Getting approved for DAS can feel like a huge relief.
You finally have a way to avoid long lines, which is often one of the biggest challenges for neurodivergent kids at Disney.
But once you’re actually in the parks, a new question comes up pretty quickly:
What do you do while you’re waiting for your return time?
DAS allows you to wait outside of the line, but it doesn’t eliminate the wait.
And for a lot of families, that can leave you feeling like you’re just standing around… trying to figure out what makes sense to do next.
While waiting for a DAS return time, you’ll usually have anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour to fill.
How you use that time can make a big difference in how your day feels — especially for kids who need movement, predictability, or breaks to stay regulated.
Without something to do, that waiting time can lead to boredom and frustration, and for some kids, that can quickly turn into a meltdown.
If you’re still learning how DAS works or how to get approved, I walk through that here → Your DAS Guide for Neurodivergent Families.
But if you already have DAS and want practical ideas for what to do while you wait, here are the strategies that have worked best for our family.
1. Watch a Show (One of the Easiest Options)
One of the easiest ways to fill time between DAS return times is to watch a show.
Shows are a good option because they have set start times, a place to sit (often inside with air-conditioning), and built-in entertainment without requiring much planning.
Most also have relatively low or manageable wait times compared to rides.
They also typically run at least 10–15 minutes (and sometimes longer), which means they can take up a decent portion of your wait time.
For many families, this is the perfect way to cool off and take a quick break.
Some good options to look for:
Magic Kingdom
- Country Bear Musical Jamboree
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Hollywood Studios
- Frozen Sing-Along
Animal Kingdom
- Feathered Friends in Flight
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
EPCOT
- Turtle Talk with Crush
Watching a show doesn’t just pass the time — it gives your child something fun and engaging to do, which can help prevent that waiting time from turning into frustration.
2. Ride Something with a Low Wait
Another option while waiting for a DAS return time is to look for rides with shorter wait times.
The goal here isn’t to fit in as many rides as possible. Instead, it’s about choosing something that fits into the time you have without adding stress or requiring a lot of extra planning.
In some parks, this is easier than others.
Magic Kingdom and EPCOT tend to have more attractions with consistently lower wait times, while options in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom can be more limited.
Some reliable options include:
- it’s a small world (Magic Kingdom)
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends (EPCOT)
These types of rides are usually easy to fit in between return times.
It’s also okay if this option doesn’t always work.
If wait times are too long or nothing nearby makes sense, it’s often better to choose a different approach rather than trying to force another ride into your schedule.
This is also where some families start to feel like they need to add Lightning Lanes.
In many cases, though, the issue isn’t a lack of ride options — it’s not having a clear plan for how to use the time between return times.
👉 If you want a step-by-step breakdown of how to structure your day with DAS (so you’re not trying to figure this out in the moment), I’d love to send you my guide.
The guide should arrive in your inbox shortly — if you don’t see it, check your promotions or spam folder just in case.
3. Create a Simple “Wait It Out” Routine
Another option while waiting for a DAS return time is to simply take a break.
This might not feel as productive as doing a ride or activity, but for many kids, it’s exactly what they need.
The parks are busy, loud, and overstimulating. Moving from one attraction to the next without a pause can make it harder for kids to stay regulated throughout the day.
Building in time to slow down can help prevent that.
What this can look like:
- finding a quieter or shaded area (if you’re in Magic Kingdom, here are some of our favorite quiet spots to take a break)
- having a snack
- bringing a small activity like a travel game, puzzle book, or fidget toy
If you’re not sure what to bring, I shared exactly what we pack for the parks (including the small activities that help during wait times) → Our Disney Park Bag for Autistic and ADHD Kids (What We Actually Use).
Even a short break can help your child reset before moving on to the next ride or activity.
For some kids (and parents!), this time to reset is just as important as the rides themselves.
4. Use In-Park Activities and Entertainment
Another option while waiting for a DAS return time is to take advantage of the smaller activities built into the parks.
These typically don’t require a wait, and they’re easy to start and stop depending on how much time you have.
For many families, this can be a good middle ground between doing nothing and trying to fit in another ride.
Some options to look for:
Kidcot Fun Stops (EPCOT)
Located throughout World Showcase, Kidcot stations let kids collect cards and do simple activities at each country. These are quick, low-pressure, and easy to fit into short windows of time.
Festival Scavenger Hunts (EPCOT)
During festivals and holidays, EPCOT often has scavenger hunts (like the Easter egg hunt or Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak). These can be done over time, which makes them easy to pause and come back to between return times.
Wilderness Explorers (Animal Kingdom)
This is a free activity where kids earn badges by completing short tasks around the park. Each stop is relatively quick, and you can choose how many you want to do based on your timing.
Pin Trading
If your child is interested in pin trading, this can be a great way to fill time. You can stop at pin boards or trading locations throughout the park, and it doesn’t require standing in line or committing to a long activity.
These activities work well because they give your child something to focus on without adding pressure or a strict schedule.
They’re also flexible, so you can stop at any point when your return time is ready.
5. Use This Time for a Snack or Meal
Another easy way to use the time between DAS return times is to grab something to eat.
This can be a simple way to build in a break without needing to plan anything extra.
This works especially well when you’ve selected a ride with a longer return time, which is often the case for more popular attractions.
Using that time for a meal or snack can help fill a larger portion of the wait without needing to figure out multiple activities.
For quick options, you can place a mobile order at a quick-service location and pick it up when it’s ready. This helps avoid waiting in line and gives you a place to sit and take a break.
If you’re looking for a longer break, this can also be a good time to schedule a table-service meal or character dining experience.
This gives your child more time to sit, eat, and reset in a more structured environment.
Using meals this way can help break up the day and give your child a chance to recharge before moving on to the next activity.
It can also take some pressure off trying to constantly decide what to do next, since you already have a plan for that block of time.
6. Use Play Areas for Movement Breaks
Another helpful option while waiting for a DAS return time is to find a space where your child can move around more freely.
For many kids, especially those with ADHD or higher sensory needs, having a chance to move can make a big difference in how the rest of the day goes.
Some areas in the parks are designed for this, while others are simply open spaces where kids can safely move around.
A few examples include:
- Casey Jr. Splash ’N’ Soak Station (Magic Kingdom)
- WALL-E Green Landing Family Play Zone (EPCOT)
- open areas where kids can walk, run, or explore more freely
This can be a good option if your child is starting to feel restless or needs a break from more structured activities like rides or shows.
It also pairs well with other strategies.
For example, you might spend part of your wait time letting your child move around, and then transition to a show or snack break before your return time.
Using movement intentionally like this can help your child stay more regulated and make transitions between activities easier.
Putting It All Together
Each of these strategies can help on their own.
But what really makes a difference is how you use them together throughout the day.
DAS isn’t just about skipping the line.
It’s about how you use that time in between — whether that’s a show, a snack break, a quiet reset, or something that helps your child stay engaged.
When you have a general plan for that time, the day tends to feel more manageable.
You’re not constantly trying to decide what to do next, and your child has a better chance of staying regulated from one activity to the next.
What to Do Next
If you’re still figuring out how DAS works in the parks or how to structure your day around return times, this is the next step.
I put together a simple guide that walks through:
- how DAS return times work
- how to choose your next ride
- how to use that in-between time so your day flows better
👉 Make sure you get your copy BEFORE you make it to the parks.
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