The Disney DAS Card

by Beth Skarp

Having special needs children, I have had occasion to use not only the old, no longer available GAC (Guest Assistance Card) as well as the new DAS (Disability Service Access) card. Personaly, I enjoy the DAS card much more than I ever did the GAC card.

First and foremost, the DAS is simply not a "Golden Fast Pass." Instead, it is a card that alerts Cast Members that you have difficulty waiting in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). Because of your disability, you will be directed to the Fast Pass line or an alternate entrance, or be directed to seating within a show or attraction that allows you an easier way not only into the theater, but a quick exit should the need arise. Keep in mind that only YOU, the holder of the card, knows what that disability is. Nowhere on the card is it mentioned that you have a disability or what your disability is.

Unlike a Fast Pass, the return time for your next ride or attraction doesn't expire within an hour. A good thing, if you are dealing with a meltdown or other issues that might prevent you from returning within your one hour window. Your return time simply states that anytime after the written time, you may return to this ride or attraction. Also unlike the older paper Fast Pass system, the DAS Cardholder can not have more than one return time for an attraction at any given time. As soon as the Guest finishes one attraction, they can receive a return time for another.

Another member of the DAS Cardholder’s travel party may obtain a return time, but the DAS Cardholder must board the attraction with his or her party. This is an attempt to keep misuse of the DAS card.

So, how does one get a DAS card? Keep in mind that the DAS is not for those in a wheelchair. A cast member can readily see that you have a disability and will automagically direct you to the entrance that will accommodate you. A DAS card is used for those invisible or not readily noticeable issues that a guest has. Knowing just what you need and why you need a different “service access” for a ride or attraction because of your “disability” helps the Cast Member know how best to assist you and whether or not a DAS card will work for you.   

Per Disney's Disability Acces Services site, “Disney Parks offer a variety of services to guests with disabilities, such as Disney’s Handheld Device that offers assistive listening, captioning and audio description. Additionally, Disney Parks has developed a “Guide for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities.” This serves as a tool on how best to experience its theme parks and is expected to be available online by mid-October. You can fully access this Guide here: 

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/cognitive-disabilities-services/

Upon entering a Disney Park, head on over to Guest Relations. Explain your need(s) to the Cast Member. He or she will listen to you, and determine if you are a good candidate for the DAS card. The process is really simple, and you are normally on your way within about 15 minutes of speaking with a Cast Member.

Cast Members are simply not allowed to read over a doctor's note. There are legal reasons why this is so. You can present one, but the Cast Member will simply hand it back to you. You, the parent or one requesting the DAS card must be precise and concise in what you need. You alone know what your special needs are. Being able to articulate precisely and concisely is key.

Because of the misuse of GAC cards in the past, Disney is truly attempting to hand out DAS cards to those who really need one. Because the person using the DAS card will have his or her picture on the front. The DAS Cardholder must board the attraction with his or her party. Additionally, the DAS card is good for up to 6 people, meaning the DAS Cardholder and 5 additional members of his or her traveling party. If your family is larger, you have the option of speaking with a Cast Member and getting a special dispensation or consider how you will split up.

The DAS does not allow "front of the line" for anyone. Guests are still expected to wait for their turn for the ride or attraction the same as anyone else. The return time just allows the DAS Cardholder to know they have a guaranteed time to further enjoy this ride or attraction.

    

The Disability Access Service Card at Walt Disney World

By: Jen Casteneda 

This May we took our annual trip to Walt Disney World.  

Like many families, we planned for months, made our reservations, changed our reservations, and sometimes even switched them back to the original reservation. 

After traveling to Disney for 13 years with 2 children with Autism, this was the one trip I was worried about most. 

Every trip we have been fortunate enough to be able to use the Guest Assistance Card, now known as the Disability Access Service card (DAS).  This card allowed our family to use the FastPass entrance without wait.  We have always taken our children’s medical documentation with us, even though Disney does not need or use it.  We last used this pass in September of 2013 knowing the “new” change was coming soon, due to a few bad apples.

We arrived at Magic Kingdom early in the morning and we wheeled our children up the ramp at City Hall.  Paperwork in hand, I waited patiently for my turn.  When my turn came, I explained our situation and the nice young lady asked if Max and Sadie were present.  By this time, everyone in the building knew Max and Sadie were present with their chortling and verbal squeals.

The Cast Member (CM) explained the new process and asked if I had any questions.  I had done my homework so I was feeling very prepared.  She then asked if they were ready to have their photos taken, and Sadie was first in line.

The new passes have the disabled guest’s photo on the front of the pass.
I was very happy to see this.  Each CM must view the disabled person by matching the photo to the person at the attraction the family is planning to ride.

As we made our way around the park, we didn't experience any wait times for the first 4 rides.  We were allowed to enter the FastPass line immediately.  When we arrived at Big Thunder Mountain we were given a wait time of 15 minutes.  I began to get a little nervous that Max and Sadie would not understand that we would have to leave and return in just a few short minutes.  We made our way to use the restrooms near Splash Mountain and slowly strolled back, just in time to enter the ride.  YEAH, no melt downs!

I was savvy enough to work our FastPass times around the time I knew we would be able to use our DAS card.  This enabled us to only have to visit this part of the park one time.  Max and Sadie do not enjoy the same rides all the time, so we were able to split up in groups. Downloading My Disney Experience was a true time saver for us.

We then made our way to Fantasyland. The longest wait time we were given was 40 minutes for Peter Pan, so we chose to skip this ride.  When we arrived at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the CM asked if we wanted to keep out Peter Pan ride time as you are only allowed one open wait time on a card at a time.  We explained that the kids would not understand returning to that part of the park at a much later time, and that we would to like to ride this attraction instead. The CM crossed off Peter Pan and inserted the Mine Train with only a 20 minute wait.  The kids enjoyed a few snacks and watched others as they rode the new ride.

All in all, I was very pleased with the way our family adjusted to the new program. I recently heard that some of the return times are up to an hour now with the Summer crowds.