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

[lanejudy]

Did they have video registration at all at DL before this?

Yes. Video pre-registration at DL has been available since Dec. 2021.

 

[nalababybear]

Did they have video registration at all at DL before this? I know WDW has been doing it for a while, but back when it rolled out people were waiting all day, being booted and having to come back again.

Yes, and typically would run 1-4 hours. The reported wdw experience with new team are shorter hold times

It's quite the opposite in dlr. Holds reported on Wed were 9hours and verified by two folk in the thread

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, and typically would run 1-4 hours. The reported wdw experience with new team are shorter hold times

It's quite the opposite in dlr. Holds reported on Wed were 9hours and verified by two folk in the thread

We waited 3.5 hrs logging in basically right at the opening of the video chats for the day for DLR for our trip a few months ago (9am PST, 12pm EST). Doing the equivalent for WDW (7am EST) we've only ever really waited 15-20 mins for the chat to start. DLR is definitely different in terms of the wait times, likely because there's just so many more locals.

 

[Vampiress88]

It's not about trying to make it difficult. I'm sorry I said "suck it up" - couldn't think of a better way to phrase it, but at some point, people who don't need an accommodation are going to give up if it's not simple enough. People who need are not going to just go on without it because they actually need it.

People who have a need and are finding it difficult are going to end up asking for more accommodations. Yes, that is inconvenient. Everyone wants accommodations, especially when they provide something that would be a clear benefit for many. When it is too easy to get that accommodation, over use of it causes the entire system to break down. Disney can't have a park where a non-disabled person can't do anything just so accommodations are that much easier to come by. It spirals into people needing accommodations ONLY because of the number of other people getting accommodations, which we've already seen. Disney is not there to make the non-disabled suffer to make up for the daily difficulties of those with disabilities, nor is that something required by the ADA.

I would assume that those who need it and still ask for accommodations and don’t get it will not be able to suck it up but instead will just not bother going back the parks

 

[mhautz]

I think from Disney's perspective, parties using AQR are not really a concern for abuse as they do not affect the logistics of the queue. If a party enters the queue, they are accounted for in the wait time. If part of a party leaves the line and requests AQR, they do not affect the wait time because their wait remains the exact same, they will ride the ride at the exact time they would have anyway (one of the primary issues with DAS/RTQ on logistics is the party can return any time after the return time, which can and does lead to the Lightning Lane congestion). Although AQR guests likely will re-enter the queue from the lightning lane, they do not affect the lightning lane because they are not let in with the lightning lane allotment, but as part of the standby queue allotment when their party crosses the merge point. There is no need to account for them in reducing Genie+ availability or adjusting the LL/standby percentages, unlike DAS/RTQ.

I'm also firmly of the belief that while AQR will probably see an uptick in use after the DAS changes, it probably won't be nearly as dramatic as suggested here, since the whole point of it is to accommodate needs that are speculative and somewhat random, so it's possible that many people who could use it never actually find themselves needing to. I don't want to say Disney is "calling people's bluffs", since I think the need is real, but they kind of are.

 

[mistysue]

I would assume that those who need it and still ask for accommodations and don’t get it will not be able to suck it up but instead will just not bother going back the parks

I believe more will ask for accommodation, but for some of that may happen as well. There are a lot of situations that are hard, and things that we do have to figure out either how to make work or that they aren't for us. I'm not saying this brushing off the sad reality of this, but there are times when certain parts of any experience aren't a good fit for an individual and sometimes we have to make that call for ourselves.

 

[nalababybear]

I think from Disney's perspective, parties using AQR are not really a concern for abuse as they do not affect the logistics of the queue. If a party enters the queue, they are accounted for in the wait time. If part of a party leaves the line and requests AQR, they do not affect the wait time because their wait remains the exact same, they will ride the ride at the exact time they would have anyway (one of the primary issues with DAS/RTQ on logistics is the party can return any time after the return time, which can and does lead to the Lightning Lane congestion). Although AQR guests likely will re-enter the queue from the lightning lane, they do not affect the lightning lane because they are not let in with the lightning lane allotment, but as part of the standby queue allotment when their party crosses the merge point. There is no need to account for them in reducing Genie+ availability or adjusting the LL/standby percentages, unlike DAS/RTQ.

I'm also firmly of the belief that while AQR will probably see an uptick in use after the DAS changes, it probably won't be nearly as dramatic as suggested here, since the whole point of it is to accommodate needs that are speculative and somewhat random, so it's possible that many people who could use it never actually find themselves needing to. I don't want to say Disney is "calling people's bluffs", since I think the need is real, but they kind of are.

This. All very good points and well summarized.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Waiting stationary in a line in the sun is very different from being on the move in and out of shade. The latter I can handle; the breeze from being on the move (I use an electric chair) and sticking to the shade when there is some, which is most of the time, is enough. Which is what I explained to the CM’s. I do leave my house of course but Disney is the only place where I would be stationary in the sun for a prolonged period. Nowhere else in life has outdoor queues. I really don’t go much of anywhere other than work, Disney, and running errands. Side note: I don’t go to AK because I’m vegan, but even if I wasn’t that park I would have to avoid this time of year since it’s almost all outdoors unlike the other three.

I hope just telling CM’s at the ride works, and that there will be shade in which to do so. One of the suggestions was a CM may have my traveling companion wait in the line and then have me rejoin her once she reaches the shaded part once I made it clear I don’t need a caregiver, but we don’t want to spend significant chunks of the day alone just because I don’t need a caregiver, and neither does my mom. We go there to have fun together.

