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

[OurBigTrip]

according to you then, Disney will be winging it, doesn't sound like a "DEFINED PROCESS" which Disney has stated on their website now does it, so which is it, everyone is just making random points up, it's adding to the stress because everyone thinks they know the right answer, so to put it, you are adding to people's stress levels with your hypothesis

No, Disney is not winging it, but you believe what you want to - your mind is made up that nothing other than DAS will work for you, so it probably won't.

 

[sprem96]

Simply not reasonable, since as has already been discussed, it could depend on crowd level, length of lines, etc.

You're not going to get an answer in advance for how it will be handled at each ride, period. Continuing to demand it when you know it isn't going to happen is pointless, and is quite possibly adding to your stress level.

Why isn't reasonable, they are supposed to know what to do when people ask for AQR right? so why hide it then? everything else is stated and made aware and public knowledge

or maybe it's because they have no clue what to do for all the different disabilities and put out a general guideline and the poor CMs have to try and figure out what is the best course of action is without pissing off everyone

 

[OurBigTrip]

Why isn't reasonable, they are supposed to know what to do when people ask for AQR right? so why hide it then? everything else is stated and made aware and public knowledge

or maybe it's because they have no clue what to do for all the different disabilities and put out a general guideline and the poor CMs have to try and figure out what is the best course of action is without pissing off everyone

It's been explained many times why it has to be decided at the attraction and why details for each attraction can't be accounted for ahead of time. The fact that you refuse to acknowledge that information doesn't mean that it's being hidden.

But you do you.

 

[PrincessV]

They obviously have some form of flow chart for every ride that they will be following depending on size of group, age, what happens if you get to merge first or group does, what happens if something happens after the merge, if that was posted, for each ride, DONE, no questions asked, people have a guideline to follow and know if they can ride it or not.

Everything else at Disney is determined ahead of time, you can book restaurant reservations 2 months in advance, you can order food in an app and get a predetermined time of pickup, rides now are going to be reservable days in advance, but disabled people are going to be unsure how they will be handled ride to ride

Honest answer? No, I don’t think it’s reasonable for Disney to post a flow chart for every attraction explaining in detail in what manner they will determine how a Guest - disabled or not, because this is available to everyone - who can’t handle the line or needs to leave the line will be accommodated. There are just too many variables in each situation for that to be possible.

I think it’s enough to know that if a Guest cannot handle the wait in a line, they WILL be accommodated. Though Disney hasn’t specified it, we also happen to know through experience and logic the small handful of ways that can be accomplished:

1. The Guest (and possibly their party) may be sent straight through a LL
2. The Guest’s party or part of their party may be sent into the SB queue while the Guest waits elsewhere and meets their party at a merge point, probably via LL in most cases
3. The Guest and their party may be given a later time to return
4. The Guest may be told to try the SB line and exit when needed, then provided with a way to return (though I’ve seen no evidence recently of anyone being told to do this if they’ve asked before joining the SB line and explained that they cannot handle the SB line)

That’s basically it: 3, possibly 4, different ways AQR can be provided, not including any paid options to use LLs a Guest may choose to also utilize. I am admittedly not a plan-every-hour-of-my-day kind of Disney visitor, but knowing that those are the different ways I may be accommodated is enough for me.

 

[lanejudy]

1. The Guest (and possibly their party) may be sent straight through a LL
2. The Guest’s party or part of their party may be sent into the SB queue while the Guest waits elsewhere and meets their party at a merge point, probably via LL in most cases
3. The Guest and their party may be given a later time to return
4. The Guest may be told to try the SB line and exit when needed, then provided with a way to return (though I’ve seen no evidence recently of anyone being told to do this if they’ve asked before joining the SB line and explained that they cannot handle the SB line)

And I believe #4 will be the most common offering, possibly followed by #2.

#3 and #1 will not be frequent, and most likely limited based on party size and/or ages.

 

[sprem96]

No, Disney is not winging it, but you believe what you want to - your mind is made up that nothing other than DAS will work for you, so it probably won't.

