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

[chrisney]

Stank, your response lived up to your name. These are not free lightening lanes. I am not a spoiled person losing something I've grabbed for convenience or to "get ahead"

As a former special educator and teacher for more than 40 years, I have tremendous appreciation for the adaptations needed by developmentally challenged people. I identified and enabled those modifications. I also have very personal and profoundly affecting understanding of my own requirements.

You refer to a get out of line pass. Perhaps for some, it would work. My own case of Crohns has never cooperated so well. It's extreme urgency in my case. And if I don't make it, I can't pretend nothing happened...you know a kids dirty diaperr...multiply that by the size differential. It is humiliating. Add to that the fact that I also have COPD. I am on oxygen 24/7 because my oxygen saturation doesn't stray in a safe range without. I also cannot walk more than 60 feet at the most without becoming very short of breath. Therefore I use a mobility scooter. You can tell that I have a problem all of the time because I have/bought it myself, it's not a rented model and it cost me multiple Ks.

So, I have a couple of options. I could stay home and miss out on what has always been my happy place. I could do genie+. but with the cost and living in Orlando my visited would be artificially limited and it might not be worth buying an annual pass. I could proceed without any ada compliance requests or expectations and hope that I don't ruin both my and my linemates experience by having a fecal accident. Crohns has taken most of my dignity, this might finish it off. You see I can't use a get out of line pass; first because it wouldn't be quick enough and second because I very well might hurt someone trying to exit on the ECV.

What DAS does for me is to allow me to wait for my allotted time slot, visiting the bathroom just before to see if I can do what I need to do to avoid a problem. I'm willing to wait. I'm more than happy to acknowledge other needs. Please don't minimize mine. You honestly don't know or want to know what it is like.

 

[chaoslobster]

They really aren’t, though. You just think they are.

Literally went to Disney not long ago with my kids. I am grateful none of us have disabilities. My nephew, however, has severe autism to where Disney is not even an option. So when people here talk about “distress” and equate theirs with kids with developmental disabilities, I honestly shake my head in disbelief. You’re able to conjure up a hypothetical stressful event—these kids can’t even begin to articulate a construct like that. Give me a break!

I had to exit multiple lines for bathroom emergencies on that trip. How expedient the cast members were and how quickly we had alternative exits was surprising.

So when you think there’s no quick way out, there’s an exit nearby. Reality is people just don’t like the inconvenience of waiting in a 50 minute line to then ask to use the restroom, exit the line, then come back and have the cast member who radioed the situation let you back in.

And I shake my head in disbelief when someone who freely admits nobody they know has a physical disability somehow believes they know what it feels like. Seriously? You're so sure there can't be any real distress for a condition you don't have and have never even seen? I can't even imagine having that kind of attitude to other people.

If I said nobody I know is autistic but still, I don't believe autism can possibly cause any distress and shouldn't need special accommodation, how angry would you be at me? Would you feel I was casually dismissing a severely debilitating condition I know nothing about? Would you tell me how ignorant I am? Yeah. I think you would.

Don't reply please, I've clicked ignore on this thread and I'm out. I'm just so shocked at how hateful people are in this thread. I guess I somehow thought Disney people cared for others. Clearly some of us just don't.

 

[Liquidice]

At the end of the day, having to go to the bathroom isn’t going to be a DAS-qualifying disability.

They have other accommodations called notifying a cast member who will promptly escort you through an emergency exit that takes 30-45 seconds.

I did it half a dozen times with my kids on my last trip. That’s the accommodation. Waiting in line isn’t the problem; having to go to the bathroom is. So, the accommodation is to get you expeditiously to a restroom, which is what Disney does every hour in every ride for people.

The problem is most people getting DAS for bathroom urgencies don’t like that. They want the faster line with free lightning lanes. But that’s not the reasonable accommodation. Getting you to a bathroom is.

So if you're on your own, solo - and have a bathroom emergency, manage to get a CM (which I'll be honest I don't usually see a CM every 30-45 seconds) - where do you get put back into line? The end of it? There is nobody to rejoin because you're on your own, or maybe you're traveling with 1 other person who needs to go with you to help you.

