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

[nalababybear]

If they see a lot of this "don't even try, just lie and say I did" behavior - which they would be able to tell by looking at the account and seeing you never went to the parks, I suspect we would start to get "I asked for a disability pass and got a lifetime ban!" videos floating around.

Best option for them -- don't lie.

 

[mistysue]

Best option for them -- don't lie.

Exactly, and it's known that if you lie to get DAS, don't you agree that you could see a lifetime ban? What they couldn't do is say "you can come, but can't get accommodations that are needed" because that would be against the ADA, but they could simply say "you can't come" and nobody's rights are violated.

 

[nalababybear]

Exactly, and it's known that if you lie to get DAS, don't you agree that you could see a lifetime ban? What they couldn't do is say "you can come, but can't get accommodations that are needed" because that would be against the ADA, but they could simply say "you can't come" and nobody's rights are violated.

Disney can ban anyone they want for whatever reasons as a private company.

PR may take a hit like if a visiably disabled person is subjected to a ban for whatever reasons. But if Disney has grounds and ample proof on their side; they will win legally -- court of public opinion -- that's a different ballgame altogether.

ETA: I know mods would like us NOT to discuss enforcement on this thread so will end further going down that rabbit hole again.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

Exactly, and it's known that if you lie to get DAS, don't you agree that you could see a lifetime ban? What they couldn't do is say "you can come, but can't get accommodations that are needed" because that would be against the ADA, but they could simply say "you can't come" and nobody's rights are violated.

I think it will be hard for them to prove if someone is lying and getting the DAS. There has always been a clause about people who lie to get the DAS will get banned (even prior to this change) and it hasn't happened yet. I mean look at all the streamers. I think they are more along the lines of hte ones who will use their DAS to be a tour guide and make $$ from it that htey try to ban.

 

[StarCruzer]

I think it will be hard for them to prove if someone is lying and getting the DAS. There has always been a clause about people who lie to get the DAS will get banned (even prior to this change) and it hasn't happened yet. I mean look at all the streamers. I think they are more along the lines of hte ones who will use their DAS to be a tour guide and make $$ from it that htey try to ban.

What's wild to me is I would think the solution would be to see which DAS counts frequent the parks most often, and have a new group of friends and family added to their account each time. Tickets are fingerprint coded and attached to your MDE, so you'd have to make new accounts for everyone in your tour group any time you did this. Seems like an easy enough way to spot the grifters.

 

[OurBigTrip]

One can only hope! Although I don’t think they will ban people for that. If anything just say, well I see you haven’t been to the park yet…

Not sure if they would or not, but it certainly falls under lying to try to get the DAS…

 

[cat4hurricane]

I really do hope Disney isn’t just giving in like you said! Guess we will see over the next few months.

It feels like I’m seeing more approvals now than when the system first rolled out. Not sure the reason, but find it interesting.

Could be that they’ve more or less determined the parameters that they want to run by, interview wise. Could be that CMs are getting more experience with the new system under their belts, and are therefore being less outright harsh/more understanding/being given more wiggle-room to grant approvals. It could also be that DAS interviewee’s are coming in more prepared (lists of their disability symptoms that would affect how they wait in lines, easily recounting similar or close-enough situations at home or otherwise being more precise/specific not in what they say but in how they present the information). There’s also the rollout in DLR to think about, where they have physical interviews going on that could be beneficially improving approval rates (going to the cases where need is truly evident and immediately clear).

Basically, now that they’ve got the New System hurdles and growing pains out of the way and everyone seems to be on board training-wise, there’s nothing to really stop an increase in warrented approvals. I don’t think Disney is handing it out Willy-nilly to everyone who calls or visits DAS stations (I’ve still seen some decent amount of denials, even for cases that seem like they might be a shoe-in for the commentor, and there’s clearly boundaries or lines that they aren’t crossing) but I do think they’ve mainstreamed the process a bit and have gotten much better at determining/granting DAS. For the people who were stuck in the string of beginning-basically-immediate-denials, it sucks, but they seem to have finally ironed out the kinks in the system and therefore seem to have gotten better at determining Need Vs Want Vs their ability to grant an approval.

