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

[Ollivier]

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.

I don't know this. Personally, I chose to do it on-site at WDW last year. I speak English, but not well enough to convey the nuances clearly. That's why I wrote it down in advance and handed the text to the CM. This was sufficient for approval.

 

[lanejudy]

It seems the Accessibility Services Kiosk does more than just the DAS interviews. According to the Disneyland website, this is also where guests will rent/borrow handheld devices hearing disabilities and braille resources for vision disabilities as well as obtaining a stroller-as-wheelchair tag.

How many languages are the DAS interview offered in when you do it in person?

There is no mention about different languages for in-person interviews at Disneyland. Considering it's considered a "locals park" and a large spanish-speaking population in that area, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a spanish-speaking CM. Other languages may be hit or miss depending on who is staffed that day/time. Does Guest Relations (City Hall, blue umbrellas, etc.) specifically offer assistance in various languages? I know there are CMs within the parks who speak various languages, but I honestly don't know if anyone is staffed specifically for that.

 

[Angel Ariel]

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.

I'm curious about the calls taking 30-60 minutes. That seems excessive for requesting accommodations at a theme park (esp when closer to an hour) Is it including wait time for when a lead or one of the medical professionals comes on the chat? Just seems very odd to me.

 

[nalababybear]

I'm curious about the calls taking 30-60 minutes. That seems excessive for requesting accommodations at a theme park (esp when closer to an hour) Is it including wait time for when a lead or one of the medical professionals comes on the chat? Just seems very odd to me.

I see two reasons:

1. Neurodivergent adults - sometimes need time to space to get through their points and conversations can be elongated quiet easily and points of redirection needed to get to the answers the CM needs.

2. Multiple appeals to tiers - it appears 3 tiers: Tier 1 CM ; Tier 2 Supervisor Tier 3 Medical advisor. Each time would need a review of the needs, which can take 10+minutes.

So 30min rather easily in each case and not surprising to extend to 60min.

 

[sunburnin]

I'm curious about the calls taking 30-60 minutes. That seems excessive for requesting accommodations at a theme park (esp when closer to an hour) Is it including wait time for when a lead or one of the medical professionals comes on the chat? Just seems very odd to me.

I'm sure those longer calls are outliers. Most reports sound like they are being completed under 10-15 minutes.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm sure those longer calls are outliers.

Quite possibly, but those may be exactly the kind of people who think it would be easier in-person thus making the lines long.

 

[KPeterso]

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.

I went on Saturday afternoon to Disneyland. I am guessing by the time I got parked and rode the tram over to the entrance that it was a little after 4 PM when I got in the line. The cast member told me the line was longer than it looked. They have put some umbrellas in the queue and people were only moving from shady spot to shady spot, so there were big gaps in the line --- it almost looked social distanced to be honest. I think the wait was about 45 minutes total for me. I did see groups where one family member waited while the others walked around or were off waiting elsewhere (guessing keeping the potential DAS person out of the line). I ended up being denied (I expected it), but I had a nice long conversation with the cast member. We also discussed my Mom a bit and the cast member said she should probably be approved but it could not be done since she was not with me. I am ok trying AQR out for awhile. I would have tried Saturday, but the parks were pretty quiet (walk-ons to Star Tours and Small World around 5-6 PM, Soaring about 10). The cast member did give me 3 (multi experience) lightening lanes but I only used 1 (and then scanned in for a second with the ride going down as soon as I walked out of the preshow so I got a new MEP).

 

[Evita_W]

Am I missing something … or is DAS no longer mentioned on the WDW “Accessing Attraction Queues” section of the website?

No, you aren’t, you pretty much have to do a google search to get the information now by specifically search Disney World DAS.

 

[SueM in MN]

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?

Other people already gave their ideas.
Another one I don't think was mentioned is that before DAS replaced GAC (Guest Assistance Card) in 2013, DL Resort issued more GAC a day than all 4 WDW parks.
One of the reasons hypothesized for this was DLR has a lot more 1-2 day visitors.
WDW guests tend to stay longer,

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.



View attachment 870516

We are talking 2 different things.
The screenshots you showed are from the general chat accessed in the app. It does allow asking whether or not you are in the park. That makes sense because the chat CM might feel it's better to direct the guest to someone in the park to help with their question.

Different teams use the same chat function, but may get there via different links. There has always been a separate link to connect with the CMs that do the DAS chats/videos. Guests can't connect with the DAS team via the general chat.
That's the link that @lanejudy discussed reportedly now has a question to ask if you in the park.

 

[SueM in MN]

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.

Since heat is a big struggle for you, I wondered if you are aware of cooling vests.
Many people with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) have big issues with heat. Because of that, a lot of the best articles and suggestions for dealing with heat are addressed to MS patients.
This is an article I found about cooling vests. It includes links and also reviews with pros & cons of each.

