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

[mistysue]

No, it used to be a total of 6 - so DAS user +5 - regardless of relationship.

Yes, the limit of +3 is part of the new system. And this whole time people have been saying +3 unless the immediate family group is bigger. I was replying to someone being upset they have 3 kids, so it wouldn't work but 3 kids and 2 parents is an immediate family grouping.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, the limit of +3 is part of the new system. And this whole time people have been saying +3 unless the immediate family group is bigger. I was replying to someone being upset they have 3 kids, so it wouldn't work but 3 kids and 2 parents is an immediate family grouping.

Young kids definitely seem to be included as a family unit as it was in the past (for exceptions to the 5+). However adult children/adult siblings has been a bit of a gray area since the new rules were announced.

 

[Disneylvr]

Nobody can really give you the answer you seek until you do the video chat. There have been parties approved with 4 guests age 14+, there have been parties denied with 4 guests age 14+. It will come down to how you present her needs related to waiting in a standard queue environment. Diagnosis alone will not cut it.

Leaving diagnosis out it, all I really want to know if small families consisting of all adults, which I guess Disney defines as age 14+, have been approved. And why does age of the DAS user matter so much to Disney!!!??? 14+ DAS users don't need to experience attractions with the family, only children under 14. I am sorry, this whole thing is upsetting me greatly. Not just for our family and ones like ours but for all who were able to get a DAS before May 20th and now are supposedly not qualified. Maybe if Disney had not taken away the free FPasses and FP+.....there wouldn't have been so many abusers of a system that used to work. Adults with disability are often forgotten once they are of age. DISABILITY and the need for accommodation doesn't end at adulthood.

 

[mistysue]

Young kids definitely seem to be included as a family unit as it was in the past (for exceptions to the 5+). However adult children/adult siblings has been a bit of a gray area since the new rules were announced.

And they won't know until they talk to someone, of course. When Disney wants it to be immediate family they were always going to have to lower that number from 6 - because the "typical" family is more likely 2 kids, so with 6 people there were too many "and grandma, and grandpa, and just the one exception to add aunt Daisy". Now it's clear not to bring extended family because it's not an exception for 1 person, but for a whole crowd.

 

[lanejudy]

Leaving diagnosis out it, all I really want to know if small families consisting of all adults, which I guess Disney defines as age 14+, have been approved. And why does age of the DAS user matter so much to Disney!!!??? 14+ DAS users don't need to experience attractions with the family only under 14. I am sorry, this whole thing is upsetting me greatly, not just for me but for all who were able to get one before and now are supposedly not qualified. Maybe if Disney had not taken away the free FPasses and FP+.....there wouldn't have been so many abusers of a system that used to work.

I only mentioned the 14 age because it's what some posters have apparently been told. But it doesn't seem to be consistent. Again, sorry it's not much of an answer for your question.

 

[PrincessV]

Like another poster has now said several times just because a person is commenting on something doesn't mean they are meaning you specifically. What you may be anxious about may have nothing to do with what the several other posters are discussing regarding the words disability, entitlement, DAS only being the accommodation, etc.

I guess I wasn’t clear, so please let me clarify: I didn’t quote anyone in that post because I wasn’t taking anything anyone said as being directed at me, nor was I directing my post at anyone else specifically. It was a general comment to express my understanding and sympathy for those who are having a hard time with a new reality because I’m feeling it, too.

Those folk are definitely out there..just not here on disboards nearly as much.

Most here are trying to get to 'yes'

This is such a great example of how two (or more!) people can read the same things and have a different take - I’ve felt exactly the opposite, that most here are trying hard to understand and work with the changes, while other places seem a lot more reactive - which is why I only lurk and don’t participate in the other places lol!

 

[dbriggsq]

What else can Disney do? There is actually plenty, like bringing back all of the entertainment and streetmosphere and make sure there are enough times for all of them, bring back parades at every park, even the small things, making sure all rides are always operating at full capacity, reopening all dining venues as dining venues, fixing attractions so they are in good repair and not constantly going down and bringing back some form of free FP/LL. All of these things individually wouldn't do much, but combined they would disperse the crows tremendously. Note this isn't intended as speculation on what they will do, it is just answering the question as to what else they can do.

