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

[jennab]

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?

Yeah that doesn’t make sense. My understanding is that people would wait in standby and the disabled person would go through the LL to meet standby people at merge point.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

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?

It’s in part for people like your son that the changes were instituted. When the DAS/LL wait times are 30 minutes + then clearly something wasn’t working as intended. After tightening the DAS criteria and redirecting some of those people to other accommodations the expedited access wait times have been very short (at least in the 3 visits we have done this fall), even with more people buying various paid versions of LLs (including Premier Pass, where there is no time restriction on returns).

Disney is unlikely to get into the business of providing true front of the line access outside of Make a Wish. Even the uber expensive VIP guides go through the normal LLs for the most part.

 

[ClaraOswald]

So hopefully that means none of the DAS lines will be too crazy for my son this time then.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

So hopefully that means none of the DAS lines will be too crazy for my son this time then.

We only had one line where the wait to the merge point was over 5 minutes, and that was alien swirling saucers due to mechanical issues. Beyond the merge point (eg guardians) is beyond the scope of DAS.

 

[jennab]

So hopefully that means none of the DAS lines will be too crazy for my son this time then.

Reports have been they are MUCH shorter. We had the same issue last few trips too (pre-changes), not being able to use our DAS because LL was too long.

 

[Keladry84]

So hopefully that means none of the DAS lines will be too crazy for my son this time then.

I was just there yesterday, and was also there mid-March. Despite it being crazy busy with Christmas crowds, I was able to do all of the LL I attempted. In March it was much less busy overall but I had to leave several LL. The LL definitely are moving much smoother and quicker now than before.

There are a couple of lines where he might struggle post-merge. I had the most difficulty yesterday with Tiana and Soarin. Both seemed to have a longer/more crowded wait past the merge than other attractions. There were a couple of others I had done in March as well that I skipped this time for the same reason.

I’m actually struggling right now more with Universal. AAP doesn’t work very well with high crowds. I get a return time at a time when the express lane would be manageable, but by the time I return both standby and express explode in time and crowds, and the estimated express wait is now more than my original return time…..which I can’t do. So I wait the required time, then either have to wait that time again in the line, or have to choose to skip it altogether.

 

[jennab]

I was just there yesterday, and was also there mid-March. Despite it being crazy busy with Christmas crowds, I was able to do all of the LL I attempted. In March it was much less busy overall but I had to leave several LL. The LL definitely are moving much smoother and quicker now than before.

There are a couple of lines where he might struggle post-merge. I had the most difficulty yesterday with Tiana and Soarin. Both seemed to have a longer/more crowded wait past the merge than other attractions. There were a couple of others I had done in March as well that I skipped this time for the same reason.

I’m actually struggling right now more with Universal. AAP doesn’t work very well with high crowds. I get a return time at a time when the express lane would be manageable, but by the time I return both standby and express explode in time and crowds, and the estimated express wait is now more than my original return time…..which I can’t do. So I wait the required time, then either have to wait that time again in the line, or have to choose to skip it altogether.

I was wondering if universals version of DAS would implode too once more people applied. How can someone who can’t wait 20min wait in their express line, which is “half the wait of the regular line” when there are long lines?

 

[Keladry84]

I was wondering if universals version of DAS would implode too once more people applied. How can someone who can’t wait 20min wait in their express line, which is “happy the wait of the regular line” when there are long lines?

They can’t. At normal crowd levels the express lines stay quick (much less than the regular advertised half of standby), but with holiday crowds it’s been crazy. I’ve had to be very selective in rides and timing this week, and lots of downtime in between.

 

[PrincessV]

After previously being approved under both the old and new DAS programs, I was just denied for an extension/renewal/re-registration. (My current approval expires midway through a planned visit, so I was calling to request a “renewal” starting the day after expiration for 240 days as an AP.) No change in my needs or how I described them, and I spoke with a CM, their supervisor, and a medical professional for an hour and a half total. All acknowledged my previous approvals and thanked me for rehashing all the details, but insisted that the program does not cover my needs. I asked nicely but could not get an answer as to why I was approved 120 days ago, but not now. FWIW, mine is not a physical disability, is also not ASD, but shows up in ways that are ASD-like. So it’s a total mystery to me as to what has changed at WDW’s end.

Some points that may or may not be helpful to others:

The first CM told me I can re-apply day by day as a solo visitor. Sound familiar? Yep, exactly what I was told initially last time, before a supervisor stepped in and approved me for 120 days. I expressed again that needing to spend an hour going through a mentally and emotionally draining conversation every day I visit a park will result in not visiting a park at all: it’s simply not feasible. I was clear that I wasn’t trying to be difficult, but wanted them to understand how unrealistic that expectation is.

