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

[OurBigTrip]

We have no information (Disney does not share) that AP sales surged or have increased. And having the AP does not change your qualification for a DAS, so not really relative. It really is a non-talking point.



I don't doubt there were some who pre-purchased APs but I don't think the number has any real impact.

I wonder if your DS will now have to make Park Reservations since they might fall in to that category??


Don't all these type of tickets (non-date specific) need Park Reservations? And if so then they would need to make those reservations before applying for DAS. Then the DAS starts from their first park day. At that point they are just like any other regular ticket.

I would imagine if your ticket is good for the whole year, they would be approved similar to an AP??

Not arguing about reservations or anything else, just pointing out that non-expiring tickets are not uncommon.

 

[HopperFan]

Not arguing about reservations or anything else, just pointing out that non-expiring tickets are not uncommon.

I wasn't arguing your point. I was asking ...

... if these tickets need reservations, then it isn't like the 120, 240 or whatever the long time frame is now would even apply, as other posters seem to imply.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Don't all these type of tickets (non-date specific) need Park Reservations? And if so then they would need to make those reservations before applying for DAS. Then the DAS starts from their first park day. At that point they are just like any other regular ticket.

I would imagine if your ticket is good for the whole year, they would be approved similar to an AP??

Yes, theme park reservations are required prior to das conversation, and yes, we were told our das is valid for 120 days (so that if we were to change dates, as our tickets don't require use on a certain date), as long as it's within the 120 day window we don't need to reapply for das entirely

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

Today, I tried to chat in MDE, but only got an auto-reply containing the link to register for DAS ... However, that site has a link to email the DAS team, so I gave it a shot. I received an automated email immediately, and am hoping to get a real-person response in the next few weeks… fingers crossed!!!
View attachment 896631

I just heard back… unfortunately, it was a no. Kind, but no.

“Thank you for your question about the Disability Access Service (DAS).

Your DAS is valid for the 120 days. Once the service has elapsed, you will need to re-register for the program.

We are sorry our response is not a more favorable one but we appreciate your understanding.”

 

[Donald - my hero]

Just did the online chat to find out how long my pass is valid for - Adulting SUCKS but it's looking like we're going to have to admit defeat and continue to recover before we take our holiday to celebrate our 40th COVID-19 is a big bully!!!
It's valid for 120 days from what was supposed to be my 1st park day and as a gesture of goodwill the Cast Member was going to extend it to the timeline now being used for AP holders but asked first if I was planning on renewing it or not. Since the answer is no, she left it the way it is. SO, take my answer with a grain of salt, I'm not sure if she would have extended it if my annual pass was going to be valid or not. Doesn't matter though because our plan B trip falls within this timeframe.

 

[jennab]

Just did the online chat to find out how long my pass is valid for - Adulting SUCKS but it's looking like we're going to have to admit defeat and continue to recover before we take our holiday to celebrate our 40th COVID-19 is a big bully!!!
It's valid for 120 days from what was supposed to be my 1st park day and as a gesture of goodwill the Cast Member was going to extend it to the timeline now being used for AP holders but asked first if I was planning on renewing it or not. Since the answer is no, she left it the way it is. SO, take my answer with a grain of salt, I'm not sure if she would have extended it if my annual pass was going to be valid or not. Doesn't matter though because our plan B trip falls within this timeframe.

When does your current pass expire? If it’s between the 120 and 240 days I can see why they didn’t extend it.

 

[Leigh L]

Military salute tickets, for ex, are valid for the length the program decides (usually a year). These aren't the tickets we purchased, but we have used them in the past and (unless changed in recent programs), they don't expire 14 days after first use either. They are the same price for the length of the program, price doesn't change based on time of year as I understand date-based tickets do.

You are correct.

I can also confirm unused days still do not expire until the date the program ends. I caught COVID Labor Day weekend at WDW and couldn't finish my trip. My ticket's 3 unused days are good until 12/20.

(Side note and not relevant to this thread, but in case anyone is wondering, WDW will not issue a credit or apply any value to a future ticket if you used at least 2 days since they're discounted).

To keep my post on topic, my DD was approved for DAS and used a military ticket. She was approved for 120 days (this was back in early August). I thought it was because she had a different date-based ticket (comp) expiring Dec. 2025, but maybe because she was using a military ticket and they treated it like an AP?

