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

[DiznyDiva]

While the changes to DAS can be hard to process, I’m hopeful that these changes will mean less times of me having to walk away from a ride because the LL is clearly too long for me to even attempt.

This one I too hope for too

We have had to do this many times as well. Hence all the plans. LOl

I hope you have the best time on your next trip! I still believe even with all the changes, that these trips are what we make of them. DAS or not, positive attitudes can do wonder. Well that and ice cream...

 

[Jdavidm]

YES! exactly. We do the same. We go for about a week every couple of months. We don't go to rope drop, to crazy. Getting there at 9 is perfectly doable. We stay out of Fantasyland as much as possible except for Peterpan, teacups and MR Toad, and usually do those right after fireworks, before it fills up again.We eat early lunch and late dinner. We take lots of quiet timeouts and utilize Tom Sawyer, animation academy and Redwood for downtime. We have stacks location times and DAS (Mostly Jungle cruise because my kiddo loves that one at night-they are bit more relaxed and less scripted) We skip parades and only watch fireworks form Galaxies Edge.

Everything planned on laminated sheets that kiddo chooses from daily. They are separated into three plans that offer different solutions if something happens. It's how we teach her to problem solve and take control of her disability limitations.

Fantasyland at DLR is my worst nightmare which is hilarious considering it’s meant to be such a fun place

We’re both definitely people who have learned what/when to avoid throughout the parks.

The one thing I will occasionally attempt to see despite crowds are the parades because I LOVE them so much but it involves us scoping out a spot that prevents someone unknown being right next to me (by a trash can for example) and even when we get a spot like that, I don’t always manage to make it to see the parade. Even the most perfect plan doesn’t always work out. You can’t predict how your disability will impact you and you can’t control the people around you but like you stated, you can try your best to plan solutions for if something does happen. We’ll have a backup plan of what we’ll do instead if the parade doesn’t work out (usually a calm activity like grabbing a favorite snack and sitting in one of our break spots).

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

And there are several issues there and it was possible to get around zig zagging queues or at least minimize them with a DAS, which means it is ONLY a policy change that prevents that and as such that is what makes it potentially an ADA violation to take that accommodation away.

No it’s not. There are other accommodations that would ease that burden like a wheel chair, ECV, canes used to assist the blind with navigation, rollator.

 

[Jdavidm]

This one I too hope for too

We have had to do this many times as well. Hence all the plans. LOl

I hope you have the best time on your next trip! I still believe even with all the changes, that these trips are what we make of them. DAS or not, positive attitudes can do wonder. Well that and ice cream...

Thank You! Same goes for you and your family.

We’re currently waiting for them to release Magic Keys again. We haven’t been in almost 2 years now because we decided to take a break and visit other parks in the area. I’m sure there will be lots of changes since we’ve been, even excluding DAS from the situation.

I’m looking forward to going back someday soon

 

[DiznyDiva]

. Even the most perfect plan doesn’t always work out. You can’t predict how your disability will impact you and you can’t control the people around you but like you stated, you can try your best to plan solutions for if something does happen. We’ll have a backup plan of what we’ll do instead if the parade doesn’t work out (usually a calm activity like grabbing a favorite snack and sitting in one of our break spots).

Plan E F and G.. LOL

Again, I understand perfectly, Kiddo is not a big parade person but loves when the fake snow falls. So trying to do that means finding a place near It's small world that has mutable clear escape routes... not easy.

Have you done the academy?We are able to request to sit up top and away from others and let her draw. We have done this for two hours straight! LOl I will say that's also where the Magic Key terrace comes in to play.. order a few drinks, some appetizers and just chill. Hubby will take Kiddo on her rides and I can not worry or move for five minutes. LOL.

 

[Keladry84]

It’s very difficult to argue that one cannot even ENTER a standby line. I’m not saying wait 2 hours. But those arguing for DAS still had to wait 20ish minutes in that line. So it’s hard to think of examples of lines where anxiety/PTSD would be a barrier for one but not the other for an equivalent amount of time.

