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

[nalababybear]

I actually don't think it is fine for us to not know how AQR works ahead of time, RTQ, maybe, but there should be detailed video on every attraction of how to leave and reenter each queue, with and without mobility devices posted on the accessibility portion of the website, this would help people know if this accommodation could work or not. Of course it would mean Disney would see that it won't actually work with mobility devices at many attractions.

Not every detail of every process is needed to be given IMHO.

Disney can KIS beyond DAS in the call....each attraction has its own way to determine how to manage their queue. Please see the CM at the front of the queue.

Agree that CMs need at those attractions all need the same script if they do know....I'm unsure of that request, please see the CM at the front of the attraction as they can help you.

As pointed.out, the CMs have the ability to determine what type of queue accommodation is warranted. That's Disney's decision to make the onus on them which has its own pros and cons. I prefer them making it on the ground but also very empathetic to the stress that puts them under too. At least they have several members there together for group support.

 

[mistysue]

On our trip in April 2023, we had constant issues with the standby line just being repeatedly stuck at a standstill for 10-20 minutes at a time while LL folks were rolled through across multiple rides. Our 35 minutte Remy wait became an hour and 50 minutes for this reason. On Toy Story Mania, not one single standby person was let in for 45 straight minutes while a packed stream of LL were put thru - we bailed on that one - God only knows how long we'd have been there. We chatted with numerous folks all of which had the same experience across all the parks & rides when using standby. All of our waits were 2-4 times longer than posted due to the LL being exclusively prioritized. By the last day, my husband wouldn't even get in line for a ride that had a LL and I don't think I'll ever get him to go back .

This was our early May as well. I've seen said that someone at WDW released that the LL was aprox 80% DAS, and I would believe it as we were seeing a lot of blue circles. I watched not to judge, but just because I am the sort of person who likes data and it was interesting to me. It seem like an interesting issue that if the posted time is 35 minutes, people can get DAS for 35 minutes, but if the actual standby wait is an hour, the DAS user can ride the ride twice, plus do things in between. The "perk" of overuse is too great for people who aren't severely in need.

 

[jlundeen]

Are we really back to page 1 with this discussion?

How about instead we talk about understanding and sharing info about the new changes....

 

[Cierese]

Not trying to come off as dismissive, but how does she deal in her everyday life then? Does she just sit down when she needs to wherever she is? If so, then I think a wheelchair could work. I wouldn’t worry about taking one from someone else. If Disney is seeing an uptick in wheelchair usage then they will just need to get more as that is one of their suggested accommodations for people.

I along with my 3 kids all have POTS on top of several other health issues. A WC would not help us much in most situations. For me, it even flares up when I'm sitting at times. It's so random and the severity varies day to day. There have been times at the parks that I feel like a WC would have been useful, but most of the time (for me) sitting doesn't help, .... laying down, elevating my feet, and staying well hydrated works best, but not always... but POTS (like so many other things) effects everyone differently. A WC might be great for some, not for others. Each person has specific needs and knows what works best for them. I know that the heat makes my symptoms worse, so I visit WDW when the temps are a low as possible the past several years. I will definitely say though, I've never even attempted to request a DAS for POTs symptoms, my son has enough other health challenges on top of POTs that it's one of our least concerns with him.

 

[nalababybear]

This was our early May as well. I've seen said that someone at WDW released that the LL was aprox 80% DAS, and I would believe it as we were seeing a lot of blue circles. I watched not to judge, but just because I am the sort of person who likes data and it was interesting to me. It seem like an interesting issue that if the posted time is 35 minutes, people can get DAS for 35 minutes, but if the actual standby wait is an hour, the DAS user can ride the ride twice, plus do things in between. The "perk" of overuse is too great for people who aren't severely in need.

Blue circle means a lot. More often than not, it's not a valid pass time. If one was an avid observer to the process, listen for the prompts by the CM next time.

'perk' cuts both ways. DLR often pump up times; especially at rope drop, closing, and restarts.

