Controversial DAS thoughts

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by duchy

Frankly I can't see how any family wouldn't prefer not to be questioned in detail about disabilities by strangers within the hearing of other guests but hey we are all different and maybe you've taken "troubled" to mean something different .
I stand by finding the new system better as I now feel we aren't "queue jumping" but waiting the same length of time even if in far more comfortable surroundings as everyone else.

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I actually think its you that has taken it the wrong way but we shall have to agree to differ on this.

I was simply saying that I would prefer a system where they could take medical information if this was available rather than having to explain my condition which is the current situation (so actually the exact thing you are saying you would rather not have!) By being able to provide some sort of documentation it would prevent you needing to answer questions as to why you need the pass and therefore prevent others overhearing etc so therefore would be simpler in my opinion. The current situation they do ask you why you need the pass and so you do have to explain your condition with other people stood around watching/listening. This was what my comment "trouble with US law" was referring to in terms of the fact that they can't look at any medical information.

As for the old pass, it isn't the queue jumping I was referring to more in the fact that they actually questioned you less hence why so many people did abuse the system. I have never said I have any issue with the new system in terms of having to wait the allotted time and actually agree with you that I think this works better. Another bonus of the old system was that it wasn't time limited so you could use on future trips. The new system you have to go back and explain again the same condition and this means again people overhearing etc. The old system did have some benefits and I'm not saying by any means that I want to go back to it I'm just saying that it had benefits.

Again this is my opinion as a disabled guest who has used both systems. Neither were perfect and I think that if they were allowed to look at medical evidence of needs it would save having to answer questions which would actually make it quicker and easier.

[BarryandCaron]

Originally Posted by gismo1554

I actually think its you that has taken it the wrong way but we shall have to agree to differ on this.

I was simply saying that I would prefer a system where they could take medical information if this was available rather than having to explain my condition which is the current situation (so actually the exact thing you are saying you would rather not have!) By being able to provide some sort of documentation it would prevent you needing to answer questions as to why you need the pass and therefore prevent others overhearing etc so therefore would be simpler in my opinion. The current situation they do ask you why you need the pass and so you do have to explain your condition with other people stood around watching/listening. This was what my comment "trouble with US law" was referring to in terms of the fact that they can't look at any medical information.

As for the old pass, it isn't the queue jumping I was referring to more in the fact that they actually questioned you less hence why so many people did abuse the system. I have never said I have any issue with the new system in terms of having to wait the allotted time and actually agree with you that I think this works better. Another bonus of the old system was that it wasn't time limited so you could use on future trips. The new system you have to go back and explain again the same condition and this means again people overhearing etc. The old system did have some benefits and I'm not saying by any means that I want to go back to it I'm just saying that it had benefits.

Again this is my opinion as a disabled guest who has used both systems. Neither were perfect and I think that if they were allowed to look at medical evidence of needs it would save having to answer questions which would actually make it quicker and easier.

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The CMs don’t have any medical knowledge though, so showing medical information would be useless.

DS has had a GAC and DAS for many years. We don’t have to repeat why he needs one each time, it’s on their system.

[dreamisawish]

Originally Posted by BarryandCaron

The CMs don’t have any medical knowledge though, so showing medical information would be useless.

DS has had a GAC and DAS for many years. We don’t have to repeat why he needs one each time, it’s on their system.

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Possibly a system that sees DAS specialist CM in the guest service centres would then be helpful.

I personally do understand that people waiting to be formally diagnosed might find a different system difficult, but on the assumption that someone who hasn’t been diagnosed has still seen a doctor/nurse/consultant then maybe a letter just saying ‘not yet diagnosed but has problems standing/queuing/with crowds’ etc- if a evidence based system was brought in I don’t think you’d need an official medical diagnosis, just a thought.

Also as a side note, the universal comments make me worry about our next trip. Maybe a topic for another thread, but I wonder what makes them ok some people and turn away others? I thought first it might be the wheelchair- I’ve heard even Disney turn away wheelchair users for mobility issues as they think they can wait in their chairs through the queue- but it all seems odd if it’s not that.

We didn’t bother getting one at universal last time as we only did one day there and the park was empty, we walked on to everything, but I imagine next year we will need one if we want to do Hagrids at all.

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by BarryandCaron

The CMs don’t have any medical knowledge though, so showing medical information would be useless.

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True!

DS has had a GAC and DAS for many years. We don’t have to repeat why he needs one each time, it’s on their system.

