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

[KCO5988]

I just hope they release more information soon so I can stop worrying and thinking about all the ways these rumored new accommodations won't work for me or will make my family seriously reconsider going to Disney despite knowing that my kids love it.

 

[CarouselofColor]

If this is the case - I wonder what is stopping someone from getting the rider switch for both parties, never entering the standby queue (or asking to leave the standby queue), waiting the appropriate amount of time required and then both riding through the Lightning Lane - it essentially would work just like DAS but perhaps with a little extra effort.

Dang, that's a really good point. I guess they could threaten you with expulsion/a ban from the parks if you're caught? But it would be really hard to catch/police...

 

[TwoMisfits]

If this is the case - I wonder what is stopping someone from getting the rider switch for both parties, never entering the standby queue (or asking to leave the standby queue), waiting the appropriate amount of time required and then both riding through the Lightning Lane - it essentially would work just like DAS but perhaps with a little extra effort.

The possibility the 1st rider brings in a lanyard and needs to get documentation he rode the ride if there's only 2 folks. That could be easily done by Disney.

 

[TLinden16]

I am intending to say this in the most respectful way that I can, so please don't take this as an attack...but it sounds like a scooter or wheelchair would be an accommodation that would potentially allow someone with this limitation to manage the normal queues? It seems like Disney's whole motivation for this change is to lessen how many people need to go through Lightning Lane, so I'd imaging if someone doesn't need a scooter/wheelchair walking in the park, but it would allow them to wait in a normal line, that would probably still be a reasonable accommodation instead of DAS. I can't/won't speak to your other conditions, or even for you specifically because I obviously don't know you or your limitations, nor am I trained by Disney to make a call, but just wanted to point out that from an operational standpoint, if someone cannot stand in a queue but they could sit in a queue, a wheelchair would probably work, if that was the only issue at play?

The wheelchair/scooter would help with the waiting in line part for me for sure, however I am physically able to walk at an average pace for 20-30 minutes. It is only when standing still or walking in a slow moving line for an extended period of time that I have issues.

It would be detrimental to my health to be in a wheelchair or scooter to get around the parks just so I can have it for the lines. The walking is a good thing for me. If I am in a scooter it would have to move with me from place to place.

Plus I have other conditions that could require me to exit the line unexpectedly if the return to queue pass is instituted. This will be more challenging with a scooter.

There are far too many scooters in the park these days. More than there ever has been I don’t think adding more scooters users into the park is going to make the experience better for everyone. It’s just gonna create more bottlenecks and longer lines for everybody

 

[Disneychick75]

In the end, we all know that Disney is pretty awful about introducing anything new. Laughing because if a majority of those who need DAS buy Genie+, then how will this help with LL? All it will mean is ka ching for the mouse.
Don't know what anyone else thinks BUT if Disney is not granting accommodations I need, then I will use the only method I have to make my voice heard- I'll cancel my trip. Really don't want to because this would be my grandson's first trip. If, though, we can't share the Disney experience together as a family, then, we'll go to somewhere we can. I am not being flip with this decision - it makes me terribly sad. The annoying thing is if I don't get the DAS, I'm betting that by say Sept. or sometime in the Fall, Disney will open the pass again to other conditions because guests will also have to cancel their trips. Then, guess what? This means in the meantime, Disney is punishing those who really need DAS while those who abused it can continue to visit the parks coming up with new ways to cheat.
Mickey isn't going anywhere and when corporate gets their collective heads out of their collective rear ends, my family can plan to go again.

 

[TwoMisfits]

The wheelchair/scooter would help with the waiting in line part for me for sure, however I am physically able to walk at an average pace for 20-30 minutes. It is only when standing still or walking in a slow moving line for an extended period of time that I have issues.

It would be detrimental to my health to be in a wheelchair or scooter to get around the parks just so I can have it for the lines. The walking is a good thing for me. If I am in a scooter it would have to move with me from place to place.

Plus I have other conditions that could require me to exit the line unexpectedly if the return to queue pass is instituted. This will be more challenging with a scooter.

There are far too many scooters in the park these days. More than there ever has been I don’t think adding more scooters users into the park is going to make the experience better for everyone. It’s just gonna create more bottlenecks and longer lines for everybody

This situation is now also listed as a Rider Swap qualification in Disneyland.

