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

[OurBigTrip]

Joining the chorus to say it is discriminatory to not offer reasonable accommodations to those with physical disabilities. I don’t see how that is legal. No type of disability is more deserving of accommodations than another. Even if Disney were able to implement a return to queue process that works, that leaves many people out who can’t tolerate queues who have no mental health or developmental challenges.

I bought my pass with the expectation I would be able to get the accommodations I need once the weather is too warm for me to visit the parks without accommodations. Now I’m concerned I will have an expensive pass I can’t use half the year, which is not fair. I live less than two hours away so go mostly for day trips, it’s not a matter of just planning vacations other times of the year. I should be able to utilize my pass the entire year, or most of it anyways, like anyone else. Even with accommodations likely July-August will be too much and that’s fine, but missing out in six months is not.

They are offering reasonable accommodations, just not the one that most people seem to want.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

He was responding to the post where I said most 18+ will probably be heavily scrutinized for all disabilities, whether developmental or not, so Tik Tokers trying to claim autism won't get any further than when they claimed IBS.

I get the references to Tik Tokers and IBS but struggling to understand why someone who legitimately has IBS isn’t viewed as needing DAS? If people have a condition that requires them to leave lines repeatedly - how is DAS not a reasonable accommodation? The alternative seems like it would put an unfair burden on individuals who already have enough to deal with. What am I missing?

 

[OurBigTrip]

I get the references to Tik Tokers and IBS but struggling to understand why someone who legitimately has IBS isn’t viewed as needing DAS? If people have a condition that requires them to leave lines repeatedly - how is DAS not a fair accommodation? What am I missing?

If leaving the line works, why would a DAS be needed?

 

[LuvinTheWorld]

No offense but that sounds like abuse of the system from a technical stand point as G+ could mostly serve the same needs. Semantics aside, its a prime reason Disney has decided to crack down.

How? We were delaying our eventual need of DAS by using the systems that were available to keep our kid who cannot wait in long lines from waiting in long lines. We were actually riding LESS rides doing it this way, but were able to accommodate his needs enough that we didn't feel we needed to take up that space. G+ and DAS wait in the same line, so your argument is that DAS is not needed at all as long as those families just pay for G+?

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

If leaving the line works, why would a DAS be needed?

No, that’s my point. For individuals who have IBS, or any number of conditions that require frequent trips to the bathroom, it wouldn’t be leaving the line once during an attraction. It could be several times - so I’m struggling to understand how this ‘leaving the line’ solution would be considered reasonable/ really help those individuals.

 

[Gentry2004]

They aren’t discriminating, they’re offering a different accommodation.

If you actually believed the two accommodations were equal (you don’t), you wouldn’t care which one someone got. You obviously know they are not equal.

 

[OurBigTrip]

If you actually believed the two accommodations were equal (you don’t), you wouldn’t care which one someone got. You obviously know they are not equal.

There is no requirement that all accommodations be equal.

 

[Rpo0921]

Actually, it does in some regards, they cannot record any medical data by law. The can record specific needs, such as cannot wait in line due to crowd issues. But they can't record what causes those crowd issues, as they are not medical professionals. Now by using medical professionals, they technically can record it, but that data can't be shared to Disney and must be protected under HIPPA standards and there is a whole series of things that go into that. I doubt Disney is willing to invest the money they doing that will require.

I don’t believe this to be true. Any medical information you disclose to Disney (or anyone else) is done at your discretion and isn’t PHI if you choose to share it.

 

[Liquidice]

Yes. I have been so sick all day since i read it. When it said only four people and we are a family five had a panic attack. I know im not supposed to worry and stress and constantly check for any clarification, but i just cant help it. My trips isn't until November so realistically i know i will have more information by then. But my anxiety is saying they wont make an exception for a family of five if it includes grandparents.

I suspect they will be able to make an exception for you and I am sure we will hear more in the next month or so as people try to apply for the new DAS. Crossing my fingers for you!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

There is no requirement that all accommodations be equal.

No but the requirement is that the accommodation must be reasonable. Given some of the conditions described on this board, the proposed accommodations don’t appear reasonable.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Actually, it happens way more than you realize. Just pediatricians can technically provide that off of parent report. I know this because I work in early intervention and school-based sped services as a therapist. I even know a cheap place where a psychologist diagnoses every child I know with zero differential diagnosis evals or referrals for OT to rule out non-aut sensory delays. It is heartbreaking. And we meet many families who now assume their child has it bc of these negligent practitioners, and the parents are elated bc of all of the services/benefits that come with that diagnosis. Never seen anything like it.

