DAS changes coming WDW May 20/ DL June 18, 2024

[SueM in MN]

they are now doing only 30 days until the new one comes out. It will then be 120 days

120 days for guests with Annual Passes.

The length of the ticket for other guests

 

[PatMcDuck]

Probably an unpopular opinion here. We have used DAS (or whatever preceded it LOL) for my son for most of his life (he is now 34).

First of all, I see no reason to offer advance bookings for each day of the DAS. I just don't get it. I have done it twice but stopped dealing with the hassle of it. (I did this after Covid when he could not enter using a CM guest pass and had a paid ticket). We rarely made the times booked, as the day flexed in different directions anyway. So we stopped advance DAS and did it each day at the park, but now I understand that won't be possible. (My son uses a CM guest pass so no idea how this will work under new system, but will cross that bridge when I get to it, his next trip is not until Fall).

We usually buy Genie+ too, but I understand why some people looked to get DAS to save $$, NOT that I agree with it, I disapprove of course. BUT I think one way to change that, it not to allow people with DAS to ride other rides while waiting for their DAS time to roll around. Because IF they were inline, they would just be waiting. DAS is supposed to be waiting, but off the line. It is not designed to allow DAS folks to double up. Now of course, I ALSO go to a short line while waiting, or use the Genie+ to ride another ride too. I am just saying the incentive to get a DAS would be less attractive if it still actually meant waiting around like people on the standby line.

Anyway I see the issues with too many folks with DAS privileges, and understand Disney trying to rein it in. I just wish they used the same system as Universal and Six Flags, IBCCES. Then I could just add Disney to it, as we used it for Universal with no snags.

 

[DisneyMomKB]

Sharing my family’s example of a registration experience for a trip that overlaps the 5/20 change-over date, for any other folks also in this situation.

Summary: Registered today, approved, and granted DAS Advance Selections for the duration of the trip. No doubt, this’ll be the last time for any DAS Advance; we were (pleasantly?) surprised it was still allowed for dates 5/20 and later. Like others, we’re optimistic that DAS requests will still be approved in the future, just heaving a sigh of relief to pass through today’s process successfully.

Longer story: My young-adult, DAS-using daughter is taking her first “parent free” trip to Disney World from 5/19 – 5/24. We had been excited about planning her trip with a friend, until last week’s announcement coincided with her trip dates, so apprehension set in over the changes. She completed her registration tonight, with some support from the sidelines, and here is how it went:

She started the Online DAS registration process at 5:30pm. 90 minutes later, a Cast Member came on the line. After DD replied to the perfunctory online questions, the chat started. It took all of 5 minutes to complete the live interview, snap a picture, and suggest that DD re-enter the online chat for DAS Advance Selections.

That process took another 45 minutes, from 7:15 – 8:00 and was very different from past experiences. The Cast Member opened with: As of September 11th, we are only able to select 7 days at one time. If you have more than 7 days’ worth of planning, once you use one day of your DAS Selections, you can then message us back here and we can book the rest of your vacation.

The Cast Member then requested a list of dates and parks. My DD’s ticket is for a 6-day hopper, so she gave those six dates and parks. The cast member said: Thank you. We usually will send a form to fill out with your selections, but since it is one of our busiest times right now, I will just send you what I have for each day. Some selections may be limited. You may choose up to 2 selections per day.

She then went day by day for my DD’s chosen park, with a list of all DAS Advance attractions, offering 3 times per attraction, for my DD to choose from. We were incredibly grateful – this was easier than the form. Truth be told, our experience is hit-or-miss with Advance Selections, as they often don’t work in practical application, when life happens. We were mainly concerned about any possible changes to the DAS approval and how they might impact her first trip when she is at the helm of execution. We were imagining they might grant approval for 5/19, then have her re-register on 5/20 for the rest of her trip. But she is all set for the duration.

Hope this helps others with a vacation that spans the old vs new process.

Best wishes to all DAS users who embark on the new process going forward. Good luck with your registration calls, especially those with trips starting on 5/20 or shortly thereafter, whilst the kinks are being worked out.

 

[nalababybear]

Probably an unpopular opinion here. We have used DAS (or whatever preceded it LOL) for my son for most of his life (he is now 34).