Agree with all this. I would also add extending opening hours and having less ‘paid for’ events in the evening which sometimes seem to take up several evenings a week now and take away from people who can only manage 2 hours in a morning and then could previously possibly do 2 hours in an evening

 

[Disneylvr]

Young kids definitely seem to be included as a family unit as it was in the past (for exceptions to the 5+). However adult children/adult siblings has been a bit of a gray area since the new rules were announced.

In our case, it will just be us 2 parents/legal guardian and our 21 year old daughter. If that is not allowed, we will be heartbroken. WDW is one of the few things our daughter truly enjoys and makes her smile. In the distant past, 10+ years ago, we have brought along grandparents, a cousin & aunt....and they were added. but never more than 3 or 4 others added to the DAS. DD was 10 or younger during those times. But for awhile now, it is just the 3 of us. I am just very anxious about this video chat.

 

[nalababybear]

This is such a great example of how two (or more!) people can read the same things and have a different take - I’ve felt exactly the opposite, that most here are trying hard to understand and work with the changes, while other places seem a lot more reactive - which is why I only lurk and don’t participate in the other places lol!

We are on the same page. Disboards folk here are trying to get to understand and get to yes.

Other places.....not so much. Reddit is a hot mess. Fb closed their main group altogether.

 

[StarCruzer]

I mean honestly, the elephant in the room is....Disney wants a large chunk of their customers to be in lines. They have been slowly taking away alternative activities (less parades/shows, street performers, stuff like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, playgrounds, arcades, etc.) because of the cost-to-profit ratios. Lines make Disney money: either people by G+ or ILL, or they have to add more days to their vacation to do all of the attractions.

The technology exists for everyone in Disney to have the ability to virtually stand in line. Imagine if they actually upgraded their servers to put a system in place where everyone could virtually stand in line (one line at a time). Pull out all the stanchions, add benches and allow people to freely interact with the queue entertainment (I mean, imagine you still have to wait 70 minutes for 7DMT but sitting in a shaded area, watching your kid happily spin a jewel barrel, and being able to run and grab and iced coffee while you wait). Instead, everyone (disabled and able-bodied alike) has to suffer, because the suffering = more money for Disney. I mean heck, in this scenario you could still even sell G+ or ILL for people who want to schedule a more customized day and not wait at all.

As you can tell...how Disney has been handling this has made me feel pretty cynical about how the overall Disney experience could be vs what it is today. Probably a little off-topic but the need to vent frustration is so strong on this.

 

[nalababybear]

In our case, it will just be us 2 parents/legal guardian and our 21 year old daughter. If that is not allowed, we will be heartbroken. WDW is one of the few things our daughter truly enjoys and makes her smile. In the distant past, 10+ years ago, we have brought along grandparents, a cousin & aunt....and they were added. but never more than 3 or 4 others added to the DAS. DD was 10 or younger during those times. But for awhile now, it is just the 3 of us. I am just very anxious about this video chat.

Stay strong. We have 23 yo son who's higher functioning and we are apprehensive about his DAS. We just finished a visit to our home park DLR last Sunday. He was tapped out after 4 hours and grad night too so more rambunctious teens showing up so he was done.

Remember what the CMs will be seeking. Why can't she stay in a standard queue. That's the key thing to communicate with them on the video call.

 

[mhautz]

would the 30 days be the same as the 30 days for me to pay off my WDW Package. Like my trip is July 6th, the payment is due June 6th, so I can contact them on that day about DAS? Not saying I would change my plans based on the results, but it would be nice to know before I finalize.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It was a general comment to express my understanding and sympathy for those who are having a hard time with a new reality because I’m feeling it, too.

By making it like no one else has?

"I just think there can be space for both logic and emotion. Maybe that space isn’t in this thread" among the rest of your comments. I suppose like your response to another poster two people can read the same thing but have different takes. I know for certain people have offered both their understanding and sympathy, it's when you're met with blocking to that understanding and sympathy that most have responded a certain way. "here's a way you could do X" "no that won't work for..." an example of blocking.

