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

[prettypatchesmsu]

I posted a thread over in the Universal forum. Universal has made updates to their AAP disability pass as reported by touring plans. Seems they are also doing a return to queue accommodation.

 

[jennab]

I posted a thread over in the Universal forum. Universal has made updates to their AAP disability pass as reported by touring plans. Seems they are also doing a return to queue accommodation.

Interesting. So following Disney's lead? I wonder if they were getting so many requests that their “DAS” version wasn’t doable for their park model either.

 

[Philsfan77]

Interesting. So following Disney's lead? I wonder if they were getting so many requests that their “DAS” version wasn’t doable for their park model either.

Based on the article, it looks like they are no longer requiring guests to use IBCESS either, but people can voluntarily.

The article is a little bit vague though, and I don't see any updates to Universals website noting changes.

 

[jennab]

So I read the article and it sounds like bathroom and mobility issues will no longer qualify for Universals version of “skip the wait” pass and will now be offered return to queue instead.

 

[Philsfan77]

So I read the article and it sounds like bathroom and mobility issues will no longer qualify for Universals version of “skip the wait” pass and will now be offered return to queue instead.

If you look up bathroom issues, IBCESS and Universal...you'll see a lot of posts even from the start of their roll out that they were cutting down on this specific need, and moving towards return to queue for those issues. Tons of threads on Reddit with people basically saying the same things, people are saying about Disneys rollout of their new DAS system.

"approval is a gamble"
"no consistency"
"they made these changes, but didn't tell attraction cast members about the new policy"
"Universal is cracking down on abuse of disability passes. Disney lets everyone and their mother get a DAS pass."
"There's no compassion"
"Pitting disabilities against each other"
"There’s a reason they added so many steps. It isn’t Universal’s lack of compassion, it’s the lack of compassion by the ignorant lazy “guests” that abused the system is what lead to it. Disney practically encourages you to use it. If you aren’t lying to get it someone else will and you’ll be the one waiting 60+min for Haunted Mansion"

There are just a few of the comments across a few threads I read through just now.

 

[jennab]

If you look up bathroom issues, IBCESS and Universal...you'll see a lot of posts even from the start of their roll out that they were cutting down on this specific need, and moving towards return to queue for those issues. Tons of threads on Reddit with people basically saying the same things, people are saying about Disneys rollout of their new DAS system.

"approval is a gamble"
"no consistency"
"they made these changes, but didn't tell attraction cast members about the new policy"
"Universal is cracking down on abuse of disability passes. Disney lets everyone and their mother get a DAS pass."
"There's no compassion"
"Pitting disabilities against each other"
"There’s a reason they added so many steps. It isn’t Universal’s lack of compassion, it’s the lack of compassion by the ignorant lazy “guests” that abused the system is what lead to it. Disney practically encourages you to use it. If you aren’t lying to get it someone else will and you’ll be the one waiting 60+min for Haunted Mansion"

There are just a few of the comments across a few threads I read through just now.

I assume this was before the DAS changes since now the “bathroom issues” aren’t being approved anymore.

 

[Philsfan77]

I assume this was before the DAS changes since now the “bathroom issues” aren’t being approved anymore.

correct...these are comments over the last year (most were from 4-8 months ago). You could read through most of those threads...change Universal to Disney and its the same comments we've seen as it relates to the DAS changes over the last few months.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I assume this was before the DAS changes since now the “bathroom issues” aren’t being approved anymore.

Which most folks figured would happen pretty soon after Disney's new limitations - Universal let Disney be the guinea pig this summer, and now they are rolling out their own limiting updates in time for their busiest time of year (HHN)...

 

[Nikkimouse44]

DAS approval must be linked to a ticket. DAS cannot be “attached” to a DVC membership. Just know there is no more “60-day window” related to DAS. One can pre-register up to 30 days prior to a park visit; approval is valid for length of ticket up to 120 days. There are recent reports of AP or non-date-based ticket approval up to 240 days.

