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

[jennab]

It's especially difficult not knowing if you can still receive DAS until 30 days prior to your visit. Some things cannot be cancelled at that point.

This has been the case for a years now and prior to that it was in person when you got to Disney. My advice is to plan as though you will not be approved for DAS. Then maybe it will be less stressful not having to say your whole trip rides on approval? That may mean buying LLMP or SP, going a certain time of year, rope drop smaller rides with no wait, going during park close for lower waits, shorter park days, etc. Then if you do happen to get approved for DAS, it will be an additional tool and you can adjust the rest of your plans from there. This is my plan anyway…

 

[TLSnell1981]

This has been the case for a years now and prior to that it was in person when you got to Disney. My advice is to plan as though you will not be approved for DAS. Then maybe it will be less stressful not having to say your whole trip rides on approval? That may mean buying LLMP or SP, going a certain time of year, rope drop smaller rides with no wait, going during park close for lower waits, shorter park days, etc. Then if you do happen to get approved for DAS, it will be an additional tool and you can adjust the rest of your plans from there. This is my plan anyway

I was approved in person and with video chat very quickly for fifteen years and likely will not qualify under the new guidelines. I will admit I'm not comfortable revealing some aspects to a CM...a complete stranger. Some things are very personal and only a very few are privy.

As I stated earlier we have annual passes, DVC, and have purchased, genie, LL, whatever, etc. It takes all the tools at this point to make it possible for us. We are a large multigenerational family of longtime experienced Disney geeks doing Disney Parks for decades. We normally visit 2-3 times annually. It's way too much money to take the gamble besides the disappointment (pain and suffering). We haven't yet shared this news with the kids but we cancelled our fall trip. DH agrees it's not doable for us under these conditions. We visited in the spring and were told all interviews would take place online as of May 20th. Originally my biggest concern was the reduction of family members included under DAS. The reality is a huge disappointment and we were blindsided.

I sincerely wish you the best. Hope your family has a magical experience..sending lots of pixie dust!

 

[lanejudy]

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.

Yes fakers exist, as do those who truly did not need DAS but only went for it because a friend said "your kid has ADHD so get DAS. It's easier." That's not the group I'm talking about.

There is a whole larger population of people at whom you were pointing a finger saying "Abusers? Eh. Part of the problem? Absolutely." People who need some form of accommodation and properly requested DAS, maybe even had it recommended to them by a CM, and used it as allowed. Those people never knowingly or intentionally contributed to a problem. And yes there are a LOT of them here. There is no value in pointing fingers at them.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I was approved in person and with video chat very quickly for fifteen years and likely will not qualify under the new guidelines.

Which is what me and other posters tried to tell you multiple times last week. Just because you were granted in the past did not and does not change what the risks and cancellations policies were. You cannot state "It's especially difficult not knowing if you can still receive DAS until 30 days prior to your visit. Some things cannot be cancelled at that point." as if this is a new development. For you personally it may be the first time you're really feeling the pressure but it is not something that wasn't part of the DAS approval system before. Prior to fall 2021 you had it worse in terms of cancellation policies because you were unable to find out if you were approved until you actually go there. It's more generous now in terms of advance notification than it was pre-pandemic/early pandemic.

I hope people reading this thread, especially late, doesn't get the incorrect impression of how the process was and is now.

I go back to my statement last week

I agree with another poster that likely a large part of this is coming from a continual expectation (warranted at times, unwarranted at times) of approval and now that is up in the air. And if someone has been using the services available from Disney over many years nothing has actually changed for them in terms of what they have at stake on their trip; before you would have been arriving at the parks to even do the process. That decision of whether to go on a trip or not hinging on approval would have held the same risk (actually more since you were already there) as before.

 

[jennab]

I was approved in person and with video chat very quickly for fifteen years and likely will not qualify under the new guidelines. I will admit I'm not comfortable revealing some aspects to a CM...a complete stranger. Some things are very personal and only a very few are privy.

