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

[Angel Ariel]

I understand what you're saying but WDW (and DL isn't far behind) is the most visited theme park in the world and with that comes certain things about it. It is a place where you'll have tens of thousands of people watching the fireworks all at once never mind trying to walk on Main Street, it is a place where crowds are plentiful, where loud noises occur sometimes suddenly without much warning, where heat and exhaustion easily set in and a number of other things. I hear what you're saying about respite but again it's the most visited theme park in the world. They logistically can only do so much to absolve the situations that cause issues for guests in general.

I think discussing resiliency is actually a good point (though the poster was speaking broadly) not because the person is trying to say people don't deserve to go and be happy and enjoy the parks (everyone deserves that) but because it is a place where you (general you) can be put in a lot of situations with many being unavoidable completely.

It's a bit of an inside joke on this Board to discuss vacation planning or being on vacation using Disney as a comparison and it's for good reason When we were traipsing around Europe we were walking a lot but I would joke to my husband "well it's only half Disney days" if we only walked 12K steps (in reality we normally do 20K-30K steps per day at Disney). Many use the descriptor of Disney trips preparing for other trips because it makes other trips sometimes look quite easy. I really liked how that poster said WDW for them was a place to build confidence and reduce anxiety and I think it was looking at the situation in a positive light

respectfully, no one here needs it explained to them how busy the parks are or all the sensory input. We are all Disney enthusiasts here, we are all aware of what the parks are like. To the bolded - my comments were never about Disney's offered accommodations, but specifically in response to the idea of intentionally using Disney to build resilience.

As I said, i am all for building resilience and independence. We work on that with DD every day. But as we all deserve a *vacation,* so does she. That doesn't mean there won't be situations where, like every single day of her life, she doesn't have to employ or practice skills. I'm not going into her needs, but she has high support needs. But there is a difference between experiencing them as they come as we go through our trip, and intentionally planning to use Disney to build a skill.

Again, any family is welcome to make that choice - that OT's recommendation may work well for some families. And. For others, there's enough moments of that every day already that they don't need to plan for more. Both approaches are supporting their child's needs.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Edit: Heads Up! is a very fun family game which I highly recommend.

Heads up was probably the most common thing I saw on our 2022 trip. We played it ourselves multiple times actually when we were touring with our DISer friends.

It's way too old school these days and hard to find and maybe not as easy to bring in the parks (though there may be a digital version these days)but something my parents did a lot with us in day to day life decades ago was Brain Quest game for things like waiting at restaurants and other such things. They have age appropriate ones but in the context of this thread it's more just thinking of something like that where you have some interaction enough that it can keep thinking about the actual waiting part low.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Heads up was probably the most common thing I saw on our 2022 trip. We played it ourselves multiple times actually when we were touring with our DISer friends.

It's way too old school these days and hard to find and maybe not as easy to bring in the parks (though there may be a digital version these days)but something my parents did a lot with us in day to day life decades ago was Brain Quest game for things like waiting at restaurants and other such things. They have age appropriate ones but in the context of this thread it's more just thinking of something like that where you have some interaction enough that it can keep thinking about the actual waiting part low.

Heads up is an app now

 

[Disneylover99]

I could be wrong but I can't help but feel like they are attempting to dissuade those that need accommodations from going to WDW. Whether that's in the form of making them purchase genie+ or in the frustratingly inefficient use of "alternative accommodations" such as AQR or RTQ.

I don’t think they’re trying to dissuade people who need accommodations from going to WDW. I do think they want people to try alternatives to DAS.

I know there are many who say, without DAS, they just can’t manage. And I think that may be true for a small percentage of legit. DAS users. But I also know there are some DAS users who can manage without It, they just prefer not to, especially since they’ve had the accommodation for years.

 

[SueM in MN]

Heads up was probably the most common thing I saw on our 2022 trip. We played it ourselves multiple times actually when we were touring with our DISer friends.

It's way too old school these days and hard to find and maybe not as easy to bring in the parks (though there may be a digital version these days)but something my parents did a lot with us in day to day life decades ago was Brain Quest game for things like waiting at restaurants and other such things. They have age appropriate ones but in the context of this thread it's more just thinking of something like that where you have some interaction enough that it can keep thinking about the actual waiting part low.

