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

[OurBigTrip]

The idea of a super user at rides per day is flawed if the rumor that heavy use from local APs & CMs was a main driver of what caused the system to collapse is true. They might only do a few rides a day but the constant visits would make usage add up.

It's not rides per day, it's rides per period of time. If a local AP or CM (or anyone with a DAS) is in the park for three hours and rides a significantly greater number of rides during that time than a non-DAS user did during the same period of time, that would, in MY mind, bring into question whether or not the accommodation is more than what is actually needed.

 

[lanejudy]

SAME REMINDER HERE

Please take speculative posts to another thread. Such discussions are not helpful to folks trying to find real information about the current DAS situation.

Thank you.

 

[gottalovepluto]

SAME REMINDER HERE

Please take speculative posts to another thread. Such discussions are not helpful to folks trying to find real information about the current DAS situation.

Thank you.

Sorry. Can you link to that thread? I thought this was like the DAS catch-all thread.

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry. Can you link to that thread? I thought this was like the DAS catch-all thread.

This is the main DAS thread. However folks are coming to this thread looking for accurate information about DAS and the changes. Since the changes were first announced in April the moderators have asked to please refrain from speculating here. It causes confusion; it causes people to feel singled out and picked on; it causes some to feel they are discriminated against. None of that is helpful.

There currently is no thread on disABILITIES Forum for speculation about future changes to DAS. I don't know the value of having one here other than creating heated discussion. Maybe the Controversial Topics forum would work if you would like to start such a thread.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I’ve seen a few reports of Attraction Queue Re-entry, though not a lot. It really varies — based on attraction, how many in the party, line/crowd situation, etc. Those with someone to hold their place in the queue were texted when the party neared the merge so the individual could enter the LL and rejoin the party. Solos reports vary more - given a lanyard, given a card, told to see the CM on return, sent directly through LL, etc. I’m not sure I’ve read any reports of a digital return time issued.

I can offer our most recent experience - disclaimer it was only for 1 attraction so not really an adequate sample size.

Background: I had been the DAS user for many years and was recently denied. I almost always travel with only my young DD (younger than 7). However, for our most recent trip, we were joined for the first half by my friends and their children. Even before the DAS changes, our plan was for the whole party to get Genie +so we could be together and if it didn't work for me (i.e. needed to leave the line, or wasn't able to make the specified window), my DD would go with my friend and I would sit out.

Once my friends left, my DD and I attempted to ride attractions via standby. For many, thankfully, we lucked out (i.e. Pirates had a 5-min standby line) as crowds were pretty low and our wait was never more than 10 minutes. Obviously, that wasn't the case with Slinky Dog Dash, which is my DD's favorite.

When we arrived in the standby queue, the line was 100 minutes long. [Note, before anyone comments and asks why we didn't use Genie+ for SDD, we did. We purchased Genie+ twice on this trip for SDD - once was a success with my friends and once the ride was down. We then attempted to rope drop SDD and again, the ride was down.]

So against my better judgment I told my daughter, we'd try standby. I briefly explained the situation to CM at the entrance and inquired what the process would be when I needed to leave the line - she said we could just leave and then come back. I asked her if we had to notify a CM when we were leaving or where we would come back to, and she said to come back to the entrance and speak with her and she would decide. She was kind, but it felt like there was no plan - she would just be making the decision in the moment - either that or she just had no idea.

I lasted 15 minutes before we needed to leave...and I made the decision not to return. I didn't even see the same CM at the entrance, which added to my confusion of how this all would have worked. I felt awful for my daughter but if I had to leave 3x's during a 100 min wait - which unfortunately is a realistic scenario - it would have been too much for a young child. I just made the call not to put my DD through that for me. Not sure it was the right choice, but it's where I landed at the time.

Granted, we did travel during the early stages of the rollout, but my expectation was that for some of the more in demand attractions, they would have had the process nailed down a bit more...but no...still remaining hopeful that over time more refinements will be made.

 

[nalababybear]

I can offer our most recent experience - disclaimer it was only for 1 attraction so not really an adequate sample size.

