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

[mamaofsix]

It feels like Disney is being held to an unfairly high standard with respect to old DAS/line standards. Eg I just landed in Europe. Customs line was well over an hour and we were relatively quick off the plane. By the time we looped around a bunch of times the line stretched so far back that I couldn’t even see the end. No way to get help if you needed something. No way to exit to go to the bathroom. Bathrooms once we finally got to baggage claim were poorly marked and not particularly clean. Customer service so far has been poor at best and it feels like everyone is out to rip us off (stupid example but there was no way to get change after buying a bus ticket and no way to get the bills back and pay by credit card instead).

Don’t get me wrong - I love traveling. But Disney sets the bar really really high, and sometimes people forget that that is not actually “normal.”

We've had the opposite experience in Europe. Maybe it depends on what country you're visiting? UK and France were awesome. Heathrow airport had a skip the wait option for customs. Italy and Greece as well. In Rome they had employees who would approach anyone struggling in line and skip them right to the front - including if they noticed any guests who were pregnant. Sorry to hear about your experience.

I think the difference is that Disney has always tried to be a welcoming place to those with disabilities. It was the one place where you could count on a good experience if you had family with disabilities. For those for whom everyday living is such a challenge, Disney trips were that one bright spot. It wouldn't be as hard to accept the lower standard now if Disney hadn't held themselves to a higher one for so many years.

 

[lanejudy]

I only suggested that they decide what is someone's needs. And that is a fact.

Disney isn't deciding what are someone's needs. That makes no sense. The individual has to tell Disney what are their own needs. Disney then decides how to accommodate those needs.

Yes, "permanent" needs may get denied. Just because a need or diagnosis is permanent (as in it won't be cured) doesn't mean it must be accommodated by DAS. Other accommodations are available that may work just fine. "Just in case" doesn't mean temporary like a broken leg that will eventually heal, it means the actual need may not arise within every single queue or even most queues. Those who "may" have the need arise have been using DAS as "just in case" and Disney is now offering alternative accommodations for such needs. Yes, Disney did sort of encourage this use in the past, but that doesn't mean they can't change it now and still be adequately accommodating the actual need.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Disney is also deciding if the needs are “reasonable.” Eg one may think they need immediate front of the line access to everything (like the case in CA) and Disney is perfectly within its rights to say no/only for Make a Wish kids.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Don’t get me wrong - I love traveling. But Disney sets the bar really really high, and sometimes people forget that that is not actually “normal.”

I don't think people forget that at all - I think it's more that it's specifically why so many with disabilities go to Disney, and people are scared, upset, confused, and sad that Disney may now become less accessible to them. It may not always be a rational fear, but people's emotions and concerns are valid. And for many the only way they'll be able to fully process and get past it is to go on their next trip and see what happens. Or make the decision that they're done and move on. Both options will have a variety of emotions with them.

I appreciate that the mods here have respected the emotional aspect of this transition and help make this a space where people can talk and process all of this with much less judgment than other forums.

 

[mistysue]

Don’t get me wrong - I love traveling. But Disney sets the bar really really high, and sometimes people forget that that is not actually “normal.”

I really do agree with this - and I think it is even more the online community that has given this impression vs Disney itself. Disney has been more than happy to make things accessible - the rides, the lines, various extras.

This really is the best example I have - Disney for many years was literally the only place my family could go out to eat without landing in the ER. It happens when you have anaphylaxis to too many foods. Now, in reality, we still had to skip most of the QS who couldn't help us, and it would take us a half hour to order, we would see other people seated around the same time getting food while we were still getting details worked out. And a table service rather than a 60-90 minute experience is a 90-120 minute. But we could eat at all. Sometimes it took 3 or 4 hours to get something because there was a miscommunication or issue.

Disney made rides that people with disabilities are able to navigate to and ride on. Saying having difficulty in your regular life is reason to get above level access to them, is not reasonable. We got to eat, we didn't get an express lane. People get to ride, go to other parks and you literally can't ride. None of us is owed something extra to make up for the outside world, nor has Disney really promised that to the typical customer. The park itself if magical, that doesn't mean each of us is specifically being given ALL the magic.

