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

[gottalovepluto]

If I was betting on what Disney will now look at during "renewal" periods 4 months hence, it will be a combination of time in parks and usage of the pass…

This is how rumors start. There is no indication any system like this is in place.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think I can answer this. We had tried to book Safari at one point when it closed before the park did, and the wait time was past the closing time,and it was not available to book the DAS return time. I do assume that had we gone to the ride itself and asked, we may have been let through the LL then or given a modified return time, based off others’ recounts, but didn’t want to risk walking all the way to the back of the park.

I know sometimes they close off the standby line even prior to closing. The general rule of "if you're in before park closing you're good to go" is still applicable IMO but there are times I've seen, times I've heard and photo evidence as well where they close off access to the standby line prior to closing--basically saying there is too much demand. I could see that applying to DAS even if they are going through the LL if the situation is to the point where even standby access closes.

 

[DisneyOma]

All the DAS users who say it isn’t that big of an advantage are the worst gas lighters.

I think this depends on the situation - and what you mean by "advantage". If someone can't experience any attraction without using DAS/LL/Genie +, how is using that an advantage? Guests who do not need DAS to experience an attraction can do so, while others who do need it spend more time waiting for the return time someplace else. In point, I very rarely attempt to ride another attraction while waiting for my return time. I'm resting and doing PT in first aid, etc. So to say that it is gas lighting shows that people do not understand the issues others may have.

 

[Liquidice]

I am seeing reports from people on how the new Queue Re-entry feature will work (it depends on the ride). Many people have called these reports RTQ, but that is actually not the name of the accommodation, it is Attraction queue re-entry (AQR). Return to Queue according to an operations CM (I reposted their description of each accommodation earlier) is like getting a return time with DAS 1.0, they give you a time to come back to ride and you enter the Lightning Lane.

These are not my reports, but I thought it is useful to share with others so they have an idea of how it will work:

Space Mountain

I’m at Magic kingdom today and have asked around several lines how the “return to queue” will work. Space mountain told me to talk to the CM at the lightning lane who told me I could find a CM and leave line then return to my party. After leaving the line and being ready to return I was to call my party and I would be escorted to the merge area between LL and standby to find them. There was no answer of what if I was longer than their wait - as in should they ride or stand there. I asked if I was alone and there was no clear answer. Pirates said the same thing. When I asked how j would get out of line I was told “say excuse me and be polite”I saw no additional CM in the lines at MK. At HS and Epcot yesterday I also saw no extra CM in the lines. Don’t know how you find one? Overall there seems to be no way yet to consistently implement RTQ.

I saw another one for Pirates but can't find it to cut/paste - but essentially the person was told they would have to push through the queue twice, once to get out and once to get back in to find their party if they had to leave the line.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Folks -- the moderators would appreciate leaving discussion of enforcement out of this thread. The "enforcement" wording on Disney's websites is not new. It's been around for more than a decade. Enforcement is up to Disney. Pretty much anything someone "reports" would be hearsay, he-said-she-said, and they can't or won't act on that.

It seems several posters are here simply to argue. It may be time to move along if you can only find negatives to complain about here. We are looking for first-hand reports of DAS video chats or in-park accommodations. Helpful suggestions for managing the parks without DAS. Support for each other -- this is an emotional and challenging situation for many.

This thread is a real downer, and not just because of Disney's actions. If I didn't have to read it, I certainly would not choose to do so. You people are tearing each other apart.

Can the people who are continuing to hijack this thread please quit and listen to moderators. There are plenty of us who are concerned about what is currently happening now with DAS and these arguing and hypothetical posts are totally derailing the reason for this thread.

 

[TwoMisfits]

This is how rumors start. There is no indication any system like this is in place.

Well, there was no indication of the possibility of DAS for 1 or adults getting higher scrutiny vs kids, but here we are.

Normally, you can see Disney giving a head's up if you look for it...how they are handling this now is probably gonna indicate how renewals will go...

 

[Liquidice]

I am seeing reports from people on how the new Queue Re-entry feature will work (it depends on the ride). Many people have called these reports RTQ, but that is actually not the name of the accommodation, it is Attraction queue re-entry (AQR). Return to Queue according to an operations CM (I reposted their description of each accommodation earlier) is like getting a return time with DAS 1.0, they give you a time to come back to ride and you enter the Lightning Lane.

These are not my reports, but I thought it is useful to share with others so they have an idea of how it will work:

Space Mountain


I saw another one for Pirates but can't find it to cut/paste - but essentially the person was told they would have to push through the queue twice, once to get out and once to get back in to find their party if they had to leave the line.

