passes to our local amusement park, which only has a paid FP equivalent. Up until this year, we always just stood in line (he and I are the only ones with passes, so I take him). I figured it was a good life skill for him to have and that since we're there a lot, missing a ride wouldn't matter too much to him. I was wrong. A near meltdown taught me I was wrong. We started getting the disability pass there. He does so much better with more frequent breaks and fewer lines. He was also super stressed from covid, and it did make sense to stress him out more when we were going there specifically to destress.

Just because it used to work doesn't mean it will always work, and that's okay.

My 2 boys both have autism. We haven't needed to use the DAS yet, either, but it's very comforting knowing it's there if we ever need it. I try to keep a few tricks up my sleeve so we can mix it up if we need to, but generally I'm far more focused on watching them and looking for their "tells" that they need a break, or a drink, or even just some quiet.

My youngest is currently in the zone of everything is boring (it started within the last year)...my guess is that were we to visit WDW right now, the DAS would be a life-saver for us, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

 

[TYOTimer]

If you used Fastpass in the past to help with a disability, I highly recommend DAS. I used to basically Fastpass hop because of my disability, and DAS has been a literal lifesaver during COVID times

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I have MS…2 weeks ago, my neurologist just confirmed what I already suspected, that it’s transitioning into a more complex and aggressive form…
There was a time (10 years ago) when I would NEVER think to use a handicapped parking spot or buy a scooter…now I really can’t live without it.
Don’t even think twice about it…the DAS was designed for situations like ours!!! I used to be embarrassed because I only couldn’t walk long distances…now those distances are getting shorter and shorter. I now use it whenever I go and don’t think twice about it. Go for it and DON’T look back!!! There’s abuse of the DAS, but it gives my family a BIG break!!

 

[LovePop]

Just because it used to work doesn't mean it will always work, and that's okay.

Excellent advice that I find hard to swallow. Fastpass used to work without a sign of trouble, and now out of the blue it just died, no warning. Back when the paper fastpass changed into fastpass+, things got worse for us because fastpass+ didn't suit our situation near as well even though it sounded good on paper. Son loved running all over the parks, looking for fastpasses, redeeming fastpasses. Every park day was also a continuous scavenger hunt with tangible paper passes as his reward. The game was gone when fastpass+ came along.

But I adapted. Not happily, but eventually we stopped missing the paper fastpass. But I never imagined that I will one day be forced to submit to the DAS. It's not just me, my other son also has to deal with it. When I told him about the DAS the other night he said, "But Mom, you've worked so hard all these years to train Brother to be normal. Now you have to admit that you failed -- and in Disney World, too."

I agree that's OK, but I am having a hard time letting go of what "used to work." The other option is to throw money at the problem and make it go away by getting the new paid stuff. Adapting to that is going to be much, much harder than adapting to the fastpass+. I am a frugal person who controls my spending very carefully, and paying for fastpasses will make me feel like an idiot, among other things. A failure or an idiot...I can't get myself to pick one.

People talk about "immersion" in Disney World, like when you are in Epcot you feel like you are in Morocco or Italy, or when you are in Galaxy's Edge you feel you are in SW world. When I go to Disney World, my "immersion" is my son being not disabled. I know it isn't true, but I can pretend that it is.

When the time comes to make the choice, I will remember what you said, that it's OK.

 

[correcaminos]

Get the DAS obviously.

Your son is disabled. It's something he needs to have an enjoyable vacation.

We were in your boat for a long time. My younger brother has autism, and for a long time, we made due with Fast passes. Eventually, as he got older, it became evident to us that the FP system wasn't enough in his case. He gets fixated on certain rides, so if FPs weren't available for that ride or the line was long, that became a problem.

Now we get the DAS, and we all have a much better time because we know that he won't meltdown because he got to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine train like he wanted to.

