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

[Genie+]

*It also occurs to me that sometimes people in my F&F list visit WDW on the same day as me, but we might only see each other for a meal - I’d still be solo for rides - would the fact that we have park reservations on the same day mean I couldn’t get DAS that day? IDK but maybe I’ll need to dump the few friends I have in my F&F list to avoid that issue.

I think it wouldn’t matter if an F&F acquaintance had overlapping days with your visit. If they’re only issuing DAS for when you are solo, it would only cover one rider. They wouldn’t need to pay attention if F&F overlaps or not.

 

[Genie+]

That was my thought at first, too, and what caught me off guard was the anti-AQR talk. Like, I know I’m in the minority, but if you don’t want to approve me, please just deny me politely and we can move on lol! But why then push me not to use the alternate accommodations available? So weird.

The anti-AQR talk/dissuasion may have been because it is not meant to be a solution across the board. It seems like it’s more geared toward situations that arise (like some combo of the guest’s circumstance, which ride and current operations), not something to be used by default each ride.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I can see how being in limbo is not ideal though it’s also encouraging they didn’t outright dismiss accommodation through DAS.

 

[PrincessV]

The anti-AQR talk/dissuasion may have been because it is not meant to be a solution across the board. It seems like it’s more geared toward situations that arise (like some combo of the guest’s circumstance, which ride and current operations), not something to be used by default each ride.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I can see how being in limbo is not ideal though it’s also encouraging they didn’t outright dismiss accommodation through DAS.

Agreed - the CM and I didn’t get deep into details of how I tour, so they were probably thinking asking for AQR at “every ride” could look like asking a dozen or more times a day, where I look at it as I might need to ask 1-3 times a day. I’m a “lazy” visitor who spends more time OUT of attractions than in, lol!

 

[PrincessV]

Well, after going through all that only to be approved for one day at a time… the one day for which I was approved I now need to cancel. Maybe I’ll book a day next weekend and try to call again this week? I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to deal with going through it all again so soon, and boy does this show me that doing it EVERY DAY of a multi-day trip is never going to happen. I just can’t.

By no means am I soliciting any pity here - but I do want others who struggle with needing to detail their troubles in a DAS chat so much that they’d almost (or maybe even certainly) rather not experience their favorite attractions than go through it over and over to know this: your feelings are valid, and I see you.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Well, after going through all that only to be approved for one day at a time… the one day for which I was approved I now need to cancel. Maybe I’ll book a day next weekend and try to call again this week? I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to deal with going through it all again so soon, and boy does this show me that doing it EVERY DAY of a multi-day trip is never going to happen. I just can’t.

By no means am I soliciting any pity here - but I do want others who struggle with needing to detail their troubles in a DAS chat so much that they’d almost (or maybe even certainly) rather not experience their favorite attractions than go through it over and over to know this: your feelings are valid, and I see you.

. Asking someone to go through that process every day of a multi day trip really would be too much. I c don't understand why they're treating your DAs approval differently than any other AP holder's (I'm gathering from your posts that you're an AP holder?)

 

[PrincessV]

. Asking someone to go through that process every day of a multi day trip really would be too much. I c don't understand why they're treating your DAs approval differently than any other AP holder's (I'm gathering from your posts that you're an AP holder?)

I don’t understand, either. I worked up the nerve to call back because I need to change the date of my next visit and have no idea if changing the park reservation I have tomorrow to a new date will also cancel the DAS approval for that single day, and if I ever get through (I’ve been in the queue for a while now but have to leave soon, pointing to another major flaw with “just call every day!”…), I’ll ask why I can’t have the 120 day approval like every other AP. If nothing else, I’d like to hear what a different CM says about it.

 

[jennab]

I don’t understand, either. I worked up the nerve to call back because I need to change the date of my next visit and have no idea if changing the park reservation I have tomorrow to a new date will also cancel the DAS approval for that single day, and if I ever get through (I’ve been in the queue for a while now but have to leave soon, pointing to another major flaw with “just call every day!”…), I’ll ask why I can’t have the 120 day approval like every other AP. If nothing else, I’d like to hear what a different CM says about it.