"it could depend on crowd level, length of lines, etc." as you put it, that's a lot of factors that are not defined, so how is that not winging it, lot of what ifs

and again, did I say I want DAS, stop putting words in my mouth, it's incredibly rude, I've stated that if I'm denied DAS, I'm admitting I maybe denied DAS, I can live with that, what I would love to know more is this AQR they talk about, is that a crime to ask questions because something is too vague on their website yet they claim it will be able to handle different needs. Excuse me for being skeptical of it, because what I tried in the past.

the point of this forum is for information to be acquired/shared to learn more for everyone's benefit, not to just bash others for wanting to know more

 

[OurBigTrip]

"it could depend on crowd level, length of lines, etc." as you put it, that's a lot of factors that are not defined, so how is that not winging it, lot of what ifs

and again, did I say I want DAS, stop putting words in my mouth, it's incredibly rude, I've stated that if I'm denied DAS, I'm admitting I maybe denied DAS, I can live with that, what I would love to know more is this AQR they talk about, is that a crime to ask questions because something is too vague on their website yet they claim it will be able to handle different needs. Excuse me for being skeptical of it, because what I tried in the past.

the point of this forum is for information to be acquired/shared to learn more for everyone's benefit, not to just bash others for wanting to know more

People have shared what they've encountered.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

@sprem96 - if you assume that you will be asked to join the SB line, and if you have to exit then you will rejoin your party through the LL then anything else would be a pleasant surprise. No?

 

[Rivergirl2005]

Has anyone been successful getting to the video chat? My computer keeps looping back to the register page when I click on request video chat

 

[OurBigTrip]

Has anyone been successful getting to the video chat? My computer keeps looping back to the register page when I click on request video chat

Are you in the US or overseas?

 

[sprem96]

Honest answer? No, I don’t think it’s reasonable for Disney to post a flow chart for every attraction explaining in detail in what manner they will determine how a Guest - disabled or not, because this is available to everyone - who can’t handle the line or needs to leave the line will be accommodated. There are just too many variables in each situation for that to be possible.

I think it’s enough to know that if a Guest cannot handle the wait in a line, they WILL be accommodated. Though Disney hasn’t specified it, we also happen to know through experience and logic the small handful of ways that can be accomplished:

1. The Guest (and possibly their party) may be sent straight through a LL
2. The Guest’s party or part of their party may be sent into the SB queue while the Guest waits elsewhere and meets their party at a merge point, probably via LL in most cases
3. The Guest and their party may be given a later time to return
4. The Guest may be told to try the SB line and exit when needed, then provided with a way to return (though I’ve seen no evidence recently of anyone being told to do this if they’ve asked before joining the SB line and explained that they cannot handle the SB line)

That’s basically it: 3, possibly 4, different ways AQR can be provided, not including any paid options to use LLs a Guest may choose to also utilize. I am admittedly not a plan-every-hour-of-my-day kind of Disney visitor, but knowing that those are the different ways I may be accommodated is enough for me.

thanks for a more appropriate way to answer back to someone,

I know it's not reasonable to have a flow chart per ride, but it would be far smarter to do so, because you're leaving the door open to customers potentially arguing with a CMs decision at each ride

until more people, like yourself, bring more physical evidence of actual experiences, which is the ultimate goal BTW and thank you for sharing your experiences and confirming 1. and 2. are actual processes they are using for sure, that has helped already a lot of people get at least a piece of the puzzle

that is what we want on here, people talking about the changes to DAS and how it's being handled, to share experiences and put people's minds at ease until the system has been out long enough that everyone has either experienced it first hand or has read enough actual experiences to get a realistic view of what to expect

lots of gaslighting on here, hope MODS keep an eye on that

 

[Rivergirl2005]

Has anyone been successful getting to the video chat? My computer keeps looping back to the register page when I click on request video chat

Us, I just restarted my computer and I approved the terms....

