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

[CT Disney]

Haha. If you had a day with kids with disabilities you would never say that we have an advantage or are sitting in the shade eating ice cream.

It was more like strapped in a double stroller while she was screaming her head off and reaching down to the ground (with a 3 point harness) stopping the wheels with her bare feet (after having thrown socks and shoes in different directions; while I apologized to people all around; grabbing the bubble wand cart and CMs looking at us if there was any abuse going on and we were kidnapping a stranger) and stroller while I tried to rush her out of the park while everyone watched.

Let’s not forget she managed to stop the gondolas and prevent the doors from closing by get by sticking her feet in Different directions while I was trying to get her into the car. CM was understanding and slowed the line to most a stop

I tried really hard to ask my question in a respectful way, so I’m not sure the “haha” was necessary. And, actually, I have spent many days with kids with disabilities. That’s why I qualified that superior isn’t the appropriate word in all cases and for all parties.

 

[Jdavidm]

Agreed, I should have been more clear. I'm familiar with the accommodations targeted to wheelchairs and such (being a user myself). That said, I wasn't sure if there were accommodations for say someone who can't be in the security line at the airport or if they just have to deal with it and/or not use airports.

Your last point is 100% my experience as well. Even at Disney.

I didn’t take any offense to the question! While they don’t really make it obvious, ADA sections can be used by those not in wheelchairs as well. They only ask that if it’s a situation like a music festival that those who are going to be standing do so behind those in wheelchairs.

I haven’t flown in years but I used to get pre-check simply because of my age when I did. From what I understand, TSA cares can escort a family or individual through if you contact them in advance to set it up. I’ve heard the program is better at some airports than others, however. I’ve been looking into the process though as we hope to make it out to Florida one day.

Also as a last resort, if there’s a line I can’t “avoid” my partner typically waits for us and I join near the front. This is what we do at Disney for anything you can’t DAS too. I don’t wait in lines for food either, we’ll find a table I can comfortably wait at while he gets our order (mobile order can be a lifesaver for this reason too).

 

[Ash10]

For those of you who cannot do Disney without the DAS in its current form, how do you navigate other scenarios that have similar issues but no available accommodation? Airport, concert, festival, etc. Places that have long lines, large crowds, but no DAS.

Avoid mostly. But if I ride on a plane, which is very rare, I do not take my meds for my condition until I am at my place and no intake of food/beverage. But these meds are required to keep me alive so it is not necessarily something you can do for days in a row. Been to one concert in 14 years since diagnosis and our seats were right by the exit on the main floor so easy access to bathroom. It was for my dd otherwise I would have skipped it. Also have to ensure another adult is around to keep watch of my child. We miss things we used to do but you adjust. We also have lost friendships due to our restrictions so it is not always easy. Pretty much alters your life permanently. No other large crowds except US/WDW. Shocked we could manage those and had only planned for one and only visit to WDW to celebrate a health recovery of mine (another condition) along with DD 5th bday and fell in love. Fast pass system worked very well for us then. Needs have changed as I have aged but will definitely say we kept going back to WDW bc of the accommodations (and the emotional connection/symbolic nature of a health milestone). Genie+ doesn’t cut it though we have used it. If accommodations are not going to work going forward, we will sell DVC and venture elsewhere.

 

[SteveMouse]

A lot of those scenarios actually do offer accommodations, they’re just not always as openly “advertised” as Disney. For example, music festivals are required to have an ADA section now (typically the person who needs it and one guest). Airports have TSA Cares and pre-boarding. Honestly, even if you do enter a situation that doesn’t have a pre-determined accommodation, I’ve never been denied assistance as long as it’s a reasonable request.

Edit To Add: This is in California, I can’t guarantee this is the case everywhere but if you look up music festivals in California for example, they all have the same ADA accommodation listed on their website.

Yes, and the Austin City Limits Festival, one of the largest in the country, does not provide ramps to the concert areas that meet ADA requirements. I attempted to go up one in my power chair and almost flipped over. There was about 1 inch in height difference for every 1.5 inch of horizontal distance. It's supposed to be closer to 1 inch in height for every foot of horizontal distance. I then checked ALL the ramps used in the festival (about 10 or more). Not a single one was compliant. Not. A. One.

 

[Disturbia]

I tried really hard to ask my question in a respectful way, so I’m not sure the “haha” was necessary. And, actually, I have spent many days with kids with disabilities. That’s why I qualified that superior isn’t the appropriate word in all cases and for all parties.

Maybe I’m just on edge. Recalling all these stressful events is just bringing back bad memories.

