Yes, it's extremely stressful. Especially when your children have difficulty with verbal expression or comprehension of the questions. I've emailed guest relations about it, because it's not a very accommodating process. They cast members were very patient and kind, but it's not an easy process.
Thanks for your reply! I've tried to be careful with my works to not vilify DAS, and I think your analysis is true in many case.
I should also say that one of the reasons the child needs to be present for the interview is that they take their picture for the pass. When someone scans in with their DAS, their picture pops up so that the Cast Member can make sure it's the correct person. Yet another reason why abusing the system is very hard to do. You can't just borrow the magic band of someone with DAS and use it. It has to be the actual person with the pass.
One thing I wonder is how Tom Bricker would know that Disney has seen an increase in abuse. For that matter, I wonder how DISNEY would even know this - since most of the disabilities are invisible.Thanks for your reply! I've tried to be careful with my works to not vilify DAS, and I think your analysis is true in many case.
My inquiry into this topic was always anecdotal, since none of us have access to the statistics regarding DAS and G+. I read an article by Tom Bricker that Disney "has seen an increase in abuse of its Disability Access Service, and is starting to crack down on improper DAS use as a result" (from DisneyTouristBlog). That signaled to me this is a pervasive issue, which led me to asking the question if other guests saw/felt differently.
Thanks for your response! I appreciate you taking the time to clarify your perspective/ experience with this
I believe Tom Bricker has insider information, like Scott Gustin or some others who report on Disney news.
Not sure. This is a good question.
Yeah, maybe. The answers to things such as these are way above my pay grade. But it's an interesting idea.
It would help if Disney put some messaging out there so that regular guests understood how DAS worked. If those waiting 2 hours in the regular line knew that DAS passholders ALSO waited 2 hours for that same ride (they were just waiting in a way that accommodated their disabilities), it might help smooth ruffled feathers.
Tom Bricker and others were reporting on an article by Insider where they are allegedly cracking down on third party tour guides, which has been against Disney policy for years they just never enforced it. Allegedly some of them may have been abusing the DAS system.
Thanks for the clarification!
I suggest you do some research on what an invisible disability is. An understanding of Autism Spectrum disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder, etc. would be a good starting place.
I have one of those disabilities that you are referring to. On a good day, I work out, hold a high level corporate job and take care of a family. On a bad day, I can barely get out of bed. I use the DAS when NEEDED, some days are better than others but if you met me on a good day you'd never know.
I'd like to counter this, since many people have disabilities that are, in fact, invisible, and yet they are actually disabilities. For example, there are people with certain medical conditions who can walk a few hundred yards, however, they are actually physically unable to walk, say, half a mile. And people who cannot stand for long periods of time.
Here's the problem that needs to be fixed; the standby lines just crawl, especially Frozen. An hour long line that is moving is far better than an hour long line that comes to a complete standstill for minutes at a time. Those are day-killers. If it doesn't bug you to cut that line knowing you are putting other people through that, well, let's just say you and I are made of different stuff because it DOES bug me - A LOT.
Having waited once for 90 minutes in the Frozen SB line, my feeling about it is that the absolute worst thing about the line is that, until the very end, there's utterly nothing to do, nothing to look, nothing even to hear. I mean, they could show the entire movie on a loop and at least it'd be entertainment while you're standing in this nothing-happening, nothing-to-look-at-or-do line.
It's interesting how you keep referring to people who purchase Genie+ and LL and even ILLs at Disney - a product they offer to all guests with tickets - as "line cutters". I understand you don't like it, and that's fine. But no one is cutting any lines by using Genie+/LL and ILL. You can keep referring to it as such since you are dead set against it, but no one in those lines are doing anything wrong. Line cutting has an intentional negative tone to it, and it's completely inaccurate.
This is the original theory behind the Fastpass! Get people a spot in 'line', but let them spend money elsewhere and then return!
I kinda liked the original FP, although, frankly, I preferred FP+. But now with nearly every park visitor having a smartphone, there's no need.
Frankly, I think that would increase cheating. Disney would have no control over the doctors (or supposed doctors) who sign statements. The way they're doing it now, they have trained CMs who know exactly how to evaluate each DAS applicant.
Agree!
It's also not what actually happened. There was no discernible increase in in-park spending when FP was initially introduced. And, that makes sense. No one is suddenly going to have a second lunch (unless you are a Hobbit), and there are only so many WDW hats one person needs.
