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

[Cadbury]

After getting the DAS since 2018 (4 times) we just got denied. My Daughter( 16) has ASD and this results in anxiousness to the point of hyperventilating/fainting.
The CM was helpful with giving a few other options, but we probably need to buy the multi pass a few times

 

[preemiemama]

Several people, including those who have used AQR (attraction queue return), have suggested speaking to a CM before getting in line if the wait time makes you think you may need to leave the queue and the CM can provide info on the procedure to leave/rejoin the queue based on your party make-up. This seems preferable to trying to get that sorted out when you might be leaving the queue in the middle of an emergency.

I will chime in here and agree with speaking to someone before getting in line. We’re here now. DH was denied DAS. Agent told us we could leave/rejoin queue as an accommodation. We have done ok most days with rope drop for early hours, taking a midday break and returning after dinner. We also went to the 2 extended hours parks since we’re DVC. Most waits using those methods have been ok- we’ve not had to leave the line. We’ve aimed for under 30 minutes and been able to manage.

A few notes (other than my previous posts):
We had Genie+ for our DHS full day. It was great at night, but not so much in the morning. Rise was down at rope drop, Slinky’s Genie time was at night and we couldn’t make a time for another until 11am. We accomplished very little before we left for breakfast and were incredibly frustrated. The pm went very smoothly with Genie, though. I’m optimistic the new system will work better for us in that park.

DH went to ride Space yesterday am for EE. (I don’t tide it- back issues.). It went down as he was in line. Since he was close enough to the loading point, he was able to flag down a CM. She assured him it was only going to be 5-10 minutes, and found him a quiet place to wait until it was back up. She then let him back in line. That was the only instance where we needed an accommodation and got it.

Wait times are definitely being exaggerated. Almost every line we’ve been in has posted a wait time about double what we’ve actually waited. YMMV- and we’ve not ridden midday, so that may affect things.

My final point is make sure you talk to a CM before getting in line if you think there will be an issue. The inside parts of the queues have no CMs stationed around from what we’ve experienced all week. Just at entry and load points, typically. So planning an escape route prior to getting in line is a very good idea.

 

[DiznyDiva]

I think the call back strategy is not going to work very much unless there is a true change in your condition related to how your individual symptoms progress in lines. Try it, what do you have to lose, from what I have heard from many friends with kiddo's it is working well. I am referencing Disneyland, so if yours is DW mileage will very.

I never mentioned any of those words in my daughter's call. Never gave or was asked her diagnose.

I think there is SO m confusion about the Return Time and RTQ. I don't think the Return time will be given out much as it is seems it's for the extreme circumstances. I think the meeting at the merge point is the mani thing being offered but everyone has confused everything because all the different people, websites and names.

I hope you don't let this destroy your trip. You are at Disney, that is awesome!

 

[sprem96]

I think the call back strategy is not going to work very much unless there is a true change in your condition related to how your individual symptoms progress in lines. Try it, what do you have to lose, from what I have heard from many friends with kiddo's it is working well. I am referencing Disneyland, so if yours is DW mileage will very.

I never mentioned any of those words in my daughter's call. Never gave or was asked her diagnose.

I think there is SO m cuchonfusion about the Return Time and RTQ. I don't think the Return time will be given out much as it is seems it's for the extreme circumstances. I think the meeting at the merge point is the mani thing being offered but everyone has confused everything because all the different people, websites and names.

I hope you don't let this destroy your trip. Your at Disney, that in it's self is awesome!

forgot to mention, the medical expert agreed that Rider Swap was not a viable ride accommodation for my family and I (wife and 2 kids under 7) and did not recommend it

 

[minuet]

Was just approved. I am an adult with multiple medical issues with a travel party of 3 (DH, DS and me). CM was lovely. It was a very open and honest conversation about accessibility and concerns, what other steps I'm putting in place to help my situation and what steps I have in place in my daily life to help me. She really listened to my concerns, reviewed the various accommodations and concluded that DAS was the one I needed.
I'm not a frequent poster here but have been a daily reader since 2007.

