DAS changes coming WDW May 20/ DL June 18, 2024

[taradelao]

This is my thought too. I hope they increase janitorial cast members cause I can promise I won’t make it!

LOL! Only laughing because I get it. From my experience w/ family members, it's not a matter of frequency but rather a more so a matter of urgency.

 

[Disneylvr]

I've said that all along, we dont mind providing proof, but other people don't want their health to be a public matter sometimes so I get it.

I’ve had to provide documentation of my daughter’s autism & intellectual disability to be excused from jury duty, for FMLA absence at work, to get guardianship of her at age 18 through the courts……. I would certainly be willing to provide it to WDW for the DAS if they were ever to require it.

I guess my biggest concern with the new guidelines is requiring the virtual visits instead of in-person. She isn’t going to sit with me and wait for long periods of time, and she may or may not interact with the online person. She is also non-speaking. We’ve alway just gotten ours at GS with waits of no longer than 15 minutes.

 

[Gretch128]

Thanks for the replies… I was wondering if that’s what the CM’s will suggest but bringing his sugars up can take time when it’s very low…. Like 30 minutes to an hour. Sometimes you just don’t have enough food or drinks on you to bring sugars up. I hope there will be more clarification on the DAS changes. The Florida heat is just so rough on blood sugars. Also, I’m not always with him in the queues and when his blood sugar drops dramatically, he has hypo unawareness and denies it’s actually low.

 

[notatallmagic]

So discouraged and disappointed. We have FIVE trips planned (AP holders, p
out of state, and four of them this summer). Airfare nonrefundable and resorts booked.

Now this. We cannot do the parks without DAS (I've posted our story before, but my now 21 year old had a near fatal medical emergency on Splash Mountain in 2021 when DAS wasn't functioning and she had to wait in direct sunlight).

We've had a pretty good experience the last 2 years, after my complainsts about that experience reached some compassionate ears. We've been approached by cast members at the parks many times, who have checked in with her to say "we have something called a DAS...it might be helpful if you need help hooking that up".

So to hear that medical disabilities may not be part of this new DAS is simply ludicrous. Her specialist is the one who told her about DAS, with the firm demand that she could NOT safely visit a theme park without it.

So what to do about our upcoming trips? At the 30 day window, she will be out of the country and won't be back until right before our June visit.

I do like the 120 renewal (for those with AP who qualify) but everything else about this is horrid.

Any suggestions? She's in the queue now hoping to talk to someone but it's been 5 hours already...

 

[WonderlandisReality]

While it is stressful (glad we aren't going until September this year) I think we just need to wait and see how it all shakes out. Disney has watched Universal for the last year handing out passes like candy. They also know what it is costing Universal to pay for all these applications. Disney likely determined it made more sense to get their people better trained and avoid the whole document thing. And they have in their system why each person got a DAS, I'm sure they did an audit to see where the most "overuse/abuse" is and if guests can manage otherwise. Don't think for a minute they haven't had their lawyers going over all this very carefully.

And I know people are upset but in this thread there is a large number of posts with inaccurate information, and that is not helpful.



It is pretty obvious who is using a DAS. Either the group guides someone to be first (me with DS) or an adult will say "Wait I have to scan first" ... instant red flags. Then the light turns blue and unlike others who are sent out of line for wrong attraction or time the CM looks the the screen then the guest to see if the picture matches. Then they override and everyone else scans in. Most times the CM even says "Enjoy the ride Billy Bob" which they don't do to other guests. One could easily sit by the LL entrance and count total number of users. I will say from last few trips, it is A LOT.



It likely will work like it does now. They will put all of you on the DAS but only 4 can get a return time at once. So Grandma & DAS holder get a time ... next round Grandma sits out and Grandpa goes.