All the people I've seen in lines in the parks the last few years doing Heads Up were using a digital version on phones

 

[mhautz]

A large percentage of daily guests also have personal ride restrictions. Not just those previously using DAS. Age related (not being able to get in/out up/down) motion sickness, old neck/back injuries, etc, etc. They want to ride the calmer rides over and over too. They are usually older and have to make decisions about their time, health and ability to wait in the lines over and over. Again just like someone who no longer qualifies for DAS will have to.

Disney granting DAS to people that never should have qualified under the original design has caused it reach a breaking point as it’s being used far beyond its design.

Disney did physical line changes in the past to make the queues mobility accessible. Now they really have to step up and make the lines themselves work for those who have different disabilities that require leaving and rejoining the queues. With a huge amount of theme park visitors ageing and needing accommodation it really is the only solution that will work for them, while still allowing a small minority to have a system like DAS in place.

Perhaps Disney should implement a universal DAS system, one that allows all customers the chance to choose a number of experiences (maybe 3?) based on their personal circumstances for which they are allow to bypass the main line.

It's amazing how I never had to even consider a DAS pass for my daughter when I was given a system included with admission that allowed me to plan around the biggest problem points. I have felt guilty about using DAS with my daughter because it's not always necessary in our instance, but it is necessary when it is necessary. I don't want to feel like I'm abusing the system, but I also shouldn't have to spend ~$100 a day to reasonably manage the 10% of the time where we need (rather than merely want for convenience) it.

 

[jlundeen]

I’m seeing/reading a lot of posts that appear to be confusing Attraction Queue Re-entry (AQR) and Return to Queue (RTQ). I hope it is not the video chat CMs confusing these but rather many individuals hearing (expecting) RTQ when it’s actually AQR that is recommended. I’d be surprised if CMs are widely offering RTQ which isn’t even mentioned as an official offering.

The RTQ terminology was unofficially discussed for ~6 weeks prior to any mention of AQR, which is the service that actually works in (about) the way speculated for several weeks. Understandable that someone’s brain translates AQR into RTQ when AQR is the recommendation.

So this is my basic understanding about the difference - tell me if I have this right:

RTQ - is an approved accomodation, more like the version of DAS before the automation, where you go to the ride, and ask a CM for the return time, then enter the LL lane with your whole party (Not sure how this is in MDE, if it is). Also report of this happening only rarely. Not a full DAS, but how the CMs at the queue approve it is unknown.

AQR - is what ANYONE can use - from standby line - if you need to leave the line for whatever reason, you let a CM know, then leave the rest of the group in the line, and return (merge point?) to meet up with the rest of the party (unknown if you have to have CM assist with leaving and returning)

Is this close???

Not sure which you need to use that require you publicly explain to the CM at the entrance to the queue your need about not standing in the standby line though.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

All the people in lines in the parks the last few years doing Heads Up were using a digital version on phones

Heads up is an app now

Sorry for the confusion I know about the digital version, that's all the version we've ever played of Heads Up (it's played every year at my father-in-law's house for the Holidays)

Brain Quest is what I was referring to which looked like this when I was younger



I don't know if they have a digital version of Brain Quest which would be easier to take with you to the parks. Back in the day my parents would pack Brain Quest cards to take with us out and about. It was a great distractor and learning tool. But again in the context of this thread was just thinking of something like that where you are distracting from the actual waiting in line part not specifically meaning Brain Quest itself.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I don’t think they’re trying to dissuade people who need accommodations from going to WDW. I do think they want people to try alternatives to DAS.

I know there are many who say, without DAS, they just can’t manage. And I think that may be true for a small percentage of legit. DAS users. But I also know there are some DAS users who can manage without It, they just prefer not to, especially since they’ve had the accommodation for years.

We have a few months before the earliest time we will go through this, so I'm not angsty or anything yet. A bit concerned based on the denials, but waiting to see how things shake out as this gets a bit more settled.

By 30 days out we aren't likely to cancel our trip. Quite frankly, it's one of two weeks a year we all look forward to a lot, and I won't take that from DD with it being so close. So if we are denied (we shouldn't be as DD's disability is significant and developmental in nature and does impact her ability to be in lines, but if we are) - we will do what we can to make the best of it and make future decisions from there.