There are still a lot of unknowns on how this is going to work, unknowns and change cause angst.

 

[SueM in MN]

They do. DAS has grown 3x in 5 years. There are literally more people using it that don’t qualify than who do qualify.

I guess this is all a moot debate anyhow. DAS is going to be for developmentally disabled people and families, as it should be. For everyone else, there are alternative accommodations. Those who are ungrateful for those accommodations likely don’t have legitimate claims. Because anyone with disabilities who are offered accommodations are naturally grateful for it. It’s the ones who turn up their noses who are the problem.

First of all, we don't know all the reasons why DAS has reportedly grown 3x in 5 years. When DAS began in 2013 and up until when Disney parks reopened after the COVID shutdown, free Fastpasses existed. Some people were able to accommodate their disabilities with being able to use Fastpass. Especially, the 3 prescheduled Fastpasses that all guests could use.
After Fastpass went away, there were people who turned to DAS because the method they were using was no longer available.

Many people who were using DAS just got notified a few days ago that they will no longer be eligible for DAS. So, they are (understandably to most people) upset and concerned about how they will manage without the tools they were used to using.
It's all good and fine to say, "there are accommodations; you should be grateful for them. You can leave the line or you can use Rider Swap." But without any facts about how these accommodations will work, the people who will have to use them are floundering in a dark sea with no idea of what to do. Telling them to be happy there MAY be a life preserver out there for them is not helpful. Especially when pitting people with different disabilities against each other.

Once everything is clear, they may say, "OK. I can see how it works now and it will work for me." But maybe it won't. That's what people are venting about - the unknown.

 

[SueM in MN]

Closing the thread for the night. lanejudy and I will open it back up sometime tomorrow morning.

Please when we reopen it, no belittling other people's challenges

 

[jo-jo]

Good morning everyone.

I just wrote to disney explaining as DVC, if we wait until 30 days before and are denied, our points go into holding. Also to apply we need to purchase tickets, we no longer need, cause we would just cancel the trip. I asked at least think about making it 40 days ahead and not require tickets attached to apply.

Probably get the same message everyone does, but we'll see.

 

[lanejudy]

It has literally only been a couple of years that anybody was able to pre-register for DAS. Before then, it was always done on-site. So while I understand the frustrations a few posters have mentioned with the unknown in planning -- I really don't think it will sway Disney. Even now, pre-registration for DAS is within the 30-day.


Those with multiple needs or complicating factors really need to do a video chat (within 30 days of your visit) to discuss your specific concerns. If you are a single parent with young children, if you use a mobility device but have other needs, if you are an adult who needs assistance from a caregiver, etc. I still firmly believe that Disney will be working with individuals based on individual needs, just as they have for many years.

 

[AnneK]

Hopefully other mental disabilities will still be covered, such as anxiety and ptsd. Anxiety is my main trigger for my IBS. At Universal this actually qualified me for an upgraded disability pass after they started requiring medical documentation which included an escort to the front of the line.

 

[LSUmiss]

Yes we utilized FP plus & didn’t see the need for DAS although we qualified. We were just content to get done what we could with fp plus. But genie plus is expensive & nowhere near as effective so have started using DAS since we need it.

I mean, I appreciate this - and.

they're all things we've been doing. And I would imagine most families who actually need DAS already do. They don't negate the need for additional accommodation for many.

I find this language insulting! Many ppl with children with disabilities have tried this & more & deal with this kind of stuff in daily life! This just tells the abusers what they need to say to guarantee they get approved!

 

[ryang25]

I am not going to divulge my line of work but I have spoken to some of my colleagues today who believe an accommodation like return-to-line, at least if it works like Disneyland’s Bathroom Pass, is near certain to fall foul of the Equality Act 2010 here in the UK as a ‘reasonable assistance’ for some of those with digestion-related needs. This is further backed up by the fact parks here have been unable to attempt that accommodation.

