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

[Ms Bibbidi]

Many thousands. The truth is that most people don’t tolerate heat and humidity all that well. I’m not surprised at all that Disney doesn’t think that heat sensitivity in and of itself would rise to the level that would justify a DAS 2.0 accommodation.

Yes. Central Florida heat is brutal in the summer. I have adjusted to it by thinking of it as the months of deep winter in the northern tier. July is my new January. Feels like 109 degrees is just as intolerable as 40 below — not a time for me to linger outdoors.

Given a choice, most able bodied people don’t linger outdoors in extreme weather either. The lower summer attendance numbers support that even though school is out.

There is, however an Alabama case that said a worker who could not tolerate heat was not qualified for an outdoor job, certain accommodations had been made and that was fine, but it did not rise to an ADA claim. So, there is that.

 

[DiznyDiva]

I know but people here are saying people with heat issues or issues that prevent them from attempting standby should stay home and not have accommodations. That would be illegal on Disney’s part. It is not right to tell people they should just sit at home or go somewhere else when they can safely access Disney with legally required accommodations. Also, the same could be said of ANY disability- accommodating one person with autism, or anxiety, or Down Syndrome, or IBS, or whatever, is is different than accommodating hundreds plus their three companions so not sure what that has to do with anything. ALL disabilities are required to be reasonably accommodated. I don’t know why people keep saying this type or that type should not be accommodated. That’s not an option for Disney and telling people their disability shouldn’t be accommodated isn’t appropriate.

Guests still have a responsibility to protect themselves and help mitigate their disabilities. Expecting DAS and Disney to take responsibility for their disability is not reasonable. Such as not going in the warmest time of their year.

If Guest can't tolerate heat in a Q, then they can't tolerate it anywhere in a crowded park with parades and crowds. Saying they will just wait for their ride in air condition doesn't explain eating for food, parades or even walking from attraction to attraction. Disney is only caring about why you can't stand in a Q,

A want for a certain accommodation does not translate into a need. Disney has accommodations for heat. Just because you don't like it doesn't make Disney the bad guy here.

 

[Keladry84]

Have you looked into loops earplugs? They help me bring jarring/too loud noises to a more reasonable level. Since discovering them I don’t leave my house without /at least/ having those in. I have additional noise reduction options but those are my bare minimum starting point. They’ve made a huge difference for me being able to tolerate sounds a bit better/longer. I know some people can’t tolerate anything in their ears but it might be something worth looking into if you can! They even sell them on Amazon now.

I use hearos 33 db ear plugs. They’ve worked the best for me of ones I’ve tried, and I keep multiple pairs on me at all times so I always have them available when needed. Also in places like a movie theatre I double up with both the earplugs and high quality noise cancelling headphones which just about bring the volume down to tolerable (exception of many action films which I just avoid) I don’t use both together when out and about though as for safety I also need to be aware of what is going on around me. A lot of the auditory difficulty though is also the vibration which there’s no way to block.

 

[nalababybear]

Does AQR (Attraction Queue Reentry) meet your definition of "reasonably accommodated"?

For many, yes.

 

[DiznyDiva]

My daughter uses her AirPods and then muffs over that . Might seem extreme, but it allows her to sit through fireworks and not hear a thing. We all learned sign language so in noisy places she doesn't have to be disrupted just to communicate. When we walk she knows to grab onto a special loop on hubby's backpack and not let go until through crowds

 

[Keladry84]

My daughter uses her AirPods and then muffs over that . Might seem extreme, but it allows her to sit through fireworks and not hear a thing. We all learned sign language so in noisy places she doesn't have to be disrupted just to communicate. When we walk she knows to grab onto a special loop on hubby's backpack and not let go until through crowds

Not extreme in the least! It’s also great that you have a system worked out for her to communicate and to navigate safely with the combo on!

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

My daughter uses her AirPods and then muffs over that . Might seem extreme, but it allows her to sit through fireworks and not hear a thing. We all learned sign language so in noisy places she doesn't have to be disrupted just to communicate. When we walk she knows to grab onto a special loop on hubby's backpack and not let go until through crowds

I love this. I’m autistic and I’ve also learned ASL and had my husband learn some common signs so I can communicate with him in crowds, etc where I have on my noise reduction. It also helps me if I’m overwhelmed and cannot communicate verbally. I do like the Loops Quiet more than the others as the material is more silicone and doesn’t hurt my ears as bad. I also use the noise reduction muffs when needed.

 

[nalababybear]

Loop quiet, bose noise canceling and hoodie are standards for our guy.

The noise through bone conduction still.occurs so that's where the hoodie helps nicely, especially in the parks.

 

[Jdavidm]

My daughter uses her AirPods and then muffs over that . Might seem extreme, but it allows her to sit through fireworks and not hear a thing. We all learned sign language so in noisy places she doesn't have to be disrupted just to communicate. When we walk she knows to grab onto a special loop on hubby's backpack and not let go until through crowds

I love that you all learned sign language. My partner and I have recently been discussing learning for the same reason. Our library actually offers a free digital program to learn which is awesome!