As I stated earlier we have annual passes, DVC, and have purchased, genie, LL, whatever, etc. It takes all the tools at this point to make it possible for us. We are a large multigenerational family of longtime experienced Disney geeks doing Disney Parks for decades. We normally visit 2-3 times annually. It's way too much money to take the gamble besides the disappointment (pain and suffering). We haven't yet shared this news with the kids but we cancelled our fall trip. DH agrees it's not doable for us under these conditions. We visited in the spring and were told all interviews would take place online as of May 20th. Originally my biggest concern was the reduction of family members included under DAS. The reality is a huge disappointment and we were blindsided.

I sincerely wish you the best. Hope your family has a magical experience..sending lots of pixie dust!

I’m sorry, that sucks. Are you able to still use your DVC points and enjoy a resort stay?

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

Disney World has a lot that can be enjoyed without going on a single ride at all.

 

[DisneyOma]

Yes fakers exist, as do those who truly did not need DAS but only went for it because a friend said "your kid has ADHD so get DAS. It's easier." That's not the group I'm talking about.

There is a whole larger population of people at whom you were pointing a finger saying "Abusers? Eh. Part of the problem? Absolutely." People who need some form of accommodation and properly requested DAS, maybe even had it recommended to them by a CM, and used it as allowed. Those people never knowingly or intentionally contributed to a problem. And yes there are a LOT of them here. There is no value in pointing fingers at them.

So, you're basically talking about every single person who has been given DAS, yes? We would all be part of the problem, whether we met the requirements before and not now, or still meet the requirements. Do you mean the multitude of DAS holders was too much?

 

[lanejudy]

Do you mean the multitude of DAS holders was too much?

Yes, that's exactly the primary reason behind the current changes. Too many people were using DAS, and most were legitimate users (not fakers, not abuse). The DAS program needed to be limited with additional accommodations offered for most users.

 

[SueM in MN]

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.

My youngest daughter is nonspeaking. Sign language is one of the tools she uses, although because of her fine motor deficits, signing accurately has always been an issue.
The signs our whole family uses most are bathroom, eat, drink, finished, tired, help

Those few are really helpful, not just for her, but for any of our family if we are in sight of each other, but too far to hear

 

[Disneylover99]

I was approved in person and with video chat very quickly for fifteen years and likely will not qualify under the new guidelines. I will admit I'm not comfortable revealing some aspects to a CM...a complete stranger. Some things are very personal and only a very few are privy.

As I stated earlier we have annual passes, DVC, and have purchased, genie, LL, whatever, etc. It takes all the tools at this point to make it possible for us. We are a large multigenerational family of longtime experienced Disney geeks doing Disney Parks for decades. We normally visit 2-3 times annually. It's way too much money to take the gamble besides the disappointment (pain and suffering). We haven't yet shared this news with the kids but we cancelled our fall trip. DH agrees it's not doable for us under these conditions. We visited in the spring and were told all interviews would take place online as of May 20th. Originally my biggest concern was the reduction of family members included under DAS. The reality is a huge disappointment and we were blindsided.

I sincerely wish you the best. Hope your family has a magical experience..sending lots of pixie dust!

But you own DVC and just renewed your annual passes!
I just think it’s too bad you cancelled.

Skipping the rides completely and simply heading to the parks for shows, shopping, fireworks, etc can be super magical and lead to stress free vacations.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I’m sorry, that sucks. Are you able to still use your DVC points and enjoy a resort stay?

They were specifically purchased for our Disney vacations. We've added on as our family grew and have multiple contracts. No need to visit the resorts without being able to enjoy the parks. We intend on selling them...moving on.

Thank you for your kind words!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Yes fakers exist, as do those who truly did not need DAS but only went for it because a friend said "your kid has ADHD so get DAS. It's easier." That's not the group I'm talking about.

this is the population I am calling abusers.

 

[TLSnell1981]

this is the population I am calling abusers.