Curious what the next CM says. Although, if you did have to call every day while on vacation, I believe you would be connected much quicker. My understanding is if you state you are currently at Disney you get through quicker.

 

[PrincessV]

I finally got through… and had an “approval” unlike any I’ve seen reported before. For background, I’m a semi-local AP at WDW who does some single day visits and some multi-day trips each year.

I described what happens to me in long lines etc. and my problems with lines are severe enough that they DO want me to use DAS - that was made clear… but they also don’t technically meet full DAS approval criteria, so I was approved for a single day at a time and will need to reapply every day I wish to visit - and only if I’m visiting solo. I have some multi-day trips planned, but it doesn’t matter: I was told to do the chat each day I want to visit. So in practical terms, if I were visiting Sept. 10, 11, 12, and 13, I’d need to chat to get the 10th approved, visit that day, and then chat again on the 11th. Rinse and repeat for the 12th and 13th. And again, this is only when I’m solo (which is most of the time) - any time I might be visiting with others I’d be denied.*

I did mention - politely! - that I’ve not seen this kind of accomodation mentioned anywhere, so I was a little thrown. I thought APs were to be approved for 120 days? Only if the AP meets certain criteria, apparently. They also told me that CMs can also only be approved one day at a time. (I am not a CM.)

We talked about the logistics of that and I said that it took several hours to get through today due to technical issues, and I don’t usually have ANY time in my daily life to do it, even if it goes straight through, so I’ll probably just use AQR instead. The CM tried to dissuade me from that, saying I certainly can, but that it would require asking at every attraction and some CMs/some rides won’t be willing to do anything, so it will be better for me to do the DAS chat every time. Of course, that assumes I’d be approved every time and no one can guarantee that, so I’m not seeing how doing a daily DAS chat is better. That was really odd to me.

I’m kind of stunned. I was prepared to be approved, or rejected - I was NOT prepared for something in-between! Not sure what I’ll do with this. Realistically, calling every day I plan to visit isn’t going to happen: my issues are very hard to talk about without triggering the issue itself and that is not something I wish to do every morning of a vacation. I think I’ll continue trying AQR, hitting rides when lines are short, buying ILL or whatever they’re called now if and when I have the money and inclination for individual rides, and honestly - just not doing some rides anymore, I guess. Like I did before a CM suggested I try DAS, ironically. Maybe if I’m feeling up to it, I’ll try doing the chat in the park some days, where I’d expect to be sent through the queue more quickly.

*It also occurs to me that sometimes people in my F&F list visit WDW on the same day as me, but we might only see each other for a meal - I’d still be solo for rides - would the fact that we have park reservations on the same day mean I couldn’t get DAS that day? IDK but maybe I’ll need to dump the few friends I have in my F&F list to avoid that issue.

Frankly, this is just more than I wish to think about for a day at WDW. I don’t plan ahead, I don’t buy MultiGenieFP++, I don’t make ADRs - I visit when I feel like visiting with as little fuss involved as possible and am unwilling to change that. In the end, I’m glad I downgraded my AP when I renewed recently and just won’t go to WDW at busy times anymore.

I’m quoting myself to provide an update on this bizarre situation. For background again, I’m a WDW AP, semi-local in that I do a combination of day short visits and multi-day trips each year, and have been approved multiple times for DAS in the Before Times with a non-physical disability that is not ASD.

Tl;dr: after a lengthy combination of text and video chatting, I was approved like a normal AP for 120 days from my next planned visit. I also learned some new things about using and modifying DAS that may be helpful to others - I’ll throw those in at the end if you want to skip the full saga!

Long version: I got into the chat again today because I’m no longer able to visit on the single day that was approved and I didn’t know if I modified my park reservation to a new date, would the DAS approval transfer to that new date? Or would I have to start the process all over? I also wanted to take the opportunity to see if I could get more clarity on why I was seemingly singled out for this in-between accommodation that would require me to re-register every single day I wish to visit.

