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

[Disneylover99]

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.

If there is a family that has relied on DAS for many years, not getting it suddenly because they no longer qualify, will be awful for them. We all know DAS was easy to use, many used the pre-booked rides, you could do any ride or character meet with a standbye wait time, you could reride favourites more than once, you could cancel and rebook rides with ease, it was so flexible, etc…. It’s kind of a shock to their system.

And let’s face it, nobody wants to be in the stand bye line. But realistically, most of us are. The key is to figure out what works best for families moving forward, which might include rope dropping or going in the evening, splitting up when necessary (we like to call this, divide and conquer, lol) and/or buying Genie+/LL, or visiting in less busy times or cooler weather times.

The having to split up seems to be the sticking point with most DAS families. They absolutely can’t fathom doing that. But people need to try and adapt and realize that there are many non-Das family members that can’t wait in lines as well. Families need to split up all the time. Plenty of families have members who cannot wait in a long line at all for a variety of reasons not related to DAS.

I really do hope that the families who have been denied for the first time after having DAS for years do try some new strategies so they can find a way to make Disney work for them.

 

[PrincessV]

This week I’ve seen many CMs say you have to try the line first.

By this do you mean the person who needs accommodation is being told they, personally, need to try waiting in SB, or that their party needs to wait in SB while the person who’s requesting accommodation waits outside the line and meets their party at the merge? And/or is this referring to Guests who request accommodation but are solo or want their party to stay together?

I ask because if the people requesting accommodation are being told THEY must try waiting in SB, that’s very different from my and others’ experiences and maybe points to a recent change in procedures.

 

[DiznyDiva]

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.

To be honest when Kiddo was little this actually was easier for us. I kept her occupied like treasure hunt and we had someday fewer meltdowns. I actually never had a problem and we still do it when we are trying to get return time at times. It os a lot of walking but that's why you are there.

IMO, DAS is to help but it can only do so much. It will never see you out the heat in the summer or in a line shorter than 15-20 on busy days. There will always be crowds and noise and smells even in LL lines. I think the red issue is people have to be really honest about what they can and can't do and what DAS can realistically do. The part I don't understand is that if you can't in anyway wait in line for more than 15-20 minutes because of heat, fainting, pain., anxiety or other issues, how can you do the return lines? NONE if them except iin the early morning or at very late at night go faster than 10-20 minutes and most feed back into the line somewhere. They are crowded, with people on top of you, smells, and heat. Then you have to get into a crowded ride with the very real possibility of breaking down.......Honestly just curious....

 

[DiznyDiva]

And let’s face it, nobody wants to be in the stand bye line. But realistically, most of us are. The key is to figure out what works best for families moving forward, which might include rope dropping or going in the evening, splitting up when necessary (we like to call this, divide and conquer, lol) and/or buying Genie+/LL, or visiting in less busy times or cooler weather times.

It is how we do/did character meet and greets. One parent in one line, the other right across. Red rover the child between. Making sure she can see the other parents at all times. Hubby and kiddo go on fast rides. Mom and kiddo go on slow and a few regular rides(read pirates over and over) together.

Stand by line is. not fun, but it something you cane plan head for. We have to make chart(yes we are a list and chart family) of three rides and then what happens if this goes down or this is too long EVEN with Das. SOOO much planing and readjusting goes into just one day. It exhausting, but we know that's what we are paying fro for 5 days and then we go back to the real world. We plan when to go to hit certain rides, what months what times of day or night... all of it to ge the most from our Keys for our family.

 

[jlundeen]

Just a data point about from my Bounceback trip for next April (note: you can only make changes or cancel a BB by calling, can't do it online.)

During the call, the CM was very friendly, and once she found the reservation, she asked for a reason she could enter, and suggested "change of plans?". I told her that she could use that, but also mentioned that my real reason was due to the changes of the Disabiity Access rules. She was very sympathetic and said that while she could not enter that into her notes, that she had had many people canceling trips, and that I should be sure and send Guest Services an email expaining how this new system affects me. I told her that I had heard many reports that people who had done that only received canned form letters in response. She said not to be put off by that response, and assured me that each email was read, and passed on to appropriated departments. She said that there were many that she knew about who were frustrated like me, and that Disney needed to hear from us.

So... not saying this is true or not, but if you have something that you want Disney to at least hear, here's the address again. Who knows, maybe if enough voices are heard, additional changes will happen.

Guest.Services@Disneyworld.com (I hope this is correct...I was trying to write while doing three other things at the same time)

 

[TLSnell1981]

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?n in the past.