 

[Goldilocks07]

Hi all, I just got off the phone with the DAS people. I did not qualify. I'm happy to share what I said but not sure I'm allowed to on here? Let me know and I'll spill the deets. But her response was "ummm have you heard of the new DAS changes?" and of course I knew I didn't qualify. She said that I can either leave the line to rest, in a gift shop (where can you rest in a gift shop???) on a bench (not that there are a lot of those either) or at a restaurant (not so easy and also not restaurants next to every ride plus with all my issues the last thing I want is to 'relax' in a noisey packed restaurant). She also said that guests can go to the cast member and request a return time, but she stated she didn't have any additional information as to what that meant (meaning, she didnt know how it worked to get a requested time back and said that they probably scan our magic bands or cards). She was very sweet but completely useless. I am rarely disappointed with Disney, but this new DAS pass system is just terrible.

 

[jennab]

Hi all, I just got off the phone with the DAS people. I did not qualify. I'm happy to share what I said but not sure I'm allowed to on here? Let me know and I'll spill the deets. But her response was "ummm have you heard of the new DAS changes?" and of course I knew I didn't qualify. She said that I can either leave the line to rest, in a gift shop (where can you rest in a gift shop???) on a bench (not that there are a lot of those either) or at a restaurant (not so easy and also not restaurants next to every ride plus with all my issues the last thing I want is to 'relax' in a noisey packed restaurant). She also said that guests can go to the cast member and request a return time, but she stated she didn't have any additional information as to what that meant (meaning, she didnt know how it worked to get a requested time back and said that they probably scan our magic bands or cards). She was very sweet but completely useless. I am rarely disappointed with Disney, but this new DAS pass system is just terrible.

Was this for a non developmental disability?

 

[SueM in MN]

True. I think one of my worries is that some groups are encouraging people to just call back until they get approval and what to say. Another is that people will say they tried the alternative accommodations, whether they did or not, and say it didn’t work so they can get their preferred accommodation.

Of course there will be some that fall into the category of, didn’t explain it fully during the first call, or really did try the alternatives and it didn’t work, but I feel like those should be the minority. Once it gets out that one just needs to keep calling back or complain to get their DAS back, I think people will start doing it even if the other accommodations do work (because it’s not preferred and it’s different than what they are used to).

The people I've seen commenting reported having to do a lot of explaining and exploring what they tried. It wasn't just a statement of saying they tried.

Hi all, I just got off the phone with the DAS people. I did not qualify. I'm happy to share what I said but not sure I'm allowed to on here? Let me know and I'll spill the deets. But her response was "ummm have you heard of the new DAS changes?" and of course I knew I didn't qualify. She said that I can either leave the line to rest, in a gift shop (where can you rest in a gift shop???) on a bench (not that there are a lot of those either) or at a restaurant (not so easy and also not restaurants next to every ride plus with all my issues the last thing I want is to 'relax' in a noisey packed restaurant). She also said that guests can go to the cast member and request a return time, but she stated she didn't have any additional information as to what that meant (meaning, she didnt know how it worked to get a requested time back and said that they probably scan our magic bands or cards). She was very sweet but completely useless. I am rarely disappointed with Disney, but this new DAS pass system is just terrible.

We ask people not to share details about what they said

 

[Goldilocks07]

Was this for a non developmental disability?

Non developmental, but sensory involved on top of other physical things. (sensory: lights, noise).

 

[Goldilocks07]

Non developmental, but sensory involved on top of other physical things. (sensory: lights, noise).

