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

[Rivergirl2005]

Possible. It's also equally possible that the CMs are shortening the wording themselves. I personally find it difficult to dismiss the number of these reports I've read, but others may feel otherwise. I'm not getting into a debate about it, not passing definitive judgment - just indicating that it's a concern I have.

I can only speak from what occured today, but she did say only autism. I won't go into details about my medical needs, but I'm disheartened with our conversation. I reached out to my best friend after the call, who helped talk me down and through everything. It's just been such a crappy month.

After processing the whole conversation, I'm still at a loss. I read through the threads about possible questions coming up and possibly talking to the doctor to help prepare. I think I'm most surprised with how quick it was. To be fair I started to cry when I discussed what happened to my family and then I stumbled through it. Maybe I didn't say what she was looking for or she wasn't comfortable with my tears. She wasn't mean just very matter of fact and it ended. I tried very hard to keep myself composed. I don't blame the cm, I just wish I was able to keep myself together so I could say everything I want to say. However I'm not going to call again. She did say that the process is more rigorous and my symptoms do not align with autism. As an advocate for myself, I don't think she gave me enough time to discuss that.

My friend and I discussed trying the lines but if it becomes too much, we just will leave. I am worried about the boarding groups for Tiana, Tron, and guardians. We've always had it transfer to LL so I don't know what to expect without the previous das system for boarding groups.

 

[preemiemama]

Here now and coming here to update what we’ve seen yesterday and today. DH was denied DAS, and we were told RTQ was an option at rides. So far we have not needed to use it. We are using rope drop and afternoon breaks/down time to help manage things. Lines in Epcot were very short and it was not as congested as usual yesterday am. We did Soarin, imagination, 3 caballeros and Guardians (with VQ). Took a break and came back for evening hours at MK. Managed to do Pirates, HM, BTMM, 7DMT all at about 15-20 minutes/moving at a good pace and TRON (also VQ). The VQs tested the limits of his ability to stay in line, but overall we managed ok. The bus back to AKL, however, was another matter… almost an hour wait to get on a bus!

Today we had a lazy am, “Brunch” with Stitch at Ohana, and then here at hotel until Moonlight Magic at TL. Plenty of downtime.

I’ll update again later this week if/when we need to use RTQ- or just how it’s going.

 

[preemiemama]

Forgot to add- we heard someone in GS inquiring about DAS for a child who was coming on a subsequent vacation in a month or two. CM reviewed the call process and mentioned RTQ specifically as an option for an accommodation. Also mentioned that both first aid and GS locations have “quiet places” for people to go if needed- I thought that may be helpful to mention here.

 

[nalababybear]

Forgot to add- we heard someone in GS inquiring about DAS for a child who was coming on a subsequent vacation in a month or two. CM reviewed the call process and mentioned RTQ specifically as an option for an accommodation. Also mentioned that both first aid and GS locations have “quiet places” for people to go if needed- I thought that may be helpful to mention here.

Did the CM actually use the terminology rtq vs to inquire with line CM on how to get nack intonthe queue? It's crazy as that's really nonofficial term and just mixes everyone up

 

[preemiemama]

Did the CM actually use the terminology rtq vs to inquire with line CM on how to get nack intonthe queue? It's crazy as that's really nonofficial term and just mixes everyone up

Yep- heard him say “return to queue”.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Yep- heard him say “return to queue”.

Though to be fair, if I were going to describe what you do I’d say something like “you leave the line and when you are better you return to the line.” With that in mind it wouldn’t surprise me if they were using the concept of “returning to the queue” (in lower case) as opposed to an official RTQ accommodation.

 

[preemiemama]

Though to be fair, if I were going to describe what you do I’d say something like “you leave the line and when you are better you return to the line.” With that in mind it wouldn’t surprise me if they were using the concept of “returning to the queue” (in lower case) as opposed to an official RTQ accommodation.

Yes, true. And the lady asking was also asking about a wagon as a stroller accommodation. And quiet places to go. It wasn’t just “if you don’t get DAS you can use RTQ”.

I have used RTQ myself years ago. Rope dropped TSMM and had to leave for the bathroom. I actually got a TS-themed “bathroom pass” to give the person at the FP return to let me back in. So it has existed in some form for a while.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Yes, true. And the lady asking was also asking about a wagon as a stroller accommodation. And quiet places to go. It wasn’t just “if you don’t get DAS you can use RTQ”.

I have used RTQ myself years ago. Rope dropped TSMM and had to leave for the bathroom. I actually got a TS-themed “bathroom pass” to give the person at the FP return to let me back in. So it has existed in some form for a while.

I want a TS-themed bathroom pass!

 

[DisneyMovieFan]

For anyone looking for non-ride activities in MK: A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasure of the Seven Seas looks like a fun activity.

 

[preemiemama]

I want a TS-themed bathroom pass!

It was cool- I had to give it back, though!

 

[nalababybear]

It was cool- I had to give it back, though!

Would have just skipped Mania for the day for that perhaps

 

[SirDuff]

Would have just skipped Mania for the day for that perhaps

I was thinking the same thing

 

[jennab]

For anyone looking for non-ride activities in MK: A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasure of the Seven Seas looks like a fun activity.

Yes we have done this one too and was also fun! Not as good at SOTMK but still a non ride activity that is fun.

 

[preemiemama]

I had DS with me- he was 6 at the time- no skipping Mania…

 

[DisneyMovieFan]

Yes we have done this one too and was also fun! Not as good at SOTMK but still a non ride activity that is fun.

