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

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

why the rule of 4 in a DAS riding party is hampering me more, because I used to bring grandparents under the rule of 6 to ensure they would at least ride that ride without me if need be

A reduction in riding party on DAS doesn't means the bolding above can't occur. It may not follow the same way as it did before with a higher party limit but it doesn't mean the grandparents can't ride a ride with your kids if you are unable to ride. How they got on the ride may change but it's not barring them from doing so.

 

[jennab]

that ride is a problem for my disability, I ridden it 2 times only because I have to be entirely sure I am good to handle 30 minutes or so (usually directly after an episode are my best times to ride anything, but who is say when that is and if it fits my ILL time or VQ time) and both times I had a 25 min wait from entering to leaving the ride

It is scary, and I have had many situations of leaving queues within 5 minutes of riding, it is very disheartening, and my family has to sadly leave lineups too because I have two kids under 7 which means they need an adult for supervision, which is why the rule of 4 in a DAS riding party is hampering me more, because I used to bring grandparents under the rule of 6 to ensure they would at least ride that ride without me if need be

Safe to say, very concerned about my registration on July 16th about acquiring a DAS to begin with, and if yes, if they'll grant me some exception to the rule of 4 or not

I believe if you are the DAS holder you must ride for the others in your party to ride correct? Even with grandparents you would need to ride too. Although, with new accommodations and grandparents, they could wait in line with the kids and you could joint them later. I can see how this wouldn’t necessarily be possible without another adult though. Maybe if you need to leave the line ask for a return time for your party since you had to leave?

 

[nalababybear]

A reduction in riding party on DAS doesn't means the bolding above can't occur. It may not follow the same way as it did before with a higher party limit but it doesn't mean the grandparents can't ride a ride with your kids if you are unable to ride. How they got on the ride may change but it's not barring them from doing so.

So to clarify...can the das party be, say 6, but only 4 can be selected to ride at any given selected time?

That would be great as we oftrn travel with helping hands that rotate to help out line management and respite for us.

 

[jennab]

It will definitely help some.

I know many of the people who may have qualified for DAS in the past, but didn’t try to get one, pre-booked their fp rides for the first 3 hours of the park being open, when they were still fresh, and had a hope of getting on a few rides. Then they were happy to leave the parks before noon, and maybe came back later for fireworks.

This was us. We are rope drop people to avoid crowds and heat. So would book return times for later morning and be out of the park early afternoon. G+ seems to work great for people who arrive later in the day or do evenings.

 

[sprem96]

My husband is prone to panic attacks, so he has only ever managed to ride it once (twice?) and it was *not good.* For him the limitation is often something to do with the ride itself (every year the list gets a little longer about what no longer works for him), though I’m sure if we waited in the SB line it would only exacerbate his issues. Fortunately we always buy Genie+ and have been often enough that are no longer in “ride ride ride” mode so it is more than enough for our needs.

I don't suffer from panic attacks, but I do buy G+ and ILLs to help ensure my day goes as smooth as possible, still young enough and go yearly at best, so still have that excitement to do as much as we can lol

 

[starlite_]

But it is personal, and I have every right to say that as much as you do to say you don't like hearing it.
I said this because for us this is true! My husband waits in his scooter in a shaded area and doesn't do anything whilst waiting for his return time. It isn't about getting to the front of the line for us as quickly as possible, its about making the time he isn't on the ride as quiet and calm as possible and allowing him time to decompress so he doesn't have to leave the park immediately.
Obviously some may use that time in other ways. But to say i shouldn't say that is how DAS works for us, because you feel it isn't true, then means that this is not a fact based or truthful conversation, which is what these forums are supposed to be about.
And I repeat this is a very personal subject, for people who have to live with disabilities and discrimination on a daily basis.

I guess then that you fall into the "person policing themselves" part of this sentence.

Unless a person is policing themselves to go to the ride entrance when booking their DAS return, this isn't true and everyone in these conversations knows it isn't true which is why there is such a problem.

I've said it before, and I'll keep repeating it: if something doesn't apply to you then it doesn't apply to you and taking offense to a general statement is unproductive for everyone. If your husband truly just hangs out in the shade waiting for his DAS return time then it's obvious that what mistysue was talking about doesn't apply to you and isn't about you or your husband.

Having said, I do agree that the wait is not the same at all. To use your example, everyone would love to hang out in the shade instead on in a queue in the sun. That doesn't mean that it is not necessary for some guests so they can make the Parks possible, but denying the truth that it is a better wait also helps no one. Both things can be true at the same time.

(Disclaimer before folks start throwing 10 dif scenarios at me with 10 dif disabilities: I am speaking about waiting in the shade only, not about other ways guests might need to take care of medical needs)

 

[sprem96]

A reduction in riding party on DAS doesn't means the bolding above can't occur. It may not follow the same way as it did before with a higher party limit but it doesn't mean the grandparents can't ride a ride with your kids if you are unable to ride. How they got on the ride may change but it's not barring them from doing so.

