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

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Following up on @10CJ’s comment from the other thread…I’d be shocked if Disney said that 2 14 year olds couldn’t wait in line together. I know that Disney says that you have to be 14 to enter the park alone, but I would find it more unreasonable for someone to say that a 14 year old couldn’t wait alone for a few minutes while their parent exited to tend to a need (especially something like going to the bathroom, a multi-hour ordeal may be a different story). 14 is a freshman in high school. With very few exceptions by middle school most of the families in my social circle have allowed their kids to stay home alone, babysit, walk to school/town, etc. Standing in a Disney line seems tame by comparison, especially given that most kids that age have a way to contact their parents in an emergency.

(edited to fix the age allowed in the park alone)

 

[lanejudy]

I know that Disney says that you have to be 15 to enter the park alone

Actually it is 14 to enter a park without an adult or to be considered the responsible party of someone under age 7 on a ride. I suspect something wasn’t heard to communicated clearly.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Actually it is 14 to enter a park without an adult or to be considered the responsible party of someone aged 7-13 on a ride. I suspect something wasn’t heard to communicated clearly.

Yes I agree. My first call I barely remembered anything he said and I questioned my memories of the conversation, so that can happen so easily. It is a bit like Charlie Brown’s teacher talking if anyone remembers that cartoon reference. I think kids as young as 7 are allowed to be alone in line (although that would depend on the child of course).

 

[MomDoc_99]

Actually it is 14 to enter a park without an adult or to be considered the responsible party of someone aged 7-13 on a ride.

Actually, AFAIK the requirements are:
1. 14 or older to enter the park without an adult.
2. Those under 14 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older to enter the park
3. 7 and older may enter a line alone and ride alone
4. Under 7 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older to enter a line or ride a ride

 

[lanejudy]

Actually, AFAIK the requirements are:
1. 14 or older to enter the park without an adult.
2. Those under 14 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older to enter the park
3. 7 and older may enter a line alone and ride alone
4. Under 7 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older to enter a line or ride a ride

Yes, you are correct. I mixed that up and will correct it! Thank you

 

[FloridaThrowaway]

I called in last week to try to see if my wife was still eligible for DAS. Due to PTSD she has breakdowns in confined public spaces for an extended period of time and will need help with me escorting her out of areas. I was told strictly that it was for those whose intellectual impairments made it such that they could not understand a line. Very disappointing, as we were hoping to become annual passholders as new Florida Residents. Another CM told us we might be able to try again and detail our poor experiences with RtQ, so hopefully that will help.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I called in last week to try to see if my wife was still eligible for DAS. Due to PTSD she has breakdowns in confined public spaces for an extended period of time and will need help with me escorting her out of areas. I was told strictly that it was for those whose intellectual impairments made it such that they could not understand a line. Very disappointing, as we were hoping to become annual passholders as new Florida Residents. Another CM told us we might be able to try again and detail our poor experiences with RtQ, so hopefully that will help.

As DVC owners with APs and 45 years of multiple yearly visits Disney has removed my ability to enjoy the parks with my family. I've utilized GAC, DAS...whatever for 15 years. My condition further deteriorated due to long COVID. We've stomached the changes over the last few years but I cannot PHYSICALLY adjust to this. Lifelong memories and experiences have soured with this latest money grab. My days with Disney have come to an end.

 

[jlundeen]

As DVC owners with APs and 45 years of multiple yearly visits Disney has removed my ability to enjoy the parks with my family. I've utilized GAC, DAS...whatever for 15 years. My condition further deteriorated due to long COVID. We've stomached the changes over the last few years but I cannot PHYSICALLY adjust to this. Lifelong memories and experiences have soured with this latest money grab. My days with Disney have come to an end.

I can totally relate to this, and fear I'm in the same boat. I know from past trips what works and what wouldn't for me, and rather than putting myself and family in that position and having to plead for something that will work, we're now looking elsewhere.

For now, We're putting future Disney trips on pause, which might be a good thing for me right now. I'm pretty frustrated with the direction Disney has chosen, and am looking realistically on what is the best use of time and money going forward for us. Currently looking into Viking River Cruises, (we've done two and love seeing the parts of the world we have only seen in photos), and also found that they are pretty accommodating to many disabilities (mostly of a physical nature), much more so than in past years. Last trip there were many older adults - many with canes, some with wheelchairs and walkers, (no scooters as they would not fit through hallways, etc.).

