DAS on Fox news

[insureman]

Just saw this.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifesty...ability-access-parkgoers-upset-calling-change

 

[lanejudy]

That woman's video has been picked up by a lot of media. Oddly, she's not arguing that she was wrongly denied DAS as much as she's campaigning that Disney sell an annual G+ (or soon LLMP) subscription for Magic Key (or at WDW AP) holders.

It's the news media that puts the negative DAS spin on the situation, which was not the focus of the woman's video.

 

[Goldelpack]

That woman's video has been picked up by a lot of media. Oddly, she's not arguing that she was wrongly denied DAS as much as she's campaigning that Disney sell an annual G+ (or soon LLMP) subscription for Magic Key (or at WDW AP) holders.

It's the news media that puts the negative DAS spin on the situation, which was not the focus of the woman's video.

Reading this I'm having a thought as to what could be offered and under what conditions/restrictions. If G+ was available I would definitely add it to my Annual Pass - I use G+ as a time scheduler to reduce waits more than anything - I DO NOT ride any of the major roller coasters or anything that jostles my imperfectly great body. I rarely purchase LL because I simply don't need to anymore. So my thought - let's say as a part of the individual evaluation for DAS - which I'll rename as Guest Accessible Program - that fills the gap of the new and current DASv2. If a person requires an exception for waiting in lines during the evaluation process - they can be offered either a free or hugely discounted LL or LLMP with G+ to a limited number of people in the qualified person's party. Like a maximum of 4.. From a personal standpoint, I would not have a problem paying more for my regular LL if it offsets the cost of offering this to those that need it.
As in the current version - this isn't for social solutions (wanting to wait with others), not getting relief from other methods available to assist in line waiting (ECV, cane chair, leaving/returning to line, sipping hydration, wearing a mickey mouse cooling rag).. and so on.
My question to everyone is how something like this would work or not work for you?

 

[voxparse]

I would 1000000000% add genie+ or something similar to my AP given the option but it can’t and shouldn’t have anything to do with accommodations. I don’t think paid accommodations are legal.

 

[lanejudy]

No matter how many suggestions people make about how to "improve" DAS, Disney has made their decision and it is highly unlikely they will make any further big changes. Especially with the new LLMP option just announced, Disney is not going to start giving that away for free as a disability accommodation.

The disABILITIES Moderators have asked on the other DAS threads to please refrain from speculation. I'll leave this thread open for discussion of the news item.

 

[nalababybear]

I would 1000000000% add genie+ or something similar to my AP given the option but it can’t and shouldn’t have anything to do with accommodations. I don’t think paid accommodations are legal.

We had this option in the past in DLR -- maxpass paid program add-on to the annual pass -- it was a very popular option for the locales.

It's again a paid option and nothing to do with DAS. The PR optics of the story at the surface pulls at the heartstrings for sure.

Dig down into the details; the original MK holder is simply lamenting the loss of annual maxpass .

It's a poor representation of what DAS accommodations truly are for those that simply cannot access an attraction without it.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

That woman's video has been picked up by a lot of media. Oddly, she's not arguing that she was wrongly denied DAS as much as she's campaigning that Disney sell an annual G+ (or soon LLMP) subscription for Magic Key (or at WDW AP) holders.

I wonder what she would consider a fair price for an annual G+ subscription. It looks like MK holders already get a 20% discount off the daily price.

There was one brief mention that she was offered other accommodations, but the article wording after is vague and to the casual reader who's not familiar with the new system, it looks like what she was offered was to purchase Genie+ as the accommodation. I haven't actually watched her original video, but wasn't she offered RTQ?

Even my husband, who has been hearing me recap all of these changes second hand, saw the article yesterday and noticed the missing context, same as most other articles we've seen.

 

[SueM in MN]

I wonder what she would consider a fair price for an annual G+ subscription. It looks like MK holders already get a 20% discount off the daily price.

There was one brief mention that she was offered other accommodations, but the article wording after is vague and to the casual reader who's not familiar with the new system, it looks like what she was offered was to purchase Genie+ as the accommodation. I haven't actually watched her original video, but wasn't she offered RTQ?

Even my husband, who has been hearing me recap all of these changes second hand, saw the article yesterday and noticed the missing context, same as most other articles we've seen.

I watched her video and that was what it sounded like.
She was much more about wanting Magic Key holders getting highly discounted annual Genie+

 

[nalababybear]

I wonder what she would consider a fair price for an annual G+ subscription. It looks like MK holders already get a 20% discount off the daily price.

There was one brief mention that she was offered other accommodations, but the article wording after is vague and to the casual reader who's not familiar with the new system, it looks like what she was offered was to purchase Genie+ as the accommodation. I haven't actually watched her original video, but wasn't she offered RTQ?

Even my husband, who has been hearing me recap all of these changes second hand, saw the article yesterday and noticed the missing context, same as most other articles we've seen.

Maxpass was $150 back when it was offered pre-covid. with inflation $200 at least and people would buy it in droves even in its' diminished G+ form. break even at 10-12 visits - which is what it was with maxpass.

Just like the rekindling of F+ options, so should maxpass be resurrected. WDW and DLR simply tour differently.

