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

[GoingSince1990]

Times like this I feel bad for the mods. I just want to say that 99.999% of us think you all do a great job, and Lane Judy is one of the fairest and best.

 

[nalababybear]

Times like this I feel bad for the mods. I just want to say that 99.999% of us think you all do a great job, and Lane Judy is one of the fairest and best.

So say we all

 

[MN96]

Times like this I feel bad for the mods. I just want to say that 99.999% of us think you all do a great job, and Lane Judy is one of the fairest and best.

Have been following along through all the pages and LaneJudy and SueMinMN deserve all the credit for all their hard work in this thread, so much info and so much discussion in this thread, I cannot imagine how much work is has been for them to keep this going, on track, free of the bad, and informed. Thank you both!!!

 

[tsumgirl]

I originally posted this on the Disneyland forum. This is my experience with Disneyland + California Adventure.

I was at the parks this past week as a solo traveler with DAS under the old rules. I witnessed the new procedures at a few of the rides, and inadvertently ended up testing out AQR at Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

For Mickey’s Fun Wheel, the posted wait was 10 min, so I thought I’d be fine in the standby line. After about 17 min, I still hadn’t made it halfway through the queue. Since I knew I’d never make it to the front in time and needed to leave, I asked the family behind me to assist me with removing the queue chains since it was hard to reach in my ECV. I returned to ride entrance, and told the CM I had been in the line, but I need to leave for awhile. I asked the CM what the procedures would be if I chose to return to ride it. He let me know that it was no problem at all, verified I was solo and told me I would just need to see him when I returned, and he would send me straight to the front with a pass. I left for about 30 min. When I returned, the same CM was there and gave me a card to take down the exit path and hand to the CMs at the boarding area.

I only witnessed the new procedures for other rides while I was in line using my DAS.

For Fantasyland, CMs at Peter Pan, Alice and Mr. Toad were very clear that they were not issuing return times for family members who may have difficulties with the queues. CMs took their time explaining that party members that could not handle the queue may wait outside the queue, but at least 2 members of the party must wait in the standby queue (party sizes happened to be 4 or 5 each time). The members waiting outside would rejoin their party via the merge at Peter Pan, the exit for Alice, or the mobility entrance for Mr. Toad. They were firm that those were the only accommodations provided for parties that did not have mobility needs. I did not ask about the procedures as a solo traveler, because the CMs there were already aware that I have DAS.

When a ride reopened after a closure, all DAS users were being advised that they would have to wait until the app showed a posted wait time and book their return times in the app. Ride CMs would not be able to issue a return time for them, even if the app had not updated to reflect that the ride was open already. I felt bad for these families, since it had already been 20 minutes after Fantasyland reopened after the fireworks and some of the rides were still not updating in the app.

My advice for anyone needing a Location Return Time, just ask for a Wheelchair Return Time. CM’s were visibly overwhelmed at times trying to ensure they were doing every step correctly, that any new terminology thrown at them was almost treated as a red flag. It probably didn’t help that management seemed to be lurking nearby them, hopefully just to intervene if a situation escalated. When I requested a Wheelchair Return Time, it was just more familiar for them and they immediately took care of it. Also, I witnessed that LRT parties were allowed 6 total guests, the LRT user + 5 additional party members.

The last ride procedures I witnessed was for TSMM. A teen was able to wait outside the line while his family entered the standby. Once they reached the merge point, he just alerted the CM that he needed to join his family and pointed them out. She held the standby and LL lines, and let the teen join them.

In all situations, the CMs explained the procedures and reunited families very smoothly. There were no elaborate explanations needed, and no undue attention was drawn to the parties utilizing accommodations. I’m glad I was able to see it in action in different scenarios, just in case I’m denied under the new rules.

 

[SueM in MN]

I originally posted this on the Disneyland forum. This is my experience with Disneyland + California Adventure.

