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

[VroomVroomLightning]

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.

Thank You! That helps me to understand it better!

 

[Unity]

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 think it's because it doesn't allow the whole party to pass through it's different? [But I am not familiar with this option so much so i may be wrong on this]

Either way I feel bad for those having to explain their diagnosis everytime and CMs who are now being put in this scenario.

 

[Liquidice]

I think it's because it doesn't allow the whole party to pass through it's different? [But I am not familiar with this option so much so i may be wrong on this]

Either way I feel bad for those having to explain their diagnosis everytime and CMs who are now being put in this scenario.

Ah, is that the differentiator? The reports of RTQ have been so sparse and of course I haven't experienced it myself yet that I didn't grasp the difference.

Maybe someone who has used RTQ can explain better if it includes their entire party or not.

With that in mind, RTQ probably would not be offered as an accommodation to larger parties as there should be someone capable of waiting in the standby line and then they could use AQR or the modified version of AQR where you jump in the lightning lane when your party is at the merge point.

But maybe RTQ makes sense for solo travelers or parties of 2 where the 2nd person is the caregiver.

 

[greeneyedchick]

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

Not sure about the class action waiver, but be aware that that app drains your battery badly.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

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/ ):



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.

I think this confusion is stemming from a misunderstanding. AQR is always available to everyone w/o needing CM approval.

For RTQ, because of extremely high combined legitimate use, misuse, and outright abuse, the DAS system was significantly impacting park operations and Disney does not want the DAS system (which is a dramatic improvement on standby and significant improvement from Genie+) available to most guests who can't/won't wait in line for the vast majority or reasons or potential reasons. Instead, Disney is trying to find ways that still allows the large number of park guests (myself included) who cannot tolerate long lines for most reasons to ride long wait attractions without putting them in a superior position to guests in standby lines. Their first choice would be AQR, where most of your party waits in the line but you join them at the LL merge point, this should work for many DAS users. If I understand correctly (but this remains to play out) the second choice would be rider switch, where the rest of your family goes through and one or two people come back via LL lane after they have completed their ride. RTQ is only supposed to be offered if there is a compelling reason that AQR and Rider Switch will not work for your party and your disability prevents you from waiting in that particular queue at that particular time-- with DAS there was a serious problem where someone would qualify for one reason but then use it on every ride (e.g. low vision in dark but then use it on outdoor queues in broad daylight, or having DAS approved for inability to tolerate heat but using it for Soarin', etc.) and I think an even larger problem that it caused many of us to jump in the virtual queue even when lines were less than 20 minutes or for rides we probably wouldn't have waited 90 minutes for except that we could join by pressing a tile and ride other short waits (or experience other non-ride attractions) while waiting. By forcing someone to ask for RTQ each time, it means that the CM judges if the current standard queue is shorter than an average LL return, whether or not your condition requires virtual queing for this particular ride, etc., potentially also making judgment calls about how long the current LL line is, if there have been recent breakdowns, etc. I think Disney is pretty clear that even though being a DAS super user was permitted in the past, they don't want such a large group of us being able to request returns unless we are willing to do our part to get as close to the average able-bodied guest wait experience, even if we have our own challenges to navigate beyond the mythical average guest.

I do agree with you that it would make sense at the time of the DAS call to have a few notes keyed to your account including things generally categorizing when you might need it examples like Line > 25m, Solo Party, Solo with kids, Heat + Sun... which would allow the cast member to quickly reference your "factors" (and that someone at DAS did a little initial diligence) as opposed to having to interview each person requesting RTQ each time.

 

[GoingSince1990]

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?

Leaving the queue to take care of a need while the majority of the party stays in line, and then returning to the line to meet them when you are done, is NOT a RTQ pass, it's "attraction queue re-entry" which is positively encouraged by Disney as an accommodation for things like bathroom needs and should be allowed by CMs with no problems or limitations at all. An RTQ pass is like an old-style (pre-digital) DAS allowing the guest to return to the LL at a particular time as opposed to reuniting with their party, and this is what Disney is intending should only be used in rare cases as a last resort.

 

[Unity]

Leaving the queue to take care of a need while the majority of the party stays in line, and then returning to the line to meet them when you are done, is NOT a RTQ pass, it's "attraction queue re-entry" which is positively encouraged by Disney as an accommodation for things like bathroom needs and should be allowed by CMs with no problems or limitations at all. An RTQ pass is like an old-style (pre-digital) DAS allowing the guest to return to the LL at a particular time as opposed to reuniting with their party, and this is what Disney is intending should only be used in rare cases as a last resort.

Yes I... know this? I never said about stepping out of line? Sorry, I'm a bit confused about where you got that from?

Have you utilized RTQ to know if it applies to your whole party or not?

