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

[DiznyDiva]

DAS has had the same issues - too many people.

Which means not matter the screaming and threats, this Version of DAS is her for now. In a couple of years, who knows?

 

[SueM in MN]

Which means not matter the screaming and threats, this Version of DAS is her for now. In a couple of years, who knows?

I had another part written, but the post was already long, so I deleted it. I intended to put it on another post, but my iPad ate it.
I'll try again tomorrow

 

[Cloudy]

but if there are any signs that would be more important to start with, I'd love to know.

A little story. I have a 28 year old nonverbal autistic son. He knows a little sign. But the same problems that prevent him from speaking also prevent him from learning sign language.

One evening we went to a party at our new young neighbors. DS28 was wandering around on his own. I saw a millennial man sign to him. He then went in the house and brought him a plate of food. I went over to check on my son and asked the man how he knew sign (he was not deaf). He said he had a deaf coworker previously that taught him a few signs. I replied “Well eat, drink, and toilet go a long way”. It was so nice to have someone interact with my son that way! He often gets ignored or worse.

If I was going to give my top signs:
Eat, Drink, Toilet, Look, More, Wait, Happy, Sad ,Angry, Rain, Mom, Dad

Other than that we do a lot of colors and some foods

Sometimes I don’t even think about it when I sign “Mom Toilet” across a crowded room to DH. Definitely comes in handy.

 

[Ollivier]

this is the population I am calling abusers.

If someone with ADHD applied for DAS before the changes and did not lie, they were not abusing the system. I’m not saying that they necessarily needed DAS, but it was Disney’s responsibility to approve or deny the request. In my opinion, it’s Disney that allowed the DAS system to get out of control.

Disney has every right to make changes, just as we should have the right to know if we will be approved for DAS before investing in a very expensive holiday.

 

[only hope]

It is the topic that is so emotionally hard. When that happens your ears get tender and sometimes hear things harsher than the poster meant it to be. You are welcome here. But it is ok to disagree too. You can stand up and disagree yourself. It is okay. If you are dealing with disabilities and the changes in DAS and the alternate accommodations then you belong here. I never got a chance to have DAS, but I do have conditions the ADA recognizes as disabilities. So, here I am. Learning a lot and contributing my ideas when I can. Stay and post. Let us know when you have had enough. The people here are pretty nice.

Thank you, I appreciate that. Every time I try to add a different perspective it evolves into people criticizing and it’s too stressful.

 

[lanejudy]

Thank you, I appreciate that. Every time I try to add a different perspective it evolves into people criticizing and it’s too stressful.

I think this thread has largely moved past the discussion of "X-need should qualify for DAS because...." It really doesn't matter that you or I or anyone feels that individuals with X-need should be granted DAS, Disney has made their decision that it doesn't. We need to focus on the alternative accommodations and options for making that a solution, how it works in various situations, what else people might be able to do. Different perspectives are great, but at this point there's just no value to the disabled community in rehashing what doesn't qualify for DAS now and why it should. Different perspectives on personal solutions or how to make alternative accommodations work is greatly appreciated.

 

[jennab]

If someone with ADHD applied for DAS before the changes and did not lie, they were not abusing the system. I’m not saying that they necessarily needed DAS, but it was Disney’s responsibility to approve or deny the request. In my opinion, it’s Disney that allowed the DAS system to get out of control.

Correct. Disney chose to approve them and that sort of condition, so the person wasn’t necessarily doing anything wrong (as long as they weren’t lying to gain access).

Disney has every right to make changes, just as we should have the right to know if we will be approved for DAS before investing in a very expensive holiday.

I’ve said it before and will say it again. It’s always been this way. Disney could have declined someone at any point before. People were always taking the chance and no one complained then when it was in person or 30 days prior. People know now that it is much more limited, so they have choices to make alternative plans and change touring style to still try and make it work, don’t go at all, or make sure to buy refundable/cancelable components of their trip and cancel if denied.

 

[jo-jo]

We've only gotten DAS for a couple of years. I am shocked at some of the stories in the past. People say I have XYZ and it was granted., like just flashing some ritzy credit card. No questions, it was just done. With DH ,I said this occurred and thus , this is what we are dealing with. And it was granted. I doubt it will again though. And if we were 20 years younger, I'd be very upset. For us, we'll make the best we can for this trip and be done.

