Crohns and DAS = denied. MODERATOR NOTE: No diagnosis is automatically allowed or denied for DAS. DAS is issued based on needs, not diagnosis

[kristensideaoffun]

I feel for you on this. My husband has combat PTSD and it's been REALLY hard for him to handle a day in the parks lately. He doesn't have DAS for himself, because we have it for our son, but he absolutely WILL NOT get into a standby line with us anymore (my son can handle some lines just fine). The biggest issue nowadays is that the standby wait times are NOT accurate. They are sometimes shorter but more often lately, longer than advertised.

We had a bad situation in the line for Small World at DL, of all rides. It said 15 minutes. It ended up being 45 because I guess the ride had broken down earlier and TONS of people kept coming through the LL line and we didn't move forever. We were trapped in the middle of a switchback and my husband was spiraling out. There was no easy way for him to get out of the line either. He had to put on a podcast and stare at the ground to get through it.

Just last weekend, we used DAS for Webslingers and were in the loading chute when the ride broke down, but they didn't clear the queue or make an announcement or anything. So we were stuck standing in this warm, stuffy hallway for over 15 minutes. We eventually did jump the railings and leave, because we had no idea what was happening and they made no announcement or anything. It was very frustrating. This was on Sunday and as of yesterday, my husband was still "off" from that one experience. It triggered him badly.

My husband is okay with talking about his struggles in general, but he isn't good at explaining what happens to him in crowded lines very well, so I'm not sure how well it would go for him to get his own DAS. He tends to put a dry, comedic spin on things and would probably say something like "I try not to kill other guests" rather than "I spend the time in line paranoid that another guest will suddenly attack me, and I plan how I would fight back, and what move I would use to neutralize them." This is literally what goes through his head while in a crowd that he is in the middle of that he can't easily move away from. I feel like that explanation could get his annual pass revoked and have him put on a trespass list or something. So, he doesn't want to talk about what happens in his mind when he gets triggered. And it seems like the cast members are getting more invasive in their questioning lately. I am almost ready to write Disney an email about it, honestly.

We had a really bad experience with DAS and my husband in January. We have never been to the parks without our daughter (who has epilepsy and received DAS because of it). She wasn’t able to go with us (she stayed home with grandpa) when we decided to go for our anniversary. My husband has PTSD and a TBI from his combat experiences (he is rated 80% disabled by the VA). We had our toddler with us so we only planned to go on rides he could go on, so we didn’t think to get my husband a DAS pass. The first day was pretty rough. Without my daughter with us to help create a buffer (he usually stands between her and I in queues so people won’t bump into him), he got progressively anxious and agitated the more people got into his personal space, especially in those claustrophobic Fantasyland queues. As we were leaving to go to the hotel for a break, he decided to suck it up and ask for a DAS pass. The guy he talked to gave him a REALLY hard time because he could see our daughter’s DAS pass linked to his MK. He finally rolled his eyes and said he’d do him a “favor” this one time. My husband felt pretty humiliated and refused to use it when we came back. We just ended up coming back for our dinner reservation and then leaving again.

I convinced to try again the next morning, only to find the “one time favor” the CM gave us was only valid for the day before, so we would have had to go through the whole thing again. Thankfully, we were there for rope drop and were able to walk on a few rides, but we left at 9:30am once the crowds started to show up. It was so, so disappointing because my husband LOVES Disneyland and now he feels like he can’t ever go without our daughter being there with him.

It’s one of the reasons we won’t be renewing our Keys when they expire.

 

[DLgal]

We had a really bad experience with DAS and my husband in January. We have never been to the parks without our daughter (who has epilepsy and received DAS because of it). She wasn’t able to go with us (she stayed home with grandpa) when we decided to go for our anniversary. My husband has PTSD and a TBI from his combat experiences (he is rated 80% disabled by the VA). We had our toddler with us so we only planned to go on rides he could go on, so we didn’t think to get my husband a DAS pass. The first day was pretty rough. Without my daughter with us to help create a buffer (he usually stands between her and I in queues so people won’t bump into him), he got progressively anxious and agitated the more people got into his personal space, especially in those claustrophobic Fantasyland queues. As we were leaving to go to the hotel for a break, he decided to suck it up and ask for a DAS pass. The guy he talked to gave him a REALLY hard time because he could see our daughter’s DAS pass linked to his MK. He finally rolled his eyes and said he’d do him a “favor” this one time. My husband felt pretty humiliated and refused to use it when we came back. We just ended up coming back for our dinner reservation and then leaving again.

I convinced to try again the next morning, only to find the “one time favor” the CM gave us was only valid for the day before, so we would have had to go through the whole thing again. Thankfully, we were there for rope drop and were able to walk on a few rides, but we left at 9:30am once the crowds started to show up. It was so, so disappointing because my husband LOVES Disneyland and now he feels like he can’t ever go without our daughter being there with him.

It’s one of the reasons we won’t be renewing our Keys when they expire.

Ugh. I'm so sorry. My son's DAS expired and for the first time ever, I'm nervous about renewing it.