 

[Donald - my hero]

When does your current pass expire? If it’s between the 120 and 240 days I can see why they didn’t extend it.

it actually expires BEFORE the 120 days but that was a "pixie dust" from the CM who approved me in the first place because I have 8 single day park hoppers on my account that aren't date based (they were gifted to us when my mom died during one of our trips and we couldn't get home) she said that giving me the 120 days would let me use those as well. I told her we're from Canada and it costs too much to travel more than once a year and she told me that she wanted me to have the option available.
I was not surprised it wasn't extended but I said here that I would ask, so I did

 

[HavendishSquare]

I have a birthday trip planned next month and my DAS expires at the end of this month. I called to renew this morning and was denied. I’m autistic and was approved under the new changes in May. I explained the same issues I had in the last call. This time they asked several more questions after I explained, unlike before.

I’m pretty disappointed, but honestly I’m more concerned about the fact that I somehow missed my AP has blockout dates during my trip, so now we need to figure that out…

Edit:
I also want to add that this CM was very kind and professional when letting me know I had not been approved. I was denied once under the old DAS when I did not provide enough information and it felt like the CM was being very condescending. Hopefully this means they have better training or are hiring people more appropriate for this position. Or she simply could have just been good at softening the blow haha.

My second experience applying for DAS under the new changes.

 

[keishashadow]

Years ago, decided to stagger my family's various AP renewal dates for budgetary reasons. Expiration dates now range from February to July

The recently granted 120 day DAS extends beyond the February expiry date of their AP. It is within what is the one month grace period allowed to renew the expiring AP

if that person had waited to apply now for DAS under the 240 day policy, would the approval be shortened to 120 days due to current AP expiry in Feb?

If so, doesn't make sense to me since one cannot rectify it by purchasing a renewal until 2 months prior to expiry date, or in this case in December

 

[supercarrie]

Applied and was approved today for my 8 year old autistic son at DL. He was given the 240 day expiration. I was very nervous as he visibly looks neurotypical (although I hate this stereotype!) and she asked to say hi to him, but he ran away immediately after saying hi and she didn't force him to talk. I'd heard horror stories in other groups of CMs insisting they talk to children, and while I prepped him for this, it was still nerve-wracking. We've only recently explained his diagnosis to him and he gets very embarrassed about it and the challenges associated with it.

I was asked the previously discussed questions about what happens when he waits in an extended queue, what strategies do we have in place to support him, what happens when the supports fail, etc. Other more detailed questions that I won't share, but I think anyone with a disability or a caregiver would be able to answer them. There were probably 5-6 questions in all, I sort of rambled through all of them.

A couple other questions were asked:
-When I shared this was his first time applying for DAS, the CM asked if anyone in our party had received DAS before. I assume she could see some history and see that I had previously utilized DAS. I was of course honest and shared that I had a disability which previously qualified, but no longer need any accommodations due to changes in my health history. (I gave a more detailed answer than this.) It was clear she wanted an explanation for why I wasn't applying for myself this time but didn't want to give away the game, so to speak. (Especially given my disability no longer qualifies under the new DAS.) She likely could also see I haven't used DAS for myself in almost a year despite going to DL almost weekly, which perhaps helped.

-She also asked how often my son goes to DL, and why we hadn't applied for DAS for him before he is a long time passholder. We had an honest and logical explanation for this, and shared it.

We will have to apply for WDW in March, so it will be interesting to see if they care at all that he has an active DAS at DL. I know they are separate systems, so assuming they won't take that into consideration.

 

[jennab]

Applied and was approved today for my 8 year old autistic son at DL. He was given the 240 day expiration. I was very nervous as he visibly looks neurotypical (although I hate this stereotype!) and she asked to say hi to him, but he ran away immediately after saying hi and she didn't force him to talk. I'd heard horror stories in other groups of CMs insisting they talk to children, and while I prepped him for this, it was still nerve-wracking. We've only recently explained his diagnosis to him and he gets very embarrassed about it and the challenges associated with it.

I was asked the previously discussed questions about what happens when he waits in an extended queue, what strategies do we have in place to support him, what happens when the supports fail, etc. Other more detailed questions that I won't share, but I think anyone with a disability or a caregiver would be able to answer them. There were probably 5-6 questions in all, I sort of rambled through all of them.

A couple other questions were asked:
-When I shared this was his first time applying for DAS, the CM asked if anyone in our party had received DAS before. I assume she could see some history and see that I had previously utilized DAS. I was of course honest and shared that I had a disability which previously qualified, but no longer need any accommodations due to changes in my health history. (I gave a more detailed answer than this.) It was clear she wanted an explanation for why I wasn't applying for myself this time but didn't want to give away the game, so to speak. (Especially given my disability no longer qualifies under the new DAS.) She likely could also see I haven't used DAS for myself in almost a year despite going to DL almost weekly, which perhaps helped.