 

[MandaMouse91]

2. It is natural that with so many unknowns that guests who rely heavily on DAS to make their Disney vacations feasible are nervous. I think the constant comments that echo the idea that Disney will work with everyone when no one actually knows what the new system will be like offer little comfort and at times can feel downright hollow. It is okay to personally believe that Disney is going to continue providing DAS to parties that need it but Disney’s own statement somewhat contradicts that so it is normal for guests to be worried.

This is what’s honestly getting me the most with this.
Sure, I’d love to have some hope that Disney will do the right thing. Just like I (and many other chronic illness patients) have had hope given (and then taken away) for significant improvements to our quality of life by just “giving a try” medications, surgeries, clinical trials, and specialists. We’re not waiting to see because we’ve had to do that too many times in other aspects of our healthcare journeys and have seen it not work.

 

[HopperFan]

I have only used FP and DAS for my children. Using G+ for the first time next month.

I just don’t know how to make everyone find a happy medium - reduce wait times, accommodate those who need it (NOT FAKE IT), make money for a company, etc.

GAC, FP, FP+, DAS, G+, $ILL used them all. They are tools and I can only suggest to do the homework ahead of time to find the best way to manage the day based on the tools you are using. No day will be perfect even if it's just rain or someone screaming next to you or flash photography on your only chance at a ride. It is a complicated stressful vacation for most on top of expensive ... it's a wonder so many go. And my history shows me saying over and over, once a Disney trip is stressful to plan, stressful there and you go home disappointed ~ it is time to find a new happy place. Disney will always be there later. NOTE: I took a 2 year break not long ago because I (not my DS) was becoming unhappy going because the horrible behavior of other guests had gotten to me.

Disney will NEVER EVER make everyone happy, we can see that every day we are there. Disney once again did this to themselves and now that the parks are back full they are feeling it. It has to be fixed.

Obviously Disney needs more attractions/another park (okay maybe that is selfish and more for my own enjoyment!) but with the long lines and it seems G+ is selling out, some changes on all systems need to happen.

There will never be enough attractions because to pay for attractions they sell more tickets. The parks will be full, the lines will be full, the restaurants will be full because that is the nature of the business. Disney didn't like that it was not filling restaurants - we liked it cause we could get what we wanted. So they brought back "FREE" Dining which many of us thought was a goner. But it's going to fill restaurants. More rides means more capacity and we will be right back at the same place.

No one wants to pay more, obviously, but maybe they should offer some free perks to on site guests (FP), paid perks to all (G+), maybe even have tiers paid services.

We have to remember that the PARKS and the HOTELS are different profit centers. As long as Disney has a high occupancy they are not going to do things that "punish" offsite guests who are the bulk of PARK customers. We all pay the same for tickets so we should all get the same services in the park that are included. Perks you get with hotels should be hotel associated or ones that don't punish the majority of their park guests.

I don’t know. I don’t think taking away the DAS pass from those who actually need it is a good PR move though (even though we don’t fully know yet how it will work but they should have released more information when it rolled out)

Like I said I have used for about 24 years for DS. DAS was created because GAC was broken. When DAS started it was offered to X, Y, Z. Over the years they have been less rigid and now it is offered to S, T, U, V, X, Y, Z. Now DAS is broken. What they need to do is change the name like they did last time so they are taking away DAS, and the new service will now have a different scope & new name, and the added options will have their own "names". That way everyone lost DAS. Disney and their lawyers (who are good at this) will have this on paper (even if not communicated well) in a way that it should be fully compliant and provide different ways for different folks to have a tool to help THEMSELVES manage their days.

 

[Disneylover99]

The annoying thing is if I don't get the DAS, I'm betting that by say Sept. or sometime in the Fall, Disney will open the pass again to other conditions because guests will also have to cancel their trips.

I really don’t think that’s going to happen. Any cancelled trips due to not getting DAS will not even be a blip on their radar. People are angry about this now, but I’m guessing most/many will learn/try to adapt without it.

 

[GoingSince1990]

If this is the case - I wonder what is stopping someone from getting the rider switch for both parties, never entering the standby queue (or asking to leave the standby queue), waiting the appropriate amount of time required and then both riding through the Lightning Lane - it essentially would work just like DAS but perhaps with a little extra effort.

I haven’t used child swap in many years, but I would think that Disney has some way of ensuring that one party actually enters the standby line in order for the child swap to be activated. If not, that would be vulnerable to similar abuse.

 

[CarouselofColor]

The wheelchair/scooter would help with the waiting in line part for me for sure, however I am physically able to walk at an average pace for 20-30 minutes. It is only when standing still or walking in a slow moving line for an extended period of time that I have issues.

