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

[lanejudy]

Apologies is mentioned in last few days, need to catch up, darn RL lol

It means you can't join a class action lawsuit.
It does not mean you can't bring suit on your own merits.
Whether the waiver could hold up in court may depend on many variables.

 

[Becky Mouse]

So this is my basic understanding about the difference - tell me if I have this right:

RTQ - is an approved accomodation, more like the version of DAS before the automation, where you go to the ride, and ask a CM for the return time, then enter the LL lane with your whole party (Not sure how this is in MDE, if it is). Also report of this happening only rarely. Not a full DAS, but how the CMs at the queue approve it is unknown.

AQR - is what ANYONE can use - from standby line - if you need to leave the line for whatever reason, you let a CM know, then leave the rest of the group in the line, and return (merge point?) to meet up with the rest of the party (unknown if you have to have CM assist with leaving and returning)

Is this close???

Not sure which you need to use that require you publicly explain to the CM at the entrance to the queue your need about not standing in the standby line though.

No, I think you still try to wait in the standard line for RTQ, but if you have to leave, they can scan your MB to come back any point after a certain time and go through LL. I think it's for people who can't return shortly, like maybe someone who needs to leave and take care of low blood sugar, for example. But you start out by still trying to wait in the standby line.

This is different than AQR because just you leave to take care of what you need to do (ie., bathroom), and your party stays in the standby line. Then you return through the LL when you're finished, and you can meet your party where the standby merges with the LL.

I could be wrong, though.

 

[starlite_]

Maybe for you personally with your child's condition it's not going to be apt advice but like the talks of what to do in line someone else may pick up on something said here and use it.

Agreed! I've read lots of good advice here to make lines a bit more bearable. Some of it doesn't apply to me, but responding to everyone saying how their advice doesn't work for my group because X, Y or Z is unhelpful, and quite frankly out of place. Of course every piece of advice or general statement doesn't apply to me or every other individual. But it might help someone else, so I'm always glad for the folks here that take the time to share them.

Sometimes it's ok to read a post, realize it doesn't apply to your (general you) situation and simply move along.

 

[lanejudy]

So this is my basic understanding about the difference - tell me if I have this right:

RTQ - is an approved accomodation, more like the version of DAS before the automation, where you go to the ride, and ask a CM for the return time, then enter the LL lane with your whole party (Not sure how this is in MDE, if it is). Also report of this happening only rarely. Not a full DAS, but how the CMs at the queue approve it is unknown.

AQR - is what ANYONE can use - from standby line - if you need to leave the line for whatever reason, you let a CM know, then leave the rest of the group in the line, and return (merge point?) to meet up with the rest of the party (unknown if you have to have CM assist with leaving and returning)

Is this close???

Not sure which you need to use that require you publicly explain to the CM at the entrance to the queue your need about not standing in the standby line though.

To my knowledge, and also as evidenced by what is on the WDW website, RTQ (Return to Queue) is not an official accommodation to be granted. It is "official" in that it is a procedure available to attraction CMs for limited use at their discretion, typically in situations such as often referred to as "wheelchair return time." However several posters seem to be thinking RTQ is what they were told to use...but then they go on to describe entering the queue and leaving when the need arises. That is not RTQ, it is AQR.

AQR (Attraction Queue Re-entry) is listed on the WDW disabilities page as a tool available to all guests. In the past it was often referred to as a "bathroom pass" and how it works will depend on the specific attraction. However it does NOT appear to regularly involve any kind of "return at this time" notation. Rejoining the party is likely to be at the merge location.

 

[Angel Ariel]

We've always used Disney as both respite from the world at large AND Opportunities to generalize learned skills and adaptations given the great opportunities and reward of trying is so high at Disney.

The umbrellas are perfect episodes for our son to practice as the CMs are so great built in role.models. as the years went by, our son was able to I crease interaction cycles on his ride time requests as well as tap in/questions....all skills needed for that ultimate goal of some semblance of independence.

Disney has been also the one consistent place where the family can allow ourselves to let go a little

I agree with all of this. The only thing I was trying to communicate is that for some intentionally planning these opportunities is great. And. For others, just taking it as it comes and not intentionally pre-planning these opportunities is necessary.

Both approaches are valid, both are meeting the children's needs. Neither is better than the other.