DAS is an accommodation. Those gaining an advantage out of it probably shouldn't have it as an accommodation.

Are we really back to page with this discussion?

Yes - story of the life of a person with disabilities -- a constant education of masses of equality vs equity.

 

[jennab]

I along with my 3 kids all have POTS on top of several other health issues. A WC would not help us much in most situations. For me, it even flares up when I'm sitting at times. It's so random and the severity varies day to day. There have been times at the parks that I feel like a WC would have been useful, but most of the time (for me) sitting doesn't help, .... laying down, elevating my feet, and staying well hydrated works best, but not always... but POTS (like so many other things) effects everyone differently. A WC might be great for some, not for others. Each person has specific needs and knows what works best for them. I know that the heat makes my symptoms worse, so I visit WDW when the temps are a low as possible the past several years. I will definitely say though, I've never even attempted to request a DAS for POTs symptoms, my son has enough other health challenges on top of POTs that it's one of our least concerns with him.

I honestly don’t know much about it which is why I asked! It seems like Disney is now only approving people who will ALWAYS/MOSTLY have issues in longer lines and denying those people who COULD/SOMETIMES have issues in longer lines. This is where I’m seeing the line drawn in the sand. If someone says “this could happen sometimes in these conditions” then other alternatives may work (per Disney).

 

[GoingSince1990]

On our trip in April 2023, we had constant issues with the standby line just being repeatedly stuck at a standstill for 10-20 minutes at a time while LL folks were rolled through across multiple rides. Our 35 minutte Remy wait became an hour and 50 minutes for this reason. On Toy Story Mania, not one single standby person was let in for 45 straight minutes while a packed stream of LL were put thru - we bailed on that one - God only knows how long we'd have been there. We chatted with numerous folks all of which had the same experience across all the parks & rides when using standby. All of our waits were 2-4 times longer than posted due to the LL being exclusively prioritized. By the last day, my husband wouldn't even get in line for a ride that had a LL and I don't think I'll ever get him to go back .

One problem with DAS (from Disney’s point of view) is that while Genie+ time slots are carefully controlled, to try to distribute LL use evenly through the day, this does not apply to DAS. Which is why you will sometimes see an LL becoming ridiculously overfull, necessitating horrible wait times for those in the standby queue as the CMs urgently try to clear the LL.

 

[dreamer17555]

One problem with DAS (from Disney’s point of view) is that while Genie+ time slots are carefully controlled, to try to distribute LL use evenly through the day, this does not apply to DAS. Which is why you will sometimes see an LL becoming ridiculously overfull, necessitating horrible wait times for those in the standby queue as the CMs urgently try to clear the LL.

DAS can be an issue with this, but so can things like recovery pass automatically granted when an attraction is down (breakdown or weather closure) and also guests just deciding to all use their return window at one time (like what happens as soon as the fireworks finish).

 

[dizneedoll]

Actually, it was when they changed to GAC from DAP.

At Disneyland, it was the SAP. Special Assistance Pass. That was very easy to get. You’d just fo to GR and ask for it and they’d give it to you, no questions asked, and it was a true backdoor, front of the line pass but of course it was abused so DL changed to GAC which was already in use at WDW. DAP must have been what WDW had before GAC, as you said.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes - story of the life of a person with disabilities -- a constant education of masses of equality vs equity.

Amen. It's exhausting.

 

[Evita_W]

Would just walking in place help?

Here’s the problem I see with that, someone walking in place would make DH extremely uncomfortable at best, even to the point of a panic attack, so whose needs win out in that situation? Both should be accommodated, but what’s the best solution? There really are no easy answers here.

 

[lanejudy]

Here’s the problem I see with that, someone walking in place would make DH extremely uncomfortable at best, even to the point of a panic attack, so whose needs win out in that situation? Both should be accommodated, but what’s the best solution? There really are no easy answers here.

