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

I’m not singling you out, @Ollivier, just wanted to snip this from your post because I’ve seen it mentioned a number of times.

I keep seeing people on various platforms say their DAS CM told them DAS is for people who can’t understand the concept of waiting in a line, or some variation of that language. At first, I thought it was just the same poster spreading it around various places, and that may be happening. But I’m also starting to wonder if it’s a single DAS CM who keeps saying it. It’s just really odd that it keeps popping up in seemingly unrelated posts by different posters, using nearly identical language. And doubly odd that it’s only occasional enough to suggest that it’s not an official line that all or even most DAS CMs are using.

I have no idea how much truth is behind the reports of it, but I’ve seen plenty of other denial reports with no mention of such language, and plenty of approval reports of people who clearly understand the concept of a line and/or are over 18 years old. So I’m filing this one under Probably Fabricated But Could Be The Words of a Rogue CM for now.

(ETA: typo correction)
I am one of the people who was specifically told that. Would be interesting if we all had the same CM, but no real way to know. FWIW, the CM we had really seemed to be very frustrated. (Also the same CM who said that my daughter clearly could not wait in a standard line, but essentially her hands were tied).

Opinion now: Because she referenced her supervisor, I am of the opinion that it is possible that that is (at least part of) the criteria but the way it actually plays out depends on how much of a "strictly follow the rules" type of person the CM is and how recently they have been "reminded" of the criteria.

Again, the first paragraph here is fact, based on our actual experience. The second paragraph is my opinion.

(Also, if the all the suggestions that Disney is making could be implemented with fidelity - that might truly be the only group who needs the "new" DAS as it exists. We were there back in the GAC day where you got a card with various stamps based on what you needed. In many ways this was much better than the blanket DAS system as it existed up until a few weeks ago, and as it exists now. Most of the things I am hearing people say that they need could be provided without access to the lightning lanes - but it would require Disney to reconfigure a lot of things. )
 


Legoland and universal paid systems simply is a ratio guarantee. Disney tries the opposite by booking times ahead and goal to predict demand with that and manages by adjusting the ratio to meet that demand

As far as an accommodation to lines and queues, if the standby line is over an hour, the typical waits for fastpass is 30+ min and becomes a nonstarter for those having trouble with queues. How does universal ha dle those situations for people with their aap accommodation?
 
Legoland and universal paid systems simply is a ratio guarantee. Disney tries the opposite by booking times ahead and goal to predict demand with that and manages by adjusting the ratio to meet that demand

As far as an accommodation to lines and queues, if the standby line is over an hour, the typical waits for fastpass is 30+ min and becomes a nonstarter for those having trouble with queues. How does universal ha dle those situations for people with their aap accommodation?
There are different types of aap. Orange and gold. The orange type let you enter the express line after you have waited outside the line. With the gold they escort you to the loading platform after you have waited outside the line.
 
Legoland and universal paid systems simply is a ratio guarantee. Disney tries the opposite by booking times ahead and goal to predict demand with that and manages by adjusting the ratio to meet that demand

As far as an accommodation to lines and queues, if the standby line is over an hour, the typical waits for fastpass is 30+ min and becomes a nonstarter for those having trouble with queues. How does universal ha dle those situations for people with their aap accommodation?

Normally, they don't...they will rarely provide a higher level of accommodation, but that tends to take a lot from the customer.

Universal's overall rides are less accessible with many more motion-sickness causing rides and many more high end thrill rides. So, the issues of better accommodation for most don't really come into play, b/c if you can't wait in their express lines, you probably can't handle the high speed upside rollercoaster either...or the 5th motion simulator in a row...
 
Are we really this far into this and people are still missing that Disney is not telling ANYONE that there are NO accommodations if you do not receive a DAS? They are saying there are other accommodations, which are available to everyone without applying. You just have to tell the CM you have a need and they will work with you, just like any other public venue visited- where you don't apply but just show up and work with them.

And yes, we've had to leave lines and talk to a CM before, with rare exception it's really not that bad. For the most part if you are leaving a line, there is a CM nearby when you duck out of it. UO also isn't positioning people specifically to catch everyone who might need to leave, and you can find them there too. IMO, Universal putting additional hurdles in place before a person can get accommodations shouldn't be held up as a shining beacon of better examples.
 
Are we really this far into this and people are still missing that Disney is not telling ANYONE that there are NO accommodations if you do not receive a DAS? They are saying there are other accommodations, which are available to everyone without applying. You just have to tell the CM you have a need and they will work with you, just like any other public venue visited- where you don't apply but just show up and work with them.
Many people who have had DAS for years, just don’t want to hear it. And they are not open to other accommodations. They just want their DAS. They’ve tried everything else and nothing else will work for them but DAS. Period.
 
No, I could not have it reheated. It was solely my job to make it work for me. But I could bring it in, assuming I followed other rules (no glass, fit in X-size clear bag, etc)...edit to add - and I printed my approval letter and stuck it in the separated food bag, so security could see it (Capitol wanted to and did, stadium just believed me when they saw the folded paper)...

So, (since both were in winter weather, so keeping things hot would be hard anyway) sandwiches and fruit (which is a norm meal for me anyway) played a large role in my meal. I could have been more complicated, but I took the easy route.
I was asking because park I work at we get the request to heat food for someone with allergy which we are not allowed to do by government rules. The small park I work at would allow you to bring your food in but just couldn't reheat
 
I find it frustrating that people keep coming back to “but why can’t we just show proof?” or “but look at what Universal is doing.” If you are still asking that question, I’d suggest reading back over the last 384 pages. Somewhere - or 100 times - you’ll find the answer. It’s just not the answer that you are looking for.
I agree.

