Questions about Tokyo DAS

[lilaprilshowers]

We are DAS users/pros at Disneyland and Disney World, but my husband and I are planning a trip to the Tokyo Disney resort (eeeshk!) in April of next year and everything I can find on the Tokyo Disney website regarding a DAS pass says that you need a certificate of disability. Of course we have no such thing here in the states. I’m not on SSI or Disability, and my disabilities are all invisible, but can be brutal if DAS isn’t an option. Has anyone had (preferably recent) experience with this? What did they accept as proof of disability? Would a medic alert bracelet or Drs letter work? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[lanejudy]

We don't get much info here about the foreign parks. You might try posting on the Tokyo Disneyland forum.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

From experience, the folks over on the international-specific forum tend not to have much information on accommodations.

One of the issues we ran into when visiting different parks is that they expected specific forms that people in the US simply won't (can't) have. In many countries, there is a specific "certificate of disability" that is used to grant access to certain accommodations, discounts, programs, etc., and obviously in the US we don't have such a thing. Keep in mind also that what counts as a disability "worthy" of accommodation here is not necessarily something considered a disability "worthy" of accommodation elsewhere - in particular a lot of anxiety / ASD issues will not get you a DAS in other countries. We ran into that in both Tokyo and Paris and ultimately just gave up and used a lot of FP and skipped a couple rides.

A medic alert bracelet wouldn't help, I suspect, because people can buy them and they can be for a lot of things that may not require accommodation (for example, some people have them for severe medication allergies). A letter from your doctor might help, but it would be more likely to help if you can have it translated into Japanese. While most people we met on our trip had at least a tiny bit of relevant conversational English, English medical terminology is probably not in their vocabulary if they don't work in a medical office! Even then, be prepared for them to say no because it does not meet their specific criteria.

The good news is that, as long as you stay away from Golden Week (very end of April/beginning of May), it shouldn't be too crowded if you go mid-week. We did everything at TDS in a day except for Soarin (which had a 4-hour line!) using nothing but FP, including riding JTTCOTE twice...and that was mid-week right after New Year ended.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1. I used to traveled to Japan quarterly on business.
. . . most of my business meetings were in Kyoto
. . . we also did some national travel to "explore"
. . . we saw many folks with crutches-walkers-wheelchairs-scooters
. . . only a few locations were not handicap accessible
2. Access
. . . most touristy locations are handicap-friendly ("ish")
. . . handicap access laws outside of USA are sparse
. . . Japan is making good progress in order to get tourist dollars
. . . some locations still have some inaccessible areas
. . . most elevators have a special button for handicap assistance
. . . this also applies to many transportation (rail-bus-etc) hubs
. . . some larger buildings even have a dedicated handicap elevator
. . . we saw very little abuse of these handicap elevators
. . . most MAJOR tourist attractions have reasonable access.
. . . always check if your handicap need is available
. . . Tokyo Disney is pretty accessible, except for a few rides.
. . . there is no DAS program at Tokyo Disney
3. "Certificate of Disability"
. . . Japan has a unique disability program and system
. . . special access, assistance
. . . at many locations and stores, large discounts are offered
. . . the certificate program is not available to tourists.
. . . these are meant for Japanese residents
. . . residents who are non-Japanese may apply
4. The "Certificate of Disability" program requires
. . . written application made in-person at the Healthcare System
. . . if a severe mobility handicap, in-person exceptions are possible
. . . requires a doctor's Healthcare System form and signature
. . . usually takes 4-6 weeks to process
5. Discounts
. . . Japan has a "shogaisha techo" passbook for residents
. . . it is about the size of a passport with a hard cover
. . . the person's photo and disability is on the inside of passbook
. . . agencies and businesses use these for benefits and discounts
. . . discounts include transportation, museums, many stores, etc
. . . transportation discounts are NOT gien by train companies
. . . the passbook holder can skip most ticketing lines
. . . passbook can used and a ID, just like a driver license
6. Foreign Disability or Certificate Programs
. . . some locations (not Disney) acknowledge foreign certificates
. . . they will offer discounts and/or special access
. . . this is up to the person at the Customer Service counter
. . . there is no requirement or law to honor foreign programs
. . . but, it never hurts to ask if you have a foreign govt certificate
. . . a Blue Handicap Parking Placard is not acceptable

NOTE:
. . . due to the Olympics, handicap access has increased
. . . however, do not assume your destination has improved
. . . get a good guidebook and inquire ahead of travel
. . . your travel agent should be able to help and advise

 

[SueM in MN]

Didn’t notice this one until now.
I don’t have any specific info, but wanted to post a link to the Tokyo Disney website disability info.
Tokyo Disney Barrier Free