Good example. Last month we were in line at DHS GR to renew DS DAS. There was a woman in front of me. Her parents were outside the line sitting on ECVs. When she got to front of line the CM asked what she needed, she said DAS for them, and pointed. He asked what their issue was with lines and she says loudly "Look at them, they can't walk, they can't stand long, they need DAS." He said very politely "Then you did exactly what we would have suggested, you got them ECV so they didn't have to walk or stand. They can take the ECV in line right up to ride." Well then we had a her yelling and him politely telling her no back and forth for 5 minutes. She then screams "Well what do I have to say so you give it to me." He said "I'm sorry I can not tell you." She got quite animated and said "Well they have anxiety". His face went to stone and just said "You will have to have them walk inside and discuss it with them." He was just over it, her and the whole process. I know this is many times a day. You can't blame Disney.



The issue that many have (my DS) is the structure of the queue. While he is time sensitive the real issue is the physical structure of the queue. If it has switchbacks and he is trapped between two rows of people, problem. If it is inside where the sound is louder and echoing AND people, problem. He could probably wait an hour at Speedway because it is outside and not trapped between rows of people ~ but not Big Thunder Mountain ... we've had a big issue there which was why he even started getting GAC in the first place.

These are all good points. Disney has watched this play out at Universal for a while. I'm in the minority opinion of supporting the introduction of the process at Universal, and I'm relieved that the CM will receive either some medical training or have healthcare workers available. I have seen first hand the discomfort of some of the staff in hearing the explanation we have to provide. These are hard-working Disney cast members and they deserve to have the tools and education and resources they need to do their job. When a cast member is asking me what difficulties my daughter encounters when waiting in a normal queue and I am going through the explanation in layman's terms some of this is hard to hear and understand the cause and effect relationship. I went to years of college to understand these things and I know that most of them are still in college.
I never thought about it being obvious who is using DAS (or whom it is registered to). But you are correct. My daughter could use the DAS system 5 times in a day and still needs to be guided by everyone she's with that she needs to scan first etc. then queue the Disney Magic when they say "Have a good trip Wonderland Child #2" and she gets all doe-eyed with a "HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?1?" "ARE WE FRIENDS?" and numerous other increasingly awkward questions. And frankly, because I am constantly eyes- on that child at all times, I've never noticed another DAS user or alleged DAS abuser.
She also struggles with the ability to wait (usually in a non-moving) environment, but Queue structures...YES!!! Set them all up like Winnie the Pooh, and we aren't going on any rides at all, nor do we have a need for DAS. My daughter is there for the honey wall and other line stuff. We will chicken exit the actual ride or beg people to cut us. Disney is a vacation destination for our family because the Imagineering satisfies my kid's sensory input needs, and the company has made it possible for my child to enjoy these things without going into overload. But while we use the DAS, it's not the only strategy we employ by any stretch of the imagination to be able to pull off a trip. And sometimes we still cannot handle a queue even with DAS, and THAT'S OK because we find another way to enjoy ourselves in the park.
Some time ago, when the GAC program card was in place and before my daughter was my daughter I remember reading someplace that Disney had the system in place because these families do wait in line for countless other things in their everyday life. That still resonates with me. My daughter would still qualify for DAS under the new rules. I would have qualified previously (I never took advantage) but wouldn't anymore. I struggle and hate waiting in line. But it's IMPOSSIBLE for my child right now. And we have structured our lives around it. We cook food at home to avoid waiting for take out or even fast food. We do curbside pickup or home delivery to avoid checkout lines. Check in/split up at the doctor's office to wait on the appointment (or try to snag first of the day/after lunch). She cannot wait for the bus, so if the public school could accommodate her there, we would need to find a workaround to get her there. Planes are so difficult, and I spend most of my time hoping we won't be invited by the flight crew to leave. She won't get to ever drive, or control her own money, or live independently. She still doesn't understand that the Disney Characters/worlds aren't anything but absolute reality. But I am grateful that Disney even tries to help us because so many places won't even put in the effort to try. I am not naive to the fact that some people who should be accommodated will get held up in this new process but I remain hopeful that it will continue to help far more people than it hinders, even if that means that we too, are denied the assistance at the end of the day.

