Idea to improve DAS

[disney david]

For a place like Disney, equipping all attraction CMs with iPads would take nothing at all...perhaps the answer is to provide the iPads, and then allow guests with a DAS to get a return time FOR any ride AT any ride. Thinking WDW...if walking by Buzz and you want a return time for BTMRR, the CM at Buzz could give it to you.

Most rides at wdw now have computers for fast pass plus I am sure when they put RFID in das they could do what your saying very easily I just think they are taking their time to get fast pass plus up and running. Then will add more RFID components to other areas. Because they also have handheld scanners that could be used at the exit of the ride for you next ride. So if your at buzz when you exit you could get a return time for let say Peter Pan. Disney has spent more money on knowing where guest are then anywhere else so now they can see how many people on in any stand by and have more accurate counts and see how many people have fast pass plus and use that to give a more accurate return time. I just think we will see. A better system in the near future I know people said they should of waited but they spending to much on fast pass plus and my magic and magic bands to even try to delay it to factor in das into RFID for now. They have everything in place they have kiosk that you can make same day fast pass plus that they can use for das each attraction has a computer that they can use for both. What they should do for now is give you one of those cards they give you when you enter a ride to see the wait time so you get a return time for a ride they give a guest one scan it then when they get to the ride they scan it once you get on as a measure to see wheatear your waiting longer then your supposed to. It be their to give them data so they can go back and see wheatear the ones given the red card spent more time then the time they was given so they could look at why.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Have you taken your brother to Disney World? Just wondering what your actual experience with the GAC or the DAS is.

Not my brother, he can't sit on a plane. And not DAS. The child of someone I travel with often has ASD and has used a GAC. Also, I've travelled with a wheelchair- knee injury, and I can truly say, the waits for accessible vehicles, or in the case of Spaceship Earth the wait even to transfer, are pretty long.

 

[AndreaA]

Exactly.

And the reason that the non-disabled are interested in this is because it DOES affect us.

Affects you, meaning that you may (MAY, not WILL) have to wait a few more minutes than a disabled person.

Affects many disabled people, meaning that they WILL NOT be able to visit the parks any longer.

Which do you think is the bigger inequity?

Life is not fair and neither are some theme park rules. I'm not sure why some people seem to think that it's preferable to have those rules be "more fair" to them at the absolute exlusion of other people.

I think that the proposed solution would be an excellent one. In the overall picture, it will eliminate many of the current problems while giving perhaps a minimal advantage. Frankly I would lean in favor of giving a slight advantage over causing extra work for disabled guests or flat out disinfranchising them. Obviously some people would rather give the advantage to the majority. And that is what is currently happening. People with a DAS are at a distinct DISadvantage compared to the average guest.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Affects you, meaning that you may (MAY, not WILL) have to wait a few more minutes than a disabled person.

Affects many disabled people, meaning that they WILL NOT be able to visit the parks any longer.

Which do you think is the bigger inequity?

Life is not fair and neither are some theme park rules. I'm not sure why some people seem to think that it's preferable to have those rules be "more fair" to them at the absolute exlusion of other people.

I think that the proposed solution would be an excellent one. In the overall picture, it will eliminate many of the current problems while giving perhaps a minimal advantage. Frankly I would lean in favor of giving a slight advantage over causing extra work for disabled guests or flat out disinfranchising them. Obviously some people would rather give the advantage to the majority. And that is what is currently happening. People with a DAS are at a distinct DISadvantage compared to the average guest.

This is just one of those "agree to disagree" situations. Under the GAC, it wasn't an issue of waiting a "few minutes" more than a disabled person. It was an issue of standing in line for an hour or more while disabled people went in with little to no wait at all, and then sometimes continued to ride, over and over again, with no wait at all. So, not only were GAC guests not waiting for the rides like everyone else, they were causing standby lines to be even longer.

I can see where DAS guests at DL are at a disadvantage, due to having to obtain return times at kiosks rather than at rides. But at WDW, I really don't see it. Guests with DAS can ride other, shorter wait rides while they wait for their return times, which is great. Get a 60 minute return time, and go enjoy a couple of short or no wait attractions - that's much better than standing in the line for 60 minutes.