First of all, I see no reason to offer advance bookings for each day of the DAS. I just don't get it. I have done it twice but stopped dealing with the hassle of it. (I did this after Covid when he could not enter using a CM guest pass and had a paid ticket). We rarely made the times booked, as the day flexed in different directions anyway. So we stopped advance DAS and did it each day at the park, but now I understand that won't be possible. (My son uses a CM guest pass so no idea how this will work under new system, but will cross that bridge when I get to it, his next trip is not until Fall).

We usually buy Genie+ too, but I understand why some people looked to get DAS to save $$, NOT that I agree with it, I disapprove of course. BUT I think one way to change that, it not to allow people with DAS to ride other rides while waiting for their DAS time to roll around. Because IF they were inline, they would just be waiting. DAS is supposed to be waiting, but off the line. It is not designed to allow DAS folks to double up. Now of course, I ALSO go to a short line while waiting, or use the Genie+ to ride another ride too. I am just saying the incentive to get a DAS would be less attractive if it still actually meant waiting around like people on the standby line.

Anyway I see the issues with too many folks with DAS privileges, and understand Disney trying to rein it in. I just wish they used the same system as Universal and Six Flags, IBCCES. Then I could just add Disney to it, as we used it for Universal with no snags.

Disney believes otherwise on how DAS users should use their waiting time. They make the rules; as long as accommodation threshold is being met.

My hope Disney is equally going to make reasonable accommodations for non-DAS holders with disabilities. The return to a tiered accommodations certainly has a lot of folk on edge. Much more coming very soon.

For those lying and fraudulent claims; beware.

 

[ttintagel]

First of all, I see no reason to offer advance bookings for each day of the DAS. I just don't get it. I have done it twice but stopped dealing with the hassle of it.

Yeah, it's been my belief from the beginning that the advance selections were a carrot to get more people to try the new online system instead of applying in person. Now that it's the only option, I don't see the advance selections continuing for long.

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

I really want to thank everyone here for this discussion. Without the DIS, I’d never have even know this was in the works. I’m a 30-year local APer who rarely clicks around the WDW site: I know what I need to know already lol!

As are so many of you, I’m concerned and stressed by this news. I went through a traumatic event that resulted in PTSD some years ago. It’s gotten better, but can be set off by being in a loud, confined space in which I can’t see a way out. And I’m short and travel solo - so that makes a lot of indoor queues difficult to impossible. I never considered DAS until I had a pretty bad episode one day and had to exit a queue in a hurry, which was physically difficult and very stressful. A friendly and kind CM happened to be right there when I got out and I apparently looked rough because they asked if I was okay and I added to my embarrassment by telling them what happened. They pointed me to a nearby quiet spot where I could pull myself together and encouraged me to at least speak with a GS CM about DAS. The next day I did, and they could not have been more kind, compassionate, and helpful. They asked about my concerns and I explained that if I feel trapped, I can go from a little panicky to black-out pretty quick: it’s a horrific feeling and will leave me a mess for hours, often the rest of the day. I also admitted that I felt foolish asking for any kind of accommodation, and that I’d been managing my situation thus far by simply not visiting much and avoiding many attractions. Not only was I approved on the spot, they specifically told me, “Guests like you are the reason we have the DAS program: we don’t want you to have to miss out on attractions when there’s a way for you to wait safely and still enjoy your day.”

I guess my point here is that it was WDW that encouraged me to use DAS in the first place. And they were right: it’s made my experience SO much less stressful and more enjoyable - which frankly is good for their bottom line: I’m “worth” more when I can stay in a park all day, vs. needing to leave after two hours. So if this new version of DAS really will only be available for developmental disorders, it feels like I’ve had the rug pulled out from under me. I never abused the system. I never bother with advance selections or wasting online CMs’ time by getting my next 60-day approval in advance, since I mostly do day trips and can just find a blue umbrellas when it’s not busy. I’m one person, occasionally 2-3 people for a couple hours if out of town friends happen to be visiting at the same time.

I’d like to think whoever it is we’ll need to speak with will make the same kinds of assessments the CMs do now. And I can’t see any reason they'd WANT people with panic disorders and the like to be falling apart in lines, where it presents a danger to themselves and to others. But the current lack of clarity is… concerning.