-She also asked how often my son goes to DL, and why we hadn't applied for DAS for him before he is a long time passholder. We had an honest and logical explanation for this, and shared it.

We will have to apply for WDW in March, so it will be interesting to see if they care at all that he has an active DAS at DL. I know they are separate systems, so assuming they won't take that into consideration.

Oh this is interesting. I suppose they might scrutinize someone who is now applying for a child but previously had DAS themselves. Glad it worked out for you!

 

[supercarrie]

Oh this is interesting. I suppose they might scrutinize someone who is now applying for a child but previously had DAS themselves. Glad it worked out for you!

Definitely! I thought it was a valid question given the combo of me not applying and him never having applied before (both of which I had two separate and honest answers for - my answer to the second question wasn’t “oh, he was on mine so never needed it.”)

 

[frannn]

Called this morning for my daughter and myself. I got denied (previously had for physical issue) but she was given DAS (developmental disabilities). Glad because I don't think we'd be able to get on many rides if DD didn't have it- she prob would've begged to sit in the room the whole trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Disney World and Disneyland now have changed their DAS FAQs to say DAS will be valid for the length of the ticket or up to 240 days, whichever is shorter
View attachment 897692

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

After many months of worrying if we’d be approved from everything we’ve read and heard both of our kids were approved this morning. The process was simple (after some technical difficulties on my end and having to join the chat a second time) and she asked a basic question that I had answers for each of them. A quick follow up question to my answers and we were good to go. I didn’t feel interrogated as many say they are or that she was asking intrusive questions. So if you haven’t done your call yet please don’t go in with much nervousness about it. Be prepared with instances or situations in everyday life you can provide or recall and that’s all it was for us!

 

[Jnjtrio]

Dad with Parkinson's was denied. We had ordered 2 scooters as our Mom needs one as well. Set up lightning lanes, staying onsite..missed lightning lanes trying to get in parks early with long lines at busses etc. We wanted to be in early and trying to head out as soon as we can early afternoon. This was last family trip for our parent's with grandkids. We'll our plans failed, we had to wait in longer lines, in the heat. He went into hospital this Tuesday due to his medications and heat causing a major episode. DAS would have allowed us to make our next ride and not be locked into a 1 hour time slot. You can only get another DAS after you use one. Disney has not been magical. I asked about a refund for individual lightning lane and multi lightning lane for today about 1pm with the resort manager team. whose number was given to me as he was taken out by paramedics yesterday. They said they would get back to me, no response and it is 10pm.

 

[jennab]

Dad with Parkinson's was denied. We had ordered 2 scooters as our Mom needs one as well. Set up lightning lanes, staying onsite..missed lightning lanes trying to get in parks early with long lines at busses etc. We wanted to be in early and trying to head out as soon as we can early afternoon. This was last family trip for our parent's with grandkids. We'll our plans failed, we had to wait in longer lines, in the heat. He went into hospital this Tuesday due to his medications and heat causing a major episode. DAS would have allowed us to make our next ride and not be locked into a 1 hour time slot. You can only get another DAS after you use one. Disney has not been magical. I asked about a refund for individual lightning lane and multi lightning lane for today about 1pm with the resort manager team. whose number was given to me as he was taken out by paramedics yesterday. They said they would get back to me, no response and it is 10pm.

Sorry to hear about your dad having to go to the hospital. Did you try to explain to the CM at the ride or a blue umbrella about bussing issues which caused you to miss your LLs?

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Dad with Parkinson's was denied. We had ordered 2 scooters as our Mom needs one as well. Set up lightning lanes, staying onsite..missed lightning lanes trying to get in parks early with long lines at busses etc. We wanted to be in early and trying to head out as soon as we can early afternoon. This was last family trip for our parent's with grandkids. We'll our plans failed, we had to wait in longer lines, in the heat. He went into hospital this Tuesday due to his medications and heat causing a major episode. DAS would have allowed us to make our next ride and not be locked into a 1 hour time slot. You can only get another DAS after you use one. Disney has not been magical. I asked about a refund for individual lightning lane and multi lightning lane for today about 1pm with the resort manager team. whose number was given to me as he was taken out by paramedics yesterday. They said they would get back to me, no response and it is 10pm.

I’m so sorry that your family is struggling. In a case like this it may also make sense to not rely on Disney transportation, as getting 2 scooters on a bus is always going to be a challenge.

 

[Jnjtrio]

Sorry to hear about your dad having to go to the hospital. Did you try to explain to the CM at the ride or a blue umbrella about bussing issues which caused you to miss your LLs?

Yep they just told us we could leave queues and return.