She was offered AQR. She doesn't WANT that from the social aspect, not a need aspect and that's the discerning issue for many being offramped from DAS -- a completely different discussion outside of ADA accommodation parameters.

 

[brentm77]

I'm in the minority, I'm sure, but the last thing I want Disney to do is add LL access as an option on annual passes. The lines for LL are already out of control for some rides, and it would only compound the problem. As an out-of-state visitor, LL is often the only way to see most of the park in a short visit now that the parks, particularly Disneyland, are super crowded with local visitors. If they started adding LL to annual passes, it would quickly reverse the improvements they have seen from limiting DAS passes. It would also mean even less reservations on busy days, which are already much too sparse for the cost of a multi-LL. As it is now, many AP's aren't going to buy a LL on each visit, which I think it a good thing for the parks.

Now that my daughter won't quality for DAS either, using LL is out best option for accommodating her, and crowding those lines will make it worse. Selfish of me? Maybe, but out-of-town visitors are already paying a much higher price per day to visit and would be much worse off if the LL's are loaded with more people. The current system at least makes it possible to experience most of each park on a week visit. Taking that away would be even one more reason for out-of-town visitors to stop going.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Maxpass was $150 back when it was offered pre-covid. with inflation $200 at least and people would buy it in droves even in its' diminished G+ form. break even at 10-12 visits - which is what it was with maxpass.

Just like the rekindling of F+ options, so should maxpass be resurrected. WDW and DLR simply tour differently.

She was offered AQR. She doesn't WANT that from the social aspect, not a need aspect and that's the discerning issue for many being offramped from DAS -- a completely different discussion outside of ADA accommodation parameters.

I maybe should've had two separate posts, one to deal with her, and another to deal with what I thought were misleading statements in the article about how it's working and what is offered.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm in the minority, I'm sure, but the last thing I want Disney to do is add LL access as an option on annual passes. The lines for LL are already out of control for some rides, and it would only compound the problem. As an out-of-state visitor, LL is often the only way to see most of the park in a short visit now that the parks, particularly Disneyland, are super crowded with local visitors. If they started adding LL to annual passes, it would quickly reverse the improvements they have seen from limiting DAS passes. It would also mean even less reservations on busy days, which are already much too sparse for the cost of a multi-LL. As it is now, many AP's aren't going to buy a LL on each visit, which I think it a good thing for the parks.

Now that my daughter won't quality for DAS either, using LL is out best option for accommodating her, and crowding those lines will make it worse. Selfish of me? Maybe, but out-of-town visitors are already paying a much higher price per day to visit and would be much worse off if the LL's are loaded with more people. The current system at least makes it possible to experience most of each park on a week visit. Taking that away would be even one more reason for out-of-town visitors to stop going.

I am a WDW AP holder as is my DS. We don't know yet if he will qualify for the DAS as our trip is not until September. We have been AP holders for most of 15+ years. I agree with you.

I am also an out of town AP holder paying for hotels, meals, travel etc. We used to do 4-6 trips per year but now doing 3. As someone who spends as well to travel and stay at Disney I don't want the LL's clogged up with AP holders who add on a year long LLMP at a discounted price.

The local AP holders do not need an unlimited number of LL with a year round pass. They should be going often enough that they don't have to ride everything all the time. Even with our trips there are often rides we don't get to but we just know we can ride it next time.

There is nothing to justify a year round LLMP. A local is already going so many days that their daily cost is low, if it's crowded pay the money for LL. Disney is about making a profit and many locals go often, riding attractions and spending virtually nothing. The LLMP gives them some income from those guests.

 

[nalababybear]

I maybe should've had two separate posts, one to deal with her, and another to deal with what I thought were misleading statements in the article about how it's working and what is offered.

Perhaps. It's her video and it intermixed both and enhanced by Fox.

That's the issue though too; LL being utilized for two very separate purposes.

 

[nalababybear]

I'm in the minority, I'm sure, but the last thing I want Disney to do is add LL access as an option on annual passes. The lines for LL are already out of control for some rides, and it would only compound the problem. As an out-of-state visitor, LL is often the only way to see most of the park in a short visit now that the parks, particularly Disneyland, are super crowded with local visitors. If they started adding LL to annual passes, it would quickly reverse the improvements they have seen from limiting DAS passes. It would also mean even less reservations on busy days, which are already much too sparse for the cost of a multi-LL. As it is now, many AP's aren't going to buy a LL on each visit, which I think it a good thing for the parks.

Now that my daughter won't quality for DAS either, using LL is out best option for accommodating her, and crowding those lines will make it worse. Selfish of me? Maybe, but out-of-town visitors are already paying a much higher price per day to visit and would be much worse off if the LL's are loaded with more people. The current system at least makes it possible to experience most of each park on a week visit. Taking that away would be even one more reason for out-of-town visitors to stop going.

Different stakeholders for sure.

Just saying just as FP+ was resurrected for the very same reasons for people visiting WDW; so is the potential of Maxpass to annual passes being resurrected for DLR.

Magic Key holders are not a small revenue source to DLR, and Disney knows that. Whether they'll be tempted to revisit the add-on -- who knows. They restarted FP+ right?