I was at the parks this past week as a solo traveler with DAS under the old rules. I witnessed the new procedures at a few of the rides, and inadvertently ended up testing out AQR at Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

For Mickey’s Fun Wheel, the posted wait was 10 min, so I thought I’d be fine in the standby line. After about 17 min, I still hadn’t made it halfway through the queue. Since I knew I’d never make it to the front in time and needed to leave, I asked the family behind me to assist me with removing the queue chains since it was hard to reach in my ECV. I returned to ride entrance, and told the CM I had been in the line, but I need to leave for awhile. I asked the CM what the procedures would be if I chose to return to ride it. He let me know that it was no problem at all, verified I was solo and told me I would just need to see him when I returned, and he would send me straight to the front with a pass. I left for about 30 min. When I returned, the same CM was there and gave me a card to take down the exit path and hand to the CMs at the boarding area.

I only witnessed the new procedures for other rides while I was in line using my DAS.

For Fantasyland, CMs at Peter Pan, Alice and Mr. Toad were very clear that they were not issuing return times for family members who may have difficulties with the queues. CMs took their time explaining that party members that could not handle the queue may wait outside the queue, but at least 2 members of the party must wait in the standby queue (party sizes happened to be 4 or 5 each time). The members waiting outside would rejoin their party via the merge at Peter Pan, the exit for Alice, or the mobility entrance for Mr. Toad. They were firm that those were the only accommodations provided for parties that did not have mobility needs. I did not ask about the procedures as a solo traveler, because the CMs there were already aware that I have DAS.

When a ride reopened after a closure, all DAS users were being advised that they would have to wait until the app showed a posted wait time and book their return times in the app. Ride CMs would not be able to issue a return time for them, even if the app had not updated to reflect that the ride was open already. I felt bad for these families, since it had already been 20 minutes after Fantasyland reopened after the fireworks and some of the rides were still not updating in the app.

My advice for anyone needing a Location Return Time, just ask for a Wheelchair Return Time. CM’s were visibly overwhelmed at times trying to ensure they were doing every step correctly, that any new terminology thrown at them was almost treated as a red flag. It probably didn’t help that management seemed to be lurking nearby them, hopefully just to intervene if a situation escalated. When I requested a Wheelchair Return Time, it was just more familiar for them and they immediately took care of it. Also, I witnessed that LRT parties were allowed 6 total guests, the LRT user + 5 additional party members.

The last ride procedures I witnessed was for TSMM. A teen was able to wait outside the line while his family entered the standby. Once they reached the merge point, he just alerted the CM that he needed to join his family and pointed them out. She held the standby and LL lines, and let the teen join them.

In all situations, the CMs explained the procedures and reunited families very smoothly. There were no elaborate explanations needed, and no undue attention was drawn to the parties utilizing accommodations. I’m glad I was able to see it in action in different scenarios, just in case I’m denied under the new rules.

Thank you for your very detailed report

 

[koszmok]

It's not a post just my inability to handle how to navigate the site

Sorry!

 

[MarBee]

I’m curious to see how the new fast pass/genie+ system will help for those denied DAS. We used to be able to swing it before they got rid of the advanced planning FP. Fingers crossed it can work again!

 

[mamaofsix]

I’m curious to see how the new fast pass/genie+ system will help for those denied DAS. We used to be able to swing it before they got rid of the advanced planning FP. Fingers crossed it can work again!

I was really excited for the new LL system - until I found out International Guests will not be allowed to book in advance. This means there could be very few ride options available to us via LL when we arrive.

I sure hope my kids get approved for DAS, otherwise we're in big trouble.

 

[Karin1984]

I was really excited for the new LL system - until I found out International Guests will not be allowed to book in advance. This means there could be very few ride options available to us via LL when we arrive.

Why aren't we allowed? Is it because the booking process is only available via the US website?
Because that could be solved by using a VPN, right?

 

[mamaofsix]

Why aren't we allowed? Is it because the booking process is only available via the US website?
Because that could be solved by using a VPN, right?

Details are spotty, but we're being told it's a Geofenced app, so you have to actually be on US soil. This means a VPN would not work.