 

[sprem96]

Was just approved. I am an adult with multiple medical issues with a travel party of 3 (DH, DS and me). CM was lovely. It was a very open and honest conversation about accessibility and concerns, what other steps I'm putting in place to help my situation and what steps I have in place in my daily life to help me. She really listened to my concerns, reviewed the various accommodations and concluded that DAS was the one I needed.
I'm not a frequent poster here but have been a daily reader since 2007.

glad to hear some CMs are actually going through the process fairly and open-minded, sadly didn't get that experience today from my CM, couldn't have been more cold and non-interactive with me

 

[avtrokrator77]

I am new here. I first wanted to thank everyone for their time and insights. I was approved for DAS yesterday. I have used DAS for over a decade now and understand why the old system with the literal handwritten cards where you went to the front of the line would infuriate others that were waiting in line, especially if the disability was not visible. This is common in the outside world as well. I remember my Aunt, dying from heart failure, being yelled at by a man in a truck for parking in the one disability spot that he needed. It is true that Disney moves to extremes on the DAS; and times rubber stamped anyone needing it.
As for their latest process. I did wait in que online for eight hours on Sunday, then after 8pm I thought it was over and had dinner, just to find someone had come on at 850pm and when I did not answer closed me out. I wish they explained that better. I then started at 8am Tuesday and waited another eight plus hours and was finally connected with someone. It seems as if the CM's are in a room and it was quiet, no background noise and the woman was very friendly and professional. I feel as a previous user of DAS you have an advantage if your past medical issues or history is in line with recent policy changes. I have no idea what they have in their "computer" or "file" but it is clear they have some background. The woman politely asked me to delve into my concerns about waiting in lines, which is what DAS is about, as opposed to standing in lines. She then apologized and told me her questions may be more intrusive and asked for details. I cannot stress enough how important it is to be polite, and non-defensive. Disney owes you nothing. This is not a typical customer business relationship, indeed few of those exists anymore in this country. I was fortunate, I had a pleasant decent human being and I was able to respond accordingly, while expressing my discomfort at having to discuss it, but then clarifying the issues I have had if I am in a conventional line for an extended period of time. I was approved in less than five minutes and she apologizes to me in advance that in 120 days I would have to go through the process again. I had a lot of anxiety about this whole process, but I am relieved she was a professional and handled the situation well. I cannot deny that I am nervous that I may not be fortunate next time and get someone more hardened or unprofessional. My decades long experience at Disneyland is filled with encounters with wonderful CM's and CM's that would have served in Viking brigades raiding the English coast a thousand years ago. I remember a CM yelling at and rudely trying to kick my wife, (heavily pregnant) off a deserted bench during a fireworks show because it was supposedly a VIP bench that apparently no one was using. I found a supervisor who luckily sent the CM packing and apologized to us but yes those people work at Disneyland as well and everywhere else in our world. In conclusion, and forgive my long winded post, the DAS system today is not a line cutting system, as it was at one time, it simply allows individuals that cannot wait in line to wait somewhere else more conducive to their needs. I think Disney bent to liberally and we all know the system became overwhelmed. I have no issue with the policies at Universal with Doctor notes, but that will be a Disney call. For now, wait, be polite, sincere, expect nothing, demand nothing, and be honest and if the CM is defensive or seems angry, then deescalate. Remember that and good luck everyone!

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Unfortunately, my DAS was denied and I have been receiving it for four years now. The CM was polite but explicitly told me three times (because I had her clarify it for me) that the service is now "only for those with autism or similar" and no "other conditions qualify." She looked like she really wanted to approve me too, for a minute I thought she was going to but then just recommended Return to Queue as most others have experienced.

She also said when you use Return to Queue to take a picture of where you were in line and then thats what you'll show the CM when you return and they'll escort you to your place in line based off that picture. So strange.

Waited about 6 and a half hours, this was for Disneyland. Non-DD disability.

 

[lanejudy]

She also said when you use Return to Queue to take a picture of where you were in line and then thats what you'll show the CM when you return and they'll escort you to your place in line based off that picture.

I’ve seen that suggestion before, but I haven’t read whether it actually helps or not. If you remember, could you please come back and let us know?

 

[avtrokrator77]

I think the issue that is really baffling to me is the inconsistency among the CM's at Disneyland, especially as it relates to this new DAS process. The CM that handled my "application" never used verbiage regarding any diagnosis, particularly autism, or similar. She certainly did not say no other conditions would qualify. I really believe this is a personality issue, and no amount of training in the world will help certain people, they are going to do what they are going to do until they get called out on it, and have consequences for their actions. Disneyland is an ideal example as it employs tens of thousands of individuals throughout many different skill sets and the wide ranging service I have received over the years is a wonder. I remember for several years at the Candy Shop by Splash Mountain we would go in and several different CM's would offer pineapple samples, sans chocolate, the first time without prompting. We became spoiled. We asked one time and a supervisor came over and told us they "never" provide samples and case closed. I persisted, and a few minutes later an angry woman arrived, manager at location and was quite rude and sent us packing while reiterating we had never received samples. She was the same woman that had offered us a sample the first time and was so friendly. Who knows what happens over time.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I agree with the personality of the CM having an affect on your experience. I believe that Disneyland has had to hire staff to fill the new positions and probably had to do it quickly. Some people naturally have more of a kinder more empathic personality while others are maybe not as comfortable and are more a read the script type person. However I do hope that no matter the personality, that they are consistent with applying the criteria in either receiving the DAS or not.