Everything I have said on this has been from a "yes, and" perspective. Not an either/or. I'm not sure why it's being taken as an either/or.

 

[jlundeen]

No, I think you still try to wait in the standard line for RTQ, but if you have to leave, they can scan your MB to come back any point after a certain time and go through LL. I think it's for people who can't return shortly, like maybe someone who needs to leave and take care of low blood sugar, for example. But you start out by still trying to wait in the standby line.

This is different than AQR because just you leave to take care of what you need to do (ie., bathroom), and your party stays in the standby line. Then you return through the LL when you're finished, and you can meet your party where the standby merges with the LL.

I could be wrong, though.

Still pretty confusing - Disney needs to do a better job of defining these if they continue to plan to use both. If this is the case, I don't see either as an approved accomodation, but rather two different versions of the same thing... The official statements seemed to imply that there were other "approved" methods for accommodating differing degrees of need, but these seem pretty similar and are bound to be mixed up.

I'm pretty much a verbal learner, and need it explained more, I guess.

 

[lanejudy]

No, I think you still try to wait in the standard line for RTQ, but if you have to leave, they can scan your MB to come back any point after a certain time and go through LL. I think it's for people who can't return shortly, like maybe someone who needs to leave and take care of low blood sugar, for example. But you start out by still trying to wait in the standby line.

That is not correct. Entering the queue and then leaving to take care of business (whatever the need) is AQR. RTQ does not involve entering the queue. It's like a wheelchair return time, where the party is granted a Return at X:XX time to then enter the LL.

 

[lanejudy]

The only thing I was trying to communicate is that for some intentionally planning these opportunities is great.

I think the "international" aspect of the PP was not using DAS but instead continuing to work on life skills. Obviously that will work for some individuals better than others. And in that case, it sounds like an individual who may no longer qualify for DAS if they are able to work on or practice their skills related to waiting in a queue. Not every suggestion will be appropriate for every individual, nobody was suggesting that all disabled folks could practice skills instead of using DAS. Some can. Some can't.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think the "international" aspect of the PP was not using DAS but instead continuing to work on life skills. Obviously that will work for some individuals better than others. And in that case, it sounds like an individual who may no longer qualify for DAS if they are able to work on or practice their skills related to waiting in a queue. Not every suggestion will be appropriate for every individual, nobody was suggesting that all disabled folks could practice skills instead of using DAS. Some can. Some can't.

I appreciate that, and I was never indicating anyone was suggesting that, I want to be clear about that as there has been some misunderstanding of my intent. As I said, I have been approaching this piece of the conversation from a "yes this is valid, and also this" perspective - not an either/or one as it seems it has come across to some. I hope that's cleared up at this point.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Apologies is mentioned in last few days, need to catch up, darn RL lol

Was shocked to open Disney app
& see this

https://disneytermsofuse.com/english/#BINDING-ARBITRATION-AND-CLASS-ACTION-WAIVER

So, and I could be wrong here

In order to use the app you now need to indicate acceptance of class action waiver?

That strikes me as being very heavy-handed

Sounds about right. Why not? Maybe it sticks legally, maybe it doesn't. Worth a shot from Disney's perspective.

 

[Evita_W]

I understand what you're saying but WDW (and DL isn't far behind) is the most visited theme park in the world and with that comes certain things about it. It is a place where you'll have tens of thousands of people watching the fireworks all at once never mind trying to walk on Main Street, it is a place where crowds are plentiful, where loud noises occur sometimes suddenly without much warning, where heat and exhaustion easily set in and a number of other things. I hear what you're saying about respite but again it's the most visited theme park in the world. They logistically can only do so much to absolve the situations that cause issues for guests in general.

I think discussing resiliency is actually a good point (though the poster was speaking broadly) not because the person is trying to say people don't deserve to go and be happy and enjoy the parks (everyone deserves that) but because it is a place where you (general you) can be put in a lot of situations with many being unavoidable completely.