That CM sent me to a supervisor, with whom I discussed my situation all over again. They listened, asked questions, and brought in a medical professional. The medical professional listened to the whole thing again, asked the same questions, thanked me, and stated that DAS is not available for me.

Back to the supervisor, I was offered a LL for one day, which I declined with appreciation because again - I’m an AP: sometimes I visit for a few hours, sometimes a few days. A single LL for one day on which I may or may not visit isn’t valuable to me, though I did appreciate the offer. In the end, I was told to chat back on the next day I’ll be visiting without DAS and they may be able to offer something, which was nice. They also strongly encouraged me to keep providing feedback - email, chat box in the moment, speak with an attraction lead, keep communicating how the system is letting me down because feedback = change. I have serious doubts about that, but they were so nice, I may take the time just because they asked me to.

I brought up AQR and asked if anything formal has been put into place about how it’s handled or if it’s up to each ride or CM’s discretion. The answer was that each ride absolutely has a policy and protocol in place and every CM operating it knows those details. Obviously what can be offered and implemented depends on the attraction itself, party needs, and party size, but every attraction has something in place that I should be able to access by asking at the ride, without need of getting into uncomfortable details about my disability.

All three people were polite, professional, and very kind… which in a way made the denial feel worse, if that makes any sense. Like, they clearly all understood my issues and saw how DAS worked well for me, but also wouldn’t provide an approval. It would have been easier to swallow if the first CM just said, “Forget it loser - nothing for you!”

Anyway, I’m pretty wrecked from going through it all and probably won’t ever try again. I’ll give AQR a try again - if it works as it did when I tried it back in May, it’ll be good enough for a couple rides a day. And if the experience is no longer justified by the AP price, I may not renew for the first time in 30 years. Maybe WDW just isn’t a happy place for me anymore - we’ll see.

 

[jennab]

After previously being approved under both the old and new DAS programs, I was just denied for an extension/renewal/re-registration. (My current approval expires midway through a planned visit, so I was calling to request a “renewal” starting the day after expiration for 240 days as an AP.) No change in my needs or how I described them, and I spoke with a CM, their supervisor, and a medical professional for an hour and a half total. All acknowledged my previous approvals and thanked me for rehashing all the details, but insisted that the program does not cover my needs. I asked nicely but could not get an answer as to why I was approved 120 days ago, but not now. FWIW, mine is not a physical disability, is also not ASD, but shows up in ways that are ASD-like. So it’s a total mystery to me as to what has changed at WDW’s end.

Some points that may or may not be helpful to others:

The first CM told me I can re-apply day by day as a solo visitor. Sound familiar? Yep, exactly what I was told initially last time, before a supervisor stepped in and approved me for 120 days. I expressed again that needing to spend an hour going through a mentally and emotionally draining conversation every day I visit a park will result in not visiting a park at all: it’s simply not feasible. I was clear that I wasn’t trying to be difficult, but wanted them to understand how unrealistic that expectation is.

That CM sent me to a supervisor, with whom I discussed my situation all over again. They listened, asked questions, and brought in a medical professional. The medical professional listened to the whole thing again, asked the same questions, thanked me, and stated that DAS is not available for me.

Back to the supervisor, I was offered a LL for one day, which I declined with appreciation because again - I’m an AP: sometimes I visit for a few hours, sometimes a few days. A single LL for one day on which I may or may not visit isn’t valuable to me, though I did appreciate the offer. In the end, I was told to chat back on the next day I’ll be visiting without DAS and they may be able to offer something, which was nice. They also strongly encouraged me to keep providing feedback - email, chat box in the moment, speak with an attraction lead, keep communicating how the system is letting me down because feedback = change. I have serious doubts about that, but they were so nice, I may take the time just because they asked me to.

I brought up AQR and asked if anything formal has been put into place about how it’s handled or if it’s up to each ride or CM’s discretion. The answer was that each ride absolutely has a policy and protocol in place and every CM operating it knows those details. Obviously what can be offered and implemented depends on the attraction itself, party needs, and party size, but every attraction has something in place that I should be able to access by asking at the ride, without need of getting into uncomfortable details about my disability.

All three people were polite, professional, and very kind… which in a way made the denial feel worse, if that makes any sense. Like, they clearly all understood my issues and saw how DAS worked well for me, but also wouldn’t provide an approval. It would have been easier to swallow if the first CM just said, “Forget it loser - nothing for you!”

Anyway, I’m pretty wrecked from going through it all and probably won’t ever try again. I’ll give AQR a try again - if it works as it did when I tried it back in May, it’ll be good enough for a couple rides a day. And if the experience is no longer justified by the AP price, I may not renew for the first time in 30 years. Maybe WDW just isn’t a happy place for me anymore - we’ll see.

I’m sorry, that sounds so stressful. I hope AQR works well for you like it did when you tried it before. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I know it’s hard right now, but I guess try to think positively that it might work out ok for you.