The teen and 7 year old don’t go off alone having a great experience and it takes 2 adults to deal with the situation. Some times she is calm enough that one adult can take her back on the Skyliner (no folding strollers required) and I can stay back with our teen even though I’m exhausted.

Maybe someone else can give better examples.

 

[LSUmiss]

I think it should definitely require some sort of actual diagnoses note/confirmation from a confirmed medical doctor or equivalent. It would be much harder to fake than just lying in an interview and would cut down on a ton of the abuse by itself.

They have spent a lot of time making sure their lines are accessible with ECVs and wheelchairs so that physical disabilities shouldn't need DAS. So it makes sense that it's just going to be cognitive/developmental disabilities that need it now.

There are medical conditions like IBS etc that aren’t just physical or cognitive. DS was born with a GI issue that makes bathroom urgent & with little notice so we could utilize the return to line thing maybe, but how well will that work? I feel like more details should be provided since the change is pretty soon. Seems like it could also be abused so what is the point?

 

[Rowab]

I'm very much on team "taking fast plus away is to blame here. I have cerebral palsy, and, along with that, autistic traits associated with. I have always had disability assistance in theme parks everywhere but disney (where i am from, the require proof of a certain level of disability, and that is never a problem(. i thought i somehow, magically, did not need it there. then i went on my first trip without fastpass plus and boy was i wrong. i couldn't handle the long lines, complete sensory overload, huge anxiety leading to lost park days. we salvaged the trip in the end with a few days with DAS after chatting with guest service. in the FP plus days, those 3 rides a day where enough for me to plan, know what to expect to manage my restricted behaviours, and just focus on shorter lines most of the time.

my disability is developmental, i need help in all areas of my life, don't go out alone, etc. But i fear, as I'm articulate, and besides my physical affects, using a wheelchair, appear "normally", I am not who disney intends to accomdate. the uncertainity is awful. i just wish they had been clearer with the options for everyone, upfront.

 

[abbyandangel]

I got the same reply. It says if your trip is after May 20 you can't apply until May 20. But it has been that you apply 30 day in advance. So if my trip is May 21, I really can't apply until May 20?? Or I can apply April 21, but the rules for after May 20 will apply?

I got the same email. Guess we won’t know the answer until April 20th.

 

[Disturbia]

At daycare sometimes the director comes and helps us in the parking lot. The bus driver knows to slow down on our street.

 

[LSUmiss]

Why is that going to be a problem? I think it will cut down on line cutting as you shouldn't have to let anyone pass you unless they were already in line ahead of you, and got a pass from a cast member.

Gosh ppl are really obsessed with line cutting, huh? What about taking a little kid to the restroom? And Are you going to ask to see ppl’s line pass if they try to get passed you? Personally, I’m not going to ask anyone. Doesn’t seem like my place to police the line. And, what if they refuse? Can’t wait to see all that conflict ensue. And then you have to navigate up the line & try to remember exactly who you were behind?

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Would it not be sensible to enforce a rule where no one here is allowed to assert what they think is a reasonable accommodation for someone? I think that crosses lines and people who have battled with their disabilities all their lives are naturally going to be incredibly upset and angry about that - especially when their conditions are already so poorly understood in society.

Or even have a separate thread for DAS users with upcoming trips booked and keep this one for debating? I asked a few questions here for my trip that just got totally buried in the back and forth.

 

[Angel Ariel]

For those of you who cannot do Disney without the DAS in its current form, how do you navigate other scenarios that have similar issues but no available accommodation? Airport, concert, festival, etc. Places that have long lines, large crowds, but no DAS.

Airport: DH qualifies for pre check through his job, so he takes DD through while I go through regular security. We get medical pre boarding so we can choose seats close to bathrooms (navigating plane aisles is difficult for DD physically).

Concert: We took DD to her first "concert" - Frozen on Broadway (tour) - a few months ago. It was stressful as it wasn't sensory friendly. She (and I, and DH alternating) missed portions of the show. We splurged for a box seat so her AAC device wouldn't disturb other attendees. A sensory friendly show would have lessened our anxiety immensely, would not have cost us more than other families as the box did, and would have resulted in a fuller experience for her as the volume of the show wouldn't have been overwhelming for her. It's disappointing that a major performance venue and tour partner (Disney) can't manage to put together even one sensory friendly matinee.

Festival: often, we just don't go. Especially if bathroom access is going to be an issue.

Also important to note - many of the places listed don't have *enclosed* lines. Or at least not as enclosed as many Disney queues. Open air spaces or spaces like airports with high ceilings help to dissipate noise. Indoor queues at WDW are often exacerbated for those with sensory needs because the sound just bounces off the walls repeatedly in a very small space, making everything feel very loud. (Vs an airport where it's often more like white noise).