It's a FAMILY vacation. Why choose a destination where they split the family up? For many years the option was to run back and forth all over the park with your family in tow for a return time. It is difficult to maneuver with disabilities thus the reason for a DAS. Disney is more chaotic today than in the past. The ability to schedule on the app and queue in a virtual line provided a less painful and stressful day. Not all disabilities provide the same challenges. DAS made it doable not perfect.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

It's a FAMILY vacation. Why choose a destination where they split the family up? For many years the option was to run back and forth all over the park with your family in tow for a return time. It is difficult to maneuver with disabilities thus the reason for a DAS. Disney is more chaotic today than in the past. The ability to schedule on the app and queue in a virtual line provided a less painful and stressful day. Not all disabilities provide the same challenges. DAS made it doable not perfect.

I feel like we are going in circles, and those who are angry about the DAS changes cannot see past that anger to understand that DAS was abused because it was a) too generous and b) too widely available, and thus required changes.

Many families split up for all kinds of reasons at Disney that have been discussed ad nauseum already. But I will say that there are times just about every day when we separate for one reason or another, and in no way does it lessen the quality of our family vacation. If anything it lets me give both of my kids - and my husband - special time/attention and caters to everyone’s individual wants and desires. And in return my kids sit next to me on small world and don’t complain about it.

It’s ridiculous to think that the standard of accommodation should allow for everyone to be together for every minute of the trip.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

In no way am I saying that managing with disabilities isn’t challenging. But please don’t lose sight of the fact that managing Disney is challenging for everyone. There are options to make it less so, but they cost money. It’s up to each family to decide if that additional cost is worth it, and what other changes can be made to their touring styles to best fit their needs.

 

[DiznyDiva]

It's a FAMILY vacation. Why choose a destination where they split the family up? For many years the option was to run back and forth all over the park with your family in tow for a return time. It is difficult to maneuver with disabilities thus the reason for a DAS. Disney is more chaotic today than in the past. The ability to schedule on the app and queue in a virtual line provided a less painful and stressful day. Not all disabilities provide the same challenges. DAS made it doable not perfect.

Family vacations doesn't mean you are with each other 24 /7. We all have different likes and needs. Some like certain rides, some like certain foods, some like just people watch. Family vacation is what you make of it. Frankly being tied to you phone is less family vacation then being separated.

Disney is more chaotic, so it's our jobs to make it less. DAS can help, but it is not the be all end to park problems. It won't help you if you over heat, can't stand for longer then 20 minutes, have anxiety or panic attacks because of people being too close. Those all come down to the individual and their chosen coping. Waiting in virtual cue is still waiting and there is no guarantee when you get back to the DAS time you want be waiting just as long as you waited before or the ride might go down...

It is difficult to maneuver with disabilities, so you plan and then adapt and then plan again. Ride goes down, pivot, line to long... pivot, place out of you favorite food., meltdown.. .... all of those are in your control on what you do next and in reality have very little with having DAS in the park. DAS helped, but if you can walk from It's small world all the way to Pixar pier, then you can plan on how to get a few rides along the way so you are not going back and forth willy nilly.

 

[HashberryOTG]

Keep in mind, even if DAS wasn't being abused (and we all know it was), Disney still had to do something. The # of folks that identify as disabled is growing. We also know that DAS isn't for anything and everything that could be considered a disability by definition, even tho I'm sure we've all seen posts from folks that don't realize or understand that. Regardless, we still have a large and growing # of people that believe they should qualify for DAS, some of which can include large groups (significantly cut down with the new system). While the LL lines continue to get longer and longer, even with LL being capped and selling out, something had to change. The service to bring waits to more manageable levels for those that may need it was starting to fail.

It's disappointing that Disney can't magically know who truly needs the service and who can get by with alternative accomodations, but I do believe they're doing the best they can. I feel CMs that are not acting in good faith and aren't trying to be kind should be moderated somehow. No one should be made to feel like crap. But many are scared and angry, and we can't know if the CM was firm or simply rude. Interpretations are hard when you're emotional.

I'm hoping many of the frustrations and kinks are worked out over time, and if people have to speak with their pocketbooks in the meantime, so be it. It sucks to give up a favorite place, but we need to take care of ourselves, and do what's best for us.

 

[DiznyDiva]

t's disappointing that Disney can't magically know who truly needs the service and who can get by with alternative accomodations, but I do believe they're doing the best they can. I feel CMs that are not acting in good faith and aren't trying to be kind should be moderated somehow. No one should be made to feel like crap. But many are scared and angry, and we can't know if the CM was firm or simply rude. Interpretations are hard when you're emotional.

I honestly feel, like everything in life there are always a few that take their power too far. Yes, there are probably some unpleasant CM"s. I believe most care nd only doing the best the can. Disney is a busiiness and has changed one of it offerings. Once gain DAS is NOT required.

But saying 'No" and being stern is not the same as rude and mean. I agree. I think emotion and even shock new clouding opinions and suddenly there is this evil army of CM's just waiting to ruin your day, laugh at you and say hideous things. I find the hideous and often exaggerated stories about what CM's are going very hard to understand. All that does is hurt everyone.