 

[sprem96]

@sprem96 - if you assume that you will be asked to join the SB line, and if you have to exit then you will rejoin your party through the LL then anything else would be a pleasant surprise. No?

there is still the question of them mentioning brief waits, what if something happens after merges, it's why I put out the questions, to have people hopefully come back later with actual experiences, not to say,

YOU ONLY WANT DAS, YOU ARE GIVING IT NO CHANCE, GET OVER IT,
it's called a forum, it's for discussing not trying to win an argument, I always try to pose it with what ifs, and how abouts, because there is a large umbrella of disabilities out there that are being denied DAS and moving to a more limited accommodation, it's okay to ask questions

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

there is still the question of them mentioning brief waits, what if something happens after merges, it's why I put out the questions, to have people hopefully come back later with actual experiences, not to say,

YOU ONLY WANT DAS, YOU ARE GIVING IT NO CHANCE, GET OVER IT,
it's called a forum, it's for discussing not trying to win an argument, I always try to pose it with what ifs, and how abouts, because there is a large umbrella of disabilities out there that are being denied DAS and moving to a more limited accommodation, it's okay to ask questions

Brief waits are because you won’t be able to perfectly time the meetup. Your family should text you when they are close and then you tell the CM that you are meeting your party at the merge. Either you hang out with the CM at the merge or your family does.

What happens after the merge - same as always. You alert the CM, either at the merge point or at ride boarding, that you have a problem and they help you figure out what to do. If you will be quick then your family waits at the loading point. If you won’t, then they ride and maybe you get a return time or you can ask if everyone can exit with a return time through the LL. Because the CMs have flexibility they should be able to figure out how best to meet your needs.

 

[Leigh L]

Has anyone been successful getting to the video chat? My computer keeps looping back to the register page when I click on request video chat

My DD has had this happen in the past with the video chat (and I've currently been having trouble with other Disney pages) and clearing cookies or switching to a different browser might do the trick?

(I think we went from Chrome to Firefox to access the chat last winter?)

 

[lanejudy]

what happens if you get to merge first or group does

there is still the question of them mentioning brief waits, what if something happens after merges

These have already been answered...

• You wait at the merge point for your party, or your party waits at the merge for you. No additional process involved.
• If you believe you need a longer break, speak with the CM and find out if some form of Rider Swap may be an option. You may need to pre-plan with your family and tell them not to wait for you. I highly doubt the whole party will be granted a Return Time.
• After the merge can be managed as well. People have already reported how this works with young kids. No reason to think it's different. Again if you need longer - see above.

Everything else at Disney is determined ahead of time

according to you then, Disney will be winging it, doesn't sound like a "DEFINED PROCESS" which Disney has stated on their website now does it

I'm not sure I agree that absolutely everything is predetermined, but yes I do think there are defined processes - whether or not a process is put into action depends on factors that cannot always be preplanned. Do you know the exact evacuation details for each attraction? What about for the park in general? What if there is a fire? A fire at a restaurant vs a fire on your attraction? Believe me, there are defined processes but the guest is simply told to follow instructions from the CM. Defined processes don't have to be publicly posted. Pretty much any job, any company, has policies and processes that are only internal documentation.

AQR also has defined processes but there is variation depending on certain factors. The general public does not need a flowchart of how AQR might be handled because 1st it would likely confuse more people than it helps; 2nd it gives the impression the guest has control to select which option; and 3rd it could very likely lead to abuse.

The basic process for AQR is known. It's been explained. The different factors that impact it have been explained. At this point you simply seem to be arguing for the sake of arguing. I'm very sorry this DAS change is causing you so much consternation. It's been known since early April there would be changes. It's been known since the latter part of May what those changes really mean. Anyone with a trip in August had opportunity to cancel if this was a deal breaker. I certainly understand not wanting to disrupt the family's vacation plans that may have been in place for a year, but that means you are actively choosing to roll with the changes. You do have control, you simply don't like those choices.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

The only reason I said that they MAY choose to grant everyone a return time is that the party will have waited all the way to the point of boarding, so a CM may take pity on a group that wants to be together if the guest with the problem will be away for a long time. But if that uncertainty of will they/won’t they is too stressful for someone then best to assume that only they will be granted a return time.