CM2 - I’ll refer to the original one I spoke with last week as CM1 and the one today as CM2 - in the text chat saw that I’d called the day before and really wanted to answer any questions I had about it in text, not video. Apparently they try to reserve the video for registration only. Totally fair… but this was complicated! We did our best: I explained what I’d been told by CM1, that I now needed to change my next visit date, and that I’d also like to talk about the why of requiring me to re-register for each day I go to a park and want to use DAS. CM2 suggested that I only call when my plans were finalized - again, fair… but I explained that I live nearby and even the best laid plans to pop over for a few hours often have to change without much notice because, you know, life. And that if I’ve only got a few hours to spend, I’m not keen on spending time at GR in the park detailing a disability that is awful for me to discuss and also not particularly pleasant for the person who has to hear it.

CM2 typed the standard version of stating that I’m welcome to use the other accommodations (AQR) in the parks, where I’d only need to make a quick request with a ride CM, no details necessary. And I typed back that I was totally fine with trying that, but that I’d said as much to CM1 and was strongly dissuaded from doing that. That CM1 had stressed to me that they felt DAS would better serve my needs and was Disney’s preferred accommodation for me. And that that’s why I’m so confused.

CM2 asked me to stand by for a few minutes, then came back and asked if I’d like to start a video call. Yes, please!

They were GREAT. Like, I thought CM1 was fine, but CM2 was MUCH better; I now understand what others have reported about it being luck of the draw, because the two experiences - while equally polite, friendly, and professional - were very different in ways I don’t want to detail too much. CM2 told me we were throwing out the previous conversation with CM1, for which CM2 couldn't see any notes anyway, and starting fresh, as if the whole weird first call never happened. So I detailed my issues with the only difference this time being that I did offer my diagnosis - because it’s relevant to my how my symptoms present and has always seemed helpful to other DAS determining CMs in the parks in the Before Times. And just like every time before, I was told yes, this is something for which DAS is Disney’s preferred accommodation, I was approved for the standard 120 days following my next planned visit, AND CM2 told me I can add up to 4 other Guests from my F&F list in the future, in case I want to visit with others. I did not request that at all, and made no mention of ever wanting DAS outside of solo visiting, but I’m very appreciative to have the option.

So, some takeaways that might help others:

1. If you are confused about what was offered, it might be worth circling back and pushing - nicely! - for some better answers. I was fully prepared to be denied entirely and said as much, but just did not see how what I was offered by CM1 was going to work for me or for Disney, and more than anything wanted more clarity.

2. IF you find yourself with a DAS approval starting for Day A and your plans change so you need it for Day B instead, it’s a simplified process - just say so in the chat and they’ll handle it from there - it might require opening the video for a 2nd photo or it might not.

3. If you need to add members or modify your DAS party, yes you can visit GR in the parks to do it. But also, you can do so via chat in MDE - you do NOT need to go to the DAS-specific chat: the people who field the regular chat box can handle this, too. That was new to me!

In the end, I’m happy I got back in touch to ask about it. I can’t say for sure, but my impression was that what CM1 did the other day was a one-off that is not normal protocol at all. I’ll never know why I was singled out for that weirdness, which - not gonna lie - will nag at me a little lol!

 

[OurBigTrip]

I’m quoting myself to provide an update on this bizarre situation. For background again, I’m a WDW AP, semi-local in that I do a combination of day short visits and multi-day trips each year, and have been approved multiple times for DAS in the Before Times with a non-physical disability that is not ASD.

Tl;dr: after a lengthy combination of text and video chatting, I was approved like a normal AP for 120 days from my next planned visit. I also learned some new things about using and modifying DAS that may be helpful to others - I’ll throw those in at the end if you want to skip the full saga!

Long version: I got into the chat again today because I’m no longer able to visit on the single day that was approved and I didn’t know if I modified my park reservation to a new date, would the DAS approval transfer to that new date? Or would I have to start the process all over? I also wanted to take the opportunity to see if I could get more clarity on why I was seemingly singled out for this in-between accommodation that would require me to re-register every single day I wish to visit.

