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

[nalababybear]

Haven't been keeping up with the thread so apologies if this has been posted already - I've read multiple reports of people who have spoken to the "medical professional" from Inspire Health and were denied and when they went to re-apply for DAS, they were told they could not because the medical professional had already denied them.

One report claimed they were a CM and told everyone to not talk to the medical professional.

I also read a report that a CM supervisor told someone that a change occurred last week and supervisors can no longer overrule a CM's decision on whether to grant DAS as an accommodation. This differs from earlier reports that supervisors were granting DAS in some cases.

I'm not sure if there is any truth to either of the above reports, but hearing not just one but at least three reports of people being told that because they already spoke to a "medical professional" that they are automatically denied when they try to re-apply seems to be a pattern. I'm not sure if that is a new change, but it seems like recent applicants are being told this.

The recommendation from others is that you should not talk to a medical professional if the CM denies you and if they insist on adding the medical professional to the Zoom call that you should disconnect from the call.

Sounds like Disney is changing to adjust to the HUCA (Hang Up Call Again) strategy.

They will just do the same type of notation of HUCA if one disconnects earlier in the process.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

If that's your families preference then that's your own prerogative. But it isn't something that Disney or other guests should be expected to accommodate.

Never said they should

I was being empathetic to the original poster; indicating I understood.

I have never used DAS, never will probably. Not my fight. But I cam be empathetic to the stress others are going through.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I guess that is your experience. It has been my experience that my whole family wants to experience Disney together.

Indeed, it would be nice if Disney provided a friendly CM at each ride with a height requirement to babysit kids that are too short, so my wife and I would not have been separated in line all of those years while we had to do child swap. But most people would see that as an unreasonable demand, and are happy that Disney has provided a system allowing everyone to do any ride they like, even at the cost of everyone not getting to enjoy the family fun of waiting in line together.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Haven't been keeping up with the thread so apologies if this has been posted already - I've read multiple reports of people who have spoken to the "medical professional" from Inspire Health and were denied and when they went to re-apply for DAS, they were told they could not because the medical professional had already denied them.

snipped for a reason-----I don't entirely disagree with Disney here if that is indeed what they are doing. In some cases I have read reports from people where I truly feel something got mixed up, wires crossed in the discussion, etc. However feeling like you weren't able to explain yourself well enough and not getting the answer you wanted should be approached differently. As more and more people are told (here and elsewhere on the internet) to call back as a more general advice the more Disney may feel they need to enact.

I realize we're going for reports here to give more information but it also can rise to the level of providing information to people that can either be used later on or may lead to further action on behalf of Disney especially if we're posting about calling back or more specifically what your last sentence was in your comment (that I chose not to quote).

 

[DisneyMom93]

The “our whole family must stay together at all times, even in the lines” argument is kind of grasping at straws. Every family with kids has spent years being separated in lines because height requirements meant they needed to use child swap, with absolutely no choice in the matter, if the parents wanted to do those rides.

I think that's a different scenario. We are talking about a disability that can be accommodated so that families spending thousands of dollars to vacation together can actually spend that time "together."

 

[shannnsavage]

Indeed, it would be nice if Disney provided a friendly CM at each ride with a height requirement to babysit kids that are too short, so my wife and I would not have been separated in line all of those years while we had to do child swap. But most people would see that as an unreasonable demand, and are happy that Disney has provided a system allowing everyone to do any ride they like, even at the cost of everyone not getting to enjoy the family fun of waiting in line together.

This isn't an argument about whose wait it worse. I didnt go to disney when my kids were small, so I don't have that experience. Implying that I am asking for a CM to watch my children is wild. All I am saying is that as a family of 5, it is hard to think that I may need to be separated. And this separation would not be by choice because we all want to do different things, it would be because Disney sees my family of 5 differently that a family of 4.

 

[PrincessV]

The topic of usage/super-usage is interesting… I started thinking about my own usage and my initial feeling was that gosh, maybe I am a super-user? Because I’m a frequent AP visitor, and my last park day felt really full. Like I’d done a lot. I was in HS for around 7 hours, which is a really long time for me, and I was wiped out after.

But thinking back, I did a whopping… ONE attraction with DAS. Another as SB because it was a 5-min wait. Seriously, two rides in 7 hours? What the heck was I doing the other 6ish hours?! There was a very long dinner with friends. Snapping some fun photos. A long snack break while catching up with a friend. Sitting in the shade, people watching for a while.

