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

[traveler9]

What Disney really needs to do is increase the cooldown period from 10 minutes to more like 25-30 in the most popular rides that take a long time to get through (Rise and Cosmic Rewind especially now that it’s no longer on VQ). Right now you could probably get your next return time in the first preshow room at Guardians.

 

[MinnieMSue]

What Disney really needs to do is increase the cooldown period from 10 minutes to more like 25-30 in the most popular rides that take a long time to get through (Rise and Cosmic Rewind especially now that it’s no longer on VQ). Right now you could probably get your next return time in the first preshow room at Guardians.

I find it interesting that so many people are calculating time to book next ride. I can’t even begin to think about it until I get off whatever I am riding. I suppose if you only can be in the park a short period of time maybe then. I just can’t deal with the rush rush rush aspect of it all and need the time between rides anyway. We usually need a breather or maybe will go sit in a show between rides or sit with a snack to give me time center myself. I gave my daughter the job of booking rides. A couple of times she did do it while we were in line but I think that is because she was bored. Last trip which was a weekend in February we had fairly long waits in lightning lanes which I hadn’t dealt with since the newer das changes. I am talking 30 minutes (soarin was really bad).

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Was the soarin wait 30 min to the merge or 30 min in total? I have found that it is one of the rides where it takes a long time to get on no matter how short the LLs are.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Soarin, Rise, and Guardians are the biggest offenders that I can recall.

 

[HopperFan]

What Disney really needs to do is increase the cooldown period from 10 minutes to more like 25-30 in the most popular rides that take a long time to get through (Rise and Cosmic Rewind especially now that it’s no longer on VQ). Right now you could probably get your next return time in the first preshow room at Guardians.

Honestly I think that is fair. The system could be programmed to not allow another booking until the allotted time (average time it takes to complete the complete attraction). A guest who rode standby can not get in another line until after they emerge from the attraction.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Honestly I think that is fair. The system could be programmed to not allow another booking until the allotted time (average time it takes to complete the complete attraction). A guest who rode standby can not get in another line until after they emerge from the attraction.

Or even average time plus some reasonable time to “walk” to the next attraction if they wanted a justification to increase the cool off time even more. If they wanted to be really fancy they could even make it per ride, so if you tap into Guardians you have to wait 40 minuets to book your next ride, whereas for Flying Carpets it’s only 15, but that may be beyond Disney IT’s capabilities.

 

[traveler9]

Or even average time plus some reasonable time to “walk” to the next attraction if they wanted a justification to increase the cool off time even more. If they wanted to be really fancy they could even make it per ride, so if you tap into Guardians you have to wait 40 minuets to book your next ride, whereas for Flying Carpets it’s only 15, but that may be beyond Disney IT’s capabilities.

Most likely beyond their capabilities. Lol

 

[HopperFan]

Or even average time plus some reasonable time to “walk” to the next attraction if they wanted a justification to increase the cool off time even more. If they wanted to be really fancy they could even make it per ride, so if you tap into Guardians you have to wait 40 minuets to book your next ride, whereas for Flying Carpets it’s only 15, but that may be beyond Disney IT’s capabilities.

That is what I meant. The average time one is in that particular attraction queue & riding. I don't think it would be that hard given they have programed what the standby time is to get a return time. It just needs a bit more code to add XX number of minutes once you scan in.

 

[Evita_W]

Interesting that all Cedar Fair parks as well as Knotts Berry Farm have added themselves to the eligible IBCCES card list, along with all Six Flags Parks and Universal Orlando & Hollywood. Glad to see it expanding, IBCCES has made life at parks outside of Disney so much more manageable.

Just checked Knott's website and their accessibility policy has not changed, which is good because IBCCES is a nightmare for privacy concerns.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Soarin, Rise, and Guardians are the biggest offenders that I can recall.

