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

[Princesca]

If that's their point, DAS could be reserved for families of 2 or single adults with minors since there's no one able to hold their place in line. Come to think of it, they did ask how many more were traveling with us and how many minors, so maybe that's what they're doing?

This gives me some hope. Our issue is that there are only three of us, two of whom are neurodivergent and don't do well in crowds/confined lines, and I can't ask my dysregulated partner to manage our also dysregulated son outside of the line while I hold their place. If we had one more adult, I can see RTQ working for us, but with just the two adults, I have tried and tried to imagine scenarios it could work and haven't come up with anything.

I also find the questions about 'how do you manage in RL with lines' a little odd because I'm like... we don't? We do our best to avoid stuff like that. We have a season pass to our local amusement park, where we can go for the first 1-2 hrs when crowds are low, and we have the luxury of leaving and coming back the next week. Nothing about 'real life' is at all akin to the Disney experience, where you are spending thousands to fly out of state for a week's vacation that you can't just keep repeating until you're satisfied. One long line a day at the DMV does not compare to 5+ long lines at Disney. And they've done their best to create no 'low park times', and have succeeded, so that took away another tool in my toolbox. Yes, it's less crowded some times of year but it's not like the olden days where you would see TP crowd levels in like the 2s/3s... baseline anymore seems to be 5/6.

 

[Jaay]

Re-registered and approved today.
Waited about a minute in the queue, much quicker than the first time. Same questions as before but slightly less amount (two) and it was pretty quick and painless. Felt awkward explaining stuff as always, but glad it’s done.

Question for anyone who knows - my next park day (reservation as I’m a local AP holder) is next Thursday 24th - she implied the 240 days doesn’t start until then. The DAS box isn’t showing on my app, so I assume it will pop up next Thursday?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Grim Grinning Ghostie]

Re-registered and approved today.
Waited about a minute in the queue, much quicker than the first time. Same questions as before but slightly less amount (two) and it was pretty quick and painless. Felt awkward explaining stuff as always, but glad it’s done.

Question for anyone who knows - my next park day (reservation as I’m a local AP holder) is next Thursday 24th - she implied the 240 days doesn’t start until then. The DAS box isn’t showing on my app, so I assume it will pop up next Thursday?

Thank you in advance!

Hi, Jaay, the DAS box can take as long as the day of your visit to be visible in the app's UI. However, I usually see it become available a few days before my first park visit.

 

[Jaay]

Hi, Jaay, the DAS box can take as long as the day of your visit to be visible in the app's UI. However, I usually see it become available a few days before my first park visit.

That’s perfect, thank you for confirming!
The last time I did it (and previous times) was the morning of my next park visit so this ‘delayed’ DAS approval is new to me. Really appreciate the info

 

[SueM in MN]

Re-registered and approved today.
Waited about a minute in the queue, much quicker than the first time. Same questions as before but slightly less amount (two) and it was pretty quick and painless. Felt awkward explaining stuff as always, but glad it’s done.

Question for anyone who knows - my next park day (reservation as I’m a local AP holder) is next Thursday 24th - she implied the 240 days doesn’t start until then. The DAS box isn’t showing on my app, so I assume it will pop up next Thursday?

Thank you in advance!

It generally will show up after checking into a park for the first time.
It's possible it might show up earlier, but that is when my daughter's always showed up. It also was in the prewritten information the CM shared with me after my daughter was approved recently

 

[StarLime]

I was denied this morning. I told them what my medical condition was and thoroughly explained how it impacts my ability to wait in lines. The CM was super nice and seemed sympathetic, but she explained the new DAS system is “only” meant for developmental disabilities. Which I thought wasn’t true because I’ve read contradicting things online. Oh well. I’m starting to wonder if I never mentioned my diagnosis and just explained why I can’t wait in lines, if that would’ve made a difference or not.

 

[jennab]

I was denied this morning. I told them what my medical condition was and thoroughly explained how it impacts my ability to wait in lines. The CM was super nice and seemed sympathetic, but she explained the new DAS system is “only” meant for developmental disabilities. Which I thought wasn’t true because I’ve read contradicting things online. Oh well. I’m starting to wonder if I never mentioned my diagnosis and just explained why I can’t wait in lines, if that would’ve made a difference or not.

If you have a physical disability, I don’t think it would have mattered if you didn’t say the diagnosis. Your issues with the line are probably not the same as someone with a developmental (or like) disability.

 

[only hope]

I was denied this morning. I told them what my medical condition was and thoroughly explained how it impacts my ability to wait in lines. The CM was super nice and seemed sympathetic, but she explained the new DAS system is “only” meant for developmental disabilities. Which I thought wasn’t true because I’ve read contradicting things online. Oh well. I’m starting to wonder if I never mentioned my diagnosis and just explained why I can’t wait in lines, if that would’ve made a difference or not.

Some have been approved but it seems rare. Unfortunately many people who truly need DAS (meaning the alternatives don’t work) are not being approved.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Some have been approved but it seems rare. Unfortunately many people who truly need DAS (meaning the alternatives don’t work) are not being approved.