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Ohh interesting. So I've had both and have been an AP holder for the last year and every time have to explain. Do you just go in and say "I need to reactivate DAS"? Just curious as going in September and would be nice not to have go through it all again like I did in May (and previous September). It gets old very quickly

Originally Posted by dreamisawish

Possibly a system that sees DAS specialist CM in the guest service centres would then be helpful.

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I agree as I don't think they'd need a lot of medical knowledge just a small amount or even a list of conditions that are likely to need DAS that isn't perscriptive in that if you aren't on the list you don't get a pass but then can be added to as others present with other conditions and explain their needs.

Also as a side note, the universal comments make me worry about our next trip. Maybe a topic for another thread, but I wonder what makes them ok some people and turn away others? I thought first it might be the wheelchair- I’ve heard even Disney turn away wheelchair users for mobility issues as they think they can wait in their chairs through the queue- but it all seems odd if it’s not that.

We didn’t bother getting one at universal last time as we only did one day there and the park was empty, we walked on to everything, but I imagine next year we will need one if we want to do Hagrids at all.

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I think it is down to the CM. If you are in a wheelchair you don't get a pass in Disney or Universal (or at least this is what I was told) as it automatically allows you to have the same system or its not that they have to queue with everyone else its that they flag visually as needing assistance. In Universal it is just whether the person thinks it warrants it or not.

[BarryandCaron]

Originally Posted by gismo1554

True!



Ohh interesting. So I've had both and have been an AP holder for the last year and every time have to explain. Do you just go in and say "I need to reactivate DAS"? Just curious as going in September and would be nice not to have go through it all again like I did in May (and previous September). It gets old very quickly



I agree as I don't think they'd need a lot of medical knowledge just a small amount or even a list of conditions that are likely to need DAS that isn't perscriptive in that if you aren't on the list you don't get a pass but then can be added to as others present with other conditions and explain their needs.



I think it is down to the CM. If you are in a wheelchair you don't get a pass in Disney or Universal (or at least this is what I was told) as it automatically allows you to have the same system or its not that they have to queue with everyone else its that they flag visually as needing assistance. In Universal it is just whether the person thinks it warrants it or not.

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Yes, that’s exactly what we say each time. With the old GAC we used to take an old one to show which stamps were on it. Once DAS came along after the first issue, we just ask to renew. They still take a new photo though.

Last September we did exactly this and we hadn’t been for two years.

[dreamisawish]

Originally Posted by BarryandCaron

Yes, that’s exactly what we say each time. With the old GAC we used to take an old one to show which stamps were on it. Once DAS came along after the first issue, we just ask to renew. They still take a new photo though.

Last September we did exactly this and we hadn’t been for two years.

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This is really interesting, I go back next September and it will have been a year and a half since I was issued the DAS last, do you think it’s possible to ask to reactivate it?

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by BarryandCaron

Yes, that’s exactly what we say each time. With the old GAC we used to take an old one to show which stamps were on it. Once DAS came along after the first issue, we just ask to renew. They still take a new photo though.

Last September we did exactly this and we hadn’t been for two years.

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Fantastic thank you! To be fair I have never tried asking to renew I've just always said I need a DAS and they've gone through asking why etc. Will give it a go in September as will definitely make it a lot less painful! I used to just take my old GAC with me and that was always fine but assumed that after the 2 weeks I was told the DAS was active for it just deleted from your account all evidence of it.

[Maddy50]

Universal were amazing as usual when I asked for a assistance pass for my autistic son. I simply explained he was autistic and the pass was issued with a smile. On our last day we were struggling with the heat and all the queues for the water rides where huge. I politely asked at customer services in Jurassic park if there was any chance of an express pass for a water ride as my son was becoming really overwhelmed by the heat and the waiting around. The lovely lady issued us with one use express passes for a water ride.

[caj]

Originally Posted by Ambermark

I’m hoping to ring up and try and sort it out before I get there. I reallllllly don’t think my hubby wants me to list all the weird and wonderful things he has wrong with him, including all the embarrassing problems.
Plus once I’m done they usually look at him with a face that says ‘how are you not dead?’ Which I find funny but he does not lol

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Unfortunately you wont be able to pre sort it. Your hubby will need to be at guest services to have his photo taken once they've agreed to offer a pass.

[caj]

Originally Posted by Ambermark

I know he needs to be there to get a photo taken, but im sure I read somewhere some people have been able to ring up and have a pass ok'd over the phone, then they just need to get the photo and pass made when they get there? Or did I get the wrong end of the stick somewhere?

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You might be right, and the system does get tweaked. I havent heard of that though.