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

[jennab]

They said they "will be using" so I don't think they are there yet, so have not yet been approved.

I think there have been people before who stated that when using those types of tickets they could not apply until there. My guess is PP doesn’t know the rules has changed and assumes she will be approved based on past experiences.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I think there have been people before who stated that when using those types of tickets they could not apply until there. My guess is PP doesn’t know the rules has changed and assumes she will be approved based on past experiences.

My physical disabilities that make standing around (but also riding scooters and wheelchairs) excruciating were not deemed sufficient to use DAS last summer — unless the policy is changed again significantly, I would be surprised if the issues described qualify either. I would definitely recommend a plan B.

I have had mostly good experiences with AQR on the 5-10x total I’ve inquired about it since then; but we definitely have trouble doing more than 1-2 non LLMP/LLSP rides per day— so now we average about 3-5 rides per day instead of 6-8.

 

[Sheree]

You should be glad you’re getting it all, I’ve not seen anyone else with the issues you describe getting a DAS under the new rules.

I don't know if I'm getting it. they wouldn't do the chat to make the determination

 

[Sheree]

I think there have been people before who stated that when using those types of tickets they could not apply until there. My guess is PP doesn’t know the rules has changed and assumes she will be approved based on past experiences.

no I'm not assuming I will be approved. I was unaware of the fact that I couldn't even find out if I'll be approved until the day of. that is the frustrating part since it makes it hard to plan.
I am aware of the changes but I know they have updated already once.

 

[Sheree]

My physical disabilities that make standing around (but also riding scooters and wheelchairs) excruciating were not deemed sufficient to use DAS last summer — unless the policy is changed again significantly, I would be surprised if the issues described qualify either. I would definitely recommend a plan B.

I have had mostly good experiences with AQR on the 5-10x total I’ve inquired about it since then; but we definitely have trouble doing more than 1-2 non LLMP/LLSP rides per day— so now we average about 3-5 rides per day instead of 6-8.

the new rules have taken it from one extreme to another. what is aqr?

 

[Sheree]

DAS is usually valid for length of ticket (or 240 days for AP). Unfortunately CM guest passes are viewed as single day entries and must remain in the CMs account. I guess you could view it as a trade off to using the free passes; alternatively you could buy a regular ticket.

believe me I'm grateful to be able to visit with my friend. I am dvc and have bought aps for many years. since this will most likely be my only trip this year I didn't. and she's taking vacation that week so not using her actual limited guest passes, as long s she goes in with me. I would've bought a 4 day pass if not. but now I'll just pay for all her meals.

 

[jennab]

no I'm not assuming I will be approved. I was unaware of the fact that I couldn't even find out if I'll be approved until the day of. that is the frustrating part since it makes it hard to plan.
I am aware of the changes but I know they have updated already once.

I would brace to be denied and have a backup plan. There are other accommodations available if denied, just speak to the ride CM before entering and let them know you have a disability and may need to leave the line. Ask what options there are.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

the new rules have taken it from one extreme to another. what is aqr?

AQR can vary from attraction to attraction. In our case it has often meant that some of my family gets in line and I meet them at the LL merge point. I think it depends on the party and the individual.

 

[Evita_W]

DAS is usually valid for length of ticket (or 240 days for AP). Unfortunately CM guest passes are viewed as single day entries and must remain in the CMs account. I guess you could view it as a trade off to using the free passes; alternatively you could buy a regular ticket.

But they could easily come up with a system to handle it, if you are using comp tickets, you don't have to jump through such hoops, they just need to be assigned to your account. I think the way it is setup is not fair to be honest. But we do what we have to do.

 

[lanejudy]

Disney could do a lot of things differently. Wishful thinking doesn’t really help explain how the system currently works.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

But they could easily come up with a system to handle it, if you are using comp tickets, you don't have to jump through such hoops, they just need to be assigned to your account. I think the way it is setup is not fair to be honest. But we do what we have to do.

I’m sorry that you are so frustrated and that you feel like the system isn’t working for your family. It’s extremely difficult finding the balance between fairness to guests with and without disabilities (including those in the standby lines and those who pay for expedited access), and especially figuring out how to differentiate between an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE, a NEED, a need, a want, and someone who is mostly trying to game the system. Do I think that Disney does it perfectly? Absolutely not. But I do think that they are trying to move in a direction that is more fair for more guests.

This would make a very interesting business school case study.

 

[Evita_W]

I’m sorry that you are so frustrated and that you feel like the system isn’t working for your family. It’s extremely difficult finding the balance between fairness to guests with and without disabilities (including those in the standby lines and those who pay for expedited access), and especially figuring out how to differentiate between an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE, a NEED, a need, a want, and someone who is mostly trying to game the system. Do I think that Disney does it perfectly? Absolutely not. But I do think that they are trying to move in a direction that is more fair for more guests.

This would make a very interesting business school case study.

I definitely disagree, having seen how other entertainment venues handle such things, of course none are perfect, but there are many that strike a much better balance than what Disney is now doing.

 

[jennab]

I definitely disagree, having seen how other entertainment venues handle such things, of course none are perfect, but there are many that strike a much better balance than what Disney is now doing.

I wonder how many disabled guests they have compared to Disney. Like the percentage. I know a lot of other parks have more thrill type rides that many with disabilities can’t do. It makes me wonder if Disney has more guests that visit with disabilities overall.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I definitely disagree, having seen how other entertainment venues handle such things, of course none are perfect, but there are many that strike a much better balance than what Disney is now doing.