We enjoyed SOTMK. It’s a shame they closed it. The cards were a great souvenir & the game was fun.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Maybe they are saying “like autism or similar” to follow what it states on the website, but people are only hearing and posting that the CM specifically said “autism”?

I had my DAS (denial) call earlier this week and was definitely told “autism or similar condition”— I recall being a little surprised because there are several reports of people saying it was granted for physical disability, however, I didn’t think it was appropriate to argue with the CM’s clear statement.

I can only speak from what occured today, but she did say only autism. I won't go into details about my medical needs, but I'm disheartened with our conversation. I reached out to my best friend after the call, who helped talk me down and through everything. It's just been such a crappy month.

Just wanted to say I’m so sorry that this happened on top of everything else your family has been going through over the past couple months. I hope Disney gives extra pixie dust for people in your situation, even if it isn’t the whole DAS system.

After processing the whole conversation, I'm still at a loss. I read through the threads about possible questions coming up and possibly talking to the doctor to help prepare. I think I'm most surprised with how quick it was. To be fair I started to cry when I discussed what happened to my family and then I stumbled through it. Maybe I didn't say what she was looking for or she wasn't comfortable with my tears. She wasn't mean just very matter of fact and it ended. I tried very hard to keep myself composed. I don't blame the cm, I just wish I was able to keep myself together so I could say everything I want to say. However I'm not going to call again. She did say that the process is more rigorous and my symptoms do not align with autism. As an advocate for myself, I don't think she gave me enough time to discuss that.

I am willing to respect Disney’s decision if they are actually limiting it to severe developmental disabilities but I don’t feel it’s right that some people are being denied by rules that aren’t applied to others (I am willing to allow for the theoretical possibility that everybody who says they got it for purely physical disabilities is lying but it doesn’t seem like the most likely explanation to me).

My friend and I discussed trying the lines but if it becomes too much, we just will leave. I am worried about the boarding groups for Tiana, Tron, and guardians. We've always had it transfer to LL so I don't know what to expect without the previous das system for boarding groups.

I also would like more information (or just assurance) that AQR is possible for Tron, Tiana, and Guardians— more than willing to skip the preshows if that’s what it takes… I have seen on thrill data that VQ returns tend to be pretty short the first hour the park is open so it might be worth trying to get a low boarding group and get to the ride as soon as possible (or wait for lower line times, like during a parade/fireworks) until we know more about how VQs interact with the new accommodation options.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I had my DAS (denial) call earlier this week and was definitely told “autism or similar condition”— I recall being a little surprised because there are several reports of people saying it was granted for physical disability, however, I didn’t think it was appropriate to argue with the CM’s clear statement.

Just wanted to say I’m so sorry that this happened on top of everything else your family has been going through over the past couple months. I hope Disney gives extra pixie dust for people in your situation, even if it isn’t the whole DAS system.

I am willing to respect Disney’s decision if they are actually limiting it to severe developmental disabilities but I don’t feel it’s right that some people are being denied by rules that aren’t applied to others (I am willing to allow for the theoretical possibility that everybody who says they got it for purely physical disabilities is lying but it doesn’t seem like the most likely explanation to me).

I also would like more information (or just assurance) that AQR is possible for Tron, Tiana, and Guardians— more than willing to skip the preshows if that’s what it takes… I have seen on thrill data that VQ returns tend to be pretty short the first hour the park is open so it might be worth trying to get a low boarding group and get to the ride as soon as possible (or wait for lower line times, like during a parade/fireworks) until we know more about how VQs interact with the new accommodation options.

Why would you think that AQR isn’t available for the lines with VQs? As long as you have a boarding group, you would go to the CM at the entrance at the same time your party is called, the group would enter the SB line, and if you need to leave when they approach the merge you should be able to enter the LL.

 

[PrincessV]

I also would like more information (or just assurance) that AQR is possible for Tron, Tiana, and Guardians— more than willing to skip the preshows if that’s what it takes… I have seen on thrill data that VQ returns tend to be pretty short the first hour the park is open so it might be worth trying to get a low boarding group and get to the ride as soon as possible (or wait for lower line times, like during a parade/fireworks) until we know more about how VQs interact with the new accommodation options.

I’d also like to see some real-life experiences using AQR for the VQ lines. TRON would be impossible for me without AQR or DAS: I had to leave my group and return in the queue repeatedly doing the AP preview, which worked fine, but I’m usually solo so that would not work. GOTG is a mystery to me: there are so many times I’ve converted VQ to DAS, walked in via LL, and saw that the regular VQ line was short enough that it would have been fine… but then there’s the odd time that VQ line would be impossibly long. I wonder if Thrill Data or anyone else tracks how that one ebbs and flows…

 

[PrincessV]

Why would you think that AQR isn’t available for the lines with VQs? As long as you have a boarding group, you would go to the CM at the entrance at the same time your party is called, the group would enter the SB line, and if you need to leave when they approach the merge you should be able to enter the LL.

In theory, I think AQR should be available for the VQ rides - but I’ve yet to see anyone actually test it.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Why would you think that AQR isn’t available for the lines with VQs? As long as you have a boarding group, you would go to the CM at the entrance at the same time your party is called, the group would enter the SB line, and if you need to leave when they approach the merge you should be able to enter the LL.

I actually assume that it is available—but if the plan is to call and meet up the cell data in both Cosmic Rewind and Tron had been really iffy. At least the Tron line is mostly outside before the merge…but back when we tried using a wheelchair to manage my disability we were inside in the VQ line for at least 30-40m prior to merge.