Background: I had been the DAS user for many years and was recently denied. I almost always travel with only my young DD (younger than 7). However, for our most recent trip, we were joined for the first half by my friends and their children. Even before the DAS changes, our plan was for the whole party to get Genie +so we could be together and if it didn't work for me (i.e. needed to leave the line, or wasn't able to make the specified window), my DD would go with my friend and I would sit out.

Once my friends left, my DD and I attempted to ride attractions via standby. For many, thankfully, we lucked out (i.e. Pirates had a 5-min standby line) as crowds were pretty low and our wait was never more than 10 minutes. Obviously, that wasn't the case with Slinky Dog Dash, which is my DD's favorite.

When we arrived in the standby queue, the line was 100 minutes long. [Note, before anyone comments and asks why we didn't use Genie+ for SDD, we did. We purchased Genie+ twice on this trip for SDD - once was a success with my friends and once the ride was down. We then attempted to rope drop SDD and again, the ride was down.]

So against my better judgment I told my daughter, we'd try standby. I briefly explained the situation to CM at the entrance and inquired what the process would be when I needed to leave the line - she said we could just leave and then come back. I asked her if we had to notify a CM when we were leaving or where we would come back to, and she said to come back to the entrance and speak with her and she would decide. She was kind, but it felt like there was no plan - she would just be making the decision in the moment - either that or she just had no idea.

I lasted 15 minutes before we needed to leave...and I made the decision not to return. I didn't even see the same CM at the entrance, which added to my confusion of how this all would have worked. I felt awful for my daughter but if I had to leave 3x's during a 100 min wait - which unfortunately is a realistic scenario - it would have been too much for a young child. I just made the call not to put my DD through that for me. Not sure it was the right choice, but it's where I landed at the time.

Granted, we did travel during the early stages of the rollout, but my expectation was that for some of the more in demand attractions, they would have had the process nailed down a bit more...but no...still remaining hopeful that over time more refinements will be made.

Thank you for this and sorry that you weren't able to get back there. SDD really is a hard one since so much in demand.

It really does appear Disney's decision is to leave it up to the CM team at the entrance of each attraction to decide best accommodation at the moment,

This may lead to inconsistency from the rider standpoint, though probably the best option to have for real time reasonable accommodation

 

[mistysue]

SAME REMINDER HERE

Please take speculative posts to another thread. Such discussions are not helpful to folks trying to find real information about the current DAS situation.

Thank you.

Sorry- I also thought this was the catch all thread, which I suspect may be a common thing right now.

 

[nighttowll]

I can offer our most recent experience - disclaimer it was only for 1 attraction so not really an adequate sample size.

Background: I had been the DAS user for many years and was recently denied. I almost always travel with only my young DD (younger than 7). However, for our most recent trip, we were joined for the first half by my friends and their children. Even before the DAS changes, our plan was for the whole party to get Genie +so we could be together and if it didn't work for me (i.e. needed to leave the line, or wasn't able to make the specified window), my DD would go with my friend and I would sit out.

Once my friends left, my DD and I attempted to ride attractions via standby. For many, thankfully, we lucked out (i.e. Pirates had a 5-min standby line) as crowds were pretty low and our wait was never more than 10 minutes. Obviously, that wasn't the case with Slinky Dog Dash, which is my DD's favorite.

When we arrived in the standby queue, the line was 100 minutes long. [Note, before anyone comments and asks why we didn't use Genie+ for SDD, we did. We purchased Genie+ twice on this trip for SDD - once was a success with my friends and once the ride was down. We then attempted to rope drop SDD and again, the ride was down.]

So against my better judgment I told my daughter, we'd try standby. I briefly explained the situation to CM at the entrance and inquired what the process would be when I needed to leave the line - she said we could just leave and then come back. I asked her if we had to notify a CM when we were leaving or where we would come back to, and she said to come back to the entrance and speak with her and she would decide. She was kind, but it felt like there was no plan - she would just be making the decision in the moment - either that or she just had no idea.

