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

[TwoMisfits]

I’ve been following this thread since the beginning, but haven’t kept up with replies for the past month or so.

Just catching up some now - it’s baffling to me that people are being told by cast members the new DAS is only for developmental disabilities, while I see others being approved for other medical conditions. You’d think by now, information wouldn’t be so murky. I was planning on going this fall and applying for DAS due to several heart conditions. I hope I’d have a clearer picture by now if I’d get approved or not, but I’m still as confused now as I was at the beginning.

If it's a physical issue, the likelihood is pretty low, but not impossible. That's about as clear as it will get.

 

[Philsfan77]

I’ve been following this thread since the beginning, but haven’t kept up with replies for the past month or so.

Just catching up some now - it’s baffling to me that people are being told by cast members the new DAS is only for developmental disabilities, while I see others being approved for other medical conditions. You’d think by now, information wouldn’t be so murky. I was planning on going this fall and applying for DAS due to several heart conditions. I hope I’d have a clearer picture by now if I’d get approved or not, but I’m still as confused now as I was at the beginning.

I am going to be honest, I sometimes wonder what is actually being said by the person talking to the cast members that prompts certain things to be said back or leads to them saying its only for developmental disabilities. By all accounts, the cast member shouldn't know what your disability is, all they should be getting information on, is why you can't use the traditional line. Odds are people being approved for other medical conditions, aren't saying "I have XYZ," they are just explaining their conditions and why it impacts their ability to wait in line, and then when they get on a forum like this, they then tell everyone what they actually have and if they were approved or not.

 

[jennab]

I’ve been following this thread since the beginning, but haven’t kept up with replies for the past month or so.

Just catching up some now - it’s baffling to me that people are being told by cast members the new DAS is only for developmental disabilities, while I see others being approved for other medical conditions. You’d think by now, information wouldn’t be so murky. I was planning on going this fall and applying for DAS due to several heart conditions. I hope I’d have a clearer picture by now if I’d get approved or not, but I’m still as confused now as I was at the beginning.

To be honest, I’d go in expecting to be denied. Have a back up plan and look into the other accommodations to see if those will work for you. If not, new info should be coming soon for the new LLMP (think that’s the acronym, what’s replacing G+). Might be helpful to follow along and see if that would benefit you as well.

 

[Lostboysmama]

I am going to be honest, I sometimes wonder what is actually being said by the person talking to the cast members that prompts certain things to be said back or leads to them saying its only for developmental disabilities. By all accounts, the cast member shouldn't know what your disability is, all they should be getting information on, is why you can't use the traditional line. Odds are people being approved for other medical conditions, aren't saying "I have XYZ," they are just explaining their conditions and why it impacts their ability to wait in line, and then when they get on a forum like this, they then tell everyone what they actually have and if they were approved or not.

I think you are correct in saying this. Many have preconceived ideas about certain conditions, and cast members arent immune to that. If they happen to have a friend that's got the same diagnosis that you are calling about and that friend is doing just fine, then saying your diagnosis may hurt more than help. (just food for thought if you still have your interview ahead of you)

 

[Lsdolphin]

I think I’ll be able to manage using the new Multipass system I can only do a few rides and the only ride I can do in HS is TSM…I can’t do any of the roller coasters…but if I find I do need the DAS can I just go thru the online chat process while Im there?

 

[jennab]

I think I’ll be able to manage using the new Multipass system I can only do a few rides and the only ride I can do in HS is TSM…I can’t do any of the roller coasters…but if I find I do need the DAS can I just go thru the online chat process while Im there?

Yes. You can either do it on your phone or use the iPads they have available in the park to call.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Despite character meets being removed from the new MultiPass program, we had an in park report the LLs are still being used for DAS by someone who asked a CM.

 

[Just_another_figment]

Here now. While setting up a DAS yesterday the family in front of us at Space Mountain was trying to get a RTQ or time to come back. The CM said they needed to wait in line first, then if they needed to leave they could come back and get one. The dad was frustrated and the line was 65 minutes. However, the ride had been down and the lines for both standby and LL were both FULL. So maybe that played a role, but the CM certainly told them to try the queue first. Just fwiw.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Here now. While setting up a DAS yesterday the family in front of us at Space Mountain was trying to get a RTQ or time to come back. The CM said they needed to wait in line first, then if they needed to leave they could come back and get one. The dad was frustrated and the line was 65 minutes. However, the ride had been down and the lines for both standby and LL were both FULL. So maybe that played a role, but the CM certainly told them to try the queue first. Just fwiw.