We also have season passes to our local amusement park, which only has a paid FP equivalent. Up until this year, we always just stood in line (he and I are the only ones with passes, so I take him). I figured it was a good life skill for him to have and that since we're there a lot, missing a ride wouldn't matter too much to him. I was wrong. A near meltdown taught me I was wrong. We started getting the disability pass there. He does so much better with more frequent breaks and fewer lines. He was also super stressed from covid, and it did make sense to stress him out more when we were going there specifically to destress.

Just because it used to work doesn't mean it will always work, and that's okay.

Well stated! A friend who was actually a CM at GS for a long time more or less said the same thing to me She told me to just go ASAP and get the DAS and not look back. Do not have shame in asking for help or in this case a pass, when you need it. For many decades I made WDW work on my own. I took my aunt who had CP and mostly confined to a chair for a bunch of trips too which made it all different. Then it hit me, I cannot do what I did before. My issues stemming from childhood caught up to me.

It's okay to use it if you need it. I only use it once or twice a day too at most. So don't be afraid to realize life has changed and needs have as well.

 

[LovePop]

I have MS…2 weeks ago, my neurologist just confirmed what I already suspected, that it’s transitioning into a more complex and aggressive form…
There was a time (10 years ago) when I would NEVER think to use a handicapped parking spot or buy a scooter…now I really can’t live without it.
Don’t even think twice about it…the DAS was designed for situations like ours!!! I used to be embarrassed because I only couldn’t walk long distances…now those distances are getting shorter and shorter. I now use it whenever I go and don’t think twice about it. Go for it and DON’T look back!!! There’s abuse of the DAS, but it gives my family a BIG break!!

Thanks for the reply, and very sorry to hear about your condition. May I ask how do you get the DAS at WDW, exactly, and how does it work? Do you go to guest services at a park, and wait in line till they give you a piece of paper certificate? Can you do that at the Disney hotel? Do you do this once and Disney remembers you, or for each Disney trip? What kind of medical paperwork should I bring? Does my son have to come along and wait at the guest services with me? And how do I use the DAS at the rides, do I bring the DAS to the each ride attendant and they give me a paper pass? Or they stamp my certificate?

 

[Jon81uk]

Don’t forget if you need to use a scooter or wheelchair then you usually don’t need DAS from guest services as the CM at the ride entrance will sort out accommodations.

 

[correcaminos]

Thanks for the reply, and very sorry to hear about your condition. May I ask how do you get the DAS at WDW, exactly, and how does it work? Do you go to guest services at a park, and wait in line till they give you a piece of paper certificate? Can you do that at the Disney hotel? Do you do this once and Disney remembers you, or for each Disney trip? What kind of medical paperwork should I bring? Does my son have to come along and wait at the guest services with me? And how do I use the DAS at the rides, do I bring the DAS to the each ride attendant and they give me a paper pass? Or they stamp my certificate?

You go to Guest Services inside or outside of the parks (both can do it). They will ask what accommodations you need. If a wheelchair or scooter fix these needs, then they will not give it to you. They will scan your magic bands of the one holding the DAS as well as all in the party and take a picture of the one who is in need of DAS. You get 6 people total in your group - though some special occasions I've seen more. The last family with 15 in a group was the largest I've seen.

There will be a CM stationed at the beginning or near the beginning of the ride entrance by the FP who can do it, or sometimes they have someone up at a different location (like Jungle Cruise they finally were stationed at the top of the stairs instead of having to go all the way down). They will scan your band and give you a time you can return. Anyone can go get a return time from the group, but the one holding the DAS will need to be the one to scan in for the return at the FP.

For each subsequent trip - it's only good for up to 14 days for LOS pass holders or 60 days for AP holders - one has to go to GS again and "renew" it. They do not ask the same questions as the first time. If it's been a year they will retake a picture.

There are no papers at all to worry about keeping track of.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Excellent advice that I find hard to swallow. Fastpass used to work without a sign of trouble, and now out of the blue it just died, no warning. Back when the paper fastpass changed into fastpass+, things got worse for us because fastpass+ didn't suit our situation near as well even though it sounded good on paper. Son loved running all over the parks, looking for fastpasses, redeeming fastpasses. Every park day was also a continuous scavenger hunt with tangible paper passes as his reward. The game was gone when fastpass+ came along.