CM2 - I’ll refer to the original one I spoke with last week as CM1 and the one today as CM2 - in the text chat saw that I’d called the day before and really wanted to answer any questions I had about it in text, not video. Apparently they try to reserve the video for registration only. Totally fair… but this was complicated! We did our best: I explained what I’d been told by CM1, that I now needed to change my next visit date, and that I’d also like to talk about the why of requiring me to re-register for each day I go to a park and want to use DAS. CM2 suggested that I only call when my plans were finalized - again, fair… but I explained that I live nearby and even the best laid plans to pop over for a few hours often have to change without much notice because, you know, life. And that if I’ve only got a few hours to spend, I’m not keen on spending time at GR in the park detailing a disability that is awful for me to discuss and also not particularly pleasant for the person who has to hear it.

CM2 typed the standard version of stating that I’m welcome to use the other accommodations (AQR) in the parks, where I’d only need to make a quick request with a ride CM, no details necessary. And I typed back that I was totally fine with trying that, but that I’d said as much to CM1 and was strongly dissuaded from doing that. That CM1 had stressed to me that they felt DAS would better serve my needs and was Disney’s preferred accommodation for me. And that that’s why I’m so confused.

CM2 asked me to stand by for a few minutes, then came back and asked if I’d like to start a video call. Yes, please!

They were GREAT. Like, I thought CM1 was fine, but CM2 was MUCH better; I now understand what others have reported about it being luck of the draw, because the two experiences - while equally polite, friendly, and professional - were very different in ways I don’t want to detail too much. CM2 told me we were throwing out the previous conversation with CM1, for which CM2 couldn't see any notes anyway, and starting fresh, as if the whole weird first call never happened. So I detailed my issues with the only difference this time being that I did offer my diagnosis - because it’s relevant to my how my symptoms present and has always seemed helpful to other DAS determining CMs in the parks in the Before Times. And just like every time before, I was told yes, this is something for which DAS is Disney’s preferred accommodation, I was approved for the standard 120 days following my next planned visit, AND CM2 told me I can add up to 4 other Guests from my F&F list in the future, in case I want to visit with others. I did not request that at all, and made no mention of ever wanting DAS outside of solo visiting, but I’m very appreciative to have the option.

So, some takeaways that might help others:

1. If you are confused about what was offered, it might be worth circling back and pushing - nicely! - for some better answers. I was fully prepared to be denied entirely and said as much, but just did not see how what I was offered by CM1 was going to work for me or for Disney, and more than anything wanted more clarity.

2. IF you find yourself with a DAS approval starting for Day A and your plans change so you need it for Day B instead, it’s a simplified process - just say so in the chat and they’ll handle it from there - it might require opening the video for a 2nd photo or it might not.

3. If you need to add members or modify your DAS party, yes you can visit GR in the parks to do it. But also, you can do so via chat in MDE - you do NOT need to go to the DAS-specific chat: the people who field the regular chat box can handle this, too. That was new to me!

In the end, I’m happy I got back in touch to ask about it. I can’t say for sure, but my impression was that what CM1 did the other day was a one-off that is not normal protocol at all. I’ll never know why I was singled out for that weirdness, which - not gonna lie - will nag at me a little lol!

I'm so glad they straightened it out - the previous option sounds like a nightmare!

 

[jennab]

I’m quoting myself to provide an update on this bizarre situation. For background again, I’m a WDW AP, semi-local in that I do a combination of day short visits and multi-day trips each year, and have been approved multiple times for DAS in the Before Times with a non-physical disability that is not ASD.

Tl;dr: after a lengthy combination of text and video chatting, I was approved like a normal AP for 120 days from my next planned visit. I also learned some new things about using and modifying DAS that may be helpful to others - I’ll throw those in at the end if you want to skip the full saga!

Long version: I got into the chat again today because I’m no longer able to visit on the single day that was approved and I didn’t know if I modified my park reservation to a new date, would the DAS approval transfer to that new date? Or would I have to start the process all over? I also wanted to take the opportunity to see if I could get more clarity on why I was seemingly singled out for this in-between accommodation that would require me to re-register every single day I wish to visit.