If i were to be granted DAS this summer, and they only give me a party of 4, they are leaving me with the situation of going into a LL with only myself, wife, and 2 under 7year old kids, if a situation were to occur (which it tends to at least once a day) where I leave a queue too near the ride, they would have to leave the line because 1 child would be unable to ride unsupervised, in years past, I had grandparents with us under the party of 6 rule, and I left the line and they rode the ride as a party of 5

So failing to see how this works in your example, I'm not stating the kids want to ride with their grandparents at some point in the day, I'm saying the party of 4 rule is leaving me with no option except the whole party to leave the lineup if too close to riding because there is not a 1:1 ratio of adults to child who requires supervision

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So to clarify...can the das party be, say 6, but only 4 can be selected to ride at any given selected time?

That would be great as we oftrn travel with helping hands that rotate to help out line management and respite for us.

I've seen it reported both ways here. Some told 4 max others told traveling party=X, riding party=4 total, the differences could be based on their situations as told during the interview process.

Disney's wording is "DAS registration maximum party size is the registered DAS Guest and up to 3 additional party members, for a total of 4 people."

But for clarification reasons in regards to my comment to the poster they are the ones qualifying for DAS, if they are unable to ride a ride at a particular time it doesn't mean their children can't ride an attraction if the grandparents (or someone else) is along as well. I am being careful in wording my comments the way I am.

 

[jennab]

If i were to be granted DAS this summer, and they only give me a party of 4, they are leaving me with the situation of going into a LL with only myself, wife, and 2 under 7year old kids, if a situation were to occur (which it tends to at least once a day) where I leave a queue too near the ride, they would have to leave the line because 1 child would be unable to ride unsupervised, in years past, I had grandparents with us under the party of 6 rule, and I left the line and they rode the ride as a party of 5

So failing to see how this works in your example, I'm not stating the kids want to ride with their grandparents at some point in the day, I'm saying the party of 4 rule is leaving me with no option except the whole party to leave the lineup if too close to riding because there is not a 1:1 ratio of adults to child who requires supervision

Rider swap? Wife plus one child waits in standby and goes on the ride. Then you and other child can go through the LL.

 

[sprem96]

I believe if you are the DAS holder you must ride for the others in your party to ride correct? Even with grandparents you would need to ride too. Although, with new accommodations and grandparents, they could wait in line with the kids and you could joint them later. I can see how this wouldn’t necessarily be possible without another adult though. Maybe if you need to leave the line ask for a return time for your party since you had to leave?

In the past, if I had to leave after the merge point, it is totally fine for my party to carry on without me

With the party of 6 they came in with us, under the party of 4 rule I can't bring them in with me to the LL and I potentially could be stranded with no option

Waiting in SBs is usually not an option for my disability (hoping I get DAS, or I'll be severely hampered in what I can achieve in a day)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If i were to be granted DAS this summer, and they only give me a party of 4, they are leaving me with the situation of going into a LL with only myself, wife, and 2 under 7year old kids, if a situation were to occur (which it tends to at least once a day) where I leave a queue too near the ride, they would have to leave the line because 1 child would be unable to ride unsupervised, in years past, I had grandparents with us under the party of 6 rule, and I left the line and they rode the ride as a party of 5

So failing to see how this works in your example, I'm not stating the kids want to ride with their grandparents at some point in the day, I'm saying the party of 4 rule is leaving me with no option except the whole party to leave the lineup if too close to riding because there is not a 1:1 ratio of adults to child who requires supervision

I'll repeat.

A reduction in riding party on DAS doesn't means the bolding above can't occur. It may not follow the same way as it did before with a higher party limit but it doesn't mean the grandparents can't ride a ride with your kids if you are unable to ride. How they got on the ride may change but it's not barring them from doing so.

Your prior comment included this line

ensure they would at least ride that ride without me if need be

I understood what you were referring to in your prior comments and totally understand having additional members helps on the supervision aspect but wanted to make that point even if the grandparents come with, due to the inclusion of "ride that ride without me if need be". It's just to clarify the situation as not to mean the kids just flat out won't get to ride a ride without having additional people added on and taken through the LL via DAS because that's along the lines of what some posters have expressed in an all or nothing type way of thinking "if A doesn't happen then we just won't get to do B" kind of thing.

 

[10CJ]

1 adult can typically supervise two kids on a ride. There may be some cases this does not work but I think most rides can accommodate that.

 

[sprem96]

Rider swap? Wife plus one child waits in standby and goes on the ride. Then you and other child can go through the LL.

Thats not the point of a family trip is it with kids under 7, Disney gives me the ability to have 4, I would prefer to have 4

plus rider switch all day is brutal on wasting time by essentially adding about 20min per ride

And lastly, still doesnt solve the issue if I have an issue/episode come in line with the 1 child, I would have no way to get that child to ride the ride because they would have to leave with me because under 7 again and need supervision

 

[Disneylover99]

Yes! And because now with Genie+ they can keep stacking LL’s while they are away from the park resting, when they come back later they will have 2-3 rides ready to go before/after fireworks.

Right. As I said, Genie+ will work for some.

But my point was, late rides may not work for everyone depending on your reason for needing the DAS. I won’t get into the reasons why.

 

[sprem96]

I'll repeat.