It’s very frustrating when people won’t even TRY the new system and immediately default to complaining. We see that with Genie+ 2.0 as well.

 

[jo-jo]

Has there been any reports of people in scooters getting in and out and back in lines? My DH, with health changes, had a DAS for a couple of years under those bathroom issues area. I doubt he'd get a DAS now. Many lines he would have issues turning around with a scooter.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It’s very frustrating when people won’t even TRY the new system and immediately default to complaining. We see that with Genie+ 2.0 as well.

To be fair, I've read quite a few reports where people indicate when they are denied DAS, they are *told on the call* to request a return time if they don't think they can handle the line for an attraction.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

To be fair, I've read quite a few reports where people indicate when they are denied DAS, they are *told on the call* to request a return time if they don't think they can handle the line for an attraction.

That may be true but that’s just DAS-lite. Worse, without any sort of safeguards in place if anyone can just go request a return time the system might actually be in a net worse place than it was pre-changes once it becomes common knowledge that the option is available. This would be a terrible strategy in Disney’s part and one that I very much hope that they do not pursue.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That may be true but that’s just DAS-lite. Worse, without any sort of safeguards in place if anyone can just go request a return time the system might actually be in a net worse place than it was pre-changes once it becomes common knowledge that the option is available. This would be a terrible strategy in Disney’s part and one that I very much hope that they do not pursue.

I don't disagree, but I'm not going to be frustrated because guests are doing what Disney tells them to do when they are denied DAS.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I guess my point is that given everything Disney is going through to fix DAS it would be foolish for their CMs to basically offer up DAS lite en masse. People also hear what they want to hear, so perhaps Disney CMs are describing the AQR process and people are hearing RTQ. Or maybe CMs are just telling people something to get the off the phone, knowing the front line CMs will have to deal with the fallout. Who knows?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I guess my point is that given everything Disney is going through to fix DAS it would be foolish for their CMs to basically offer up DAS lite en masse. People also hear what they want to hear, so perhaps Disney CMs are describing the AQR process and people are hearing RTQ. Or maybe CMs are just telling people something to get the off the phone, knowing the front line CMs will have to deal with the fallout. Who knows?

There's a post here in the approval thread from just a few days ago where someone called back after being denied and it was very clear that the CM was not referring to AQR. The DAS CM did make it clear to the caller that it's up the discretion of the CM at the line. I only remember the post because I responded saying there's been so few reports of return times actually being given that I wouldn't expect to actually get one, despite what was said by the DAS CM.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

That may be true but that’s just DAS-lite. Worse, without any sort of safeguards in place if anyone can just go request a return time the system might actually be in a net worse place than it was pre-changes once it becomes common knowledge that the option is available. This would be a terrible strategy in Disney’s part and one that I very much hope that they do not pursue.

If that is the case they will just make changes again. People need to break the mindset of “this is how it will be forever.”

To quote Phil Dunphy: “Metamorphosis - the only constant is change.”

 

[Hippomom]

Has there been any reports of people in scooters getting in and out and back in lines? My DH, with health changes, had a DAS for a couple of years under those bathroom issues area. I doubt he'd get a DAS now. Many lines he would have issues turning around with a scooter.

It depends on the queue and sometimes other factors such as are there other scooters and wheelchairs inline. At rise (west coast) I have a small scooter and couldn’t leave because a big scooter was behind me. At buzz west coast no way to get out until I got to merge 40 minutes later. Other rides I have had more success but its frustrating to me they don’t habe a solution for this. I will either get genie plus or not ride at the rides i know i cant get out of because its not worth the risk to me

 

[KPeterso]

It depends on the queue and sometimes other factors such as are there other scooters and wheelchairs inline. At rise (west coast) I have a small scooter and couldn’t leave because a big scooter was behind me. At buzz west coast no way to get out until I got to merge 40 minutes later. Other rides I have had more success but its frustrating to me they don’t habe a solution for this. I will either get genie plus or not ride at the rides i know i cant get out of because its not worth the risk to me

We have not had to try to turn a wheelchair or ECV around in line yet, but I am so dreading it. We had an issue a few years ago at Flight of Passage. We were coming up the lightening lane with an ECV and there were 2 girls who were coming back down the lightening lane towards us on ECVs to exit. At the corner, no one was able to pass nor could we if we had made it around the corner. It took me quite a bit of time to figure our what to do and a lot of people went past us in the LL as a result. Neither of the girls could drive the ECV well and getting them to back up even a little was a problem. They had park ones and my mom had the smaller go-go from Gold. I finally got my mom off hers (since neither of the 2 girls wanted to help - both younger than me and a lot younger than my 80+ year old mom) and had her stand back. I put hers in free wheel mode and basically "beached it" in the plants to the outside of the line (got it under the railing) to let them pass and then had to get it back out for my mom. Next time, I will just walk back down the LL and make a CM come fix it and help.