 

[preemiemama]

Unfortunately, my DAS was denied and I have been receiving it for four years now. The CM was polite but explicitly told me three times (because I had her clarify it for me) that the service is now "only for those with autism or similar" and no "other conditions qualify." She looked like she really wanted to approve me too, for a minute I thought she was going to but then just recommended Return to Queue as most others have experienced.

She also said when you use Return to Queue to take a picture of where you were in line and then thats what you'll show the CM when you return and they'll escort you to your place in line based off that picture. So strange.

Waited about 6 and a half hours, this was for Disneyland. Non-DD disability.

DH was told this when he had his call a few weeks ago for our WDW trip. Logistically for him and his condition, that is not a realistic thing to do.

We were just there and he only needed to leave line once-and it was when he was at loading and the ride went down. The CM worked with him to get a quiet place to wait the 5-10 minutes until it was back up. Overall, the waits were short and we didn’t have a lot of issues. We utilized things like EE, Deluxe hotel evening hours, a midday break. We also did purchase Genie+ for a DHS day. All this to say, I’m not sure how helpful that advice is in reality. Better to ask a Cm the process for exiting when you arrive to get in line.

 

[Cierese]

Thanks! This makes me feel better for my son then too. In the last I’ve never had my son in the room when I’ve done the interview (or right with me when it was in person). He was always in another room or off to the side with my husband and just came for a pic. I was worried they would want to ask him questions and he’s so stubborn and hates being “different” that he’d probably be one to say “oh I can wait in lines just fine, I don’t need help” . He doesn’t like that he does need help in some areas of his life.

My son does the same exact thing. He loves to deny and mask due to embarrassment. We have our 'interview' next month....

 

[jennab]

My son does the same exact thing. He loves to deny and mask due to embarrassment. We have our 'interview' next month....

Good luck, hope it goes well for you!

 

[Cierese]

Good luck, hope it goes well for you!

Thank you! I would be in denial if I said I wasn't nervous. He's been approved for many trips in the past

 

[mbizup]

I just called for my son (who has been granted DAS in the past), and had a wonderful cast member. The process was easy, a few more questions that previous, but he did get approved. The wait time was almost non-existent (whereas previously I've waited several hours to connect).

 

[Flynn's Gal]

I just called for my son (who has been granted DAS in the past), and had a wonderful cast member. The process was easy, a few more questions that previous, but he did get approved. The wait time was almost non-existent (whereas previously I've waited several hours to connect).

Was this for WDW or DL?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I just called for my son (who has been granted DAS in the past), and had a wonderful cast member. The process was easy, a few more questions that previous, but he did get approved. The wait time was almost non-existent (whereas previously I've waited several hours to connect).

Wdw or DLR?

 

[mbizup]

Wdw or DLR?

WDW

 

[stenickar]

Unfortunately, my DAS was denied and I have been receiving it for four years now. The CM was polite but explicitly told me three times (because I had her clarify it for me) that the service is now "only for those with autism or similar" and no "other conditions qualify." She looked like she really wanted to approve me too, for a minute I thought she was going to but then just recommended Return to Queue as most others have experienced.

She also said when you use Return to Queue to take a picture of where you were in line and then thats what you'll show the CM when you return and they'll escort you to your place in line based off that picture. So strange.

Waited about 6 and a half hours, this was for Disneyland. Non-DD disability.

I wish all of the cm’s had the same information, my daughter with autism and cognitive impairment was denied. I explained the behaviors that occur when she is in a group of people and can not move around- she suggested I wait in line and have dd join when got close to entering. My dd has to be under adult supervision, who is going to wait with her? I have another dd who also needs 1 to 1 supervision. My oldest dd could not maneuver through the line independently, nor do I want to be separated from my family all day. My youngest dd did qualify for das, but we will have to get LL for older dd as younger dd does not like “big rides”. We are headed to DL next Saturday for our first visit.