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

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I disagree that it is reasonable to require a disabled person to wait alone to access queues.

Disney is not requiring all disabled people to wait alone to access queues. There are plenty of reports of guest plus caregiver, or parties of 2 or even occasionally 3+ being granted accommodations without DAS, and DAS for 4 or more.

The issue is that guests that were used to DAS and are now being offered something that Disney views as more appropriate to their needs are unhappy with the perceived “downgrade.”

You said on the other post that your issue relates to being in the sun and that you need the breeze from movement instead of waiting in a queue. Disney has offered you the ability to join your party once they are no longer outside. That is very generous given that they could have just as easily said to use a fan/UV clothing/an umbrella and provided no option to wait outside of the line at all.

 

[North of Mouse]

As has already been discussed -- the CMs are already making these decisions for the attractions because these aren't "new" accommodations. The non-DAS accommodations available at attractions have been in use and attraction CMs are familiar with the processes and decisions.

But won't there be a large increase because of all the recent discussions about it, and being told by those denied the DAS that this is an alternative accommodation? Not denying the need, just where the burden of fulfilling it will be placed.

 

[only hope]

Disney is not requiring all disabled people to wait alone to access queues. There are plenty of reports of guest plus caregiver, or parties of 2 or even occasionally 3+ being granted accommodations without DAS, and DAS for 4 or more.

The issue is that guests that were used to DAS and are now being offered something that Disney views as more appropriate to their needs are unhappy with the perceived “downgrade.”

You said on the other post that your issue relates to being in the sun and that you need the breeze from movement instead of waiting in a queue. Disney has offered you the ability to join your party once they are no longer outside. That is very generous given that they could have just as easily said to use a fan/UV clothing/an umbrella and provided no option to wait outside of the line at all.

I already use uv clothing that covers nearly every inch of me, a fan, and a uv wide brim hat, which I had told the CM- probably why she didn’t suggest it. It’s not enough this time of year and I experience dangerous symptoms if I am stuck stationary in the sun. I will see how it goes next weekend. My life is an immense struggle every day as the heat causing dangerous symptoms is just the tip of the iceberg of my health problems since getting Covid- and this whole thing has been immensely stressful. Never expected posters on here to say some of the things they have either. I would absolutely love to have my pre-Covid functioning body back and stand & walk in lines complaining about heat without out it actually harming me. Never expected I would need any type of accommodations in my life and of course when I do, the rules changes after I am in the middle of my passholder year.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I already use uv clothing that covers nearly every inch of me, a fan, and a uv wide brim hat, which I had told the CM- probably why she didn’t suggest it. It’s not enough this time of year and I experience dangerous symptoms if I am stuck stationary in the sun. I will see how it goes next weekend. My life is an immense struggle every day as the heat causing dangerous symptoms is just the tip of the iceberg of my health problems since getting Covid- and this whole thing has been immensely stressful. Never expected posters on here to say some of the things they have either. I would absolutely love to have my pre-Covid functioning body back and stand & walk in lines complaining about heat without out it actually harming me. Never expected I would need any type of accommodations in my life and of course when I do, the rules changes after I am in the middle of my passholder year.

I’m sorry that your life is such a struggle. I’m sure that living in the Florida heat is not helping the situation at all.

Fortunately the “breakeven” for an annual pass doesn’t require that many visits (especially vs 1 day or 2 day passes), so even if you don’t get as much use out of it this summer as you had expected, hopefully you made use of it before the changes were announced and you will have time to enjoy Disney later in the year when the weather is cooler.

 

[lanejudy]

I do wonder if the qr code jumps the video queue each time and then pushes the preregistration folk out....a la a standby line and ll line on-site.

The reports remain extended, but I haven't heard a 9 hour wait report since midweek

Possibly? I believe the WDW in-park connection asks something like "are you in the parks now?" and presumably jumps the queue, though I don't know if it actually jumps or redirects to a subset of the Accessibility Team assigned to handle on-site registrations. I have not heard if the DL/DCA QR code asks a similar question.

 

[lanejudy]

But won't there be a large increase because of all the recent discussions about it, and being told by those denied the DAS that this is an alternative accommodation? Not denying the need, just where the burden of fulfilling it will be placed.