CM2 - I’ll refer to the original one I spoke with last week as CM1 and the one today as CM2 - in the text chat saw that I’d called the day before and really wanted to answer any questions I had about it in text, not video. Apparently they try to reserve the video for registration only. Totally fair… but this was complicated! We did our best: I explained what I’d been told by CM1, that I now needed to change my next visit date, and that I’d also like to talk about the why of requiring me to re-register for each day I go to a park and want to use DAS. CM2 suggested that I only call when my plans were finalized - again, fair… but I explained that I live nearby and even the best laid plans to pop over for a few hours often have to change without much notice because, you know, life. And that if I’ve only got a few hours to spend, I’m not keen on spending time at GR in the park detailing a disability that is awful for me to discuss and also not particularly pleasant for the person who has to hear it.

CM2 typed the standard version of stating that I’m welcome to use the other accommodations (AQR) in the parks, where I’d only need to make a quick request with a ride CM, no details necessary. And I typed back that I was totally fine with trying that, but that I’d said as much to CM1 and was strongly dissuaded from doing that. That CM1 had stressed to me that they felt DAS would better serve my needs and was Disney’s preferred accommodation for me. And that that’s why I’m so confused.

CM2 asked me to stand by for a few minutes, then came back and asked if I’d like to start a video call. Yes, please!

They were GREAT. Like, I thought CM1 was fine, but CM2 was MUCH better; I now understand what others have reported about it being luck of the draw, because the two experiences - while equally polite, friendly, and professional - were very different in ways I don’t want to detail too much. CM2 told me we were throwing out the previous conversation with CM1, for which CM2 couldn't see any notes anyway, and starting fresh, as if the whole weird first call never happened. So I detailed my issues with the only difference this time being that I did offer my diagnosis - because it’s relevant to my how my symptoms present and has always seemed helpful to other DAS determining CMs in the parks in the Before Times. And just like every time before, I was told yes, this is something for which DAS is Disney’s preferred accommodation, I was approved for the standard 120 days following my next planned visit, AND CM2 told me I can add up to 4 other Guests from my F&F list in the future, in case I want to visit with others. I did not request that at all, and made no mention of ever wanting DAS outside of solo visiting, but I’m very appreciative to have the option.

So, some takeaways that might help others:

1. If you are confused about what was offered, it might be worth circling back and pushing - nicely! - for some better answers. I was fully prepared to be denied entirely and said as much, but just did not see how what I was offered by CM1 was going to work for me or for Disney, and more than anything wanted more clarity.

2. IF you find yourself with a DAS approval starting for Day A and your plans change so you need it for Day B instead, it’s a simplified process - just say so in the chat and they’ll handle it from there - it might require opening the video for a 2nd photo or it might not.

3. If you need to add members or modify your DAS party, yes you can visit GR in the parks to do it. But also, you can do so via chat in MDE - you do NOT need to go to the DAS-specific chat: the people who field the regular chat box can handle this, too. That was new to me!

In the end, I’m happy I got back in touch to ask about it. I can’t say for sure, but my impression was that what CM1 did the other day was a one-off that is not normal protocol at all. I’ll never know why I was singled out for that weirdness, which - not gonna lie - will nag at me a little lol!

Your previous approval was the first I’ve seen of that type. Curious if that is new or what? Maybe we will see more reports of it, or maybe it was a one off?

 

[PrincessV]

Your previous approval was the first I’ve seen of that type. Curious if that is new or what? Maybe we will see more reports of it, or maybe it was a one off?