Why could this be relevant for international guests? Well, my booking is with Walt Disney Travel Company (UK & Ireland). Despite the fact I will be provided the service (the vacation) in the US, my booking is with a UK company AND that company is a division of Disney. There have been law cases here where those on holidays abroad (not Disney) have experienced problems and since they booked with UK travel agents/operators, they had recourse against those agents/operators under the UK Equality Act. This is particularly the case for package holidays. The recourse would be against the travel agent (so if a holiday in Spain was problematic, you could not take action against the Spanish hotel, but you potentially could against your UK-based booking/travel agent). In my scenario, Disney themselves would be the travel agent which is certainly the interesting part.

It’s very nuanced but I believe on a technicality, it could be possible Disney will not be able to enforce some of these new accommodations for certain international guests with certain needs without risking recourse cases against their travel company. I am in no way certain, but I have now managed to at least get a formal complaint acknowledged and actively being looked at by the UK division of Disney.

I am in no way suggesting that it is right for accommodations to differ between some international guests and those in NA. Maybe it will open some eyes though and bring tweaks for everyone. Press will certainly not look good.

 

[cruisingtwins]

Park Capacity is calculated by adding ride capacity, queue capacity, store capacity, dining capacity, etc. If you eliminate queue capacity you in effect reduce park capacity. That is a large $$$ loss.

Turn current queue space into large waiting areas with some seating snacks/drinks there is more money to be made without reducing park capacity.

 

[charmed59]

I think the pandemic made a huge difference in the number of people who have extreme anxiety in crowds. I’ve never had a DAS, as I didn’t need it. Note, I also never stood in a 2 hour+ line. Now I know I can’t deal with the crowds at Disney, and wouldn’t be able to wait for most the rides I’d like to try. So I’ve stricken Disney from my list of things I’d like to do.

 

[cruisingtwins]

The real issue here is that the parks are very hard to do without das/genie/ill so people just grab whatever diagnosis they have and get a das. Like i don’t know a single adult that does not have anxiety. What Disney meeds to fix is how to make the park enjoyable without DAS then less people will get it.

 

[DaviVascaino]

I saw this in another forum from a former Cast member. He raised several good points.
It it not an easy decision from Disney, but something needs to be done. Whatever they do, a lot of people will be upset

"
The main issue that comes with the current DAS system and why Disney needs to revamp it is that everybody deals with something. Most people at some point in their lives will have a physical, or mental need for a DAS pass.

We are all the main characters of our stories so we all see the needs that we, as individuals, have.

For example, over 19% of adults, about 40 million people in the United States suffer from a diagnosed anxiety disorder (National Alliance on Mental Health). Another (and theres definitely some people with both or all three) 9 million adults suffer from ADHD, 1 in 36 children are being disgnosed with autism (statista.org). These are some reasons I see everyday of people needing the DAS pass.

Further, 4.7-5.3% of adults have IBS/IBD, those people also need the DAS pass. Not to mention heart conditions, pots, sun allergies, , overheating, PTSD, claustrophobic people, and those who have panic attacks. We're approaching near 3/5 of the population.

All in all, almost every person deals with something and everybodys case is unique, and most people feel that they need/are entitled to a DAS pass. And I here the stories and most of everyone has valid reasons to themselves on why they need the pass.

So where should Disney draw the line? This isn't even mentioning everyone who has mobility issues with only standing, but does not feel the need for a wheelchair.

The system is broken- because a large majority of the population need/feel entitled to the system.

Signed- a former cast member who used das for her crohns, pots, and heart condition. (And anxiety but I'm not counting that one).

I genuinely want peoples thoughts for a solution."

 

[CarlyMur09]

Just did our call for DAS for 5/11-5/19 (so literally leaving the day before the changes) yesterday. Had to wait til DB got home from work, so we didn’t get to start until right around 4 EST. Waited about 2, 2-1/2 hours until we got someone. Video call wouldn’t work on Chrome for some reason, so I had to switch to Firefox. Got DB’s pic snapped, then DM explained why DAS was needed. Got approved and moved right into ride selection. Now the last 2-3 trips we’ve taken, we had longer than 7 day trips, so we figured it’d be the same this time around to only get 7 days…. Nope, we got all 9 days, so I’m not sure if we just had a CM who was being nice or if they’re waiving the 7-day requirement for now?

