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

[ShaneDJ]

I parked her in her wheelchair a few feet away and did all the talking and she was approved [for DAS].

The cast member was super nice and made sure I understood everything.

He also told me that we could make use of location return times with the wheelchair.

I said that kind of seemed like double dipping and he winked at me so i guess that was his way of saying it was ok?!

How can you "double dip" with DAS and Location Return Times?

 

[OurBigTrip]

How can you "double dip" with DAS and Location Return Times?

Two separate programs, one of each can be held simultaneously - always been that way.

 

[KPeterso]

Two separate programs, one of each can be held simultaneously - always been that way.

It still feels like double dipping to me to hold a das return time and a location return time at the same time. That seems like real abuse and I will not be doing that with my mom.

 

[OurBigTrip]

It still feels like double dipping to me to hold a das return time and a location return time at the same time. That seems like real abuse and I will not be doing that with my mom.

Totally understand!

 

[lanejudy]

If you only want to use the DAS, the CM at the attraction should be able to convert it to an immediate LRT when you show up for the DAS.

 

[sunburnin]

It still feels like double dipping to me to hold a das return time and a location return time at the same time. That seems like real abuse and I will not be doing that with my mom.

I understand your thinking, but you're not cheating the system. With or without DAS, there are a handful of rides at DL (and a few in MK) where wheelchairs can ONLY be accommodated through a separate entrance. Unless there's no line, you will be given a return time from the CM to use a special entrance. You're not abusing anything since that's the system you have to use.

 

[nalababybear]

I understand your thinking, but you're not cheating the system. With or without DAS, there are a handful of rides at DL (and a few in MK) where wheelchairs can ONLY be accommodated through a separate entrance. Unless there's no line, you will be given a return time from the CM to use a special entrance. You're not abusing anything since that's the system you have to use.

If Disney does it, it's okay cause they are okay with.it. who cares in the court of public opinion and keyboard warriors.

It's okay to get sprinkled with pixie dust.

 

[SueM in MN]

It still feels like double dipping to me to hold a das return time and a location return time at the same time. That seems like real abuse and I will not be doing that with my mom.

It's your choice if you feel that way.
Getting a location return time is the only way to go on the attractions where the line is not wheelchair accessible.
Whether someone has DAS or not, they would get a location return time for those.
They are allowed to do other things while waiting for their time to return.

If you only want to use the DAS, the CM at the attraction should be able to convert it to an immediate LRT when you show up for the DAS.

This is how it has worked in the past - guests without DAS get a location return time approximately equal to the current postly Standby Wait time.
Guests who have a DAS Return Time for the attraction get a location return time of 'now' when they come back for their DAS Return Time. So, if it feels like 'double dipping' to you, that is a possibility.
One thing to be aware of if you choose to do that - if the accessible entrance/waiting area are too full when you arrive for your DAS Return Time, you may still be given a location return time to come back when it's less full

I understand your thinking, but you're not cheating the system. With or without DAS, there are a handful of rides at DL (and a few in MK) where wheelchairs can ONLY be accommodated through a separate entrance. Unless there's no line, you will be given a return time from the CM to use a special entrance. You're not abusing anything since that's the system you have to use.

Exactly.
Location Return Times aren't a 'perk'. They are attraction management tools that CMs use at certain attractions to handle the limited capacity/space at the accessible entrances. They are not part of DAS and predate DAS

 

[disneyseniors]

In one breath you say this is not the place and the next breath you still entertain the discussion.

Yes but as has been pointed out in the past there are physical developmental disabilities that a mobility device is not needed but waiting in the standby line may still be difficult.
Again if Disney wants to make DAS be for a very few specific persons then they need to elaborate and be very specific with their wording.
They should not use the word developmental. They should use the word cognitive if that is what they mean.

It seems to me that she did explain that since it keeps coming up, she would try to clarify it with the examples.

 

[SueM in MN]

It seems to me that she did explain that since it keeps coming up, she would try to clarify it with the examples.

That was why.
Further discussion of anything other than approval or denial should go to this thread

 

[lwc]

I was NOT asked for my diagnosis and I didn't share it.

I was asked to explain why I cannot wait in line and I explained as well as I could. I was approved.

I wanted to add my data point to the conversation because it refutes some of the things being said online.

1. I am an adult
2. I am able to function independently (I made the call myself with no support.)
3. THEY OFFERED to include my entire party of 6 (husband and children, but 2 are older teens.)

First time DAS applicant or have had DAS in the past?
I have had DAS in the past.

If it is not your first time, did the process go differently?
I was asked more questions, including about how I accommodate my disability outside the parks.