 

[shaqfor3]

I am trying to think how that would work. But pre-approved RTQ is just DAS imo.

You still would had to go to the ride and the accommodation may vary depends of ride, group composition or wait time.

Lets say you get pre-approve for this.

If you go to a ride with a group, CM can use the split the group accommodation and the preapprove person waits while the other part of the group do the line.

If you go solo, and line is less than 30 they may tell you to get in the line and if anything happens you can get out.

Point is, you still gets different accommodation, the pre approve is for saving the time and stress of explaining to cast members every time you ride something.

 

[Karin1984]

I’m seeing/reading a lot of posts that appear to be confusing Attraction Queue Re-entry (AQR) and Return to Queue (RTQ). I hope it is not the video chat CMs confusing these but rather many individuals hearing (expecting) RTQ when it’s actually AQR that is recommended. I’d be surprised if CMs are widely offering RTQ which isn’t even mentioned as an official offering.

The RTQ terminology was unofficially discussed for ~6 weeks prior to any mention of AQR, which is the service that actually works in (about) the way speculated for several weeks. Understandable that someone’s brain translates AQR into RTQ when AQR is the recommendation.

I assume that the majority of both guests and CMs are confused. I have been following this thread for a while, but I wouldn't be able to explain both concepts.

To use two terms so similar, it's no wonder people get confused.
It's like in Monty Python's Life of Brian:
BRIAN: Are you the Judean People's Front?
REG: Judean People's Front?! We're the People's Front of Judea!
LORETTA: Oh. I thought we were the Popular Front.
REG: People's Front!

 

[diablodancer]

Perhaps Disney should implement a universal DAS system, one that allows all customers the chance to choose a number of experiences (maybe 3?) based on their personal circumstances for which they are allow to bypass the main line.

It's amazing how I never had to even consider a DAS pass for my daughter when I was given a system included with admission that allowed me to plan around the biggest problem points. I have felt guilty about using DAS with my daughter because it's not always necessary in our instance, but it is necessary when it is necessary. I don't want to feel like I'm abusing the system, but I also shouldn't have to spend ~$100 a day to reasonably manage the 10% of the time where we need (rather than merely want for convenience) it.

Think we’ve been asked not to focus on hypotheticals and to keep the discussion to what’s actually happening with DAS - I don’t think there’d be an appetite to limit disabled people who need accommodations to an arbitrary no. of rides per day.

 

[BingoJoe]

It's not that I don't understand or agree with building resilience, I do. And.

For some disabled children, they are building resilience every day because their disability creates that many day to day challenges for them. All people deserve respite - a chance to just get away from the challenges for a short time and enjoy life.

I suppose in our situation there is no respite from being deaf whether you are at WDW or not

 

[Angel Ariel]

I suppose in our situation there is no respite from being deaf whether you are at WDW or not

Please don't misunderstand me, there's no true respite for my daughter's disability either, but Disney is as close as we can get. I'd give a reaction on your post if it were an option.

I can't explain her disability here without it relating to needs which we've been asked not to do. A diagnosis name would mean little as she's one of less than 1000 in the world.

 

[starlite_]

So this is my basic understanding about the difference - tell me if I have this right:

RTQ - is an approved accomodation, more like the version of DAS before the automation, where you go to the ride, and ask a CM for the return time, then enter the LL lane with your whole party (Not sure how this is in MDE, if it is). Also report of this happening only rarely. Not a full DAS, but how the CMs at the queue approve it is unknown.

AQR - is what ANYONE can use - from standby line - if you need to leave the line for whatever reason, you let a CM know, then leave the rest of the group in the line, and return (merge point?) to meet up with the rest of the party (unknown if you have to have CM assist with leaving and returning)

Is this close???

As far as we know RTQ is not an approved accommodation. It's an accommodation that might be given by attraction CMs at their discretion after a guests speaks to them. It is not guaranteed. I also don't recall anyone mentioning it applies to the whole party, it might be just the guest that need the accommodation +1 companion.

