DAS change

[Evita_W]

Have you heard of any while using an EVC?

Exactly, everyone says I haven’t heard of anyone having an issue, but no one has been able to point out people that have been successful in doing so.

 

[lanejudy]

The feeding tube was one example and every 15 minutes, what about a line that is 60 minutes long? Doesn’t work there.

The baby must be fed every 15 minutes? I honestly don’t think that need can be accommodated. They really wouldn’t make it through with DAS — before the change the LL could be 20-30 minutes plus the length of the attraction, now the LL is still likely to be 10-15 plus the ride.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

The feeding tube was one example and every 15 minutes, what about a line that is 60 minutes long? Doesn’t work there.

Respectfully, if someone has a baby that has to be fed every 15 minutes through a tube, what are they doing going on rides at Disney World?

DAS would have never been able to guarantee that from the moment that one disconnects the tube and steps into the lines until the moment that one is off the ride and can reconnect the feeding tube would only last 15 minutes. LL lines were 15-30 minutes, plus time post merge, plus the ride itself, plus time to get out.

What you are suggesting makes no sense.

 

[WantToGoToWDW]

I disagree to a certain extent, the business is responsible to provide reasonable accommodations and yes theme parks are a bit more unique. The issue here is Disney is now not accommodating some people at all when they used to do so. I am not referring to not get the preferred accommodation, I mean DAS vs return to queue, etc. is all semantics in how they work. What I am referring to are the people who used to be able to be acommodated, but can’t anymore. And sorry, but if you can afford it, you should be able to experience it without any additional costs in a way that meets your needs.

For example, one I read about:
The person has a young baby with a feeding tube and can end up vomiting, but also needs food at certain intervals. With the DAS, they had been able to know they would generally have say no more than a 10 minute wait when returning and could account for this and have the child have an empty stomach for that time plus the length of the ride when returning. Under the new system they end up coming in and having to wait in a 45 minute line, well the child needs food within that time frame, ends up vomiting everywhere, now not only do they have to leave the queue and inform a CM of what happened, but now that attraction’s queue has to be shut down until custodial can come and clean it up because there are bodily fluids. Please pardon me if you know this story and I got any of the details wrong, I had only read about it once, but this scenario is not uncommon.

Those with sensory issues are another great example, headphones help to a degree, but what about the person who was already using headphones and a DAS return time was what was making it doable. Also, there are other forms of sensory issues that headphones will not help with, visual, physical (twisting and turning in queues), so on and so forth. These are all issues that DAS used to assist with, but have no accommodation now, especially if you use a mobility device, as leaving the queue and returning becomes a physical impossibility in many cases.

And even if there are options, there are a lot of people that have extreme anxiety about explaining their needs at every attraction and this one has a simple solution, create a system where the person that interviews for a DAS can enter the needs in a way that makes it easy for CMs to understand and then you simply say you need accommodation, they scan your ticket, Magicband, etc. and can see instantly what you need. They may ask clarifying questions to best help you, but it would greatly reduce the stress this causes. This wouldn’t be a new accommodation, just something to make it easier to explain your needs in a way that they can understand.

The child was 4 years old not a young baby and it wouldn’t take that much effort to adjust the feeds around rides or rides around feeds. I would think a gtube would have ever been a reason for a DAS.

 

[DiznyDiva]

I wonder how many abusers would stick with DAS if they went back to having to go to each ride and ask for a return time instead of just a few clicks on phone. I think it became too easy to use and people took advantage of the program.

We actually loved doing this.. and sometimes still do.. just to be off the phone.

 

[DiznyDiva]

1. I doubt the story you recount is all that common
2. Different accommodations is not the same as no accommodations
3. Sensory issues can be met with waiting outside the line and meeting the party at the merge
4. There is no need to explain needs at every ride

Just Back from Disneyland... NO LL was shorter than 15 minutes.. even WITH DAS. The child would not be able to go through even then, not to mention loading, doing the ride and unloading. And what happens if the ride breaks down?

Even getting a return time would not help as then they have to get in aline for 15 minutes a ride....

RTQ, where they could wait outside might work.. IF they PLANNED. They are responsible for their child, NOT Disney. Their choice. If they were given the accommodation, again their choice to make it work or not. To know what rides they can or can not do. Even taking DAS riders away, the lines are not going to get much shorter as more buy LL. Stories like this are sad, but not the norm and the responsibility is all on the parents.

If a person is by themselves.. there is single rider, which at Disneyland was rocking. That is an accommodation. Take it or don't. Once again a choice. If three have issues, One stays in. Disney is not obligated to make its rides to keep the party together. Or you choose a different ride. Personal responsibility goes a long way.

We did deal with some ugliness at Disney, but not because people were using the RTQ or LL, but because they were being openly hostile and confrontational to the ride CM's. We saw no one, and I was really watching,having ANY issues in lines. few people left with little kids and came back with ten minutes, are left and meet at the merge. No one attacked them or said anything in the lines that I saw.