Your prior comment included this line


I understood what you were referring to in your prior comments and totally understand having additional members helps on the supervision aspect but wanted to make that point even if the grandparents come with, due to the inclusion of "ride that ride without me if need be". It's just to clarify the situation as not to mean the kids just flat out won't get to ride a ride without having additional people added on and taken through the LL via DAS because that's along the lines of what some posters have expressed in an all or nothing type way of thinking "if A doesn't happen then we just won't get to do B" kind of thing.

It is very hard to ride rides if just 4 people, that I specified, what has happened is that my wife may take my oldest child on rides she is tall enough for, but it doesnt help us when all 4 can ride a ride unfortunately

and to point out, it didn't have to be grandparents, but usually only ones that would come on the trip (from Toronto, can't just ask anybody to tag along for a day lol), this year my sister is coming down with us with her kid and husband because we assumed party of 6 when booking 8 months ago

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Thats not the point of a family trip is it with kids under 7, Disney gives me the ability to have 4, I would prefer to have 4

plus rider switch all day is brutal on wasting time by essentially adding about 20min per ride

And lastly, still doesnt solve the issue if I have an issue/episode come in line with the 1 child, I would have no way to get that child to ride the ride because they would have to leave with me because under 7 again and need supervision

It is very hard to ride rides if just 4 people, that I specified, what has happened is that my wife may take my oldest child on rides she is tall enough for, but it doesnt help us when all 4 can ride a ride unfortunately

and to point out, it didn't have to be grandparents, but usually only ones that would come on the trip (from Toronto, can't just ask anybody to tag along for a day lol), this year my sister is coming down with us with her kid and husband because we assumed party of 6 when booking 8 months ago

It's preemptive here as you haven't had your DAS interview so I would take the advice of the mods and wait, I understand that's not an answer you'd want to hear but it's still preemptive how you are viewing things as if you can't get X you won't do Y.

Your comments are also coming from a point of preference but presenting it as how it works. Preferring a way is a different train of thought.

 

[lanejudy]

in years past, I had grandparents with us under the party of 6 rule, and I left the line and they rode the ride as a party of 5

In the past, if I had to leave after the merge point, it is totally fine for my party to carry on without me

Technically, no, this wasn't appropriate even in the past. The DAS accommodation is for the DAS-holder and if the DAS-holder left the queue the rest of the party should also. I know it wasn't always enforced in the past, and who knows going forward. But in your situation it may be better to plan G+ and AQR would actually benefit you for such a scenario. If you need to leave the queue, your party can continue and you can take care of your needs and rejoin them.

 

[jennab]

Thats not the point of a family trip is it with kids under 7, Disney gives me the ability to have 4, I would prefer to have 4

plus rider switch all day is brutal on wasting time by essentially adding about 20min per ride

And lastly, still doesnt solve the issue if I have an issue/episode come in line with the 1 child, I would have no way to get that child to ride the ride because they would have to leave with me because under 7 again and need supervision

I hear ya. It sucks to have to be split up from your family on a family trip, but that is what a lot of people have had to do this whole time with younger kids (or others) who aren’t able to ride something. Just saying it is an option. If you get into that situation where it’s your turn and you still need to leave a ride with your one child they may give you a pass to return later when you are able.

 

[sprem96]

1 adult can typically supervise two kids on a ride. There may be some cases this does not work but I think most rides can accommodate that.

I've mentioned this in the past in this thread, there is a lot of rides that require supervision that would interfere with 2 kids, SD, TSM, SDMT, BS, TS (MK), BLSSR, AO, Dumbo, MAofWtP, GotG, SE, TS (AK), all rides my kids are both tall enough to ride
Not sure if I missed any others that are 42"height or smaller, youngest can't ride 44" or higher

 

[sprem96]

Technically, no, this wasn't appropriate even in the past. The DAS accommodation is for the DAS-holder and if the DAS-holder left the queue the rest of the party should also. I know it wasn't always enforced in the past, and who knows going forward. But in your situation it may be better to plan G+ and AQR would actually benefit you for such a scenario. If you need to leave the queue, your party can continue and you can take care of your needs and rejoin them.

Well I don't intend that have the situation happen to me, it's called a disability for a reason, and you think I want to be leaving a queue just before riding, and AQR doesn't work as a whole for me, have tried for years before inquiring about DAS equivalent programs

It's ok, I don't feel like trying to defend my disability (IBD) to others all day long, everyone is the know it all, everyone always tries to bandaid it anyways, lived the past 10 years like that, of everyone sugarcoating it with their easy fixes or downplaying

I don't comment on others' disabilities and what fixes they can have, it would be appreciative if reciprocated, thank you kindly in advance. I know what's worked in the past, I know all the potential solutions (have to know them all) and I've tried them all, I was referring mainly to the problem of having 2 under 7 year olds and leaving the queue after the merge and AQR is no longer an option and we need to leave immediately (IBDs know what immediately really means) and you don't get a chance to notify anybody, that's why I was so against the party of 4 vs 6, because it helped me carry an extra supervisor in case the situation occurred where I needed to leave after the merge points