Standby and LL are not all equal in design, so yes it is possible that someone might not be able to even enter a standby line but be fine 20 minutes in the LL. It comes down to what the trigger for a condition is, and how well or quickly someone can handle or recover from it if triggered. If the standby environment is unknown and the recovery from an incidence hours long, I can understand why someone would not want to take the risk of even entering.

I wish Disney would provide comprehensive walk through videos of ride queues because then people triggered by line elements could better make the call before entering, and or better assess a need to apply for DAS or not.

 

[jennab]

Standby and LL are not all equal in design, so yes it is possible that someone might not be able to even enter a standby line but be fine 20 minutes in the LL. It comes down to what the trigger for a condition is, and how well or quickly someone can handle or recover from it if triggered. If the standby environment is unknown and the recovery from an incidence hours long, I can understand why someone would not want to take the risk of even entering.

I wish Disney would provide comprehensive walk through videos of ride queues because then people triggered by line elements could better make the call before entering, and or better assess a need to apply for DAS or not.

How is the LL line known but standby is unknown and the problem? I assume because in this scenario the person has been before? Otherwise, that wouldn’t make any sense as they could have the problem in any line. Honestly they could have this problem anywhere at Disney or elsewhere. They do have the option to purchase LLMP if that is the issue. Or another option is someone else wait in the standby line while they wait elsewhere, then go through the LL to meet up with their party at the merge point.

 

[Keladry84]

How is the LL line known but standby is unknown and the problem? I assume because in this scenario the person has been before? Otherwise, that wouldn’t make any sense as they could have the problem in any line. Honestly they could have this problem anywhere at Disney or elsewhere. They do have the option to purchase LLMP if that is the issue. Or another option is someone else wait in the standby line while they wait elsewhere, then go through the LL to meet up with their party at the merge point.

For the record, I’m not arguing that someone would never be able to enter a standby or could always enter the LL. I’m also not arguing for or against any specific one accommodation…..I think you implied an argument or reason that wasn’t there or even intended in my post. I was simply replying to one posters question about how someone could struggle to even enter a specific standby but do ok 20 minutes in the LL.

In answer to your question, no the LL is not known, but a lot of LLs are absent (or have significantly less) the triggers that are in standby due to design differences, so the probability of it happening are less. There’s still LLs that I’ve entered and immediately had to exit. There’s also standbys I’ve been in that had zero problems for me, even in an extended wait.

I don’t think I can give more detail or specific examples without starting to lay out a possible script for why someone might qualify for DAS.

 

[jennab]

For the record, I’m not arguing that someone would never be able to enter a standby or could always enter the LL. I’m also not arguing for or against any specific one accommodation…..I think you implied an argument or reason that wasn’t there or even intended in my post. I was simply replying to one posters question about how someone could struggle to even enter a specific standby but do ok 20 minutes in the LL.

In answer to your question, no the LL is not known, but a lot of LLs are absent (or have significantly less) the triggers that are in standby due to design differences, so the probability of it happening are less. There’s still LLs that I’ve entered and immediately had to exit. There’s also standbys I’ve been in that had zero problems for me, even in an extended wait.

I don’t think I can give more detail or specific examples without starting to lay out a possible script for why someone might qualify for DAS.

Ah ok. I thought this was an actual person you were saying cannot do any standby lines. I see it’s more of a possible scenario. In that case, because it could be either the standby or the LL or anything else, I’m not sure DAS would even help. Maybe if the person knew a specific standby queue was the problem, they could bring it up with that ride CM or use one of the other accommodations.

 

[DiznyDiva]

Standby and LL are not all equal in design, so yes it is possible that someone might not be able to even enter a standby line but be fine 20 minutes in the LL. It comes down to what the trigger for a condition is, and how well or quickly someone can handle or recover from it if triggered. If the standby environment is unknown and the recovery from an incidence hours long, I can understand why someone would not want to take the risk of even entering.