We are not going to be able to do some of this for too many more years, so need to be realistic about our capabilities.

So for now, the Disney AP will lapse, the two current on-site trips on the books will be canceled, and that life chapter will end - maybe someday in the future we'll try again, but probably not for a long time.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

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 one of the options that the CM's give if you are denied is to NOT wait in the line but walk up to the CM and explain that you have a health and safety concern and cannot wait int he standby line and would like a return time to enter through the Lightning Lane.

 

[Just_another_figment]

To be fair one of the options that the CM's give if you are denied is to NOT wait in the line but walk up to the CM and explain that you have a health and safety concern and cannot wait int he standby line and would like a return time to enter through the Lightning Lane.

This week I’ve seen many CMs say you have to try the line first. FWIW, ive noticed way more CMs visible in queues this week.

 

[preemiemama]

This week I’ve seen many CMs say you have to try the line first. FWIW, ive noticed way more CMs visible in queues this week.

That is good to hear- that was my concern when we were there a couple weeks ago. There were none in the long indoor parts of queues like ROTR or FOP...

 

[TLSnell1981]

To be fair one of the options that the CM's give if you are denied is to NOT wait in the line but walk up to the CM and explain that you have a health and safety concern and cannot wait int he standby line and would like a return time to enter through the Lightning Lane.

So it's somewhat reverted to their old antiquated system? See if you can maneuver the lines, run around the parks begging for a return time? No thanks it's exhausting! Splitting up up families with small children on a ''family friendly'' vacation is insulting. It's also just a maybe dependent on a poorly trained CM. Virtual lines work well. Now Disney wants to clog up stand by and free up LL so they can market our old product that we now charge extra.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

When the option is to split up, and suddenly many (*NOT ALL*) families who were handed DAS in the past can wait in standby just fine, the solution is doing its job.

For those who legitimately cannot wait, splitting up is a better option than skipping the ride. Or if they feel it isn't, they will have to chose other strategies for shorter waits - up to finding a new vacation destination.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Given that DAS is supposed to simulate - to the extent possible - a “normal” park experience I don’t understand the objection to “running around the park for a return time.” That’s what everyone else does, they walk/scooter to the line that they want to join and wait. If anything the ability to wait outside the line is still superior, even if not as good as it was before.

 

[CJK]

Someone mentioned up thread that you can still use DAS for character meet and greets. Can you book on the Disney app in the same way you can book rides?

 

[lanejudy]

Someone mentioned up thread that you can still use DAS for character meet and greets. Can you book on the Disney app in the same way you can book rides?

If it is a character meet with a posted standby time, yes a DAS Return Time can be scheduled in the app. Character meets that aren't permanent locations or don't have a posted standby wait cannot be scheduled for DAS.

 

[jo-jo]

Given that DAS is supposed to simulate - to the extent possible - a “normal” park experience I don’t understand the objection to “running around the park for a return time.” That’s what everyone else does, they walk/scooter to the line that they want to join and wait. If anything the ability to wait outside the line is still superior, even if not as good as it was before.

If we were given the option of going to ride , ask for return time, that would be fine. We’d probably ask, and then just stay in area until time to go in. I’d be thrilled if that was available. But it’s just us two old people. For families, it might be awful.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

If we were given the option of going to ride , ask for return time, that would be fine. We’d probably ask, and then just stay in area until time to go in. I’d be thrilled if that was available. But it’s just us two old people. For families, it might be awful.

Why is it awful for families? I don’t think that I understand. Are you worried about what to do with the kids out of line? Or explaining that they can’t ride RIGHT NOW? Or is it the uncertainty of asking and not knowing if you get a return time or have to enter the queue and see how it goes?

 

[jo-jo]

Why is it awful for families? I don’t think that I understand. Are you worried about what to do with the kids out of line? Or explaining that they can’t ride RIGHT NOW? Or is it the uncertainty of asking and not knowing if you get a return time or have to enter the queue and see how it goes?

Well, I said it might be awful. Just like in any situation, what works for some, doesn't work for others.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Well, I said it might be awful. Just like in any situation, what works for some, doesn't work for others.

Waiting is hard on everyone. I don’t understand what your solution is. Some people may have problems so therefore DAS for everyone??? Or only those with kids?