Test Track was probably the very worst on average, but there’s essentially no way to avoid at least a 15m LL wait on Cosmic Rewind unless the preshow is broken, and many times it gets above 30 minutes.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Test Track was probably the very worst on average, but there’s essentially no way to avoid at least a 15m LL wait on Cosmic Rewind unless the preshow is broken, and many times it gets above 30 minutes.

I don’t think I have ever gotten out of cosmic rewind in under 30 minutes (tap in to ride exit)

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Actually, many of them have similar percentages, some even higher. Not saying all of them, but a lot of them. The ones that are higher are the ones that actually have very robust accessibility programs. Of course all systems have their pros and cons, but is is quite possible to make the systems work for most, something Disney has lost sight of.

(I remembered to move to the other thread for once)

Which parks do you think have a) more visitors who are granted accommodations than Disney and b) a system which works well for all guests?

I don’t believe I have heard anyone else suggest this and haven’t seen any statistics to this effect, so I’m curious what your experience has been like.

 

[HopperFan]

(I remembered to move to the other thread for once)

Which parks do you think have a) more visitors who are granted accommodations than Disney and b) a system which works well for all guests?

I don’t believe I have heard anyone else suggest this and haven’t seen any statistics to this effect, so I’m curious what your experience has been like.

I’ll say none as an opinion. Because this information/data is not something that is released so should not be presented as fact.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I’ll say none as an opinion. Because this information/data is not something that is released so should not be presented as fact.

I guess a lot of us have opinions, but no one except Disney has hard facts. E.g. we can infer about usage patterns based on blue light observations, differences in usage patterns pre- and post- changes, and the types of rides and entertainment found in different parks.

I don’t pretend to be an expert here, but I know how my opinions are formed so I’m curious how she came to hers.

 

[jennab]

(I remembered to move to the other thread for once)

Which parks do you think have a) more visitors who are granted accommodations than Disney and b) a system which works well for all guests?

I don’t believe I have heard anyone else suggest this and haven’t seen any statistics to this effect, so I’m curious what your experience has been like.

I kind of doubt that other parks have more disabled guests than Disney (as a percentage).

 

[PrincessV]

I know there was another thread dedicated to AQR experiences for those denied DAS but who still need accommodations, but I don’t see it, so thought I’d share an update here…

I’d previously been approved under the new rules for DAS but denied at my last renewal (I’m an AP.) I won’t rehash the whole thing: suffice to say mine is a non-physical, non-medical disability that also is not ASD, but is very similar to ASD as far as why queues are problematic. For me, waiting is not the issue: the actual queue environment is. I also have no need or desire to book rides ahead of time via MDE and am fine with making the request at the attraction, as long as it doesn’t turn into a lengthy discussion of my disability like a DAS call does. I was assured by the original CM, their supervisor, AND the medical professional on my call that AQR was the right accommodation for me and would be available at any attraction where I’d need it with no fuss.

I’m pleased to report that on a recent visit AQR was made available to me with no hassle at all and worked perfectly as an accommodation!

I only needed it for 2 attractions, but both are popular and had long wait times on a busy day: Safari at AK and GOTG at EP. I was a solo visitor, so there was no party to wait in line while I waited elsewhere. At each attraction I found a CM and briefly explained that I required a disability accommodation (without sharing details about my disability - I did offer that I’d previously used DAS because my disability prevents me from being able to wait in a queue, but that I can wait somewhere else without issue). At both attractions, the CMs happily provided a return time equivalent to the current standby wait times (roughly an hour each). Upon returning to the attraction, I used the LL to enter. Both LL returns were quick, too: the only wait I had once tapped in was in the actual holding zone for boarding at Safari and in the first room at GOTG.

I want to stress that this was easy, efficient, and available without needing to get into a long, uncomfortable discussion about my disability - quite honestly, I much prefer this accommodation for my needs vs. DAS. Not having to go through that horrible DAS chat again was frankly great.

I think I covered all the details that can be helpful, but feel free to ask if anyone has questions about my AQR experience.