I understand what you are saying about splitting up from your mom for part of the wait as, of course, it would be more pleasant to wait together the whole time. However, I think what Disney is offering you is a very reasonable accommodation where your issue with waiting stationary in the direct sunlight is solved. They are allowing you to wait in the shade and/or AC. until the point where you can join up with your mom out of direct sunlight and continue your wait together. And, ride together. DAS imho is too much accommodation for your needs. There are many, many rides where the whole wait is indoors ie. Soarin, Test Track, Pirates etc.
Your issue is that you do not want to split up from your party for that needed wait outside of the queue but Disney is not obligated to accommodate (nor should they) someone's wants only their needs. Give it a chance, it may not be as bad as you think. Good luck.

 

[only hope]

Would the breeze from a portable fan mimic the same benefit that you get from walking? If you use an ECV it’s very easy to attach one (hands free).

Already use one Neck fan, as well as huge wide brim uv hat and uv clothing. It’s not enough April-October in the sun. Even with all my precautions I usually can’t take any stretch breaks from my electric chair in the afternoon (I am ambulatory) because symptoms flare up within minutes- combo of no airflow AND exertion. And to the other poster, when I had DAS in the past I only used it for queues I could not safely wait in. I never once used it for indoor rides or even outdoor when the temperature was manageable first thing in the morning. I wouldn’t dream of using it for queues I can wait in. And til I go again I don’t know if what they offered will work or not. Many rides have no easy way for a wheelchair user to rejoin a party even with CM assistance. And not all queues in the sun are short- sure, something like People Mover would be like 10-15mn, no big deal, but some outdoor queue portions are 30+. I don’t think Disney is obligated to keep a large party together but you should be allowed one person to wait with you regardless of whether you need a caregiver.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I never once used it for indoor rides or even outdoor when the temperature was manageable first thing in the morning. I wouldn’t dream of using it for queues I can wait in.

The problem is that while you may be honest about your needs, not everyone would be so morally straight, and Disney has no way of differentiating between the two types of guests.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

you should be allowed one person to wait with you regardless of whether you need a caregiver.

But the accommodation is to let you wait in the shade (or indoors). Having another person has nothing to do with that.

 

[only hope]

And now we are back to disabled guests are being treated differently from those who aren’t- non-disabled guests get to wait together in line and disabled guests who don’t meet DAS criteria are being asked to wait alone. That’s not equivalent access to attractions. Even an adult doing rider swap wouldn’t be alone, they’d be with the non-rider(s).

 

[CAPSLOCK]

And now we are back to disabled guests are being treated differently from those who aren’t- non-disabled guests get to wait together in line and disabled guests who don’t meet DAS criteria are being asked to wait alone.

Um, isn't the idea to be treated differently than the non-disabled guest who waits in the line? You are specifically asking to be treated differently. Being treated the same would be getting in the normal queue.

 

[nalababybear]

But the accommodation is to let you wait in the shade (or indoors). Having another person has nothing to do with that.

ADA does callout A companion to had with accommodations.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Does the ADA call out a companion, or a caregiver?

 

[nalababybear]

Don't know the letter of the law; most places that I see designate it as companion.

 

[sunburnin]

Does the ADA call out a companion, or a caregiver?

This is a good read on caregivers/companions, and I learned some new things from reading it: https://adata.org/factsheet/ada-and-caregivers

Notice how vague a lot of the wording is. Some things have rules, others suggestions, and there's a lot of wiggle room with all these topics.

Personally, I see the term companion used when buying movie or sports tickets. The theater I go to allows a free companion ticket for someone with a disability; sporting events don't.

 

[Kerr84]

Those kind are supposed to be banned. Some people may get them past Security though and CMs may let it slide and not say anything because they are afraid of guests's reactions.
I have seen posts where Security told them to either take that kind back to their room/vehicle or dispose of it.

I've also looked at Amazon reviews of that kind of stool - a lot of reports of them suddenly failing and dumping the user on the ground. Most of the reviews said they were nowhere near the weight limit. Some had used it for a while, then all of a sudden, something snapped on it and it broke.

A few trips ago, a very large man fell off one of these chairs and landed on my leg! It hurt so bad! We were waiting at EPCOT rope drop. I don’t know if he tipped backwards or if it broke but I understand why they are banned.

 

[nalababybear]

This is a good read on caregivers/companions, and I learned some new things from reading it: https://adata.org/factsheet/ada-and-caregivers

Notice how vague a lot of the wording is. Some things have rules, others suggestions, and there's a lot of wiggle room with all these topics.

Personally, I see the term companion used when buying movie or sports tickets. The theater I go to allows a free companion ticket for someone with a disability; sporting events don't.

Legoland, SeaWorld, and SD zoo all give complimentary entrance for companions.....looking at you Disney.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

From the approval/denial thread.

This is a good read on caregivers/companions, and I learned some new things from reading it: https://adata.org/factsheet/ada-and-caregivers

Notice how vague a lot of the wording is. Some things have rules, others suggestions, and there's a lot of wiggle room with all these topics.

Personally, I see the term companion used when buying movie or sports tickets. The theater I go to allows a free companion ticket for someone with a disability; sporting events don't.

I don't see anywhere where it refers to a companion as just a companion - it apparently refers to caregivers only.

Legoland, SeaWorld, and SD zoo all give complimentary entrance for companions.....looking at you Disney.

I am quite sure no where gives free admission to straight up companions for any & all disabled persons. Having a disability does not confer a right to have a friend accompany you free wherever you go. A necessary caregiver is a different story.