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

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I still think it’s not reasonable to tell people who should qualify for DAS to buy G+. Genie+ should be a choice not a necessity

My guess is that what was actually happening was something like:

Disability Team Cast Member: I’m sorry, but your condition is not eligible for DAS. However, if there are members of your family who cannot tolerate lines you are eligible to use AQR/Rider Switch.
Unhappy former DAS user: But I need to be able to spend the whole day with my whole family or it won’t feel like Disney.
Disability Team Cast Member: If you do not wish to be separated from the able bodied members of your party in queues and use our AQR accommodation to join your party at the end of the line, you may be interested in purchasing G+ or ILL for your entire party

Unhappy former DAS user (5m later on social media): They denied me DAS and told me to use G+ instead!!!!!!

 

[dizneedoll]

Fair assessment!

The thing is, others have asked CMs at the attractions how it would work and gotten vague, hypothetical answers. My aim was to actually put AQR for a solo visitor into action. For the good of the group, but also because if it will work for me, I won’t be worried about DAS the next time around. Which I could explain to a CM if they ask why I’m not using DAS, I’m realizing as I type this.

I’m mostly a solo traveler too so Im very interested in how AQR is going to work in case I don’t get approved. If you are able to be our boots on the ground field tester, I’d love to know how they will handle this for solo guests. Of course, thats only if you have the time and feel like testing out AQR. And you are right, some people have already asked CM’s hypothetically how it will work and they can’t/won’t tell them unless they are actually leaving the line for some need.

I do hope you are able to get on Tiana’s!

 

[dbriggsq]

It's really not a different matter though - the DAS was never intended as a way to get stuff done in a shorter period of time. How long someone can spend in the park is irrelevant to disability accommodations. I do agree that if you can only spend a couple of hours in the park, Genie+ probably isn't worth it.

We have no intent to ‘get more stuff done’ - just to have a couple of rides, lunch and then back to hotel. That’s all we can manage

 

[rk3668]

No, if it’s a ‘choice’not to spend more than a couple of hours in the parks that’s obviously not a reason for DAS. But if your medical condition means that you can’t spend more than 2/3 hours that’s a different matter.

I know nothing about your condition so I am not saying this applies to you. But, I think it would be reasonable to consider DAS to be completely separate from how long you can stay in the parks. If someone can only stay in the parks for 2/3 hours, but can handle lines, then DAS is not appropriate. DAS is for not being able to wait in lines, so bringing up that you can only be in the park for 2 hours is irrelevant to DAS approval. I am not saying that is Disney's position or even that I agree with it, but I think it is a reasonable one.

As I typed this, OurBigTrip posted something very similar, but I will post it anyway.

 

[OurBigTrip]

We have no intent to ‘get more stuff done’ - just to have a couple of rides, lunch and then back to hotel. That’s all we can manage

Understand, but again, if the issue is your SIL not being able to wait in the line, then I'm just not understanding why splitting the party and some waiting in line while he joins before boarding won't work. You would be waiting the same amount of time as with DAS, possibly less.

 

[dbriggsq]

It's really not a different matter though - the DAS was never intended as a way to get stuff done in a shorter period of time. How long someone can spend in the park is irrelevant to disability accommodations. I do agree that if you can only spend a couple of hours in the park, Genie+ probably isn't worth it.

So what is the ‘accommodation ‘ for people who can only spend a couple of hours in the parks? (Due to a medical condition)

It's really not a different matter though - the DAS was never intended as a way to get stuff done in a shorter period of time. How long someone can spend in the park is irrelevant to disability accommodations. I do agree that if you can only spend a couple of hours in the park, Genie+ probably isn't worth it.

I know nothing about your condition so I am not saying this applies to you. But, I think it would be reasonable to consider DAS to be completely separate from how long you can stay in the parks. If someone can only stay in the parks for 2/3 hours, but can handle lines, then DAS is not appropriate. DAS is for not being able to wait in lines, so bringing up that you can only be in the park for 2 hours is irrelevant to DAS approval. I am not saying that is Disney's position or even that I agree with it, but I think it is a reasonable one.

As I typed this, OurBigTrip posted something very similar, but I will post it anyway.

The medical condition means that we can’t wait in lines in close proximity to others for long periods of time, plus other factors.
I really thought this group was a place for support with disabilities, but recently have found myself having to defend myself about our reasons for requesting DAS. - very strange.

 

[dbriggsq]

Understand, but again, if the issue is your SIL not being able to wait in the line, then I'm just not understanding why splitting the party and some waiting in line while he joins before boarding won't work. You would be waiting the same amount of time as with DAS, possibly less.

Think this is the wrong message

 

[OurBigTrip]

So what is the ‘accommodation ‘ for people who can only spend a couple of hours in the parks? (Due to a medical condition)


The medical condition means that we can’t wait in lines in close proximity to others for long periods of time, plus other factors.
I really thought this group was a place for support with disabilities, but recently have found myself having to defend myself about our reasons for requesting DAS. - very strange.

