WDWdriver
10-10-2013, 05:00 PM
By now, most of you have heard that the old Guest Assistance Card (GAC) has been replaced by the new Disability Access System (DAS) Card. While Disney continues to recognize the needs of its many guests with disabilities, the DAS represents a new way to meet those needs. If you used a GAC in the past because one or more persons in your family required alternative access to a ride or attraction, then you will find many changes in the way DAS is administered. Here are some Q and A's about DAS:
What is the main difference between GAC and DAS?
GAC was used primarily to gain immediate or rapid access to an attraction. Guests with a GAC were directed to an alternate entrance or to the Fast Pass queue without delay. The new DAS card will require a wait time comparable to the wait time in the standby queue. This doesn't mean that you will wait in line. The waiting period can be on another ride, in a restaurant, or anywhere else in the park.
A member of my family has a disability. Do we need a DAS card?
In many cases the answer is no. The determining factor will be whether or not the disability is limited to a mobility issue. If your family member's disability simply limits his/her mobility (i.e. walking, standing, stamina) then you will be not be issued a DAS card and will be encouraged to use a wheelchair or ECV while waiting in the standby queues.
What if the disability goes beyond a mobility issue?
You may be issued a DAS card, depending on what needs you have that cannot be alleviated by a wheelchair or ECV. This is the key requirement for obtaining the card. You will be asked to explain the reason that your need goes beyond a mobility issue. It is important to note that the Disney CMs are not asking for a diagnosis. They are not medically trained and they will not ask for medical paperwork or a doctor's note. Therefore, it is not generally helpful to tell them that your family member has (for example) fibromyalgia, emphysema or cerebral palsy. Instead, it is up to you to tell them of a specific reason why waiting in a standby line (with or without a wheelchair) is not an option.
Okay, so I can explain why my family member cannot wait in line. How do I get the DAS?
Go to Guest Relations at the park entrance (inside or outside of the turnstiles). The person needing the card must be present, even if it is a child or a person who cannot speak.
- Discuss your need with a CM.
- Submit to having a photo of the cardholder taken by the CM.
- Agree to the terms and conditions on the front of the card.
- Sign the card.
- That's it. You're done.
(Note - there can be exceptions to these requirements on a case by case basis)
How long is the card good for, and for how many people?
The card is valid for your length of stay up to 14 days. AP holders will have to get new cards on subsequent visits. The card is intended to be for up to six guests, although that number can be increased at the discretion of the Guest Relations CMs.
How do I use the card?
Go to the entrance of the attraction you wish to experience and show the card to a CM (note - the disabled person does not have to be present at this point). The CM will note the current standby wait time for the attraction (let's say 40 minutes for this example) and will write a return time on one of the lines on the back of your card. This return time will be determined by subtracting ten minutes from the current wait time (30 minutes in this case). The ten minute portion represents the approximate amount of time you will be waiting when you return and are admitted to the Fast Pass queue or other alternate entrance. You now have a written return time for the attraction, and you can spend the time interval anywhere else in the park doing anything else that interests you. You can even go on other rides using Fast Pass or the standby queue.
What happens when we return?
Present the DAS card to a CM. The CM will line through the entry on the back of the card and will admit you to the attraction via the Fast Pass queue or alternate entrance. The person whose name is on the card must be among those entering the attraction.
Is there a return window?
No, you may return at any time after the return time noted on your card.
When can we get another return time for another attraction?
When your current return time has been lined through (either by a CM or by you) you can approach another attraction and get a new return time. There is no limit as to how many attractions you can ride in a day, but you can have only one open return time on your card.
What if the attraction is "down" when we return?
Your return time will be lined through by the CM and you will be given a readmission card for that attraction valid at any time for the rest of the day.
Can we still use a stroller as a wheelchair?
Yes. The CMs at Guest Relations can give you a "baggage tag" marker for your stroller just as they have in the past. You may or may not also get a DAS card depending on your needs.
What is the main difference between GAC and DAS?
GAC was used primarily to gain immediate or rapid access to an attraction. Guests with a GAC were directed to an alternate entrance or to the Fast Pass queue without delay. The new DAS card will require a wait time comparable to the wait time in the standby queue. This doesn't mean that you will wait in line. The waiting period can be on another ride, in a restaurant, or anywhere else in the park.
A member of my family has a disability. Do we need a DAS card?
In many cases the answer is no. The determining factor will be whether or not the disability is limited to a mobility issue. If your family member's disability simply limits his/her mobility (i.e. walking, standing, stamina) then you will be not be issued a DAS card and will be encouraged to use a wheelchair or ECV while waiting in the standby queues.
What if the disability goes beyond a mobility issue?
You may be issued a DAS card, depending on what needs you have that cannot be alleviated by a wheelchair or ECV. This is the key requirement for obtaining the card. You will be asked to explain the reason that your need goes beyond a mobility issue. It is important to note that the Disney CMs are not asking for a diagnosis. They are not medically trained and they will not ask for medical paperwork or a doctor's note. Therefore, it is not generally helpful to tell them that your family member has (for example) fibromyalgia, emphysema or cerebral palsy. Instead, it is up to you to tell them of a specific reason why waiting in a standby line (with or without a wheelchair) is not an option.
Okay, so I can explain why my family member cannot wait in line. How do I get the DAS?
Go to Guest Relations at the park entrance (inside or outside of the turnstiles). The person needing the card must be present, even if it is a child or a person who cannot speak.
- Discuss your need with a CM.
- Submit to having a photo of the cardholder taken by the CM.
- Agree to the terms and conditions on the front of the card.
- Sign the card.
- That's it. You're done.
(Note - there can be exceptions to these requirements on a case by case basis)
How long is the card good for, and for how many people?
The card is valid for your length of stay up to 14 days. AP holders will have to get new cards on subsequent visits. The card is intended to be for up to six guests, although that number can be increased at the discretion of the Guest Relations CMs.
How do I use the card?
Go to the entrance of the attraction you wish to experience and show the card to a CM (note - the disabled person does not have to be present at this point). The CM will note the current standby wait time for the attraction (let's say 40 minutes for this example) and will write a return time on one of the lines on the back of your card. This return time will be determined by subtracting ten minutes from the current wait time (30 minutes in this case). The ten minute portion represents the approximate amount of time you will be waiting when you return and are admitted to the Fast Pass queue or other alternate entrance. You now have a written return time for the attraction, and you can spend the time interval anywhere else in the park doing anything else that interests you. You can even go on other rides using Fast Pass or the standby queue.
What happens when we return?
Present the DAS card to a CM. The CM will line through the entry on the back of the card and will admit you to the attraction via the Fast Pass queue or alternate entrance. The person whose name is on the card must be among those entering the attraction.
Is there a return window?
No, you may return at any time after the return time noted on your card.
When can we get another return time for another attraction?
When your current return time has been lined through (either by a CM or by you) you can approach another attraction and get a new return time. There is no limit as to how many attractions you can ride in a day, but you can have only one open return time on your card.
What if the attraction is "down" when we return?
Your return time will be lined through by the CM and you will be given a readmission card for that attraction valid at any time for the rest of the day.
Can we still use a stroller as a wheelchair?
Yes. The CMs at Guest Relations can give you a "baggage tag" marker for your stroller just as they have in the past. You may or may not also get a DAS card depending on your needs.