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

[amywilkh]

I was nervous about our DAS call for my son, age 13. We are headed to WDW next month. I don't know why, but I felt like we had a 50/50 shot, and I was at peace with a denial, if we got one. . .

Anyway, he had been approved for DAS maybe 3 times in the past 18 months. He is not autistic, but I don't want to say too much about his condition for a variety of reasons. I would say our video call was very similar to past calls. We described the issues and symptoms that occur with the lines. The CM was a bit cold and reserved, but she approved us fairly quickly. The process was less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

I'm grateful, and it's a relief. We are a party of 6, so I now need to figure out how that will work for us to try to stay together. We will probably buy the new Genie+, but I'm not sure how this will all work exactly!

 

[shannnsavage]

I was nervous about our DAS call for my son, age 13. We are headed to WDW next month. I don't know why, but I felt like we had a 50/50 shot, and I was at peace with a denial, if we got one. . .

Anyway, he had been approved for DAS maybe 3 times in the past 18 months. He is not autistic, but I don't want to say too much about his condition for a variety of reasons. I would say our video call was very similar to past calls. We described the issues and symptoms that occur with the lines. The CM was a bit cold and reserved, but she approved us fairly quickly. The process was less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

I'm grateful, and it's a relief. We are a party of 6, so I now need to figure out how that will work for us to try to stay together. We will probably buy the new Genie+, but I'm not sure how this will all work exactly!

Did they approve all 6 of your party?

 

[amywilkh]

Did they approve all 6 of your party?

Sorry if I was unclear. They did not, nor did I ask them to approve all 6. Our group is our immediate family of 4 plus my sister and BIL. I could ask them to make an exception and add the two extras, I suppose, but I didn't do that.

 

[MomOTwins]

I am happy to say that DAS was approved at DLR for our 8 year old DS with autism. I had tried repeatedly to pre register but never got through to an agent after multi hour waits at home. On our first park day I tried the virtual option again and indicated I was in DLR and was connected to an agent right away. So waiting until trip arrival is clearly the right move at DLR. We had some difficulty getting the video to work with phone setting permissions but the agent waited for me to get it working.

The questions I was asked were around (1) reasons why we have difficulty waiting in line; (2) how we handle waiting in line in other contexts and (3) accommodations our child has in other contexts such as school. I hesitate to get into our details of our answers as I know sadly that part of the reason for this change is people have used the internet to create scripts/false narratives to get DAS fraudulently. Suffice it to say we were able to provide concrete examples of what goes wrong when our child waits in line and how we manage to avoid lines with him in other places.

I also note: we do purchase genie+ for the rest of the family as my older children like to ride the fast rides and my son who needs DAS only likes slow rides, many of which aren’t included genie+ at DLR (eg peter pan, mater’s ride). I didn’t mention this on the video call but I’m not sure if that is something the agent can see behind the scenes that such that the agent could see we weren’t just trying to get DAS to save money.

One last note, while I understand the need for additional questioning, it is very uncomfortable as a parent to have to share your child’s struggles while your child is right there and required to be present on the video call. We try very hard not to make our son feel different or that there is something wrong with him, and it is a bit painful to be asked question after question with him present. I wish they would allow the parent to take the call privately and submit a photo of a minor child without the child on the video to hear everything.

 

[lanejudy]

I wish they would allow the parent to take the call privately and submit a photo of a minor child without the child on the video to hear everything.

Thank you for your report. As a note...the child only needs to be present for a picture, not the entire call. He could have waited to the side with the rest of the family while you did the conversation part and then had him join you for a picture.

 

[MomOTwins]

Thank you for your report. As a note...the child only needs to be present for a picture, not the entire call. He could have waited to the side with the rest of the family while you did the conversation part and then had him join you for a picture.

That’s good to know. They did ask to see him at the start of the call so I waved my husband to bring him over but perhaps I misunderstood that he could join and then go away.