I've not seen anyone say that disabled guests should receive no accommodations, just that all guests have to be considered, and that a system that is as equitable as possible needs to be implemented.

 

[mistysue]

Affects you, meaning that you may (MAY, not WILL) have to wait a few more minutes than a disabled person.

Affects many disabled people, meaning that they WILL NOT be able to visit the parks any longer.

Which do you think is the bigger inequity?

Life is not fair and neither are some theme park rules. I'm not sure why some people seem to think that it's preferable to have those rules be "more fair" to them at the absolute exlusion of other people.

I think that the proposed solution would be an excellent one. In the overall picture, it will eliminate many of the current problems while giving perhaps a minimal advantage. Frankly I would lean in favor of giving a slight advantage over causing extra work for disabled guests or flat out disinfranchising them. Obviously some people would rather give the advantage to the majority. And that is what is currently happening. People with a DAS are at a distinct DISadvantage compared to the average guest.

Exactly what part of being able to visit other attractions is a disadvantage over those people standing in line? Did you read that before you typed it? I know it sounds good, but can we please have a serious conversation without sweeping senseless statements? You have no idea what the story is about the people in the standby line. You dont know what their struggles are.

Of course there are people the DAS does not work for, but there are also a large number of users who just needed an alternate wait- now their needs are met and the outrage is over giving up privledge, not over unmet needs. That is not universal, we all know that, please do not twist my words.

 

[aaarcher86]

I'm getting really tired of hearing the words" fair to all". What's not fair is my daughter with multiple disabilities being treated like a second class citizen everywhere we go, in school, in our neighborhood and in public and having to fight daily battles on her behalf everyday from now on. Hearing her tell me she wants to get married and have babies and having to choke back the tears because I know that's probably not going to ever happen for her and now having the one annual escape we had from those daily battles being taken away from us by Disney because of people like you who only care about yourself. The new system doesn't work for the truly disabled but only someone with a disability or who loves someone with a disability would get that. I can't get over the lack of compassion I keep seeing since this has happened. If you're not disabled or love someone who is, why are you here commenting anyway? Don't you have anything better to do? It was the selfish able bodied people that ruined and abused this system. Not the disabled.

This is not an attack thread nor a thread to argue about who has it worse in life/which disability is the hardest. People agreeing with the new system aren't heartless or without compassion. Let's not get this thread closed. No one debates that life with a disability is incredibly difficult, but this is strictly about accommodations at a theme park not life in general.

 

[cmwade77]

Affects you, meaning that you may (MAY, not WILL) have to wait a few more minutes than a disabled person.

Affects many disabled people, meaning that they WILL NOT be able to visit the parks any longer.

Which do you think is the bigger inequity?

Life is not fair and neither are some theme park rules. I'm not sure why some people seem to think that it's preferable to have those rules be "more fair" to them at the absolute exlusion of other people.

I think that the proposed solution would be an excellent one. In the overall picture, it will eliminate many of the current problems while giving perhaps a minimal advantage. Frankly I would lean in favor of giving a slight advantage over causing extra work for disabled guests or flat out disinfranchising them. Obviously some people would rather give the advantage to the majority. And that is what is currently happening. People with a DAS are at a distinct DISadvantage compared to the average guest.

Exactly right. As I have said, there are ways to address these issues. My original suggestion is one that ensures EQUAL waits. Not shorter and not longer, I am not sure why some are having a hard time grasping that. It is dependent on accurate wait times, but so is the current system. And yes, people can do other things while waiting, but this is true with BOTH systems. And both system allow for travel time. So both the current system and what I suggested have everyone waiting their turn.

My system simply eliminates the extra work that the current system requires. by definition extra work would mean that it's not equal to guests who don't need assistance.

Making them wait longer than everyone else is not equal.

Not providing return times close to closing when the standby line is still open its not equal.

Now I have said, there are other ways to solve most of the problems, possibly all of them. So, I am not saying it's my idea or nothing, but I am saying that changes must be made in order to make the system equal.

