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

[nalababybear]

My daughter has anxiety and adhd. While she does not have an autism diagnosis, she exhibits some symptoms, like being sensitive to noise, being around other people, unable to tell us why she shuts down…We were hoping to apply for DAS for our June trip, but now that seems to not be an option?

You don't actually have to have a diagnosis on the ASD. It is just one large group that DAS addresses directly.

PTSD and certain types of ADHD can certainly qualify and that's why it is not a diagnosis based ascertained but the type of challenges one has that DAS may actually alleviate.

We used the original CAG, transitioned to DAS and DAS 2.0 and now this. Each time the changes are to manage the abusers while trying to

 

[Angel Ariel]

So then how does that work when you have multiple children and the parents leave to takes a younger one somewhere and the grandparents stay with a child who has a DAS? Or if two children qualify for DAS and they are wanting to ride different things and the family splits up and grandparents take the younger one to the little rides - or hops to another park?

It wouldn't work. Those not on the DAS would not be allowed to accompany the DAS user.

We usually travel as a group of 5. This change leaves one member of our party out, as it's us (3) with one set of grandparents (2). There are many rides one of my parents won't ride anyway, but for things like MMRR or Buzz, we'd be separated as a party unless they made an exception.

 

[keishashadow]

Here's a summary of the changes:

• The biggest change is DAS will now only be for guest with developmental disabilities (autism or similar) according to this language.

Really frustrated they're labeling DAS as developmental disabilities only.

Not ready to run with hair on fire, yet.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/
Disney, being Disney, issued a statement that is as many others…vague/subject to interpretation.

“Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests. DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate only 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.”

IMO “Or similar” leaves the door open to discussion. Of course, we won’t know for sure until it rolls out in RL fashion. It really hasn’t been stated on the website that all other issues will necessarily be automatically excluded.

We shall see what we shall see. If all other issues are ruled out, I predict the first type 1 diabetic that winds up having an emergency after waiting hours in a long, hot queue will likely take disney to task for denying them the accommodation. That’s if they survive what would be easily preventable. While they’re at it, hope they take a swipe at the consulting medical company.

Strikes me that it is wildly unreasonable to expect guests (especially those who struggle to keep their levels stable in their normal environments) to test their sugar and then give themselves insulin to attempt to stabilize their sugar…all while standing in line with hundreds of other people.



From USA Today:

https://apple.news/A7mZNXwnbSjOmEORHQH2_dw

Who qualifies for DAS at Disney?

Not all disabilities impact the ability to tolerate long waits in traditional queues. For example, guests in wheelchairs or electric conveyance vehicles can still wait in many lines in their mobility devices.

New updates to the resorts’ accessibility webpages further clarify DAS’ intended audience: “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.”


Find it Interesting that disney didn’t go with recognized IBCESS that appears to be working well for the other major parks in Orlando (Universal and Sea World). Going to guess the fee may have been a bit more than they were prepared to pay, so they settled with the other company to call in as consultants.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I'm not going to lie. This is really scary. Narrowing DAS to only those with developmental delays will really impact my family's ability to do WDW and DL. We need DAS due to my youngest being medically complex. If we are stuck in a winding line with no way out and he needs airway clearance, we will hold up the whole line. He can be sensitive to heat. Literally everything takes us twice as long as everyone else due to my kiddo's complex needs. I am hoping there is still some form of access accommodations available to us or I fear our safe place to go will no longer feel that way.

I'd bet anything that you will still be eligible under the new program. This new program seems aimed at cutting down on abusers, not people with a legitimate need.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Find it Interesting that disney didn’t go with recognized IBCESS that appears to be working well for the other major parks in Orlando (Universal and Sea World). Going to guess the fee may have been a bit more than they were prepared to pay, so they settled with the other company to call in as consultants.

Ibcces is also the subject of a lawsuit, in conjunction with its use in Six Flags right now.

 

[CmdrThor]

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.

Speaking from experience, those types of diagnoses often cost thousands of dollars and may or may not be covered by insurance. While requiring a diagnosis would be fine for me, I can see why they may not want to do that since it may exclude some people based on their ability to pay for a diagnosis.

 

[kylenne]

I don't know if you meant for the tone of your comment to be that some people need to just tough it out, but it kind of comes across that way.