It felt like a really busy, fun, full day, and I’d have sworn I rode a bunch of rides, but nope.

On the flip side, the one time I tried G+ when it was first out, I did a BUNCH of rides - I want to say I topped out at HS at 7 or 8 - in about the same amount of time… but it didn’t feel particularly fun. I felt accomplished: like I’d ticked every item off a chore list. But it didn’t feel particularly great, if that makes any sense at all.

Sorry to get all philosophical lol! If nothing else, all of the discussions here so far have been helpful in thinking about what I like about WDW, what I want out of a visit, and whether it still holds adequate value for me.

 

[lanejudy]

I've read multiple reports of people who have spoken to the "medical professional" from Inspire Health and were denied and when they went to re-apply for DAS, they were told they could not because the medical professional had already denied them.

My understanding is that Disney wants folks to TRY the new accommodations before attempting to re-register for a DAS that was denied. It has nothing to do with whether the HCP was involved in the call or not. They need to further know specifics of when AQR/RTQ was attempted and what happened that made it not work. Just randomly trying to “shop CMs” to get an approval isn’t happening.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think that's a different scenario. We are talking about a disability that can be accommodated so that families spending thousands of dollars to vacation together can actually spend that time "together."

What you spend should have no bearing. You certainly wouldn't think a traveling party with disabilities who spent only several hundred should be given less consideration than the traveling party who spent more. I understand that people place value on how much they spend but rarely does someone view it about spending X amount of money when they are the person who spent less than someone else.

The term disability is being used as an umbrella by a lot of people when they talk about it but not all disabilities affect each traveling party the same.

 

[lanejudy]

this separation would not be by choice because we all want to do different things, it would be because Disney sees my family of 5 differently that a family of 4.

Have you (your DD) been denied DAS? Or is this hypothetical?

I have seen reports from ages 14+ that were denied; I’ve also seen reports of all 14+ who were granted DAS. Unless you are sure your child no longer qualifies, you may be jumping to inaccurate conclusions. I understand the angst and the worry, but you may be causing yourself more anxiety over this than needed if you/she has not yet been denied DAS.

 

[StarCruzer]

The topic of usage/super-usage is interesting… I started thinking about my own usage and my initial feeling was that gosh, maybe I am a super-user? Because I’m a frequent AP visitor, and my last park day felt really full. Like I’d done a lot. I was in HS for around 7 hours, which is a really long time for me, and I was wiped out after.

But thinking back, I did a whopping… ONE attraction with DAS. Another as SB because it was a 5-min wait. Seriously, two rides in 7 hours? What the heck was I doing the other 6ish hours?! There was a very long dinner with friends. Snapping some fun photos. A long snack break while catching up with a friend. Sitting in the shade, people watching for a while.

I wish I could say...voluntarily ask for a limit on my DAS? Every time we've had it, we go on maybe 3 rides. Of course, I have been gently educated here that everyone has different needs

 

[Ursula J]

With so many posts on this thread already, I hate to add on, but I just want to say how sad I am about this. We were hoping to do a trip in Dec 2025, but I don't know if WDW will give me DAS this time, and it may mean we don't go. And honestly I can't wait until the 60 day mark to decide if we have to cancel. I was confident in DAS before, but with these changes, they may be doing much more than driving out "fakers." They may be driving away people with disabilities. I'll wait and see for a while, and I plan to write WDW to explain this. I was horribly anxious for a few days, reading all the posts--but now I'm just sad. Thanks for listening.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I do not have a desire to sit on a bench trying to manage my disabled 17 year old daughter by myself while the rest of my family waints in a line. So I guess that means my family has to reconsider our vacationing plans! I value everyone’s take on this.

Not to pry, but is there a reason why it would always fall on you to wait? Perhaps your family could take turns about who waits, especially if you could pair the wait with a meal, a ride with a short SB wait, or something that both people would want to do together? Heck, at some point people may fight over who doesn’t have to stand in a hot line for 2 hours if the alternative is hanging out in air conditioned comfort somewhere?

 

[nalababybear]

Not to pry, but is there a reason why it would always fall on you to wait? Perhaps your family could take turns about who waits, especially if you could pair the wait with a meal, a ride with a short SB wait, or something that both people would want to do together? Heck, at some point people may fight over who doesn’t have to stand in a hot line for 2 hours if the alternative is hanging out in air conditioned comfort somewhere?