Approved for DAS?
Yes

Given other options?
No.

If given another option please explain the process!
NA

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

As expected, I was denied for DAS today (have a major life limiting physical disability).

- First time DAS applicant or have had DAS in the past? Always easily approved in the past (only 3rd application ever at WDW).
- If it is not your first time, did the process go differently? Denied. I was told politely at the outset that it’s only for people with developmental disabilities “like autism or similar” now but that there were other options. I wasn’t planning to argue, exaggerate or lie and considered just hanging up, but I wanted to experience the denial for myself since I’ve read so many conflicting reports.

I explained my condition and told her about failed attempts to manage it with wheelchair and/or ECV, and gave examples of how the disability impacts my day to day life. I told her I heard about AQR and thought it will work OK when my husband is with us but not when he’s not as my children are too young to wait in line alone for long periods. She said she understood and to see the CMs at each ride and depending on the ride and circumstances they will find a way to help us so we don’t have to split up.

She said my (MDE?) record will reflect that I requested DAS and was not approved but may require alternative assistance. I told her that I had heard they were offering some guests a multi experience access pass to ease the transition out of the program for trips planned prior to the change and she said (nicely) that she had no idea what I was talking about and didn’t have the ability to do anything like that, just to talk to CMs at each attraction.

I think AQR probably will work days my husband can join us but not having access to DAS will add stress/uncertainty to the short park visits where I planned to take the kids while he stayed at the hotel working…and we would not have planned the trip for as long as it is if we’d known the change was coming. I wish there were more AQR/single adult with kids/caregiver reports because my biggest concern is potentially having to tell my kids that we can’t do one of their favorite rides if whatever the CM thinks is reasonable doesn’t actually work—again, I know that I’m not entitled to DAS or DAS-lite, but stressed about explaining it to a disappointed child who already misses out a variety of life experiences (and can’t stay in the parks for more than a few hours) because their mom can’t do x/y/z. For now, I’m going to try to plan to visit parks where they will enjoy at least 3 available LLMP attractions clustered within a few hour window and let them know in advance we may only be able to do favorite rides once a day.

 

[TwoMisfits]

As expected, I was denied for DAS today (have a major life limiting physical disability).



She said my (MDE?) record will reflect that I requested DAS and was not approved but may require alternative assistance.

This is new...and seems to confirm that in park folks will be able to see just about everything about a park goer.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is new...and seems to confirm that in park folks will be able to see just about everything about a park goer.

It may just say exactly that and nothing more for the CMs who are not part of the Accessibility Team

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

This is new...and seems to confirm that in park folks will be able to see just about everything about a park goer.

I debated whether or not it was worth sharing because it’s only one source, but I figured it was unlikely she was lying and might reassure people who are nervous about trying it. Honestly, it makes way more sense to me to do it this way both for Disney (to stop the laziest of fakers/abusers from spontaneously claiming they need it) and also to appease ex-DAS guests “sorry DAS is no longer available BUT we understand occasionally you may not be able to tolerate a queue and CMs will be aware you have an unspecified background need when you approach them outside the ride queue.”

 

[nalababybear]

As expected, I was denied for DAS today (have a major life limiting physical disability).

- First time DAS applicant or have had DAS in the past? Always easily approved in the past (only 3rd application ever at WDW).
- If it is not your first time, did the process go differently? Denied. I was told politely at the outset that it’s only for people with developmental disabilities “like autism or similar” now but that there were other options. I wasn’t planning to argue, exaggerate or lie and considered just hanging up, but I wanted to experience the denial for myself since I’ve read so many conflicting reports.

I explained my condition and told her about failed attempts to manage it with wheelchair and/or ECV, and gave examples of how the disability impacts my day to day life. I told her I heard about AQR and thought it will work OK when my husband is with us but not when he’s not as my children are too young to wait in line alone for long periods. She said she understood and to see the CMs at each ride and depending on the ride and circumstances they will find a way to help us so we don’t have to split up.

She said my (MDE?) record will reflect that I requested DAS and was not approved but may require alternative assistance. I told her that I had heard they were offering some guests a multi experience access pass to ease the transition out of the program for trips planned prior to the change and she said (nicely) that she had no idea what I was talking about and didn’t have the ability to do anything like that, just to talk to CMs at each attraction.