It's a bit of an inside joke on this Board to discuss vacation planning or being on vacation using Disney as a comparison and it's for good reason When we were traipsing around Europe we were walking a lot but I would joke to my husband "well it's only half Disney days" if we only walked 12K steps (in reality we normally do 20K-30K steps per day at Disney). Many use the descriptor of Disney trips preparing for other trips because it makes other trips sometimes look quite easy. I really liked how that poster said WDW for them was a place to build confidence and reduce anxiety and I think it was looking at the situation in a positive light

Actually, I can't find the article, but Disney wasn't number one in 2023, I mean they were number 2 as I recall, but another theme park beat them out, I can't remember which one though.

 

[Kerr84]

Agreed. A little organization or at least smaller groups in the rooms at a time would go a long way. I enjoy the Rise of the Resistance Kylo pre-show room because (at least at DLR) there are literal colored circles for everyone to stand on now and there’s no need to rush after that since seats are assigned by that point. One of the few I can actually fully enjoy.

Almost every time I have ridden it, the people who are supposed to ride in the back row go into the room first and then they jump into the front row even though that isn’t their color. One time there were 2 couples that were supposed to ride in the back, one couple jumped in the front and the other couple went to the back like they were supposed to which made my party of three break up. Another time, the CM specifically put my daughter in the front row because she’s short and guess what? We ended up in the back. This would work better if they let the front row dot in first. It would be a very simple change too.

 

[mhautz]

Think we’ve been asked not to focus on hypotheticals and to keep the discussion to what’s actually happening with DAS - I don’t think there’d be an appetite to limit disabled people who need accommodations to an arbitrary no. of rides per day.

Point taken, although hopefully it was clear I wasn't merely making a hypothetical solution, but was just referring to the old FastPass+ system, which I guess still might not be too helpful for the conversation. I definitely did not mean to imply the FastPass+ system was a one size fits all solution for people with additional accommodation needs, but it was definitely sufficient for our needs and I'm sure plenty of other people's needs. My concern is that it's the people who have "moderate" accommodation needs that are still very real, will just get no accommodation whatsoever.

Oh well, I guess I'll find out in a few days for our early July trip. I just wish I had a DAS pass for the interview itself, since that's what gives me the crippling anxiety. LOL

 

[Disneylover99]

I have felt guilty about using DAS with my daughter because it's not always necessary in our instance, but it is necessary when it is necessary. I don't want to feel like I'm abusing the system, but I also shouldn't have to spend ~$100 a day to reasonably manage the 10% of the time where we need (rather than merely want for convenience) it.

Don’t feel guilty.
They gave you the DAS fair and square. I’d use it too.

I do think that’s part of the issue with past DAS use though. We “might” need it. Many people were issued DAS because of the possibility of needing it. Some people probably realized, they didn’t really need it for every ride, depending on the queue etc….

And realistically, were most people really using the DAS only if it was necessary? Probably not, but I get it since it was theirs to use at their discretion. I wonder if Disney’s criteria in determining the need for DAS going forward has to be more of an absolute reason as opposed to a, maybe this will happen without the DAS. I don’t know.

 

[diablodancer]

Don’t feel guilty.
They gave you the DAS fair and square. I’d use it too.

I do think that’s part of the issue with past DAS use though. We “might” need it. Many people were issued DAS because of the possibility of needing it. Some people probably realized, they didn’t really need it for every ride, depending on the queue etc….

And realistically, were most people really using the DAS only if it was necessary? Probably not, but I get it since it was theirs to use at their discretion. I wonder if Disney’s criteria in determining the need for DAS going forward has to be more of an absolute reason as opposed to a, maybe this will happen without the DAS. I don’t know.

While I wouldn’t say that’s one hundred per cent the case, I’ve seen a few posts elsewhere now saying that during the DAS interview they have specifically been asked questions about how their disability impacts their day-to-day (not attending theme parks) life which I think does lean towards that. Trying to keep this as vague as possible (in terms of not giving people a script) while still giving context which is tricky.

 

[lanejudy]

I have been approaching this piece of the conversation from a "yes this is valid, and also this" perspective

That's fine, just make sure the "...and also this..." perspective is focused on an alternative helpful suggestion and not simply negating the prior suggestion as "it doesn't work for everyone." There's a whole lot of negativity going on in this thread and it's getting tiring to try and help folks when virtually every suggestion offered is met with "that doesn't work for everyone" but no alternative suggestion.