 

[Unity]

I do agree with you that it would make sense at the time of the DAS call to have a few notes keyed to your account including things generally categorizing when you might need it examples like Line > 25m, Solo Party, Solo with kids, Heat + Sun... which would allow the cast member to quickly reference your "factors" (and that someone at DAS did a little initial diligence) as opposed to having to interview each person requesting RTQ each time.

I mean, this is exactly what I would want.

I understand RTQ would be an option only in cases that are needed, and that's what I agree should happen! A note on your account after you explain your disabilities in a private chatroom and if your disability applies to a queue [some would apply for all, some for only those outside, etc. etc. just like you explained]. That makes perfect sense to do. My main worry stems from having to explain it at the front of the line to a cast member who is under pressure, and waiving having to explain a whole spiel to every cast member you come across and having them look at a brief note like that.

Out of curiosity: is RTQ only for the one who has to wait outside the queue altogether? I assume so and approve of such, but I was getting a bit confused.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I mean, this is exactly what I would want.

I understand RTQ would be an option only in cases that are needed, and that's what I agree should happen! A note on your account after you explain your disabilities in a private chatroom and if your disability applies to a queue [some would apply for all, some for only those outside, etc. etc. just like you explained]. That makes perfect sense to do. My main worry stems from having to explain it at the front of the line to a cast member who is under pressure, and waiving having to explain a whole spiel to every cast member you come across and having them look at a brief note like that.

Out of curiosity: is RTQ only for the one who has to wait outside the queue altogether?

I don’t think we know the answer as to whether or not RTQ only works for those waiting outside altogether— I think (for now?) it sounds like if you have a party in the queue who can call you at the merge point, you get in the LL at that time (maybe with a password to give the CM at the LL?)…so not sure what else a RTQ would be for, but I think Disney is deliberately keeping the details to a need to know day to day basis?

As far as the idea of keeping general notes on “conditional” RTQ users, it seems much better for the users (more privacy, less anxiety), better for Disney (makes it harder for an abuser to claim they are allergic to sunlight at Mine Train and then unable to see in the dark at Rise, etc.), and SO MUCH BETTER for front line CMs, who don’t have to make the judgment calls that should be be pre-screened by a trained DAS team.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I do agree with you that it would make sense at the time of the DAS call to have a few notes keyed to your account including things generally categorizing when you might need it examples like Line > 25m, Solo Party, Solo with kids, Heat + Sun... which would allow the cast member to quickly reference your "factors" (and that someone at DAS did a little initial diligence) as opposed to having to interview each person requesting RTQ each time.

It's not just that RTQ is only supposed to be used for a compelling reason, though. A CM shared it's supposed to be used *very* rarely and Disney would be auditing its use. Why would disney want to add this to a process they don't want used much at all?

I mean, I agree with you that I think this would be very helpful. There are a host of reasons why it's problematic for people to have to explain their needs at every queue, both for the CMs and the guests. That said, given how limited it's supposed to be, it seems unlikely. I hope there's some kind of note on the backend showing RTQ was suggested as an accommodation to someone denied DAS, but we don't have confirmation of even just that small piece yet as I understand it.

 

[Unity]

I don’t think we know the answer as to whether or not RTQ only works for those waiting outside altogether— I think (for now?) it sounds like if you have a party in the queue who can call you at the merge point, you get in the LL at that time (maybe with a password to give the CM at the LL?)…so not sure what else a RTQ would be for, but I think Disney is deliberately keeping the details to a need to know day to day basis?

As far as the idea of keeping general notes on “conditional” RTQ users, it seems much better for the users (more privacy, less anxiety), better for Disney (makes it harder for an abuser to claim they are allergic to sunlight at Mine Train and then unable to see in the dark at Rise, etc.), and SO MUCH BETTER for front line CMs, who don’t have to make the judgment calls that should be be pre-screened by a trained DAS team.

Thought so on the first part, as the general impression I got but it definitely seems Disney doesn't want the details about it out (probably again as each attraction is different!)

And definitely agree on the latter part!

 

[starlite_]

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.

I don't think guests can/are supposed to ask for a RTQ (except as you mention for wheelchairs/ECVs). If a guests has issues or concerns about a specific queue, the guest can go to a greeter CM and explain their concerns. A CM can then choose to offer a RTQ for that guest, or can explain how AQR or Rider Switch or Single Rider, etc etc works.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

It's not just that RTQ is only supposed to be used for a compelling reason, though. A CM shared it's supposed to be used *very* rarely and Disney would be auditing its use. Why would disney want to add this to a process they don't want used much at all?

I mean, I agree with you that I think this would be very helpful. There are a host of reasons why it's problematic for people to have to explain their needs at every queue, both for the CMs and the guests. That said, given how limited it's supposed to be, it seems unlikely. I hope there's some kind of note on the backend showing RTQ was suggested as an accommodation to someone denied DAS, but we don't have confirmation of even just that small piece yet as I understand it.