Hi all, I just got off the phone with the DAS people. I did not qualify. I'm happy to share what I said but not sure I'm allowed to on here? Let me know and I'll spill the deets. But her response was "ummm have you heard of the new DAS changes?" and of course I knew I didn't qualify. She said that I can either leave the line to rest, in a gift shop (where can you rest in a gift shop???) on a bench (not that there are a lot of those either) or at a restaurant (not so easy and also not restaurants next to every ride plus with all my issues the last thing I want is to 'relax' in a noisey packed restaurant). She also said that guests can go to the cast member and request a return time, but she stated she didn't have any additional information as to what that meant (meaning, she didnt know how it worked to get a requested time back and said that they probably scan our magic bands or cards). She was very sweet but completely useless. I am rarely disappointed with Disney, but this new DAS pass system is just terrible.

EDIT: I re-read my post, and I wrote "of course I knew I didn't qualify" and what I'm referring to, is that once she said "have you heard of the changes", THAT's when I knew she wouldn't grant it to me.
In my mind (as well as many of all you on this board), I sure as heck qualify.

My AP is up in August. I am not certain I'll renew. I have a trip on Monday (one day only at MK) and I guess I'll see how it all pans out. Totally disappointed.

 

[Goldilocks07]

And another thing- she did ask about the use of a wheelchair, to which I explained that both sitting and standing for lengths of time cause pain, so a wheelchair would be more of a nuisance than a solution. We had a laugh when I asked if their rides were hospital-bed accessible.... because laying flat helps the most!

SIGH......

 

[DiznyDiva]

My kiddo was approved for anxiety and ADHD. The CM was very nice and listened. They are in a call center so you can hear the other CM"s whispering. It took about 15 minutes give or take. She could see that Kiddo had gotten it before and asked if there were any changes or anything to add for the reason she needed it since she had gotten it last in May. I said no. THEN she asked about school accommodation. Her second question was to ask how she did with the crowd, walking round the park, the bathrooms, eating or shows. Took a pic, asked if she could tell us both the quiet places and wishes us a magical day.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

The likelihood of being approved with only physical disabilities is VERY low. Having read a lot of reports and done the interview myself, I’m surprised there are any getting approved and strongly suspect there is more to those stories. If you are going into the DAS request with only physical disabilities I would plan for being denied and then be pleasantly surprised if you aren’t.

I have a physical disability and was denied today and I was very clearly told by the (WDW) cast member that it was only for developmental disabilities and she even used the phrase “autism or similar”— I didn’t argue with her but I did explain how we’ve unsuccessfully tried other accommodations in the past including renting wheelchairs and ECVs. She encouraged me to try AQR when my husband was with us and assured me we wouldn’t have to split up if it was just me and my kids. I’ve posted more about it on the approval/denial thread.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

to rest, in a gift shop (where can you rest in a gift shop???)

I'm thinking they probably just more meant to get out of the heat or the area depending on what caused your situation inside the queue. It's a typical advice to walk through gift shops whenever possible during high heat and humidity just to give yourself a breather but I know from experience sometimes it's not as easy to walk in there especially the ones on Main Street but those are preferable most of the time to the masses on Main Street itself lol.

Gift shops probably stand a higher chance of being crowded so it may not work but I can see where her suggestion is coming in. She probably was just trying to think of where might work and at times that a gift shop could be a place. The standing/sitting issue can be difficult to try and think of places since a bench is a good reprieve until it isn't, same said for standing.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The likelihood of being approved with only physical disabilities is VERY low. Having read a lot of reports and done the interview myself, I’m surprised there are any getting approved and strongly suspect there is more to those stories. If you are going into the DAS request with only physical disabilities I would plan for being denied and then be pleasantly surprised if you aren’t.

This is what I've seen. It seems highly unlikely that someone with physical disabilities only will be approved. People probably need to stop stating that this is needs based only & diagnosis has nothing to do with it. It's clear they are limiting it to the needs of those with specific diagnoses.

 

[sprem96]

Husband was not approved despite been approved in the past. Mobility is not an issue. Was approved for Universals program so thats where we will be going

Extremely stressed out for my phone call Tuesday next week (30 day mark), also an adult who doesn't have a DD, but has been approved for the past 7 years. I was approved at Universal and Canada's Wonderland this year, so fingers crossed Disney sees it the same way. Next year I plan to remove a day of Disney from 3 to 2 days, and give 1 day to Universal instead going from 1 to 2. Usually do 4 days of parks when I travel to Orlando for a week once a year.

