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

[Jdavidm]

Have just seen a report of someone’s mum’s call taking an hour This was specifically in reference to the time spent talking, not waiting. She was denied.

While that seems much longer than the average call I’ve heard of (20-30 minutes), longer calls for me at least read as them hearing people out and trying to see if the individual would qualify for DAS for any reason (as in, reasons that make it clear the other accommodations would not meet the individual’s needs).

Hopefully they were able to recommend an alternate accommodation that will work for her. It’s important to remember that no one is being denied ANY accommodation, they’re just offering alternates to DAS. I’ve seen so many posts on social media of people stating Disney is telling them they’re “not disabled enough to receive an accommodation” which is just not at all what a DAS denial means.

 

[AJT607]

We are visiting in July for the first time under these new rules and I'm trying my best to be patient and hope that Disney has worked out many of the kinks in these systems by then.

Our group has a couple of family members with "invisible" chronic conditions that previously qualified for DAS. We buy Genie+ nearly every day of our visit already - so I'm hoping that our disruptions will be fairly minimal. In the past, we would often start our trip and try to go without DAS, only enrolling if we were experiencing frequent disruptions/challenges due to our family members' special needs.

I am almost certain that we will be told we aren't "disabled" enough to qualify for the "new" DAS qualifications. I think these RTQ/AQR options could work well for us - but I am concerned about situations where the urgent need to exit the queue to reach a cool/quiet space and/or a restroom may not allow for time to wait to speak with a cast member / get park tickets scanned.

We had a situation where we needed to leave a lightning lane queue for Winnie the Pooh at MK on a recent visit unexpectedly after scanning for our Genie+ return time and we were unable to make additional reservations there later in the day, since you can only "reserve" each ride with Genie+ one time per day. Without DAS, we would've just been "out of luck", leading to a significant amount of disappointment for our four year old.

 

[lanejudy]

I am almost certain that we will be told we aren't "disabled" enough to qualify for the "new" DAS qualifications.

I really wish folks could understand that it isn't about being "disabled enough" -- it's about being offered the accommodation that best meets the needs. A wheelchair ramp isn't the correct accommodation for every disability. Why should DAS be the only option?

 

[dreamer17555]

I really wish folks could understand that it isn't about being "disabled enough" -- it's about being offered the accommodation that best meets the needs. A wheelchair ramp isn't the correct accommodation for every disability. Why should DAS be the only option?

I don't think you wrong but it sounds like for some the accommodation being offered doesn't actually help their needs. And yes, Disney does seem to be making a strong stance on which needs are severe enough to be offered DAS.

I am not sure if my son will qualify or not, but I can say without DAS the mentioned accommodations thus far will not work for his needs and I can see us not visiting WDW or DL because of it. Honestly some of the mentioned accommodations being used (more ppl attempting to queue and then needing to leave the line) would make standby even harder for him because he really, really struggles with rigid thinking and they would be traveling the "wrong" direction.

 

[lanejudy]

I don't think you wrong but it sounds like for some the accommodation being offered doesn't actually help their needs.

I fully get that, and for the record I’m not sure my DD will qualify now either even with a developmental disability with a rare diagnosis. Those of us in that situation may need to figure out how to explain our loved one’s needs under the new rules. I’m not sure what some of us have stated in the past is adequate explanation now. Someone who truly NEEDS the DAS accommodation should be able to think that through; plenty of folks have been approved that it doesn’t appear unattainable.

However the poster to whom I responded indicated the new accommodations could work for them. She understandably has some questions about the new processes. That info will be coming as more use the new accommodations.

It’s still not a case of whose disability is worse than another — but whose needs are different than another’s.

 

[Jdavidm]

It’s still not a case of whose disability is worse than another — but whose needs are different than another’s.

I wish more people could understand this.

I get how being denied for their typical accommodation would make someone feel like they ‘don’t matter’ or are viewed as ‘less deserving’ initially but I really hope people are able to have a better perspective in the end and see that Disney is trying to offer a more realistic range of accommodations instead of sticking to a ‘one size fits all’ mindset.

I truly believe Disney (at least most in the accessibility department; I’m sure there’s some bad eggs) will hear people out and try to work with them as best they can to make a trip to their parks possible.

Some people will require more assistance than others, that’s why a range of accommodation options makes more sense from a broader view point. They’re not saying someone is ‘less disabled’ because they assign a different accommodation to them, they’re saying that they believe that accommodation could work for that individual’s needs while someone else may require something different because their NEEDS are different (not worse, just different).