 

[SueM in MN]

I wish they would allow the parent to take the call privately and submit a photo of a minor child without the child on the video to hear everything.

As lanejudy mentioned, the child doesn't have to be there for the discussion.
If they allowed a parent to submit a photo, I have no doubt that some people would figure out ways to cheat.

That’s good to know. They did ask to see him at the start of the call so I waved my husband to bring him over but perhaps I misunderstood that he could join and then go away.

The Disney DAS information used to say the person being registered for DAS had to be present at least to be introduced and have their photo taken if approved.
Now, it just says 'must be present during the video call'

 

[wdw4rfam]

We just did my sons. We last did in April so this was first time in this system. He’s 20 and usually does himself but I had to help this time. He got really confused with the questions. They do a great job of questioning very thoroughly and deep to weed out scripted answers. I hope this works to weed out scammers. We got it for the 4 of us. My parents are going too. They added them to “travel party”. Which means it’s still my son and 3 others. My parents can be part of the 3, but it’s still just 3. So we will need to decide who rides. Kind of a bummer from years past that we can’t all ride together, but glad they are accommodating him. I was stressed hearing everyone’s denials.

 

[DiznyDiva]

Curious thing I have heard from several friends and around other sites: That next time the interview would be easier and a lot shorter. Anyone else hear this?

 

[DiznyDiva]

Thank you for your report. As a note...the child only needs to be present for a picture, not the entire call. He could have waited to the side with the rest of the family while you did the conversation part and then had him join you for a picture.

My kiddo was asked to be seen at the beginning and then the CM and I talked. Kiddo was in the corner with earphones on drawing out view, getting ready for a shower. Our convo was less then ten minutes and explained up front I would be speaking for her and she ands had issues explaining her differences. The CM was very understanding and said no problem.

 

[lanejudy]

Curious thing I have heard from several friends and around other sites: That next time the interview would be easier and a lot shorter. Anyone else hear this?

No, I have not heard that. It's often been rumored over the years that a "renewal" would be easier. While reports varied, some just saying "i need to renew DAS" others had the full discussion each time even if they had an AP and renewed regularly.

My understanding is this new process is a fresh interview each time. One will still have to be able to explain the needs - and that includes additional questioning if asked. I would not expect an "easier" session (though obviously that depends on one's perception of whether the first was "easy" or not).

 

[lanejudy]

They did ask to see him at the start of the call

My kiddo was asked to be seen at the beginning

Sounds like the DAS-holder must be seen at the start, which kind of makes sense. But it's still my understanding the child does not need to remain in front of the camera during the discussion.

 

[Littlepea]

My adult son was approved this afternoon, we were connected after a short wait of less than an hour. The cast member asked me to explain why he was applying and listened carefully then asking what I would expect to happen if he didn’t receive the DAS accommodation and waited in a full line. I explained in detail. She then asked if she could speak to my son, she asked him about something he was holding then about what he liked at the parks. He answered in his own way and she sweetly asked some follow up questions. She said that DAS would be suitable for him but recommended that we applied separately for his sibling as we are a family of 5. We will try and see what happens.

 

[Littlepea]

Sounds like the DAS-holder must be seen at the start, which kind of makes sense. But it's still my understanding the child does not need to remain in front of the camera during the discussion.

I wasn’t asked to turn the camera to my son until the end, I think that was after she approved him? She did ask at the beginning if he was present in the room though.

 

[SueM in MN]

No, I have not heard that. It's often been rumored over the years that a "renewal" would be easier. While reports varied, some just saying "i need to renew DAS" others had the full discussion each time even if they had an AP and renewed regularly.

My understanding is this new process is a fresh interview each time. One will still have to be able to explain the needs - and that includes additional questioning if asked. I would not expect an "easier" session (though obviously that depends on one's perception of whether the first was "easy" or not).

