Idea to improve DAS

[Sunnywho]

The system I suggested in my OP does limit the instant gratification to the first attraction of the day only. I did state that this could be an issue that may need to be sorted.

There have been times when just getting to the parks has worn me out. Especially Magic Kingdom with the parking, the tram, the monorail before you even get in. For some disabilities, that could be considered the wait prior to the first ride.

 

[Talking Hands]

I think that would work well.

Just so you know, my resistance is not about some strange urge to make it more difficult for anybody. I just want the system to deter people who take advantage that dont need so that it can truly work when it needs to. My daughter cant wait well, but one day doesnt ruin everything, we will return and we are able to distract her with things effectively- showing her the fp+ schedule, giving her the wait time app, etc. Not a choice for everybody but I prefer to leave the need based assistance for those without choices. Other people take every option even if it is want more than need, and that is their decision. "Gaming the system" isnt so fun when the payout doesnt happen upfront.

Unfortunately there will always be people who try to take advantage of the system. That is human nature.

 

[Talking Hands]

Not confusing really everyone wants fair or so they say, so why does a disabled person have to wait for one car when an able person can pick from all the rest.
the lack of compassion on this subject is astounding.

The same reason deaf people only have interpreted shows on certain days in certain parks. and only one time on that specific day.

 

[Sunnywho]

Another issue is if I am physically unable to do an attraction when my return time comes around, under the present system I loose the time that I waited. Under my system, you simply wouldn't get in line for that attraction.

This is a big point. I read a trip report of a mom leaving the park with a DAS return time, a wheelchair return time, and a fastpass in hand, and a single ride ridden. Your plan would have greatly improved guest experience.

 

[mjh2901]

It's not just the number of truly disabled its the sheer number of abusers, because disney cannot ask for proof to many scumbags are simply lying and getting the pass. Wasn't there some socal travel agency online setting people up with everything required to use GAC and they where not catering to the disabled. There are not to many disabled people in the park. A lot of disabilities prevent that person from even going on some of the e-ticket rides.

It would be nice if they had an area where the did the GAC stuff that had a couple dummy ride vehicles so the parties can practice getting their person in and out of ride vehicles. Because cast members cannot touch or assist people with disabilities are being loaded by their party and a little practice would speed everything up. Whats nice are some of the newer rides (RSR and TSM) have a separate load track so normal loading can keep on running while a vehicles sits in an offshoot getting loaded.

 

[mistysue]

Sorry would you like them to stay at home, I'd stand in line all day if it meant disabled kids get to ride, people should look at some of these kids faces when they come of the rides the smiles would light up a dark room.

Nobody said people should stay home. That is horrible to even suggest.
ALL kids should get to ride, not ONLY disabled kids. Disabled children are not more deserving of fun than non-disabled kids. One of the most horrifying experiences I have had was a group of women at an early intervention outing explaining how nice it must be to have a "neurotypical" child - referring to my 2 year old who could barely sit up to watch their children peacefully playing in a group. So can we stop acting like we can judge which person is "worthy" to ride rides over others? Having or not having a DAS or GAC does not equate to the joy and value of a ride.

I'm sure it would get old pretty fast if your only trip to Disney was spent in line waiting for kids deemed more deserving than you to get to ride.

 

[ny3boys]

I've been reading all of these posts and I don't have much to say about most if it. I don't think there is a good solution that will make even a majority of people happy. But when the discussion came to "immediate gratification" and the incentive for abuse. I got lost. Here is how I see it:
Rope drop at HS. 1000 people heading for Toy Story Mania. If 1% of them have a DAS, that is 10 DAS groups. Say 4 in a group for a total of 40 DAS riders. It may take them a little longer to get to the ride, so say the wait time is 20-30 minutes at that point- then they ALL get to get on immediately and have a "wait time" of 20 minutes after the ride is over- (which will probably be used just in the FP lane anyway if they all get in there almost at the same time- even longer if they have to wait for accessible vehicles). Meanwhile the wait time is going to jump up to 60+ minutes very quickly for most everyone else in the standby line- with fastpasses very late into the day or even gone- so no other option than standby for most. The DAS groups could possibly be on their 3rd ride (or maybe even more if it is a DAS abuser and not truly disabled and can run from ride to ride and take advantage of early morning lower wait times) by the time many of those initial 1000 get through TSM. THAT could be an "incentive" for abuse with this system.