100% agree with your points. It’s too early to say if lots of people are confusing AQR with RTQ or if DAS is telling people “try RTQ” to get people off calls as they elaborate why AQR/RS won’t work but they actually intend to deny it in 99% of circumstances (I find this unlikely but not impossible)—but it sounds like a lot of people think they’re going to get RTQ when they show up at the park or that it’s “old school DAS”.

My hope is that the reason RTQ is anticipated to be rare is because (a) there aren’t that many parties without at least one adult capable of waiting in most lines and (b) with better queue management, the vast majority of the people eater rides will stay below 20 minutes (within the range of current LL waits) and (c) a lot of the reasons for needing DAS returns for many users are conditional…in which case a system of pre-registered icons would be helpful for (c)— but we really don’t know.

 

[Evita_W]

I still think they would have been better off modifying the DAS (perhaps changing its name) to only work for a person's needs. For example if they can't wait in the sun, then it wouldn't work at attractions where queues are entirely indoors. This would have brought a good balance, reduced LL use and still accommodate most people. This also would have reduced the stress on the front line CMs. Why do I mention it here? Because I do know Disney executives (or at least people working for the executives) read these boards and I hope they see the idea and reconsider how they are handling things. I also do think reducing the max party size was a good move as well.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I would guess that the reason why RtQ notes aren’t stored is a combination of Disney IT incompetence and Disney not wanting to somehow store personal medical info. Categories like someone suggested above make sense from a privacy perspective but then that would need to be built, and people would likely complain that whatever categories are listed are too rigid for their specific needs. Freeform notes could very easily accidentally store something that Disney shouldn’t. Seems like they are d if they do, d if they don’t.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I would guess that the reason why RtQ notes aren’t stored is a combination of Disney IT incompetence and Disney not wanting to somehow store personal medical info. Categories like someone suggested above make sense from a privacy perspective but then that would need to be built, and people would likely complain that whatever categories are listed are too rigid for their specific needs. Freeform notes could very easily accidentally store something that Disney shouldn’t. Seems like they are d if they do, d if they don’t.

I was thinking about privacy rights when trying to sketch out the broad categories and you are almost certainly correct about the problems Disney is facing here. It’s somewhat ironic that well-intention privacy legislation and the plaintiffs bar may end up requiring guests with disabilities to publicly explain their condition over and over.

 

[Liquidice]

I think this confusion is stemming from a misunderstanding. AQR is always available to everyone w/o needing CM approval.

For RTQ, because of extremely high combined legitimate use, misuse, and outright abuse, the DAS system was significantly impacting park operations and Disney does not want the DAS system (which is a dramatic improvement on standby and significant improvement from Genie+) available to most guests who can't/won't wait in line for the vast majority or reasons or potential reasons. Instead, Disney is trying to find ways that still allows the large number of park guests (myself included) who cannot tolerate long lines for most reasons to ride long wait attractions without putting them in a superior position to guests in standby lines. Their first choice would be AQR, where most of your party waits in the line but you join them at the LL merge point, this should work for many DAS users. If I understand correctly (but this remains to play out) the second choice would be rider switch, where the rest of your family goes through and one or two people come back via LL lane after they have completed their ride. RTQ is only supposed to be offered if there is a compelling reason that AQR and Rider Switch will not work for your party and your disability prevents you from waiting in that particular queue at that particular time-- with DAS there was a serious problem where someone would qualify for one reason but then use it on every ride (e.g. low vision in dark but then use it on outdoor queues in broad daylight, or having DAS approved for inability to tolerate heat but using it for Soarin', etc.) and I think an even larger problem that it caused many of us to jump in the virtual queue even when lines were less than 20 minutes or for rides we probably wouldn't have waited 90 minutes for except that we could join by pressing a tile and ride other short waits (or experience other non-ride attractions) while waiting. By forcing someone to ask for RTQ each time, it means that the CM judges if the current standard queue is shorter than an average LL return, whether or not your condition requires virtual queing for this particular ride, etc., potentially also making judgment calls about how long the current LL line is, if there have been recent breakdowns, etc. I think Disney is pretty clear that even though being a DAS super user was permitted in the past, they don't want such a large group of us being able to request returns unless we are willing to do our part to get as close to the average able-bodied guest wait experience, even if we have our own challenges to navigate beyond the mythical average guest.

I do agree with you that it would make sense at the time of the DAS call to have a few notes keyed to your account including things generally categorizing when you might need it examples like Line > 25m, Solo Party, Solo with kids, Heat + Sun... which would allow the cast member to quickly reference your "factors" (and that someone at DAS did a little initial diligence) as opposed to having to interview each person requesting RTQ each time.