I was among the ones suggested by CMs to apply for DAS. It enabled me to enjoy the parks reasonably and with dignity. I've endured recent comments that there are accommodations being provided but I ''don't like them''. I can't express how humiliating and hurtful these are. I hesitated to come back to this board but I've never been a coward. Maybe trying to work through it...cathartic? I honestly don't know how I can reasonably make it work.

We are blessed and were frequent travelers. I ran the numbers for Disney vs Atlantis. Our older Grands prefer the later. Disney is DOUBLE the cost. Granted it's a much harder decision for the younger group. We've discussed dumping the Disney channels to lessen the disappointment. Mine expires in November and won't be renewed.

I know it's crazy but Disney has been a part of our lives for many years. I lived for Sunday evenings with Disney as a child. It was a dream come true to be able to visit the parks. Absolutely magical. Many eventually became weary of the Mouse but not mu family. We'd enter the parks and our steps were brisker and hearts lighter...no burnout. So yeah I'm taking this hard. My kiddos were raised on Disney and many happy moments were experienced in the parks way before we could afford to go. We lived in Orlando and would take our kids to what is now Disney Springs. It's all we could afford...the free experience. It was fun why it lasted.

 

[only hope]

I was among the ones suggested by CMs to apply for DAS. It enabled me to enjoy the parks reasonably and with dignity. I've endured recent comments that there are accommodations being provided but I ''don't like them''. I can't express how humiliating and hurtful these are. I hesitated to come back to this board but I've never been a coward. Maybe trying to work through it...cathartic? I honestly don't know how I can reasonably make it work.

We are blessed and were frequent travelers. I ran the numbers for Disney vs Atlantis. Our older Grands prefer the later. Disney is DOUBLE the cost. Granted it's a much harder decision for the younger group. We've discussed dumping the Disney channels to lessen the disappointment. Mine expires in November and won't be renewed.

I know it's crazy but Disney has been a part of our lives for many years. I lived for Sunday evenings with Disney as a child. It was a dream come true to be able to visit the parks. Absolutely magical. Many eventually became weary of the Mouse but not mu family. We'd enter the parks and our steps were brisker and hearts lighter...no burnout. So yeah I'm taking this hard. My kiddos were raised on Disney and many happy moments were experienced in the parks way before we could afford to go. We lived in Orlando and would take our kids to what is now Disney Springs. It's all we could afford...the free experience. It was fun why it lasted.

There’s just something special about Disney that brings a special joy year after year. I’m sorry you aren’t able to continue to enjoy the parks. I’ve given up conversing on this thread as well, people keep taking what I say out of context/ignoring my points and asking accusatory questions and saying things that are not friendly.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

I was among the ones suggested by CMs to apply for DAS. It enabled me to enjoy the parks reasonably and with dignity. I've endured recent comments that there are accommodations being provided but I ''don't like them''. I can't express how humiliating and hurtful these are. I hesitated to come back to this board but I've never been a coward. Maybe trying to work through it...cathartic? I honestly don't know how I can reasonably make it work.

We are blessed and were frequent travelers. I ran the numbers for Disney vs Atlantis. Our older Grands prefer the later. Disney is DOUBLE the cost. Granted it's a much harder decision for the younger group. We've discussed dumping the Disney channels to lessen the disappointment. Mine expires in November and won't be renewed.

I know it's crazy but Disney has been a part of our lives for many years. I lived for Sunday evenings with Disney as a child. It was a dream come true to be able to visit the parks. Absolutely magical. Many eventually became weary of the Mouse but not mu family. We'd enter the parks and our steps were brisker and hearts lighter...no burnout. So yeah I'm taking this hard. My kiddos were raised on Disney and many happy moments were experienced in the parks way before we could afford to go. We lived in Orlando and would take our kids to what is now Disney Springs. It's all we could afford...the free experience. It was fun why it lasted.