Here is what the same person had to say about Pirates, they did not mention if they would be allowed to use the Lightning Lane or would have to traverse the standby queue to find their party ...

pirates told me that my party would continue in line while I was out of line. Then I’d rejoin them. I asked at guest relations about what would happen if my party was at the boarding station. I was told that my party could wait for me to come back. Or ride without me and I could then “return to queue” and ride by myself. I pointed out that this wasn’t very family friendly but the other option was my party left with me and then we all tried again from the standby line. The time we had waited before leaving would not matter.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

So your son will hurt someone if he has to stay in a 20 minute line. But is fine ina dark boat for 7 minutes, or a high speed coaster in the dark?

It intrigues me how so many people are like that, where a quiet line is horrific, but a jerky ride is fine.

I don’t see how someone can even visit any part of WDW if a 20 minute wait is a deal breaker.

Here's a "make it make sense" real life example. My son LOVES Mission Space but hates Everest. Loves 7DMT but will not touch Space Mountain. Adores Smuggler's Run but only in the back. Likes Remy but says Frozen is "too scary." We have probably done every possible scavenger hunt in existence at the parks. 20 minute waits is where the bad things are likely to occur with him. I wish I could predict it but we can't. Some days are great and some we are packing it in after a few hours.

We have yet to figure out his logic but the point is that a person that is neurodivergent does not follow what we consider to be logical. They are often in their own world and come to visit ours.

The comments about "tattling" to Disney I'm reading on this board are absolutely disheartening. My son is my great love, but to have a day where we could be like everyone else without having to think about "please don't freak out." would be much better than anything else. He looks normal but I promise you his psychiatrist would absolutely disagree that he is normal.

 

[5kidsmommy]

If I was betting on what Disney will now look at during "renewal" periods 4 months hence, it will be a combination of time in parks and usage of the pass. If certain DAS holders are routinely getting 50%+ more rides than non-DAS folks, those folks will probably be in for more scrutiny in follow on interviews to see if their conditions have improved or no longer need as high of an accommodation with more rapid standby (thanks to fewer folks in the LL).

That doesn't mean the DAS holders won't continue to get the pass. But I'm sure it does mean they won't get the 1-2 question renewal.

I’m curious about how much information they are keeping. My son has gone with DAS 6 times I believe over a period of a decade. Do they know he rides very few rides? Can they see how limited his park time is? I don’t really care I am truly curious.

 

[Unity]

The moderators have consistently asked people in this thread to not tell others to just not go to Disney.

Please.

A reminder to folks to have empathy within this thread. Cheering for those who are choosing to stay home now as they will not be able to do the parks, or saying that if they can't handle long lines they shouldn't have the experience of enjoying Disney is not having an empathetic mindset or realizing that everyone should have a chance for this magical place.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

As someone who's just been quietly lurking from day one I can't understand why the Disabilities area of the forum is now filled with folks that don't need accommodations and are here to just play armchair experts. It makes following along for actual info and updates really hard.

 

[nalababybear]

Folks -- the moderators would appreciate leaving discussion of enforcement out of this thread. The "enforcement" wording on Disney's websites is not new. It's been around for more than a decade. Enforcement is up to Disney.

Noted. Moving on . Appreciate the moderation.

 

[audrey2580]

I am seeing reports from people on how the new Queue Re-entry feature will work (it depends on the ride). Many people have called these reports RTQ, but that is actually not the name of the accommodation, it is Attraction queue re-entry (AQR). Return to Queue according to an operations CM (I reposted their description of each accommodation earlier) is like getting a return time with DAS 1.0, they give you a time to come back to ride and you enter the Lightning Lane.

These are not my reports, but I thought it is useful to share with others so they have an idea of how it will work:

Space Mountain


I saw another one for Pirates but can't find it to cut/paste - but essentially the person was told they would have to push through the queue twice, once to get out and once to get back in to find their party if they had to leave the line.

The pirates post was me. I specifically asked if I would join the LL to meet them and she told me no. I’m here another few days and will ask at other attractions when it’s convenient.

 

[nalababybear]

So your son will hurt someone if he has to stay in a 20 minute line. But is fine ina dark boat for 7 minutes, or a high speed coaster in the dark?

It intrigues me how so many people are like that, where a quiet line is horrific, but a jerky ride is fine.

I don’t see how someone can even visit any part of WDW if a 20 minute wait is a deal breaker.

Welcome to our world... we just roll with it as we can.

