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

[jennab]

We have also skipped an attraction after a reservation because LL was to long for my daughter. Attraction downtimes can result in this.

Of course, but last time was MUCH more than previous times and it was more than one ride daily, so I don’t think it was due to attraction downtime. LL were longer and taking much longer due to more people in them.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Reports on the approval/denial thread are actually positive on the rejoin your family option. When they near the end of the line, the family can FaceTime the person waiting outside and the CM will walk the waiting person to join the rest of the group.

Thank you for this. I appear to have lost track of that thread (it had very few reports for a long time)— good to know about FT because we’re going to need to make sure that we bring a back-up battery if we’ll be using another energy hogging app.

 

[SueM in MN]

With all the data that Disney has? They can predict the das flows, every action you do is registred. Every reservation, when you tap in, with mobile order when you eat. And people are creatures of habit.

I think there are certain things they can get data about, but not other. For example, they probably could pull data on:

• DAS Advance Selections, which were part of the DAS program before the changes. They probably have data on how many were booked and for which attraction. They also probably have data on the number that were booked, but not used
• The number of DAS Return Times booked daily for each attraction. They probably know which were used and which were 'abandoned' without using. They probably don't know how long after the DAS Return Time they were used

Disney was able to pull very specific use information regarding the plaintiffs in the DAS lawsuit, but they knew exactly whose records they were looking for. Much easier to pull meaningful data on a small number of known individuals than a large number of unknown individuals

 

[mistysue]

Thank you for this. I appear to have lost track of that thread (it had very few reports for a long time)— good to know about FT because we’re going to need to make sure that we bring a back-up battery if we’ll be using another energy hogging app.

FWIW - I think I've only seen one person say they needed to use FT - so you could do text or a normal call, I mean being realistic most people don't have FT at all because it's an ipod app. That said, I would always encourage back up batteries these days because inability to answer a call/text will be limiting.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for this. I appear to have lost track of that thread (it had very few reports for a long time)— good to know about FT because we’re going to need to make sure that we bring a back-up battery if we’ll be using another energy hogging app.

FWIW - I think I've only seen one person say they needed to use FT - so you could do text or a normal call, I mean being realistic most people don't have FT at all because it's an ipod app. That said, I would always encourage back up batteries these days because inability to answer a call/text will be limiting.

The particular poster mentioned FaceTime, but I've seen other reports that said text or normal call.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

The particular poster mentioned FaceTime, but I've seen other reports that said text or normal call.

I was thinking FT actually makes sense (harder to fake if you have to actually show the LL attending your friends and family are at the merge point)— but operationally seems difficult to execute.

 

[dbriggsq]

First, being a creature of habit has zero to do with the unpredictability of disabilities. One of the big reasons that DAS holders say the DAS works for them where paid options don't is because DAS doesn't have a firm return time, so if they are unable to make the return time due to their disability, they can still return later.

Second, there is a set number of paid LL access for each attraction each hour, but there is no set number of DAS. Using the logic as you presented it, Disney would have to either sell LL access on an hour-by-hour basis based on how many DAS return times were issued, or take paid LL away from someone who has it because of the number of DAS issued.

Limiting who gets DAS is the best way to keep the number of people in the LLs at a reasonable

Given that reports since the DAS change indicate that the LLs are consistently much shorter than before, I would say that no, Disney is not selling the additional capacity opened up by finally fixing the DAS.

So you are saying that Disney are limiting people who get DAS so that people who buy LL are happy and they aren’t selling any extra capacity. So who loses in this situation? People who actually need DAS (and it’s now a lottery if they will get it) and people who can’t afford to pay for LL knowing it won’t work for them

 

[mistysue]

So you are saying that Disney are limiting people who get DAS so that people who buy LL are happy and they aren’t selling any extra capacity. So who loses in this situation? People who actually need DAS (and it’s now a lottery if they will get it) and people who can’t afford to pay for LL knowing it won’t work for them

I don't think that is a fair interpretation.
They are limiting DAS because use of DAS on a large scale makes BOTH the LL and the standby lane unusable. It makes LL unusable to those NEEDING DAS. DAS is above and beyond ADA for the bulk of users who were getting it. Arguing that every person using DAS absolutely NEEDS it for every single line in which they use it is unlikely, even among those who are not intentionally overusing it. (yes, there are exceptions) This is especially true when we are seeing people have successful trips with RTQ options now that they are denied. Then we cycle back to who needs it "all the time" vs "some of the time", and this could loop in circles forever. It's not reasonable to say that everyone else in the park should be at a notable disadvantage so the system can be generous. They have to draw a line and limit it somewhere.

