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

[SueM in MN]

his first card was a GAC card as it was back in 2011, when they had GAC.
and you're right, it just indicated what kind of assistance to give him
Whatever his was sent him into the fastpass line (not sure it was called that, but whatever it was called).
The second time he went was in 2015 - not sure if he had a GAC or DAS that year
Maybe that was the early DAS?

In 2015, it would gave been DAS.
DAS replaced GAC (Guest Assistance Card) in 2013

 

[OurBigTrip]

Have had DAS for years. I am legally blind with only peripheral vision. In the regular line I trip and fall or run into walls. I was told to sit outside and wait while my daughter went through the line alone and then a cast member would text me and come get me to meet my daughter. Didn’t even make it to the so-called professional representative. Have they hired that many extra cast members? They certainly took the family time out of family vacation. Universal will be getting more business from my family. I have no problem proving my disability, and there is no magic in Disney anymore. So sad!

Why can't you walk through the line with your daughter's assistance?

 

[Jdavidm]

Have had DAS for years. I am legally blind with only peripheral vision. In the regular line I trip and fall or run into walls. I was told to sit outside and wait while my daughter went through the line alone and then a cast member would text me and come get me to meet my daughter. Didn’t even make it to the so-called professional representative. Have they hired that many extra cast members? They certainly took the family time out of family vacation. Universal will be getting more business from my family. I have no problem proving my disability, and there is no magic in Disney anymore. So sad!

As you stated, you will have someone with you to assist you through the queue and the option to accommodate yourself with additional assistance (cane, service animal etc), that’s likely the reason for denial. You could run into obstacles EVERYWHERE in the park so Disney likely determined the queue itself isn’t the problem here.

As for Universal:
Proof of disability will simply get you approved for IBCCES which is only the first step in receiving accommodations at Universal. You still have to discuss needs prior to approval for their parks specifically. They deny a lot of the same types of needs an AAP as Disney does DAS since they feel they can be appropriately accommodated in other ways.

 

[Jdavidm]

snaking back and forth is treacherous even with assistance. There are only ropes in a lot of places. Please blindfold yourself and give it a try. I also don’t want to injure myself as I have done in the past.

I wasn’t doubting it would be challenging and of course I can’t speak to exactly how challenging it would be since I haven’t personally experienced it. I was just trying to give you an idea of why the parks themselves (not me personally) would view your situation as being possible to accommodate without utilizing something like DAS/AAP.

With overuse of accommodations at theme parks now days, they’re all looking to limit the number of return time style accommodations they’re providing to guests. In your situation, they likely wouldn’t see most queues as any more of a difficulty than simply navigating their parks as a whole (through crowds, tight spaces, dark areas, unexpected items blocking your way, etc).

However, there may be certain rides like @Vyndion mentioned where they would offer you an in-person return time to use an alternate entrance due to the layout of that specific queue.

 

[lanejudy]

Back in 2013 when GAC changed to DAS, vision disabilities were explicitly stated as not qualifying, with those individuals instructed to speak to a CM at the attraction. Over the years that slipped and many were granted DAS. I'm sure it's not ideal, and if there are any queues that you believe to be particularly troublesome I urge you to speak with a CM at the attraction -- actually, speak to the CM at any attraction, but definitely mention specific problem spots.

 

[mhautz]

We were approved this evening for our WDW trip starting 7/07.

This was only our second time applying, but the process felt similar to what it did before, other than there were definitely more follow up questions, but it was still relatively smooth. Cast member was very friendly (she even advised DD to look for a video of the Muppets doing "Great Moments in American History", which DD immediately pulled up on her tablet and is still watching LOL) and did not bring anyone else on. DD (11) falls under the developmental issues that Disney has expressed DAS applies to.

I only mentioned immediate family of 4 and not the two grandparents, I don't get the impression they would have been added even if I said something.

 

[jennab]

We were approved this evening for our WDW trip starting 7/07.

This was only our second time applying, but the process felt similar to what it did before, other than there were definitely more follow up questions, but it was still relatively smooth. Cast member was very friendly (she even advised DD to look for a video of the Muppets doing "Great Moments in American History", which DD immediately pulled up on her tablet and is still watching LOL) and did not bring anyone else on. DD (11) falls under the developmental issues that Disney has expressed DAS applies to.

I only mentioned immediate family of 4 and not the two grandparents, I don't get the impression they would have been added even if I said something.

Just curious, what is the makeup of your immediate family of 4? Two parents and two kids? If so, how old is the other child?

 

[mhautz]

Just curious, what is the makeup of your immediate family of 4? Two parents and two kids? If so, how old is the other child?

It’s me, spouse, and two daughters, 11 and 7.

 

[jennab]

It’s me, spouse, and two daughters, 11 and 7.

Thanks. I was worried with 2 adults they may be denying people with older children and saying instead to have the others wait in standby line..

