Did the rules for DAS change recently?

[spudinspace]

I always register for DAS because I can't behave myself in long lines due to my ADHD. I have no problem actually waiting, but something in my brain just doesn't let me stay still in a tiny area for an extended period of time. On planes I always have to get up and walk around, and I can't stay in a car for longer than 30 minutes at a time. Before I knew about DAS, I would always start pacing or swaying in lines and bump into other guests.

I told the DAS cast member this, and he said that doesn't qualify me, and never should have. DAS is only for guests who potentially have emergencies and would have to leave a longer queue line. The previous times I registered for DAS I never mentioned my diagnosis, could this have been the issue?


I'm crushed, because I've spent thousands on this vacation and now I'm not going to be able to enjoy the way I envisioned, unless I ruin the moment for other guests. Can I try the video chat again and just not mention the diagnosis?

 

[shosh1530]

You can try again either on the video chat or in person by going to guest services at the start of your trip.

In general, I think it is better to not mention specific diagnosis but instead focus on the difficulty you have when waiting in lines. My son also has ADHD (in addition to some other things), but I don't use the specific diagnoses. Instead I mention that he has a disability that causes X and Y to occur when he waits in lines.

If you are not able to get DAS, you can consider other options for minimizing your time in lines (rope drop/early morning for popular attractions, Genie+).

Good luck. I hope you are able to enjoy your trip!

 

[spudinspace]

I suppose I'll try again tomorrow without mentioning ADHD.

Once I said the word "ADHD", it's like a switch flipped in the cast members head that I was trying to abuse the system. He just kept saying I'm not eligible without anything further.


Do they have access to past chat transcripts and videos? I got a little mad at the cast member and raised my voice.

 

[Lilsia]

I think that it is all over social media to say that you have ADHD to get a DAS, that is probably why he "shut down". It is hard for them to know who actually needs one and who is lying. I can see from their point of view why they feel that swaying back and forth would not be detrimental enough to need a DAS. Since you still are able to be in the line, dealing with your issues by swaying. I get it, I also have ADHD and sometimes I feel like I am going to lose it. I have started reading in line. I have the NOOK app on my phone and I download a bunch of books so reading distracts me while I am in line. Maybe you can find something that helps you. Good luck when you try again tomorrow. Please let us know what they say.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I always register for DAS because I can't behave myself in long lines due to my ADHD. I have no problem actually waiting, but something in my brain just doesn't let me stay still in a tiny area for an extended period of time. On planes I always have to get up and walk around, and I can't stay in a car for longer than 30 minutes at a time. Before I knew about DAS, I would always start pacing or swaying in lines and bump into other guests.

I told the DAS cast member this, and he said that doesn't qualify me, and never should have. DAS is only for guests who potentially have emergencies and would have to leave a longer queue line. The previous times I registered for DAS I never mentioned my diagnosis, could this have been the issue?


I'm crushed, because I've spent thousands on this vacation and now I'm not going to be able to enjoy the way I envisioned, unless I ruin the moment for other guests. Can I try the video chat again and just not mention the diagnosis?

another saying not ADHD but the reasons you can not wait in line, what happens while you wait in line. an another thing if trying video chat, wait and go to Guest Services when you get to the parks

 

[SueM in MN]

Think of answering the question:
What are your concerns with waiting in the regular lines?

That is what the CMs want to discuss with you. Saying you have ADHD doesn’t answer the question. Some people with ADHD don’t have issues with waiting in lines, some might have figured out ways to help with the wait so they don’t have concerns and others might have many issues

 

[ttintagel]

I bump into other guests (and they bump into me) because of my low vision, and I've never been approved for DAS because of it. Not even after I tell them that I've had 30 fractures from simple falls that wouldn't be an issue for somebody with normal bones.

 

[DLgal]

Focus on what issue the pacing and swaying ADDRESSES. Imagine if you could NOT self soothe by pacing/swaying in line. What would happen? Talk about that.

Think about what part of waiting in line triggers the need to pace/sway. Talk about that. Is it specific noises? Smells? Sounds? Visuals? Proximity to people? How does it make you feel.

Do not mention your diagnosis. Say something like "I have a neurological disorder" if you want to qualify WHY you have these issues, but it's not necessary.

 

[Disneykingofkings]

what doesn't make sense to me is that i have been getting the DAS pass for the last 4 or 5 years and up until these last 2 years they never asked/weren't allowed to ask, 'what is your disability' or 'why do you need a DAS pass?' , This was before the online video stuff when you would just go to guest services in whichever park you were at; Now they do ask - so what has changed with the disability act?

 

[starry_solo]

what doesn't make sense to me is that i have been getting the DAS pass for the last 4 or 5 years and up until these last 2 years they never asked/weren't allowed to ask, 'what is your disability' or 'why do you need a DAS pass?' , This was before the online video stuff when you would just go to guest services in whichever park you were at; Now they do ask - so what has changed with the disability act?

nothing has changed. They were never allowed to ask what your disability is but they’ve always been able to ask why you need the DAS pass.