 

[PrincessV]

I’m sorry, that sounds so stressful. I hope AQR works well for you like it did when you tried it before. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I know it’s hard right now, but I guess try to think positively that it might work out ok for you.

That’s mostly where my mind is. I had only tried AQR previously at non-favorite rides - I’ll see how well it works at a TRON or Rise and go from there. On the upside, my last visit a couple weeks ago had such short wait times, I was able to do most rides without DAS at all.

 

[jennab]

That’s mostly where my mind is. I had only tried AQR previously at non-favorite rides - I’ll see how well it works at a TRON or Rise and go from there. On the upside, my last visit a couple weeks ago had such short wait times, I was able to do most rides without DAS at all.

Well that sounds promising!

I forgot to put this on my last response - It sounds like they are being more strict with adults who can go by themselves.

 

[PrincessV]

Well that sounds promising!

I forgot to put this on my last response - It sounds like they are being more strict with adults who can go by themselves.

Maybe? IDK. My frustration was that no one would answer my question, “Why are the same needs that were approved three months ago not applicable now? What has changed at Disney’s end?” They all evaded answering at all - it was a friendly version of “Look at this other shiny thing that has nothing to do with your question!” I could understand if the program has changed - I might not like it, but at least it would give me a why. The lack of any explanation leaves me feeling pretty unhappy with the company, no matter how nicely packaged was the delivery. I’ll echo what some others have reported, that it felt like there’s a secret phrase required and either you hit it or you don’t, and maybe that’s changed since my last approval.

 

[jennab]

Maybe? IDK. My frustration was that no one would answer my question, “Why are the same needs that were approved three months ago not applicable now? What has changed at Disney’s end?” They all evaded answering at all - it was a friendly version of “Look at this other shiny thing that has nothing to do with your question!” I could understand if the program has changed - I might not like it, but at least it would give me a why. The lack of any explanation leaves me feeling pretty unhappy with the company, no matter how nicely packaged was the delivery. I’ll echo what some others have reported, that it felt like there’s a secret phrase required and either you hit it or you don’t, and maybe that’s changed since my last approval.

Good point. Maybe the answer was “the first person shouldn’t have approved you”, but they don’t want to admit it. That’s the only thing I can think of as if the program had changed again, they should be able to simply tell you that.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I was just there yesterday, and was also there mid-March. Despite it being crazy busy with Christmas crowds, I was able to do all of the LL I attempted. In March it was much less busy overall but I had to leave several LL. The LL definitely are moving much smoother and quicker now than before.

There are a couple of lines where he might struggle post-merge. I had the most difficulty yesterday with Tiana and Soarin. Both seemed to have a longer/more crowded wait past the merge than other attractions. There were a couple of others I had done in March as well that I skipped this time for the same reason.

I’m actually struggling right now more with Universal. AAP doesn’t work very well with high crowds. I get a return time at a time when the express lane would be manageable, but by the time I return both standby and express explode in time and crowds, and the estimated express wait is now more than my original return time…..which I can’t do. So I wait the required time, then either have to wait that time again in the line, or have to choose to skip it altogether.

Thankfully, my son doesn't go on most of the big e-ticket rides. He doesn't do any rollercoasters or Soarin' or Tiana's. The ones at WDW we did last time with the longest DAS waits were probably Frozen, Ratatouille, and Rise (it had actually broken down and they made us all leave after waiting forever. It was rough!)

 

[nalababybear]

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

Then you redirect him and expand on instances where he struggled hence the request.

These are great real life scenarios for them to work on too. We still go up to the CM umbrellas when it's not busy to practice.

Disney is a high-reward incentive for our guy so he really is engaged to get the interactions done.

 

[jennab]

Then you redirect him and expand on instances where he struggled hence the request.

These are great real life scenarios for them to work on too. We still go up to the CM umbrellas when it's not busy to practice.

Disney is a high-reward incentive for our guy so he really is engaged to get the interactions done.

Yes, always good to practice, I just don’t want to get into an argument with the poor CM on the line about how DS disagree with me

 

[Philsfan77]

After previously being approved under both the old and new DAS programs, I was just denied for an extension/renewal/re-registration. (My current approval expires midway through a planned visit, so I was calling to request a “renewal” starting the day after expiration for 240 days as an AP.) No change in my needs or how I described them, and I spoke with a CM, their supervisor, and a medical professional for an hour and a half total. All acknowledged my previous approvals and thanked me for rehashing all the details, but insisted that the program does not cover my needs. I asked nicely but could not get an answer as to why I was approved 120 days ago, but not now. FWIW, mine is not a physical disability, is also not ASD, but shows up in ways that are ASD-like. So it’s a total mystery to me as to what has changed at WDW’s end.