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Adding to what @Jdavidm so eloquently stated, Disney also needs to find the least disruptive accommodation that meets an individual’s needs so as to continue to be able to accommodate as many guests as possible. So while someone might *want* DAS (or the old GAC or whatever), realistically s/he might be able to make do with something else and still be able to have a “reasonable" - even if inferior to what was previously offered - park experience.

 

[Liquidice]

There has been NO indication that anybody will be "pushing through" people to return to the queue. Everything so far indicates it will be via LL.

There have been reports that CMs at different rides have been saying when you try to re-enter the queue it would be through the standby line and you would need to "push through" to find your family in front of you. I seriously hope that this does not continue to be the case because people WILL get angry about people moving forward through the queue and "cutting" in line even though Disney is officially endorsing this now. If a CM asked me to do this, I would honestly ask for a CM escort to find my family as I would not want to do this by myself.

that was only a small part of my post, but I specifically referred to a situation where the distance is small, the family is attempting to re-group within a few feet of the ride entrance.

And I didn't specify that they were moving forward to try to rejoin their family. You assumed that part.

People getting split up at the entrance of small world is so common, that I have seen all kinds of splits and attempts to rejoin each other. No matter how the family tries to regroup, people nearby don't always react favorably, especially when they are hot and tired.

I often visit WDW in August and major holiday weeks. Both can be factors that make parkgoers grouchy. We have learned to be especially careful while touring in August, especially in the afternoon.

People can be really strange - I have seen the split up party often, especially immediately following the lightning lane touch points with large parties and your smaller party gets in between them. Often those parties will move backwards to rejoin their party but sometimes the rest of their party will move forward too. It is also hard to know for sure who is with who in terms of parties and it probably isn't good to assume that 2 people are part of the same party unless they say they are.

I'm surprised people get upset about this as I'm sure if your party was split up you'd want them to all join back up but I hear you some people are hot, tired and probably stressed out. It happens at Haunted Mansion right after the stretching room too and I have seen people get annoyed there when you try to keep your party together.

Just an interesting anecdote about people being strange, I was in line once and stopped really quickly to take a picture in the queue, and as I was doing this, the people behind us walked in front of us. No big deal, but later in the line, they also stopped to take a picture - so I walked past them and they got super annoyed and blocked my wife from passing them, so I had to let them past to stay with her. Just to give a funny story on how literally the same people can react just minutes apart when roles are reversed.

 

[SueM in MN]

I’m seeing/reading a lot of posts that appear to be confusing Attraction Queue Re-entry (AQR) and Return to Queue (RTQ). I hope it is not the video chat CMs confusing these but rather many individuals hearing (expecting) RTQ when it’s actually AQR that is recommended. I’d be surprised if CMs are widely offering RTQ which isn’t even mentioned as an official offering.

The RTQ terminology was unofficially discussed for ~6 weeks prior to any mention of AQR, which is the service that actually works in (about) the way speculated for several weeks. Understandable that someone’s brain translates AQR into RTQ when AQR is the recommendation.

I agree - there is a lot of confusion. People also need to keep in mind that we are only 1 week since May 20. Things will sort themselves out in time.

Since many people on here were not around when GAC (Guest Assitance Card) changed to DAS in Fall 2013, I want to go back in history a bit.....

GAC was a physical card issued at Guest Relations; re-registration every trip. The guest's name was handwritten on it, along with the number of guests in the group and dates valid. Stamps were added for multiple different accommodations, including:

• waiting out of the sun if the queue was in sun for 'a significant amount of time'
• front row seating
• avoiding stairs/wheelchair entrance - this was meant for invisible needs, not wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc.
• alternate entry (usually the accessible entry before regular lines were made accessible). When Fastpass began, the alternate entry was often the Fastpass entrance
• green arrow - immediate entry without waiting. This was meant ONLY for kids on Wish trips

Nothing about GAC was on Disney's websites - most people found out by CMs noticing they were having issues in lines or word of mouth. As time went on, stuff began appearing on the Internet; people were sharing that alternate entry and green arrow were the 'best' stamps and what they said to get them.
Since there was only a name on the GAC, people were giving theirs to friends, getting one for someone who wouldn't ride or selling on eBay as 'never ending Fastpasses'. People without disabilities rationalized using GAC because they were called GUEST Assistance Cards.
Besides abuse, there was overuse. The basis of the GAC/autism lawsuit was that the plaintiffs were used to riding whatever attraction they wanted without waiting. They often rode popular rides over and over, as fast as they could go from the exit, back into the Fastpass (now Lightning Lane) entrance.