Then don’t do this, TL. Take a break. Don’t sell your DVC yet. Don’t do anything irreversible yet, take a year or two. You might still find ways to work this. DAS might still morph, accommodations might be developed that we do not have yet. Your intense grief over the changes in DAS might work its way to be less painful and you might find ways to do most of it again. One blessing about the privilege of getting old is you get long term perspective. My long term perspective tells me you are strong enough and resourceful enough to get through this without losing something you love.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

There’s just something special about Disney that brings a special joy year after year. I’m sorry you aren’t able to continue to enjoy the parks. I’ve given up conversing on this thread as well, people keep taking what I say out of context/ignoring my points and asking accusatory questions and saying things that are not friendly.

It is the topic that is so emotionally hard. When that happens your ears get tender and sometimes hear things harsher than the poster meant it to be. You are welcome here. But it is ok to disagree too. You can stand up and disagree yourself. It is okay. If you are dealing with disabilities and the changes in DAS and the alternate accommodations then you belong here. I never got a chance to have DAS, but I do have conditions the ADA recognizes as disabilities. So, here I am. Learning a lot and contributing my ideas when I can. Stay and post. Let us know when you have had enough. The people here are pretty nice.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

I wonder why Disney built Disney World in Central Florida knowing that lines were an inherent part of Disney parks and the weather for outdoor queues is so brutal here. I feel they should have designed indoor queue lines from the planning stage. They knew it from the beginning. Why didn’t they take care of it then?

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, that's exactly the primary reason behind the current changes. Too many people were using DAS, and most were legitimate users (not fakers, not abuse). The DAS program needed to be limited with additional accommodations offered for most users.

I totally agree.
There was some abuse and fakers, but the majority was just too many people using DAS, which was the same problem that caused the change from GAC (Guest Assistance Card) to DAS in 2013.
Even though most people thought the change from GAC was due to tour guide abuse, they were only part of the issue. That was the public 'face' of the issue due to news stories.
A bigger problem actually was that in the beginning, GAC (Guest Assistance Card) had stamps that corresponded with various accommodations. As time went on, word spread on the internet that the 'best' accommodation allowed immediate entry into the Fastpass line (or mostly exit at Disneyland). People were genuinely throwing tantrums in Guest Services to get that stamp.
So, it went from a few people with that stamp to so many people that it was not sustainable. People were also loaning their GAC to others and selling their GACs on eBay as 'never-ending Fastpasses' - one of the reasons was that GAC was looked at as a GUEST Assistance Card, not an assistance card for people with disabilities.

When the Radiator Springs Racers opened at Disneyland, management noticed the attraction was not able to handle the number of Fastpasses they anticipated. When they investigated, they found a small number of guests using DAS were using a large amount of the capacity, by riding and then going right back into the Fastpass line. That was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back. There were no RULES against people using it that way, and many didn't. But, the ones who did were overwhelming the system.

DAS has had the same issues - too many people.

 

[North of Mouse]

I wonder why Disney built Disney World in Central Florida knowing that lines were an inherent part of Disney parks and the weather for outdoor queues is so brutal here. I feel they should have designed indoor queue lines from the planning stage. They knew it from the beginning. Why didn’t they take care of it then?

Just my thoughts on this! The land Disney bought up - in pieces, anonymously - was relatively cheap swamp land (actually amazing the vision they had on what they made it into IMO). Also, the climate was such that parks could be enjoyed and utilized year round. I'm a south LA girl that would rather have the heat any day than cold. Like I said JMO - am sure they had other reasons also??? Dunno! About the queues being built indoor? Have no idea.

 

[only hope]

I wonder why Disney built Disney World in Central Florida knowing that lines were an inherent part of Disney parks and the weather for outdoor queues is so brutal here. I feel they should have designed indoor queue lines from the planning stage. They knew it from the beginning. Why didn’t they take care of it then?

Great question. Granted the weather was not so bad when WDW was built. But still, Universal is not exactly new and those two parks nearly every queue is completely shaded (not intermittent or partially but under canopies/awnings etc) and many have fans. More of the queues are indoors too not counting the extended queues that are only used during peak times.