DAS pass with group of 5

[Burgermom]

we are thinking of doing a WDW trip next year. My daughter aged 10 will likely have a DAS pass but we would be a group of 5 (me, my husband, my brother, my son and my daughter (DAS pass holder).
I know if it was me, my husband and 3 kids it would likely be ok to have 5 people but how would Disney handle our 5th person being my brother (DAS pass holder’s uncle). Would he be allowed to be added to the pass or likely not? Could I get genie plus or whatever it’s called now just for him and try to line it up with our ride times? I’m trying to figure out if bringing my brother with us would just be too hard. TIA

 

[lanejudy]

Are you aware of the changes to DAS eligibility? Many who qualified in the past are no longer eligible -- so keep that in mind with your planning and budgeting.

Is your brother a minor or an adult? That may make a difference. From reports over the past 6 months, it does seem that WDW is holding fairly strict to the 4-person rule unless the additional guests are minor children. Even families with a combination of children/teens/young adults have found a 5th isn't included. What WDW allows is that each member of the party can be linked to the DAS but a Return Time can only be obtained for a total of 4 (including DAS-holder).

Some have found utilizing LLMP along with DAS works out well for their party.

 

[dededuce]

It depends heavily on the cast member you get. Some people have said that not even their minor children were allowed beyond the limit. Some people are reporting getting grandparents, adult siblings, etc. beyond the limit.

It's not too bad to line up Lightning Lane (formerly Genie+) and DAS. Remember that DAS can come back anytime past their return time, so you set up the LLs first (7 days in advance, if staying on property), and then you just keep an eye on the wait times and select the corresponding DAS early enough so that your return time will start before/during the LL one-hour window.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Note that you may be able to have all 5 attached to the DAS, but only 4 are allowed to ride at any one time. That may account for some of the confusion/discrepancy about party size.

 

[DisneyElite4]

Note that you may be able to have all 5 attached to the DAS, but only 4 are allowed to ride at any one time. That may account for some of the confusion/discrepancy about party size.

That may be how it works for parties of 5 when they aren’t immediate family members of minor children, but my family of 5 was granted an exception for all 5 of us to be able to ride together. I did not ask for this exception, but was glad it was offered. My party is Mom, Dad, 3 minor children (one of whom is the DAS holder.) My trip is in just a few days.

 

[dededuce]

Both are true. Many people are getting exception to the "4 people riding" limit; at the same time, the fact that you can have as many people linked as you want in MDE to pick from at each ride without any exceptions to the rider limit has definitely caused confusion, particularly for those newer to DAS or infrequent park goers.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

That may be how it works for parties of 5 when they aren’t immediate family members of minor children, but my family of 5 was granted an exception for all 5 of us to be able to ride together. I did not ask for this exception, but was glad it was offered. My party is Mom, Dad, 3 minor children (one of whom is the DAS holder.) My trip is in just a few days.

Yes. I was referring to why some people have reported that DAS was granted to larger parties.

In the case of the OP the 5th person is an adult and is unlikely to have an exception granted for all to ride together.

 

[dededuce]

In the case of the OP the 5th person is an adult and is unlikely to have an exception granted for all to ride together.

Unlikely, yes, but definitely not a crazy rare occurrence, which has only contributed to the confusion!

 

[Burgermom]

Thanks so much everyone. I’m embarrassed to admit I posted this question and then totally forgot about it. Christmas season brain in full effect I guess.
To answer a couple questions I believe my daughter fits the new DAS description well and will likely be eligible (she has severe autism) but obviously it’s not guaranteed.
My brother is a full grown adult so based on recent experiences will not be able to be part of the DAS group.
Thank you for explaining how to pair LL with DAS. I could see how that could work.
I might just get Genie plus or whatever it’s called for everyone and then use DAS if needed given the complexity of things. The flexibility would be helpful in our case.
Bit of a bummer that I cant add my brother but it’s all good. again thanks for all the helpful input