It would be detrimental to my health to be in a wheelchair or scooter to get around the parks just so I can have it for the lines. The walking is a good thing for me. If I am in a scooter it would have to move with me from place to place.

Plus I have other conditions that could require me to exit the line unexpectedly if the return to queue pass is instituted. This will be more challenging with a scooter.

There are far too many scooters in the park these days. More than there ever has been I don’t think adding more scooters users into the park is going to make the experience better for everyone. It’s just gonna create more bottlenecks and longer lines for everybody

Sure that's all fair, but I'm not suggesting that you (or anyone) stay in a scooter or wheelchair all day. Maybe the solution here (for the mobility issue, nothing else, so please understand that I'm speaking generally and not equating this to your specific situation) is for each attraction to have standby wheelchairs available for folks to use just in the queue if they need them.

 

[TLinden16]

This situation is now also listed as a Rider Swap qualification in Disneyland.

But how does that work if I am alone?

Personally I don’t think the rider switch is a great option. The whole point of DAS is to give people a similar experience to guests touring the parks. Rider switch takes away the opportunity for a party to enjoy the parks together. It is different situation than doing a rider switch because a child is too small to ride.

When I went in January, I went with my sister and a friend. If we had to rely on rider switch, my sister and friend would wait in line and ride together while I sit on a bench nearby. One of them would then ride with me. We would have spent a huge part of our vacation apart.

 

[Thegoatfeeder]

I really can't get my head round this rider swap thing, and this whole situation is massively triggering my anxiety .

So there's me and my partner, I can't wait in a long line because I need regular bathroom breaks, and I can't join and rejoin the line multiple times in my scooter. So I have to wait outside the line on my own (which I can't really do in case I need help from my partner), my partner is in the line on her own, and what? Texts me when she's at the front at which point I go via the LL and join her?

Maybe I'm being stupid, but I don't understand it, and that solution sounds so miserable. Just our trip would involve loads of time by ourselves every day. I get that there has to be a solution and I wish I could be in a line for 30 minutes plus, but I can't. Frustratingly, I just don't now what the solution is, I can't think of anything other than requiring medical evidence, which is fairly common practice here in Europe, but sounds like it isn't in the US.

 

[TLinden16]

Sure that's all fair, but I'm not suggesting that you (or anyone) stay in a scooter or wheelchair all day. Maybe the solution here (for the mobility issue, nothing else, so please understand that I'm speaking generally and not equating this to your specific situation) is for each attraction to have standby wheelchairs available for folks to use just in the queue if they need them.

That could be a solution that could work, but it isn’t an ideal solution for someone in my situation who could potentially be solo and have to leave the line. Trust me no one will want to be in a line with me if I run into issues while waiting in line.

 

[Tinkaboo]

I think everyone whose needs aren’t being met should vote with their wallet and BOYCOTT DISNEY. Everyone says “but I love it there”.. but if they can’t/wont accommodate your needs…find something/somewhere else that will. IF Disney sees a decline in numbers…they might rethink their policy down the road..my guess is that there WON’T be any decline in attendance due to this change and Disney Parks will continue to be the pillar that supports the entire company.

It’s not the only place, particularly theme park, in the world. You wouldn’t tolerate this treatment from another individual…why tolerate it from a company who is clearly not interested in your well-being? All the complaining in the world isn’t going to bring back what once was…if it did, we’d all be enjoying our FPs and great parades, free roaming character meet and greets, Mice boats on the lagoon, and many, many ,many other things that Disney has abandoned over the years.

Whatever they come up is not going to be for everyone, and it hopefully will weed out all the cheaters.

 

[dreamer17555]

Honestly, the more I think about this giant push to cut down on DAS abuse the more I think that the only reason Disney cares is because they can’t sell as much genie plus and lightning lanes as they would like. The fact that they are partnering to ensure better training for their cast members to hopefully cut down on DAS to me says they’re going to recoup that cost of the partnership and offer more genie+ to purchase…

Which makes me wonder why everybody is super up in arms about DAS abuse when Disney will likely use fewer DAS as a reason to sell more Genie +\LL and make more profit. I don’t see how it fundamentally change guests experience for not utilizing DAS in that case.

 

[lanejudy]

If you go the bathroom pass route, potentially you could ask for a pass as soon as you get into line, then have your family text you when they are close to the front, then you can rejoin and all ride together.

I do not expect there will be "rejoin the family" -- as described and as Rider Swap currently works, is the 1st part of the group/party rides, then the waiting member + 1 other enters the LL while the others wait.

