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

[smartlabelprint]

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 almost a stop

Last year after our Disney cruise we went to target to try to replace my sisters lost luggage. She met us after the cruise. I don’t know why on earth we went in other than the kids had been in the car while she made multiple stops. at the self checkout line my sis didn’t let her scan and she lost it. Hitting me, laying on the floor. Security was watching us. I had to call dh from a different part of store to help. He said he was going to pick her up we had to leave. Then she willingly let me pick her up. Outside the police had just pulled up. Then she ran away in the parking lot. Ugh. I got her but man, this life.

We can’t spend more than 2-3 hours at a time in the park.

 

[Calee]

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 don’t.

 

[Disturbia]

Last year after our Disney cruise we went to target to try to replace my sisters lost luggage. She met us after the cruise. I don’t know why on earth we went in other than the kids had been in the car while she made multiple stops. at the self checkout line my sis didn’t let her scan and she lost it. Hitting me, laying on the floor. Security was watching us. I had to call dh from a different part of store to help. He said he was going to pick her up we had to leave. Then she willingly let me pick her up. Outside the police had just pulled up. Then she ran away in the parking lot. Ugh. I got her but man, this life.

We can’t spend more than 2-3 hours at a time in the park.

Pediatrician appts are a nightmare. Just had to put her under general anesthesia for dental work this week. It’s just crazy.

There is a general lack of compassion and we bear the brunt of it as evident here.

 

[nighttowll]

Yes they do, because it’s being overused, and everyone suffers for it. DAS users have LL waits that are too much for some, people who pay for Genie+ and ILL aren’t getting their money’s worth, and guests in standby wait even longer.

As I said much earlier in this thread, no one should really be surprised by this crackdown.

Oh, I'm not surprised at all, but I'd like to see them do something that actually addresses the problem of all the people abusing the system. I'd rather they removed them than removing people with real needs.

If they truly wanted to cut down numbers they would limit park passes. It’s all about money.

Completely agree, limiting DAS directly feeds into that.

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?

Yes, because when it happens over and over that effects how long you wait, but there was a link earlier that went to a page that described the current return process, and it had the person returning through the lightning lane and waiting at the end for their party, so no one should be pushing through to get to the front. Still think this hasn't been fully thought out as there are so many reasons that it could be hard to leave a line to begin with. Plus, how does that work if you are solo or your group already made it to the front without you?

 

[Liquidice]

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.

I understand the thinking here, but Disney themselves says you can ride other rides while waiting for your DAS return time.

It is right in their FAQ on the DAS page ( https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/#faqItem5 ):

What can Guests do during their DAS virtual wait?

Answer​

Guests utilizing DAS can enjoy many other experiences throughout Walt Disney World Resort during a DAS virtual wait, such as other rides, shows, concerts, parades and Character Greetings. They can also take a rest in a break area, get something to eat or go shopping.

I think it would also be difficult to enforce. You would need to make every single person scan into the standby line to check whether they already have a DAS return time. Operationally, it doesn't make sense.

Also, while I understand the thought that people abusing DAS are using it to wait in line for 2 rides at a time, I can see people who need DAS waiting in a short standby line that they can handle while waiting for a return time. If the standby line is short already, you're not really impacting ride operations for that ride - think about rides like the People Mover, or shows like Carousel of Progress.

 

[SueM in MN]

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!

It's been my intent to start a thread like I did when GAC changed to DAS and when DAS changed after Covid.
But @lanejudy and I are volunteers doing this on our free time. Every time I have to leave the thread, I come back to 2 or 3 more pages. So, another thread is coming when I can

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

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.

I’m autistic. I don’t fly much by choice as airplanes are total heck for me. But I had to last year. Airports I have to have someone with me and I use the TSA cares to have assistance and help through the security and to my gate. I avoid large crowds, have grocery pickup or delivery to avoid the heck that is Walmart. Concerts, I have every ear protection you can think of, and can only got to small ones like an opera house. Stadium…no. Sometimes I don’t go or we leave early. I typically avoid social interactions. Disney is the only place that I felt accommodated me enough to be worth it. I love Disney not sometimes it’s too much too and it’s a resort day. Half park days are often for us too. 5 hour in a park is typical before it becomes too much. I cannot do fantasmic or anything like that. I cannot hardly do the fireworks because too many CMs yelling, herding people. I lay back or use the disability area and stay there until the crowds disperse.

 

[ryang25]

It's been my intent to start a thread like I did when GAC changed to DAS and when DAS changed after Covid.
But @lanejudy and I are volunteers doing this on our free time. Every time I have to leave the thread, I come back to 2 or 3 more pages. So, another thread is coming when I can

Appreciate all the work it must take to moderate something like this.

I am new here so don’t know if rules like the one I mentioned are something you ever enforce, but I do think it would be fair to even kindly ask others to refrain from asserting what accommodation would be reasonable for someone without understanding their needs. No one should have the right to do that other than the experts.

 

[smartlabelprint]

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.

CP is a clear DD. My guy hasn’t been diagnosed with that yet, but is being evaluated. He can walk. But there are myriad other issues.