It absolutely was not intended that way--I was strictly speaking about my own internalized ableism and belief that I am not deserving of accommodations and *I* need to tough it out. Everyone else is more deserving than me. Which I know intellectually is nonsense, but it has always been a big struggle for me to admit that I need help and days like today when everyone ever is talking about fakers needing to be sorted out and ADHD being fake etc makes it extra hard, like it's reinforcing those negative internal thoughts

 

[MediumSizedMermaid]

Not ready to run with hair on fire, yet.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/
Disney, being Disney, issued a statement that is as many others…vague/subject to interpretation.

“Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests. DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate only 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.”

Again, it's the word developmental that concerns me. They've said basically nothing regarding physical disabilities. I hope non-wheelchair requiring physical disabilities will still be accommodated (even if the process is different) but they've given no indication of that.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

What is stopping people from just saying they want to leave the queue? I assume the Cast Members at these checkpoints are not qualified to ask about the Guest's disability...?

The "return to line" passes do not seem to indicate that they are limited to those with a disability. Hence, there would be no need to ask. The way I read it, anyone who needs to leave the line for the bathroom (or for some other reason), would be able to do so and then rejoin the line.

 

[Jibrille]

I'll be honest with you all, due to my cancer-related issues (I do have extensive medical documentation and am willing to provide it), this is devastating. DAS has always been very helpful for me because it gave me time to listen to my body, and if I was late to a ride, so be it, or if I couldn't go on a ride, or if I needed more time to get somewhere, or if I needed extra help getting on or off, or a special seat. It's just myself and my kid, and he's not big enough to help me by himself or old enough to stand in line by himself. We were planning on going because, due to my health issues, it's tough to spend time together and he hasn't been to Disney World (we usually go to Disneyland). I had reserved the Swan resort right next to the parks, we had planned out every detail of getting me there and so I could go back to the hotel and take breaks or get treatments. If DAS is no longer available, I don't see how I am going to be able to manage. Do you think they will give me a refund on our tickets? Because, honestly, I will *never* be able to use them now. I can easily cancel our resort, dining, and fireworks reservations, and use our flight towards something else, but I'm worried about getting the two 4-day tickets refunded. [Edited to remove specifics of my diagnosis as per recommendation from friends].

 

[Nikkimouse44]

It wouldn't work. Those not on the DAS would not be allowed to accompany the DAS user.

We usually travel as a group of 5. This change leaves one member of our party out, as it's us (3) with one set of grandparents (2). There are many rides one of my parents won't ride anyway, but for things like MMRR or Buzz, we'd be separated as a party unless they made an exception.

So how is that family friendly? My child half the time would want to ride a ride with their grandparents to experience it with them. Or sometimes want to ride it with mom and dad. The grandparents come on these trips to make memories with their grandchildren, and I have children who need the DAS pass, and we have used it on 3 previous trips

I don’t think I am abusing the system but when I have children who want to ride with grandma and who qualify for this pass, now I have to explain why they cannot ride with grandma and go through a whole exercise of calm down procedures because this is sure to be a trigger.

 

[Tatebeck]

Speaking from experience, those types of diagnoses often cost thousands of dollars and may or may not be covered by insurance. While requiring a diagnosis would be fine for me, I can see why they may not want to do that since it may exclude some people based on their ability to pay for a diagnosis.

If you go to the doctor with a problem, they will give you a diagnosis (or a likely diagnosis/referral to a specialist if it's complicated) If the problem someone has was never bad enough to go to a Dr for, then it may not be bad enough to qualify for a program meant for disabilities...

 

[keishashadow]

Again, it's the word developmental that concerns me. They've said basically nothing regarding physical disabilities. I hope non-wheelchair requiring physical disabilities will still be accommodated (even if the process is different) but they've given no indication of that.

I hear you, as others have pointed out.

This announcement will likely cull the herd requesting a DAS going forward

However, the phrase “or similar” leads me to believe that they will be open to listening to other situations.

 

[Gentry2004]

The return to line thing is still not clicking for me. Let's assume for a second you could figure out how to exit the line (big assumption) - I'm not understanding how they are going to keep track of where you were in the line? And even if they knew you were in front of "lady in striped shirt" - how would you get back to where she is? Or alternatively, what happens if you leave members of your party in the line, and they reach the front of the line before you return?

