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

[2tinkerbell]

It is almost the time for us to apply to get DAS for DD. I am a bit nervous for her as she is an adult with an undefined diagnosis. I know they don’t go be diagnosis, which in our case is good. I am just worried how the conversation will go. We make accommodations all the time in all walks of life. They have become so natural and normal that we really don’t stop to think about them. We have to accommodate 2 issues. The visual problems, DAS doesn’t help a lot but if not accommodated can add to the other problems.

She did have a slight issue this past holiday and I had her sit and write down what happened and how she was feeling. It involved an unexpected situation and a ton of overwhelm building up. Though I don’t expect the same thing happening at DLR, I wanted her to write it down and talk things through so she had practice with what was happening to her and what she needed to do to eliminate/lessen the effects.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I was thinking something along the same lines as well. If a couple is 2 that is unreasonable, but perhaps the CMs were saying that with AQR you were able to do 5ish rides, and that’s “good enough” to be in the realm of comparable to a non-DAS guest?

The information I recall from touring plans is that the average attraction amount for guests/day is 10. I'm not sure how updated that is, but even this blog from touring plans in 2024 clearly shows more than 5 is absolutely reasonable for random guests to experiencing in a day. Obviously this will change depending on time of year (I would not expect as much during this week, compared to end of January or October for example).

https://touringplans.com/blog/can-day-disney-world/

i don't know that it does much good for anyone to speculate that Disney is looking at usage when nothing they've said indicates that (and weren't we asked to stop speculating like that anyway?)

 

[Philsfan77]

It depends on the park and how bad lines are, but on average 1-2 times per park day. I’m whatever is the opposite of a super user. My last trip I only needed it for 4 attractions over 5 days because lines were so short. And it was only me except for one ride where one friend joined me. So if they’re looking at high usage as any consideration, nope: that couldn’t have been part of the decision for me.

I could actually make a case for the opposite maybe being true… because I only need it infrequently due to a combination of visiting at a slow time and never being in a park more than a few hours at a time, maybe DAS isn’t seen as a good tool because I could use AQR just as effectively for that 1 or 2 attractions? I honestly don’t think they’re looking at usage one way or another, though.

ETA: it’s maybe worth mentioning that they never mentioned AQR at all. I brought it up because I wanted to know if they knew if actual protocols were in place for it or not. The only options offered to me in lieu of DAS for 240 days was DAS for a single day or a single LL for a single day. Which in retrospect seems bizarre.

This is good to know...I've been wondering with the denials if they were maybe targeting hyperusers, which doesn't seem to be the case from your experience.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I didn't know they could see how many DAS returns we've used. That's interesting.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I didn't know they could see how many DAS returns we've used. That's interesting.

I don't know that it's definite that they can

 

[jennab]

I don't know that it's definite that they can

I’m sure Disney can access this information, but the CMs answering the DAS calls? Maybe.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I’m sure Disney can access this information, but the CMs answering the DAS calls? Maybe.

Yeah, in the era of Big Data there is no way that Disney doesn’t know every tap in for every Magic Band, and could cross-reference that with DAS usage info if they chose to do so.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I’m sure Disney can access this information, but the CMs answering the DAS calls? Maybe.

I think the same - it’s there for Disney’s data analysts, but highly doubtful the DAS call agents have access to it .

 

[Angel Ariel]

I’m sure Disney can access this information, but the CMs answering the DAS calls? Maybe.

I agree Disney has it - wasn't questioning that. Whether it's available to DAS CMs and is being used to make DAS determinations is not known one way or the other.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I would not be at all surprised if the front line CMs don’t have access, but the “number people” have used that data to craft whatever the internal guidelines are. And then based on those numbers and the conversations that guests have (which I’m not going to describe here for fear of giving a roadmap but can absolutely envision based on the details of the denial listed above) the front line CMs use that criteria to make their decisions.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I didn't know they could see how many DAS returns we've used. That's interesting.

If memory serves it came out in a court case regarding accessibility that Disney has very detailed tracking on DAS usage by user.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I would not be at all surprised if the front line CMs don’t have access, but the “number people” have used that data to craft whatever the internal guidelines are. And then based on those numbers and the conversations that guests have (which I’m not going to describe here for fear of giving a roadmap but can absolutely envision based on the details of the denial listed above) the front line CMs use that criteria to make their decisions.

So are you (and anyone else here) thinking people who use more DAS return times or less return times are the ones more likely to get denied?

To me, it seems like those who use it LESS would be more likely to get denied.

 

[MinnieMSue]

More than likely they could pull up anyone’s magic band info showing what they do in the parks. Less likely that they actually pull up any one person’s specific data. Even less likely that the person doing the das call has that info. I’m sure they potentially pull data at times. I suppose a superuser could trigger an alert and it could be looked at. Idk. Potentially they randomly look at data. But to use that data on the phone call? Idk. Seems unlikely to me.

 

[jennab]

More than likely they could pull up anyone’s magic band info showing what they do in the parks. Less likely that they actually pull up any one person’s specific data. Even less likely that the person doing the das call has that info. I’m sure they potentially pull data at times. I suppose a superuser could trigger an alert and it could be looked at. Idk. Potentially they randomly look at data. But to use that data on the phone call? Idk. Seems unlikely to me.

Agreed. I don’t think they are looking at people’s ride history on individual phone calls. I don’t think that is why PP was approved, then denied the next time. I think she was denied because she shouldn’t have been (by Disney's standards) approved the first time. They may be cracking down on those people during renewals, but not giving a reason as they can’t admit that they made a mistake.