DAS was introduced in late 2013 in WDW first, then Disneyland.

• issued in person at Guest Relations; re-registered each trip
• started out as a physical card which included the photo and name of the guest registered for DAS, along with the number of guests in the group and dates valid. Each guest's card was printed in Guest Relations
• DAS had one accommodation - ability to wait outside of the regular lines for guests who were unable to wait in the regular lines (did not include guests whose primary disability was mobility related)
• Make a Wish access was moved to authorization at the Wish granting organizations
• stamps that had been part of GAC were (supposed to be) accommodated by talking to CMs at attractions.
• DAS Return Times were obtained in person at each attraction. It didn't need to be the DAS Registered person; anyone in the group could present the card.
• CM at the attraction wrote the name of the attraction, date and Return Time on a line on the card. When all the lines were filled, you needed to get a new card
• To use the DAS Return Time, guest presented the DAS card to a CM at the entrance. The CM checked the picture on the card, then crossed off the line to show the time had been used

We were at WDW shortly after DAS started and it was very chaotic to start with.
Some CMs were confused by the request for a DAS Return Time and didn't know where the CM was who could issue a Return Time.
CMs had to figure out the return time, basing it on the current Standby Wait time. Some CMs were better at that than others and some really struggled.

By the time we came back 6 months later, things were figured out and everything ran smoothly. When DAS went from paper to digital, there was another chaotic period before everything got figured out.

It's only been a week since the new DAS changes actually began. It will be chaotic for a while, but I'm sure they will figure it out. Best wishes for the CMs and guests who will be going thru the chaotic time

 

[Liquidice]

I wish more people could understand this.

I get how being denied for their typical accommodation would make someone feel like they ‘don’t matter’ or are viewed as ‘less deserving’ initially but I really hope people are able to have a better perspective in the end and see that Disney is trying to offer a more realistic range of accommodations instead of sticking to a ‘one size fits all’ mindset.

I truly believe Disney (at least most in the accessibility department; I’m sure there’s some bad eggs) will hear people out and try to work with them as best they can to make a trip to their parks possible.

Some people will require more assistance than others, that’s why a range of accommodation options makes more sense from a broader view point. They’re not saying someone is ‘less disabled’ because they assign a different accommodation to them, they’re saying that they believe that accommodation could work for that individual’s needs while someone else may require something different because their NEEDS are different (not worse, just different).

I think the hardest part and this is Disney's own making is that previously most of these people who feel this way WERE getting DAS as the accommodation. It could be that last month, you were told DAS is the accommodation for you, and today Disney is saying - sorry, DAS isn't the accommodation for you, AQR is the accommodation. It makes it much harder to accept that the same accommodation that you did qualify for is now not for you.

Had Disney gotten rid of DAS entirely and created new accommodations, maybe that would have gone over a little better.

Change is hard, so I'm sure part of it is that too. It doesn't help that Disney didn't explain what would replace DAS at first and even now AQR is explained as "ask a CM at each ride". I get that it is different at each ride, but it sure would be nice if Disney could establish a process, even if they say most rides will work like this but ask the CM at each ride because how it works can vary.

 

[Unity]

. It doesn't help that Disney didn't explain what would replace DAS at first and even now AQR is explained as "ask a CM at each ride". I get that it is different at each ride, but it sure would be nice if Disney could establish a process, even if they say most rides will work like this but ask the CM at each ride because how it works can vary.

Would it be that hard for those denied DAS to have an alert on their account that a cast member to scan that marks them for immediate access to RtQ instead of having to explain over and over and be denied because a CM may be scared they are overstepping the 'quota' that Disney has in place?

Like, if a CM has encountered so many people who need it - in fear of their job [which they shouldn't have to be! they shouldn't have to be fearful of this and I find it awful they are being put in such a position by Disny], will they deny someone who legitimately needs to stay out of the queue while the others of their party go ahead?

Even if the procedure is different at each ride, it would eliminate both the anxiety on people explaining their disability again and again and a CM feeling pressured and stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I'm all for RTQ if it works out! But it feels like it needs a couple more tweaks if this is an accommodation they are suggesting for disabled folks that no longer fall under the DAS umbrella.

 

[Wojodis]

Adding to what @Jdavidm so eloquently stated, Disney also needs to find the least disruptive accommodation that meets an individual’s needs so as to continue to be able to accommodate as many guests as possible. So while someone might *want* DAS (or the old GAC or whatever), realistically s/he might be able to make do with something else and still be able to have a “reasonable" - even if inferior to what was previously offered - park experience.