We had to leave after 3 hours in the parks on Sunday. There were just too many people and my husband kind of snapped.

 

[Darth Insidious]

We had a really bad experience with DAS and my husband in January. We have never been to the parks without our daughter (who has epilepsy and received DAS because of it). She wasn’t able to go with us (she stayed home with grandpa) when we decided to go for our anniversary. My husband has PTSD and a TBI from his combat experiences (he is rated 80% disabled by the VA). We had our toddler with us so we only planned to go on rides he could go on, so we didn’t think to get my husband a DAS pass. The first day was pretty rough. Without my daughter with us to help create a buffer (he usually stands between her and I in queues so people won’t bump into him), he got progressively anxious and agitated the more people got into his personal space, especially in those claustrophobic Fantasyland queues. As we were leaving to go to the hotel for a break, he decided to suck it up and ask for a DAS pass. The guy he talked to gave him a REALLY hard time because he could see our daughter’s DAS pass linked to his MK. He finally rolled his eyes and said he’d do him a “favor” this one time. My husband felt pretty humiliated and refused to use it when we came back. We just ended up coming back for our dinner reservation and then leaving again.

I convinced to try again the next morning, only to find the “one time favor” the CM gave us was only valid for the day before, so we would have had to go through the whole thing again. Thankfully, we were there for rope drop and were able to walk on a few rides, but we left at 9:30am once the crowds started to show up. It was so, so disappointing because my husband LOVES Disneyland and now he feels like he can’t ever go without our daughter being there with him.

It’s one of the reasons we won’t be renewing our Keys when they expire.

I’m so sorry to hear this

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Ugh. I'm so sorry. My son's DAS expired and for the first time ever, I'm nervous about renewing it.

We had to leave after 3 hours in the parks on Sunday. There were just too many people and my husband kind of snapped.

I totally get it. My husband is the same way. We’re close enough to be able to do day trips but both my daughter and husband (and, of course, the toddler) all need a break from the stimulation mid-day, especially when the crowds reach herd level. All three of them go back to the hotel room and nap (well, not so much our teenager anymore) while I go to the pool and read. We can’t do more than a few hours at a time in the parks without needing a break in a quiet room. Without DAS, both my husband and daughter only last maybe an hour.

I have to renew my daughter’s DAS this weekend and I’m feeling very stressed about it. I’m glad I ended up booking a club level room at the Grand. We’ll be super close for breaks and hopefully have much better CM interactions there is the DAS doesn’t end up working out for our last trip.

 

[nalabear]

Waited 3.5 hours for WDW DAS last weekend. It was not an issue renewing DAS. They had in system from his last WDW visit in 2020.

The wait times though is an indication of the demand for DAS and probably a reason of CMs being directed to be more discerning.

 

[DLgal]

Waited 3.5 hours for WDW DAS last weekend. It was not an issue renewing DAS. They had in system from his last WDW visit in 2020.

The wait times though is an indication of the demand for DAS and probably a reason of CMs being directed to be more discerning.

I wonder how long DAS stays in the system at WDW. Our last visit was in 2018 but I am planning a trip there with my boys this summer. We would be doing to the online DAS thing for the first time, so it would be great if it's still in the system from 2018.

 

[SueM in MN]

I wonder how long DAS stays in the system at WDW. Our last visit was in 2018 but I am planning a trip there with my boys this summer. We would be doing to the online DAS thing for the first time, so it would be great if it's still in the system from 2018.

You will still need to renew it even if there is still a record of it.
DAS expires 60 days after it’s issued

 

[nalabear]

I wonder how long DAS stays in the system at WDW. Our last visit was in 2018 but I am planning a trip there with my boys this summer. We would be doing to the online DAS thing for the first time, so it would be great if it's still in the system from 2018.

our last visit was 12/2019 to new years. so at least that long for records for DAS. Yes, renewals same as DLR - 60 days

 

[Princesca]

Yes, I get why they don't do it. I was being facetious in suggesting they actually verify proof to cut down on the imposters.

I think this is a great idea, just to have to furnish a note from any medical provider attesting to the fact that waiting in a line would be a hardship for you. I get why Disney doesn't want to do it, but the fact is that it wouldn't have to list any conditions or anything. Would some providers be lax and still hand them out like candy? Yes. Would people still get them fraudulently? Yes. But it would cut way back on the number of people abusing it I imagine.

 

[LiDa]

Go to Guest Services in the parks and tell them what you said about urgency and you should have no problems being approved. I have done the chat for WDW, but since I am local to Disneyland, I just get it in person there. You can definitely try the chat again. There is one rep on the Disneyland one that several people have had bad experiences with. Sorry - I can't remember her name though!

Yes, I agree. And I think you should mention a flare-up, if it comes to that. As in: you couldn't pre-plan this because you hadn't anticipated having a bad spell.