Hopefully, you will find some ways you were not aware of before that can help you. I've also seen a few reports where people who were denied for DAS tried the suggestions and were able to connect back with the DAS team with very specific descriptions of what issues they experienced

 

[Bearval]

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.

 

[Bearval]

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.

The problem is people don't want to be responsible for their own choices/actions. My night vision is not what it used to be. I have a hard time driving at night after about an hour or so. Guess what? I don't drive at night if I can avoid it. For the people who say they can't stay in the sun or heat then why do you go during the day or in the summer when going at night or a different season when the temperatures are not so great?

 

[nalababybear]

Other people already gave their ideas.
Another one I don't think was mentioned is that before DAS replaced GAC (Guest Assistance Card) in 2013, DL Resort issued more GAC a day than all 4 WDW parks.
One of the reasons hypothesized for this was DLR has a lot more 1-2 day visitors.
WDW guests tend to stay longer,

We are talking 2 different things.
The screenshots you showed are from the general chat accessed in the app. It does allow asking whether or not you are in the park. That makes sense because the chat CM might feel it's better to direct the guest to someone in the park to help with their question.

Different teams use the same chat function, but may get there via different links. There has always been a separate link to connect with the CMs that do the DAS chats/videos. Guests can't connect with the DAS team via the general chat.
That's the link that @lanejudy discussed reportedly now has a question to ask if you in the park.

Totally agree with that as my point is the actual chat function used by many entry points can prompt this question and level of triage.

Whether it, the chat program, routes it to a specific team or subset of people.or jumps a queue of waiting folk with the resulting answer is anyone's guess.

The data point we do know is that it's significantly faster than a home query for the DAS team.

Doesn't really matter on how the sausage is made here anyways.

The qr code to launch a is a good development and adjustment byDisney made to address privacy and line management concerns on-site.

That's a quick win for all stakeholders.

 

[Evita_W]

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.

What about those who are blind or have limited vision? There is no audible notifications when you have to refresh the page or when someone comes into chat, making the page inaccessible to them without someone assisting.

 

[Angel Ariel]

What about those who are blind or have limited vision? There is no audible notifications when you have to refresh the page or when someone comes into chat, making the page inaccessible to them without someone assisting.

From what was said earlier in this thread also, this kiosk is for more than just requesting DAS. It's for requesting all manner of accommodations, including stroller as a wheelchair. Which used to be done inside the park at guest relations. So we can't assume it was 90 mins long solely from people waiting for DAS interviews.

 

[mommy2paisley]

From what was said earlier in this thread also, this kiosk is for more than just requesting DAS. It's for requesting all manner of accommodations, including stroller as a wheelchair. Which used to be done inside the park at guest relations. So we can't assume it was 90 mins long solely from people waiting for DAS interviews.

Okay, I hadn’t seen this and want to make sure I understand for our next trip, as stroller as a wheelchair is important for my daughter. Are you saying you can no longer request that in park? Or am I misunderstanding what you are saying? That is possible, but I wanted to be sure so that I know for the future!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

From what was said earlier in this thread also, this kiosk is for more than just requesting DAS. It's for requesting all manner of accommodations, including stroller as a wheelchair. Which used to be done inside the park at guest relations. So we can't assume it was 90 mins long solely from people waiting for DAS interviews.

All the more reason to get people out of lines that don’t have to be there, no?

 

[lanejudy]

Are you saying you can no longer request that in park?

That is my understanding from the DL website.

How to Use “Stroller as a Wheelchair” Tag

1. Please visit Accessibility Services for a personalized conversation about this tool. If appropriate, a “Stroller as a Wheelchair” tag may be issued.

The Accessibility Services Kiosk is located on the east side of the Esplanade nearest to Disney California Adventure Park.

 

[SueM in MN]

Can't remember what thread it was on, but multiple people had noticed the DAS link was missing from WDW's Accessing Queues page

I emailed Disability Services and it is back now and works again.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

LL sales are not what they would like. Guest complaints are up on the service due to the abuse of the system. Disney decides to now disqualify those that they see fit from the DAS service. By doing this they will reduce complaints against the now paid services and increase the sales of said services as well. My view is that the process of disqualification is violating the civil rights of ALL disabled people for the purpose of profit.

Consider, it can't be purely profit driven because Disney is still offering DAS to for certain difficulties.
If it was purely profit driven, Disney would nix the DAS program in its entirety. Imagine the $$$ they would save doing that! They wouldn't have to employ anyone to answer DAS phone lines or answer DAS questions in the park. They wouldn't have to hire outside consultants. They could simply tell EVERYONE to use AQR/rider swap options. That would be the way to save money, if that's the biggest motivation. And it would be much simpler for guests to understand / no one could complain that certain disabilities were treated differently.