I actually got and used the DAS last week-in MK, for dd. It took less than 10 minutes with waiting in line. We go to Disney once or twice a year as we live in FL and go for the day. I never try to get DAS ahead of time on the online chat because it can be a long wait. Of course, I don't get the two ride reservations that come with that either-but for us that is ok because dd won't ride any of the rides you would need one for LOL

For her, she does well in lines that are outside, like Jungle Cruise. It's indoor, loud and sensory filled lines that send her into meltdown. So I only use it then. She understands waiting and is fine with that if she is not in a sensory overload.

Last week was our FIRST Disney day where there was NO meltdowns!!! I'm so proud of her! First ride of the day, she marched right into the line of It's a Small World (we have been escorted out of this line in the past) and announced 'I know what to expect, I watched it on YouTube'!

My attitude is, we use it when needed and don't when it isn't. I'm so glad we have it for when we do need it!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if you don’t know your kid’s ability to wait in line? DS has HFA and is fine 90% of the time in public, but every 10th time has a huge meltdown. I’d like to have the option to wait in a quiter place, but not sure we *need* it.

OP who just did this. I had really mixed feelings about using this because I too wasn't sure -- DH is four and hasn't really been to a big amusement park -- and expressed to a couple of friends before we went I felt a little like we were cheating the system. After about 20 mins in the park, I realized how wrong I was to feel that way. It is a very overwhelming experience for a kid with any kind of sensory or attention issue. I would try to get it - there is nothing to lose and not having it and needing it could make your trip harder for your whole family. DS has an NT older sister who, frankly, ends up having her needs take a back seat to her brother's more than I would like out of necessity, so I also saw this as a way of ensuring that my other kid, who is a real trooper, also got to enjoy this experience.

I feel this way about my ASD son’s NT sisters. He could not have managed the lines without it (and only managed the LL lines with me holding him — not fun for me!). I told them it was a perk of having a brother with autism…

Anonymous wrote:What if you don’t know your kid’s ability to wait in line? DS has HFA and is fine 90% of the time in public, but every 10th time has a huge meltdown. I’d like to have the option to wait in a quiter place, but not sure we *need* it.

If you find the lines are causing meltdowns during the trip you can just go to guest relations and let them know the lines are causing meltdowns bc of the autism. Guest relations took less than 5 minutes during Christmas week so it's a pretty quick, efficient process in person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to apply now before you go. Once you register and are approved it's good for 60 days.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/

You do not have to apply before you go. You have the ability to pre-register but you do not need to.

Pre-registering ahead of time does allow you to pre-select a couple of rides and begin using the service as soon as you get to the park. I tried once and had a super long wait and gave up, then hopped on another time right when it opened and got a cast member in about ten minutes.

Anonymous wrote:What if you don’t know your kid’s ability to wait in line? DS has HFA and is fine 90% of the time in public, but every 10th time has a huge meltdown. I’d like to have the option to wait in a quiter place, but not sure we *need* it.

OP who just did this. I had really mixed feelings about using this because I too wasn't sure -- DH is four and hasn't really been to a big amusement park -- and expressed to a couple of friends before we went I felt a little like we were cheating the system. After about 20 mins in the park, I realized how wrong I was to feel that way. It is a very overwhelming experience for a kid with any kind of sensory or attention issue. I would try to get it - there is nothing to lose and not having it and needing it could make your trip harder for your whole family. DS has an NT older sister who, frankly, ends up having her needs take a back seat to her brother's more than I would like out of necessity, so I also saw this as a way of ensuring that my other kid, who is a real trooper, also got to enjoy this experience.

We just used this for my ADHD son at Disney.

It was so incredibly helpful. There is no way he could have waited in those lines. We also paid for Genie+ to maximize our non-waiting time. Even so, there a few rides that have long lightning lane lines or require a wait by virtue of the line being part of the experience (the Star Wars Rides, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, we had a long wait for Tower of Terror). He was a mess in those lines and if we had been doing that all day it would have been a really rough experience for him.

I did the online sign-up ahead of time and simply stated that he has ADHD and sensory issues that makes it very difficult for him to wait in long lines. They approved with no questions.

What if you don’t know your kid’s ability to wait in line? DS has HFA and is fine 90% of the time in public, but every 10th time has a huge meltdown. I’d like to have the option to wait in a quiter place, but not sure we *need* it.

Anonymous wrote:You have to apply now before you go. Once you register and are approved it's good for 60 days.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/

You do not have to apply before you go. You have the ability to pre-register but you do not need to.

You have to apply now before you go. Once you register and are approved it's good for 60 days.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/

Anonymous wrote:One child has autism and adhd, does that qualify? He is on the spectrum, and he is on high functioning side. What about NT sibling & parents, can NT sibling or parents get one as well?

Again... it doesn't matter about the disability. It matters what challenges that specific person has, and what accommodations they need. For example, you can get "stroller as a wheel chair" tags and for some kids with autism being able to stay in their stroller is what they need.

My child qualified with ADHD; however, it's not the disability that qualifies someone but rather their ability to wait in lines so some folks might not qualify while others do despite having the same disability. If someone qualifies, others in the party (max up to six ppl) will also be able to ride with the DAS holder.

You can do a video chat with Disney I believe 30 days out but not less than two days prior to park entrance in order to get pre-approved and pre-select two rides. When you do it in the park at guest services, you do not get a pre-selection for that park only other parks more than two days out. I have done both options and actually prefer upon arrival at the first park. It's far less of a hassle and often much, much quicker. The two pre-selects are nice but not actually game changers.

One child has autism and adhd, does that qualify? He is on the spectrum, and he is on high functioning side. What about NT sibling & parents, can NT sibling or parents get one as well?

The people on this board know a ton:
https://www.disboards.com/forums/disabilities.20/

What about ADHD would make it challenging for that person to stand in line?

No specific disability qualifies for the pass, and they won't accept any documentation. They will ask the person what challenges they'll have in the theme park and what accommodations they may need.

In general, I wouldn't expect the typical symptoms of ADHD to require the use of a DAS.

Does anyone know if ADHD only qualifies as a disability to get the pass? What type of documentation do you need? Also, is there an easy way to get the pass in advance, or do you need to go to guest services once you get to the park?