The problem is the current child swap rooms are tiny and in no way ready to handle the volume of people this solution would lead to.

Neither WDW nor DLR/DCA have "child swap rooms" or any waiting rooms for attractions. You must be thinking of another park.

but this rider switch seems fine as long as one can *hopefully* rejoin their party.

As stated above, I highly doubt a Rider Swap aspect will involve rejoining the party to ride. It will allow all to ride, but the party will be split as it currently is for Rider Swap.

If they think a 14 year old can be a caregiver, they obviously think they can also wait in a line (aka, a lesser task).

Disney considers a 14-yr-old to be "old enough" to enter the parks alone and/or to supervise anyone younger than 7 yrs old. They also consider anyone 7+ to be "old enough" to enter a queue alone. It is up to the parents/family to make appropriate decisions as to whether that works for them. But it has been Disney operating rules for a long time.

It would be detrimental to my health to be in a wheelchair or scooter to get around the parks just so I can have it for the lines. The walking is a good thing for me. If I am in a scooter it would have to move with me from place to place.
... There are far too many scooters in the park these days. More than there ever has been I don’t think adding more scooters users into the park is going to make the experience better for everyone. It’s just gonna create more bottlenecks and longer lines for everybody

I agree a scooter (ECV) may not be the best option. However having a wheelchair with you does not mean sitting in it all day. If a wheelchair would allow you to change positions frequently in the queue, that is what Disney expects you to do. Push it outside of queues, make it your bag carrier, give another member of your party a break off their feet for a bit, etc. Maybe consider a rollator, which is a walker with a seat. Or it seems the new information posted allows (even recommends) a "cane seat" (which had previously not been allowed). It really isn't up to you to decide that there are "too many" wheelchairs or scooters. If Disney wants everyone to use one that is their decision. Expecting a DAS because you don't want the other accommodation offered is asking for preferential accommodation, not reasonable accommodation.

 

[dreamer17555]

I think everyone whose needs aren’t being met should vote with their wallet and BOYCOTT DISNEY. Everyone says “but I love it there”.. but if they can’t/wont accommodate your needs…find something/somewhere else that will. IF Disney sees a decline in numbers…they might rethink their policy down the road..my guess is that there WON’T be any decline in attendance due to this change and Disney Parks will continue to be the pillar that supports the entire company.

It’s not the only place, particularly theme park, in the world. You wouldn’t tolerate this treatment from another individual…why tolerate it from a company who is clearly not interested in your well-being? All the complaining in the world isn’t going to bring back what once was…if it did, we’d all be enjoying our FPs and great parades, free roaming character meet and greets, Mice boats on the lagoon, and many, many ,many other things that Disney has abandoned over the years.

Whatever they come up is not going to be for everyone, and it hopefully will weed out all the cheaters.

If my son is not approved for DAS, we will no longer vacation at Walt Disney World. I’ve stated this already in the thread, but the cons would outweigh the pros.

Please explain to me how this new system will weed out any cheaters? People who choose to lie are still going to lie.

 

[lanejudy]

Please explain to me how this new system will weed out any cheaters? People who choose to lie are still going to lie.

I honestly believe the change is as much about "overuse" as it may be about abuse. There are so many people who want to qualify for DAS that the park operations are impacted. That's what I mean by "overuse" -- finding alternative accommodations for some individuals/needs is what the change is largely about.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I really can't get my head round this rider swap thing, and this whole situation is massively triggering my anxiety .

So there's me and my partner, I can't wait in a long line because I need regular bathroom breaks, and I can't join and rejoin the line multiple times in my scooter. So I have to wait outside the line on my own (which I can't really do in case I need help from my partner), my partner is in the line on her own, and what? Texts me when she's at the front at which point I go via the LL and join her?

Maybe I'm being stupid, but I don't understand it, and that solution sounds so miserable. Just our trip would involve loads of time by ourselves every day. I get that there has to be a solution and I wish I could be in a line for 30 minutes plus, but I can't. Frustratingly, I just don't now what the solution is, I can't think of anything other than requiring medical evidence, which is fairly common practice here in Europe, but sounds like it isn't in the US.

I think there’s every chance that a party of two, where one person needs to use the restroom frequently and requires the other person’s assistance, will still be granted accommodation similar to the existing DAS. Requiring rider swap for larger parties would still be very effective at putting a stop to someone in a large group (quite possibly inspired by a “TikTok hack”) pretending to have IBS so that the entire party gets to use LL all day long.