In that situation, the person walking within their own space is accommodated "first." It's a frequent recommendation, to have your party allow a little space front/back so an individual has space to move. That is not directly impacting the person who might have a panic attack. Hopefully that individual can then try to position themselves so they don't see the walking, or distract themselves with something else (conversation, electronic device, read a book, etc.). If a panic attack occurs, the individual having the panic attack would then need to leave the queue and request a re-entry as their accommodation.

 

[OurBigTrip]

On our trip in April 2023, we had constant issues with the standby line just being repeatedly stuck at a standstill for 10-20 minutes at a time while LL folks were rolled through across multiple rides. Our 35 minutte Remy wait became an hour and 50 minutes for this reason. On Toy Story Mania, not one single standby person was let in for 45 straight minutes while a packed stream of LL were put thru - we bailed on that one - God only knows how long we'd have been there. We chatted with numerous folks all of which had the same experience across all the parks & rides when using standby. All of our waits were 2-4 times longer than posted due to the LL being exclusively prioritized. By the last day, my husband wouldn't even get in line for a ride that had a LL and I don't think I'll ever get him to go back .

Same as we’ve experienced, which is why I’m always surprised when people Say “well, the standby wait times are exaggerated”. That’s literally never been my experience.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Would just walking in place help?

yes it does. she has a little technique she does when she in line at the grocery store etc. I was just answering a previous poster's question.

 

[PrincessV]

Conversely, I can count on one hand the number of times a SB line I was in went significantly (more than 5-10 minutes) longer than the posted wait when I entered. I’m not dismissing those who experienced differently - it’s just bizarre that as often as I’m in the parks I’m not seeing the same! All I can think is that I must visit mostly at different times of day/year.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Not trying to come off as dismissive, but how does she deal in her everyday life then? Does she just sit down when she needs to wherever she is? If so, then I think a wheelchair could work. I wouldn’t worry about taking one from someone else. If Disney is seeing an uptick in wheelchair usage then they will just need to get more as that is one of their suggested accommodations for people.

She has lots of things she does to accommodate the issues that come with her condition. But in her normal everyday life she doesn't stand still for an hour at a time. It's a very complicated condition and sometimes her tips/tools work and sometimes they don't. I don't know if prolonged sitting without being able to change positions would be any better. I am not arguing one way or another, I was just explaining how someone could be okay walking, but have a hard time standing.

 

[bastraker]

In February we were in the SB line for soarin which posted 30 minutes. The wait wound up being 90 minutes because of the LL line. INSANE!!

All 3 theaters were open.

Someone with DAS could have rode at least twice while I waited for one ride.

I agree something needs to be done.

 

[nalababybear]

In February we were in the SB line for soarin which posted 30 minutes. The wait wound up being 90 minutes because of the LL line. INSANE!!

All 3 theaters were open.

Someone with DAS could have rode at least twice while I waited for one ride.

I agree something needs to be done.

Did you see how long the LL wait was at that time too? I bet it was 30min+ too for those folk too.

Most appropriate DAS holders would never get in that line.

 

[Phijammamama]

We were just approved Monday for DAS. Today, a new ticket promo for Disneyland was released and we want to take advantage of it. I am concerned that we have to reregister with DAS if our tickets change (used a TA). Anyone have experience with DAS CMs in this situation? Could we potentially lose our DAS if a CM deems we are not qualified for some reason? All of the uncertainty with approval now makes me nervous.

 

[nalababybear]

We were just approved Monday for DAS. Today, a new ticket promo for Disneyland was released and we want to take advantage of it. I am concerned that we have to reregister with DAS if our tickets change (used a TA). Anyone have experience with DAS CMs in this situation? Could we potentially lose our DAS if a CM deems we are not qualified for some reason? All of the uncertainty with approval now makes me nervous.

for DLR - DAS revamp doesn't start until Jun 18; so don't know.

In the past season, DAS wasn't limited to the media ticket itself. eg: we bought two sets of three day SoCal tickets this year. DAS renewal covered the 3rd date of our using first ticket AND the first two days this past weekend of the 2nd ticket.

We did not have the 2nd ticket loaded either at the time of DAS approval, so something happened in the background to keep the authorization.