 

[Hippomom]

We have not had to try to turn a wheelchair or ECV around in line yet, but I am so dreading it. We had an issue a few years ago at Flight of Passage. We were coming up the lightening lane with an ECV and there were 2 girls who were coming back down the lightening lane towards us on ECVs to exit. At the corner, no one was able to pass nor could we if we had made it around the corner. It took me quite a bit of time to figure our what to do and a lot of people went past us in the LL as a result. Neither of the girls could drive the ECV well and getting them to back up even a little was a problem. They had park ones and my mom had the smaller go-go from Gold. I finally got my mom off hers (since neither of the 2 girls wanted to help - both younger than me and a lot younger than my 80+ year old mom) and had her stand back. I put hers in free wheel mode and basically "beached it" in the plants to the outside of the line (got it under the railing) to let them pass and then had to get it back out for my mom. Next time, I will just walk back down the LL and make a CM come fix it and help.

alot of times im alone and i cant walk after sitting 30 minutes very well. So I thought about the cast member assisting but im at mercy of someone getting one for me. Good luck!

 

[MinnieMSue]

Ii commented in the other thread and changed my vote but thought I would comment a bit on my second phone call. First call as I mentioned a week or two ago went badly but because of me. I panicked and babbled and told him I would try without it because I was super anxious and didn’t want him to feel bad about denying me. He of course said what I thought was called return to queue but discussed what we talk about as attraction queue reentry. It was to check before entering line on how to get out and re enter the line. Anyway I was so anxious I didn’t pay close attention. That poor man (Hamilton) was basically just staring at me probably wondering what kind of tornado was hitting when I was talking cause it was pretty much random babbles.
Yesterday afternoon I decided to call again (which I figured was risky). But I thought I would try to actually explain my issues. I did not write anything down but hoped since I knew this call could not go worse maybe I would be able to be calm. My cat and a couple of things to fidget with were nearby to help. The woman who came on was so sweet and I told her what I did last call. Then I told her about some of my park issues. She asked consent to put me on with a medical professional and then said she was going to go over the return to queue process which was what he told me and I mentioned here. To ask before entering what to do. I was put on hold a few minutes with muted mic on her end. I believe so she could contact the medical professional. The cast member also said she would be listening in to the call and if I needed her to just say something. The hold made me almost panic because I didn’t realize how long it would be and was afraid I had disconnected. But she came back and said the medical professional would ask me to talk about what we had already discussed and ask me more questions. It was another woman. She asked me something like can you tell me what is going on? And that confused me but I figured she wanted me to talk about what goes on in the parks. So I did. It was embarrassing but I told her. She asked about what happens when my issue occurs and asked me specific questions about other areas in my life. I told her all of this as well as my coping mechanisms during these times and while in line at the parks. She approved it and I immediately was back with the cast member. She said she was glad I was approved and that she was pulling for me. She discussed my coping strategies and also talked about preshows and coping with those. She sent me info on general coping. A list of preshows and another sensory info flyer. I was a bit confused as to how she sent the info as I thought it would be email but it was links on the chat. I had left the chat after the call ended but went back and found them. I emailed those to myself and screenshot the preshow info. She did say sometimes but not always I can skip that part if needed but we discovered just staying to the back and away from the exit to the ride where the masses huddle lol. I was still super anxious on the call especially with the medical person (wanted to ask what her degree is but was too embarrassed to ask lol). Felt a little like a car dealership where they fake talk to a manager and come back with another offer lol.
Both calls I did not have to wait. First was 8am eastern and I answered the chat questions and he came on immediately after reviewing my record. Second call was 1pm eastern and she came on right away after I answered all the chat questions. I also mentioned in the chat I was calling back because I panicked on last call and didn’t talk about the specifics. I definitely wonder what kind of note he left about that call lol.
As to what they were looking for to approve me I have no idea. I worked hard to try to remain calm and answer thoroughly without rambling which I do with anxiety. I bit the bullet and told embarrassing truths. I did not mention diagnosis but did mention some treatments.
I just wanted to put this out there that it can be appropriate to call back and they (cast member dependent?) can listen to you again. Maybe they put a note in about that terrible first call. Idk. I kind of wish I could see what they say