DAS Approval/Denial with New DAS Guidelines START 5/20 WDW & 6/18 DL

[lanejudy]

In the past my husband was always approved for DAS, but now I’m worried. He has a TBI from brain surgery . The dr says to think of it as autism. Once we went to sci-fi dinner and he went in bathroom. I didn’t know if there were two exits and he went out wrong one . Took us 30 minutes to find him. Luckily my son was with us and was about to go in and out the other way. Do you think he’s going to be able to qualify ? His short term memory is gone .

It's not the diagnosis. All with "autism" do not qualify. You/he will have to discuss how he is impacted by a standard queue environment. I suggest having a back-up plan in case he is denied.

 

[Fitzwoman27]

It's not the diagnosis. All with "autism" do not qualify. You/he will have to discuss how he is impacted by a standard queue environment. I suggest having a back-up plan in case he is denied.

Thanks

 

[simonsayz]

And that’s totally your prerogative. But others might decide that after spending $7k they would rather spend a little more so that they can ride more rides/get their money’s worth without having to stand in long lines (ie their time is valuable as well), so they will cut corners in other places and pay for LLs. Neither decision is right or wrong. It just comes down to how each guest prioritizes their family’s vacation budget.

I hear what you are saying, but what people can say the same thing for someone who spend much less. If they only spent $2000 for the trip, others might decide that well if I only spend $2K, they would spend a little more.

I think after this trip, I will see if it make sense to go back or just probably lower my park days and spend more time visiting Disney Springs and other resorts.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I had to renew my DAS pass recently (I got approved already under the new DAS system but it was due to expire) and I got approved for the renewal. I was concerned because I heard that people who got approved under the new system got denied when they came up for renewal but that did not happen for me. It was a very smooth process and now I won't have to renew until middle of next year.

 

[Disturbia]

edited: ‘why do I bother..’ Timon

 

[Sheryl2059]

I had to renew my DAS pass recently (I got approved already under the new DAS system but it was due to expire) and I got approved for the renewal. I was concerned because I heard that people who got approved under the new system got denied when they came up for renewal but that did not happen for me. It was a very smooth process and now I won't have to renew until middle of next year.

I will add myself to the list of people you heard about who was denied for the same condition I was approved for twice before.

As an addition to all of this, and risk management, one must consider who goes to these parks solo and on their own. Like myself. Of course that is a risk on any vacation you go on alone, and you accept the risk or you do not. Often the answer is no depending on the particulars. However DAS was a positive in WDW's favor when choosing where to go instead of other options. Now that positive is gone. As posted before, often its not about the money.

 

[jennab]

I will add myself to the list of people you heard about who was denied for the same condition I was approved for twice before.

As an addition to all of this, and risk management, one must consider who goes to these parks solo and on their own. Like myself. Of course that is a risk on any vacation you go on alone, and you accept the risk or you do not. Often the answer is no depending on the particulars. However DAS was a positive in WDW's favor when choosing where to go instead of other options. Now that positive is gone. As posted before, often its not about the money.

Were you approved under the new system then denied under the new system as well?

 

[Sheryl2059]

Previous trip was Oct 2023, so before the new system, and I was approved. Actually the time before that as well. Oct this year, with the new one, I was denied. So I was one of those affected by the changes.

The CM I had a talk about it with, at guest services when there, was very nice and understanding. As was I in turn. A good conversation about my disability, the new rules and how they worked. Very disappointing but nothing she could do of course but stick with company policy.

That said, maybe there are advocacy groups around possibly working this issue at lower levels under ADA as part of a compliance package. Standard when dealing with high profile companies like Disney. If you as a company have something designed to help people with disabilities you have to be careful when you take it upon yourself to decide to say certain disabilities are no longer significant enough to qualify anymore.

 

[lanejudy]

That said, maybe there are advocacy groups around possibly working this issue at lower levels under ADA as part of a compliance package. Standard when dealing with high profile companies like Disney. If you as a company have something designed to help people with disabilities you have to be careful when you take it upon yourself to decide to say certain disabilities are no longer significant enough to qualify anymore.

I'm sure someone will eventually try to challenge Disney over the change, but it will be difficult. They would need to prove that the alternative accommodations offered did not work. And my understanding is that Disney has approved DAS in a few instances when the person could show they tried but it didn't work. Not just that the new accommodation isn't as good (as easy, as convenient, as useful, etc.) but that it didn't accommodate at all.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Previous trip was Oct 2023, so before the new system, and I was approved. Actually the time before that as well. Oct this year, with the new one, I was denied. So I was one of those affected by the changes.