 

[Evita_W]

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.

There is almost always some form of accomodations available. Airports are the easiest, most airlines will have some form of "quiet room" that you can access, they also offer pre boarding, even before announcements are made when necessary.

I don't do major concerts because of the noise level, even when I had fewer issues, still just uncomfortable to me.

Many festivals offer quiet spaces and alternative queues and various other tools now as well.

Some aquariums and museums offer the ability to schedule times to come with little to no wait for entry.

Sometimes when shopping at a store, if I get to the checkout and the line is too long, I will just leave. Yes, I feel bad about leaving a cart full of stuff, but I would feel worse if I had an issue and made a scene. The problem is when you are talking an expensive trip like Disney, just leaving and coming back isn't an option.

I am by no means saying a DAS is the only accomodation that would work for me, but I am saying the ones listed at present would not work since DH and I both use mobility devices, but do not have developmental disabilities, yet have panic attacks in crowded situations, especially when there is no escape route (this is something most concerts, festivals, etc. have plenty of, which also helps). Return to queue options don't work, as in many queues we couldn't even get out of the queue and certainly not quickly enough with panic attacks or for DH bathroom issues.

 

[Rowab]

CP is a clear DD. My guy hasn’t been diagnosed with that yet, but is being evaluated. He can walk. But there are myriad other issues.

it is. and i hope disney will be understanding of my situation, but much like autism, it's a spectrum, and now i live with the worry that because i can advocate for myself, disney will declare me not worthy of accomdating.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

It's been my intent to start a thread like I did when GAC changed to DAS and when DAS changed after Covid.
But @lanejudy and I are volunteers doing this on our free time. Every time I have to leave the thread, I come back to 2 or 3 more pages. So, another thread is coming when I can

Understandable, thank you!

 

[starlite_]

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.

I might get hate for this, but I do agree that DAS provides a superior experience for certain people, unfortunately those aren't the DAS users and their families who really need it.

I am not talking about parents with neurodivergent kids (or adults), or about folks that suffer other conditions + their carers. Imo these folks are exactly who DAS is for.

I am talking about the parties of DAS users who are upset about the new party size restrictions because they won't be able to bring their families + the friends of their family members. Imo those extra non-family members are having a superior experience to both DAS users AND other guests.

My guess is Disney thinks so too, since they are restricting to 4 guests total (or immediate family only) .

 

[Disneychick75]

Below is the reply I received to my email about DAS changes My favorite parts: Guests can learn more on our website for Guests with disabilities. " - basically no info on what's coming and
" Please know we will not determine any Guest’s future eligibility until our processes are updated on May 20." Again no help - guess everyone is in the dark until we get surprise eligibility.


Apr 11, 2024, 3:19 PM EDT

Dear XXXXX,

Thank you for your message to the Walt Disney World Resort regarding services for Guests with disabilities.

Disney is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment, and accessible experience for all our Guests. All Guests who inquire about accessibility options during this period of transition are receiving this note to share information ahead of your next visit.

We would encourage you to first explore our website for Guests with disabilities, which has been updated to showcase a variety of accommodations and services to meet different needs.

Additionally, to help you plan your visit, we have developed an Accessibility Planning Guide and Recommendations and a Sensory Experience Guide, which provide pertinent information as well as answers to many Frequently Asked Questions.
There are various accommodations available to meet the needs of our Guests, which may be discussed in individualized conversations within 30 days of a planned visit with our Accessibility Services Cast Members. The Disability Access Service (DAS) is one program offered, and it is intended specifically for those guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.

Some Guests enrolled in DAS in the past may be offered alternate accommodations based on the results of their individual conversations. These include Rider Switch, Mobility Services, options for those who may unexpectedly need to leave a queue, and/or other recommendations. Guests who may need accessibility accommodations will be offered an individualized conversation with our team within 30 days of a planned trip (including on the day of your visit, if necessary), to help provide an appropriate match of tools and services.

If you are visiting before May 20, 2024:
Please visit us at Accessibility Services to initiate a connection with our team. You will be connected with a Cast Member via live video to assist you further. Please note that you will need to have access to a video camera and a microphone. During this discussion, if eligible, you may register in advance for DAS between 2 and 30 days prior to your visit.
During this time, you may also request accommodations by visiting a Guest Relations location once you arrive at our theme parks. Our Guest Relations Cast Members will work individually with you to discuss your overall needs to determine which service will be appropriate. Guests will not be asked for medical documentation.
Note: If you already have an approved DAS accommodation, it remains valid until your existing expiration.
If your visit begins May 20, 2024 or later:
Beginning May 20 at the Walt Disney World Resort, there will be an updated process for Accessibility Services conversations. Guests can learn more on our website for Guests with disabilities. In this video discussion, health care professionals may be available, if needed, to help determine appropriate accommodations. Guests will not be asked for medical documentation.

Please know we will not determine any Guest’s future eligibility until our processes are updated on May 20.


Kindest Regards,

Walt Disney World Accessibility Services Team "

 

[SueM in MN]

CP is a clear DD. My guy hasn’t been diagnosed with that yet, but is being evaluated. He can walk. But there are myriad other issues.

