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

[ElCray]

Just my theory… but possibly those getting asked more questions are focusing the request and some answers on the diagnosis more so than the needs, reactions, consequences, etc.

Just fyi when we made our request, I ONLY spoke of the "needs, reactions, consequences, etc." I'm accustomed to requesting accommodations for my family member (school, extracurriculars, camps, etc) and understand that it's about limitations and accommodations, and not the diagnosis. In fact I prefer not to share diagnoses unless absolutely necessary.

For our request, I gave the same explanation for the 1st and 2nd levels of review, and answered their follow up questions. With the 3rd level of review I said the same thing, and added the multiple diagnoses because it was with the neuropsychologist and they would know specifically what I was talking about.

This is only our experience though... I just wanted you to know that at least in our case, we weren't focused on the diagnoses at all.

 

[Keladry84]

Well, I started out by saying how he historically has acted in long lines and why DAS helped us in the past. I explained how he acts in public spaces in our day to day life and at school as well. The problem is that they always seem to want to know WHY or something. And I don't know why he is the way he is.

I was recently approved with only minimal questions. I started with the why (what’s causing the problem), followed by the internal reactions and process, ending with specific examples of lines at Disney and what happened. I was very careful to stay with explanation geared toward only what someone actually experiencing the situation would know, rather than common buzzwords or outward descriptions of behavior that someone could look up on the internet.

I know in your case, that’s not possible as your son can’t share with you the why.

I’m guessing those who are getting further questions might fall under a couple of different areas: not mentioning something that is part of the checklist, therefore getting questions designed to elicit it, and/or describing the situation in a way that parallels what someone could look up, therefore getting more questions to confirm consistency and validity of the request, and/or having a reason or need that doesn’t quite fit the requirements and looking to see if it can be approved by further examination.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I was recently approved with only minimal questions. I started with the why (what’s causing the problem), followed by the internal reactions and process, ending with specific examples of lines at Disney and what happened. I was very careful to stay with explanation geared toward only what someone actually experiencing the situation would know, rather than common buzzwords or outward descriptions of behavior that someone could look up on the internet.

I know in your case, that’s not possible as your son can’t share with you the why.

I’m guessing those who are getting further questions might fall under a couple of different areas: not mentioning something that is part of the checklist, therefore getting questions designed to elicit it, and/or describing the situation in a way that parallels what someone could look up, therefore getting more questions to confirm consistency and validity of the request, and/or having a reason or need that doesn’t quite fit the requirements and looking to see if it can be approved by further examination.

Yeah, that's one thing that sucks as the parent who has to try to explain it....it is the same type of stuff a liar would try to say. It just made me so uncomfortable because I don't want to be seen as one of those people. I was hoping my son would have come over and wanted to be on camera more because seeing him for any amount of time, I'm sure it would have been more obvious. But he is not a fan of zoom calls at all. When he did end up coming over he said "doctor" in an annoyed voice because he assumed it was one of his telehealth appointments.

 

[Keladry84]

Yeah, that's one thing that sucks as the parent who has to try to explain it....it is the same type of stuff a liar would try to say. It just made me so uncomfortable because I don't want to be seen as one of those people. I was hoping my son would have come over and wanted to be on camera more because seeing him for any amount of time, I'm sure it would have been more obvious. But he is not a fan of zoom calls at all. When he did end up coming over he said "doctor" in an annoyed voice because he assumed it was one of his telehealth appointments.

I can completely understand the frustration and sympathize for you.

Even if you can’t explain the whys for him, you’ll still be much more detailed and realistic sounding than someone not experiencing it. I’m glad you did get approved, but sorry you had to go through the ringer for it.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hope someone can help me and that I'm asking in the right place. Under the new rules I no longer qualify for DAS but I'm more asking for my husband who also would have previously qualified but wouldn't now. I won't go into the details but he has extreme bathroom urgency. When he has to go he has to go now. I know they are doing return to the line now but I have questions about it that I haven't seen answered other places. Is this the right place to ask and is there anyone with any experience with this that can answer a couple questions?

 

[ClaraOswald]

Hope someone can help me and that I'm asking in the right place. Under the new rules I no longer qualify for DAS but I'm more asking for my husband who also would have previously qualified but wouldn't now. I won't go into the details but he has extreme bathroom urgency. When he has to go he has to go now. I know they are doing return to the line now but I have questions about it that I haven't seen answered other places. Is this the right place to ask and is there anyone with any experience with this that can answer a couple questions?