I've actually seen very few people state that the alternatives won't work; it's been mostly complaints that it won't be as easy as DAS and/or they don't want to be separated from their party so much.

 

[jennab]

I've actually seen very few people state that the alternatives won't work; it's been mostly complaints that it won't be as easy as DAS and/or they don't want to be separated from their party so much.

Yes. I feel like most people are just sad/upset/anxious about DAS denial and complain about other the accommodations before even attempting.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yes. I feel like most people are just sad/upset/anxious about DAS denial and complain about other the accommodations before even attempting.

Exactly.

 

[Jperiod]

Had a short wait for DL chat today, apparently sunday mornings are better than other days. My HFA son was denied and they suggested return to queue which is disappointing on a family vacation to be separated. I'm also not sure how it actually helps on rides with no cell service like indiana jones. How would we know when to return? She said we could just wait for our party at the merge point but that defeats the purpose of avoiding the sensory experience of the environment that's over-whelming him.

I really don't know why he didn't qualify. They wanted to know school accommodations, but not sure how those relate to lines at all? And they wanted to know how he deals with other lines but that's the thing - he doesn't. We avoid him waiting as much as possible because the situation quickly degrades and that's not an episode we want to deal with on vacation (which is why we've continued to vacation at disney. We know how to make it work for him).

Anyone know if we can try re-applying for this trip? My son is very worried now. We haven't done disney without DAS since we learned about it after he was diagnosed, so maybe it'll be better than he thinks. I'm willing to try and trying to convince him too. But if he's going downhill while we're there, can we ask again there?

I wanted to give an update since we went to disneyland 10/15. RTQ didn't really work as I hoped. The first time was Snow White, they wouldn't let my son join us in the queue with his food. We were gonna use it on Indy, but the line was moving fast enough that we weren't sure how to reconnect in time so we just convinced him to stay with us. Then we had no cell or wifi service once we were deep inside Indy anyway, so I'm not sure why they told me it had improved. We managed to use it on Toy Story on our CA day, but I'm not really sure if we even used it "right." We just had him join us when he was ready. He told the CM he was using RTQ, but really, he wasn't with us when we first got in line, but the CM let him meet us.

I planned out our day so most of the lines were less than 30 minutes, which can be the same as LL lines anyways, so I thought he should be fine. The big thing I didn't realize until we were there was how much more his anxiety increased by having follow my plan and the LL return times, rather than deciding together in the moment as he's been used to. And because we were following LL and my low line/crowd plan, we crisscrossed the park several more times, doing about 50% more steps than we usually did on a DLR day. This, of course, made him more tired and irritable.

By 4 pm he was determined to apply for DAS again. He went to city hall and they sent him outside to a kiosk but he couldn't find it and thought it was closed. Went back to city hall and they called, confirmed it was open, sent him back to the kiosk (apparently there's two buildings). They asked him the same questions, went to call for a supervisor the same as they had when I had initially called with him, but he told them a supervisor had already been called the first time and they ended up approving him before the supervisor got on for some reason. I have no clue what he said, but he gets very loud and progressively physically aggressive when he's perseverating, so I have a feeling his autism was shining in all of its glory by that point since he was very frustrated.

After he was approved, we just used our LLs we had collected for the evening and DAS for 1 ride, but his anxiety was noticeably improved. His mood was better in the morning at DCA on 10/16 but quickly degraded as the day went on because he was still very tired from the day before even though we slept in. Only needed DAS for 2 or 3 rides there.

I'm not sure what we'll do for future trips and have nothing planned. Since DAS is less guaranteed than ever before, it's making me reconsider taking him. I didn't realize how mentally he depends on it, so we'd really need to work on that skill-building. His emotional dysregulation can be so exhausting for the rest of us it stops being a vacation. My 14 year old typical daughter doesn't want to go with him anymore. So we probably need to accept the fact that family vacations need to be elsewhere that work for my son, and I'll do disney girls trips with just my daughter.

 

[razlime]

Approved today for a medical disability which has cognitive symptoms similar to autism spectrum disorders.

I waited 1.5 hours on Sunday at 10 AM ET. My cast member was extremely friendly and said he was jealous of my camera quality right off the bat. He asked one question which was more of a statement - I need to know what you experience in a line that would prevent you from being able to wait (not a direct quote, sorry!). I was unsure if that's when I needed to talk so I paused and he said "can you tell me about that?"

I wrote 2 full pages of notes but my answer to that question caused immediate approval. I went through my symptoms in lines that cause issues, did not give any medical info otherwise, and he said "thank you, I'm going to take a quick picture." And then we talked about my camera and what I do for work while he set it up.

I am massively relieved but am so sorry for others who were denied. It's been tough, personally, to deal with internalized ableism caused by this change and the discourse around it. I hope as stressful as it all is, everyone in this forum gets the accommodations that they need.

