DAS is getting an Upgrade!

[notatallmagic]

So, how do we access this pre-visit video DAS request?

Is it another "call a number and wait hours on hold" scenario? I guess that does away with any ability to do a surprise visit (I'm just thinking logistics; my daughter who needs the DAS is leaving for college out of state; was hoping to do a surprise Disney trip for her in November)...

Any concrete news on how that will work? We can still just walk up to Guest Services as we have in the past, right? We just don't get the two "pre-registered" passes then? Thanks!

 

[gap2368]

So, how do we access this pre-visit video DAS request?

Is it another "call a number and wait hours on hold" scenario? I guess that does away with any ability to do a surprise visit (I'm just thinking logistics; my daughter who needs the DAS is leaving for college out of state; was hoping to do a surprise Disney trip for her in November)...

Any concrete news on how that will work? We can still just walk up to Guest Services as we have in the past, right? We just don't get the two "pre-registered" passes then? Thanks!

Yes you can still walk up and get the DAS at Disney

 

[Lilsia]

I think Disney may also be comparing needs to reality...if they had all that data before, now with Genie, they'll be able to get exact tracking and location data all day.

As an example - say you say you can't stand in line for more than 10-15 minutes...and Disney has data from Genie that you stood in line for 2 hours for Small World while waiting for Peter Pan DAS return...and then waited 90 minutes for Haunted Mansion while you wait for Splash Mountain DAS return...

I would not put this past Disney to track and know...and decide whether they enforce (with their strict language) or just don't renew DAS's (since your DAS is now only a 60 day DAS)...

And if they did track me, they would see that I need to use the restroom a ridiculous amount of times and might feel bad for me. LOL But I really don't think it is right to track people. It's too much big brother for me.

 

[Lilsia]

What I want to know about is what do we do if we have to renew our DAS? Do we still set up the video conference and get the 2 book ahead return times? Or is that just for those getting a DAS for the first time? It was so easy to go and say that you need to renew and it took no time at all. Will they start questioning those who have had it for years to see if we are lying? I also feel that using the term "disability" kind of pigeon holes those using DAS. I don't consider myself disabled, but do have a legitimate medical issue that makes it impossible for me to wait in an extended line. And my condition is not something that they can verify because I don't have to see a doctor for it since there is nothing they can do. They can easily claim that I am lying. This is concerning.

 

[Mcmd11]

I am confused tbh. My reading was you pre screened and took the two advance options you could not get ‘normal‘ return times on the day. Am I wrong?

while the advance is nice with unpredictable conditions hour slots you can’t adjust don’t seem that practical.

 

[goofynut41]

My husband will be using a scooter he has heart issues and also has dementia does this qualify him for the DAS program?

 

[Precmom1967]

I just called the disability services phone number for Disney. Unfortunately, as with all large corporations, they got the same information that we as guests we given. I feel sorry for them. I was told there no is launch date. When launched, you will request your DAS through my Disney experience. They do not know if the party size will change from the current number of 6 (DAS user plus 5). All guests both on site and offsite remain eligible.

 

[OurBigTrip]

My husband will be using a scooter he has heart issues and also has dementia does this qualify him for the DAS program?

Is there any reason he can’t wait in the line? If not, then he shouldn’t qualify.

 

[Lilsia]

I am confused tbh. My reading was you pre screened and took the two advance options you could not get ‘normal‘ return times on the day. Am I wrong?

while the advance is nice with unpredictable conditions hour slots you can’t adjust don’t seem that practical.

From how I read it, it means that you can get those 2 ahead of time, return times, that are only good for and hour. But then after those are used up, you can continue on like regular, getting return times, 1 at a time. I don't think that you can have an ahead of time return time still unused and get another return time until they are used up. So basically, they are just setting up your first 2 for you.

 

[OurBigTrip]

What I want to know about is what do we do if we have to renew our DAS? Do we still set up the video conference and get the 2 book ahead return times? Or is that just for those getting a DAS for the first time? It was so easy to go and say that you need to renew and it took no time at all. Will they start questioning those who have had it for years to see if we are lying? I also feel that using the term "disability" kind of pigeon holes those using DAS. I don't consider myself disabled, but do have a legitimate medical issue that makes it impossible for me to wait in an extended line. And my condition is not something that they can verify because I don't have to see a doctor for it since there is nothing they can do. They can easily claim that I am lying. This is concerning.

Actually, you should be glad they call it disability; otherwise, Disney wouldn’t have any legal obligation to accommodate.

 

[Mystify]

Going back to the my earlier question regarding if DAS is being lumped into the scheduling of lightning pass? I’m concerned that if lightning pass gets all booked ( like Disney+ would often do) that the people who need DAS will not have the ability to use it? Hence the 2 DAS advance bookings. Am I wrong about this or is this the case? I would just like to know if this is the case as it would change how I visit Disney.

 

[Lilsia]

I agree it's really confusing.

Why did they offer the two "pre-book" rides with the DAS? This seems like an extra perk vs. just the old DAS. I just don't quite get why they'd do this vs. just giving the DAS that would work like the genie+. Why not just be able to book your first ride in the morning on the app like everyone else who has genie+?

Also what about people who live in Orlando and go often - is the DAS pre-booking just for hotel guests or can they arrange for them in advance anytime they plan to go to the parks?

Will the DAS work for those top tier 1 rides as well? Or maybe the tier 1 rides are all virtual que maybe like RoTR so you have to compete with other park guests for that spot unless you pay the extra money for the tier 1 pass?