I agree that drastic revisions were needed and I also believe that these changes will help ALL GUESTS in the long run. Will there be bumps in the road along the way—most definitely, but 45-60 minute LLs help no one, especially those in need of greater accessibility in the first place. Conversely, it’s extremely difficult to assess the efficacy of these new accommodations when info is withheld/limited and or when.the new processes do not even seem to be truly established yet. For a population that plans/prepares/researches in an effort to gain some sense of control and structure in public arenas, (and often, not just for themselves or their loved one but also for complete strangers nearby), the lack of concrete details/instructions is very unsettling. I am hopeful and confident that these new recs have been well thought out though, and that they’ve been designed carefully to provide the most adequate and appropriate accommodation for each individual situation, but until those specifics are made public, it’s not fair or realistic to expect people to just “go with the flow and see how it goes”, even if that’s ultimately what they will have to do. I also agree with lanejudy that we should all approach these changes with an open mind. If something doesn’t work out, at least now people will have a greater understanding as to why, and this knowledge will hopefully make them more adept at explaining and advocating for their needs in the future.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...It’s still not a case of whose disability is worse than another — but whose needs are different than another’s.

I wish more people could understand this.

I get how being denied for their typical accommodation would make someone feel like they ‘don’t matter’ or are viewed as ‘less deserving’ initially but I really hope people are able to have a better perspective in the end and see that Disney is trying to offer a more realistic range of accommodations instead of sticking to a ‘one size fits all’ mindset.

I truly believe Disney (at least most in the accessibility department; I’m sure there’s some bad eggs) will hear people out and try to work with them as best they can to make a trip to their parks possible.

Some people will require more assistance than others, that’s why a range of accommodation options makes more sense from a broader view point. They’re not saying someone is ‘less disabled’ because they assign a different accommodation to them, they’re saying that they believe that accommodation could work for that individual’s needs while someone else may require something different because their NEEDS are different (not worse, just different).

Adding to what @Jdavidm so eloquently stated, Disney also needs to find the least disruptive accommodation that meets an individual’s needs so as to continue to be able to accommodate as many guests as possible...

Agree. This was supported by my experience at DLR yesterday. The plaid listened carefully to my needs, really tried to find the most suitable accommodation to fit those needs, and decided to offer DAS (after discussing my situation with her supervisor) because none of the other options were a good fit.

 

[Unity]

Also as a quick ask to mods - would it be possible on the pinned thread with all information to list the differences between AQR and RTQ and clarify what RTQ does? While we have several posts discussing the difference in this thread, I'm sure we all know how hard it is to find stuff in a 300+ page thread, haha.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also as a quick ask to mods - would it be possible on the pinned thread with all information to list the differences between AQR and RTQ and clarify what RTQ does? While we have several posts discussing the difference in this thread, I'm sure we all know how hard it is to find stuff in a 300+ page thread, haha.

Once we catch up, we will fix up that thread.
@lanejudy added some information regarding those other accommodations to post 2 of that thread. We are going to try to keep DAS in post one and we reserved post 2 and 3 for other accommodations

 

[Liquidice]

Would it be that hard for those denied DAS to have an alert on their account that a cast member to scan that marks them for immediate access to RtQ instead of having to explain over and over and be denied because a CM may be scared they are overstepping the 'quota' that Disney has in place?

Like, if a CM has encountered so many people who need it - in fear of their job [which they shouldn't have to be! they shouldn't have to be fearful of this and I find it awful they are being put in such a position by Disny], will they deny someone who legitimately needs to stay out of the queue while the others of their party go ahead?

Even if the procedure is different at each ride, it would eliminate both the anxiety on people explaining their disability again and again and a CM feeling pressured and stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I'm all for RTQ if it works out! But it feels like it needs a couple more tweaks if this is an accommodation they are suggesting for disabled folks that no longer fall under the DAS umbrella.

Real quick, just want to continue to offer for those that haven't read this entire thread...

AQR = Attraction Queue Re-entry - this is the accommodation where you may need to leave the standby line, you exit the line and talk to a CM who will then advise you what to do when you return.

From Disney's official website ( https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/accessing-attractions-queues/ ):

There may be times when a Guest must briefly step out of the standby line and then rejoin their party in the line. Every location has a defined process to support this option based on a person’s disability while the rest of the party remains in line.
How to Use Queue Re-entry
Speak to a Cast member at the location for directions on how to re-enter the queue.