 

[smallworldnh]

After being approved twice before for my mom, we were denied this time around.

I logged on at around 2:30 pm ET on 10/18 and was chatting with someone within 10 minutes. She was very nice, very friendly. She did refer us to a medical person. I explained that my 90 year old mom (she might be old but she loves some of the rides!) has CHF, kidney disease, and an anxiety disorder, especially around close crowded areas, for which she takes medication. She takes diuretics for the CHF to drain the fluid from around her heart so she needs to use the bathroom quite often. I'm concerned about having to leave a line several times. She does use a wheelchair there's that too. i know how rude people can be about getting back in. She does get very nervous and anxious if there are too many people around her for long periods of time. The medicine does help with that.

So they explained to me that as far as using the bathroom, we can leave a queue - a cast member will help with that. I'm worried that it could be several times, like I said. She does also use a wheelchair. As for the panic/anxiety issues - they said since she's on medication it probably won't be an issue. They asked how I deal at home but I said we are close to the bathroom and hardly ever in crowded situation.

So it is what it is. I'm disappointed but we'll manage. I'm off to find information about disability entrances, rider swaps, and things like that.

thanks everyone and good luck to all who haven't tried yet!

 

[SueM in MN]

After being approved twice before for my mom, we were denied this time around.

I logged on at around 2:30 pm ET on 10/18 and was chatting with someone within 10 minutes. She was very nice, very friendly. She did refer us to a medical person. I explained that my 90 year old mom (she might be old but she loves some of the rides!) has CHF, kidney disease, and an anxiety disorder, especially around close crowded areas, for which she takes medication. She takes diuretics for the CHF to drain the fluid from around her heart so she needs to use the bathroom quite often. I'm concerned about having to leave a line several times. She does use a wheelchair there's that too. i know how rude people can be about getting back in. She does get very nervous and anxious if there are too many people around her for long periods of time. The medicine does help with that.

So they explained to me that as far as using the bathroom, we can leave a queue - a cast member will help with that. I'm worried that it could be several times, like I said. She does also use a wheelchair. As for the panic/anxiety issues - they said since she's on medication it probably won't be an issue. They asked how I deal at home but I said we are close to the bathroom and hardly ever in crowded situation.

So it is what it is. I'm disappointed but we'll manage. I'm off to find information about disability entrances, rider swaps, and things like that.

thanks everyone and good luck to all who haven't tried yet!

I know the changes to DAS are distressing to many people. The main thing is that they have moved away from giving DAS for 'just in case' situations- like possibly needing to leave the line for the restroom

This link to the Disney website has information about Attraction Queue Re-entry (needing to leave the line).
The suggestion if you think you might need to leave the line is to talk to the CM at the entrance. You don't need to go into detail about why, just say something like, "what should we do if she/we need to leave the line?" Most of the reports I've seen have actually said it works quite well. Exactly what happens will depend on things like where you are in line at the time and what's available. I've even seen reports of people being escorted to a backstage CM restroom if far into the queue.
Even if she doesn't usually wear protective clothing, she may want to wear a disposable or reusable adult incontinence brief/underwear. That could also help with anxiety related to getting to the restroom in time.

This link to the WDW Mobility information page has a lot of helpful information on attraction access.
It includes information about attractions with wheelchair accessible ride vehicles (WAV) and attractions that require a transfer from ECV to wheelchair and transfer to a ride vehicle.

 

[LSUmiss]

Can you use das once your boarding group is called for guardians with a virtual queue? If so, how do you get it?

 

[SueM in MN]

Can you use das once your boarding group is called for guardians with a virtual queue? If so, how do you get it?

Yes, you can.
You need to enter into the Virtual Queue the same as other guests.
Once your Boarding Group is called, go to a CM at the Lightning Lane entrance and let them know you have an active Boarding Group and DAS. They will scan your MagicBand/ticket to verify both, then add entry to LL to you and your group (or 3 people in your group if you have more linked).
The person DAS was issued to scans in first at the LL, then the rest of the group, same as for DAS Return Times

 

[LSUmiss]

Yes, you can.
You need to enter into the Virtual Queue the same as other guests.
Once your Boarding Group is called, go to a CM at the Lightning Lane entrance and let them know you have an active Boarding Group and DAS. They will scan your MagicBand/ticket to verify both, then add entry to LL to you and your group (or 3 people in your group if you have more linked).
The person DAS was issued to scans in first at the LL, then the rest of the group, same as for DAS Return Times

Thank you!

 

[smallworldnh]

thank you SueM. that information is extremely helpful!!

 

[Disturbia]

Just got approved for my son. She added all five of us to the Das. She explained that inly my son and 3 others could use it at one time but we could change the the 3 with every ride on our own. She said all five names would show and we just put a check mark next to 3 that are riding. It’s good for 240 days. It took about 5 minutes to do. She only asked me one question. It was clear that my son needed it. She was very nice.

So all 5 can’t ride together? Are all 5 immediate family (2 adults, 3 kids?)