 

[Belle1962]

I’ve had what is now known as DAS for over 20 years. I live close enough to take several trips a year. But this year I did not renew my AP. I’m taking my family for Fall break next month. This will likely be my last trip for a loooooooooonnnngggg time. We will be a family of 6-myself, DIL, 2 littles grandkids and 1 older grandkid with a fiancée who will only be with us 2 days. Just like everyone else who has had a DAS previously I think I should qualify under the new guidelines. But it is too stressful to wonder “if”-if I’ll be approved, if we can get an exception for 6 people, if, if, if. I will place one, and only one, call to Disney. If either request is denied I won’t get nasty with the CM, throw a fit, vent on social media or other things. I will be extremely disappointed but Que sera sera whatever will be will be.

 

[jennab]

I’ve had what is now known as DAS for over 20 years. I live close enough to take several trips a year. But this year I did not renew my AP. I’m taking my family for Fall break next month. This will likely be my last trip for a loooooooooonnnngggg time. We will be a family of 6-myself, DIL, 2 littles grandkids and 1 older grandkid with a fiancée who will only be with us 2 days. Just like everyone else who has had a DAS previously I think I should qualify under the new guidelines. But it is too stressful to wonder “if”-if I’ll be approved, if we can get an exception for 6 people, if, if, if. I will place one, and only one, call to Disney. If either request is denied I won’t get nasty with the CM, throw a fit, vent on social media or other things. I will be extremely disappointed but Que sera sera whatever will be will be.

I would expect to not be approved for more than 3 people if you are even approved for DAS. Most exceptions I’ve seen are happening with parents and minor children. Since you have mostly adults in your party it is unlikely. However, you won’t know for sure until you call. I just don’t want you to get false hope.

 

[Belle1962]

I would expect to not be approved for more than 3 people if you are even approved for DAS. Most exceptions I’ve seen are happening with parents and minor children. Since you have mostly adults in your party it is unlikely. However, you won’t know for sure until you call. I just don’t want you to get false hope.

I fully anticipate not to get an exception for the 2 days my older gkid and fiancé are with us but it’s me plus 3 ( 38, 12 and 6 yo) on the other days.

 

[jennab]

I fully anticipate not to get an exception for the 2 days my older gkid and fiancé are with us but it’s me plus 3 ( 38, 12 and 6 yo) on the other days.

If you still want to try to all ride together, the other 2 could try to get LLMP for their 2 days and maybe you can coordinate your DAS times with their LL times? I’ve heard of other people doing that!

 

[Evita_W]

I’m genuinely curious, what is the issue with zig zagging queues? Is it mobility devices? I was under the impression that WDW had queues wide enough to navigate with mobility devices.

It can be sensory issue, especially for people on mobility devices, for example DH can’t handle the standard queue on Incredicoaster at DCA, even if it is completely empty due to how many switchbacks there are and so close together. When it is crowded, it causes extreme anxiety from the crowds being on most to all sides of him, when it is empty, he gets sick from the switchbacks and maneuvering around them. It isn’t always about if it is wide enough or not. Additionally, if he needed to leave the queue, there would be no possible way to do so in that queue with a mobility device, now that is a wide enough issue, but that’s another story.

 

[mistysue]

It can be sensory issue, especially for people on mobility devices, for example DH can’t handle the standard queue on Incredicoaster at DCA, even if it is completely empty due to how many switchbacks there are and so close together. When it is crowded, it causes extreme anxiety from the crowds being on most to all sides of him, when it is empty, he gets sick from the switchbacks and maneuvering around them. It isn’t always about if it is wide enough or not. Additionally, if he needed to leave the queue, there would be no possible way to do so in that queue with a mobility device, now that is a wide enough issue, but that’s another story.

The strangest thing to me about how they have been redesigning the queues is how they no longer have the ends with chains so they could create shortcuts when it's slow - like when you get to the bus stop and the first 4 rows the chain is undone so people can just walk by, but as it gets busy people can clip the chain to create switchbacks. The new lines all have permanent metal bars only. The last couple years I've had the thought it may easily be doubling the number of steps we are taking per day just navigating all the empty switchbacks during slow times.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

The strangest thing to me about how they have been redesigning the queues is how they no longer have the ends with chains so they could create shortcuts when it's slow ... The last couple years I've had the thought it may easily be doubling the number of steps we are taking per day just navigating all the empty switchbacks during slow times.