I lasted 15 minutes before we needed to leave...and I made the decision not to return. I didn't even see the same CM at the entrance, which added to my confusion of how this all would have worked. I felt awful for my daughter but if I had to leave 3x's during a 100 min wait - which unfortunately is a realistic scenario - it would have been too much for a young child. I just made the call not to put my DD through that for me. Not sure it was the right choice, but it's where I landed at the time.

Granted, we did travel during the early stages of the rollout, but my expectation was that for some of the more in demand attractions, they would have had the process nailed down a bit more...but no...still remaining hopeful that over time more refinements will be made.

Thanks for the report. Did you have to fight your way out of the line? How did that work?

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Thanks for the report. Did you have to fight your way out of the line? How did that work?

No - we hadn’t moved too far so that part wasn’t bad at all.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

In one breath you say this is not the place and the next breath you still entertain the discussion.

Yes but as has been pointed out in the past there are physical developmental disabilities that a mobility device is not needed but waiting in the standby line may still be difficult.
Again if Disney wants to make DAS be for a very few specific persons then they need to elaborate and be very specific with their wording.
They should not use the word developmental. They should use the word cognitive if that is what they mean.

The more specific Disney is, the easier it is to game the system. Let’s pretend that DAS is only for people who are afraid of Mickey Mouse (trying to think of a ridiculous example so as not to give anyone a roadmap). If Disney said “DAS is only for people who are afraid of Mickey” then suddenly everyone who wants DAS would know that they just have to think up stories about how scary Mickey is to them.

They are being intentionally vague so as to identify those with (what they perceive as) needs that can only be satisfied with DAS. Other needs may be accommodated differently.

 

[lanejudy]

Love how one breath you say this is not the place and the next breath you still entertain the discussion.

Yes but as has been pointed out in the past there are physical developmental disabilities that a mobility device is not needed but waiting in the standby line may still be difficult.
Again if Disney wants to make DAS be for a very few specific persons then they need to elaborate and be very specific with their wording.
They should not use the word developmental. They should use the word cognitive if that is what they mean.

I brought this discussion over from the other thread... (and I'll probably shift the rest of it as well).

Very specific wording -- you mean like a roadmap? Give a script? Tell everybody what to say to get DAS? That isn't likely to help anyone, particularly those most needing of DAS and shorter LLs.

Other than the poster last night, it doesn't seem "cognitive" is specifically a word they want to limit. There are guests with cognitive disabilities who do not qualify for DAS. There are guests with developmental disabilities who do not qualify for DAS. There are guests with ASD specifically who do not qualify for DAS. And then there are guests with physical disabilities who DO qualify for DAS. There is no 1-size-fits-all definition.

 

[nalababybear]

I brought this discussion over from the other thread... (and I'll probably shift the rest of it as well).

Very specific wording -- you mean like a roadmap? Give a script? Tell everybody what to say to get DAS? That isn't likely to help anyone, particularly those most needing of DAS and shorter LLs.

Other than the poster last night, it doesn't seem "cognitive" is specifically a word they want to limit. There are guests with cognitive disabilities who do not qualify for DAS. There are guests with developmental disabilities who do not qualify for DAS. There are guests with ASD specifically who do not qualify for DAS. And then there are guests with physical disabilities who DO qualify for DAS. There is no 1-size-fits-all definition.

DAS is no longer the one-size-fits-all accommodation that Disney used to do.

Disney has returned to a staggered level or accommodations which mostly will be determined at the entrance of attractions by the CM team there.

DAS remains an available accommodation for a very narrow group of people that appear to have some level of impaired ability in processing inputs from queues and inability to compensate for those the standard Disney queue that they may able to achieve in normal daily activities.

It's a rather easy determination for minors with mod/sev ASD who haven't learned appropriate coping skills.

Disney may not be using the same semantic definitions as others, but it is their lexicon which we must use in order for them to know what we mean. It may not be technically exact, but it is their lexicon we.must use to get through their processes.

It is much harder to parse out for adults who are on the spectrum and have managed to eek out an independent living standard with all the litany of supports there are available these days, to be able to identify AND voice in a clear.manner to the CMs their inability to remain in a Disney queue.