Correct - but I’m using military tickets which are not date based. I will use all my park days during my December trip the way it works out but our tickets are not date based. And because our military tickets also expire in December (though I could use the value an apply it to the 2025 tickets) it would be tricky. I also will be getting new tickets from Disney for April because of the issue with the military tickets. My situation is a bit wonky.

 

[lanejudy]

I will use all my park days during my December trip the way it works out but our tickets are not date based. And because our military tickets also expire in December

Your non-date-based ticket has an expiration date, though. Since that will expire in late December, expect a DAS approval received this fall and tied to that ticket will also expire at the end of the year. While the 240-day expiration is a new thing and not well explained, I would not expect a DAS approval this fall on military tickets to be extended into April when you will use a different ticket.

Assuming the military salute ticket offer gets extended for 2025, if you use a military salute ticket for the April trip THEN the DAS approval might be 240 days on a non-date-based ticket.

 

[keishashadow]

I posted a thread over in the Universal forum. Universal has made updates to their AAP disability pass as reported by touring plans. Seems they are also doing a return to queue accommodation.

I posted one here (sorry mods) after picking my jaw off the floor when reading news on another site.

More concerned as to whether U is going to honor their across the board statements made to so many last year…

That once the IBCCES was approved,

the conversation with U happened

& which AAP was determined…

That accommodation would be grandfathered in as long as the IBCCES was updated annually and the guest stopped by U’s GS.

Waiting to hear confirmation on this, sooner vs later.

Interesting. So following Disney's lead? I wonder if they were getting so many requests that their “DAS” version wasn’t doable for their park model either.

So many stated they were morphing over to U, could be they are going to tighten their protocols in order to keep their system manageable

The article is a little bit vague though, and I don't see any updates to Universals website noting changes.

Nope, however, WDW didn’t have their’s updated either on the day they just made changes

Universal let Disney be the guinea pig this summer, and now they are rolling out their own limiting updates in time for their busiest time of year (HHN)...

HHN has nearly a month under this year’s belt.

There have been so many reports of the EP lines being long, not sure if a correlation or not.

 

[Keladry84]

If you look up bathroom issues, IBCESS and Universal...you'll see a lot of posts even from the start of their roll out that they were cutting down on this specific need, and moving towards return to queue for those issues. Tons of threads on Reddit with people basically saying the same things, people are saying about Disneys rollout of their new DAS system.

"approval is a gamble"
"no consistency"
"they made these changes, but didn't tell attraction cast members about the new policy"
"Universal is cracking down on abuse of disability passes. Disney lets everyone and their mother get a DAS pass."
"There's no compassion"
"Pitting disabilities against each other"
"There’s a reason they added so many steps. It isn’t Universal’s lack of compassion, it’s the lack of compassion by the ignorant lazy “guests” that abused the system is what lead to it. Disney practically encourages you to use it. If you aren’t lying to get it someone else will and you’ll be the one waiting 60+min for Haunted Mansion"

There are just a few of the comments across a few threads I read through just now.

I think this is a great point. When Universal first made their changes, everyone was negative of Universal and positive towards Disney. Then as soon as Disney made changes, everyone was praising Universal for the same thing only a few months ago they were criticizing. I think it is more a reaction to change/disappointment in differences in qualifications than the policy itself, and anxiety about the unknown due to change.

I do hope Universal will allow those with the IBCCES card and a case number to keep that process in place. For myself, I love the consistency and knowing that all I need to do at Universal each trip is reference the card/case number and do not need to have anxiety if I will "qualify" each trip or not.

 

[Keladry84]

So many stated they were morphing over to U, could be they are going to tighten their protocols in order to keep their system manageable

Nope, however, WDW didn’t have their’s updated either on the day they just made changes

HHN has nearly a month under this year’s belt.

There have been so many reports of the EP lines being long, not sure if a correlation or not.

I was there opening weekend, and Express lines weren't bad, I don't think I had any EP wait more than 15 minutes and most were close to walk-on. I haven't been following though since opening weekend.

There were quite a few people using AAP at the event, and some people with 2 cards (I'm guessing for them and another person in their party). I was surprised to see the CMs sign both cards for a return time even though only 1 person presented them....