 

[TwoMisfits]

So if they are only going to accommodate those with developmental disabilities with Das, then why are they bringing in the health alliance company to help make the determination of who qualifies? Seems like since developmental delays like autism arent a medical problem, bringing in the health alliance would be pointless? Gives me some hope that maybe they might accommodate some medical disabilities after all. Guess time will tell

B/c for kids teenage and up (and all adults), I'm betting there will be medical personnel scrutiny on whether the developmentally disabled person can really wait or not. Some calls will be easy, some are not (and thus medical personnel available).

 

[smartlabelprint]

For those of you who cannot do Disney without the DAS in its current form, how do you navigate other scenarios that have similar issues but no available accommodation? Airport, concert, festival, etc. Places that have long lines, large crowds, but no DAS.

We will qualify for DAS with DD’s.But the airport offers help from security. It’s called TSA cares. An officer meets us when we get dropped off. Helps us keep track of our 3 DD kids (usually meet family at SNA to help us at the park) and not let them run away. They help us go to the front of the security line and put our stuff on the scanner.

Last trip was when the chair fell out of Alaska air flight. We were using Alaska air and our flights were delayed. TSA cares doesn’t get ahold of you until day of trip. But our day of was a different day now! And I had no way to contact anyone. For our first flight (medical trip with only me and 1 kid) I attempted to wait in the line without their help. It didn’t move and kiddo got super dysregulated. So I pulled out of the line and waited on the side while some nice worker went and asked TSA for help. The officer came and since he saw we needed help and I explained about changed flights he went and got one of his lower level officers to wait with us and take us to the front of the line, etc. That whole return home was a freaking nightmare.

 

[cruisingtwins]

I think if you have a DAS reservation you should not be allowed on any other rides. And I have. a kid with autism who needs DAS I think it contributes to the abuse.

 

[DisFanDad]

May I have a question?

Do you guys really think that Disney would go and deny DAS to everyone but those with developmental disability?

What about those folks who are deemed to be unfit to work permanently? The official medical board decided that you "kinda really disabled so we can't expect from you to work" but Disney would decide that no you are indeed good to go to conquer a 2-3 hours line standing... maybe in the heat....

I don't want to believe that Disney could/would do that.

I'm making myself crazy it seems.

Good luck to everyone to get the necessary accommodation they need for their next trip!

I think I have to quit overthinking this my health is already suffering .

I watched the video from Touring plans - and one of the things she stresses is that they are in her words "Very serious" about limiting this to people with developmental disabilities - she notes they are stressing precautions and alternatives you can provide for yourself etc. Of course, she also indicted that part of the reason this is going to change is to combat the DAS tour groups, and the folks that will bring 10 friends with them ... so a bit of a mixed signal, but I'd watch her video.

 

[audrey2580]

Gosh ppl are really obsessed with line cutting, huh? What about taking a little kid to the restroom? And Are you going to ask to see ppl’s line pass if they try to get passed you? Personally, I’m not going to ask anyone. Doesn’t seem like my place to police the line. And, what if they refuse? Can’t wait to see all that conflict ensue. And then you have to navigate up the line & try to remember exactly who you were behind?

Right and this is exactly why a bathroom "return to line" pass won't work for most. So if the closest exit is nearest to the onboarding of the ride, can you imagine asking those people to let you "cut" them? All the while having a medical issue that makes it so you might have moments to spare. It's not the returning to line, it's the leaving the line for us.

 

[ClaraOswald]

For those of you who cannot do Disney without the DAS in its current form, how do you navigate other scenarios that have similar issues but no available accommodation? Airport, concert, festival, etc. Places that have long lines, large crowds, but no DAS.

Airport: We use pre-boarding with Southwest Airlines
Concert/Festival: Never go to those.
Places with long lines: Besides WDW and Disneyland, we've never gone anywhere with long lines. If we have to wait to be seated on the rare occasion we eat in a restaurant (usually just when we take road trips), my husband usually wanders around outside with our son.
Large Crowds: We avoid them. This is even the case in Disney parks. It's the reason we aren't able to watch parades or Fireworks or really any shows.

(I should add, I suspect our son will still qualify as he has autism/DD. If he somehow doesn't...I'm not sure what we'd do.)

 

[LSUmiss]

How about those that use mobility scooters that have this issue? There is no way to quickly get out of most of the queues with a mobility scooter.

This! This is why we got DAS for my mil the last time she came with us. She got stuck in Navi river line after the ride broke & could not easily leave the line when she needed to.

 

[audrey2580]

Or even have a separate thread for DAS users with upcoming trips booked and keep this one for debating? I asked a few questions here for my trip that just got totally buried in the back and forth.

Yes - let's do that!