I don’t think it’s a real thing, TBH. The second CM seemed as confused by what I’d been told as I was and went to their supervisor to ask what to do with the situation - it was the supervisor who suggested we start fresh. They also explained that the details of conversations are not kept in notes, so they had no way of seeing what the first CM told me… so there was never even any record of me being given an “accommodation” of calling for every day of a visit and I think any CM answering those calls would have been confused!

~~~

I’ll be honest: I had some skepticism for some of the reports here and elsewhere speaking of CMs seemingly going rogue, advising things that don’t make sense, making comments about diagnoses, etc. I don’t think I ever expressed my skepticism, but I’d like to broadly apologize anyway because I’ve now seen for myself that it absolutely happens. I’m still a little shocked that CM1 diagnosed me off the 5 minutes of issues I described - it’s a pretty easy diagnosis, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if a CM who’s been doing these interviews and/or has had experience with my disability in their own lives would connect the dots in their mind… but to tell me their diagnosis? Uh-uh. Not appropriate, and totally against what Disney has stressed about “NEEDS, not diagnoses.” And I suspect their determination of my diagnosis swayed their decision - because my NEEDS are very much in line with the needs of ASD “or similar”, but the diagnosis is not ASD.

 

[disney2025]

This is probably not allowed for discussion so I will keep it brief, but if anyone has been denied I highly recommend speaking with the guest relations CMs in Town Hall. They are seeking feedback that they can submit due to the third party's handling of the new system (medical professionals and the contracted employees that are working to determine eligibility). The discrepancies in approvals/denials and subsequent handling of the system has not necessarily been viewed favorably by those who previously handled the system.

 

[OurBigTrip]

This is probably not allowed for discussion so I will keep it brief, but if anyone has been denied I highly recommend speaking with the guest relations CMs in Town Hall. They are seeking feedback that they can submit due to the third party's handling of the new system (medical professionals and the contracted employees that are working to determine eligibility). The discrepancies in approvals/denials and subsequent handling of the system has not necessarily been viewed favorably by those who previously handled the system.

Not saying I disagree with letting the CMs at Town Hall know if anyone is concerned with the process, but of course the people who were giving DAS out like candy aren't going to view the changes favorably.

 

[nalababybear]

This is probably not allowed for discussion so I will keep it brief, but if anyone has been denied I highly recommend speaking with the guest relations CMs in Town Hall. They are seeking feedback that they can submit due to the third party's handling of the new system (medical professionals and the contracted employees that are working to determine eligibility). The discrepancies in approvals/denials and subsequent handling of the system has not necessarily been viewed favorably by those who previously handled the system.

Are you saying the CMs in the accessibility team are not regular CMs?

 

[nalababybear]

Not saying I disagree with letting the CMs at Town Hall know if anyone is concerned with the process, but of course the people who were giving DAS out like candy aren't going to view the changes favorably.

They were instructed to do so as that was the Disney procedure before the revamp and pivot.

It's hard for any customer service oriented person inclined to help the patron not to be empathetic, even if tasked to be regimented as the new accessibility team is

 

[OurBigTrip]

Are you saying the CMs in the accessibility team are not regular CMs?

I think they are CMs (never heard before that anyone other than the medical professionals were third-party), but I don't think (with few exceptions) that they are the same CMs who were doing it before, but I could certainly be wrong on that.

 

[disney2025]

Are you saying the CMs in the accessibility team are not regular CMs?

Yes. Still referred to as CMs, but not employed by Disney.

 

[OurBigTrip]

They were instructed to do so as that was the Disney procedure before the revamp and pivot.

It's hard for any customer service oriented person inclined to help the patron not to be empathetic, even if tasked to be regimented as the new accessibility team is

Sorry, but I don't believe that Disney ever intended for CMs to hand them out for all of things for which guests were getting them over the past few years. And I certainly don't believe Disney leadership ever instructed them to do so.

And I agree 100% with your last statement, but that's exactly why customer service people shouldn't be making DAS decisions, IMO.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yes. Still referred to as CMs, but not employed by Disney.

Curious as to where you're getting this information.

 

[disney2025]

Not saying I disagree with letting the CMs at Town Hall know if anyone is concerned with the process, but of course the people who were giving DAS out like candy aren't going to view the changes favorably.

Absolutely, but there is a bit more to it than just the actual employees of Disney who were giving out DAS to conditions that may benefit from other accommodations. I don't want to get into what I was informed as mods probably don't want this under discussion but guest relations is happy to get any type of feedback so they have more than conjecture to go off of.