 

[notatallmagic]

Thanks for the replies… I was wondering if that’s what the CM’s will suggest but bringing his sugars up can take time when it’s very low…. Like 30 minutes to an hour. Sometimes you just don’t have enough food or drinks on you to bring sugars up. I hope there will be more clarification on the DAS changes. The Florida heat is just so rough on blood sugars.

This is exactly what DAS used to help with. As you know, quick sugar sometimes isn't enough. There can be dizziness, disorientated, nausea, loss of consciousness, all of the above. And it's not predictable or consistent. Leaving the line is not a solution. Being able to return to a line when you're feeling well enough to ride...that was how DAS could help.

 

[Tatebeck]

No one who has DAS and enters another line is abusing DAS.

I think it's still possible to abuse DAS by waiting in 2 lines. Some may consider it "abuse" if you use your DAS on one ride with an hour long wait because you can't possibly wait that long, then go and wait in a standby line that is also an hour long, then go back and ride the first ride with DAS. In that case, you were able to wait the hour, you just didn't want to. I would consider that abusing the system, and at the very least it is incentive for others to lie and game the system by getting DAS when they don't absolutely NEED it.

 

[Tatebeck]

Ponder the idea of DAS holder needing to leave the line for a medical reason which may or may not turn serious. Party of 2; or party of 3 with a minor child. As the parent, who leaves the line? All 3? Or do I send someone who may be having a life threatening medical issue out of the line alone and just hope they make it back and don't lose consciousness alone in the bathroom? This is NOT a solution

The whole party could leave, then return to that spot in the line later if/when they feel better. I mentioned it earlier, but the thread is growing quite large already lol.

 

[Gentry2004]

I feel like all the tiktok fakers with "IBS" have suddenly just been diagnosed with "autism" today. Terrible people.

Bingo! This is why we can’t have nice things. And why the new system will not address abuse.

 

[SarahC97]

This is exactly what DAS used to help with. As you know, quick sugar sometimes isn't enough. There can be dizziness, disorientated, nausea, loss of consciousness, all of the above. And it's not predictable or consistent. Leaving the line is not a solution. Being able to return to a line when you're feeling well enough to ride...that was how DAS could help.

I think this is what concerns me most. With my issues, if I have to leave the line it could be an hour or more before I can come back. So would I just be out of luck and have to start all over again when I can return? What about my family? Being able to wait outside the line and have open-ended return times worked great for my issues.

I really wish Disney would have released more info when dropping a bomb like this because not understanding how vacations will work over the next couple of months is not fun.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I realize people are concerned about the changes, but in the end, park operations is a numbers game.

Just looking at two of the issues that appear to be left out of DAS after this change, bathroom issues and T1D…

If 2% of the American population has one of these two issues…
If that 2% carries over to Disney attendance…
If average attendance at the Magic Kingdom is 57,000…
If only half of those folks utilize DAS…
If each DAS has 6people attached…
That’s 3,420 people, or 6% of guests, utilizing the LL.

Add in other conditions that qualify, and you’re probably looking at close to the 10% of guests using the LL for disabilities.

That makes for much longer waits for everyone - DAS holders, Genie+ holders, and guests in the standby line.

It simply isn’t sustainable as it currently exists.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I feel like all the tiktok fakers with "IBS" have suddenly just been diagnosed with "autism" today. Terrible people.

I was at Universal in February and while chilling at my hotel pool, I overheard a dad bragging about how he pretended that his kid had a disability so that they could get DAS for the Disney part of their trip. He was so proud of it too. Some people are trash.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

I’ve had to provide documentation of my daughter’s autism & intellectual disability to be excused from jury duty, for FMLA absence at work, to get guardianship of her at age 18 through the courts……. I would certainly be willing to provide it to WDW for the DAS if they were ever to require it.