 

[keishashadow]

I was there opening weekend, and Express lines weren't bad, I don't think I had any EP wait more than 15 minutes and most were close to walk-on. I haven't been following though since opening weekend.

There were quite a few people using AAP at the event, and some people with 2 cards (I'm guessing for them and another person in their party). I was surprised to see the CMs sign both cards for a return time even though only 1 person presented them....

There’s definitely not to be a double dipping with people riding twice on different AAP’s account.

The individual doesn’t have to necessarily present themselves to get the card signed though. Could’ve been for 2 separate AAP people with different folks on each card…or, at least I’d like to think so!

 

[Evita_W]

First time I explained my issues (my explanation covered what happens in lines) and then they asked me what coping strategies do I have in place to wait in lines. This time they also asked about how I handle waiting in lines outside the park and what (if any) accommodations I receive elsewhere.

Ok, I am still confused, where does someone wait in line elsewhere? I mean even the DMV out here in California has managed to end up with no more than a 10 minute wait as long as you make an appointment, about 15 to 20 if you don’t and you don’t wait in a line, you are seated and can move freely, use the restroom while waiting, etc. and that’s the only place I can think of that I would possibly wait in a line that is more than about 5 minutes outside of a theme park, am I missing something?

 

[only hope]

Ok, I am still confused, where does someone wait in line elsewhere? I mean even the DMV out here in California has managed to end up with no more than a 10 minute wait as long as you make an appointment, about 15 to 20 if you don’t and you don’t wait in a line, you are seated and can move freely, use the restroom while waiting, etc. and that’s the only place I can think of that I would possibly wait in a line that is more than about 5 minutes outside of a theme park, am I missing something?

On a regular basis, dunno other than check out lines at stores, which can be avoided by going during off hours and certainly is not the same as waiting in lines all day including outdoors. TSA, concerts, etc have lines.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Ok, I am still confused, where does someone wait in line elsewhere? I mean even the DMV out here in California has managed to end up with no more than a 10 minute wait as long as you make an appointment, about 15 to 20 if you don’t and you don’t wait in a line, you are seated and can move freely, use the restroom while waiting, etc. and that’s the only place I can think of that I would possibly wait in a line that is more than about 5 minutes outside of a theme park, am I missing something?

I’ve certainly waited more than 5 minutes in a grocery line, a line to get into the DMV, to vote, the bank, to pick up food for carry out, any number of places.

Not saying it’s a long as some Disney lines, but there is plenty of waiting in lines.

 

[jennab]

Ok, I am still confused, where does someone wait in line elsewhere? I mean even the DMV out here in California has managed to end up with no more than a 10 minute wait as long as you make an appointment, about 15 to 20 if you don’t and you don’t wait in a line, you are seated and can move freely, use the restroom while waiting, etc. and that’s the only place I can think of that I would possibly wait in a line that is more than about 5 minutes outside of a theme park, am I missing something?

Airport and transportation come to mind. Also to enter places like zoos, museums, sporting events, or even some food lines. Or being stuck in a car in traffic, that one happens probably more often than the others. But it’s hard to compare as most of those lines are a one time thing. Really theme parks are full of lines and people going there know that.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ok, I am still confused, where does someone wait in line elsewhere? I mean even the DMV out here in California has managed to end up with no more than a 10 minute wait as long as you make an appointment, about 15 to 20 if you don’t and you don’t wait in a line, you are seated and can move freely, use the restroom while waiting, etc. and that’s the only place I can think of that I would possibly wait in a line that is more than about 5 minutes outside of a theme park, am I missing something?

We discussed this I believe several months back and I guess you still don't believe people despite many posters talking about lines out in the real world. Only a few months back it was "I can’t think of a single instance where there are lines over 15 minutes in my day to day life outside of a theme park." and this time you're asking about 5 mins.

 

[SueM in MN]

Disney World and Disneyland now have changed their DAS FAQs to say DAS will be valid for the length of the ticket or up to 240 days, whichever is shorter