Accommodations are not granted to make up for the hardships of life. Yes, everyone wants to relax a bit on vacation and not have to work so hard. But it's a very personal situation which skills a person has or might be working on, but it certainly is not required of WDW to provide accommodations to allow for that break. Many folks may now be working on new skills because they are not granted DAS; skills that may only be needed on vacation (such as using an ECV). Vacation is not a guaranteed respite from working on new skills.

 

[Kerr84]

To my knowledge, and also as evidenced by what is on the WDW website, RTQ (Return to Queue) is not an official accommodation to be granted. It is "official" in that it is a procedure available to attraction CMs for limited use at their discretion, typically in situations such as often referred to as "wheelchair return time." However several posters seem to be thinking RTQ is what they were told to use...but then they go on to describe entering the queue and leaving when the need arises. That is not RTQ, it is AQR.

AQR (Attraction Queue Re-entry) is listed on the WDW disabilities page as a tool available to all guests. In the past it was often referred to as a "bathroom pass" and how it works will depend on the specific attraction. However it does NOT appear to regularly involve any kind of "return at this time" notation. Rejoining the party is likely to be at the merge location.

And from what I am understanding, this is Disney’s way of customizing accommodations to individual needs. For example: If someone applies for DAS because they cannot be in direct sunlight and they are a solo traveler, then they may be told to talk to the individual CMs at attractions instead of being granted full DAS because they don’t need DAS for rides with indoor or shaded queues. For rides with queues directly in the sun, they might be given a RTQ time.

I know people don’t want to explain their needs over and over again at each ride but I think this is a way to not give the same blanket accommodation to everyone.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Actually, I can't find the article, but Disney wasn't number one in 2023, I mean they were number 2 as I recall, but another theme park beat them out, I can't remember which one though.

Disney's park reservation system held back their park attendance purposefully from 2020 and even into now since there are still forms of it as well as covid, Universal had more than Disney depending on the actual Disney park one of the years though I'm blanking which year it was during covid. Disney has been blunt about saying they want to keep park attendance at a certain point. However, we are speaking historically and making a point type comment. In 2019 (the last year of attendance prior to covid) Magic Kingdom alone had just about 21 million. Disneyland (not including DCA) had 18.66 million. The top 10 for 2019 reflected MK (#1), AK (#6), Epcot (#7) and DHS (#9). DL (not DCA) was #2, DCA (#13).

Just Magic Kingdom in 2019 had more than 7X the population of my entire state listed in 2019 visiting 1 out of the 4 parks at WDW. I think the point about being put in situations such as large crowds, noises, overstimulation, looking at what any one traveling group can do, how they view the parks in relation to what their condition may be, the confidence building, the independence, all of that stuff still stays the same when we're speaking about Disney parks as the point is they are very heavily attended. There's unavoidable things at WDW for that reason. I love watching the fireworks but for MK for example I'm only interested in being in the throng of people 1 time per trip to watch that.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That's fine, just make sure the "...and also this..." perspective is focused on an alternative helpful suggestion and not simply negating the prior suggestion as "it doesn't work for everyone." There's a whole lot of negativity going on in this thread and it's getting tiring to try and help folks when virtually every suggestion offered is met with "that doesn't work for everyone" but no alternative suggestion.

I was never trying to negate anything, and I'm truly sorry it came across that way. I feel there has been a lot of misunderstanding of what I said, and nothing I say to clarify that seems to make a difference. I've gone to great lengths to acknowledge both approaches as valid and feel I'm being told what I said isn't a valid alternative suggestion or need for a family.

As for the second half - again, I was never talking about Disney's accommodations and I have never said or implied that accommodations are given to make up for hardships in life.

 

[PrincessV]

What really gets me is I believe a properly run RTQ would be a more appropriate accommodation for me than DAS and I suspect I’m not alone. I didn’t need the ability to book rides I was physically far away from and that actually encouraged me to book rides I might otherwise have skipped- so RTQ would see less total ride usage from me vs DAS. Like, Disney got so close here on a DAS alternative- and then they lit it on fire.

Absolutely THIS ^. Is booking my DAS rides via app easier than needing to go to the attraction for a return time? For sure: I’ve enjoyed that! Do I need that to accommodate my disability? Nope. I literally just need to not be in the queue for a long time. If it were easy and simple to state this at a ride and get a return time so I could do my waiting elsewhere, I’d be accommodated.