 

[aaarcher86]

Affects you, meaning that you may (MAY, not WILL) have to wait a few more minutes than a disabled person. Affects many disabled people, meaning that they WILL NOT be able to visit the parks any longer. Which do you think is the bigger inequity? Life is not fair and neither are some theme park rules. I'm not sure why some people seem to think that it's preferable to have those rules be "more fair" to them at the absolute exlusion of other people. I think that the proposed solution would be an excellent one. In the overall picture, it will eliminate many of the current problems while giving perhaps a minimal advantage. Frankly I would lean in favor of giving a slight advantage over causing extra work for disabled guests or flat out disinfranchising them. Obviously some people would rather give the advantage to the majority. And that is what is currently happening. People with a DAS are at a distinct DISadvantage compared to the average guest.

Wheelchair users are at a distinct disadvantage and that should be remedied, no question. Guests with the ability to get into a regular seat are not. They're required to wait the same amount of time as everyone else which should be expected when going some place where everything has a que.

The waits were not a few minutes. The entire system was being bogged down by the sheer volume of users.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Exactly right. As I have said, there are ways to address these issues. My original suggestion is one that ensures EQUAL waits. Not shorter and not longer, I am not sure why some are having a hard time grasping that. It is dependent on accurate wait times, but so is the current system. And yes, people can do other things while waiting, but this is true with BOTH systems. And both system allow for travel time. So both the current system and what I suggested have everyone waiting their turn.

My system simply eliminates the extra work that the current system requires. by definition extra work would mean that it's not equal to guests who don't need assistance.

Making them wait longer than everyone else is not equal.

Not providing return times close to closing when the standby line is still open its not equal.

Now I have said, there are other ways to solve most of the problems, possibly all of them. So, I am not saying it's my idea or nothing, but I am saying that changes must be made in order to make the system equal.

I agree that the disabled shouldn't be waiting longer, and there is no excuse for not issuing return times at the end of the night. I'm all for making it more equal.

But the majority of complaints I've seen about the DAS (not yours, but many others) isn't because they're having to wait longer, it's because they're having to wait the same as non-disabled guests.

And the accusations that anyone that doesn't agree with their opinion is selfish and wants all of the disabled to stay out of the parks.

That attitude is every bit as offensive as saying that the disabled should just stay home.

 

[Vidia2]

Wheelchair users are at a distinct disadvantage and that should be remedied, no question. Guests with the ability to get into a regular seat are not. They're required to wait the same amount of time as everyone else which should be expected when going some place where everything has a que.

I thought we weren't supposed to debate which disabilities had a bigger disadvantage or needed more accommodations.

 

[mistysue]

I thought we weren't supposed to debate which disabilities had a bigger disadvantage or needed more accommodations.

That post didnt do this. Unfortunately this conversation has two parts, and giving the identical accomodation for completely different needs is not an appropriate response. Saying that does not compare needs or give priority.

 

[OurBigTrip]

That post didnt do this. Unfortunately this conversation has two parts, and giving the identical accomodation for completely different needs is not an appropriate response. Saying that does not compare needs or give priority.

Exactly!

 

[emeraldmom]

Wheelchair users are at a distinct disadvantage and that should be remedied, no question. Guests with the ability to get into a regular seat are not. They're required to wait the same amount of time as everyone else which should be expected when going some place where everything has a que.

The waits were not a few minutes. The entire system was being bogged down by the sheer volume of users.

Just to clarify here, at some attractions you have the extra wait regardless of whether or not you need a specially equipped ride vehicle. Everyone in my party is able to ride in a standard vehicle, but sometimes we still have the extra wait. This applies to WDW, I haven't been to DL in decades.

Some examples:
At Toy Story, if you cannot do stairs, you are sent to the accessible que.
At Jungle Cruise, you wait for the accessible boat.
At the Safari, you wait for the accessible vehicle.
At BTMR you are sent to the accessible que.

These are just a few examples. As of my last trip, all GAC users with the alternate entrance stamp were handled this way, regardless of if they needed a special vehicle. The Toy Story accessible line is usually so long that sometimes we suffer through the stairs to avoid it, depends on if it's a good day for us or not.

So, it isn't just wheelchair users that are having to deal with the extra wait.

 

[cmwade77]

Wheelchair users are at a distinct disadvantage and that should be remedied, no question. Guests with the ability to get into a regular seat are not. They're required to wait the same amount of time as everyone else which should be expected when going some place where everything has a que.