Other than that, you are spot on.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

respectfully, no one here needs it explained to them how busy the parks are or all the sensory input. We are all Disney enthusiasts here, we are all aware of what the parks are like. To the bolded - my comments were never about Disney's offered accommodations, but specifically in response to the idea of intentionally using Disney to build resilience.

As I said, i am all for building resilience and independence. We work on that with DD every day. But as we all deserve a *vacation,* so does she. That doesn't mean there won't be situations where, like every single day of her life, she doesn't have to employ or practice skills. I'm not going into her needs, but she is high support needs. But there is a difference between experiencing them as they come as we go through our trip, and intentionally planning to use Disney to build a skill.

Again, any family is welcome to make that choice - that OT's recommendation may work well for some families. And. For others, there's enough intentional moments of that every day already that they don't need to plan for more. Both approaches are supporting their child's needs.

Of course you're aware of how busy the parks are but when a poster says they find WDW a place to build confidence and reduce anxiety you respond back that those with disabilities should get respite from things..but you're also talking about being in the most visited theme park which is pertinent to the discussion. Everyone deserves to find that joy, happiness, etc away from the stressors of day to day challenges but you're also talking about touring an environment where that sort of stuff is all around you front and center. I saw their comment as their outlook coming from a place of positivity and it seems you took it as a complete opposite of that. Deserving of something such as finding happiness in a place isn't something that poster was discussing nor really anyone else I've seen on this thread as I think we all agree on that (well I should hope so) but I do also think people are trying to find ways to be more positive than just saying "well that's not going to work for us", "Disney needs to do..." "Disney should be a place that.." Maybe for you personally with your child's condition it's not going to be apt advice but like the talks of what to do in line someone else may pick up on something said here and use it.

 

[keishashadow]

Apologies is mentioned in last few days, need to catch up, darn RL lol

Was shocked to open Disney app
& see this

https://disneytermsofuse.com/english/#BINDING-ARBITRATION-AND-CLASS-ACTION-WAIVER

So, and I could be wrong here

In order to use the app you now need to indicate acceptance of class action waiver?

That strikes me as being very heavy-handed

 

[Angel Ariel]

Of course you're aware of how busy the parks are but when a poster says they find WDW a place to build confidence and reduce anxiety you respond back that those with disabilities should get respite from things..but you're also talking about being in the most visited theme park which is pertinent to the discussion. Everyone deserves to find that joy, happiness, etc away from the stressors of day to day challenges but you're also talking about touring an environment where that sort of stuff is all around you front and center. I saw their comment as their outlook coming from a place of positivity and it seems you took it as a complete opposite of that. Deserving of something such as finding happiness in a place isn't something that poster was discussing nor really anyone else I've seen on this thread as I think we all agree on that (well I should hope so) but I do also think people are trying to find ways to be more positive than just saying "well that's not going to work for us", "Disney needs to do..." "Disney should be a place that.." Maybe for you personally with your child's condition it's not going to be apt advice but like the talks of what to do in line someone else may pick up on something said here and use it.

The bolded isn't what I said, and not at all what I meant. I absolutely appreciate their outlook and took intentional steps to validate that that appear to have been overlooked. You have misunderstood me completely.

 

[nalababybear]

We've always used Disney as both respite from the world at large AND Opportunities to generalize learned skills and adaptations given the great opportunities and reward of trying is so high at Disney.

The umbrellas are perfect episodes for our son to practice as the CMs are so great built in role.models. as the years went by, our son was able to I crease interaction cycles on his ride time requests as well as tap in/questions....all skills needed for that ultimate goal of some semblance of independence.

Disney has been also the one consistent place where the family can allow ourselves to let go a little

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

stay to the left.

It doesn't always pan out this way but it's been said that psychologically speaking many of us go to the right immediately, not sure why but it does seem to be that way for a lot of situations you see clumps of people to the right. After that being brought up years back I've tried to subconsciously go to the left when it makes sense to do so and when I remember to do so lol.

A place I can think of that doesn't always work out that way is when you're at the MK gates and a monorail has just come in since that is on the left. Sometimes you're unlucky and a monorail and ferry maybe even a bus comes all at once but that's probably not as common. I know we've been on the ferry and the CMs kinda directing people have said "if you go this way (meaning left) you can make it in before that monorail comes in."