I know we don't have answers to these questions...just interesting. I have managed the parks pretty well the past few years by using a FP for some medical issues I've developed (non-mobility related) but I guess now I'd consider asking for a DAS?

It looks like they are using the pre-book as a type of incentive to get people to do the virtual call, instead of waiting in line at guest services. If they wanted to give DAS users a bonus, then they would have had it set up the all DAS users were able to book the first 2 a day ahead of time. It is much easier to say "no" to someone over a video conference then in person after they have already entered the park.

 

[DLgal]

I think Disney may also be comparing needs to reality...if they had all that data before, now with Genie, they'll be able to get exact tracking and location data all day.

As an example - say you say you can't stand in line for more than 10-15 minutes...and Disney has data from Genie that you stood in line for 2 hours for Small World while waiting for Peter Pan DAS return...and then waited 90 minutes for Haunted Mansion while you wait for Splash Mountain DAS return...

I would not put this past Disney to track and know...and decide whether they enforce (with their strict language) or just don't renew DAS's (since your DAS is now only a 60 day DAS)...

The problem with relying on data like this, especially for people with needs related to developmental or mental disorders, is that it doesn't take into account "good days vs bad days." I mean, this applies to people with medical issues as well, to be fair.

Our son with autism is not in the same state of mind every single individual park visit. Some days, he has more mental stamina to tolerate longer waits. Other days, he is on edge all day and is on the verge of a meltdown after 30 minutes in line. We have been clear about this with GR CMs every time we request a DAS for him. We tell them that his ability to wait on numerous standby lines without suffering from anxiety/stress/mental fatigue is inconsistent and we use the DAS oniy "as needed" when he is having one of those days where seeing a wait time over 30 minutes sends him into a tailspin. He is capable of waiting up to an hour for a ride, but he is not capable of waiting an hour for EVERY ride, all day long. It becomes too much, and would mean we would have to leave earlier than we would if we had access to a few shorter waits interspersed into the day.

I think the harsh language about lying is there to deter the social media "stars" who might try this and post videos about this "hack." This gives Disney a legal foothold to go after then, by name, if these types of videos surface later. I think the way they will "enforce" the DAS renewals is that they will write down your stated reasons for asking for a DAS and compare your statements over time to make sure they are consistent. Liars will change their stories, because they will forget exactly what they said last time. This will likely trigger some sort of warning to the CMs that the stories don't match past requests.

 

[sandrews0608]

And if they did track me, they would see that I need to use the restroom a ridiculous amount of times and might feel bad for me. LOL But I really don't think it is right to track people. It's too much big brother for me.

I also have a bladder condition that makes it very difficult for me to stand in line, but I an also have a good day. I may be able to on occasion wait longer to use a restroom, but it is very unpredictable! It wouldn't be very fair to judge as many folks with issues have good days and bad days. I am thinking of my SIL with MS can have a very good day 1 day and have a very difficult time walking the next.

 

[Lilsia]

Going back to the my earlier question regarding if DAS is being lumped into the scheduling of lightning pass? I’m concerned that if lightning pass gets all booked ( like Disney+ would often do) that the people who need DAS will not have the ability to use it? Hence the 2 DAS advance bookings. Am I wrong about this or is this the case? I would just like to know if this is the case as it would change how I visit Disney.

This will not affect DAS users just like them running out of FP for an attraction did not affect them. This lightning pass is exactly like FP, only now you have to pay for it, and they took a few popular attractions out.

 

[gap2368]

. I don't consider myself disabled, but do have a legitimate medical issue that makes it impossible for me to wait in an extended line. And my condition is not something that they can verify because I don't have to see a doctor for it since there is nothing they can do. They can easily claim that I am lying. This is concerning.

feel the same way about why I need a DAS I do not think of my self as disabled and I todo not need to see my dr about it bacuse like you there is really nothing they can do. I do see it coming up in my next appointment though as one of my problems that I now take medication for has helped with the region why I need the DAS but I am with you on right now the DR have no clue I would need a DAS at disney

 

[OurBigTrip]

I'm with Sue in that I think there will now most likely be a script that CMs will use to determine whether or not to issue a DAS. And I would think the first question would be "Do you have a disability as defined by the ADA?" That would throw 90% of the cheaters off right there.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I'm with Sue in that I think there will now most likely be a script that CMs will use to determine whether or not to issue a DAS. And I would think the first question would be "Do you have a disability as defined by the ADA?" That would throw 90% of the cheaters off right there.

I have a feeling they'll have a checklist from the ADA language for yes or no answers on the specifics after you answer that 1st question...the ADA actually is helpful in that way, detailing precisely what is covered under the ADA without getting into diagnoses...

 

[Jnjtrio]

My husband will apply for the DAS, getting the 2 ahead of time is not what we need. He did not take 2 trips to Disney with us because he was afraid he would ruin the trips by having to leave a long line, disappointing me or his kids. I finally talked him into a trip with just me and he could apply for DAS, it gave him freedom. He still has moments where we have had to step out of line while he deals with a bodily function issue, but he knows we can pick back up after he is okay. Our next trip is not until November so we will be looking forward to reading the updates on how smooth the new virtual online system works.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

So we will be new to DAS on our next visit. The reason for the DAS is not the wheelchair we will rent for DD, though the need for a wheelchair is somewhat related to DD's need for DAS. Does the wheelchair for a part of the problem disqualify us? If so, we'll consider very short trips into parks without a wheelchair because the DAS issues > the fatigue for which we planned the wheelchair - now I'm (even more) worried and confused than I was about suddenly finding our family in a situation where DAS was needed.