 

[OurBigTrip]

So you are saying that Disney are limiting people who get DAS so that people who buy LL are happy and they aren’t selling any extra capacity. So who loses in this situation? People who actually need DAS (and it’s now a lottery if they will get it) and people who can’t afford to pay for LL knowing it won’t work for them

Yes, I’m saying that Disney is limiting DAS because the abuse and overuse of DAS made the LLs not a good value for those who bought it, made standby waits longer, and made LLs so long as to be unusable by some DAS users.

Does that mean Disney plans to seek more LLs? No idea. But as it was previously was unsustainable.

 

[lanejudy]

People who actually need DAS (and it’s now a lottery if they will get it) and people who can’t afford to pay for LL knowing it won’t work for them

I disagree with calling DAS a “lottery.” Every entry has equal odds of winning a lottery; one must meet specific criteria to qualify for DAS.

As to LL not working — you do realize Genie+ is gone, replaced by LLMP and LLSP which can be pre-booked similar to old FP+? Yes it costs money, but if you have limited time in the park each day it guarantees at least 3 rides scheduled in advance to a part of the day that works best for you/your needs.

 

[DiznyDiva]

So you are saying that Disney are limiting people who get DAS so that people who buy LL are happy and they aren’t selling any extra capacity. So who loses in this situation? People who actually need DAS (and it’s now a lottery if they will get it) and people who can’t afford to pay for LL knowing it won’t work for them

Das was always meant for small group. They are being pretty clear about what they want DAS to be for. That is not a lottery. Unfortunately, some people are now trying to bully the CM's by repeatedly calling over and over day after day. I don't see Disney changing the criteria anytime soon.

DAS is only one of the accommodations Disney offers. There are others that are working for many. Whether they work for your family, that is a choice. For some it's DAS or bust and they refuse to consider anything else.

I don't really believe we will be able to see what changes to DAS has done to the LL lines until we see how they preform in busy times. Halloween for example. So in a few weeks. This summer has had many closures and a lot of construction, not to mention heat and person finances being stretched, that IMO has kept summer crowds lower than normal.

 

[dbriggsq]

I disagree with calling DAS a “lottery.” Every entry has equal odds of winning a lottery; one must meet specific criteria to qualify for DAS.

As to LL not working — you do realize Genie+ is gone, replaced by LLMP and LLSP which can be pre-booked similar to old FP+? Yes it costs money, but if you have limited time in the park each day it guarantees at least 3 rides scheduled in advance to a part of the day that works best for you/your needs.

People with genuine needs are being denied and others with similar needs are being granted - this is what I mean by lottery - perhaps there’s a better word for it.
I do realise that Genie+ is gone. With the new pre booking system people from outside the US or Canada are at a significant disadvantage as they can’t book until they are on US soil - I wonder how many spots will be left to book on the day of? Three rides a day would be fantastic (and usually all we ever do) but with the dregs of the booked spots left they would probably be spread though the day so wouldn’t work for us unfortunately

 

[lanejudy]

People with genuine needs are being denied and others with similar needs are being granted - this is what I mean by lottery - perhaps there’s a better word for it.

People with similar diagnoses may get denied because their needs are different.

I believe many on the UK forum have found a work-around for advanced booking of LLMP. Or some already planned more than just Disney and thus are doing the Disney part at the end of their trip. Or plan lighter go-with-the-flow park days at the beginning of their visit and buy LLMP/LLSP for the days later in their visit, especially if it’s a 2 or 3 week visit.

 

[dbriggsq]

People with similar diagnoses may get denied because their needs are different.

I believe many on the UK forum have found a work-around for advanced booking of LLMP. Or some already planned more than just Disney and thus are doing the Disney part at the end of their trip. Or plan lighter go-with-the-flow park days at the beginning of their visit and buy LLMP/LLSP for the days later in their visit, especially if it’s a 2 or 3 week visit.

I specifically said people with similar needs are are not getting consistent outcomes.

I believe the work around suggested is using a GPS spoof app which is illegal.

I think people visiting from overseas won’t be too happy spending thousands on a Disney vacation (which might be a once in a lifetime trip) not knowing prior to arrival if their needs can be accommodated or indeed if they can pay to go on any rides in the first week.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I specifically said people with similar needs are are not getting consistent outcomes.

I believe the work around suggested is using a GPS spoof app which is illegal.

I think people visiting from overseas won’t be too happy spending thousands on a Disney vacation (which might be a once in a lifetime trip) not knowing prior to arrival if their needs can be accommodated or indeed if they can pay to go on any rides in the first week.