I feel like I’m late to the discussion - mostly because just thinking about this is triggering my anxiety big time - but I had a similar situation. I have a medical condition that acts up more in the heat and prevents me from staying in line and I have to exit and administer treatment. It happened in a ride cue at wdw and they had to stop everything, get an ambulance etc etc. It was horrible and it was actually a WDW cast member who suggested DAS to me and said it actually made it easier and safer for everyone… but now maybe I won’t qualify? It just doesn’t make much sense to me and the idea of having it happen again mid line just sends my anxiety through the roof. :/

***edited to remove specifics of my condition and issues as per advice.***

 

[mommy2paisley]

Just wanted to share my experience. Got on at 7:00 for video chat, done answering questions by 7:06, did the chat, preselections, and was done by 7:19!

Our first day in the parks is May 20-24. We were able to choose preselects for all four days, which was a surprise to me!

 

[abbyandangel]

Just wanted to share my experience. Got on at 7:00 for video chat, done answering questions by 7:06, did the chat, preselections, and was done by 7:19!

Our first day in the parks is May 20-24. We were able to choose preselects for all four days, which was a surprise to me!

Is it acceptable to ask if you were approved for a physical issue? Please say yes or no if you are comfortable. We can apply on Wednesday.

 

[jo-jo]

Just wanted to share my experience. Got on at 7:00 for video chat, done answering questions by 7:06, did the chat, preselections, and was done by 7:19!

Our first day in the parks is May 20-24. We were able to choose preselects for all four days, which was a surprise to me!

Curious, everyone thought preselects were gone.

I was thinking if the preselects were dropped and the number allowed (aside from close family) to 4 would open up enough space in lines, and not change the other rules too much.

Our last trip was 2 weeks, but only 7 park days. We got preselects for the first week, but didn't even bother for the second week.

 

[keishashadow]

It has gotten horrific (and our child will still qualify under the revised DAS rules.)

Intent Not to be a troll

it very well may end up that all those who do currently fall under autism & adhd aren’t deemed eligible as it’s all about individual needs.

Or at least that’s how I understand it

Regardless, good luck

Someone even tried to refuse to let me pass. I'm wondering how Disney will handle that.

For their upper tiers of accommodations, Universal has a TM walk the guest back to entrance of ride.

Perhaps set up or use existing check points to escort guests back into line?

The other thing I've seen posted about is that people who know how to effectively work Genie+ keep updating and pushing their time out if the run into a conflict

Yesterday turned out to be a ‘bad day’ for our party

Were only able to do one ride with pre booked DAS, LL took well over an hour to get into the pre show. They had one elevator running, finally got two more going.

Note had waited in line for it with a return time twice on Tuesday, never did get on as it shut down both times after snaking way up the path for sometime

Only other attraction for us was frozen & that was it. Day was done in the parks.

If we had bought genie+ or LL would’ve been OOP some $.

Rhetorically speaking, If this is the new solution presented, would we be able to request refunds in that case?

hopefully, today will be a better day for us

I’m still trying to figure out how somebody with ADHD (that is aggravated by stressful situations and that has a laundry list of other
issues) could reasonably be expected to navigate some form of mandated GP+ effectively.

IMO It shouldn’t come down to one needing a companion to navigate the system if they are generally able to function with existing DAS in the parks

 

[SueM in MN]

Just wanted to share my experience. Got on at 7:00 for video chat, done answering questions by 7:06, did the chat, preselections, and was done by 7:19!

Our first day in the parks is May 20-24. We were able to choose preselects for all four days, which was a surprise to me!

Was your call today?
Do you have date based tickets? (i.e. tickets that don't require reservations)
If your tickets are date based, when do they begin?

If your tickets begin before May 20, I believe you would have been assessed under the new rules.

When park reservations were required for all guests, the date for registration was 'first park date' for everyone.
I don't know how the date will be determined now;
I THINK it will be first park reservation for tickets that require a reservation and start date of the tickets for date based tickets.

Curious, everyone thought preselects were gone.