1. A Cast Member will provide details about how to exit the queue and how to navigate back to your party.
2. While the Guest who must leave the line is briefly away, the rest of the party will remain in line.
3. The Guest reunites with their party to ride the attraction.

Return to Queue (RTQ or I've seen it abbreviated as R2Q as well) is an undocumented offering that a CM in Operations explained allows a CM to provide a Return time for an attraction. It is does in person at each attraction and the decision to give a return time is entirely up to the CM. According to the CM in Operations who mentioned this, Disney is auditing how many are being given out and a CM can get in trouble for giving out too many.

To be honest, with those changes how would RTQ really be any different from DAS?

Other than it needs to be done in person. I agree, it would be preferred that there is a documented way for the CM to know you qualify for RTQ instead of it being a case by case basis, requiring an explanation each time and dependent on the CM and the CM potentially needing to fear losing their job if they give out too many RTQs.

But if those last things occurred, how much different is it than DAS?

You might as well just create a second tier of DAS, call it RTQ if you want, make it digital and add a 30 minute cool down timer for the RTQ tier or something to simulate having to go to each physical queue.

I'm just not sure what the point of RTQ is right now as it essentially sounds / feels like DAS but with the risk of maybe not getting it at each ride since it is CM dependent to grant it.

I agree with you, I think it sounds great in theory - I wouldn't even mind if they left it in person and you need to ask for it each time if there was a process for being approved for RTQ so it was more consistent.

Why does Disney have RTQ as an option (except in the case of mobility issues where the queue cannot accommodate a wheelchair or ECV) - but for anyone else, I don't know why it is even an option when DAS already exists and could be an option for that person. Perhaps Disney in the coming months will tweak things and do something like that based on feedback.

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I am trying to make sure I get all this right. Lol. DAS (if approved) is good for 120 days? So if our trip is 10 days long should I wait for 120 days from the end of our trip? And we now talk to a CM and medical professional for each call? Can I do both of my children on one phone call?

 

[GoingSince1990]

Would it be that hard for those denied DAS to have an alert on their account that a cast member to scan that marks them for immediate access to RtQ instead of having to explain over and over and be denied because a CM may be scared they are overstepping the 'quota' that Disney has in place?

Like, if a CM has encountered so many people who need it - in fear of their job [which they shouldn't have to be! they shouldn't have to be fearful of this and I find it awful they are being put in such a position by Disny], will they deny someone who legitimately needs to stay out of the queue while the others of their party go ahead?

Even if the procedure is different at each ride, it would eliminate both the anxiety on people explaining their disability again and again and a CM feeling pressured and stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I'm all for RTQ if it works out! But it feels like it needs a couple more tweaks if this is an accommodation they are suggesting for disabled folks that no longer fall under the DAS umbrella.

Nobody is going to get a note on their account that they will automatically be granted RTQ passes, because these passes are intended as an absolute last resort, to be used rarely, only when for some unusual reason no other accommodation works, and if someone could get them automatically granted, this would become the newest “TikTok hack” for avoiding lines.

 

[Liquidice]

I am trying to make sure I get all this right. Lol. DAS (if approved) is good for 120 days? So if our trip is 10 days long should I wait for 120 days from the end of our trip? And we now talk to a CM and medical professional for each call? Can I do both of my children on one phone call?

DAS is approved for 120 days or the length of your tickets, whichever is shorter. 120 Days is for Annual Passholders.

You can only call 30 days in advance of your trip. If you have an AP and are thinking of making a Park Pass reservation so you can call 110 days in advance of your trip, I would recommend waiting to closer to your trip as there seems to be some inconsistencies right now as CMs are adjusting to who qualifies for DAS now.

You talk to a CM still and if the CM cannot make a determination based on their script, they will bring in a "medical professional" from Inspire Health.

It has been reported you can attempt to get DAS for more than 1 party on the same call. You would need to identify that you want to talk about DAS for more than 1 person in the chat when you start.

 

[Unity]

Nobody is going to get a note on their account that they will automatically be granted RTQ passes, because these passes are intended as an absolute last resort, to be used rarely, only when for some unusual reason no other accommodation works, and if someone could get them automatically granted, this would become the newest “TikTok hack” for avoiding lines.

Would it really be a hack if it's only one person getting it and the majority of your party has to be in line? And if they are saying this is an alternative accommodation for your condition, but Disney is saying 'you're only limited to this amount of passes' it doesn't actually work as an accommodation if a CM will be punished for it?

Also, it still relies on a person having to explain their disability everytime in public to a CM. There should be an easier way to do that, and a note would remedy it.