 

[lanejudy]

would the 30 days be the same as the 30 days for me to pay off my WDW Package. Like my trip is July 6th, the payment is due June 6th, so I can contact them on that day about DAS? Not saying I would change my plans based on the results, but it would be nice to know before I finalize.

DAS registration is 30 days from first park day. If you will go to a park on the same day you check-in to the resort, yes it's the same. If you don't plan to go to a park on arrival day it will be different.

FWIW there have been reports of WDW waiving cancellation fees.

 

[mistysue]

would the 30 days be the same as the 30 days for me to pay off my WDW Package. Like my trip is July 6th, the payment is due June 6th, so I can contact them on that day about DAS? Not saying I would change my plans based on the results, but it would be nice to know before I finalize.

30 days is 30 days, I guess the only reason which day "30 days" is would be if your check in and park visit were different.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Agree with all this. I would also add extending opening hours and having less ‘paid for’ events in the evening which sometimes seem to take up several evenings a week now and take away from people who can only manage 2 hours in a morning and then could previously possibly do 2 hours in an evening

I know for those who have heat/sun issues it's not as good as it could be but I do think when AK started closing past like 5pm it was better. They aren't closing as late as they did in the past however but I count that as something nice to have. Before it was harder to make a late arrival worth it as much with such an early close time.

 

[mistysue]

In our case, it will just be us 2 parents/legal guardian and our 21 year old daughter. If that is not allowed, we will be heartbroken. WDW is one of the few things our daughter truly enjoys and makes her smile. In the distant past, 10+ years ago, we have brought along grandparents, a cousin & aunt....and they were added. but never more than 3 or 4 others added to the DAS. DD was 10 or younger during those times. But for awhile now, it is just the 3 of us. I am just very anxious about this video chat.

Please try to not worry too much. (I know, easier said...) CM's aren't there trying to ruin anyone's day, so you just have to focus on what the needs are and trust that they are going to work with you to find the solution that applies to your needs.
If you go in stressed out and wound up, bracing for the worst, you likely won't communicate well. For real, you have navigated far worse scenarios than having to rethink a touring plan while you figure out how to meet your daughter's needs. So take notes, and make sure you have concise points on what the needs are, and trust that you can work this out as well.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

.Disney wants a large chunk of their customers to be in lines.

Some guests in Standby lines who feel it's too long will end up buying Genie+/ILL absolutely but Disney has also learned that they can't do Genie+/ILL like they thought due to capacity issues. Too many people buying did not lead to anything but complaints, a ride or show's hourly capacity is still finite. Increasing the price and eventually saying it can sell out did occur, allowing modification of Genie+ times also helped. But there's only so much money that can be gained off of Genie+/ILL. If people aren't purchasing merch or food (especially TS which let's be real are quite pricey these days) because they are in line it doesn't help their bottom line either. I think there's a psychological effect to prioritizing Genie+/ILL but there's also balancing out where a guest is spending their money and that TS (heck even QS) meal especially several times a day is going to net money for Disney on a higher ratio.

 

[PrincessV]

By making it like no one else has?

"I just think there can be space for both logic and emotion. Maybe that space isn’t in this thread" among the rest of your comments. I suppose like your response to another poster two people can read the same thing but have different takes. I know for certain people have offered both their understanding and sympathy, it's when you're met with blocking to that understanding and sympathy that most have responded a certain way. "here's a way you could do X" "no that won't work for..." an example of blocking.

Well I apologize if that’s how my words were taken - I absolutely did not mean that no one else has: I meant it literally, as in maybe this isn’t the appropriate place for it. Intent isn’t always easy to decipher on discussion boards, so I appreciate you pointing it out.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

AQR isn’t even necessarily a sub-program of DAS, it can be used by anyone needing to temporarily leave the line for any reason. You’ve waited an hour in line for PP with your 6-year old daughter who now needs to use the restroom before you got to the front? Use AQR. And with newly formalized procedures for rejoining the line, there should be no reason anymore for anyone to be pushing forward through the standby line “to rejoin our group”

I do know that. I probably just threw it under there because they keep throwing it At everyone when they get denied lol