But why would the parents want the services that come with a diagnosis if their child doesn't even need those services?

"Fun" note. DLR doesn't have DAS or mobility viewing for fireworks at all.

Yeah, this is such a bummer for fireworks and parades. My son can't sit/stand and wait forever for the parade and there never seems to be a way to get a decent spot for him to see at the last minute. So we never get to watch parades. Fireworks we can usually catch part of from various spots in the park, at least. But never get to see them from main street.

The same way Disney can, with a few keystrokes, bring up what tix/AP one had years ago…

had thot Disney likely keeps a file on those who have utilized DAS previously???

or not, might violate HIPPA

If so, my point is, think they just might look very closely at those who suddenly backtrack on their disabilities

Not sure if they'd even bother to cross reference even if they did save this info.

Everyone is assuming TikTok fakers will get DAS for claiming autism. I'm pretty sure that for 18+, there will be enormous scrutiny for DAS for all developmental disorders (just like with all the physical disorders now), and those folks without severe cases will also be offered "leave the line" for when they can't wait in line.

I'm pretty sure Disney is planning an adult crackdown, no matter the disability issue. And then they'll see where their lines for standby and LL are this summer, and how guest satisfaction changes.

I hope this isn't the case. My son will likely need DAS his entire life. He may end up being more verbal by the time he's 18 but I can't see him being able to ask for DAS on his own or anything like that.

I bet there would be a great market for a G+ that works like DAS!


No offense but that sounds like abuse of the system from a technical stand point as G+ could mostly serve the same needs. Semantics aside, its a prime reason Disney has decided to crack down.

G+ certainly doesn't serve the same purpose for us as DAS. Our son doesn't like most of the thrill rides. He likes to go on his favorites, multiple times a day. Thankfully a lot of those have short enough waits for him. But when they don't, we use DAS. And we often get a DAS return for the same ride, multiple times in one day. You can't do that with G+, which makes it not at all worth it for us.

Actually, it does in some regards, they cannot record any medical data by law. The can record specific needs, such as cannot wait in line due to crowd issues. But they can't record what causes those crowd issues, as they are not medical professionals. Now by using medical professionals, they technically can record it, but that data can't be shared to Disney and must be protected under HIPPA standards and there is a whole series of things that go into that. I doubt Disney is willing to invest the money they doing that will require.

I really don't think Disney is required to abide by HIPAA. https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html

Right - those autistic adults tend not to be able to function normally...at all. They don't go to Disney solo or as in charge of others, they tend to require aides/family to access the parks.

Those will be the autistic adults easily keeping DAS. Those that just struggle to sometimes wait in line, but can travel solo and traverse the parks solo, will likely fall into "leave the line" passes.

Just for educational purposes...I recommend avoiding phrases like say that imply autistic people aren't normal. Even if it isn't your intent, that's very ableist language and comes across quite insulting.

 

[OurBigTrip]

No but the requirement is that the accommodation must be reasonable. Given some of the conditions described on this board, the proposed accommodations don’t appear reasonable.

We can agree to disagree.

 

[PrincessNelly]

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...

My issue was the result of gastrointestinal surgery. It is a side effect of a procedure I had. I don't go to a doctor regularly because it's just something I have to deal with for the rest of my life. There's no treatment or medicine necessary.
So I can understand why some people may have a hard time getting notes when a doctor isn't actively treating them for that thing.
My surgery happened in an ER. The specialist who preformed my surgery saw me for a couple follow ups then I haven't seen him ever again. Lol. my primary care doctor wasn't even involved in my care at all.

 

[Liquidice]

If leaving the line works, why would a DAS be needed?

Imagine for a second having to leave the standby line, multiple times. For a bathroom emergency. Some of the standby lines are exceptionally long. Think about how long it takes to walk the standby queue for Flight of Passage when there is nobody in line. Now think about doing that when it is full of people. People who are hot and squished in a queue where there isn't enough room for someone to squeeze by and don't want to move aside for you.

It might take 10 or more minutes to traverse that queue with people in it. Now do this again but with a bathroom emergency.

This isn't the only line thats like this, its just the one that popped into my head. I know FoP has a single person bathroom somewhere along the queue - even with this being the case, it can be a long walk to that bathroom and then you have to hope nobody is using it.

How is that a reasonable accommodation? You are assuming it is. Disney at this point hasn't explained enough of how it will actually work. But if its similar to the bathroom pass being used today, it is exactly as awful as I described above.

Maybe Disney has some better way to do it, but I'm not really sure how you could do this and then also get back to your place in line.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

They aren’t discriminating, they’re offering a different accommodation.