What evidence do you have that people with similar needs are not getting consistent outcomes? It’s not enough to say “I need to not wait in line.” Also if person A did a better job of articulating their needs than person B, it would not be surprising that A got a better outcome than B. The Disney CMs are not mind readers can only do so much what what is presented to them. There may always be a little bit of variation of experience, but I would be really surprised if, after normalizing for guest inputs, the outcomes were dramatically different.

It has long been discussed why rules are different from people coming from overseas (eg. relating to privacy policies and legal differences in various jurisdictions.) Those coming from overseas have options. They may not be their preferred options, but they can:
a) use a VPN (or whatever technology exists)
b) plan to come for 2 weeks - on a vastly discounted ticket vs. what is available to domestic buyers - and have a slower touring plan if needed for week 1 if LLs are not available
c) come to the US for 2 weeks and do something else for the first week, only spending a week at Disney
d) roll the dice and see what happens with DAS/LLs/etc
e) take their vacation dollars elsewhere.

 

[SueM in MN]

FWIW - I think I've only seen one person say they needed to use FT - so you could do text or a normal call, I mean being realistic most people don't have FT at all because it's an ipod app. That said, I would always encourage back up batteries these days because inability to answer a call/text will be limiting.

Just a clarification for Apple devices. I don't know about similar features on other devices.

Facetime is part of the iPad and iPhone operating system. iPods also use the basic iPhone operating system. Facetime works over WiFi or cellular, but requires a good connection (iPod can only use WiFi). If using cellular, it does use a fair amount of data.

 

[jennab]

I specifically said people with similar needs are are not getting consistent outcomes.

I believe the work around suggested is using a GPS spoof app which is illegal.

I think people visiting from overseas won’t be too happy spending thousands on a Disney vacation (which might be a once in a lifetime trip) not knowing prior to arrival if their needs can be accommodated or indeed if they can pay to go on any rides in the first week.

How do you know how others explained their needs on a call? People may have told you they have similar needs, but you have no idea the conversation that was had.

I have heard Disney is doing drops the night before for some LLs. This may be to help those who can not book in advance. I do think a lot of people from UK visit for 2wks, so I suppose they have more time to visit attractions and can possibly plan for LLMP a few days into their trip.

 

[DiznyDiva]

I specifically said people with similar needs are are not getting consistent outcomes.

Similar issues still not the same. NO two ASD, ADHD, Autistic or even anxiety needs, even if they look similar on the surface, are the same.... EVER. There are two many factors from genes, comorbidity, to the age and mental and physically maturity of the person.

Just saying a diagnose is not enough. Saying similar symptoms isn't enough. Anyone can look up symptoms of any disease online, read reddit, or go to tik Tok.

So many people are out there now saying they all deregulate in line and pass out in line and have panic attacks in line ( and I am sooo sorry this is happening to them) but aren't they having these symptoms in a crowded park where some days you can barely walk as well, where crowds are on top of you with noise and smells? Sitting in cool space doesn't take away the crowds, smells, waiting are other issues. It's what EXACT symptoms to that EXACT person IN the lines that is the factor in denial or approved. If it happening also outside of he line then having DAS is not going to help much as they still have to navigate those same symptoms elsewhere in park without and do so willing.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

How do you know how others explained their needs on a call? People may have told you they have similar needs, but you have no idea the conversation that was had.

I think this is one of the most important parts. Empathetically speaking posters have gone over how nervous they have been, how they felt like they were not able to explain themselves. I really feel for that. But when you're talking to people about your experience or trying to make a point about needs across various individuals that component, how you explained your needs, is probably not easily able to discern how it all went down. And in addition people with the same or similar needs does not mean it affects everyone the same either and that is part of the qualification process to.

People have to realize the variability here when talking about someone being denied and another person granted, especially when we're talking on an internet forum trying to piece together stories from other sources, second hand stories of someone someone knew and more.

 

[jennab]

I think this is one of the most important parts. Empathetically speaking posters have gone over how nervous they have been, how they felt like they were not able to explain themselves. I really feel for that. But when you're talking to people about your experience or trying to make a point about needs across various individuals that component, how you explained your needs, is probably not easily able to discern how it all went down. And in addition people with the same or similar needs does not mean it affects everyone the same either and that is part of the qualification process to.

People have to realize the variability here when talking about someone being denied and another person granted, especially when we're talking on an internet forum trying to piece together stories from other sources, second hand stories of someone someone knew and more.

I also think some people are used to just saying “I have autism” and being approved. Now if they go in to a call with just that statement, they probably won’t be approved. It’s not about the diagnosis or even needs. I don’t want to go into much detail on what people need to say, but just don’t go in claiming a diagnosis.