 

[diablodancer]

Have there been any reports yet on how the parks are dealing with solo riders who can’t wait in long queues (but not due to developmental disabilities)?

Saw a passing comment in another group that a solo visitor was told to memorise who was in front/behind them in the queue for rejoining but don’t see how that would work.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Have there been any reports yet on how the parks are dealing with solo riders who can’t wait in long queues (but not due to developmental disabilities)?

Saw a passing comment in another group that a solo visitor was told to memorise who was in front/behind them in the queue for rejoining but don’t see how that would work.

I guess you tell the people around you “I’ll be right back”

 

[lanejudy]

Have there been any reports yet on how the parks are dealing with solo riders who can’t wait in long queues (but not due to developmental disabilities)?

There have been a couple reports here. Depending on the circumstances, they've been issued a return time. One was allowed directly into the LL but it was a low crowd/low wait situation. Someone (at DL) was given a card when they returned and used the card to enter the LL. Procedure may vary somewhat by attraction.

 

[PrincessV]

Have there been any reports yet on how the parks are dealing with solo riders who can’t wait in long queues (but not due to developmental disabilities)?

Saw a passing comment in another group that a solo visitor was told to memorise who was in front/behind them in the queue for rejoining but don’t see how that would work.

I shared my experience, but that’s a bunch of pages back by now. The condensed version is this:

1 ride I waited in the SB line as long as I could - about 15 mins - and backtracked through the line to exit. Told a CM there I needed to leave for a bit and they told me to find them when I returned. They weren’t there when I got back, so I explained to the CM who was there and they had me go in through the LL.

2nd ride I opted to ask a CM before getting into the SB line - “I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay in the line for the full wait time - is there an easy way for me to exit and a process for when I return?” They sent me straight through the LL.

It was a slow day at MK and LLs at both rides were very short. SB wait times at each were 45 and 25 minutes. In our short conversations, it was made clear that their decisions on how to handle it were almost entirely due to me being solo, otherwise the process would have been for the rest of my party to continue waiting in SB and I’d be able to meet them at the merge point.

 

[Gentry2004]

So have the LL wait times gotten way shorter now that this new system has been implemented?

 

[mamaofsix]

So have the LL wait times gotten way shorter now that this new system has been implemented?

Nope. That's the funny thing. Wait times in general have stayed pretty much exactly the same as the same time last year if you check the data. And this year the crowds are lighter!

Almost makes you wonder if all the rumors that DAS users were clogging up the LLs were false and over-exaggerated.

 

[Yinn]

Nope. That's the funny thing. Wait times in general have stayed pretty much exactly the same as the same time last year if you check the data. And this year the crowds are lighter!

Almost makes you wonder if all the rumors that DAS users were clogging up the LLs were false and over-exaggerated.

This isn’t factual, just an opinion. We’re AP holders and go regularly…I don’t recall a single group before or after us in any of our trips the past year who have flashed blue like us.

I do recall super long lines due to LLers who decided to form a queue in front of LL because their time wasn’t up yet…

 

[mamaofsix]

This isn’t factual, just an opinion. We’re AP holders and go regularly…I don’t recall a single group before or after us in any of our trips the past year who have flashed blue like us.

I do recall super long lines due to LLers who decided to form a queue in front of LL because their time wasn’t up yet…

Exactly our experience as well. Everyone saying that DAS users were 80% of the LL, and I was like "What?? We never see anyone else around us in line who is a DAS user."

Now we see that drastically reducing DAS users had zero affect on wait times, it's pretty clear the percentages being thrown around were not accurate.

 

[Evita_W]

Times like this I feel bad for the mods. I just want to say that 99.999% of us think you all do a great job, and Lane Judy is one of the fairest and best.

I’m guessing that I missed something, but all in all, I agree.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

So have the LL wait times gotten way shorter now that this new system has been implemented?

I haven’t been to WDW lately but DLR seems a bit better and multiple people who have been to WDW have reported shorter LLs lately. It’s all anecdotal for now, and the AP superusers likely still have DAS at both parks for a few more weeks.