Disability Access Card shown with attractions listed & crossed off
Last month, we talked about what the new Disney Disability Access Service (DAS) card is and who qualifies for it, let’s talk about how to maximize the use of FastPass+ and the DAS. With anything new there is always a learning curve. The new FastPass+ system, as well the new DAS cards, was no exception. Making the situation more difficult, it was a learning curve for Disney and the guests. Implementing the DAS card at the same time as FastPass+ was very rough for all parties involved. Now that the dust has settled, we understand a little more how to work things and use them to make the best trip possible for our families. With that, on to new adventures.
My first recommendation would be make your FastPass+ reservations as far in advanced as possible to get the ones you want and try to make them for as close to park opening as you can. If you don’t intend to go to the park that early, schedule them for the earliest time possible based on when you plan to enter. Once you enter the park for the day, check out the wait times. If there is a ride, show or meet and greet that you know you don’t want to miss and you couldn’t get a FastPass+ for it, this is a good time to use your DAS card. (Please remember, the DAS card is not just for skipping lines. The person on the card must be present when enjoying the attraction.) One person from your party can go to the attraction you want the wait time for and get a return time on your card and then come back to meet your party. The person who the DAS card is for does not have to be present to get the time, just there in person when you plan to redeem it. At this point you have 3 FastPass+ times and a time on your DAS card. Now to start enjoying your FastPass+ times. Depending on the time on your DAS card, if you have a long enough gap in between FastPass+ times you can try to redeem your DAS card time and fit in the ride before you finish all your fastpasses. This way you can try to get another time while you complete your fastpasses. Remember the FastPass+ times last for an hour, so if you go early in the hour of the first ride and later in the hour of the second ride you can sometimes fit in the DAS card time. This also depends on the wait time of the attraction you chose as well as ride/show time.
Disability Access Card
Once you have used all your FastPass+ times for the day and have redeemed your DAS card time is where it can become frustrating. First thing is to stay calm. If you’re like me and a planner this will be a breeze, if you are not than this may seem like a lot of work. I promise it really isn’t. Once you have used all your times, find a FastPass+ kiosk and get one extra FastPass+ time for another ride. You can continue to do this for the rest of the day(only 3 extra FastPass+ are allowed at this time) at the same park as your original fastpasses. You can only get one FastPass+ at a time though. Once you enjoy the attraction or your FastPass+ time expires, you can go back to a kiosk & sign up for another FastPass+ experience. The best thing to do is get a time on your DAS card and then get a FastPass+ time to fill in the wait. If you continue that in a rotating fashion you will maximize your use of both. If you find yourself with free time, and I promise you will, enjoy a nearby shop or a surprise sighting of a character in the park. Another idea is to sit and rest or people watch. Nothing is more entertaining to me than to sit and relax and people watch.
This wraps up my two-part section on what traveling with the new Disability Access Service card is like and the best use of it with FastPass+. My next article will be about the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and what pros and cons I have found from a disability perspective. If you have anything in particular you want to know about, please feel free to message and I will gladly put that topic next in line or answer any questions that may need a prompt response. Thank you again.
Tammi S is a wife and mother of 3 wonderful children, a thirteen (13) year old girl, an eight (8) year old girl and a five (5) year old son. They have been annual pass holders for over 10 years. Her husband not only grew up with annual passes he worked there! For their family, going to Disney is always an adventure. She is glad to give a perspective of Disney from a special needs stand point. They have learned how to have fun, maximize their time and even understand the best way to use the new guest assistant program. She looks forward to sharing her experiences and showing that no matter what, Disney can be fun for everyone.