I realize that, as other Disers are saying, it shouldn't be about that, but CMs are human. I am a theatre manager & see my ushers being quicker to hand off an issue to me if they can understand the problem. Shouldn't be, but it happens because they're only human. People respond to people.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I think this is a great idea, just to have to furnish a note from any medical provider attesting to the fact that waiting in a line would be a hardship for you. I get why Disney doesn't want to do it, but the fact is that it wouldn't have to list any conditions or anything. Would some providers be lax and still hand them out like candy? Yes. Would people still get them fraudulently? Yes. But it would cut way back on the number of people abusing it I imagine.

Abuse would skyrocket, because anyone can fake a doctor’s note.

 

[DisneyOma]

Abuse would skyrocket, because anyone can fake a doctor’s note.

Before GAC, (thinking even before ADA), people used to get notes from doctors saying they needed front of the line access. Doctors thought they were being helpful, kind, and generous. (Or they had god complexes) So not only do people fake doctor's notes, but doctors are also pretty quick to write notes for patients - it's not like the doctors lose out on anything by writing the note.

I have a slew of doctors who would write that note for me - but I don't want that kind of control in the doctor's hand, nor do I want people who don't have access to a doctor that easily to have to forgo accommodations on an expensive (maybe once in a lifetime) trip.

 

[DLgal]

You will still need to renew it even if there is still a record of it.
DAS expires 60 days after it’s issued

I am aware of that.

 

[HopperFan]

Abuse would skyrocket, because anyone can fake a doctor’s note.

EXACTLY^

If Disney wanted to crack down they could now that they are charging for Genie+. They could use a third party like other theme parks do. Doctors are much less likely to sign a formal document to be processed by a company, then kept in their database with their license number.

Honestly I'm surprised the online process has survived, it seems more ripe for abuse with the extra DAS times being offered. The system isn't perfect, and I imagine it will continue to be adjusted.

 

[DLgal]

EXACTLY^

If Disney wanted to crack down they could now that they are charging for Genie+. They could use a third party like other theme parks do. Doctors are much less likely to sign a formal document to be processed by a company, then kept in their database with their license number.

Honestly I'm surprised the online process has survived, it seems more ripe for abuse with the extra DAS times being offered. The system isn't perfect, and I imagine it will continue to be adjusted.

I really wish Disney did not offer the advanced selections. That DOES make it "better" than Genie+, and frankly, I find it gives an unfair advantage, which isn't the point of DAS. It was unnecessary to add that "perk" and it likely has increased abuse.

 

[ttintagel]

Since I last checked in on this thread I've heard stories from two other people saying they were denied because the CM told them they could have someone save a place in line for them. WTH are they thinking?

 

[tjmw2727]

Since I last checked in on this thread I've heard stories from two other people saying they were denied because the CM told them they could have someone save a place in line for them. WTH are they thinking?

Do you know if this was DL or WDW?

I did get the DAS at DL but at Knotts Berry farm the solution was also to have the family wait in line and give me a join at boarding pass. This system was clumsy at best and ended up with me spending most of my time away from my kids anyway so we rarely used it.

Wondering if its a CA thing....

 

[ttintagel]

Do you know if this was DL or WDW?

I did get the DAS at DL but at Knotts Berry farm the solution was also to have the family wait in line and give me a join at boarding pass. This system was clumsy at best and ended up with me spending most of my time away from my kids anyway so we rarely used it.

Wondering if its a CA thing....

I assumed it was WDW because that was the general topic, but I can't say for certain.

 

[SueM in MN]

Do you know if this was DL or WDW?

I did get the DAS at DL but at Knotts Berry farm the solution was also to have the family wait in line and give me a join at boarding pass. This system was clumsy at best and ended up with me spending most of my time away from my kids anyway so we rarely used it.

Wondering if its a CA thing....

I assumed it was WDW because that was the general topic, but I can't say for certain.

From the posts I remember reading, I understood it to be Disneyland.

 

[DLgal]

So, not Disney, but we went to Universal Hollywood with our kids for the first time yesterday and got an Attraction Assistance Pass with no problem. They were SO friendly and helpful and didn't make me go into too many details about my son's difficulties. I said one sentence and was about to continue and he put his hand up and said "I completely understand, I got you. What is the young man's name?" And he issued the pass, explained in detail about how it works, and gave my son's First Visit pins. Easy peasy, and it REALLY helped make our day successful (because Universal Hollywood during spring break is NO JOKE and lines were long for everything all day).

I also have to say, I did do a couple standby lines when my son was too timid to try something until his brother tried it first, and I didn't witness ANY line jumping. Guests were also very polite and friendly all day. It was a different crowd than we typically see at Disneyland, a much less entitled crowd, I'll say that much. Disney has created monsters, it seems, and the suggestions to hold places in line rather than accommodate people's disabilities is a sad direction for Disney.

Universal's assistance pass was not nearly as convenient as the DAS, but it worked just as well. Maybe Disney needs to dial back on some of the convenience to preserve the integrity of the program. It seems other parks are getting more generous with their accommodations (Universal, Legoland, Sea World) while Disney is getting more stingy.