The few CM's I talked to in Avenger's campus, said they give the RT without any questions as long as the person asks for it. Makes me wonder how many people are actually asking and not just assuming. Like the mountain of people complaining about the DAS changes without actually even applying yet.

IF you KNOW you didn't get DAS, then you KNOW there are two accommodations, three if you count single rider, that can work. So many people are saying they have never been able to do a Q because of sensory issues, and even need to bypass certain parts of the rides and have done it even when having DAS.. To do that they would need to explain there needs and did so willing. So why not now? Why is now so horrible.?

 

[Alison423]

If FP worked well for you, LLMP should work too. I’d suggest giving it a try.

While LLMP is an option, it's very limiting. DLR had a paid "fast pass" option called "Max Pass", prior to covid. It was fantastic. If you wanted to ride Space Mountain 6 times, you could. Now, you're limited to a small number of rides (none in Fantasyland) and only ride them once. We do strictly adult trips, so riding Autopia, Goofy's Sky School or Buzz aren't that appealing to us. They have the technology for Max Pass in place, because they're using it for DAS. I'm traveling next month to DLR with a friend and she's going to see if she can get DAS because of 2 disabilities she has. If she's denied, then we'll get LLMP, rope drop our favorite rides and make the best of it.

 

[Evita_W]

The baby must be fed every 15 minutes? I honestly don’t think that need can be accommodated. They really wouldn’t make it through with DAS — before the change the LL could be 20-30 minutes plus the length of the attraction, now the LL is still likely to be 10-15 plus the ride.

I did say don't get hung up on the details, as I only read about it once, I may have the exact numbers off. The point was the DAS under the old rules worked for them, they were denied the DAS and the accomodations that were available do not work

 

[DisneyOma]

To a reasonable degree, it is up to Disney to adapt for them - that's per the ADA.

However, there are things that are out of Disney's control, such as heat, crowds, etc. They can make accommodations to a certain degree for heat, for example, but they certainly can't and shouldn't let everyone with a heat-exacerbated disability have a DAS. I mean, it's hot all over the park, not just in the lines.

Crowds are definitely in the "controlled by Disney" arena. I mean, they sell the tickets, etc, right?

 

[lanejudy]

I did say don't get hung up on the details, as I only read about it once, I may have the exact numbers off. The point was the DAS under the old rules worked for them, they were denied the DAS and the accomodations that were available do not work

I realize tube-feeds take time to do but don’t see why it can’t be worked around; and if the child needs to wait outside a queue that’s part of AQR. There must be an angle I’m missing. I fail to see why tube-feeds cannot be done without DAS.

 

[lanejudy]

Crowds are definitely in the "controlled by Disney" arena. I mean, they sell the tickets, etc, right?

Are you suggesting a theme park should sell fewer tickets to be less crowded as an accommodation for those with disabilities?

 

[DiznyDiva]

Crowds are definitely in the "controlled by Disney" arena. I mean, they sell the tickets, etc, right?

To an extent. That is why Disney has kept the reservation system at Disneyland. Smaller park and easier to control the crowds. However Disney can not control rides going down, even with maintenance, how crowds surge from one park to the other or even ride to to ride. They can build new cues with better shade and bigger lanes, but the rest is up to the guest. Going to the park is a choice. Planning which rides will be harder for your disability is a responsibility. Dealing with crowds and heat is a reality.

I realize tube-feeds take time to do but don’t see why it can’t be worked around; and if the child needs to wait outside a queue that’s part of AQR. There must be an angle I’m missing. I fail to see why tube-feeds cannot be done without DAS.

I think what you might be missing is that it worked for them and was easy to get so why not get it. When Disney was handing out DAS for every ailment under the sun like candy, people who normally handled their disabilities other ways and never thought about applying ,tried and found they liked the connivance and now can't live without.

 

[DisneyOma]

Are you suggesting a theme park should sell fewer tickets to be less crowded as an accommodation for those with disabilities?

No, stating that selling tickets is inside of Disney's control, not beyond their control.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Crowds are definitely in the "controlled by Disney" arena. I mean, they sell the tickets, etc, right?

Yes, be ause they’re a business that only makes money if people come into the parks.

Are they supposed to eliminate crowds so that those with disabilities related to crowds find it easier? Come on.

 

[North of Mouse]

Respectfully, if someone has a baby that has to be fed every 15 minutes through a tube, what are they doing going on rides at Disney World?

DAS would have never been able to guarantee that from the moment that one disconnects the tube and steps into the lines until the moment that one is off the ride and can reconnect the feeding tube would only last 15 minutes. LL lines were 15-30 minutes, plus time post merge, plus the ride itself, plus time to get out.

What you are suggesting makes no sense.