Whole process took about 3-1/2 hours including the wait.

 

[lanejudy]

in my scenario, Disney themselves would be the travel agent which is certainly the interesting part.

I believe "The Walt Disney Travel Company" is a different division from "Disney Parks" -- essentially, different businesses even though the same parent company. And the international may even be different yet from the domestic. We all have a tendency to think "Disney" is one and the same, but there are so many different businesses under the parent umbrella name.

The US-based parks must abide by the ADA and provide accommodations. To my knowledge there is absolutely no requirement to follow any foreign "required" accommodation as long as the accommodation offered is considered "reasonable" in the US. Of course that may be a question eventually answered by a court case, much as the GAC/DAS issue was. Disney is well aware of the potential for litigation in this matter and I'm sure their lawyers have reviewed everything before roll-out.

My advice -- if it's causing you that much angst, I personally would cancel my near-term trip and see how things play out. I realize that is disappointing and not really the answer you want, but it's what I would do.

 

[Nikkimouse44]

would these changes make you happy:

Deluxe resort get G+ as part of their stay?

On site guests can book two G+ return times per day at their 30 day from first park day window? Those are bonus rides, G+ would then work as normal - first pick at 7am yadda yadda yadda.

G+ users can select rides as many times as they want (perhaps with some exceptions)?

DAS pass then stays the relatively the same, maybe with a few minor modifications (no pre selection when registering, 10 minute delay between booking)

Would this make G+ more attractive to those who DONT need DAS (the true fakers - to maybe cut down abuse?), and make it a better alternative to those who needed DAS but maybe might not qualify any longer (which we hope is not the case)

Sorry - just kind of thinking out loud here.

 

[Calee]

would these changes make you happy:

Deluxe resort get G+ as part of their stay?

On site guests can book two G+ return times per day at their 30 day from first park day window? Those are bonus rides, G+ would then work as normal - first pick at 7am yadda yadda yadda.

G+ users can select rides as many times as they want (perhaps with some exceptions)?

DAS pass then stays the relatively the same, maybe with a few minor modifications (no pre selection when registering, 10 minute delay between booking)

Would this make G+ more attractive to those who DONT need DAS (the true fakers - to maybe cut down abuse?), and make it a better alternative to those who needed DAS but maybe might not qualify any longer (which we hope is not the case)

Sorry - just kind of thinking out loud here.

No of course not. Many many many people who need DAS can not afford to stay at a deluxe resort, and having lots of money should not be a requirement for accommodations.

FP worked as a reasonable replacement for DAS because it was available to ALL guests, on site, off site, value resort, deluxe resort.

 

[starlite_]

would these changes make you happy:

Deluxe resort get G+ as part of their stay?

On site guests can book two G+ return times per day at their 30 day from first park day window? Those are bonus rides, G+ would then work as normal - first pick at 7am yadda yadda yadda.

G+ users can select rides as many times as they want (perhaps with some exceptions)?

DAS pass then stays the relatively the same, maybe with a few minor modifications (no pre selection when registering, 10 minute delay between booking)

Would this make G+ more attractive to those who DONT need DAS (the true fakers - to maybe cut down abuse?), and make it a better alternative to those who needed DAS but maybe might not qualify any longer (which we hope is not the case)

Sorry - just kind of thinking out loud here.

I don't think G+ being unattractive is the problem. It's selling out after all. The issue is DAS is too attractive to fakers because it provides them a better experience than other guests (including guests that truly need DAS).

 

[dreamer17555]

I have been thinking about this- I guess the question is at the end of the day if you or your family were denied DAS would you still go to Disney?

I can say for my family, even with 6 months left on our out of state APs that we would not. It is already difficult enough even with DAS that the cons would outweigh the positives. We have a trip planned later this month before a DCL trip. We would still go on the cruise but if my son did not have the DAS part we would have skipped the parks (and onsite stay) to stay home and only get a hotel for the night before at the port.

Curious for others- would you still attend WDW or DL without a DAS pass?