 

[ttintagel]

what doesn't make sense to me is that i have been getting the DAS pass for the last 4 or 5 years and up until these last 2 years they never asked/weren't allowed to ask, 'what is your disability' or 'why do you need a DAS pass?' , This was before the online video stuff when you would just go to guest services in whichever park you were at; Now they do ask - so what has changed with the disability act?

They were absolutely allowed to ask you why you needed DAS, and it's extremely unusual, bordering on negligent, if they didn't. If the policy was to just hand it to everyone who wanted one, no questions asked, the majority of guests would have it.

 

[DLgal]

They were absolutely allowed to ask you why you needed DAS, and it's extremely unusual, bordering on negligent, if they didn't. If the policy was to just hand it to everyone who wanted one, no questions asked, the majority of guests would have it.

Agree with you here, BUT to play devils advocate, the 2 times we used DAS at WDW, we were NOT asked why we needed it. I said "we would like to get a DAS pass" and the CM immediately said "ok, who is it for? I just need to take a photo and I'll explain how it works."

We are primarily DL people and had been asked to explain my son's needs every single one of the dozens and dozens of times we had renewed the DAS every 2 months, for years prior. This behavior at WDW caught us off guard, so it IS very possible the OP had never actually been asked before.

 

[KPeterso]

Agree with you here, BUT to play devils advocate, the 2 times we used DAS at WDW, we were NOT asked why we needed it. I said "we would like to get a DAS pass" and the CM immediately said "ok, who is it for? I just need to take a photo and I'll explain how it works."

We are primarily DL people and had been asked to explain my son's needs every single one of the dozens and dozens of times we had renewed the DAS every 2 months, for years peior. This behavior at WDW caught us off guard, so it IS very possible the OP had never actually been asked before.

Same experience. Disneyland always asked for the details on why it was needed (concerns with the lines - not a diagnosis). Disney World - nope, would say I needed one and they would get it started right away with no questions asked. I always thought it was strange the differences.

 

[DisSurfer878]

what doesn't make sense to me is that i have been getting the DAS pass for the last 4 or 5 years and up until these last 2 years they never asked/weren't allowed to ask, 'what is your disability' or 'why do you need a DAS pass?' , This was before the online video stuff when you would just go to guest services in whichever park you were at; Now they do ask - so what has changed with the disability act?

I keep hearing people say this, but I have went with people when DAS was still GAC and EVEN THEN they asked why the GAC was needed.

I do not know how all these people never got asked a thing.

 

[redberyl]

I have found it is all very inconsistent. Sometimes we are asked why we need it and sometimes not. Different CMs have told me different things about which of my daughters conditions qualify for it. So it really is up to how lucky you get with your CM. Op it's definitely worth trying again

 

[spudinspace]

Update for everyone:

I successfully pre-registered. Followed what everyone said and didn't mention a diagnosis, but what that diagnosis actually does.

Side note: when I failed to register yesterday, it was the end of the day and the cast member was visibly not in a good mood. I registered early today and the cast member was making jokes the whole time.


Thanks for all the help!

 

[Debbie Jean]

People announce their diagnosis… they do it here on the DIS and I have to believe they do it on the video chat. It is important information to you but it is not to the CM. Many times, you announce it and the CM simply goes to their own info page for that diagnosis and stops listening.

The question you will be asked is why waiting in a stand by line is problematic. Don’t tell them what your diagnosis is. The response needs to be specific to exactly what makes this an issue… this happens, that happens.

Remember many people with the same diagnosis have different needs. Starting with that is, I firmly, believe a mistake. You let yourself open to whatever that CM considers their adequate solution…. e.g. get Genie+, use a wheelchair.

And just my opinion… less is more. It’s not an essay question. Be complete but succinct.

 

[gap2368]

Agree with you here, BUT to play devils advocate, the 2 times we used DAS at WDW, we were NOT asked why we needed it. I said "we would like to get a DAS pass" and the CM immediately said "ok, who is it for? I just need to take a photo and I'll explain how it works."

We are primarily DL people and had been asked to explain my son's needs every single one of the dozens and dozens of times we had renewed the DAS every 2 months, for years prior. This behavior at WDW caught us off guard, so it IS very possible the OP had never actually been asked before.

I have a friend that goes to Disney World a lot he was never asked why up until a recent trip where he had a hard time finding the words to say they almost did not give him the DAS until I said why he needed it. the CM do seem to be asking why more then they used to

 

[GoingSince1990]

How do you deal with turbulence on a plane when you have to stay seated, with your seatbelt on, sometimes for an extended period of time?

 

[SueM in MN]

We went to WDW twice a year until the shutdown and have been 4 or 5 times since then.
We were almost always asked why DD needed DAS (and before that GAC)