But I adapted. Not happily, but eventually we stopped missing the paper fastpass. But I never imagined that I will one day be forced to submit to the DAS. It's not just me, my other son also has to deal with it. When I told him about the DAS the other night he said, "But Mom, you've worked so hard all these years to train Brother to be normal. Now you have to admit that you failed -- and in Disney World, too."

I agree that's OK, but I am having a hard time letting go of what "used to work." The other option is to throw money at the problem and make it go away by getting the new paid stuff. Adapting to that is going to be much, much harder than adapting to the fastpass+. I am a frugal person who controls my spending very carefully, and paying for fastpasses will make me feel like an idiot, among other things. A failure or an idiot...I can't get myself to pick one.

People talk about "immersion" in Disney World, like when you are in Epcot you feel like you are in Morocco or Italy, or when you are in Galaxy's Edge you feel you are in SW world. When I go to Disney World, my "immersion" is my son being not disabled. I know it isn't true, but I can pretend that it is.

When the time comes to make the choice, I will remember what you said, that it's OK.

Just the fact that your son can handle WDW is a HUGE accomplishment and something to be proud of and celebrate!

We took our first trip with our boys when they were 2 1/2 and 7. My youngest was not only a runner...he also DID NOT behave well in public. AT ALL. It took a lot of work in a short time (3 months of "boot camp" specifically designed by me), but our first trip was a huge success! As was the next! At the end of their 3rd trip, I was approached by a stranger after our flight home...she tapped me on the shoulder and said "I had NO idea you had 2 kids with you!" We potty trained our youngest on one of our trips, and he also learned not to run and to walk and hold hands in a crowd at WDW. Interestingly, waiting at WDW hasn't been an issue for us (YET...see my previous comment about "boring")...but if you think about all of the different things a WDW trip entails that could set off a melt-down, the fact that our kiddos do so well is flat-out AMAZING. Just the logistics of getting to WDW is enough to send some neurotypical adults into a tail spin.

I'm a little freaked out about no longer having FP+, too...while we've not had any issues waiting yet, we haven't had to wait for EVERY ride yet, either. I'm keeping 2 things in mind...

1) our WDW trips have - more than anything else - taught my sons how to adapt to new things. New places to sleep, new surroundings, new sounds, new things to see and do, etc. Aside from getting ready for a trip, and actually getting to WDW, everything about a WDW trip for them is "go with the flow". I do all the planning...we do a specific park in the morning, then I give us 2 choices for a park for the afternoon/evening so there's some flexibility built in, and they get to choose. I have a spreadsheet I carry with us, so they can look and see what we're doing next or the options available, but they usually don't look at it very often.

2) while I don't think guest satisfaction is nearly as much on the radar for current management as it has been in the past, I'm questioning if they're willing to tank guest satisfaction by completely eliminating all but paid FP. Some people think we're going to get exactly the system they're now using at DLP, but WDW and DLP are two completely different animals and what works at one likely won't automatically work at the other. So, I'm in wait and see mode. When they do finally roll out the new system, I'll watch how it works and we'll adapt. That may mean utilizing the DAS pass, but it also might not.

I wouldn't sweat about this TOO much...you sound like an amazing mom, and you've managed things with your son that not a ton in our position do - trips to WDW! That in and of itself is a huge win, and I'm confident that we'll all figure out what the "new thing" is that works for our families. Sending big hugs!

 

[Dave B]

Do not over think this, it works great and allows you to have the peace of mind to know you and your family will be able to get on all rides you wish to enjoy

 

[Trauma]

I know this has been pointed out already but since I have been confronted twice I want to point this out again.

When I travel with my mom she requires the DAS.

I move about 50 times faster than my mom so I get return times.

So I’m a perfectly healthy able bodied person getting a return time and there is nothing wrong with that.