This is why we traveled with grandparents early on in our son's life -- helping hands.

It literally takes a village for many families with disabilities. For those single caretakers, complete respect in being able to bring their loved ones to the parks.

That is why with the DAS reduction in party size had us concerned.

We're happy to have only 4 ride at any particular time; heck 2 would be fine for our particular situation as the caretakers swap out on the rides now -- it's a reverse rider switch situation now as we've all aged and son being 23 has WAY more energy than us trying to keep up. No way we can tolerate riding all the spinning rides back-to-back-to-back-to-back!

 

[starlite_]

The recommendation from others is that you should not talk to a medical professional if the CM denies you and if they insist on adding the medical professional to the Zoom call that you should disconnect from the call.

I'm sorry but imo this is trying to cheat the system and almost on the lvl of folks escalating at Guest Services till they got DAS just to get them out of there. If someone doesn't qualify then they don't qualify.

I don't know how long that mark stays in your record but I would assume that if someone tried for a dif trip they would be able to apply again. I'm guessing Disney simply doesn't want folks calling again and again till they get DAS like folks have been suggesting on social media.

 

[AJA]

With so many posts on this thread already, I hate to add on, but I just want to say how sad I am about this. We were hoping to do a trip in Dec 2025, but I don't know if WDW will give me DAS this time, and it may mean we don't go. And honestly I can't wait until the 60 day mark to decide if we have to cancel. I was confident in DAS before, but with these changes, they may be doing much more than driving out "fakers." They may be driving away people with disabilities. I'll wait and see for a while, and I plan to write WDW to explain this. I was horribly anxious for a few days, reading all the posts--but now I'm just sad. Thanks for listening.

I understand the need for certainty when you are planning an entire family vacation.
Disney is absolutely not just trying to weed out “fakers” they have reevaluated who qualifies for DAS. It is their intention to move a big percentage of legitimate (approved under past rules) users off the DAS program.

Under their old approval system too many types of disabilities were being granted DAS.

 

[jennab]

I'm sorry but imo this is trying to cheat the system and almost on the lvl of folks escalating at Guest Services till they got DAS just to get them out of there. If someone doesn't qualify then they don't qualify.

I don't know how long that mark stays in your record but I would assume that if someone tried for a dif trip they would be able to apply again. I'm guessing Disney simply doesn't want folks calling again and again till they get DAS like folks have been suggesting on social media.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Telling people to “disconnect before the health professional is brought in” seems like people trying to play the system….

 

[KrzyKtty101]

This is why we traveled with grandparents early on in our son's life -- helping hands.

It literally takes a village for many families with disabilities. For those single caretakers, complete respect in being able to bring their loved ones to the parks.

That is why with the DAS reduction in party size had us concerned.

We're happy to have only 4 ride at any particular time; heck 2 would be fine for our particular situation as the caretakers swap out on the rides now -- it's a reverse rider switch situation now as we've all aged and son being 23 has WAY more energy than us trying to keep up. No way we can tolerate riding all the spinning rides back-to-back-to-back-to-back!

Reminds me of when a friend of mine went on top gun at carowinds back to back to back to back. He paid dealing for that when he ended up passing out in the walk way.

 

[shannnsavage]

Have you (your DD) been denied DAS? Or is this hypothetical?

I have seen reports from ages 14+ that were denied; I’ve also seen reports of all 14+ who were granted DAS. Unless you are sure your child no longer qualifies, you may be jumping to inaccurate conclusions. I understand the angst and the worry, but you may be causing yourself more anxiety over this than needed if you/she has not yet been denied DAS.

No. NO denial yet. However, the fact that I need to plan before I know is very unfortunate.

 

[shannnsavage]

Not to pry, but is there a reason why it would always fall on you to wait? Perhaps your family could take turns about who waits, especially if you could pair the wait with a meal, a ride with a short SB wait, or something that both people would want to do together? Heck, at some point people may fight over who doesn’t have to stand in a hot line for 2 hours if the alternative is hanging out in air conditioned comfort somewhere?

Because I am her primary caretaker and the one who she responds to best. If I wasn't with her, she would be sending me messages every 5 minutes asking me how much longer until she sees me. However, I do like to idea of not just waiting, but exploring things around us. I most definitely will do that!