 

[brentm77]

Different stakeholders for sure.

Just saying just as FP+ was resurrected for the very same reasons for people visiting WDW; so is the potential of Maxpass to annual passes being resurrected for DLR.

Magic Key holders are not a small revenue source to DLR, and Disney knows that. Whether they'll be tempted to revisit the add-on -- who knows. They restarted FP+ right?

For sure the Key holders are huge revenue source, particularly at Disneyland, where the parks are now dependent on them. I just hope they don't do it, because LL is the only thing that makes the parks bearable for out-of-town visitors these days. Passholders can always buy them just like everyone else, but giving out thousands more at a steep discount isn't the right answer for a product that is already struggling to keep up with demand. I also would think it would mean less full-price sales, which doesn't seem smart. It won't help those who need the LL to accommodate disabilities either, now that DAS is limited to a small subset of all disabilities. Disney will do what it wants in the end, but I would much prefer they move to a similar system as Universal - higher price, many less users, no ride reservations required, but much better standby lines for everyone. It seems like they could make as much or more money by selling at a premium, versus on the cheap in bulk, with much less burden on the parks.

 

[Genie+]

I'm in the minority, I'm sure, but the last thing I want Disney to do is add LL access as an option on annual passes.

I agree. And I’m an AP at WDW. It may seem against my best interest but I personally don’t think that.

I think we’re safe. It wouldn’t make sense for WDW to offer an AP version of LL. What price wouldn’t have very bad optics while also preserving functionality of the LL system and maintaining per capita spending levels. I doubt it’ll happen.

To the disabled Magic Key user’s point, that’s even more unlikely. Is it even legal to sell upcharge tickets to disabled only? Beyond that, again, what price could work. Would that be for an individual or also their party? Many reasons this won’t happen but the optics alone would be magnitudes worse.

People are saying the new LL system coming July 24 won’t work because it’ll have the same flaws as FP+. I think the access will be much different though. Every guest will not buy it every day possible. Plus the system is split into 2 parts, multiLL and singleLL. So even those choosing to buy might just buy one or the other, not both.

Using my family as an example, we loved FP+ and even planned booking a special trip for Club Level $50pp/day for better access. I’m not against paying extra. I just don’t see a need to purchase every LL possible for our next trip (week long). We’ll likely just buy 1 sLL, and mLL for about half our days. That’s a lot less access than FP+ provided us. My hope is that if enough people don’t buy it in every instance, it’s going to work better than FP+ for the times people do buy it.

 

[nalababybear]

For sure the Key holders are huge revenue source, particularly at Disneyland, where the parks are now dependent on them. I just hope they don't do it, because LL is the only thing that makes the parks bearable for out-of-town visitors these days. Passholders can always buy them just like everyone else, but giving out thousands more at a steep discount isn't the right answer for a product that is already struggling to keep up with demand. I also would think it would mean less full-price sales, which doesn't seem smart. It won't help those who need the LL to accommodate disabilities either, now that DAS is limited to a small subset of all disabilities. Disney will do what it wants in the end, but I would much prefer they move to a similar system as Universal - higher price, many less users, no ride reservations required, but much better standby lines for everyone. It seems like they could make as much or more money by selling at a premium, versus on the cheap in bulk, with much less burden on the parks.

Disney's decision. they certainly have seen what Universal and Legoland do on multiple fronts.

They have stuck with timed LL/G+ configuration after multiple opportunities to pivot.

Just saying Disney's resurrected FP+. Phoenix may rise with maxpass too-- you never know. The poster in the video does have a point that may gain traction after all.

 

[StarCruzer]

Unfortunately, I the article itself is just lazy reporting. Why is a news organization summarizing a TikTok, only adding in one or two lines to additional info that you'd get as the top three hits for typing "Disney Disability Access" into Google? It' has everything to do with SEO rankings and nothing to do with providing actual information

It could have been a great opportunity to discuss how expensive it is to live with a disability, how the general population doesn't seem to think folks with disability should be allowed equal access to fun experiences, how the percent of adults with disabilities is growing due to medical advances (i.e. treatments are better so children with disabilities have the opportunity to grow into adults, better diagnostics, new disabilities being discovered), etc.

 

[nalababybear]

Unfortunately, I the article itself is just lazy reporting. Why is a news organization summarizing a TikTok, only adding in one or two lines to additional info that you'd get as the top three hits for typing "Disney Disability Access" into Google? It' has everything to do with SEO rankings and nothing to do with providing actual information

It could have been a great opportunity to discuss how expensive it is to live with a disability, how the general population doesn't seem to think folks with disability should be allowed equal access to fun experiences, how the percent of adults with disabilities is growing due to medical advances (i.e. treatments are better so children with disabilities have the opportunity to grow into adults, better diagnostics, new disabilities being discovered), etc.

You really think Fox is interested in that?

 

[StarCruzer]

You really think Fox is interested in that?

Haha well I won't get political, but I think most news platforms have pretty much devolved into content farms. More content = better SEO = higher traffic = more ad clicks = $$$.

Any news outlet that provides all its articles for free online follow this pattern and unfortunately, won't be very good quality.