I was thinking if the preselects were dropped and the number allowed (aside from close family) to 4 would open up enough space in lines, and not change the other rules too much.

Our last trip was 2 weeks, but only 7 park days. We got preselects for the first week, but didn't even bother for the second week.

No one is positive that DAS Advance Selections (preselects) will be gone.

Most of the information I've read have said they would be gone once the program is fully in place.
Allearsnet has written they may still be available for some guests.

We also need to remember that guests arriving between now and May 20 will still be under the 'old rules'

 

[mommy2paisley]

Was your call today?
Do you have date based tickets? (i.e. tickets that don't require reservations)
If your tickets are date based, when do they begin?

If your tickets begin before May 20, I believe you would have been assessed under the new rules.

When park reservations were required for all guests, the date for registration was 'first park date' for everyone.
I don't know how the date will be determined now;
I THINK it will be first park reservation for tickets that require a reservation and start date of the tickets for date based tickets.

No one is positive that DAS Advance Selections (preselects) will be gone.

Most of the information I've read have said they would be gone once the program is fully in place.
Allearsnet has written they may still be available for some guests.

We also need to remember that guests arriving between now and May 20 will still be under the 'old rules'

Yes, my call was today. Our tickets do not require reservations and the first day of our tickets is May 20. It is the 4 parks 4 days ticket.

 

[mommy2paisley]

Is it acceptable to ask if you were approved for a physical issue? Please say yes or no if you are comfortable. We can apply on Wednesday.

Not a physical disability. Not autism, but probably falls within the “similar.”

 

[Jellybean9]

I feel like I’m late to the discussion - mostly because just thinking about this is triggering my anxiety big time - but I had a similar situation. I have a medical condition where basically my legs will start to go numb and will basically stop working randomly without notice. When this starts, I have to exit, give myself an injection and sit with my legs elevated for around 15-20 minutes. When this first started happening to me, it happened in a ride cue at wdw and they had to stop everything, get an ambulance etc etc. It was horrible and it was actually a WDW cast member who suggested DAS to me and said it actually made it easier and safer for everyone… but now maybe I won’t qualify? It just doesn’t make much sense to me and the idea of having it happen again mid line just sends my anxiety through the roof. :/

Are you having to give yourself injections every day multiple times a day? Or is this a few times a week situation? I can see where Disney wouldn’t necessarily want someone using DAS for a condition that isn’t constantly causing the issue. Sounds like a wheelchair could alleviate your condition.

 

[mommy2paisley]

Curious, everyone thought preselects were gone.

I was thinking if the preselects were dropped and the number allowed (aside from close family) to 4 would open up enough space in lines, and not change the other rules too much.

Our last trip was 2 weeks, but only 7 park days. We got preselects for the first week, but didn't even bother for the second week.

I didn’t ask if this fell under the old rules or new rules. This is our first ever experience with DAS, and I was a bit nervous after reading allll of this thread and many others! Lol So it didn’t occur to me to ask, I was just pleasantly surprised when she said we would do the preselects!

 

[audrey2580]

.

Was your call today?
Do you have date based tickets? (i.e. tickets that don't require reservations)
If your tickets are date based, when do they begin?

If your tickets begin before May 20, I believe you would have been assessed under the new rules.

When park reservations were required for all guests, the date for registration was 'first park date' for everyone.
I don't know how the date will be determined now;
I THINK it will be first park reservation for tickets that require a reservation and start date of the tickets for date based tickets.

No one is positive that DAS Advance Selections (preselects) will be gone.

Most of the information I've read have said they would be gone once the program is fully in place.
Allearsnet has written they may still be available for some guests.

We also need to remember that guests arriving between now and May 20 will still be under the 'old rules'

The website said guest arriving between now and May 19th. So I do think this is positive that guest registering with trips starting May 20 and later will be under the original rules

How can they offer people accommodations that aren’t even in place?

Hoping for more positive news today.
Thank you to all that are posting

 

[lentesta]

Yeah, he gave out some incorrect info on that podcast…listened to it on the way home from work yesterday, and I wasn’t especially impressed. To me, he seemed to imply that he had some kind of “in” with higher ups at Disney, and I was t buying it (JMO)

I’m a big fan of TouringPlans - we use it whenever we go - but I’m less than impressed with him.

