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

[Philsfan77]

I thought it was written somewhere that they said DAS had xx times higher people than GAC did? I’m remembering the number 8, bit maybe I’m just making that up. I swore I read it somewhere. I’ll have to look later and see if I can find it.

I believe 8% was the estimate from Len Testa based on his own studies...which would fall just under Disneys statement that usage has tripled.

 

[Keladry84]

The 3.3% of guests being GAC and GAC guests using 11% of queue space on Space Mountain, 13% on Splash, and 30% on Toy Story mania is from the GAC study. Based on that study, they concluded that guests riding Toy Story Mania were riding 10 times more than non GAC guests.

The second set up numbers that you are responding two was strictly DAS related as they used that information and those data points to argue DAS was more than efficient for A.L. and that the accommodations he was requesting were above and beyond the scope of ADA.

That study was conducted and the data points were that a DAS user on Average could experience 45% more attractions than those without DAS.

Thanks for the clarification of the two different studies!

 

[jennab]

I believe 8% was the estimate from Len Testa based on his own studies...which would fall just under Disneys statement that usage has tripled.

Oh maybe it was the “usage has tripled” so people were claiming 9%

 

[ocdb8r1]

Just to note: the court case statistic was for GAC, which had different rules and ways to access the attraction than DAS. We can’t extrapolate the statistic to equate to DAS users experiences or average attraction access. DAS may have been similar, more, or less. We can’t know as Disney hasn’t released any statistics for the use before the recent changes.

That doesn't mean you completely ignore the statistics and throw them out the window as if they are meaningless. The systems were similar enough that the data is useful for extrapolation. While GAC significantly changed how qualification was obtained, I would argue it didn't significantly change attraction access once obtained.

 

[Disturbia]

wrong thread

 

[PrincessDadx2]

That doesn't mean you completely ignore the statistics and throw them out the window as if they are meaningless. The systems were similar enough that the data is useful for extrapolation. While GAC significantly changed how qualification was obtained, I would argue it didn't significantly change attraction access once obtained.

They are not useful for extrapolation. There is no correlation between an automatic front of line entry and a front of line entry that requires waiting the posted standby time. What can happen, is that if the number of users 3x then you can practically come to the same situation if the GAC user went 3x per hour vs. 3 people doing DAS with a 1 hour standby time.

 

[nalababybear]

Data point. Renewal on Sunday and waited about 20min for Disneyland. Asked a few questions on experience at parks themselves with DAS and renewed. Fastest ever. 240 days since we have MK.

Son was having a bit of overdrive the moment she got on so she saw that firsthand and probably decided at that time that it's a simple approval.

She did get his favorite character out of him though, so that was a win for both of them

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

That doesn't seem right to me. The OP shared their experience with the DAS evaluation, with commentary, just like many other people in this thread.

I think the objection to their sharing basically comes down to that the OP might have seen the LL passes as a policy of accommodation and you probably see them as (arbitrary) pixie dust. Both views seem valid to me. The company gave the cast member the LL passes with the intent that they are handed out to DAS applicants. It's probably closer to policy than arbitrary IMHO but who knows.

Hi Steve:

I think the objection was 2-fold.
1. (and I’m totally guilty of this as well, which is why I moved the post) that specific thread is only for acceptances and denials. We are supposed to use this one to talk about the program in general.
2. While she might view the granting of LLs after being denied as an accommodation, in reality it is explicitly NOT consistent with Disney’s stated policy, and therefore it should not be counted on by the OP or others as a way to navigate Disney if denied. Disney has been pretty clear that it has transformed DAS from the old version to one which is much more narrow in scope, and guests who have been denied are supposed to at least try the other accommodations that have been offered. Regardless of what you think of the new policy I would hope that CMs are fair and consistent in how the rules are applied, such that pixie dust is really the exception and not the norm.

 

[pecanp13]

My 30 day window is finally here to apply. I’ve been approved in the past for several cardiac conditions, but from what I’ve read I don’t think I would be approved now. From everything I’ve seen, they are automatically denying medical conditions. Should I even still apply or am I just wasting my time?

 

[lanejudy]

DAS is still not diagnosis-based and no need to share that. Explain what it is about waiting in a standard queue environment that causes you concern. You won’t know if you don’t call/video.

 

[jennab]

My 30 day window is finally here to apply. I’ve been approved in the past for several cardiac conditions, but from what I’ve read I don’t think I would be approved now. From everything I’ve seen, they are automatically denying medical conditions. Should I even still apply or am I just wasting my time?