The CM I had a talk about it with, at guest services when there, was very nice and understanding. As was I in turn. A good conversation about my disability, the new rules and how they worked. Very disappointing but nothing she could do of course but stick with company policy.

That said, maybe there are advocacy groups around possibly working this issue at lower levels under ADA as part of a compliance package. Standard when dealing with high profile companies like Disney. If you as a company have something designed to help people with disabilities you have to be careful when you take it upon yourself to decide to say certain disabilities are no longer significant enough to qualify anymore.

They have to offer an accommodation, not necessarily the preferred accommodation.

Plus, Disney isn’t saying anyone’s disability isn’t significant enough for DAS, they’re saying different accommodations that will meet the needs are available.

 

[jennab]

Previous trip was Oct 2023, so before the new system, and I was approved. Actually the time before that as well. Oct this year, with the new one, I was denied. So I was one of those affected by the changes.

The CM I had a talk about it with, at guest services when there, was very nice and understanding. As was I in turn. A good conversation about my disability, the new rules and how they worked. Very disappointing but nothing she could do of course but stick with company policy.

That said, maybe there are advocacy groups around possibly working this issue at lower levels under ADA as part of a compliance package. Standard when dealing with high profile companies like Disney. If you as a company have something designed to help people with disabilities you have to be careful when you take it upon yourself to decide to say certain disabilities are no longer significant enough to qualify anymore.

I believe the person was saying that she’s heard of people who were approved under the new system get denied upon renewal. That is why I was curious if you were approved under the new system. It seems you were approved under the old rules. Yes, Disney has changed what types of disabilities qualify for DAS and now has different accommodations for other disabilities.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I believe the person was saying that she’s heard of people who were approved under the new system get denied upon renewal. That is why I was curious if you were approved under the new system. It seems you were approved under the old rules. Yes, Disney has changed what types of disabilities qualify for DAS and now has different accommodations for other disabilities.

Yes this is what I meant. That people who were approved under the new system were denied once they were up for renewal.

 

[LMO429]

If you were denied can you call back and re do the interview. Our son was denied but we went to a local amusement park and it was a disaster. I would like to call back can you do so?

 

[lanejudy]

If you were denied can you call back and re do the interview. Our son was denied but we went to a local amusement park and it was a disaster. I would like to call back can you do so?

Do you have something new to explain? I believe they have been pretty strict about not accepting "2nd try" (i.e. try again and again until you get approved). Some folks have been told they aren't allowed to re-try for 240 days if they call back and are denied again. But if you totally muffed the first attempt they'll accept another contact. I honestly don't know if they'll reconsider based on experience at another amusement park, or if they'll want you to try the new accommodations at a Disney park.

 

[SeanW]

@Minuet888 this was the thread I was talking about.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Was not approved this time, though I have had DAS for past five years. CM did give 3 ME passes per day, which was overly generous on her part and I am grateful for that. Will not do LL as I dont ride many of the attractions it is used for. Will have to VQ for HMH just like everyone will, so no biggie there. Frankly, we're really going for theholidayevents and to enjoy the ambience, rides are secondary at our age. DAS just relieved a lot of the stress from crowd anxiety, but it's okay, I'll make it work.

 

[StarCruzer]

Got my approval today, and I'm so relieved.

Agent was very polite. I definitely feel like I over explained myself because I was so nervous!

Asked if I knew about how the program worked, what accomodations I have for work, how I navigate similar situations, and what I experience while in lines. We are a party of three.

Not sure if this is taken into account but when we've used DAS in the past it's usually only for 3-4 rides in a day, and it's usually just been me and my husband.

 

[Disturbia]

Got my approval today, and I'm so relieved.

Agent was very polite. I definitely feel like I over explained myself because I was so nervous!

Asked if I knew about how the program worked, what accomodations I have for work, how I navigate similar situations, and what I experience while in lines. We are a party of three.

Not sure if this is taken into account but when we've used DAS in the past it's usually only for 3-4 rides in a day, and it's usually just been me and my husband.

How long did you wait to be connected?

 

[StarCruzer]

How long did you wait to be connected?

About 30-40 minutes? Started the request around 10:15 this morning.

ETA: This is for Disney World

 

[Disturbia]

Waited 37 mins to be connected. Got connected to a very nice CM. I answered all the questions honestly (didn’t have a chance to look at any notes). I did have to go through more details what happens and strategies and if her condition is improving. The CM did need to see that she was nearby. Taking a picture was challenging again. He only chatted for 10-15 mins and needed to escalate to approve additional family member. Was approved for a party of 5. Done in a little over an hour.