 

[MrDisneyFan]

Was denied this week, shocked and disappointed. My son is 20, with ID, Mild CP and is on the spectrum, with some other traits, sensitivities. I’m his legal guardian. Been using das for years. I had a reservation with the 4 immediate family members. When I got on line with the cast member for the video chat it started out normally. I explained his dx & how it impacts him. Also let the CM know our reservation date was just going to be just my son and I at the park.

The CM said based on what I told him we should use rider swap. What?? My son can’t be left alone for one thing, if it’s just my son and I how does that work? He just said if that didn't work I would need to talk to the cast member to see what accommodations could be provided at the attraction. No one else joined the call fyi.

I was shocked and confused and told the cast member as much. I am still in disbelief. Also, not only that my son can’t be left alone but even if he could be alone for an hour, 90 minutes or however long tor queue is and it was just 2 of us. My special needs son is supposed to wait alone then ride every attraction alone? And the notion of explaining my son’s disabilities and issues at every attraction is so unbelievable.

Not much I could do. So I’ll call again. We had park reservations the next day and we just went without das. It was a such a diminished and hard experience. Usually my son would easily get through 6-8 hours in the park but we had to leave after a few hours. He was emotionally and physically done.

Made me so sad… and seriously if he can’t get approved then for the first time since being passholders I’m really not sure we can justify renewing the AP when it expires in a couple of months.

Can they just go to a 3rd party medical verification like universal?? I told the cm I’m happy to provide documentation and medical reports. A side rant is that I 100% support this crack down. A lot of others have already mentioned the rampant abuse. So I get it totally. I’ve seen a lot of people who don’t need it get it, brag about it even. It was ridiculous how easy it was.

Hoping my retry will be more successful.

 

[MrDisneyFan]

I have heard disneys age minimum to stand in line alone is 7 . We have a 12yr old who has been the DAS holder in the past but my worry is they will try the “one parent can go in the standby queue and wait and the DAS holder and other parent can join them later”

This is what they told me basically. I was denied DAS and told to use rider switch. I just posted my experience.

 

[SueM in MN]

Can they just go to a 3rd party medical verification like universal?? I told the cm I’m happy to provide documentation and medical reports. A side rant is that I 100% support this crack down. A lot of others have already mentioned the rampant abuse. So I get it totally. I’ve seen a lot of people who don’t need it get it, brag about it even. It was ridiculous how easy it was.

Hoping my retry will be more successful.

This is off topic for this thread, but has been discussed a lot in the Main DAS changes thread.

Providing proof doesn't really get rid of fakers like people think it will. The company used by Universal is NOT a third party medical group. It's a marketing group that started out providing certification for ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis for Autism) providers. From that, they got into Autism Certification of facilities/theme parks, etc. and that led to registration of people with autism to receive some of the services at the facilities they certified, which led into their current registration program.

Just requiring documentation doesn't mean less abuse. Honest people will give honest proof and ask for the amount of access they need.
Dishonest people will come up with ways to fake documentation and will lie or exaggerate their access needs.
There are 'rent-a-doctors' who will pretty write whatever someone wants for a price and there are people who will make their own fake documents.
The system used by Universal for documentation doesn't appear to be very robust. Many of the things they accept don't say anything about needs in a theme park queue (for example, handicapped parking permit or National Park Access Pass) and the 'requested accommodations' are filled out by the person, not verified by documentation.
Also, I've read a lot of reports from people who got temporary approval within an hour or less of submission and final approval soon after. So, pretty much just rubber stamping that the document exists.
There are a lot of people who say anyone who is 'really disabled' would provide documentation, so those who don't must be faking. Many of us COULD provide documentation, but don't want to share with a marketing company with no medical background.

 

[Leight19]

Was denied this week, shocked and disappointed. My son is 20, with ID, Mild CP and is on the spectrum, with some other traits, sensitivities. I’m his legal guardian. Been using das for years. I had a reservation with the 4 immediate family members. When I got on line with the cast member for the video chat it started out normally. I explained his dx & how it impacts him. Also let the CM know our reservation date was just going to be just my son and I at the park.

The CM said based on what I told him we should use rider swap. What?? My son can’t be left alone for one thing, if it’s just my son and I how does that work? He just said if that didn't work I would need to talk to the cast member to see what accommodations could be provided at the attraction. No one else joined the call fyi.

I was shocked and confused and told the cast member as much. I am still in disbelief. Also, not only that my son can’t be left alone but even if he could be alone for an hour, 90 minutes or however long tor queue is and it was just 2 of us. My special needs son is supposed to wait alone then ride every attraction alone? And the notion of explaining my son’s disabilities and issues at every attraction is so unbelievable.

Not much I could do. So I’ll call again. We had park reservations the next day and we just went without das. It was a such a diminished and hard experience. Usually my son would easily get through 6-8 hours in the park but we had to leave after a few hours. He was emotionally and physically done.

Made me so sad… and seriously if he can’t get approved then for the first time since being passholders I’m really not sure we can justify renewing the AP when it expires in a couple of months.

