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

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Wow. After years of my severely autistic son being eligible they denied him this morning. Immediately after the call he had a meltodown and is now terrified of our trip. If I had time to cancel without penalty I would but at this point its too late.

There are reports on WDW Magic that people in your situation who have called to cancel have had the fees waived by Disney. I recognize that won't help with airfare, but if you purchased tickets/hotels through disney they will refund you.

 

[SueM in MN]

Gave some generic tips about waiting in line. Honestly the cast member was kinda rude and hung up on me at the end while I was talking. Weird part is she said that she was going to bring in a specialist and never did.

Good luck to everyone trying to get a DAS. If my son, who is severely autistic, eligible then I'm not sure who is.

Unfortunately, since the Disney sites specifically mention autism, I've seen reports that people on Reddit and other sites like that are giving advice to say their child has autism. Rudeness is never appropriate, but I'm sure the CMs have had a very challenging few days.
It's possible the hang up was a result of the CM trying to add the specialist to the call. I've done that myself at work when trying to add another person to an existing call.

I would suggest trying again after a few days when things settle down, especially since you were told the CM would bring in a specialist and didn't do that. I have read accounts of people who called back, re-explained their concerns with waiting in line and did get approved.

The generic tips they gave regarding waiting in line were actually part of a brochure Disney prepared in consultation with autism advocacy organizations. The brochure has actually been on the Disney website since DAS was introduced in 2013. It was several clicks in on the websites and I'm sure many people never saw it. Now, it's front and center on the websites and is being brought up in calls for anyone with cognitive/developmental disabilities.

 

[Todd H]

Unfortunately, since the Disney sites specifically mention autism, I've seen reports that people on Reddit and other sites like that are giving advice to say their child has autism. Rudeness is never appropriate, but I'm sure the CMs have had a very challenging few days.
It's possible the hang up was a result of the CM trying to add the specialist to the call. I've done that myself at work when trying to add another person to an existing call.

I would suggest trying again after a few days when things settle down, especially since you were told the CM would bring in a specialist and didn't do that. I have read accounts of people who called back, re-explained their concerns with waiting in line and did get approved.

The generic tips they gave regarding waiting in line were actually part of a brochure Disney prepared in consultation with autism advocacy organizations. The brochure has actually been on the Disney website since DAS was introduced in 2013. It was several clicks in on the websites and I'm sure many people never saw it. Now, it's front and center on the websites and is being brought up in calls for anyone with cognitive/developmental disabilities.

The hang up wasn't an accident. She basically gave me a "have a magical day" and ended the call after I started asking her why he was denied. At least they didn't charge me for canceling.

 

[Grim Grinning Ghostie]

My mother wants to use the last two days of her Florida Resident Multi-Day ticket next weekend (June 1/2), so I applied for a DAS renewal today.

1) Yes, I have applied and was approved for DAS before, albeit under the old rules.

2) I was approved for a DAS renewal under the new rules due to needs caused by my diagnoses. The approval lasts 120 days. I was advised that RTQ is an option in the LL as well and was allowed to add my mom and my husband to my riding group.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

The hang up wasn't an accident. She basically gave me a "have a magical day" and ended the call after I started asking her why he was denied. At least they didn't charge me for canceling.

This is at least the second report of someone not getting charged cancellation fees after being denied DAS so it sounds like it's probably safe to assume that's going to be the policy, at least for now.

 

[SueM in MN]

Guests can apply for DAS as soon as 30 days in advance of their first park day.
If you can wait, I'd recommend waiting at least a week to let things settle down.

It was somewhat chaotic at first when GAC (Guest Assistance Card) changed to DAS in 2013 and again when advance video registration was introduced to DAS a few years ago. Things settled down after a few weeks

 

[Dog Is Love]

The hang up wasn't an accident. She basically gave me a "have a magical day" and ended the call after I started asking her why he was denied. At least they didn't charge me for canceling.

Yeah this is the sixth time I've seen someone report that they were hung up on where the cast member made it obvious by saying something like, "I'm moving on to the next person now" or similar beforehand. I'm sorry they were so rude to you and glad you didn't have to pay for cancelling at least.

 

[asc]

Did DAS today for child. Not first time. Process seemed the same as before. Explained same needs and challenges and was advised that our child continued to qualify for DAS and was approved in a few minutes. Child fits with in definition Disney has for a few reasons.

Took a little while to get an agent - maybe 20 minutes?

Agent was very pleasant and took an updated picture of our child, well as best she could.

 

[only hope]

My mother wants to use the last two days of her Florida Resident Multi-Day ticket next weekend (June 1/2), so I applied for a DAS renewal today.