 

[Disneychick75]

K, I called the ADAA because I figured that agency could give me answers. We are not experts and can debate for a quadrillion yrs but our thoughts are not laws.
The woman I spoke to told me that Disney cannot make people buy an accommodation, ie, Genie+. Now, CMs are not making people buy Genie+, it's a suggestion. She did say it needs to be looked into and that if people are having problems with denials, they should file a complaint. Disney only has to provide reasonable accommodations which I think we all know. No accommodation is not reasonable. So, for example, someone goes to a ride CM and is not given a return to the line time and the guest feels this is not reasonable because of their condition, file a claim with the file a complaint with the Disability Rights Section (DRS) in the Department of Justice , not the ADA. Note: this will not help cheaters because you have to prove that you're disabled if the claim moves up the ladder.
My other question was about the class action thing you have to agree to and she said she can't answer legal questions.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

These are not my reports, but I thought it is useful to share with others so they have an idea of how it will work:

Parts (and this is me just be quick glance) that make sense to me is

"There was no answer of what if I was longer than their wait - as in should they ride or stand there."
"I asked at guest relations about what would happen if my party was at the boarding station. I was told that my party could wait for me to come back. Or ride without me"

They make sense to me not because that's the answer someone looking for more concrete answers is going to want to hear but because Disney can run afoul when they tell you what you should do with your traveling party. At the heart of it that is a decision you need to make with your traveling party. Disney could tell you what options you have though. And you can tell how sideways it can go when a person is being told what they should do such as the now often quoted example of the young child example.

Some posters have said they would just tell their traveling party to go ahead and ride without them in a situation where they feel they would be a prolonged period of time. Others may have the plan that they wait for their party. I don't think it's fair for someone to say it's not very family friendly (to the point about riding alone) because that would then imply traveling parties who agree to go ahead and allow others to ride are then not being family friendly when that is just how they have decided they will handle a specific situation if it comes up. My husband frequently rides attractions by himself because it's not an attraction I can personally handle. That doesn't make it not family friendly.

I have wondered how they will handle the guest waiting due to size restrictions of the queues if the amount of people waiting for the person who left the line to return to the waiting point but that is something Disney will figure out likely pretty quickly if there's an issue.

 

[starlite_]

For those DAS users that are not dealing with a medical issue (something the typical visitor does not usually do while in the Park) while not waiting in line. These folks aren’t “double dipping.” They, I expect, constitute a very small minority of park visitors.

I can’t go on “a-list” attractions much because I cannot transfer into any ride vehicle (I also have other conditions that at least used to qualify me for DAS). Most attractions I can go on don’t have long waits regardless of LL, standby, or DAS, so double dipping isn’t something I can do regularly.

Then my post doesn't apply to you. Doesn't mean it doesn't apply to others.

 

[nalababybear]

From my experience, a genie+ user, yes I notice more people.in the LL but they are uaually top 15 minutes. The times LL line goes beyond 30 minutes, the main reason is Ride Breakdowns. Either that ride was down all day and finally popped back up, or People are using their any experience pasa on those rides from other rides Breakdowns

Also impacts ride adjacent and the trouble with multi ride experience passes where it will.impact the entire land when this happens. For rides.like radiator springs they have made it ride specific more often so it doesn't flood other rides

When peopleeating rides like incredicoaster go down, mania completely blows up, along with the rest of Pixar Pier and that's when we take him to the pool instead.

 

[lanejudy]

I stopped by pirates and asked the front CM how the return to queue works there. She said leave the line, use the restroom, get back in the line and find your party.
I was shocked.
I said so the person with the medical condition has to push past all these people twice? She said yes.

The pirates post was me. I specifically asked if I would join the LL to meet them and she told me no.

If you weren't asking to leave the queue, it's highly possible the CM simply didn't give you the info you sought. My understanding is that the Attraction Queue Re-entry procedure can vary based on where in the queue was the guest when they had to leave. So there may not 1 answer to give, as well as it may depend on the situation at the attraction at the time the need arises.

Does DAS let you book rides with waits that are essentially past park closing? Say Rise has a posted 120 minute wait time and there's only 90 minutes until park close, are you allowed to even book a DAS return time?

The app does not. However many folks have reported being granted a DAS Return Time if asking directly at the attraction. I don't know the last time we were in the parks that late, and haven't tried myself.

 

[diablodancer]

Sounds like some cast members may also be misinterpreting the party size guidelines. From Facebook:

I tried to register today…me and 5 minors and before she completely denied me she said it would only be for DAS plus 3, even though I was the only adult. She didn’t care that they were minors and it could not be changed