I think you should have to show proof to cut down fraud, but most people seem to think that you can replace the DAS application process with a doctors letter. My point is that some kind of external proof of disability is only a first step anyway. You still need the entire needs based application process, with the same questions and criteria, after you ask for a copy of an official diagnosis anyway.
 
I was asking because park I work at we get the request to heat food for someone with allergy which we are not allowed to do by government rules. The small park I work at would allow you to bring your food in but just couldn't reheat
That's legitimately a safety issue. If you reheated someone's food and they got food poisoning, or something weird was in it or whatever, they can come after you.
 
Unless there are public use microwaves at a location, that would certainly bring up health code issues for people to present their own items for reheating in a food service establishment.
We cannot reheat but you can bring food in with you to eat. Happens all the time where I work
 
I agree.

I think you should have to show proof to cut down fraud, but most people seem to think that you can replace the DAS application process with a doctors letter. My point is that some kind of external proof of disability is only a first step anyway. You still need the entire needs based application process, with the same questions and criteria, after you ask for a copy of an official diagnosis anyway.
So what happens to people who don't have that diagnosis title, but the same or even more need than a person who has that label?
 
I don’t think you can compare Disney and Universal at all. I have been watching several Facebook groups, TikToks, and forums about DAS. I cannot believe the amount of people that were receiving DAS. I honestly don’t know how the parks were functioning. Every time I talk to someone, they know 3 families that were getting DAS and not actually needing it. I do think Disney needed to crack down, but I really think they took it too far. I’ve seen some heartbreaking stories about people that truly need it and were denied. I hope they start approving more people as time goes on, but don’t start giving it to everyone for every little thing again. The third party system isn’t as helpful as people make it out to be. They accept so many things! An IEP that has vague info is accepted. I work at a school where 25% of our students have an IEP or 504 for some type of accommodation. That doesn’t mean 25% of the kids at my school can’t wait in a line. I would say that is closer to 2%, but the third party system would approve all 25% and then it is still up to Disney/universal to determine what accommodations they should receive.
 
Yes, we had a difficult field trip because there was a lack of accommodations. A lack of accommodations exists in a lot of places, that is not uncommon.

A lack of accommodations is a significantly different thing, however, than there being accommodations available that you have to apply for and someone decides whether or not you fit certain criteria to qualify for that accommodation.

As for the NFL game - other than bringing headphones, the venue took care of the accessibility accommodations. We followed their procedures and received accessible seating with a fantastic view of the game in an area that was accessible and comfortable for DD where she could actually see. Historical sites we haven't needed to do anything other than just typical pre-trip research. There's no applying for accommodations the way you apply for DAS.

Basically, apart from theme parks, our experience has been that accommodations are either present or they aren't. That venues will either work with you, or they don't. But they don't have a list of varying accommodations and have you go through any kind of application process to have their workers determine which accommodations you're allowed to use.
I would submit that theme parks are very different than any other type of venue...ensuring that there is accessible seating that provides good views, sounds (whatever the case may be) is very different than trying to manage accommodations for waiting in lines.

If abuse/overuse is bad now, imagine anyone being able to demand accommodations at any line for any attraction at a theme park. Totally unworkable. For most accommodations at Disney, as far as I'm aware, you don't have to be vetted and approved in advance - just for DAS.
 
Yes, we had a difficult field trip because there was a lack of accommodations. A lack of accommodations exists in a lot of places, that is not uncommon.

A lack of accommodations is a significantly different thing, however, than there being accommodations available that you have to apply for and someone decides whether or not you fit certain criteria to qualify for that accommodation.

As for the NFL game - other than bringing headphones, the venue took care of the accessibility accommodations. We followed their procedures and received accessible seating with a fantastic view of the game in an area that was accessible and comfortable for DD where she could actually see. Historical sites we haven't needed to do anything other than just typical pre-trip research. There's no applying for accommodations the way you apply for DAS.

Basically, apart from theme parks, our experience has been that accommodations are either present or they aren't. That venues will either work with you, or they don't. But they don't have a list of varying accommodations and have you go through any kind of application process to have their workers determine which accommodations you're allowed to use.
NFL game sounds super epic!

Do the venues that lack accommodations refund any costs that you might have already made to visit said venue?? Tickets, hotels, travel? Or do you contact them before making any definitive plans? If before, with how much time in advance? I guess what I'm trying to find is if other places have the above and beyond customer service that is apparently expected of Disney Parks. Or if folks simply have unrealistic expectations of Disney Parks simply because of the Disney Brand.
 
Thats the same in the UK, accomodations are based on needs, NOT diagnosis. The difference is that there is an assumption of possible fraud so it is usual to ask for some external proof of disability before any significant accommodation is given.
And that is the difference -- in the US the ADA defines a disability based on how it impacts activities of daily living, not by diagnosis. ADA laws err on the side of the individual by allowing accommodations be given to anyone with a need. As folks have posted -- it can take months or years to obtain an official diagnosis. It sounds like the UK system doesn't accommodate those individuals until they can prove diagnosis.
 
As for the NFL game - other than bringing headphones, the venue took care of the accessibility accommodations. We followed their procedures and received accessible seating with a fantastic view of the game in an area that was accessible and comfortable for DD where she could actually see.

Many people who have had DAS for years, just don’t want to hear it. And they are not open to other accommodations. They just want their DAS. They’ve tried everything else and nothing else will work for them but DAS. Period.

I like the sports stadium analogy. Not every seat is accessible to meet someone's needs, but if you attend, you have to have a ticket for an accessible spot already, or they will try to find you an accessible seat if available.

What Disney inadvertently created over time is a DAS system that was the equivalent of showing up to the stadium and getting a suite on the 50-yard line with butler service for you and 20 friends.

Now, people are furious that they have to watch the same game in another accommodating spot with a great view of the game.
 













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