That is also my understanding.
On the FAQ about how long DAS is valid for, it says:
DAS is valid for the length of the ticket or up to 120 days, whichever is shorter. Once the service has elapsed, Guests need to re-register for the program.

The FAQ previously said how long it was valid for. The last sentence is new and seems to mean it's not just renewal

 

[Nennie]

My son was approved today for WDW under the new system. His special needs are pretty obvious by looking at him, and in the past he was always approved as soon as the CM met him (whether in person the old way, or via the new video system). Reading the comments from everyone, I was prepared to answer a bunch of questions, but the video today was pretty similar to the past approvals. I introduced myself and my son, and talked for maybe 30 seconds then the CM asked him to pose for his picture. Afterwards the CM sent a chat message confirming the 120 day approval. We are a family of five (DAS holder, 2 siblings, mom and dad), and were approved for all 5 of us.

I'm very thankful that he was approved, and hope that it continues to go that way, as Disney is a huge part of our lives! Best wishes to those still trying to get approved!!

 

[asc]

Curious thing I have heard from several friends and around other sites: That next time the interview would be easier and a lot shorter. Anyone else hear this?

Ours certainly felt like it was shorter. We did first time under the prior system in June 2023 and then again this June and it was very short both times frankly. Sometimes I wonder if they have prior years and other resorts. Probably not since we have had DAS in Hong Kong and Tokyo, Tokyo, under the newish system in April 2023. Both required photos and the same type of information.

 

[Justrose]

Approved just now for myself, for WDW. Note: it is my 12 year old who's had the DAS for the last few years; I have never applied for myself before. I couldn't decide who to apply for and agonized over the decision for weeks. Ultimately I decided to apply first because I have read conflicting reports about questions being posed to children. My daughter is well spoken, but I didn't want to put her through the anxiety.

I was nervous as all get out, and my cast member on the call was initially very cold and unsmiling which threw me off. I was friendly and told her I was very nervous and had a few notes to refer to if I lost my train of thought. She asked me what my concerns are with waiting in line. I explained. She asked me if I have ever gotten into a physical fight with someone due to my issues and I said no, but gave 2 examples of when I have yelled at people in public (details and specifics won't be shared here per the rules). That was it. The whole call, from entering the chat to ending the zoom, was 7 minutes. The shortest call it's ever been.

My armpits are sweaty like Mary Katherine Gallagher's (IYKYK) and my heart is still racing, but I am relieved it's over!

 

[MinnieMSue]

I made my call a week or two ago and panicked and basically told the man to deny me. I felt so bad for them having to tell me no that I denied myself. So I thought maybe they will listen to me again if I can actually explain myself. I got a different person and she listened politely then she put me on with a health professional of some sort. She asked me specific questions. I had no idea what she was going to ask but answered them easily. She said she was approving me after this and sent me back to the cast member who was also listening but with her microphone off. She did tell me that I could ask her anything during the call if I needed to as she would be listening. I did not say anything diagnostic wise. Then I went back to the cast member who could not have been nicer. She was very positive and I told her how bad I felt for them having to deny people. She said she just really wants to help people. Anyway that was basically it. I don’t know what they could see from my last call but it was really bad. Not the employee. Me lol.

 

[Justrose]

I made my call a week or two ago and panicked and basically told the man to deny me. I felt so bad for them having to tell me no that I denied myself. So I thought maybe they will listen to me again if I can actually explain myself. I got a different person and she listened politely then she put me on with a health professional of some sort. She asked me specific questions. I had no idea what she was going to ask but answered them easily. She said she was approving me after this and sent me back to the cast member who was also listening but with her microphone off. She did tell me that I could ask her anything during the call if I needed to as she would be listening. I did not say anything diagnostic wise. Then I went back to the cast member who could not have been nicer. She was very positive and I told her how bad I felt for them having to deny people. She said she just really wants to help people. Anyway that was basically it. I don’t know what they could see from my last call but it was really bad. Not the employee. Me lol.

I am so glad you got another chance.