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

[Evita_W]

Families without disabilities spend years being separated while waiting for an attraction if they have a child who is too short to ride it. And while I'm not a lawyer, I don't think the argument "OK, Disney's accommodations allow people with disabilities to do the rides, and they can ride at the same time as the other members of their party, BUT that's not enough, they also need to allow us to all stay together all the time we are waiting in line" will get much traction, legally.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less about legally, it is the RIGHT thing to do and that is what should matter.

 

[sunburnin]

This is what I am hoping for. Even in the case of not getting DAS, I will definitely give the alternatives a fair shake for one day. And will try to help accomodate my mom as well. And if it doesn't work then I am giving a call back the next day immediately.

Unlike those who visit often, there are people like us who haven't visited for what would be seven years when we do, and it will probably be another long stretch of time until we do again. I can only really allow one day for experimenting [with hopefully positive results with other accomodations in the case of a denial!] before our once in a blue moon vacation is just money being drained away and wasted.

I am more hopeful than not if denied though that other accomodations will work, but I do hope for others that find the other accomodations to not work for x, y, and z once they tried it that they can give a call back and explain without being told they were denied already.

I hope you get your DAS, and I'm glad you will experiment. Since this is a once-every-several-year trip, and without knowing your situation, can I recommend you consider Genie + in addition to DAS? With or without DAS, G+ will help you get the most out of your vacation—all, of course, if it works for your circumstances and budget. For people who don't visit often, a splurge can make a difference. Either way, I hope everything works out for you and your family.

 

[nalababybear]

Honestly, I couldn’t care less about legally, it is the RIGHT thing to do and that is what should matter.

And that's what has changed with this revamp.

Disney had traditionally been a respite from the storm what families with disabilities deal with daily.

The luster has worn off since covid and cost cutting years that feel like the death by thousand cuts and the DAS revamp being the final straw for many.

It's still our oasis. Smaller now for sure, but still there. Our son may not reach their threshold for DAS being an adult ASD. Still conserved and plenty of issues, but can it work without DAS? Maybe. It's not really working well on busy right now with LL waits over 30min.

Eg He hasn't ridden radiator springs for over past six visits.

Disney does try to do the right thing IMHO. They still have a business to run and we understand that too. We will adjust as we always have with our guy.

 

[starlite_]

Honestly, I couldn’t care less about legally, it is the RIGHT thing to do and that is what should matter.

The right thing for who?

 

[Vyndion]

Why can't you walk through the line with your daughter's assistance?

Not that person, but someone with the same issue. The snaking with little rope lines is almost impossible to navigate even with assisstance. Those snakes are nearly eliminated in LLs. If you don't believe me, there's a reason DLR automatically gives a RTQ style approval for rides built pre-ADA to those with visual impairments.

 

[Disneylover99]

I think a lot of DAS families aren’t aware, have forgotten, or completely discount how challenging the parks (especially queues) are for other guests. Some of the conditions listed above are actually disabilities but queues can be very challenging for an non-disabled groups too,

Yes!

And I know some of the things I listed would be considered disabilities, but it doesn’t necessarily mean DAS would help all people who suffer from them. Just as an example, someone who has claustrophobia may be okay in the queues, but certain ride restraints could cause a massive freak out, which we all know are non-negotiable. So there are hurdles in many families that necessitate splitting up for periods at a time.

 

[Angel Ariel]

However, by requesting DAS (or an accommodation to avoid the queue) isn't the disabled individual implying the queue is "not safe" for that individual? I use quotes there because I fully realize it isn't the same safety issue. But a too short child actually isn't unsafe in the queue, they are unsafe to ride and Disney prefers to keep them completely out of the queue to make loading the ride easier. By that comparison, the queue itself is the problem for the disabled individual but not for the short child -- yet the child is absolutely excluded from being in the queue.

I hear what you're saying and struggling to find the words to clarify what I mean right now (2+ hour IEP meeting this afternoon, brain is fried), so I'm just going to drop it

 

[Unity]

I hope you get your DAS, and I'm glad you will experiment. Since this is a once-every-several-year trip, and without knowing your situation, can I recommend you consider Genie + in addition to DAS? With or without DAS, G+ will help you get the most out of your vacation—all, of course, if it works for your circumstances and budget. For people who don't visit often, a splurge can make a difference. Either way, I hope everything works out for you and your family.

We definitely are considering G+ regardless. Even if I don't fully understand it yet despite how many videos and threads I have read on it.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We definitely are considering G+ regardless. Even if I don't fully understand it yet despite how many videos and threads I have read on it.

Have you watched any Ear Scouts videos on G+? I find his videos to be very calm and matter-of-fact with good screenshots/videos of what MDE looks like when booking.

 

[Todd H]

I don't think I have heard any accounts of a CM refusing to let you talk to the Inspire Health people.

Happened to me.

 

[Marrila]

Happened to me.

May I ask? Was it on your initial call or a recent subsequent call?

 

[Todd H]

May I ask? Was it on your initial call or a recent subsequent call?

Initial. Never made a follow up call except to customer service to get a refund.

 

[Marrila]

Initial. Never made a follow up call except to customer service to get a refund.

I am very sorry you had to cancel.

 

[Todd H]

I am very sorry you had to cancel.

It is what it is. Families with severely autistic kids like mine are going to be collateral damage in the fight against the people that game the system. Sad thing is we also had a week at the Polynesian booked for next summer and canceled that as well.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

It is what it is. Families with severely autistic kids like mine are going to be collateral damage in the fight against the people that game the system. Sad thing is we also had a week at the Polynesian booked for next summer and canceled that as well.

So even with a severely artistic child they still wouldn't approve? I'm sorry, has to be frustrating.

 

[Todd H]

So even with a severely artistic child they still wouldn't approve? I'm sorry, has to be frustrating.

Yep. Just look through my past posts and you’ll see where I discussed it.

If anybody knows my son’s needs it would be me, a single dad that has been taking care of him all his life and was also a high school teacher trained to deal with special needs kids before changing careers. The whole thing put me off of Disney for good.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

Yep. Just look through my past posts and you’ll see where I discussed it.

If anybody knows my son’s needs it would be me, a single dad that has been taking care of him all his life and was also a high school teacher trained to deal with special needs kids before changing careers. The whole thing put me off of Disney for good.

Oh I wasn't doubting your son's needs at all. Sorry it came out that way

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

.

 

[Todd H]

Oh I wasn't doubting your son's needs at all. Sorry it came out that way

Oh it didn’t. Sorry if I made it seem that way. More angry at the CM than anything.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

May I make a suggestion for people to consider please. Consider hiring a lawyer to present your case to the CM.

I am concerned that some DAS applicants, whether acting for themselves or as a parent/caregiver for the disabled person, are being denied because they lack sufficient skills to be as articulate as they need to be in these interviews. Maybe they are too anxious or some other reason that impedes their best communication with the CM.

Perhaps you should hire a professional advocate to speak on your behalf? A lawyer could do that for you. It would not have to cost much. They would become familiar with Disney requirements, the condition of the DAS applicant and organize the presentation of how the condition impacts tolerating the queue. The CM is a fact finder and decision maker very similar to a judge. Lawyers are used to communicating with decision makers in court, government and private industry. I am not talking about suing Disney. Just being a friendly, effective and professional spokesperson for the DAS applicant. Then, if you watch them do it once, you may be better able to handle the interview for the next trip or in 120 days.

Lawyers are also really good negotiators too. You might get a better result.

This seems like a new barrier, and accidentally classist. Not everyone would have $ for a lawyer, and free ones aren't as common as one would hope.

So then only the rich disabled would have a chance to present well.