** I am NOT debating if it would benefit anyone that needed it or not- just saying how it would look very attractive for those looking to "beat" the system.

 

[cmwade77]

I've been reading all of these posts and I don't have much to say about most if it. I don't think there is a good solution that will make even a majority of people happy. But when the discussion came to "immediate gratification" and the incentive for abuse. I got lost. Here is how I see it:
Rope drop at HS. 1000 people heading for Toy Story Mania. If 1% of them have a DAS, that is 10 DAS groups. Say 4 in a group for a total of 40 DAS riders. It may take them a little longer to get to the ride, so say the wait time is 20-30 minutes at that point- then they ALL get to get on immediately and have a "wait time" of 20 minutes after the ride is over- (which will probably be used just in the FP lane anyway if they all get in there almost at the same time- even longer if they have to wait for accessible vehicles). Meanwhile the wait time is going to jump up to 60+ minutes very quickly for most everyone else in the standby line- with fastpasses very late into the day or even gone- so no other option than standby for most. The DAS groups could possibly be on their 3rd ride (or maybe even more if it is a DAS abuser and not truly disabled and can run from ride to ride and take advantage of early morning lower wait times) by the time many of those initial 1000 get through TSM. THAT could be an "incentive" for abuse with this system.

** I am NOT debating if it would benefit anyone that needed it or not- just saying how it would look very attractive for those looking to "beat" the system.

But one could make the argument that anyone without a DAS could get a FP for TSMM and go on 4 attractions in that same amount of time by simply changing the order in which you do the rides.

The problem that I see with the current system is that abuse still exists, it just changes who is committing the abuse. Having to wait longer than those that don't need assistance would mean that those that don't need assistance are abusing the system.

Now, it's not their fault, it is how Disney designed it, but it is still abusing the system to make others wait longer than you do. This is why the wait times need to be equal to prevent all abuse.

 

[OurBigTrip]

This is something that bothers me. Every child that walk through those gates deserves a magical experience. Every child. I'm absolutely all for accommodations that work but an able child doesn't deserve to 'wait in line all day' because they haven't been dealt the same hand of cards as a disabled child. They are just as deserving of a magical time.

Lots of parents feel that those that don't have a disabled child feel that their kids are inferior, but parents of disabled children do the same thing just like this line of thinking. I can not imagine a normal human being being unwilling to wait a few extra minutes for a disabled child... But it's not one. It's not two. It is thousands along with their families.

And while it's a nice thought, I think you'd actually be pretty agitated to pay $1000 per day only to wait in line. A line has to be drawn somewhere and something has to be done that gives everyone the vacation they deserve and pay for.

So, so well said!

 

[cmwade77]

This is something that bothers me. Every child that walk through those gates deserves a magical experience. Every child. I'm absolutely all for accommodations that work but an able child doesn't deserve to 'wait in line all day' because they haven't been dealt the same hand of cards as a disabled child. They are just as deserving of a magical time.

Lots of parents feel that those that don't have a disabled child feel that their kids are inferior, but parents of disabled children do the same thing just like this line of thinking. I can not imagine a normal human being being unwilling to wait a few extra minutes for a disabled child... But it's not one. It's not two. It is thousands along with their families.

And while it's a nice thought, I think you'd actually be pretty agitated to pay $1000 per day only to wait in line. A line has to be drawn somewhere and something has to be done that gives everyone the vacation they deserve and pay for.

But the point is the current system isn't equal, it gives an advantage to those who don't need assistance in several ways vs those that do need assistance.

 

[OurBigTrip]

But the point is the current system isn't equal, it gives an advantage to those who don't need assistance in several ways vs those that do need assistance.

Sorry, I don't see several ways. Not getting a return time near park closing, I agree, that's a disadvantage. Having to wait so long for an accessible vehicle, I agree, that's a disadvantage, but that has nothing to do with the DAS. Other than that, I don't see the disadvantages.

 

[Vidia2]

There are only a certain amount of disabled people allowed on a ride at a time for safety reasons which is why they have fewer WC accessible vehicles.

Not every handicap person has to wait for an accessible vehicle.

This isn't actually true. I've been on many rides (at WDW) in which every passenger of our car was disabled. Maybe you're referring to some situation at Disneyland, which by the way is the actual source of the problem, not WDW.