1) Yes, I have applied and was approved for DAS before, albeit under the old rules.

2) I was approved for a DAS renewal under the new rules due to needs caused by my diagnoses. The approval lasts 120 days. I was advised that RTQ is an option in the LL as well and was allowed to add my mom and my husband to my riding group.

If you feel comfortable sharing, could you say whether your need for DAS is related to physical needs and/or cognitive/mental health?

 

[namelessoracle]

If you had das approved for an autistic child 3 weeks ago do you have to re apply now?

 

[lanejudy]

If you had das approved for an autistic child 3 weeks ago do you have to re apply now?

Generally speaking, 3 weeks ago WDW was granting DAS with a 30-day expiration, but if you had your trip already I don't know if it would still be valid for another. Presumably it should still be good for about another week.

 

[namelessoracle]

Generally speaking, 3 weeks ago WDW was granting DAS with a 30-day expiration, but if you had your trip already I don't know if it would still be valid for another. Presumably it should still be good for about another week.

The trip is in a few days. We apply within the 30 day allowed mark. We had applied before no issues. No mention and he was approved and photo taken. Only thing she mentioned was no more rides in advance. I thought it lasted 60 days? (120 now i guess?)

 

[lanejudy]

The trip is in a few days. We apply within the 30 day allowed mark. We had applied before no issues. No mention and he was approved and photo taken. Only thing she mentioned was no more rides in advance. I thought it lasted 60 days? (120 now i guess?)

It was 60 days for those registering prior to April 9th. For those who requested DAS between April 9th and May 20th, DAS was/is only valid for a 30-day period regardless of ticket or future trips planned. Do you have an AP? If yes, once you register under the new rules it will be valid for up to 120 days.

Or are you saying you registered 3 weeks ago, which was 30 days prior to your trip that is coming up in a few days? If so, the DAS is valid for your upcoming trip. But you'll need to re-register again before your next visit.

 

[Grim Grinning Ghostie]

If you feel comfortable sharing, could you say whether your need for DAS is related to physical needs and/or cognitive/mental health?

I don't mind sharing. It's related to cognitive/neurological conditions with some correlated physical issues.

 

[namelessoracle]

It was 60 days for those registering prior to April 9th. For those who requested DAS between April 9th and May 20th, DAS was/is only valid for a 30-day period regardless of ticket or future trips planned. Do you have an AP? If yes, once you register under the new rules it will be valid for up to 120 days.

Or are you saying you registered 3 weeks ago, which was 30 days prior to your trip that is coming up in a few days? If so, the DAS is valid for your upcoming trip. But you'll need to re-register again before your next visit.

Registered 3 weeks ago. Trip is next week and would spill over the 30 days. The 30 day it was good for rule was not mentioned. Now you have me worried that it will expire half way through.

 

[lanejudy]

Registered 3 weeks ago. Trip is next week and would spill over the 30 days. The 30 day it was good for rule was not mentioned. Now you have me worried that it will expire half way through.

No, you should be good. I've only heard of 1 person who had DAS expire before the end of their visit, but they didn't have any other park days so it didn't matter. Everybody else has had DAS valid through the end of their visit.

 

[SueM in MN]

No, you should be good. I've only heard of 1 person who had DAS expire before the end of their visit, but they didn't have any other park days so it didn't matter. Everybody else has had DAS valid through the end of their visit.

Just adding, that's what I've seen in various places too

 

[elvispursley]

Here it specifically says they can be used and this is on Disney's Site
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/accessing-attractions-queues/

But considering they used to be on the list of banned items and security was super strict about it, I do wonder how this will play out.

I’d show security where is specifically states that the cane chair is allowed. Ideally, one would hope that they e been updated re. changes.

 

[randumb0]

Called at 7:05 am
Call took about 5 mins
DAS approved for my DS 11

 

[clairenutter]

I can’t speak for others, but I am capable of walking for about 20 minutes without a problem. When I walk through the parks, I can control my pace, avoid bottlenecks, and sit on a bench to rest if needed.

A long line is a whole different ballgame. It’s a lot of starting and stopping. It is a lot of standing still for a few minutes here and there. Most lines do not have benches where you can take a rest.

Walking from point A to point B is a lot different than standing in a slow moving line for 60-120 minutes.

I couldn't agree more. Walking around the park is not comparable to standing in a long queue for 20 mins plus. For a start and without going into detail for obvious reasons my back gets exceptionally uncomfortable when standing still in a queue. (I have a host of other reason why standing in a long line is something I can't do) but just wanted to also agree walking around a park and standing in a long line are absolutely not comparable. I am sorry you have similar struggles.