I will update next week on my results. I'll give more details then (I'll try to be as open/specific as possible without giving too much away for scammers).

On a side note, condition has been in overdrive as I get closer an closer to my July 16 video call because it gets exacerbated when under heavy stress. That's the real issue, more than the actual new rules themselves, it's the stress they've put the entire disabled community under planning their trips (some of which have been heavily invested into way before the news was announced in April). It's taken a lot of the fun away from people; the inconsistency of approvals, the unknown when purchasing tickets beforehand. At both Universal and CW, I was approved before even getting passes for those parks, if I hadn't been approved, it would give me the customer the CHOICE to decide if I want to still go to their parks knowing I would have to adapt to their new rules. They left a lot of people stuck in a miserable situation where they either had to refund tickets or go in a modified fashion (overcommitted to vacation due to hotel/plane/car etc) and will see a drastically reduced experience from the past. Regardless, it makes for a lot of unhappy customers. It would have been more appropriate to have grandfathered in some guests as they roll in the new system (as one person commented they received some LL passes due to the wait and adjustment), hopefully if people are being denied, that they are giving something like RTQ (old DAS method pre-app) to make up for the change to get people getting used to the idea that next trips will be vastly different than current ones or ones in the past.

 

[Goldilocks07]

This is what I've seen. It seems highly unlikely that someone with physical disabilities only will be approved. People probably need to stop stating that this is needs based only & diagnosis has nothing to do with it. It's clear they are limiting it to the needs of those with specific diagnoses.

Totally get that (well, not really but for the sake of this conversation, fine) but I have sensory issues (lights and sound) to go along with it because of all the nerve damage, and I expressed that. DENIED.
I guess you need to be a millennial or genz to get approved.

Meanwhile, I have ADD (was diagnosed in 1988 if you can believe that!) but never thought to add that to the list of issues, as it doesn't affect me being in line. Now I'm regretting not saying anything about it. Go ahead, comment away on this I don't care at this point, because at the end of the day, ANYONE can pay for Genie+ and LL$- even all of you with ANY diagnosis and ANY genetic or mental issues. It all comes down to accommodating those in need. And I NEED it. So now I'm forced to pay.... just like everyone else (including my cousin's kid, who has diabetes, and in no way can stand in long lines- so guess what? Now they choose to go elsewhere as they are a large family and the cost would be astronomical). Insert comments here too: "well that's their choice, they can go other places blah blah blah". It is a choice isn't it? But we all LOVE Disney World and the DAS made all of our REAL medical issues, bearable. At least while in the parks....we all eased up about our pain/illnesses.

Disney should have been more strict in the first place.

 

[Disneylover99]

Meanwhile, I have ADD (was diagnosed in 1988 if you can believe that!) but never thought to add that to the list of issues, as it doesn't affect me being in line. Now I'm regretting not saying anything about it. Go ahead, comment away on this I don't care at this point, because at the end of the day, ANYONE can pay for Genie+ and LL$- even all of you with ANY diagnosis and ANY genetic or mental issues. It all comes down to accommodating those in need. And I NEED it. So now I'm forced to pay.... just like everyone else (including my cousin's kid, who has diabetes, and in no way can stand in long lines- so guess what? Now they choose to go elsewhere as they are a large family and the cost would be astronomical). Insert comments here too: "well that's their choice, they can go other places blah blah blah". It is a choice isn't it? But we all LOVE Disney World and the DAS made all of our REAL medical issues, bearable. At least while in the parks....we all eased up about our pain/illnesses.

Disney should have been more strict in the first place.

The thought that people are so desperate for DAS, they’re willing to say anything to get it, like playing up an old diagnosis that doesn’t even affect you being in line would be so cringe.

I’m glad you didn’t do it.