 

[nalababybear]

I don't think people forget that at all - I think it's more that it's specifically why so many with disabilities go to Disney, and people are scared, upset, confused, and sad that Disney may now become less accessible to them. It may not always be a rational fear, but people's emotions and concerns are valid. And for many the only way they'll be able to fully process and get past it is to go on their next trip and see what happens. Or make the decision that they're done and move on. Both options will have a variety of emotions with them.

I appreciate that the mods here have respected the emotional aspect of this transition and help make this a space where people can talk and process all of this with much less judgment than other forums.

This. And @mistysue too same

Although the luster has dulled somewhat over the years, Disney's product remains significantly ahead of others in delivering the magic.

I also watch the FB page that are avid DAS defenders where advocacy has a very strong presence....and a very skewed view of things....there's a place for that too.

This forum has had a very good balance of folk understanding and discussing all.sides of the situation and allowing emotional and also reasoning support for those navigating through these changes.

One reason is because this is disboards, and common ground is we have a love for Disney that runs thick.

But whats really.made this thread succussful is the hard work of our two mods. You have probably helped so many families get good information and through this than we all would realize given the silent majority of this community.

Thank you.

 

[voxparse]

Just got off a DAS call and a couple of interesting things. The CM was great and we had a very pleasant conversation. We were discussing favorite rides and Peter Pan came up. The CM did not realize it is ambulatory only and was visibly shocked to hear the limitations on the ride and that I’m not permitted to ride it. No knock on the CM I just think in all the vitriol I see about accessibility it’s funny Disney seems to get away with this one. To be clear, I get it, not every ride can be perfectly accessible but it’s interesting what most people get up in arms about and what issues seem to get swept under the rug. I suspect the percentage of disabled people who can’t briefly be ambulatory if necessary is low so stuff like this doesn’t get much attention. (Also before anyone tries to go down this road, my wheelchair wasn’t why I was applying for DAS).

The most interesting thing to me was discussing how to use AQR. The CM was confident that my whole party (2 adults 1 kid) could leave and return together. I had not heard this before but she said just tell the CM the three of us have to be together and they will make it work. I got the impression that any view of AQR as a hard and fast ruleset is not reflective of the flexibility the CMs have at each ride. We will see how the reality turns out but if her characterization was accurate I think people are drastically underestimating how accommodating the park can be if they work with the CMs. She was also adamant that if a CM didn’t seem to understand the request to ask for a coordinator especially in summer with lots of new college kids on staff.

Lastly, for anyone wondering my DAS was denied. This was the expected outcome as my disabilities are not developmental and I went in to it not willing to do anything beyond honestly explaining my issues.

A little bummed because DAS was great but also very glad they are cutting the program to be more exclusive because DAS as it stood previously was far more than equal access. I’m happy to take one for the disabled team if it helps better serve people with more severe or limiting disabilities. I also hope it makes for better LL times so my multipass works well.

 

[PrincessV]

I got the impression that any view of AQR as a hard and fast ruleset is not reflective of the flexibility the CMs have at each ride. We will see how the reality turns out but if her characterization was accurate I think people are drastically underestimating how accommodating the park can be if they work with the CMs. She was also adamant that if a CM didn’t seem to understand the request to ask for a coordinator especially in summer with lots of new college kids on staff.

This is right in line with my, admittedly limited, experience a couple weeks ago. The three CMs from whom I requested some form of AQR each clearly assessed my needs and my party size, and offered the best option they had available. I really got the impressions they’ve been empowered to exercise good judgment and trained on the variety of options at their disposal.

 

[Unity]

The most interesting thing to me was discussing how to use AQR. The CM was confident that my whole party (2 adults 1 kid) could leave and return together. I had not heard this before but she said just tell the CM the three of us have to be together and they will make it work. I got the impression that any view of AQR as a hard and fast ruleset is not reflective of the flexibility the CMs have at each ride. We will see how the reality turns out but if her characterization was accurate I think people are drastically underestimating how accommodating the park can be if they work with the CMs. She was also adamant that if a CM didn’t seem to understand the request to ask for a coordinator especially in summer with lots of new college kids on staff.