I guess that remains to be seen. Disney's intent appears to be putting most people into "mainstream" in-park accommodations/services/options (pick a word, I haven't decided which fits) rather than needing to have most guests labeled as needing "disability" accommodations. So it would follow that the attraction CMs handle it, as they do for all non-disabled guests.

 

[SueM in MN]

Possibly? I believe the WDW in-park connection asks something like "are you in the parks now?" and presumably jumps the queue, though I don't know if it actually jumps or redirects to a subset of the Accessibility Team assigned to handle on-site registrations. I have not heard if the DL/DCA QR code asks a similar question.

I have heard reports of the WDW in-park connection asking "are you in the parks now"?
I have not heard if it jumps the queue or re-directs, but it would make sense if it did

 

[nalababybear]

I have heard reports of the WDW in-park connection asking "are you in the parks now"?
I have not heard if it jumps the queue or re-directs, but it would make sense if it did

There's no way to be certain. Just reports of faster connections when in the park compared to not. I would be surprised if they have a subset at the call center for in park only and sit idle if not utilized fully.

The question of in the park has always been a part of the chat function at least for dlr.

 

[SueM in MN]

There's no way to be certain. Just reports of faster connections when in the park compared to not. I would be surprised if they have a subset at the call center for in park only and sit idle if not utilized fully.

The question of in the park has always been a part of the chat function at least for dlr.

If they had a subset, I don't think they would necessarily be sitting idle. There could be a way to expedite calls going into queue for a

The question of in park has not been part of the chat for WDW.
Not sure why it would have been for DL since calls had to be done 30 - 2 days before the first park day and people who were in the park would have been able to do it in person

 

[jennab]

More reports from Disneyland this weekend:

• the in-person kiosks at DL/DCA open at 8am
• 75-100 people in line
• no shade
• up to 90 minute waits for in-person registration
• CMs are handing out (or showing) cards with a QR code to scan to access registration via phone instead of waiting for in-person

It's strongly suggested to do pre-registration prior to arriving at the park.

So… 90 minute wait to register for a disability accommodation for people who can’t wait in lines. Doesn’t that just seem odd? Also, why does DL still have in person option?

 

[lanejudy]

So… 90 minute wait to register for a disability accommodation for people who can’t wait in lines. Doesn’t that just seem odd? Also, why does DL still have in person option?

It's the sheer volume of people waiting to do it in-person that creates the long wait. If more did pre-registration by video chat, the lines to register at the park would be shorter. I assume the conversations are taking considerably longer than in the past; some of the reports from video registrations are saying 30 or even 60 minutes, though I can't imagine the in-person takes that long.

I don't know why DL still has in-person while WDW is all video (even at the parks) -- some have said it's because of the large number of locals.

 

[jennab]

It's the sheer volume of people waiting to do it in-person that creates the long wait. If more did pre-registration by video chat, the lines to register at the park would be shorter. I assume the conversations are taking considerably longer than in the past; some of the reports from video registrations are saying 30 or even 60 minutes, though I can't imagine the in-person takes that long.

I don't know why DL still has in-person while WDW is all video (even at the parks) -- some have said it's because of the large number of locals.

Seems strange Disney wouldn’t just push them all online for DL as well. I’m guessing people are assuming the in person CM will be easier to get approval from someone via video chat. For people who struggle waiting in line I’d think they’d prefer the video chat option.

 

[Grim Grinning Ghostie]

You'd think waiting 90 minutes in-person would be an automatic disqualifier by the time you got to the CM. Congrats, you can wait in line after all!

 

[greeneyedchick]

So… 90 minute wait to register for a disability accommodation for people who can’t wait in lines. Doesn’t that just seem odd? Also, why does DL still have in person option?

I had the same thought

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

You'd think waiting 90 minutes in-person would be an automatic disqualifier by the time you got to the CM. Congrats, you can wait in line after all!

In all seriousness…what responsibilities do guests have to help themselves rather than expect Disney to make all of the accommodations? Eg. For as much as people complain about a 90 minute wait to register in person, I wonder how many people in this line had the ability to register in advance or through the QR code and chose not to. It is highly unlikely that all are international guests.