I’ve doubled up with plugs/airpods and muffs as well so trust me when I say it doesn’t seem extreme to me. We do what we need to in order to make things work! I actually do the same with my partner’s bag when in crowds. Having something to hold on to and knowing I can trust him to guide me is the only way I can manage at all.

Love everything your family has done to accommodate your daughter and make her feel safe

 

[Jdavidm]

I love this. I’m autistic and I’ve also learned ASL and had my husband learn some common signs so I can communicate with him in crowds, etc where I have on my noise reduction. It also helps me if I’m overwhelmed and cannot communicate verbally. I do like the Loops Quiet more than the others as the material is more silicone and doesn’t hurt my ears as bad. I also use the noise reduction muffs when needed.

The quiets are so much more comfy for long term use! I actually just got a pair of Quiet 2’s (also for the fact that they’re waterproof).

I regularly wear the switches so I can adjust the level down if I struggle to hear someone but they’re not the most comfortable and typically leave my ears sore after 5+ hours of wear. I switch to muffs or quiets to give myself breaks from them during longer days. I just like the switches for the ability to adjust the level, especially at theme parks.

 

[DiznyDiva]

Love everything your family has done to accommodate your daughter and make her feel safe

Thank you. She is so strong willed and determined, that trying to only protect her would never have worked. It really helped to let her pick what we do next when it goes sideways because of too long of lines, ride break downs or just being overwhelmed, It works to calm her is to force her to decide the next path. That also may sound harsh, but I was amazed how quickly she can center herself if she can focus on a plan.

She slo finds chewing and blowing bubbles helps forget about the sounds around her. The place but he ammterhorn that you can sit and watch the ducks one of our favorite quiet places.

The muffs work because sometimes the AirPods hurt after awhile and a few times have lead to ear infections.

I am so happy to hear you and your partner can also make you feel safe at Disney.

 

[chrisney]

Does AQR (Attraction Queue Reentry) meet your definition of "reasonably accommodated"?

For some, but not for all. AQR would not work for me because in addition to having Crohns Disease, I also have COPD, require a scooter (my own, not rented just for the parks) in order to walk more than about 15 feet, and am on oxygen 24/7. If I had the urgent need to use a restroom while in line, there would be no way for me to exit the line in a safe manner to avoid injuring other people or avoid the consequences of not getting to a bathroom quickly enough. With DAS, I can go to the restroom immediately before entering the line, lessening the chances of this scenario, though not lessening the amount of time spent waiting.
There is not one cut and dried answer to this problem. I recognize that there were people who took advantage of the previous versions, but frankly this version is also susceptible to abuse. Will they eventually attempt to determine WHERE on the spectrum a person must be to merit accommodations? Is ADHD worthy--how severe must the case be? How intellectually challenged must someone be? I REALLY hate to say this, but after an entire career teaching special needs, I could probably pull off a good impersonation of ADHD or being on the spectrum. (not that I would!)
The reality is that while some people took advantage, the vast majority did not and they are being "punished" for the actions of others. Without appropriate accommodations, I will be unable to partake of the reason we relocated to Orlando because I cannot cope with the consequences of being unable to reach a bathroom for an extended period of time. I can't do much. Disney makes me happy (or used to). Prior to my becoming disabled, I visited 40+ times...sad to have moved here and not be able to enjoy it.

 

[jennab]

For some, but not for all. AQR would not work for me because in addition to having Crohns Disease, I also have COPD, require a scooter (my own, not rented just for the parks) in order to walk more than about 15 feet, and am on oxygen 24/7. If I had the urgent need to use a restroom while in line, there would be no way for me to exit the line in a safe manner to avoid injuring other people or avoid the consequences of not getting to a bathroom quickly enough. With DAS, I can go to the restroom immediately before entering the line, lessening the chances of this scenario, though not lessening the amount of time spent waiting.
There is not one cut and dried answer to this problem. I recognize that there were people who took advantage of the previous versions, but frankly this version is also susceptible to abuse. Will they eventually attempt to determine WHERE on the spectrum a person must be to merit accommodations? Is ADHD worthy--how severe must the case be? How intellectually challenged must someone be? I REALLY hate to say this, but after an entire career teaching special needs, I could probably pull off a good impersonation of ADHD or being on the spectrum. (not that I would!)
The reality is that while some people took advantage, the vast majority did not and they are being "punished" for the actions of others. Without appropriate accommodations, I will be unable to partake of the reason we relocated to Orlando because I cannot cope with the consequences of being unable to reach a bathroom for an extended period of time. I can't do much. Disney makes me happy (or used to). Prior to my becoming disabled, I visited 40+ times...sad to have moved here and not be able to enjoy it.

Can you wait outside of the line and join your party at the LL merge point (party waits in standby but you do not then you go through LL to meet up)? This might be a good option for you if the LLs worked before.

I honestly don’t think the reason Disney changed DAS was because so many fakers. I think there were a big group of people with legitimate medical conditions that it just became too problematic for everyone. LLs too long for people on DAS and people who were purchasing and standby too long. No one was happy. The amount of people with medical conditions or disabilities will continue to rise as well. So instead, Disney chose to change who qualifies for DAS to a smaller group of people and offering different accommodations to the other groups.