Clearly folk do not want to give the roapmap to those who will abuse, and at the same time we want to support those struggling to advocate their position effectively to see if DAS would indeed be the reasonable accommodation that is needed to successfully navigate Disney queues so that Disney attractions ARE accessible.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

DAS is no longer the one-size-fits-all accommodation that Disney used to do.

Disney has returned to a staggered level or accommodations which mostly will be determined at the entrance of attractions by the CM team there.

DAS remains an available accommodation for a very narrow group of people that appear to have some level of impaired ability in processing inputs from queues and inability to compensate for those the standard Disney queue that they may able to achieve in normal daily activities.

It's a rather easy determination for minors with mod/sev ASD who haven't learned appropriate coping skills.

Disney may not be using the same semantic definitions as others, but it is their lexicon which we must use in order for them to know what we mean. It may not be technically exact, but it is their lexicon we.must use to get through their processes.

It is much harder to parse out for adults who are on the spectrum and have managed to eek out an independent living standard with all the litany of supports there are available these days, to be able to identify AND voice in a clear.manner to the CMs their inability to remain in a Disney queue.

Clearly folk do not want to give the roapmap to those who will abuse, and at the same time we want to support those struggling to advocate their position effectively to see if DAS would indeed be the reasonable accommodation that is needed to successfully navigate Disney queues so that Disney attractions ARE accessible.

I mean, I kind of get why Disney would be skeptical of an adult who can navigate day-to-day life and isn’t even willing to TRY a lesser accommodation first. Adults have to wait every day for all kinds of reasons (lines, traffic, for service/appointments, etc), so if the standard is something along the lines of “inability to comprehend the concept of a line” that just doesn’t seem feasible. In no way am I saying that there are no adults who “deserve” DAS, but I can totally understand why Disney might be taking a harder look at (independent) adults vs. kids and those who are unable to function on their own.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I mean, I kind of get why Disney would be skeptical of an adult who can navigate day-to-day life and isn’t even willing to TRY a lesser accommodation first. Adults have to wait every day for all kinds of reasons (lines, traffic, for service/appointments, etc), so if the standard is something along the lines of “inability to comprehend the concept of a line” that just doesn’t seem feasible. In no way am I saying that there are no adults who “deserve” DAS, but I can totally understand why Disney might be taking a harder look at (independent) adults vs. kids and those who are unable to function on their own.

But Disney does not know those adults and how well or not they handle those every day things.
I'm mentally and physically disabled and do not work. While I can manage myself in my own home as long as I have the items I need I need assistance the second I leave. Heck I need assistance prior to making a hair appt or dr appt as I cannot make the appt before knowing exact dates and times there is someone available to take me. Even going to the grocery store is something I need assistance with.
And waiting is extremely difficult. Sometimes I do let my overstimulated senses show and I have to have the person that took me talk me down.
I enjoy fireworks but in order to get the best spot we arrive 3 hours ahead of time and I was definitely having a hard time waiting and then when they started 10 minutes late I was practically crying but kept it on the inside. When I got home I was absolutely exhausted and crawled to bed. I understand that most people would not be that exhausted from doing what seems like nothing but it was a lot for me.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

But Disney does not know those adults and how well or not they handle those every day things.
I'm mentally and physically disabled and do not work. While I can manage myself in my own home as long as I have the items I need I need assistance the second I leave. Heck I need assistance prior to making a hair appt or dr appt as I cannot make the appt before knowing exact dates and times there is someone available to take me. Even going to the grocery store is something I need assistance with.
And waiting is extremely difficult. Sometimes I do let my overstimulated senses show and I have to have the person that took me talk me down.
I enjoy fireworks but in order to get the best spot we arrive 3 hours ahead of time and I was definitely having a hard time waiting and then when they started 10 minutes late I was practically crying but kept it on the inside. When I got home I was absolutely exhausted and crawled to bed. I understand that most people would not be that exhausted from doing what seems like nothing but it was a lot for me.