 

[nalababybear]

If they had a subset, I don't think they would necessarily be sitting idle. There could be a way to expedite calls going into queue for a

The question of in park has not been part of the chat for WDW.
Not sure why it would have been for DL since calls had to be done 30 - 2 days before the first park day and people who were in the park would have been able to do it in person

The chat function of the app is also integrated into the same chat function on the website. Different teams use the same chat function as I've used the app one several times for issues both in the park and outside.

One of the questions that they ask specifically is if you're in the park or not. This existed well over a year.

 

[nalababybear]

In all seriousness…what responsibilities do guests have to help themselves rather than expect Disney to make all of the accommodations? Eg. For as much as people complain about a 90 minute wait to register in person, I wonder how many people in this line had the ability to register in advance or through the QR code and chose not to. It is highly unlikely that all are international guests.

Local. With Spanish as primary first language. This is not a small fraction either.

Also in my opinion a large reason to have on-site presence too.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I do think making it to the front of a 60m line should be at least an indication that you might not need DAS on most attractions, BUT there could be other circumstances like having the actual DASholder elsewhere away from crowds and queues while other members of the party wait (though I guess this would also indicate AQR would work ). Anyway, I suspect part of what’s making that line so long is that (unlike a video chat), it’s very hard to disconnect from someone who believes they can shout, beg, cry, or otherwise argue their way into DAS access in person…and it’s probably even more of a drawn out ordeal if the person has successfully bullied their way into DAS in the past.

 

[Ollivier]

I do think making it to the front of a 60m line should be at least an indication that you might not need DAS on most attractions, BUT there could be other circumstances like having the actual DASholder elsewhere away from crowds and queues while other members of the party wait (though I guess this would also indicate AQR would work ). Anyway, I suspect part of what’s making that line so long is that (unlike a video chat), it’s very hard to disconnect from someone who believes they can shout, beg, cry, or otherwise argue their way into DAS access in person…and it’s probably even more of a drawn out ordeal if the person has successfully bullied their way into DAS in the past.

There are various reasons why people need to make a personal request. Disney officially does not allow VPNs; they tolerate it but discourage it if you contact disability.services@disneyparks.com. The video call is only possible in English. There are also people who are less technologically savvy. And, of course, there are also people who are not aware of the changes (and this is probably the largest group).
Additionally, you make someone else wait in that long line, and yes, this is the same as AQR. But this is once and not for every attraction.
So, stating that everyone in line does not need a DAS is not correct.
The reverse is also true; you cannot state that everyone in that line is entitled to a DAS.
They are all individual requests that are assessed based on their needs.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

There are various reasons why people need to make a personal request. Disney officially does not allow VPNs; they tolerate it but discourage it if you contact disability.services@disneyparks.com. The video call is only possible in English. There are also people who are less technologically savvy. And, of course, there are also people who are not aware of the changes (and this is probably the largest group).
Additionally, you make someone else wait in that long line, and yes, this is the same as AQR. But this is once and not for every attraction.
So, stating that everyone in line does not need a DAS is not correct.
The reverse is also true; you cannot state that everyone in that line is entitled to a DAS.
They are all individual requests that are assessed based on their needs.

Yes, just in case it was not clear, I was NOT making a categorical conclusion either way, but suggest more scrutiny should be applied. My personal experience at DLR was that when I saw 20+ people in line at a blue umbrella on Main Street, I gave up my idea of adding my mom to my DAS party (she was with us on Mother’s Day) and decided to stick to short lines until I could find GR stand that wouldn’t require me to be in line 30+ minutes. I’ve also lost many DAS return times at WDW because the LL is too long.

I understand a VPN problem (but you can connect from other locations once you have arrived within the U.S.) and I also am sympathetic for many people who weren’t aware they had no other option—but especially at DLR, advice was to apply in person because it was easier to get DAS by badgering a CM in person than doing the video chat, hence my increased skepticism.

How many languages are the DAS interview offered in when you do it in person? I would have assumed DLR would have English, Spanish and maybe Mandarin, French, or Japanese, at most.