 

[lanejudy]

The reality is that while some people took advantage, the vast majority did not

I think you are absolutely correct that the vast majority of those using DAS were legitimate users -- meaning they had a diagnosis and some degree of an issue with long waits. However it was simply too many DAS users plus many had 6+ in their parties, which was clogging up the LLs. Disney feels many of those prior DAS can be accommodated in a different manner, something other than DAS. Nobody is being "punished" it's simply expanding the accommodations available for most and limiting DAS to very few which had been the original intent of DAS 13 years ago.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

removed

 

[lanejudy]

There is also a non-trivial population of people who may have a concern but could have done the parks without DAS, but asked for DAS anyway because it made their park experience easier/more pleasant. So were they fakers? No. Abusers? Eh. Part of the problem? Absolutely.

Please stop. While I know there were people who said "oh Johnny has ADHD, we'll get DAS and make the vacation easier." I really don't think those individuals are HERE on the disABILITIES Forum. At least I hope not. Pointing fingers at certain groups of individuals/disabilities/needs and saying "you were part of the problem" is not at all helpful. The vast majority of us who used DAS for any reason should not be made to feel they were the problem. If anything, everyone who used DAS was "part of the problem" but it was the accommodation available at the time. Often DAS was recommended, DAS was requested (with or without much questioning) and DAS was utilized as allowed. The alternative accommodations were largely not available and definitely not advertised, so DAS was pretty much the only accommodation. I fully understand the difference in needs and that some (many) can be accommodated without DAS. But it's really negative to post that legitimate users were maybe part of "abuse." I thought we had curbed that type of discussion months ago.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Please stop. While I know there were people who said "oh Johnny has ADHD, we'll get DAS and make the vacation easier." I really don't think those individuals are HERE on the disABILITIES Forum. At least I hope not. Pointing fingers at certain groups of individuals/disabilities/needs and saying "you were part of the problem" is not at all helpful. The vast majority of us who used DAS for any reason should not be made to feel they were the problem. If anything, everyone who used DAS was "part of the problem" but it was the accommodation available at the time. Often DAS was recommended, DAS was requested (with or without much questioning) and DAS was utilized as allowed. The alternative accommodations were largely not available and definitely not advertised, so DAS was pretty much the only accommodation. I fully understand the difference in needs and that some (many) can be accommodated without DAS. But it's really negative to post that legitimate users were maybe part of "abuse." I thought we had curbed that type of discussion months ago.

I removed the comment, but I stand by the sentiment. Those people may not be HERE but it doesn’t mean that they don’t EXIST. And the size of that group doesn’t have to be all that large to be problematic with park operations given that they would likely be able to ride more rides than the average DAS participant.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

So... To move on to a lighter topic in terms of accessibility, several posters have mentioned utilizing sign language. I was wondering for those who know it if there are any simple/basic signs that would be more beneficial for non-fluent sign language users to know, maybe in terms of things that might indicate "help" or "I'm okay" or anything that you feel might be used more often that would be helpful for others to know. I know the alphabet, yes, no, and thank you, but don't really know what specific signs might be helpful to learn. I'd love to become more versed eventually, but if there are any signs that would be more important to start with, I'd love to know.

 

[Ollivier]

I understand this, but why wouldn’t asome of the other accommodations work? What does this person do out in their regular world, at work, at school, everywhere else on Disney property that is going to have a lot of stimuli? Could the person buy LLMP to assist?

I understand that questions about functioning in other settings often come up during a DAS interview, likely to ensure that the needs at Disney align with difficulties experienced elsewhere. However, it's crucial to recognize that Disney's parks are a uniquely intense environment, with constant crowds, noise, and visual stimulation. Even if someone manages well in other situations—like work, school, or other areas of Disney—they may still need accommodations to navigate the parks comfortably. DAS is specifically designed to help those who find this environment overwhelming, allowing them to enjoy the experience without being overloaded. While options like LLMP can assist with wait times, they aren't a substitute for DAS, which addresses the broader challenges specific to Disney’s high-stimulus setting.

 

[mistysue]

So... To move on to a lighter topic in terms of accessibility, several posters have mentioned utilizing sign language. I was wondering for those who know it if there are any simple/basic signs that would be more beneficial for non-fluent sign language users to know, maybe in terms of things that might indicate "help" or "I'm okay" or anything that you feel might be used more often that would be helpful for others to know. I know the alphabet, yes, no, and thank you, but don't really know what specific signs might be helpful to learn. I'd love to become more versed eventually, but if there are any signs that would be more important to start with, I'd love to know.

I have tried and failed repeatedly to get my family to sign (one child is single sided deaf and even he can't be bothered) but what comes up A LOT would be signs for things like:
bathroom, food/hungry, drink/thirsty, tired, sick, loud, numbers, and the simple ones you mentioned. We've found ourselves just short of screaming these words at each other over distances in the park.

Oh- and "I love you" which we use for moments when we just want to reach out to eachother but don't really have much to say.