Maybe if it was your first time, but anything after is not an unknown. That is where planning and understanding your own limitations comes in,

Guests can do the RTQ or do the part where you sit out and someone waits for you. Any LL has at least 15-20 q until the ride even after coming back from waiting. If guest can wait there, they can do use otters accommodations. Many choose not too.

Honestly they could have this problem anywhere at Disney or elsewhere. They do have the option to purchase LLMP if that is the issue. Or another option is someone else wait in the standby line while they wait elsewhere, then go through the LL to meet up with their party at the merge point.

THIS.

These issues don't magically go away once out a line fora ride. They are there through out the park, so If the can not handle the unknown of a Q, how do they handle the hundreds of unknown variables in the park daily?

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

I am not sure how to ask this question. Apparently, other than being a longer wait, the standby line has triggers but the LL does not? What triggers? Does the ride itself also have triggers? How does one deal with that?

 

[DiznyDiva]

Ah ok. I thought this was an actual person you were saying cannot do any standby lines. I see it’s more of a possible scenario. In that case, because it could be either the standby or the LL or anything else, I’m not sure DAS would even help. Maybe if the person knew a specific standby queue was the problem, they could bring it up with that ride CM or use one of the other accommodations.

My kiddo researches every ride back and forth, watches all the videos, and pours over every food guide making her maps and plans so there are no surprises.

LL/DAS and Q's are different in visual ways, but when dealing with crowds, lights, noises and smells, and other stimuli they are comparable. The only thing really different is the time spent IN.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

But then doesn’t the ride itself also have a lot of triggers?

 

[DiznyDiva]

But then doesn’t the ride itself also have a lot of triggers?

Always what I want to know!

Overwhelming sensory issues..is one reason we can not do Indy. She tried one time and never again. I don't see how those with crippling pain can do any of the boat rides because when they back up and hit each other that hurts!! All the noises, smells, sensory and pain is one rides AND the10-20 minute DAS lines, not to mention some of the long walks off the rides...

 

[Ollivier]

I’m wondering how they could even do LL then since it’s also a queue…. Or any like at a store, airport, hotel, get into park, bus, etc. Personally I’m not sure how someone could even go to a place like Disney world if they can’t wait in line AT ALL.

Visualize the amount of sensory load a person can handle as a bucket with a hole in the bottom. The size of the hole represents the amount of stress that person can release per minute, while the size of the bucket represents the amount of sensory load that person can manage.

For some people, waiting in line at a theme park creates a significant sensory load. Many of them have a smaller bucket and a small hole for releasing stress.

Thus, even if they can handle a short wait after a longer virtual wait (while eating a Dole Whip in a calmer area, for example), it doesn't mean they could handle going first in the standby line until their bucket reaches an alarm level. If they then need to talk to a CM to leave the line, it would add more to their bucket.

I hope this visual explanation helps you understand why some of us need a DAS system.

 

[StarCruzer]

But then doesn’t the ride itself also have a lot of triggers?

Depends on the day. Some days I can get through a ride and be fine, others I can't. Even the last time I had DAS I had to bail on Haunted Mansion in the Stretching Room and ToT in the room with the opening video. I was excited for GotG the first time I went on it and oops--it was WAY too much for me and I haven't ridden it since (and I watched videos beforehand to prepare myself).

As for the queues being overstimulating, keep in mind that most LL (in WDW anyway) bypass a big chunk of the interactive elements. I actually struggle with indoor queues far more than outdoors because of erratic elements. Rides themselves are generally less erratic, following a fixed path with predictable movement. Even then I've had a few times when my spoons were way too low and we had to leave the parks immediately after getting off a ride because it was too much.