On two separate occasions I’ve been confronted by a guest who told me I don’t look disabled.

I just told them I’m not, and walked away.

I don’t owe them an explanation but it makes things uncomfortable.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

I know this has been pointed out already but since I have been confronted twice I want to point this out again.

When I travel with my mom she requires the DAS.

I move about 50 times faster than my mom so I get return times.

So I’m a perfectly healthy able bodied person getting a return time and there is nothing wrong with that.

On two separate occasions I’ve been confronted by a guest who told me I don’t look disabled.

I just told them I’m not, and walked away.

I don’t owe them an explanation but it makes things uncomfortable.

People like that suck. It's none of their business.

Also...not all disabilities are visible.

 

[correcaminos]

People like that suck. It's none of their business.

Also...not all disabilities are visible.

Yes and yes! I'm sure seeing a youngish person who is not obviously disabled bugs people when they see me. I'd love to be struggle free really and truly. I also try not to abuse.

 

[LovePop]

Just the fact that your son can handle WDW is a HUGE accomplishment and something to be proud of and celebrate!

We took our first trip with our boys when they were 2 1/2 and 7. My youngest was not only a runner...he also DID NOT behave well in public. AT ALL. It took a lot of work in a short time (3 months of "boot camp" specifically designed by me), but our first trip was a huge success! As was the next! At the end of their 3rd trip, I was approached by a stranger after our flight home...she tapped me on the shoulder and said "I had NO idea you had 2 kids with you!" We potty trained our youngest on one of our trips, and he also learned not to run and to walk and hold hands in a crowd at WDW. Interestingly, waiting at WDW hasn't been an issue for us (YET...see my previous comment about "boring")...but if you think about all of the different things a WDW trip entails that could set off a melt-down, the fact that our kiddos do so well is flat-out AMAZING. Just the logistics of getting to WDW is enough to send some neurotypical adults into a tail spin.

I'm a little freaked out about no longer having FP+, too...while we've not had any issues waiting yet, we haven't had to wait for EVERY ride yet, either. I'm keeping 2 things in mind...

1) our WDW trips have - more than anything else - taught my sons how to adapt to new things. New places to sleep, new surroundings, new sounds, new things to see and do, etc. Aside from getting ready for a trip, and actually getting to WDW, everything about a WDW trip for them is "go with the flow". I do all the planning...we do a specific park in the morning, then I give us 2 choices for a park for the afternoon/evening so there's some flexibility built in, and they get to choose. I have a spreadsheet I carry with us, so they can look and see what we're doing next or the options available, but they usually don't look at it very often.

2) while I don't think guest satisfaction is nearly as much on the radar for current management as it has been in the past, I'm questioning if they're willing to tank guest satisfaction by completely eliminating all but paid FP. Some people think we're going to get exactly the system they're now using at DLP, but WDW and DLP are two completely different animals and what works at one likely won't automatically work at the other. So, I'm in wait and see mode. When they do finally roll out the new system, I'll watch how it works and we'll adapt. That may mean utilizing the DAS pass, but it also might not.

I wouldn't sweat about this TOO much...you sound like an amazing mom, and you've managed things with your son that not a ton in our position do - trips to WDW! That in and of itself is a huge win, and I'm confident that we'll all figure out what the "new thing" is that works for our families. Sending big hugs!

Thanks for the amazing response, it makes me cry.

 

[LovePop]

Do not over think this, it works great and allows you to have the peace of mind to know you and your family will be able to get on all rides you wish to enjoy

"over think." That's my middle name. It's all I ever do.

 

[Dave B]

"over think." That's my middle name. It's all I ever do.

I completely get it!!!!

 

[ImperfectPixie]

"over think." That's my middle name. It's all I ever do.

Me too. Every. Little. Thing.

 

[Dave B]

"over think." That's my middle name. It's all I ever do.

And that is why you get the DAS pass so you can take your mind off of the ride part of the trip!!!