Disney is a want NOT a need, Just like everything else you do in the parks up to and including DAS. I get it, trust me, to confuse those, but that doesn't change the fact.

 

[CJK]

Are we able to book Tiana's Bayou Adventure with DAS? If so, do we need to join the VQ in order to do so?

 

[OurBigTrip]

It's a FAMILY vacation. Why choose a destination where they split the family up? For many years the option was to run back and forth all over the park with your family in tow for a return time. It is difficult to maneuver with disabilities thus the reason for a DAS. Disney is more chaotic today than in the past. The ability to schedule on the app and queue in a virtual line provided a less painful and stressful day. Not all disabilities provide the same challenges. DAS made it doable not perfect.

You never had to have your family in tow to get return times - many people had a runner to get the return time. If you chose to stay together and drag everyone to get a return time, that was your choice.

And quite frankly, leaving it on the app where people can get a return time anywhere in the park f on anywhere in the park is one of the reason it’s attractive for abusers and over users.

 

[lanejudy]

Are we able to book Tiana's Bayou Adventure with DAS? If so, do we need to join the VQ in order to do so?

You can buy LLMP and book it that way, or try for a VQ at 7am/1pm. It does not have a regular standby yet so it can’t be done as a regular DAS return time.

If you get a VQ they’ll convert to DAS once your BG is called and let you through the LL.

 

[Evita_W]

It is most of Fantasyland that does not have lightening lanes. Jungle cruise also doesn't have one.I think everything else has been or is being modified to have them.

Pirates will be removing their temporary FP soon at DL, if it hasn’t been already with Mansion reopening. The following also do not have FP: the coaster in Mickey’s Toontown, Finding Nemo Submarines, The Monorail, all shows, Main Street Transportation, Animation Building and all it contains, Mickey’s Funwheel, Luigis, Inside Out Ride, Jumpin Jellyfish, Grizzly Creek Trail, Silly Symphony Swings, Golden Zephyr

CLARIFICATION BY MODERATOR: This is in reference to Disneyland, not WDW

 

[DiznyDiva]

You never had to have your family in tow to get return times - many people had a runner to get the return time. If you chose to stay together and drag everyone to get a return time, that was your choice.

My kiddo and I were the runners, while the other went to the bathroom or whatever. Like I said you plan what you were doing when you got off the ride, bathrooms, food. whatever and then away we went and met up with the other two once we got the new time. Never had issues. I actually liked it a lot more then the amount I have to stare at my phone now.

I didn't know that the Pirates one was temporary. That's good. Hopefully that will help it's lines better.

 

[Hippomom]

You never had to have your family in tow to get return times - many people had a runner to get the return time. If you chose to stay together and drag everyone to get a return time, that was your choice.

And quite frankly, leaving it on the app where people can get a return time anywhere in the park f on anywhere in the park is one of the reason it’s attractive for abusers and over users.

that was true of paper das but if your getting a Local return time for mobiliy then the person with the issue does need to be there which isn’t a problem with a scooter rider but if someone has a cane or rollator that can be more difficult, i suppose someone could say my mom has a rollator and i need to get a return time for her but idk how that would go they always said your device is your pass on those non accessible rides. So im just saying it may not be as easy as sending a runner for all circumstances.

 

[DiznyDiva]

that was true of paper das but if your getting a Local return time for mobiliy then the person with the issue does need to be there which isn’t a problem with a scooter rider but if someone has a cane or rollator that can be more difficult, i suppose someone could say my mom has a rollator and i need to get a return time for her but idk how that would go they always said your device is your pass on those non accessible rides. So im just saying it may not be as easy as sending a runner for all circumstances.

In Disneyland, I have gone to Jungle cruise.. heck all the ones that will give local return times and never HAD to have Kiddo. I just had to have the app and show her pass first. We were there in May and it was still that way....

 

[OurBigTrip]

that was true of paper das but if your getting a Local return time for mobiliy then the person with the issue does need to be there which isn’t a problem with a scooter rider but if someone has a cane or rollator that can be more difficult, i suppose someone could say my mom has a rollator and i need to get a return time for her but idk how that would go they always said your device is your pass on those non accessible rides. So im just saying it may not be as easy as sending a runner for all circumstances.

The PP was talking about the DAS, not the wheelchair return time.

 

[TLSnell1981]

You never had to have your family in tow to get return times - many people had a runner to get the return time. If you chose to stay together and drag everyone to get a return time, that was your choice.

And quite frankly, leaving it on the app where people can get a return time anywhere in the park f on anywhere in the park is one of the reason it’s attractive for abusers and over users.

Oh yes you did have to have family members with you. The entire party had to be present. I've used disability access for many years.

I was able to enjoy three-four attractions per day for my family . Is that abusive? If so the simple solution would be to limit the daily usage.