I guess my biggest concern with the new guidelines is requiring the virtual visits instead of in-person. She isn’t going to sit with me and wait for long periods of time, and she may or may not interact with the online person. She is also non-speaking. We’ve alway just gotten ours at GS with waits of no longer than 15 minutes.

Online, they only ever needed my daughter for the photo. I walked my laptop over to her once the CM came on. The rest of the time she was't in view of the camera at all.

 

[Gretch128]

This is exactly what DAS used to help with. As you know, quick sugar sometimes isn't enough. There can be dizziness, disorientated, nausea, loss of consciousness, all of the above. And it's not predictable or consistent. Leaving the line is not a solution. Being able to return to a line when you're feeling well enough to ride...that was how DAS could help.

Yes, completely agree! Hopefully someone with T1D will be able to share their experience after the changes take effect.

 

[OurBigTrip]

This is exactly what DAS used to help with. As you know, quick sugar sometimes isn't enough. There can be dizziness, disorientated, nausea, loss of consciousness, all of the above. And it's not predictable or consistent. Leaving the line is not a solution. Being able to return to a line when you're feeling well enough to ride...that was how DAS could help.

And that can still be done.

 

[Disneylvr]

Online, they only ever needed my daughter for the photo. I walked my laptop over to her once the CM came on. The rest of the time she was't in view of the camera at all.

That is good to know. Thank you.

 

[Jrb1979]

I was at Universal in February and while chilling at my hotel pool, I overheard a dad bragging about how he pretended that his kid had a disability so that they could get DAS for the Disney part of their trip. He was so proud of it too. Some people are trash.

That's exactly why they are changing things. A lot of people that used to qualify for DAS will be given the leave the line option now.

 

[Gentry2004]

I realize people are concerned about the changes, but in the end, park operations is a numbers game.

Just looking at two of the issues that appear to be left out of DAS after this change, bathroom issues and T1D…

If 2% of the American population has one of these two issues…
If that 2% carries over to Disney attendance…
If average attendance at the Magic Kingdom is 57,000…
If only half of those folks utilize DAS…
If each DAS has 6people attached…
That’s 3,420 people, or 6% of guests, utilizing the LL.

Add in other conditions that qualify, and you’re probably looking at close to the 10% of guests using the LL for disabilities.

That makes for much longer waits for everyone - DAS holders, Genie+ holders, and guests in the standby line.

It simply isn’t sustainable as it currently exists.

The problem is that they have arbitrarily decided that autism (without proof) is more deserving of accommodation than T1D or severe stomach issues (also without proof.) Since none require proof and all therefore can be "faked", why is autism receiving priority? This is where they are going to run into issues.

 

[LuvinTheWorld]

As someone with two kids who qualify for DAS based on current and future requirements. 1. I feel for folks who have a valid issue that wont grant them a DAS. 2. Post COVID DAS was being EXTREMELY ABUSED. We have been using it for long enough and visit the parks enough each year to see the changes. And the abuse post COVID was palpable. So in that sense Im glad Disney is updating policy. 3. Don't think this doesn't have anything to do with G+ sales. Money is always part of the equation.

I don't think the uptick is all about abuse of the system. I feel like many people who used to use free FP to manage their conditions by getting 3 long line wait time rides and then riding shorter line rides for the rest of the day instead of asking for DAS felt like they has few options but to ask for DAS once those free FP options were taken away. We used to use free FP paired with baby swap like this before our youngest (at the time) aged out of baby swap and the actual DAS was necessary. Back then there were also less rides at most of the parks to actually need DAS for (no Star Wars, toy story, pandora, guardians, etc.)

 

[JLTraveling]

I always read "immediate family" as including grandparents. Extended family is aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.

It no longer applies, because my cousins are now adults. But my dad and I used to frequently take them to the parks without their parents. If one needed a DAS, would Disney require them to go alone (even at ages younger than 14)? Would they not be allowed to get DAS at all, because a parent wasn't there? The mind boggles here, since I know we're not the only people to ever take minor children to the parks without their immediate family members.