You can’t offer accommodation based on a diagnosis it’s based on needs if your needs can be met with an alternative accommodation then they can meet your needs that way. You can’t do
Something like say only people with broken legs can use the handicapped seat at the movie theater you have to provide it for anyone with a need that requires that particular accommodation.

 

[snoopboop]

No, that’s my point. For individuals who have IBS, or any number of conditions that require frequent trips to the bathroom, it wouldn’t be leaving the line once during an attraction. It could be several times - so I’m struggling to understand how this ‘leaving the line’ solution would really help those individuals.

This.

My AAP at Universal - and my DAS at Disney until now, apparently - allows me to monitor my body and, after my wait time has passed and my return window is available, to proceed to the attraction - after waiting the same amount of time as everyone else in line but without the dehumanization and humiliation of repeated walks of shame to the bathroom. This accommodation allows me to access attractions while retaining my dignity.

The sheer disregard and dehumanization in this thread is astounding.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Imagine for a second having to leave the standby line, multiple times. For a bathroom emergency. Some of the standby lines are exceptionally long. Think about how long it takes to walk the standby queue for Flight of Passage when there is nobody in line. Now think about doing that when it is full of people. People who are hot and squished in a queue where there isn't enough room for someone to squeeze by and don't want to move aside for you.

It might take 10 or more minutes to traverse that queue with people in it. Now do this again but with a bathroom emergency.

This isn't the only line thats like this, its just the one that popped into my head. I know FoP has a single person bathroom somewhere along the queue - even with this being the case, it can be a long walk to that bathroom and then you have to hope nobody is using it.

How is that a reasonable accommodation? You are assuming it is. Disney at this point hasn't explained enough of how it will actually work. But if its similar to the bathroom pass being used today, it is exactly as awful as I described above.

Maybe Disney has some better way to do it, but I'm not really sure how you could do this and then also get back to your place in line.

Thank you for explaining this in a way that I could not.

 

[Rpo0921]

I really don't think Disney is required to abide by HIPAA. https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html

I mentioned the same earlier and just wanted to add they could be referring to the EU’s GDR as I believe that is written to apply to all EU citizens regardless of physical location. But, since that’s outside of my expertise I haven’t followed how that’s gone in application.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I get the references to Tik Tokers and IBS but struggling to understand why someone who legitimately has IBS isn’t viewed as needing DAS? If people have a condition that requires them to leave lines repeatedly - how is DAS not a reasonable accommodation? The alternative seems like it would put an unfair burden on individuals who already have enough to deal with. What am I missing?

I don’t have inside information but Disney has to take all of its stakeholders (including other DAS users and non-DAS park goers) and balance the accommodation options with their likelihood of exploitation and the availability of alternatives that are not as desirable for cheating/faking. A return to line pass is legally an acceptable accommodation for IBS, but also one that is less likely to inspire people to request access for themselves and several friends each time they visit. Others have speculated that they want to crack down generally on adults trying to cheat the system—and for better or worse, there are a few major, easily faked, diagnoses that they probably want to discourage (while still making acceptable but less desirable accommodations for those who need them).

 

[notatallmagic]

We have a family of 3 with Incredipasses. We have SIX trips booked with non refundable airfare and Disney resort and park reservations; 5 trips in the next 90 days. All of these much anticipated plans were made with the reasonable expectation that the DAS would continue to provide my grown kiddo with the strategies she needs to experience the parks safely. So now we have lots of unknowns and huge sunk costs.

Two unrelated thoughts - For those who say that riding certain rides while a DAS ticks down is ""abuse " - I STRONGLY disagree. We literally have a "script" for each park, designed by the DAS holder, that works most days. It includes shade, food, restrooms, rest, and "sitting rides" (for example People Mover) while waiting for Space Mountain; or Nemo while while waiting for Soarin. Some days go well, others not, but that's not abuse. We often ride the train at Magic Kingdom for example as it's sitting and mostly shaded, while waiting for longer rides. Not sure how that should be a problem, or abuse. There are very limited shady seating areas in some parks, so short line rides are shaded and seated, which many of us need.

As far as her current physical disability; when things go bad it can be life threatening or worse. So DAS is absolutely necessary, but now, maybe not "included". So how bizarre is it that my OTHER child, who hasn't used/applied for a DAS before because his sister's condition is so much more dangerous, WOULD now be eligible, with a 60 page formal diagnosis of severe anxiety and ADHD. He's been able to "benefit" from hers, but now HE is the one who would qualify? There's never been a need to have 2 DAS for our little family, but it's so ridiculous that his disability is now more "favored" than hers.