It's the spoon theory that has been brought up before. Folks who are neurodivergent or suffer from chronic issues have their energy siphoned off faster as they need to do a lot more self-regulation to get through the day.

I consider myself lucky that we have the option of visiting the parks so frequently, we're a small party (just me and DH usually), and we get military discounted tickets. That provides us with the flexibility to bail and not feel guilty about money wasted--plus no disappointed children to worry about either.

I have no idea if I'll qualify this time around. We'll just spend our time doing other things in the park, or spend more time at the resort. That's a solution that works for us, but I'm sure it's difficult for others who don't have access to reasonably priced tickets, or don't have room in their budget for LLMP.

 

[Ollivier]

But then doesn’t the ride itself also have a lot of triggers?

The rides that you want to experience is a choice you have. You choose what you can do on that moment.
But there are a lot of triggers, for us e.g. are the drummers in Japan at epcot a big trigger.

 

[Angel Ariel]

But then doesn’t the ride itself also have a lot of triggers?

Triggers go both ways - sensory seeking and sensory avoidance, and a person can have various triggers for both. It can't really be explained further without the whole road map thing.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

Thank you, Oliver Angel and StarCruzer. Good info. We all seem to house different challenges and do it differently. I have never been on Guardians, Tower of Terror, Aerospace, Tiana, Tron, Rise. Etc. you get the picture — the thrill rides. Even Space Mountain and Soaring were last ridden a couple decades ago. Too much stress for one of my family. That is ok.
Sun and heat complicate my diabetes and can with little notice send me into hypoglycemia. My hands don’t work very well anymore. Pain. I cannot use pain meds, due to chronic kidney disease, so managing that is a challenge. I live with constant, raw pain. It never goes away but some days are better than others and I have to be grateful for that. Slow walking helps a lot. So, I go to Disney. I cannot do the whole distance so I have a cart to rescue me or we only go for a very short time. But some exercise and walking is my best management tool. I love walking in the gardens at Disney.
I love the parades, but I have lost some height with aging and now I might reach five feet, I go early, pick a spot and stand on the curb. Then 100% of the time somebody comes up and puts their kid in front of me. Often, the kid is as tall or taller than me. Then the kid jumps around (and I am small, frail and unsteady) and the parent steps in front of me to manage the kid. They just stay there. Clever them for nabbing the spot at the last minute on the curb with a good view that I waited two hours for. Often, people crossing the street with a group will walk straight towards me — because I am short and the least dense area of the wall of people. They push by me and I lose my place on the curb. “Excuse me” is what I hear before losing my spot. Once I declined to move and asked them to use the crosswalk and was physically shoved aside so their big group could pass. I was injured. I am little, senior and frail. I am non-confrontational. My defense now is to just quietly leave. I almost never get to see a parade or an attraction where there is a standing crowd.
The idea of angry people pushing past me in reverse in a standby line is rather frightening. I could get seriously hurt, break a hip and possibly never recover like my mother. We each have different challenges. I still love Disney World though. I have since I first saw the original release of Cinderella. I was an original fan of The Mickey Mouse Club and Annette was still a young teen. So I am still going and I hope you have enough spoons.

 

[Keladry84]

Visualize the amount of sensory load a person can handle as a bucket with a hole in the bottom. The size of the hole represents the amount of stress that person can release per minute, while the size of the bucket represents the amount of sensory load that person can manage.

For some people, waiting in line at a theme park creates a significant sensory load. Many of them have a smaller bucket and a small hole for releasing stress.

Thus, even if they can handle a short wait after a longer virtual wait (while eating a Dole Whip in a calmer area, for example), it doesn't mean they could handle going first in the standby line until their bucket reaches an alarm level. If they then need to talk to a CM to leave the line, it would add more to their bucket.

I hope this visual explanation helps you understand why some of us need a DAS system.

This is extremely well explained. Thank you. I couldn’t think of a way to articulate an answer to some of the questions popping up without going into detailed specifics of experiences.