 

[PrincessV]

I feel very confident that my usage was not at all part of the equation. And just to re-clarify, I was denied the normal 240-day approval for APs, but was approved for DAS for only ONE day at a time. They very specifically told me I’d need to call in each day I wish to use DAS and go through the whole process each day. To me, this is a denial, because seriously - who’s willing to do that on a daily basis?! But technically speaking, it wasn’t exactly a full denial, either. For me, that coupled with no explanation as to why I had the normal approval previously is what feels shady.

ETA: just as an interesting data point, when discussing what happens to me in long lines and real-life examples, I explained how the last time I had an “event”, I happened to be near an Emergency Exit and used it. They seemed totally okay with that, but I assure you the park CMs weren’t happy about me showing up backstage. Coupled with some things other folks have mentioned about real-life park experiences vs. what DAS CMs say, I think there's a real disconnect that could use better training and communication between teams. But that’s not my problem to solve.

That said, every person I spoke with - the original CM, their supervisor, AND the medical professional - all strongly encouraged me to email, chat, speak in person to leaders in the parks about my situation. They made it clear that there is this middle area in which people like me are falling through the cracks and they’re passing that message along to the decision-makers, but that Guests need to do so, too. They all three also encouraged me to use the heck out of DAS for the last few days I have it, which added his whole other layer of weirdness to it. My takeaway was that they all felt my disability really does need a DAS-like accommodation, but for some secret-to-me reason their hands are tied and can’t provide it.

I also forgot to mention that in the end I was given a reference number and told on my next park day to enter the chat, tell them I’d been denied DAS, give them that reference number, and ask what they can do for me. I’ve not seen anyone report something like that and have no idea what could come of it, but I’ll give it a shot when the day comes and report back.

 

[nalababybear]

More than likely they could pull up anyone’s magic band info showing what they do in the parks. Less likely that they actually pull up any one person’s specific data. Even less likely that the person doing the das call has that info. I’m sure they potentially pull data at times. I suppose a superuser could trigger an alert and it could be looked at. Idk. Potentially they randomly look at data. But to use that data on the phone call? Idk. Seems unlikely to me.

CMs at the umbrellas have that granular data at their fingertips. What they do with it is a whole separate issue.

I doubt DAS approval is decided on it. Maybe at renewal, bit doubt it still.

It's enforcement and revoking? Probably historical data will be used if challenged

 

[StarLime]

I have some questions about how the new DAS rules work because it’s been a while since I’ve been to the parks. My brother got approved for the pass for our trip in a few weeks. The CM said she was going to put the DAS under his account but I’d be able to book for him. Does that mean I’ll be able to book DAS return times through my account in the app?

Also, I understand the new DAS rules say you can book your next DAS selection 10 minutes after you use your previous one. Is that 10 minutes from the first scan in, or final? For the rides that have two scan ins.

Triple question (sorry, I’m still somewhat new to this) for the rides that utilize a virtual queue - are they lenient with the return times with DAS users? For example, if our call time is 11am for a ride and we show up at 1pm, would they not let us on?

 

[Craig Larson]

I have some questions about how the new DAS rules work because it’s been a while since I’ve been to the parks. My brother got approved for the pass for our trip in a few weeks. The CM said she was going to put the DAS under his account but I’d be able to book for him. Does that mean I’ll be able to book DAS return times through my account in the app?

Also, I understand the new DAS rules say you can book your next DAS selection 10 minutes after you use your previous one. Is that 10 minutes from the first scan in, or final? For the rides that have two scan ins.

Triple question (sorry, I’m still somewhat new to this) for the rides that utilize a virtual queue - are they lenient with the return times with DAS users? For example, if our call time is 11am for a ride and we show up at 1pm, would they not let us on?

1) When approving DAS for your brother, they should have asked who he is traveling with. As long as you are in his traveling group, and are a friend via MDE, then yes you should be able to book the DAS return times through your phone

2) I don't know the answer to this one, I haven't visited since the changes

3) I wouldn't try to push it. If you are in the range of the call back I would go. It is very CM dependent if they let you in past your group's allotted return time, so better to not chance it. Once you get there you talk to someone who will convert the VQ to a LL pass and you enter the LL queue.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

1) When approving DAS for your brother, they should have asked who he is traveling with. As long as you are in his traveling group, and are a friend via MDE, then yes you should be able to book the DAS return times through your phone

2) I don't know the answer to this one, I haven't visited since the changes

3) I wouldn't try to push it. If you are in the range of the call back I would go. It is very CM dependent if they let you in past your group's allotted return time, so better to not chance it. Once you get there you talk to someone who will convert the VQ to a LL pass and you enter the LL queue.

edited as tron is no longer virtual

 

[HopperFan]

I have some questions about how the new DAS rules work because it’s been a while since I’ve been to the parks. My brother got approved for the pass for our trip in a few weeks. The CM said she was going to put the DAS under his account but I’d be able to book for him. Does that mean I’ll be able to book DAS return times through my account in the app?

Also, I understand the new DAS rules say you can book your next DAS selection 10 minutes after you use your previous one. Is that 10 minutes from the first scan in, or final? For the rides that have two scan ins.

Triple question (sorry, I’m still somewhat new to this) for the rides that utilize a virtual queue - are they lenient with the return times with DAS users? For example, if our call time is 11am for a ride and we show up at 1pm, would they not let us on?

I played with this (I am booking for DS on my MDE) and even if the LL was longer enough to meet the 10 minute criteria it still wouldn't let me until after the second scan. But of course we are relying on Disney IT and it could possibly be different at some rides. They seem more consistent now with which ride is using the second scan but ...

Since sometimes you are practically on the ride I just tried to remind myself to book after we got off the ride. Other than say ROR, it really wasn't much of a difference and was easier to remember.