Some points that may or may not be helpful to others:

The first CM told me I can re-apply day by day as a solo visitor. Sound familiar? Yep, exactly what I was told initially last time, before a supervisor stepped in and approved me for 120 days. I expressed again that needing to spend an hour going through a mentally and emotionally draining conversation every day I visit a park will result in not visiting a park at all: it’s simply not feasible. I was clear that I wasn’t trying to be difficult, but wanted them to understand how unrealistic that expectation is.

That CM sent me to a supervisor, with whom I discussed my situation all over again. They listened, asked questions, and brought in a medical professional. The medical professional listened to the whole thing again, asked the same questions, thanked me, and stated that DAS is not available for me.

Back to the supervisor, I was offered a LL for one day, which I declined with appreciation because again - I’m an AP: sometimes I visit for a few hours, sometimes a few days. A single LL for one day on which I may or may not visit isn’t valuable to me, though I did appreciate the offer. In the end, I was told to chat back on the next day I’ll be visiting without DAS and they may be able to offer something, which was nice. They also strongly encouraged me to keep providing feedback - email, chat box in the moment, speak with an attraction lead, keep communicating how the system is letting me down because feedback = change. I have serious doubts about that, but they were so nice, I may take the time just because they asked me to.

I brought up AQR and asked if anything formal has been put into place about how it’s handled or if it’s up to each ride or CM’s discretion. The answer was that each ride absolutely has a policy and protocol in place and every CM operating it knows those details. Obviously what can be offered and implemented depends on the attraction itself, party needs, and party size, but every attraction has something in place that I should be able to access by asking at the ride, without need of getting into uncomfortable details about my disability.

All three people were polite, professional, and very kind… which in a way made the denial feel worse, if that makes any sense. Like, they clearly all understood my issues and saw how DAS worked well for me, but also wouldn’t provide an approval. It would have been easier to swallow if the first CM just said, “Forget it loser - nothing for you!”

Anyway, I’m pretty wrecked from going through it all and probably won’t ever try again. I’ll give AQR a try again - if it works as it did when I tried it back in May, it’ll be good enough for a couple rides a day. And if the experience is no longer justified by the AP price, I may not renew for the first time in 30 years. Maybe WDW just isn’t a happy place for me anymore - we’ll see.

anecdotal question for you. On a normal day how many DAS rides were you doing? I totally understand if you don't want to answer as well. I've seen this happen quite a bit more recently in some of the other groups I follow, and I've been wondering if they are clamping down on people based on use (I.E. maybe you did 5-6 DAS rides on days when you were there longer). I've been wondering as an outsider if they've been tracking individual usage of the pass, as a means of potential denial at renewal windows.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I’ll give AQR a try again - if it works as it did when I tried it back in May, it’ll be good enough for a couple rides a day. And if the experience is no longer justified by the AP price, I may not renew for the first time in 30 years. Maybe WDW just isn’t a happy place for me anymore - we’ll see.

anecdotal question for you. On a normal day how many DAS rides were you doing? I totally understand if you don't want to answer as well. I've seen this happen quite a bit more recently in some of the other groups I follow, and I've been wondering if they are clamping down on people based on use (I.E. maybe you did 5-6 DAS rides on days when you were there longer). I've been wondering as an outsider if they've been tracking individual usage of the pass, as a means of potential denial at renewal windows.

I was thinking something along the same lines as well. If a couple is 2 that is unreasonable, but perhaps the CMs were saying that with AQR you were able to do 5ish rides, and that’s “good enough” to be in the realm of comparable to a non-DAS guest?

 

[PrincessV]

anecdotal question for you. On a normal day how many DAS rides were you doing? I totally understand if you don't want to answer as well. I've seen this happen quite a bit more recently in some of the other groups I follow, and I've been wondering if they are clamping down on people based on use (I.E. maybe you did 5-6 DAS rides on days when you were there longer). I've been wondering as an outsider if they've been tracking individual usage of the pass, as a means of potential denial at renewal windows.

It depends on the park and how bad lines are, but on average 1-2 times per park day. I’m whatever is the opposite of a super user. My last trip I only needed it for 4 attractions over 5 days because lines were so short. And it was only me except for one ride where one friend joined me. So if they’re looking at high usage as any consideration, nope: that couldn’t have been part of the decision for me.

I could actually make a case for the opposite maybe being true… because I only need it infrequently due to a combination of visiting at a slow time and never being in a park more than a few hours at a time, maybe DAS isn’t seen as a good tool because I could use AQR just as effectively for that 1 or 2 attractions? I honestly don’t think they’re looking at usage one way or another, though.

ETA: it’s maybe worth mentioning that they never mentioned AQR at all. I brought it up because I wanted to know if they knew if actual protocols were in place for it or not. The only options offered to me in lieu of DAS for 240 days was DAS for a single day or a single LL for a single day. Which in retrospect seems bizarre.