You will likely be denied as it is meant for developmental disabilities now. You can still try, but don’t be upset if you are offered alternative accommodations instead, which is what they are doing for physical disabilities.

 

[steve456]

I would hope that CMs are fair and consistent in how the rules are applied, such that pixie dust is really the exception and not the norm.

Disney's policy is intentionally opaque, but the number of anecdotal reports about them and the fact that cast members can evidently give out x passes per day linked to an account makes me think this is part of the system they built, like literally into the computer menu as an option for guests with certain needs. Also, wouldn't it be less consistent if they gave out the the Experience Access Entitlements on a whim instead of based on criteria?

 

[ClaraOswald]

I am really shocked at the varying experiences. How are some people only getting asked 1 or 2 questions by the first cast member and getting approved so quickly? I obviously don't want anyone to state exactly what they said because I don't want people to "steal" that or something. But I am truly curious what types of people are getting approved quickly vs. the ones that have to go through several CMs and medical professionals on the call.

 

[lanejudy]

How are some people only getting asked 1 or 2 questions by the first cast member and getting approved so quickly?

Just my theory… but possibly those getting asked more questions are focusing the request and some answers on the diagnosis more so than the needs, reactions, consequences, etc.

 

[jennab]

We applied today for the first time post-new rules. My son is 11 and autistic and has used DAS several times before. We WERE approved today for our January WDW trip. But it was a long process. I talked with the first CM for quite a while and he asked a lot of questions. Then he transferred me to a medical professional and he asked me a lot of the same questions and several new ones. He asked if my son was in the room and I said yes and called him over. The only question he asked him was how old he is. (My son is very minimally verbal and mostly just scripts words/phrases.)

I'm happy we were approved but it almost seemed like he wasn't going to be approved....which is honestly crazy to me since he is autistic, minimally verbal, and has an intellectual disability. I mean, that's the EXACT type of person DAS is meant for. I'm worried I didn't sound "credible" since I was so nervous about the whole thing and likely talking fast and whatnot. And now I'm even more nervous to apply again in the future. (We will going to Disneyland in December 2025. Will they see that we were approved for DAS at WDW or not?)

The first CM who ended up getting the medical person to speak to us was actually super nice and helpful....even about some things not related to our son's DAS. So that was really nice of him. The medical professional was much more serious and made me nervous to speak with. So yeah...I'm already dreading having to apply again before our next trip.

I am super worried they will want to ask my child questions. He honestly isn’t even aware of how he acts in situations so I fear he will be like “oh I’m good waiting in line” and they will think I’m lying

 

[ClaraOswald]

Just my theory… but possibly those getting asked more questions are focusing the request and some answers on the diagnosis more so than the needs, reactions, consequences, etc.

Well, I started out by saying how he historically has acted in long lines and why DAS helped us in the past. I explained how he acts in public spaces in our day to day life and at school as well. The problem is that they always seem to want to know WHY or something. And I don't know why he is the way he is.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Actually, without further explanation none of those things specifically are why DAS is approved. A person may have any/all those diagnoses and still be able to wait in a standard queue.

Right...which is why I immediately told them how my son reacts in long lines and answered their questions accordingly. I'm just beginning to think some CMs are more thoroughly in trying to weed out fakers than others.

I would actually love it if my child didn't need DAS. Our lives and vacations would be much easier if that were the case. Instead, I have to worry myself sick before each vacation because of this whole process. It honestly sucks and puts a black cloud over the months leading up to the trip.

 

[eticketplease]

We will going to Disneyland in December 2025. Will they see that we were approved for DAS at WDW or not?

I’m not sure about the new system but in the past they could not see the information that far apart trip to trip.

I figured we will have to apply twice in April for WDW and June for DL.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I’m not sure about the new system but in the past they could not see the information that far apart trip to trip.

I figured we will have to apply twice in April for WDW and June for DL.

Interesting. The guy today did say "I see you've used DAS before." But maybe he saw when we used it at Disneyland in June this year.

 

[eticketplease]

Interesting. The guy today did say "I see you've used DAS before." But maybe he saw when we used it at Disneyland in June this year.

Yea I’m not sure if they can see it but every time I would say I would like to renew the DAS they stated they couldn’t see anything. I always thought that was funny but it was consistent cast member to cast member.