The waits were not a few minutes. The entire system was being bogged down by the sheer volume of users.

No guests who are able to get into a regular seat are also waiting longer. They wait the length of the standby line, plus the length of the return line, which in some cases is 30+ minutes.

 

[cmwade77]

I agree that the disabled shouldn't be waiting longer, and there is no excuse for not issuing return times at the end of the night. I'm all for making it more equal.

But the majority of complaints I've seen about the DAS (not yours, but many others) isn't because they're having to wait longer, it's because they're having to wait the same as non-disabled guests.

And the accusations that anyone that doesn't agree with their opinion is selfish and wants all of the disabled to stay out of the parks.

That attitude is every bit as offensive as saying that the disabled should just stay home.

I definitely agree there. I honestly just want a system where everything is as equal as is possible and yes, that includes wait times. I have suggested many times that something needed to be done to make things equal back under the old system. I also had suggested pictures many times.

I once saw about 5 families in front of me handing a GAC to someone else in the party and saying, I don't want to ride this, but use my GAC. This caused a backup of about 45 minutes at the attraction. Luckily there was somewhere that I was able to sit while waiting, but that's when I started mentioning about pictures every time I renewed my GAC.

So, yes the old system was broken, but the new system is also broken, just in a different way.

 

[cmwade77]

Just to clarify here, at some attractions you have the extra wait regardless of whether or not you need a specially equipped ride vehicle. Everyone in my party is able to ride in a standard vehicle, but sometimes we still have the extra wait. This applies to WDW, I haven't been to DL in decades.

Some examples:
At Toy Story, if you cannot do stairs, you are sent to the accessible que.
At Jungle Cruise, you wait for the accessible boat.
At the Safari, you wait for the accessible vehicle.
At BTMR you are sent to the accessible que.

These are just a few examples. As of my last trip, all GAC users with the alternate entrance stamp were handled this way, regardless of if they needed a special vehicle. The Toy Story accessible line is usually so long that sometimes we suffer through the stairs to avoid it, depends on if it's a good day for us or not.

So, it isn't just wheelchair users that are having to deal with the extra wait.

Last time we were at WDW, we were sent through the FP queue at all of these, except TSMM, but didn't do that one, because we have it out here at DL and it's identical, except the queue.

But there were other attractions we had to wait for.

Finding Nemo
small world
Haunted Mansion (I can't do that queue after the stretching room), too many people pushing and shoving in too small of a space.
Splash Mountain (stairs)
Great movie ride

There may have been others, but these are the ones that jump to mind.

 

[aaarcher86]

I thought we weren't supposed to debate which disabilities had a bigger disadvantage or needed more accommodations.

In life... There's a big difference in discussing daily struggles and who has it worse and DAS usage and what needs what or why.

Wheelchair users/non users and wait times relate to the DAS, and I'm sure you have the ability to differentiate between the two.

 

[aaarcher86]

No guests who are able to get into a regular seat are also waiting longer. They wait the length of the standby line, plus the length of the return line, which in some cases is 30+ minutes.

I'm assuming that's a DL thing since I've never experienced a FP line that long?

 

[Robbi]

It is the sheer volume of disabled people that ruin the system. Disney has become a magnet for disabled travelers. Somebody posted an article that suggested that I think it was near 1% of people in the park were GAC eligible... Most of those people are not alone. It is not sustainable to have a full percent, let alone 2 or 3 percent of the people accessing anything they want on demand. That is true whether or not you deem them disabled enough to count.

There was 1 article written by a guy who spoke to a few CMs so now it's gospel? I can tell you from our experience and probably others can too that some CMs clearly did not like the GACs. Their attitudes were evident. I'm happy to say they were in the minority. Most cast members were very sweet. My friend went straight to Guest Services to report one CM who responded with an eyeroll after her autistic son told her hello and that he was enjoying his trip.

 

[curemyreed]

Universal Studios Hollywood (California)
Sea World - San Diego (California)

These are the two that I know for sure use the system that I have suggested, others have mentioned that there are other parks that use the system I have suggested.

That being said, I recommend keeping an eye on the DAS, it will inevitably be tweaked and may end up at a point where it is doable for you.

Thanks. I wrote them down so I don't have to go searching back here someday!