 

[lanejudy]

@PrincessV Thanks for the report. I'm so glad it worked well for you!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I kind of doubt that other parks have more disabled guests than Disney (as a percentage).

That would be my inclination as well. But I’m willing to keep an open mind if she has some way to back up her opinions.

 

[lexybear]

I know there was another thread dedicated to AQR experiences for those denied DAS but who still need accommodations, but I don’t see it, so thought I’d share an update here…

I’d previously been approved under the new rules for DAS but denied at my last renewal (I’m an AP.) I won’t rehash the whole thing: suffice to say mine is a non-physical, non-medical disability that also is not ASD, but is very similar to ASD as far as why queues are problematic. For me, waiting is not the issue: the actual queue environment is. I also have no need or desire to book rides ahead of time via MDE and am fine with making the request at the attraction, as long as it doesn’t turn into a lengthy discussion of my disability like a DAS call does. I was assured by the original CM, their supervisor, AND the medical professional on my call that AQR was the right accommodation for me and would be available at any attraction where I’d need it with no fuss.

I’m pleased to report that on a recent visit AQR was made available to me with no hassle at all and worked perfectly as an accommodation!

I only needed it for 2 attractions, but both are popular and had long wait times on a busy day: Safari at AK and GOTG at EP. I was a solo visitor, so there was no party to wait in line while I waited elsewhere. At each attraction I found a CM and briefly explained that I required a disability accommodation (without sharing details about my disability - I did offer that I’d previously used DAS because my disability prevents me from being able to wait in a queue, but that I can wait somewhere else without issue). At both attractions, the CMs happily provided a return time equivalent to the current standby wait times (roughly an hour each). Upon returning to the attraction, I used the LL to enter. Both LL returns were quick, too: the only wait I had once tapped in was in the actual holding zone for boarding at Safari and in the first room at GOTG.

I want to stress that this was easy, efficient, and available without needing to get into a long, uncomfortable discussion about my disability - quite honestly, I much prefer this accommodation for my needs vs. DAS. Not having to go through that horrible DAS chat again was frankly great.

I think I covered all the details that can be helpful, but feel free to ask if anyone has questions about my AQR experience.

This is how it was for me in January as well, though I wasn't as lucky with not having to explain my disability/issues several times. Not at all attractions but enough to make you not want to bother going forward and souring the day.

 

[mistysue]

To put it differently, they feel others may be more disabled than you and require a higher level of accommodation than you to access the park. I will never quite understand this fixation by some on Disney needs to give everyone the same thing. I've seen people with mango allergies upset that they no longer qualify for DAS. I was actually blown away that someone with a mango allergy even ever qualified for DAS and was given the same accommodation as someone with let's say Level 3 Autism, or to keep it within the same disability grouping, that someone with lets say Level 1 Autism, might need the exact same accommodations as someone with Level 3 Autism.

(bolding mine)
This allergy = DAS thing was so eye opening to me. If I had posted in allergy groups about getting a disability pass 10 years ago for food allergies I would have been attacked for taking advantage. Suddenly it caught on and people were in main stream food allergy groups discussing it. My son has an actual history of needing multiple doses of epi for food spilling on his leg, or inhaling dust from nearby food - and we never even considered this as a possibility. I was blown away when people with normal tolerance levels, and even to uncommon foods, were suddenly talking about needing passes to skip queue spaces, yet could not have to worry about the ride vehicles themselves... My son's super bad reactions were all to milk or egg, BTW, so we were going through lines making sure nobody was finishing up their mickey bars while people were skipping the line incase someone threw a mango in their face? My son needed 2 doses of epi and spent 6 hours in the ER when someone spilled yogurt on his leg because he also has eczema meaning it passed right into his system. The line isn't any more or less safe than randomly wandering the park for people like that.

If nothing else, it was really a sign that people were taking it too far when asked if there was ANY reason they couldn't be in a line, or that Disney needed to come up with different accommodation models based on need rather than Yes/No for the highest level pass.