There is no accommodation for people who can only spend a short amount of time in the park due to a disability or medical conditions. If, due to a disability or medical condition, you can only spend two hours in the park, then you should be able to do as much (or as little) as any other guest who can only spend a couple of hours in the park, regardless of the reason.

And speaking for myself, I'm of the opinion that anyone who thinks they need a DAS in order to access the attractions should request one, full stop. But it's been clear for a very long time that in addition to the scammers, too many people with disabilities were getting a DAS when they could be accommodated in other ways. Disney is now taking action on that, because the abuse and overuse of DAS is negatively affecting everyone in the park, including DAS users. The number of people in the LLs has to be reduced, and that's what Disney is looking to do with these changes.

My only point in my previous post was that if the person who requested the DAS needs to wait outside the line, based on Disney's new policies, it appears they can do so without having a DAS. Thus my confusion as to why that wouldn't work for your family. But you know your family best, and it won't work, it won't work.

 

[dbriggsq]

There is no accommodation for people who can only spend a short amount of time in the park due to a disability or medical conditions. If, due to a disability or medical condition, you can only spend two hours in the park, then you should be able to do as much (or as little) as any other guest who can only spend a couple of hours in the park, regardless of the reason.

And speaking for myself, I'm of the opinion that anyone who thinks they need a DAS in order to access the attractions should request one, full stop. But it's been clear for a very long time that in addition to the scammers, too many people with disabilities were getting a DAS when they could be accommodated in other ways. Disney is now taking action on that, because the abuse and overuse of DAS is negatively affecting everyone in the park, including DAS users. The number of people in the LLs has to be reduced, and that's what Disney is looking to do with these changes.

My only point in my previous post was that if the person who requested the DAS needs to wait outside the line, based on Disney's new policies, it appears they can do so without having a DAS. Thus my confusion as to why that wouldn't work for your family. But you know your family best, and it won't work, it won't work.

Sorry I probably haven't made myself clear. The reason we can't spend much time in the parks is due to a medical condition, the same condition which means that we can't wait in long lines in close proximity . Yes I could probably wait in the SB line alone (and expose myself to various pathogens) and then pass them on to DH (who had to spend time in hospital after our last trip) or we might hope to get DAS which now seems to be a lottery. Perhaps we just shouldn't go.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

No, if it’s a ‘choice’not to spend more than a couple of hours in the parks that’s obviously not a reason for DAS. But if your medical condition means that you can’t spend more than 2/3 hours that’s a different matter. You still pay the same entrance fee, Genie+ is a waste of money for a couple of hours. With a chronic medical condition it can be impossible to predict how one will be feeling the next day, or even later that day.
I still think it’s not reasonable to tell people who should qualify for DAS to buy G+. Genie+ should be a choice not a necessity

People forget that when DAS first came out, it was not for mobility or stamina issues either. Cast members gave up trying to enforce it and started handing them out to be nice or stop the complaining. A lot of this is just an enforcement of the program they implemented 11 years ago.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

So what is the ‘accommodation ‘ for people who can only spend a couple of hours in the parks? (Due to a medical condition)

There would not be an accommodation for people who can only spend a few hours in the park, regardless of the reason.

The medical condition means that we can’t wait in lines in close proximity to others for long periods of time, plus other factors.

This *might* be something that could qualify for DAS, but it would depend on circumstances. When you speak to Disney I would strongly recommend focusing on this and this alone. Otherwise the CM may focus on the first part and ignore everything else.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Sorry I probably haven't made myself clear. The reason we can't spend much time in the parks is due to a medical condition, the same condition which means that we can't wait in long lines in close proximity . Yes I could probably wait in the SB line alone (and expose myself to various pathogens) and then pass them on to DH (who had to spend time in hospital after our last trip) or we might hope to get DAS which now seems to be a lottery. Perhaps we just shouldn't go.

If your concern is pathogens you are always free to wear a good quality N95 mask. Does it suck? Absolutely. But a lot of us did it - indoors AND outdoors - during COVID.

 

[dbriggsq]

If your concern is pathogens you are always free to wear a good quality N95 mask. Does it suck? Absolutely. But a lot of us did it - indoors AND outdoors - during COVID.

Yes we do that as necessary but one of the issues is difficulty with breathing long time use of mask is difficult

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Sorry I probably haven't made myself clear. The reason we can't spend much time in the parks is due to a medical condition, the same condition which means that we can't wait in long lines in close proximity . Yes I could probably wait in the SB line alone (and expose myself to various pathogens) and then pass them on to DH (who had to spend time in hospital after our last trip) or we might hope to get DAS which now seems to be a lottery. Perhaps we just shouldn't go.