I wonder how much of that is intentional... ie tire the guest out, they sit & eat more, they're less inclined to hop back on the same ride again and again, they leave sooner, etc.
It's devious & subtle.

 

[mistysue]

I wonder how much of that is intentional... ie tire the guest out, they sit & eat more, they're less inclined to hop back on the same ride again and again, they leave sooner, etc.
It's devious & subtle.

Except we definitely buy less if we're in a bad mood. I think it's a really bad plan that looked good with design.

 

[lovethattink]

So... To move on to a lighter topic in terms of accessibility, several posters have mentioned utilizing sign language. I was wondering for those who know it if there are any simple/basic signs that would be more beneficial for non-fluent sign language users to know, maybe in terms of things that might indicate "help" or "I'm okay" or anything that you feel might be used more often that would be helpful for others to know. I know the alphabet, yes, no, and thank you, but don't really know what specific signs might be helpful to learn. I'd love to become more versed eventually, but if there are any signs that would be more important to start with, I'd love to know.

My son is very verbal, but still drops some signs. Finger spelling isn’t his strong suit. Usually it’s just yes or no he’ll sign.

We’ve found learn asl with Michelle on instagram to be a good place to learn some sign language.

My son has been taking ASL classes for a few years. He’s better at understanding it than speaking it. He doesn’t have full range of motion in his dominant hand, and that makes him self conscious.

 

[sunburnin]

I wonder how much of that is intentional... ie tire the guest out, they sit & eat more, they're less inclined to hop back on the same ride again and again, they leave sooner, etc.
It's devious & subtle.

It is more likely to prevent people from unhooking them to shift in line and to prevent kids from swinging on the chains, breaking the chains, and file a lawsuit if they fall and get hurt. We repeatedly saw CMs asking people (mostly kids) to not sit on the rails either.

 

[DiznyDiva]

My son is very verbal, but still drops some signs. Finger spelling isn’t his strong suit. Usually it’s just yes or no he’ll sign.

We use a lot of finger spelling, especially in crowds or dark rides. Kiddo is pretty good at it. Me not so much and sometimes she giggles at how bad I am. LOl. I try.

 

[wrightut]

I agree about Disney being a different environment, it's usually the most visited theme park in the world although they throttle their attendance differently than they did before. It is an environment that is loud, crowded, high stimulus, etc. The situations you will be exposed to are ones you are extremely likely to be exposed to elsewhere even if they are of a different caliber. And what comments I've seen a lot that people say in response to what do you do elsewhere is in a nutshell "I avoid them"

Disney is a choice to go there. That doesn't mean "don't go to Disney" it can however mean that you may not be given that which you think you should be given. So much of the back and forth conversations at the heart of it end up being "I should get DAS" OR the adjustments in say the number of DAS guests allowed along with through the LL become the problem OR the accommodation is viewed as punitive.

At the end of the day however it is a choice being made to go into that environment that which causes you problems. Within certain parameters Disney can set forth just which accommodations they see fit that works with their particular theme park. We know DLR can be different on mobility for example because their queues are not well suited for that (and I completely agree having made that observation on our two trips there in 2019).

I would disagree about your particular definition of DAS. It is not about helping people who find an environment overwhelming now enjoy the experience without being overloaded. That is impossible, they can't remove intrinsic things to a theme park that cause meltdowns or someone getting stimulus overload nor can they guarantee someone's enjoyment. Furthermore Disney has signaled out areas of their park for years, just not made it highly visible on their website until recently, where a person can get to a spot that may be more calm. That actually speaks much more to your viewpoint of aid in an overwhelming environment and is not related to DAS. DAS doesn't even address high-stimulus environment as it's just about an individuals inability to wait in a conventional queue. The parks, as we are all aware of, comprise of much more than just a queue.

Yes! My daughter has Ulcerative Colitis. The number of people who said “oh she can get DAS” was a little surprising. Because 1-her flares are intermittent and when she’s not flaring she’s fine and 2-if she was flaring, guess where we wouldn’t be? At a theme park trying to stand in line for rides.