My youngest daughter has cerebral palsy. She is mostly spastic quad, which means basically her whole body physically is affected. She also has dystonia and huge variations in muscle tone - we used to say she could go from rag doll limp to Barbie doll stiff in a few seconds.
But, the physical things are only a small part of what she has to deal with

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Appreciate all the work it must take to moderate something like this.

I am new here so don’t know if rules like the one I mentioned are something you ever enforce, but I do think it would be fair to even kindly ask others to refrain from asserting what accommodation would be reasonable for someone without understanding their needs. No one should have the right to do that other than the experts.

In the situation you are mentioning the ignore poster feature is the route to go. Unless a poster is breaking Board rules or rules set forth on a thread designated by a Mod as to only contain information xyz (like we have for park reservations, etc) discussion goes as discussion goes.

 

[notatallmagic]

Out of state Incredipass family here. Huge investment and lots of saving involved, but my kids are 18 and 21 and heading very soon into far away places, so this summer was our last Disney intensive time together.

We've been scouring budget airfare, Disney discounts, and pop DVC rental sites, and have FOUR trips booked between now and August with my adult kiddo who NEEDS A DAS to safely navigate Disney due to a medical condition with complications (two additional trips without that kiddo, so those dont apply - although Disney is certainly making money with us )

We have already had a life threatening health emergency at MK, and multiple less serious episodes. Her specialist has stated that we CANNOT and should not attempt a theme park without accommodations. We were also granted the Universal pass.last summer.

I am so very angry that we have invested non refundable savings and time into multiple trips this last summer together, and have this bomb dropped. Leaving the line isn't an option, an ECV isn't an option, and we can't even get any answers from anyone other than a CM on the chat last night who told her "you can cancel your trips and ask for a refund "...ummm not for airfare or Annual Passes that we assumed would continue to work for us. Also told to check back 30 days prior to our next trip and after 5/20. So no ability to book a pop up trip...

I'm trying to stay positive; if they don't allow any accomodations, then I guess we just try to enjoy a few attractions each day in shaded lines with waits of less than 25 minutes or so.

It's ironic, that at each of our last 3 or 4 visits, Cast Member have literally approached us while she was dealing with a mini-episode and said "we have something called a DAS, and we can help you get registered". How crazy is that?

 

[ClaraOswald]

I understand the thinking here, but Disney themselves says you can ride other rides while waiting for your DAS return time.

It is right in their FAQ on the DAS page ( https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/#faqItem5 ):



I think it would also be difficult to enforce. You would need to make every single person scan into the standby line to check whether they already have a DAS return time. Operationally, it doesn't make sense.

Also, while I understand the thought that people abusing DAS are using it to wait in line for 2 rides at a time, I can see people who need DAS waiting in a short standby line that they can handle while waiting for a return time. If the standby line is short already, you're not really impacting ride operations for that ride - think about rides like the People Mover, or shows like Carousel of Progress.

We often go on short-wait rides during our DAS wait time. But we also very often wait much longer to actually use our DAS returns. For example, we will book one and then maybe wander around, have a snack, do a short line, maybe have lunch. So while the "wait" for our DAS return time would be be, for example, 1 hour.....we often wait 2+ hours between DAS returns.

This is another reason DAS is more helpful for us over G+. It's way too difficult for us to stick to anything set into a tiny time block like that. My husband and I have purchased G+/ILL for ourselves a few times for rides our son won't do and even that was tricky to work around our son's breaks.

To have someone imply we're gaming the system is quite insulting.

 

[Ash10]

it is. and i hope disney will be understanding of my situation, but much like autism, it's a spectrum, and now i live with the worry that because i can advocate for myself, disney will declare me not worthy of accomdating.

Keep advocating! You are doing best by you, continue your strength and stand by your needs. You are a great role model for those behind you and likely providing hope for many parents with younger children who are in your shoes.

 

[ryang25]

I might get hate for this, but I do agree that DAS provides a superior experience for certain people, unfortunately those aren't the DAS users and their families who really need it.

I am not talking about parents with neurodivergent kids (or adults), or about folks that suffer other conditions + their carers. Imo these folks are exactly who DAS is for.

I am talking about the parties of DAS users who are upset about the new party size restrictions because they won't be able to bring their families + the friends of their family members. Imo those extra non-family members are having a superior experience to both DAS users AND other guests.

My guess is Disney thinks so too, since they are restricting to 4 guests total (or immediate family only) .

I agree with this. I think this, along with the changes to make DAS less advantageous (no pre-selections, extra 10 min before you can rebook) would have cut usage substantially alone, especially with usage of the new medical experts (remains to be seen how ‘expert’ they will be).

I just don’t think they needed to take it further and drastically cut eligibility based on diagnoses. Having a family split up into 2 smaller groups is an inconvenience, but removing DAS for some entirely (who can’t be accommodated by return to queue as it has currently been described) is a deal breaker.

Especially in my instance as a group of only two. It will hurt if I do get denied, and I see very large groups still tapping in.