 

[sprem96]

Brief waits are because you won’t be able to perfectly time the meetup. Your family should text you when they are close and then you tell the CM that you are meeting your party at the merge. Either you hang out with the CM at the merge or your family does.

What happens after the merge - same as always. You alert the CM, either at the merge point or at ride boarding, that you have a problem and they help you figure out what to do. If you will be quick then your family waits at the loading point. If you won’t, then they ride and maybe you get a return time or you can ask if everyone can exit with a return time through the LL. Because the CMs have flexibility they should be able to figure out how best to meet your needs.

I get it all good points, and things I know, problem is how about this weird concept of me actually wanting to ride the ride after a merge and have an episode, seems fair right to want to ride a ride at an amusement park and not just keep missing it right, doesn't feel like you're being accommodated if that was the case, and having kids under 7 that need an adult each to ride with, does Disney allow someone to wait by boarding for lets say 45 minutes, that is the tough questions I'm asking, not just go leave the queue and meet at merge,

I guess I'm hoping that someone who has serious cases of IBS/IBD who were still denied, to eventually share their experiences, if it ever comes, and I'm sure there are other disabilities that will go through similar outcomes that could still potentially answer the questions sufficiently enough

just like people have been sharing physical disability stories already, but it doesn't relate to me, so I keep asking and searching until the answers I'm looking are answered

 

[sprem96]

These have already been answered...

• You wait at the merge point for your party, or your party waits at the merge for you. No additional process involved.
• If you believe you need a longer break, speak with the CM and find out if some form of Rider Swap may be an option. You may need to pre-plan with your family and tell them not to wait for you. I highly doubt the whole party will be granted a Return Time.
• After the merge can be managed as well. People have already reported how this works with young kids. No reason to think it's different. Again if you need longer - see above.

I'm not sure I agree that absolutely everything is predetermined, but yes I do think there are defined processes - whether or not a process is put into action depends on factors that cannot always be preplanned. Do you know the exact evaluation details for each attraction? What about for the park in general? What if there is a fire? A fire at a restaurant vs a fire on your attraction? Believe me, there are defined processes but the guest is simply told to follow instructions from the CM. Defined processes don't have to be publicly posted. Pretty much any job, any company, has policies and processes that are only internal documentation.

AQR also has defined processes but there is variation depending on certain factors. The general public does not need a flowchart of how AQR might be handled because 1st it would likely confuse more people than it helps; 2nd it gives the impression the guest has control to select which option; and 3rd it could very likely lead to abuse.

The basic process for AQR is known. It's been explained. The different factors that impact it have been explained. At this point you simply seem to be arguing for the sake of arguing. I'm very sorry this DAS change is causing you so much consternation. It's been known since early April there would be changes. It's been known since the latter part of May what those changes really mean. Anyone with a trip in August had opportunity to cancel if this was a deal breaker. I certainly understand not wanting to disrupt the family's vacation plans that may have been in place for a year, but that means you are actively choosing to roll with the changes. You do have control, you simply don't like those choices.

It does seem more likely than not, that if DAS is not in the cards, I'll have to go finding out first hand, it's not ideal, because most people just suggest that anyways, not a lot of real first hand experiences are being shared so far in the 4 weeks of people visiting under new rules at WDW

and would you throw away $5000 (all plane, hotel, car costs) in committed money on a trip designed specifically around visiting theme parks, coming from Canada, not a drive down the street unfortunately

 

[Rivergirl2005]

My DD has had this happen in the past with the video chat (and I've currently been having trouble with other Disney pages) and clearing cookies or switching to a different browser might do the trick?

(I think we went from Chrome to Firefox to access the chat last winter?)

Thank you I ended up using my phone