If this is the intention, then I really hope Disney has a version of DAS in the works that does this digitally with the proper restrictions. Its feasible to do all of this in the app digitally and automatically with a lot less stress on front line CMs to make a judgement call.

So for example:
1. Qualify for DAS but only when line is >25m?
2. App can check wait times when booking DAS. Is the line > 25m? Yes, then DAS is booked.

Heat/Sun could be a little bit more generic and not temperature based to apply to only rides that have an outside queue.

As far as Solo and Solo with Kids, that can already be accomplished based on who is approved to use DAS with you when they register you. If you want to add/remove someone then you need to speak to someone again and re-validate your concerns.


I can understand that they may not be able to account for every situation, but if they could bucket lets say 70% - 80% of issues, that would be a huge improvement over where we are today.

Its also understandable that it may take some time to make these changes in the app.

 

[BingoJoe]

If this is the intention, then I really hope Disney has a version of DAS in the works that does this digitally with the proper restrictions. Its feasible to do all of this in the app digitally and automatically with a lot less stress on front line CMs to make a judgement call.

So for example:
1. Qualify for DAS but only when line is >25m?
2. App can check wait times when booking DAS. Is the line > 25m? Yes, then DAS is booked.

Heat/Sun could be a little bit more generic and not temperature based to apply to only rides that have an outside queue.

As far as Solo and Solo with Kids, that can already be accomplished based on who is approved to use DAS with you when they register you. If you want to add/remove someone then you need to speak to someone again and re-validate your concerns.


I can understand that they may not be able to account for every situation, but if they could bucket lets say 70% - 80% of issues, that would be a huge improvement over where we are today.

Its also understandable that it may take some time to make these changes in the app.

I think you are missing that many people get DAS atm just in case they are feeling a certain way on a certain attraction on a specific day. It doesn't make any sense to grant a blanket, improved, version of genie plus to anyone who is worried something may happen.

For the stability of the system its make a lot of sense to move DAS to being much more reactive and 'in the moment' rather than the old proactive approach.

 

[jo-jo]

I've been reading all along, all the abbreviations , this means this and that , that. No that mean this etc.

My head is spinning.

I think I'll go read some tax codes to reset my brain.

In my brain , I don't see why they don't have levels like 20 years ago. Some people may need DAS as it was a few weeks ago. Some people going from ride to ride to request a time meets their need. But I would hate go to each CM saying I need this over and over, something should be noted on account. I think between this change and no more pre selects would be enough to make a difference in the lines .

If not , make more changes done the road.

 

[koszmok]

I'm still not finding info about offering Rider Switch instead of DAS in WDW.
If I remember right I read somewhere in DL Rider Switch is an option if someone is not able to wait in line because of their disability but the rest of the party is able to wait in Standby.

If this whole change things based on influencers etc lying about having IBS that's your solution...

Offer Rider Switch for the disabled person and the carer!

In this case the legitimate IBD sufferers ( yes IBD which is an autoimmune condition and can be proved/diagnosed by medical tests) and plus 1 ie the carer can stay out of line and the rest of the party wouldn't...

So wouldn't make any sense to lie anymore and to sell your "friends " list.

I can't speak of other disabilities but believe me IF people are nice and will let you through out of the line but you are already in for a while that still WILL be too long time to get to the bathroom safely for most of us! Especially sitting in a wheelchair.

Yes it won't happen every single line but it most likely will happen in a 50 min line.

And if you take it into consideration that after the 50 min line some ride is extra 20-25 min (KS, Rise etc) that's even more time someone must handle.

For those who are the line itself the challenge and the ride is not they don't have to calculate the extra time!

I read a lot of post which clearly say the line itself the problem and the child/adult don't have problems in the ride.

Well for IBD sufferers the ride time is an added challenge. And since rides do break down regularly I MUST HAVE spend as less time in line as possible.

One more thing which is EXTREMELY important: with DAS you can get in line when you feel ready!

Sometimes it comes hours after my window opens!

Or I assume without disability one can jump in a line when is SHORT. With a disability it very well possible that I'm not ready to jump in even a 10 min line... and by the time I'm ready it wait can be 50+ min.

So in short: give Rider Switch to IBD sufferers that will cut back the lying and the number of people in the LL.

Still difficult to understand why can an adult on a spectrum who is offered DAS take 3 friend (not talking about FAMILY) with them on the ride?! But people with other legitimate disabilities not even offered Rider Switch?!

I just don't understand that part.....

PS my first language is not English so please try not to misunderstand my wording I hope it was clear what bothers me and what would be the solution IMO

Trying to explain my medical conditions in front of numerous people to the CM at the entrance of the line several times per day CAN'T BE!!!