 

[PrincessV]

I see a lot of comments here (and elsewhere) about a sharp uptick in DAS usage and that it’s indicative of rampant abuse. I’m not saying there aren’t some who abuse it - of course there must be, right? But - hear me out - what if an uptick in use is also indicative of more people being screened and diagnosed as we place a greater emphasis on physical and mental health - people who otherwise would have continued suffering without assistance - AND a greater knowledge and understanding of how DAS works and for whom it was always intended? IOW, maybe there were always more people who could and should avail themselves of the assistance, but never knew they could or should. I mean, my autistic son qualified, so I was familiar with it from his use and still didn’t think I ought to consider it for myself years later until WDW suggested it.

This is getting into the weeds, but I see it as WDW dug itself into a hole with pay-to-play G+/LL. How a lot of us used to manage our DAS-worthy situations was via FP/FP+, EE, etc. But by turning to a pay-to-play program, those who can’t afford to pay and/or aren’t helped by the G+/LL model, were left with the choice of not visiting/not riding or trying DAS. Of course that resulted in more people utilizing the service!

ETA: typos fixed

 

[gottalovepluto]

Not ready to run with hair on fire, yet.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/
Disney, being Disney, issued a statement that is as many others…vague/subject to interpretation.

“Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests. DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate only 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.”

IMO “Or similar” leaves the door open to discussion. Of course, we won’t know for sure until it rolls out in RL fashion. It really hasn’t been stated on the website that all other issues will necessarily be automatically excluded.

We shall see what we shall see. If all other issues are ruled out, I predict the first type 1 diabetic that winds up having an emergency after waiting hours in a long, hot queue will likely take disney to task for denying them the accommodation. That’s if they survive what would be easily preventable. While they’re at it, hope they take a swipe at the consulting medical company.

Strikes me that it is wildly unreasonable to expect guests (especially those who struggle to keep their levels stable in their normal environments) to test their sugar and then give themselves insulin to attempt to stabilize their sugar…all while standing in line with hundreds of other people.



From USA Today:

https://apple.news/A7mZNXwnbSjOmEORHQH2_dw

Who qualifies for DAS at Disney?

Not all disabilities impact the ability to tolerate long waits in traditional queues. For example, guests in wheelchairs or electric conveyance vehicles can still wait in many lines in their mobility devices.

New updates to the resorts’ accessibility webpages further clarify DAS’ intended audience: “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.”


Find it Interesting that disney didn’t go with recognized IBCESS that appears to be working well for the other major parks in Orlando (Universal and Sea World). Going to guess the fee may have been a bit more than they were prepared to pay, so they settled with the other company to call in as consultants.

IBCESS has issues cards to people who submit a handicap placard or the first page of an IEP. I am not surprised Disney didn’t jump into bed with them. There is no real level of competence in what they do but there is a lot of liability since they have your medical record of whatever was submitted.

I would like more info on this group they are getting into bed with though.

 

[TwoMisfits]

The return to line thing is still not clicking for me. Let's assume for a second you could figure out how to exit the line (big assumption) - I'm not understanding how they are going to keep track of where you were in the line? And even if they knew you were in front of "lady in striped shirt" - how would you get back to where she is? Or alternatively, what happens if you leave members of your party in the line, and they reach the front of the line before you return?

They would probably move your family to the side and wait for you to return via the ride exit (if there was not a way to get them also to the ride exit side easily). I can easily see how the return to line pass works for most rides. The person leaving would likely miss all preshows unseen, though.

 

[SL6827]

DAS was probably affecting Disney's bottom line. And we know that trumps absolutely everything known to man.

 

[Unity]

If you go to the doctor with a problem, they will give you a diagnosis (or a likely diagnosis/referral to a specialist if it's complicated) If the problem someone has was never bad enough to go to a Dr for, then it may not be bad enough to qualify for a program meant for disabilities...

While this would be the ideal, the reality is that a lot of people simply can't afford to go to a doctor, then a specialist, and then pay the amount required for testing. Saying if it's bad enough a person will go to a doctor is untrue - it's overlooking the reality of how much medical expenses are.

While I've been diagnosed with anxiety for a while, my ADHD which everyone and their mother thinks I have has been unable to be diagnosed because where I am, it costs 500 for testing alone - and no insurance can be used. And that's just one scenario.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Me! Me! Accidentally diagnosed at 41 when the ADHD meds they gave me to stop my binge eating and give me energy didn’t work as intended, but sure did calm me down and stop my monkey-mind.

Same! Burnt out gifted and talented kid who was diagnosed formally with ADHD at 40.