I wonder how many disabled guests they have compared to Disney. Like the percentage. I know a lot of other parks have more thrill type rides that many with disabilities can’t do. It makes me wonder if Disney has more guests that visit with disabilities overall.

^^ this. You have to look at theme parks, not entertainment venues in general, and then adjust for the types of rides available at each park. It doesn’t do any good to speculate, because no one outside of Disney really knows how many visitors were being granted DAS, and the size of their parties. I will say that anecdotally many people (including me) have reported dramatic improvements in LL wait times, even as more paid products have been introduced. That suggests that DAS was quite widely used, at least at Disney.

 

[sandrews0608]

Applied for DAS for my adult daughter on Saturday and we were approved. I stated at the beginning of the call that I would be speaking and advocating for her. They never asked her a question besides can we take your photo. This is for WDW and it is the first time I had ever applied for her. In the past I had applied for my medical conditions as I didn't want to put her through it, but I 100% was sure my conditions would now be denied. I was very stressed about making the call and I truly feel bad for those being denied. My daughter is not autistic and does understand the concept of the line, but she has several neurodivergent diagnosis.

 

[BlueGreen5]

A member of my party was approved yesterday for DLR in mid-April.

We haven't applied since before the new guidelines, so this was our first experience under the new guidelines. This person is ND. Given the age and mental maturity level, I do the screening process on their behalf. I did not notice a big difference between before and now.

The CM was equally as attentive and thoughtful as they have always been -- whether or not they had any medical or professional training, and whether or not they were employed by Disney or a third-party contractor, was not apparent or discussed. The CM asked "what happens when [name] waits in line?" The CM asked some questions about strategies we have to deal with issues when they arise. And the CM asked some questions about other formal and informal accommodations that are made in this person's daily life. Each time, I took a moment to think about the question and collect my thoughts and then responded just as if a friend was asking me the question -- probably not terribly artfully, but real. And let's be real: I have had these conversations countless times with family and friends so talking about these topics is not something out of the ordinary for me -- if you have a close family member who is ND, you're probably in the same boat and, like me, you're going to realize that the conversation with the CM is much more natural than you expected. I was not at any time made to feel like I needed to use certain buzz words, follow a certain formula, fit in a certain box, or answer rapid-fire.

There were a couple of times when I said "I don't know," "it depends," or "that's a hard question to answer." If you know someone who is ND, you know that there is no playbook for life -- quite literally, you take everything as it comes. And even though I'm sure that's not the answer that gets you the gold medal, that's the honest truth.

At the end, the CM did talk to me about RTQ as one additional accommodation that exists, and how to use it, but it was not in the context of "you need to be using RTQ rather than the traditional DAS accommodation" -- it was in the context of "this is also available if it helps in any way."

Relaying this anecdote just in case it helps ease someone's anxiety -- I understand why folks have anxiety about this because of how life changing this accommodation is for many people. Just relax, think about the question you are being asked, and be open and honest with your response and it will turn out just fine.

 

[eticketplease]

The other day we spent 2 hours before we reached a cast member. This was the longest in quite a while for us but it is still beats having to wait with DS and the entire party at Guest Services. Just a reminder once you have the chat started and are in que you can pick it up on MDE on your phone so you can do laundry, prep for dinner etc and then go back to the computer for the video call.

When we finally got to the video portion my computer kept wanting to update zoom. Well Zoom wasn't having it and just wouldn't apply the update. Eventually I just used the continue in browser link and the video started.

We went through the normal Q & A session and was granted DAS and then I brought DS upstairs and the photo was taken. Cast member informed me that we could use them for VQ's as well to avoid the longer que which we have done previously but I just thanked the cast member for informing me of that option. (Of course now there won't be any VQ's on our trip but I don't think the cast member knew they were being discontinued)

It is much nicer having the ability to do this at 60 days out instead of 30.

 

[shosh1530]

I requested DAS for my son this morning and was approved. I thought I'd share about our experience in case it is helpful.

He is neurodivergent and he has been approved for DAS several times in the past. This was the first time since the new changes this summer.

I logged in right at opening time (8am PT on a Saturday) and waited about 40 minutes. The castmember I spoke with was very kind and reassured me that it was fine for me to talk on his behalf and only bring him on for a picture once approved (DS is 13). This was a relief as DS has a very hard time talking about the challenges he faces.

After I explained the issues he has waiting in line she asked just a few additional questions. I had prepared a few notes ahead of time just to organize my thoughts. I didn't really look at them during the call, but it helped me mentally prepare.

She approved the DAS without bringing on a medical professional. She asked to take his photo and then after explained some of the changes to the program (mainly the cool down period before you can book the next DAS). The total call was maybe 10 minutes.

 

[jennab]

My 13yr old was approved this morning. The CM did not ask to speak to him until the end and took a pic and asked what his favorite ride was. I was worried they would ask to speak to him the whole time, but I only spoke to them with him in another room.

The CM asked what it’s like when he waits in line, what happens to him, and if he how he is accommodated at school and in travel. It didn’t take long at all, we got connected right away and overall conversation took maybe 10-15min.

 

[Disturbia]

I had our DAS call for our DD5 a few weeks ago for our April post cruise MK day (60 days in advance now) and we have another trip booked in Nov. the DAS expires at the end of Nov (we already have tickets using Bounceback offer ) - max of 240 days (we are not annual pass holders) so this was a nice surprise as I thought only APs get this benefit and asked when I need to call back for the Nov trip.

I think I waited about 15 mins to be connected and total call was about 20 mins discussing real world situations and accommodations; hardest part was taking a picture (needed approval for family of 5).