 

[aaarcher86]

But the point is the current system isn't equal, it gives an advantage to those who don't need assistance in several ways vs those that do need assistance.

From the sound if it, those in wheelchairs or those needing the accessible cars are absolutely at a disadvantage. Those obtaining a wait time and going through the normal FP lines are not, IMO. My feelings are based in WDW though and I know it's very different in DL.

I think sending those needing accessible vehicles straight on since they wait already for a vehicle would be helpful and even issuing a FP along with the DAS to help that first initial wait. I haven't seen many complaints about the kiosks in WDW but it sounds like DL would benefit from more, or more CMs with the ability to give return times.

 

[cmwade77]

This isn't actually true. I've been on many rides (at WDW) in which every passenger of our car was disabled.

It does depend on the attraction and the needs of the person.

Some that are limited:
Pirates
Big Thunder
Small world
Haunted Mansion
Jungle cruise
dumbo
Rockin roller coaster
Dinosaur
Safari
Expedition Everest
Star Tours
California Screamin
Space Mountain
Matterhorn
Roger rabbit

There are others I am sure, but these are a few that have limits.

 

[cmwade77]

From the sound if it, those in wheelchairs or those needing the accessible cars are absolutely at a disadvantage. Those obtaining a wait time and going through the normal FP lines are not, IMO. My feelings are based in WDW though and I know it's very different in DL.

I think sending those needing accessible vehicles straight on since they wait already for a vehicle would be helpful and even issuing a FP along with the DAS to help that first initial wait. I haven't seen many complaints about the kiosks in WDW but it sounds like DL would benefit from more, or more CMs with the ability to give return times.

But that's the point, on many attractions the rest of us have to wait in the same queue as those that need the accessible vehicles. Meaning we have to wait just as long as they do.

 

[Vidia2]

It does depend on the attraction and the needs of the person.

Some that are limited:
Pirates
Big Thunder
Small world
Haunted Mansion
Jungle cruise
dumbo
Rockin roller coaster
Dinosaur
Safari
Expedition Everest
Star Tours
California Screamin
Space Mountain
Matterhorn
Roger rabbit

There are others I am sure, but these are a few that have limits.

I've been on some of these rides (at WDW) in which every person on our car came from the alternate entrance. Maybe you're referring to Disneyland. That place is a mess apparently. I feel horribly for anyone with a disability trying to navigate that park.

 

[aaarcher86]

This isn't actually true. I've been on many rides (at WDW) in which every passenger of our car was disabled.

Which ones and how could you possibly know that? The DAS podcast is where I'm getting my information. And this would be physically disabled due to safety of getting guests off the ride if it broke down.

 

[aaarcher86]

But that's the point, on many attractions the rest of us have to wait in the same queue as those that need the accessible vehicles. Meaning we have to wait just as long as they do.

If you don't need an accessible vehicle aren't you brought to the front and put in a regular vehicle?

 

[ny3boys]

But one could make the argument that anyone without a DAS could get a FP for TSMM and go on 4 attractions in that same amount of time by simply changing the order in which you do the rides

You could make that argument, but the fastpasses run out for TSM very quickly and not everyone even has a chance at one- it isn't a given. And if you do get one the return time may be HOURS away forcing you to stay in the park longer than you would have otherwise (if you want to use it). In your scenario, with a DAS, a person would be *almost* guaranteed a quick ride on TSM and finishing up most of the other big rides at HS in a fairly short period of time. It would be a big incentive to "abuse" the system. Just that ONE walk on ride, gives a big advantage-- and that is the carrot on the stick, which is enough for some incorrigible people.

 

[lanejudy]

If you don't need an accessible vehicle aren't you brought to the front and put in a regular vehicle?

No, depending on the ride, you stay within the "accessible" queue right in line with everyone else. If you are close to the front and the party ahead needs the accessible car, they may allow a couple of parties to pass ahead. But generally, if you are in the "alternate" queue which is also used for those with mobility aids, whether or not you are transferring or need the accessible vehicle, all will wait.

This is from our experience at WDW. I can't speak for DLR, but with fewer accessible queues and (what sounds like) even more with mobility aids, I think it's similar. That is one of the major problems debated here, though not always clearly. OP is making a suggestion to improve DAS because those in wheelchairs are waiting an exhoribant amount of time already.