Can they just go to a 3rd party medical verification like universal?? I told the cm I’m happy to provide documentation and medical reports. A side rant is that I 100% support this crack down. A lot of others have already mentioned the rampant abuse. So I get it totally. I’ve seen a lot of people who don’t need it get it, brag about it even. It was ridiculous how easy it was.

Hoping my retry will be more successful.

Your experiences with das sounds similar to mine. My son (kindergarten) has iep at school for development delays. My wife does all the doctor stuff but my understanding is he’s not diagnosed with anything officially yet but they suspect he’s mildly autistic and adhd. We explained [his needs] to them and basicaly was told we don’t qualify because we can just use rider swap. My wife is special education teacher and she was shocked/upset they denied and couldn’t understand. From discussion here it really sounds like some of the cast members are trained to reject anyone who has two adults who can rider swap (we are party of two adults, 6 yr, 4yr, and 2yr old).

I really don’t feel like having to split our party to ride everything so I guess I can just look forward to participating in the inevitable class action lawsuit.

Note: edited by a moderator​

 

[lanejudy]

... I had a reservation with the 4 immediate family members. ...
... Also let the CM know our reservation date was just going to be just my son and I at the park. ...

The CM said based on what I told him we should use rider swap.

I suspect something got misunderstood by the first two statements quoted above. You had reservations for a party of 4 but claimed only 2 would be in the park. If 4 are in the park you can Rider Swap. If there are only 2 of you, ask at the attraction and they will direct you accordingly. No need to go into details at the attraction, just a simple request noting your son must be supervised.

 

[lanejudy]

I really don’t feel like having to split our party to ride everything so I guess I can just look forward to participating in the inevitable class action lawsuit.

Off-topic for this thread, however just to note you agreed to not participate in a class action lawsuit when you accepted the terms of doing the video chat. There has been more discussion on that matter in the other thread.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Your experiences with das sounds similar to mine. My son (kindergarten) has iep at school for development delays. My wife does all the doctor stuff but my understanding is he’s not diagnosed with anything officially yet but they suspect he’s mildly autistic and adhd. We explained this to them and basicaly was told we don’t qualify because we can just use rider swap. My wife is special education teacher and she was shocked/upset they denied and couldn’t understand. From discussion here it really sounds like some of the cast members are trained to reject anyone who has two adults who can rider swap (we are party of two adults, 6 yr, 4yr, and 2yr old).

I really don’t feel like having to split our party to ride everything so I guess I can just look forward to participating in the inevitable class action lawsuit.

Note: edited by a moderator​

But did you explain his needs? They don’t care about diagnosis, they need to know what happens stop him when he has to wait in a long line. If you can’t explain that, the no, he won’t be approved.

And a lawsuit? I’m sure they’ll happen, and I’m sure Disney will win. Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean that Disney has to give them a DAS.

 

[Leight19]

But did you explain his needs? They don’t care about diagnosis, they need to know what happens stop him when he has to wait in a long line. If you can’t explain that, the no, he won’t be approved.

And a lawsuit? I’m sure they’ll happen, and I’m sure Disney will win. Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean that Disney has to give them a DAS.

Yeah we explained needs and I had those details in the post but mod edited it out for some reason. Regarding the language on having to agree to not be part of class action in order to be considered to receive legally required accommodations based on Ada access; that is laughably not going to hold up in court.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yeah we explained needs and I had those details in the post but mod edited it out for some reason. Regarding the language on having to agree to not be part of class action in order to be considered to receive legally required accommodations based on Ada access; that is laughably not going to hold up in court.

They offered you accommodations, just not your preferred accommodation.

And details were removed because the mods don’t want this to become a place that provides details that could be used by scammers.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Yeah we explained needs and I had those details in the post but mod edited it out for some reason. Regarding the language on having to agree to not be part of class action in order to be considered to receive legally required accommodations based on Ada access; that is laughably not going to hold up in court.

Mods edited them out so as to not give scammers a roadmap.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Your experiences with das sounds similar to mine. My son (kindergarten) has iep at school for development delays. My wife does all the doctor stuff but my understanding is he’s not diagnosed with anything officially yet but they suspect he’s mildly autistic and adhd. We explained this to them and basicaly was told we don’t qualify because we can just use rider swap. My wife is special education teacher and she was shocked/upset they denied and couldn’t understand. From discussion here it really sounds like some of the cast members are trained to reject anyone who has two adults who can rider swap (we are party of two adults, 6 yr, 4yr, and 2yr old).

I really don’t feel like having to split our party to ride everything so I guess I can just look forward to participating in the inevitable class action lawsuit.

Note: edited by a moderator​

Given that more than 10% of the population has an ADHD diagnosis, developmental delays are probably even more common, and autism is also on the rise, Disney has had to raise the bar in terms of what would qualify for DAS. So if you think about “normal” challenges faced by a kindergartener in line, it isn’t enough to just have *some* additional difficulties with lines.

Yes, I know that diagnosis doesn’t matter, but I’m trying to help frame why that might be.