Mom, I thought we agreed you wouldn't post here.

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

Are you having to give yourself injections every day multiple times a day? Or is this a few times a week situation? I can see where Disney wouldn’t necessarily want someone using DAS for a condition that isn’t constantly causing the issue. Sounds like a wheelchair could alleviate your condition.

It depends, often with the heat it’s more frequent. It’s not something a wheel chair helps.


*edited to removed symptoms as per advice.*

 

[SueM in MN]

Some things to keep in mind:
Guests are able to do Advance Video Registration 30 to 2 days before their visit.
This means that some guests registering now have trips that:

• begin and end before the new program starts (May 20 for WDW and June 18 for DL). They would be under the 'old rules'
• begin before before the new program starts, but end after the new program starts. From what people have reported, their entire trip was under the 'old rules' - this makes sense; it would be very confusing to have a change in the middle of a trip
• begin after the new program starts. Some whose trip starts a few days before the start have apparently are under the old rules. I would expect there might be some 'overlap' for a while

The first dates ALL people doing Advance Video Registration would be May 18 for WDW and June 16 for DL (assuming I counted correctly).
If you are doing video registration and want to report here, please include:

• Does your trip start before or after the 'new rules' date? If before, are all the days of your trip before?
• What kind of tickets? Did your ticket type require park reservations? Only date based tickets don't require reservations
• Does the person you did registration for fit into the category of developmental disability (autism or similar) that is listed on the website or some other issues/concerns with waiting in the regular lines? REMINDER: don't post specific diagnosis, symptoms or conditions, just 'yes' or 'other'
• Did the person end up registered for DAS or other accommodations? If other accommodations, do they sound like they will meet the needs?

Disney has indicated they will be doing individual assessments and accommodations based on needs/concerns related to waiting in the regular lines. Pretty much every condition/diagnosis has a spectrum - some have many needs. Some have very few needs.
This means MAY NOT give everyone with the same condition/concern the same accommodations.
Disney MAY NOT publish exactly how other accommodations will work or what exact accommodations will be given for which needs. They MAY (hopefully will) have kind of a 'cookbook' of accommodations they can pull additional from to meet individual needs.

I guess we will see.

 

[audrey2580]

Some things to keep in mind:
Guests are able to do Advance Video Registration 30 to 2 days before their visit.
This means that some guests registering now have trips that:

• begin and end before the new program starts (May 20 for WDW and June 18 for DL). They would be under the 'old rules'
• begin before before the new program starts, but end after the new program starts. From what people have reported, their entire trip was under the 'old rules' - this makes sense; it would be very confusing to have a change in the middle of a trip
• begin after the new program starts. Some whose trip starts a few days before the start have apparently are under the old rules. I would expect there might be some 'overlap' for a while

The first dates ALL people doing Advance Video Registration would be May 18 for WDW and June 20 for DL (assuming I counted correctly).
If you are doing video registration and want to report here, please include:

• Does your trip start before or after the 'new rules' date? If before, are all the days of your trip before?
• What kind of tickets? Did your ticket type require park reservations? Only date based tickets don't require reservations
• Does the person you did registration for fit into the category of developmental disability (autism or similar) that is listed on the website or some other issues/concerns with waiting in the regular lines? REMINDER: don't post specific diagnosis, symptoms or conditions, just 'yes' or 'other'
• Did the person end up registered for DAS or other accommodations? If other accommodations, do they sound like they will meet the needs?

Disney has indicated they will be doing individual assessments and accommodations based on needs/concerns related to waiting in the regular lines. Pretty much every condition/diagnosis has a spectrum - some have many needs. Some have very few needs.
This means MAY NOT give everyone with the same condition/concern the same accommodations.
Disney MAY NOT publish exactly how other accommodations will work or what exact accommodations will be given for which needs. They MAY (hopefully will) have kind of a 'cookbook' of accommodations they can pull additional from to meet individual needs.

I guess we will see.

Great post. But swap the Disneyland dates to 6/16 for this part. You went forward 2 days instead of back.
The first dates ALL people doing Advance Video Registration would be May 18 for WDW and June 20 for DL (assuming I counted correctly).