But you are exposed for the same pathogens in any line at Disney. Someone standing behind you for 10 minutes in a LL with an illness can pass you something as easily as someone in standby for 60 minutes. All it takes is a couple good sneezes which can happen in 5 minutes or 50. And a lot of times the lines are side by side. And what about on transportation, or in a store, or in a restaurant? You aren’t lowering your viral load by standing in LL when you are still in close proximity with thousands of people throughout the day. Going to any crowded place is absolutely a risk when you have a compromised immune system. If your husband got that sick after a trip using the DAS, then is it really the accommodation you need?

 

[AJA]

So what is the ‘accommodation ‘ for people who can only spend a couple of hours in the parks? (Due to a medical condition)


The medical condition means that we can’t wait in lines in close proximity to others for long periods of time, plus other factors.
I really thought this group was a place for support with disabilities, but recently have found myself having to defend myself about our reasons for requesting DAS. - very strange.

Maybe this is where some of your frustration is coming from, in the US Disney does not need to offer anything beyond the ADA accessibility. By Law Disney is completely within its legal rights not to offer any other accommodation at all.

To help some guests Disney has offered programs above and beyond what is required by US laws. Now though it seems they are cutting back on those extra accommodations for most groups but still offering them alternatives.

I can totally understand if you are in a European country that requires theme parks to offer more (by law) and in turn wondering how WDW is going to accommodate your traveling party's need.

 

[dbriggsq]

There would not be an accommodation for people who can only spend a few hours in the park, regardless of the reason.


This *might* be something that could qualify for DAS, but it would depend on circumstances. When you speak to Disney I would strongly recommend focusing on this and this alone. Otherwise the CM may focus on the first part and ignore everything else.

It has qualified in the past but the uncertainty going forward is stressful

But you are exposed for the same pathogens in any line at Disney. Someone standing behind you for 10 minutes in a LL with an illness can pass you something as easily as someone in standby for 60 minutes. All it takes is a couple good sneezes which can happen in 5 minutes or 50. And a lot of times the lines are side by side. And what about on transportation, or in a store, or in a restaurant? You aren’t lowering your viral load by standing in LL when you are still in close proximity with thousands of people throughout the day. Going to any crowded place is absolutely a risk when you have a compromised immune system. If your husband got that sick after a trip using the DAS, then is it really the accommodation you need?

It's about lowering the risk. We take precautions in other areas

 

[PrincessV]

I’m mostly a solo traveler too so Im very interested in how AQR is going to work in case I don’t get approved. If you are able to be our boots on the ground field tester, I’d love to know how they will handle this for solo guests. Of course, thats only if you have the time and feel like testing out AQR. And you are right, some people have already asked CM’s hypothetically how it will work and they can’t/won’t tell them unless they are actually leaving the line for some need.

I do hope you are able to get on Tiana’s!

Thank you! I have very low expectations of getting on Tiana’s that day, but it’s worth a try, right?! And I have a very high need for a day away, so I’m willing to take a chance lol! I really am game for seeing how AQR works that day - I’ve got nothing else I especially want to do that day and time to kill.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Yep - I'm pretty sure that the last lawsuit Disney won regarding accessibility (lasted from 2014 - ~2022) was dozens of individual lawsuits rather than a class action. IIRC, when Disney won the first one, the remaining ones were dropped.

With all the outrage and threats of lawsuits they knew would come from this, I am sure Disney legal did their due diligence to make sure they weren’t violating any laws or leaving open any loopholes that would cause them to lose in court. This isn’t their first rodeo with this. People just have short memories.

 

[OurBigTrip]

With all the outrage and threats of lawsuits they knew would come from this, I am sure Disney legal did their due diligence to make sure they weren’t violating any laws or leaving open any loopholes that would cause them to lose in court. This isn’t their first rodeo with this. People just have short memories.

Short memories and an outsized of idea of what Disney is actually required to do v. what they want Disney to do.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

If your concern is pathogens you are always free to wear a good quality N95 mask. Does it suck? Absolutely. But a lot of us did it - indoors AND outdoors - during COVID.

I would be extremely surprised if Disney decided to include “high risk for bad outcomes from communicable diseases” as DAS qualifying for several reasons. The ones that immediately spring to mind include:

• It’s an easy claim to fake (they are trying to eliminate this category in general, it seems).
• Avoiding pre-LL crowded lines does nothing to help you avoid post-merge lines (which are almost always more likely to be indoors is even tighter spaces) or disease exposure on the ride itself.
• There is no law requiring crowded amusement spaces to provide safe access for immunocompromised individuals (since it is functionally impossible) and the last thing Disney needs is to be seen as trying to encourage high risk individuals to spend a higher ratio of time indoors to outdoors. I think the answer is “talk to your doctor and decide what precautions are necessary for your condition at a crowded amusement park”— which may be don’t go and may be wear a N95.
• There’s a tort law principle that if you try to help someone and screw up, you can have greater liability than if you did nothing. I think we can all imagine someone losing an immunocompromised loved one and trying to sue Disney saying “you gave us DAS knowing my child had no white blood cells and she came to the park and caught [x] and died.”

There are probably other reasons but these were the ones that spring to mind.