1. First it would be good to expand the info you had in your approval/denial thread post to keep information there going on besides the two minute wait for people searching for such posts. Because of the detail it is definitely good to have!

2. Another case of inconsistencies being shown from CM giving DAS. Sometimes you are told you can have your whole family out, sometimes it is up to cast member at attraction's discretion, sometimes it is you have to leave your eight year old and partner in line [as said by a report from the last couple of days]. Out of curiosity, how old relatively is your kid [younger/older than eight?] versus these reports. Maybe that is the factor in play here.

It's good to have such flexibility in cases and I honestly hope it is given when *needed* [not wanted before people jump in] but when there are single people with needs or when there is a caretaker needed etc.]

 

[voxparse]

1. First it would be good to expand the info you had in your approval/denial thread post to keep information there going on besides the two minute wait for people searching for such posts. Because of the detail it is definitely good to have!

2. Another case of inconsistencies being shown from CM giving DAS. Sometimes you are told you can have your whole family out, sometimes it is up to cast member at attraction's discretion, sometimes it is you have to leave your eight year old and partner in line [as said by a report from the last couple of days]. Out of curiosity, how old relatively is your kid [younger/older than eight?] versus these reports. Maybe that is the factor in play here.

It's good to have such flexibility in cases and I honestly hope it is given when *needed* [not wanted before people jump in] but when there are single people with needs or when there is a caretaker needed etc.]

Funny enough my kid is 8. The CM said while the rules allow him to wait in line solo once he is 7 she said no one will ask me to leave him in line but the opposite that if I tried to leave him they would check his age. She said just tell the CM that everyone needs to leave together for a medical reason and no further detail or explanation is needed or required. They don’t care what the reason is or who even is having the issue. I suspect a larger party might get asked if someone can remain in line but again it sounds like it is all situational. People who are polite and work with the CMs are going to generally have good experiences just as it has always been.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Well just reading reports here in DIS I wouldn't say only people "just in case needs" get denied

I can see a lot of people "permanent" needs get denied

I don't think your reply is warranted because of this reason

I didn't say they should offer DAS for every person who has "just in case"

I only suggested that they decide what is someone's needs. And that is a fact.

My point was that you questioned how the CMs can determine the guests' needs, and shouldn't that be up to the guests themselves. My response was based on the idea that no, guests can't determine their accommodation needs on their own, since everyone would "need" DAS.

And to be clear, "permanent" disabilities can still result in a "just in case" need...that's what I was alluding to.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Disney isn't deciding what are someone's needs. That makes no sense. The individual has to tell Disney what are their own needs. Disney then decides how to accommodate those needs.

Yes, "permanent" needs may get denied. Just because a need or diagnosis is permanent (as in it won't be cured) doesn't mean it must be accommodated by DAS. Other accommodations are available that may work just fine. "Just in case" doesn't mean temporary like a broken leg that will eventually heal, it means the actual need may not arise within every single queue or even most queues. Those who "may" have the need arise have been using DAS as "just in case" and Disney is now offering alternative accommodations for such needs. Yes, Disney did sort of encourage this use in the past, but that doesn't mean they can't change it now and still be adequately accommodating the actual need.

Thank you! I tried to clarify a couple of minutes ago before I read this post, and you laid it what I was thinking much better than I did.

 

[OurBigTrip]

the cut off should definitely include terminal cancer patients, people on ventilators, children with documented sever seizure disorders. I agree unfortunately they can’t accommodate everyone to the level of need praticallly. But twlling terminal cancer patients they can wait outside the line when their party is inline crosses the line for me.

For me, it isn't (or at least shouldn't be) about an emotional response to the conditions you listed above. Any human with a heart is going to feel bad for terminal cancer patients, people on ventilators, and children with severe seizure disorders ("documented" is irrelevant, since Disney doesn't look at documentation).

But business decisions shouldn't be made on the basis of emotional responses, even when talking about accommodations. Does being terminal mean that someone can't wait in a line? Does using a ventilator? Does having a seizure disorder? For some, it might, for others it won't. If those guests want DAS accommodations, then they need to be able to explain their needs, not their diagnoses. And if they can't, then they can use an alternative accommodation.