I can't imagine taking my child to a place like Disney under these conditions. Considerations for their comfort would be my utmost thought. There are plenty much smaller parks with kiddie rides that would be a lot more pleasant for all concerned - JMO of course.

 

[Aladora]

I think what you might be missing is that it worked for them and was easy to get so why not get it. When Disney was handing out DAS for every ailment under the sun like candy, people who normally handled their disabilities other ways and never thought about applying ,tried and found they liked the connivance and now can't live without.

No, they tried it, found they liked the convenience and now don't want to live without.

 

[mistysue]

Have you heard of any while using an EVC?

Before they even made changes on our last trip we watched someone on an ECV have to leave the line at MMRR. They told people they needed to leave, and people scootched and got themselves out of the way, helping them find the nearest way to escape. About 25 minutes later, they wanted to come back and similar happened (this time the party was inside, but people still made a way. There's no reason to think it's going to be worse now that that's officially allowed. For real, the typical guest doesn't want people to suffer, nor does the typical CM. If you want out, or need to get to your group (now entering through LL seems easier) it's going to be the exception where other guests block you in and refuse on the grounds that they prefer being a jerk to letting someone get out.

 

[NightGuardianAngel]

To be honest, Disney needs to trespass and ban the TikToker who posted the video encouraging others to abuse DAS and anybody else who encourages abuse on social media. It is dishonest people like this that is causing Disney to make these changes. DAS is not designed to be a Lightning Lane alternative and not for convenience. It is designed to remove barriers for those who have a hard time physically waiting in the standby line for prolonged periods of time due to a legitimate disability, especially due to cognitive or behavioral disabilities such as Autism or similar. DAS is not for those who prefer or do not wish to physically wait in the standby line. I support Universal Studios policy in requiring an IBCCES Accessibility Card.

Those who just want more convenience can either purchase Lightning Lane or visit during off peak times while kids are in school. They need not apply for DAS.

 

[jennab]

To be honest, Disney needs to trespass and ban the TikToker who posted the video encouraging others to abuse DAS and anybody else who encourages abuse on social media. It is dishonest people like this that is causing Disney to make these changes. DAS is not designed to be a Lightning Lane alternative and not for convenience. It is designed to remove barriers for those who have a hard time physically waiting in the standby line for prolonged periods of time due to a legitimate disability, especially due to cognitive or behavioral disabilities such as Autism or similar. DAS is not for those who prefer or do not wish to physically wait in the standby line. I support Universal Studios policy in requiring an IBCCES Accessibility Card.

Those who just want more convenience can either purchase Lightning Lane or visit during off peak times while kids are in school. They need not apply for DAS.

Partially true, but honestly it was too much overuse of DAS from legitimate users that also made it change. There are a LOT of people with disabilities and letting them have DAS plus 6 of their friends and family just didn’t work for disabled and non disabled.

 

[mickeyway]

That could be part of the problem as well. I believe the DAS should be rolled back to the old school pen and paper system with a photo on the pass itself and require the person who the DAS is issued to be present at the scene even to request a return time by physically going to the attraction just like it originally was at the time it first roll

The changes to DAS are not meant to be discriminating (though it seems lots of people believe they are) because the bottom line is that we are talking about a THEME PARK where people CHOOSE to go knowing there are challenges, long lines, boiling hot temperatures, sun, more sun, heat and more lines. (to name a few) ADA compliance is not meant to be a punishment and for the most part if a facility, location, business makes reasonable accessibility changes to serve the majority of people - all is good. For every given situation there will be exceptions - if it is stated that people will get a "return time" - as soon as someone posts that they were not given this - the entire internet erupts with anger. No context. No details. No proof. Our expectations of Disney are generally out of reality - Disney is a for profit business. If, let's pretend, Disney creates a system that limits occupancy of any given park on a day - or asks people to reserve in advance which park they're going to - (so they can in theory adjust staffing, etc) - people complain. When the park is crowded with not enough staff - people complain. There is a large amount of people/families who absolutely benefit from the DAS system. Unfortunately it became a widely abused system. I personally don't agree that it should be limited to Group A with such and such disability. It should, I think, be completely need based. It should be appreciated for what it is - not condoned for what it isn't. Choosing to visit a place puts the responsibility on the guest - not the for profit business.
We all need to take responsibility for ourselves - and having the gov't intervene seems rather extreme based on the fact that we choose to go to a place that has challenges.

How does anyone for sure know it was so badly abused before the changes? People in the LL did not have glowing signs over their heads stating if they were paying LL guests or DAS guests. DAS guests also did not have blinking neon signs over their heads either that read Abuse or Real. Not all disabilities are visible.
Disney wanted to free up space in the LL for paying guests. They decided that DAS users were the stopping them from making a profit off each ride that has LL. DAS does not skip the wait period. They are waiting outside the que. LL is skipping the line. Paid line skipping.
This put a price tag on each guest and each ride.