I’m not sure why you think Disney won’t know how adults handle day to day situations. The CMs will ask questions during the DAS interview process, and based on responses they will be able to determine what they believe is appropriate accommodation-wise.

 

[Keladry84]

I mean, I kind of get why Disney would be skeptical of an adult who can navigate day-to-day life and isn’t even willing to TRY a lesser accommodation first. Adults have to wait every day for all kinds of reasons (lines, traffic, for service/appointments, etc), so if the standard is something along the lines of “inability to comprehend the concept of a line” that just doesn’t seem feasible. In no way am I saying that there are no adults who “deserve” DAS, but I can totally understand why Disney might be taking a harder look at (independent) adults vs. kids and those who are unable to function on their own.

Except I don't think they necessarily are scrutinizing adults to a higher degree than kids. We have reports on here from adults who easily were approved for DAS (within a few minutes) and kids that based on info written here that seem to be higher needs denied. There was one person whose kid was denied but themselves approved on the same call. It seems to really only depend on if the person's needs meets their criteria, not their age.

Since no one except Disney can know exactly what their criteria is, I think sharing posts indicating they are scrutinizing adults more than kids only serves to cause anxiety in adults who might need to apply....it is not helpful in the least.

 

[Angel Ariel]

so if the standard is something along the lines of “inability to comprehend the concept of a line” that just doesn’t seem feasible. In no way am I saying that there are no adults who “deserve” DAS, but I can totally understand why Disney might be taking a harder look at (independent) adults vs. kids and those who are unable to function on their own.

As a serious request, rather than talking about people's functioning levels can we refer to support needs?

There are people who have high support needs and require assistance in their daily lives to access activities of daily living who comprehend the concept of a line but are still unable to wait in one for a variety of reasons.
The two don't necessarily go together. we're not supposed to be jumping to conclusions about what Disney really means.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

As a serious request, rather than talking about people's functioning levels can we refer to support needs?

There are people who have high support needs and require assistance in their daily lives to access activities of daily living who comprehend the concept of a line but are still unable to wait in one for a variety of reasons.
The two don't necessarily go together. we're not supposed to be jumping to conclusions about what Disney really means.

Yes, that’s actually what I was trying to get at with respect to “independent” adults (aka those with relatively low support needs).

I believe that the concept of “inability to comprehend the line” comes from Disney, but if I am mistaken then I apologize.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Except I don't think they necessarily are scrutinizing adults to a higher degree than kids. We have reports on here from adults who easily were approved for DAS (within a few minutes) and kids that based on info written here that seem to be higher needs denied. There was one person whose kid was denied but themselves approved on the same call. It seems to really only depend on if the person's needs meets their criteria, not their age.

Since no one except Disney can know exactly what their criteria is, I think sharing posts indicating they are scrutinizing adults more than kids only serves to cause anxiety in adults who might need to apply....it is not helpful in the least.

No one knows what was said on those calls to make adults qualify so quickly, and kids not qualify.

 

[mistysue]

But Disney does not know those adults and how well or not they handle those every day things.
I'm mentally and physically disabled and do not work. While I can manage myself in my own home as long as I have the items I need I need assistance the second I leave. Heck I need assistance prior to making a hair appt or dr appt as I cannot make the appt before knowing exact dates and times there is someone available to take me. Even going to the grocery store is something I need assistance with.
And waiting is extremely difficult. Sometimes I do let my overstimulated senses show and I have to have the person that took me talk me down.
I enjoy fireworks but in order to get the best spot we arrive 3 hours ahead of time and I was definitely having a hard time waiting and then when they started 10 minutes late I was practically crying but kept it on the inside. When I got home I was absolutely exhausted and crawled to bed. I understand that most people would not be that exhausted from doing what seems like nothing but it was a lot for me.

Disney is asking these questions and depending on accurate answers. What he is bringing up is more that there are adults, or even children, who don't seem to have support needs in their day to day lives, but then call Disney and believe they need DAS. A person who has support needs in their outside of Disney life is able to tell Disney about this, which helps with evaluating what accommodations would likely fit.