 

[nalababybear]

For me, it isn't (or at least shouldn't be) about an emotional response to the conditions you listed above. Any human with a heart is going to feel bad for terminal cancer patients, people on ventilators, and children with severe seizure disorders ("documented" is irrelevant, since Disney doesn't look at documentation).

But business decisions shouldn't be made on the basis of emotional responses, even when talking about accommodations. Does being terminal mean that someone can't wait in a line? Does using a ventilator? Does having a seizure disorder? For some, it might, for others it won't. If those guests want DAS accommodations, then they need to be able to explain their needs, not their diagnoses. And if they can't, then they can use an alternative accommodation.

Make a wish support is a business decision
Wounded warrior suppirt is a business decision.

Accommodations aren't.

If I were Disney, would recruit any SC veteran to apply through their veteran division, honor them with a DAS type pass, or at least G+ and have it blink redwhiteblue with every tap at attraction.

Same for terminal medical or significant medical cases via MAW or similar cases that has an emotional, let's get them that pixie dust yesterday....

But that's me if i were COO. I'm not.

Those are separate from Accommodations that are deemed reasonable and appropriatr

 

[OurBigTrip]

Make a wish support is a business decision
Wounded warrior suppirt is a business decision.

Accommodations aren't.

If I were Disney, would recruit any SC veteran to apply through their veteran division, honor them with a DAS type pass, or at least G+ and have it blink redwhiteblue with every tap at attraction.

Same for terminal medical or significant medical cases via MAW or similar cases that has an emotional, let's get them that pixie dust yesterday....

But that's me if i were COO. I'm not.

Those are separate from Accommodations that are deemed reasonable and appropriatr

How they choose to provide accommodations is most certainly a business decision. If it weren’t, Disney wouldn’t have made any changes to DAS.

 

[OurBigTrip]

But that's me if i were COO. I'm not.

Thankfully, because at the point the visiting the park would be useless for anyone who wasn't disabled, very ill, or a veteran.

 

[lanejudy]

Speculation on providing other perks or programs are not helpful to this thread.

Without much new news about DAS this thread gets kinda boring, but we don't need to be making stuff up. Maybe it's time to move on to a different topic/forum for a while.

 

[nalababybear]

How they choose to provide accommodations is most certainly a business decision. If it weren’t, Disney wouldn’t have made any changes to DAS.

How MUCH extra, yes. That's the pixie dusting.

AQR and rider swap accommodations deemed appropriate still.

The business decision was to stop pixie dusting accommodations with a one-sizefits-all DAS accommodation because it was impacting normal operations.

Accommodations themselves aren't a choice. It is necessary. There's a difference

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

Does anyone else stand in a grocery line with their kiddo and just say "This is why we need DAS". I wish I could just show proof from our store visits and even bathroom lines in public and it's clear as day why our one kiddo needs it. So when requesting it do I explain the meltdowns and such that happens when waiting in lines ?

 

[Rowab]

I would appreciate a little bit of reassurance. I am pretty sure, I will be denied for DAS, despite having cerebral palsy, autistic traits and accomodations in all other areas of my life. This is what baffles me most...if disney ask me, how do I cope in line at the grocery store? The answer is I don't, my family who care for me do that for me. At the airport? We get disability assistence. Every theme park I have ever attended, my whole life...I have qualified for accomodations, but it's not enough for disney.

Anyway...whether Disney think I qualify for DAS or not, I still can't wait in extended lines. Entering and leaving if needed won't really work, if the symptoms occur that are the reason I struggle with lines happen, the rest of the day is a loss for me. So, can someone tell me: is it a certainty that if I explain to a cast member I can't wait in line, they will allow me to wait outside the line, somewhere cool and quiet, with my carer, while the other two members of our party wait the standby line? Then our party can somehow contact us and we can join them? Have I read that's possible? Otherwise, any ride about a 30 minute wait is out of the question for me.

I will not even be able to utilise, multipass and pay, which was my plan, as I am outside the US and by the time I get to the US and can book (the night before my trip starts) I'm sure all big attractions will be booked up. It is so upsetting.