Personally, I would probably start a new thread as you'd get more responses there maybe. This thread seems to mostly just be about approvals and denials so not sure people will have much knowledge on the return to line accommodation.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Thank

Personally, I would probably start a new thread as you'd get more responses there maybe. This thread seems to mostly just be about approvals and denials so not sure people will have much knowledge on the return to line accommodation.

Thank you!

 

[ElCray]

I think Keladry has a great take as an explanation. Matches my experience!

 

[Dr. Henry Jones Jr.]

I am super worried they will want to ask my child questions. He honestly isn’t even aware of how he acts in situations so I fear he will be like “oh I’m good waiting in line” and they will think I’m lying

This has been our experience even under the old system. When we last went in 2022, the majority of questions were asked to our then 12 year old.

 

[jennab]

This has been our experience even under the old system. When we last went in 2022, the majority of questions were asked to our then 12 year old.

In the past they have never asked my son questions. Just asked if he was available if needed and I said yes and had him come in at the end.

Does your son understand his limitations? I really don’t think mine does, hence why I’m not sure he will be able to answer the questions. Many times my son will do something and doesn’t even realize it. There have been times where he legitimately doesn’t think he’s done something that I’ve seen with my own eyes.

 

[lanejudy]

several discussion posts have been moved here from the Approval/Denial thread

 

[jennab]

Hope someone can help me and that I'm asking in the right place. Under the new rules I no longer qualify for DAS but I'm more asking for my husband who also would have previously qualified but wouldn't now. I won't go into the details but he has extreme bathroom urgency. When he has to go he has to go now. I know they are doing return to the line now but I have questions about it that I haven't seen answered other places. Is this the right place to ask and is there anyone with any experience with this that can answer a couple questions?

You can try to ask here. Have you thought about purchasing the multi pass? That will still give you LLs. We have used that in the past to help with my husbands bathroom issues.

 

[jennab]

several discussion posts have been moved here from the Approval/Denial thread

Sorry, I keep forgetting what thread it is when replying

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry, I keep forgetting what thread it is when replying

No worries. It just seems to happen. A quick response turns into discussion.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Just my theory… but possibly those getting asked more questions are focusing the request and some answers on the diagnosis more so than the needs, reactions, consequences, etc.

I also suspect that just seeing the DAS requester is playing a role...some folks, there is little doubt.

Thus, why they always ask to see the DAS requester.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

You can try to ask here. Have you thought about purchasing the multi pass? That will still give you LLs. We have used that in the past to help with my husbands bathroom issues.

Yes that is something we will be looking into. I'm just not exactly sure how the return to line works and from what I'm hearing even the CM's are unclear on it. I have heard a lot of conflicting information on it and was hoping to be able to find out more from someone who has used it.

 

[jennab]

Yes that is something we will be looking into. I'm just not exactly sure how the return to line works and from what I'm hearing even the CM's are unclear on it. I have heard a lot of conflicting information on it and was hoping to be able to find out more from someone who has used it.

I have not personally used it, but sounds like it varies based on party size, ride, wait time. So there isn’t a one size fits all answer. You can talk to the CM before even entering the line and ask what to do if you need to leave the line. You can also wait in standby and contact your spouse when you get to the merge point. He can wait outside the line and go through the LL to meet up with you at merge.

 

[lanejudy]

Above is correct -- Attraction Queue Re-entry processes will vary based on attraction, time of day, wait time, party size, etc. The best thing is to speak to a CM when you enter the queue and say something like "I may need to leave the queue due to disability, what should I do if that occurs?" Most of the time they will have some remain in the queue to call the waiting party when you reach the merge point; the waiting party will enter the LL to re-join the rest of the party.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Above is correct -- Attraction Queue Re-entry processes will vary based on attraction, time of day, wait time, party size, etc. The best thing is to speak to a CM when you enter the queue and say something like "I may need to leave the queue due to disability, what should I do if that occurs?" Most of the time they will have some remain in the queue to call the waiting party when you reach the merge point; the waiting party will enter the LL to re-join the rest of the party.

If the LL is backed up...do they just wait there and then the other members of their party have to wait at the merge point until they show up?

 

[ClaraOswald]

When I mentioned to the CM that in the past, a couple of the LL/DAS waits were even too long for our son, he mentioned that we could use the Queue Re-entry process as a "safety net" if we are in line for DAS and it takes too long. My husband and son could step out, for example, and then meet up with me at the merge point. But I'm kind of confused on how they would be brought to the merge point without having to just wait in the LL all over again?