I think AQR probably will work days my husband can join us but not having access to DAS will add stress/uncertainty to the short park visits where I planned to take the kids while he stayed at the hotel working…and we would not have planned the trip for as long as it is if we’d known the change was coming. I wish there were more AQR/single adult with kids/caregiver reports because my biggest concern is potentially having to tell my kids that we can’t do one of their favorite rides if whatever the CM thinks is reasonable doesn’t actually work—again, I know that I’m not entitled to DAS or DAS-lite, but stressed about explaining it to a disappointed child who already misses out a variety of life experiences (and can’t stay in the parks for more than a few hours) because their mom can’t do x/y/z. For now, I’m going to try to plan to visit parks where they will enjoy at least 3 available LLMP attractions clustered within a few hour window and let them know in advance we may only be able to do favorite rides once a day.

Thanks for this and sorry what you feared has been realized.

Glad you stuck with the call to get those specifics down. Interesting to hear about the denial record and how CMs at the ride can see this....and wonder how that may affect their own decisions, and do they document that accommodating request too? Something to track and follow, especially for those who such accommodations may not actually work, like in your case solo parent with minor kids -- they better not force you to keep a 7 yo in the queue for AQR -- that's a nonstarter if it were our household. we trust others, but not THAT much.

The LLMP will help. If you're able, splitting the day really helps us manage fatigue for our guy. LLMP preselects in the AM, and start stacking away the LLMP for the evening like the old days of FP+. Glad that you're able to bridge the gap with G+ too.

Hopefully when you're with the kiddos in the AM the CMs will be able to find a workable accommodation. Don't let them split up the little ones despite Disney rules -- I'd die on that hill.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Thanks for this and sorry what you feared has been realized.

Glad you stuck with the call to get those specifics down. Interesting to hear about the denial record and how CMs at the ride can see this....and wonder how that may affect their own decisions, and do they document that accommodating request too? Something to track and follow, especially for those who such accommodations may not actually work, like in your case solo parent with minor kids -- they better not force you to keep a 7 yo in the queue for AQR -- that's a nonstarter if it were our household. we trust others, but not THAT much.

The LLMP will help. If you're able, splitting the day really helps us manage fatigue for our guy. LLMP preselects in the AM, and start stacking away the LLMP for the evening like the old days of FP+. Glad that you're able to bridge the gap with G+ too.

Hopefully when you're with the kiddos in the AM the CMs will be able to find a workable accommodation. Don't let them split up the little ones despite Disney rules -- I'd die on that hill.

I don’t recall if I mentioned it earlier but she actually said that they would not expect me to split from my kids (the older one is almost 10)…so I’m not too worried about that—it’s just the unknown that’s got my anxiety in overdrive. We’re going to explain to our kids in advance that the system has been “reset” and we will probably be doing less than our last trip—I’d rather see sad faces in advance than at the parks so I’m going to set expectations low— if everything goes smoothly then it will be a happy surprise.

 

[ShaneDJ]

I don’t recall if I mentioned it earlier but she actually said that they would not expect me to split from my kids (the older one is almost 10)…so I’m not too worried about that—it’s just the unknown that’s got my anxiety in overdrive. We’re going to explain to our kids in advance that the system has been “reset” and we will probably be doing less than our last trip—I’d rather see sad faces in advance than at the parks so I’m going to set expectations low— if everything goes smoothly then it will be a happy surprise.

We're pulling for you @HyperspaceMountainPilot

 

[lanejudy]

She said my (MDE?) record will reflect that I requested DAS and was not approved but may require alternative assistance.

Did she specifically say the in-park CMs can see this note? I’m wondering if it’s just what we already know — that it’s noted on the account that you’ve been denied. Thus if you recontact the Accessibility Team before attempting the alternatives options in-park they would simply deny again.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Did she specifically say the in-park CMs can see this note? I’m wondering if it’s just what we already know — that it’s noted on the account that you’ve been denied. Thus if you recontact the Accessibility Team before attempting the alternatives options in-park they would simply deny again.

I’m trying to remember all the details— I volunteered that I thought AQR would work with my husband but had concerns about how we’d handle it without him there. She reassured me that I wouldn’t have to split up from my kids and to see a CM to offer other options beside AQR (she didn’t use the acronym) and said I wouldn’t have to discuss my medical condition. Then after I affirmatively asked something like “Is there a flag or notation so the attraction staff know that I qualify for an alternative option” she said something that was basically yes— I’m paraphrasing but I heard it as “your record would show you’ve requested das but didn’t meet the criteria but may require alternative options.” From context of my question there’s no doubt she knew I was asking about front line CMs. Of course, it’s possible she was mistaken.

I’m still surprised we haven’t heard more first hand reports yet, but I’ll try to ask if we see CMs who don’t appear busy/overwhelmed when we visit next month.