Didn't new das rules go into effect?

[Pluto468]

Oh goodness! Totally didn't realize that! When I read the new page on the DLR website, I thought they said that one was for neuro-divergent needs only! Bummer because I'm only 1.5 days away.

It's not too late to do the online chat. You could try today and tomorrow.

"Guests may select one of 2 ways to discuss their needs with a Cast Member to determine eligibility for DAS—either via live video chat as soon as 30 days prior to their park visit, or in-person at an Accessibility Services Kiosk during a park visit. Cast Members will work with Guests individually to discuss specific requests and offer assistance."

 

[disneychrista]

It's not too late to do the online chat. You could try today and tomorrow.

"Guests may select one of 2 ways to discuss their needs with a Cast Member to determine eligibility for DAS—either via live video chat as soon as 30 days prior to their park visit, or in-person at an Accessibility Services Kiosk during a park visit. Cast Members will work with Guests individually to discuss specific requests and offer assistance."

Prior to the changes you could only do it 2 days - 30 days in advance.

 

[Pluto468]

Prior to the changes you could only do it 2 days - 30 days in advance.

That's what I thought but I didn't see a deadline listed on the site now. Worth a try.

 

[irlandaise]

The website says:

Disability Access Service (DAS) is one of our programs offered at the Disneyland Resort theme parks intended to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.​

The “or similar” can be non-neurodivergent. And other accommodations do not require any registration, they will be handled at each attraction.

I read that as "due to a developmental disability [like autism or similar]." IOW, only developmental disabilities. Are you reading it as "due to [a developmental disability like autism] [or similar]"? IOW, a developmental disability or something similar?

 

[lanejudy]

I read that as "due to a developmental disability [like autism or similar]." IOW, only developmental disabilities. Are you reading it as "due to [a developmental disability like autism] [or similar]"? IOW, a developmental disability or something similar?

My comment is based on first-hand reports of approvals. DAS is not diagnosis-based. Diagnosis alone will not get approval for DAS. Explain your needs or concerns waiting in a queue environment; you don’t even have to mention diagnosis.

So the 2nd interpretation seems to fit what is getting approved. Personally, I don’t think the wording or grammar is clear.

 

[disneychrista]

Personally, I don’t think the wording or grammar is clear.

I agree. I don't think the way it is worded is clear at all.

 

[irlandaise]

My comment is based on first-hand reports of approvals. DAS is not diagnosis-based. Diagnosis alone will not get approval for DAS. Explain your needs or concerns waiting in a queue environment; you don’t even have to mention diagnosis.

So the 2nd interpretation seems to fit what is getting approved. Personally, I don’t think the wording or grammar is clear.

Yeah, it isn't clear what would be similar to a developmental disability.

A physical inability to stand in a slow-moving line for more than a few minutes doesn't qualify, right? I suppose they'd want you to get an ECV, even if you don't need one when walking around the park?

 

[nalababybear]

Yeah, it isn't clear what would be similar to a developmental disability.

A physical inability to stand in a slow-moving line for more than a few minutes doesn't qualify, right? I suppose they'd want you to get an ECV, even if you don't need one when walking around the park?

It does appear that way or some psychological impairment that leads to an inability to remain in a regular queue with supports.

Like your case, an ecv would remedy the slow.moving line even though you don't have a mobility issue otherwise. Disney may see that sufficient to access a regular queue. Our son has similar issue with his AkSp but that's secondary to his primary reason....ASD.

 

[irlandaise]

It does appear that way or some psychological impairment that leads to an inability to remain in a regular queue with supports.

Like your case, an ecv would remedy the slow.moving line even though you don't have a mobility issue otherwise. Disney may see that sufficient to access a regular queue. Our son has similar issue with his AkSp but that's secondary to his primary reason....ASD.

Okay, thanks.

BTW, what is "AKSP"? I googled it but didn't find any medical results.

 

[Karin1984]

I saw a Tiktoker (in jest) answer the question "who is eligible for DAS" as follows:
- DAS is for people with developmental disabilities, except when they are denied.
- DAS is not for people with other disabilities, except when they are approved.

Conclusion: Always do the call, it depends on how well you can explain your needs and how well the CM can understand your needs.

 

[nalababybear]

Okay, thanks.

BTW, what is "AKSP"? I googled it but didn't find any medical results.

Sorry. Ankylosing spondylitis

 

[Tinkaboo]

I’m really hoping we can keep this DAS thread going as it relates to DISNEYLAND only. There are a bajillion posts over under the Disabilities forum but few are DL specific. As @joseph821 pointed out, there’s a WORLD of difference between them. I’m hoping there will be someone on theDL side who will post about how procedure went, either I person or online. TIA.

 

[joseph821]

I’m really hoping we can keep this DAS thread going as it relates to DISNEYLAND only. There are a bajillion posts over under the Disabilities forum but few are DL specific. As @joseph821 pointed out, there’s a WORLD of difference between them. I’m hoping there will be someone on theDL side who will post about how procedure went, either I person or online. TIA.

We keep this thread open and going. We need Disneyland specific information to help everyone in planning their visits and trips to the Resort.

 

[disneychrista]

I agree. Disneyland is a very different beast than WDW.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Hopefully there will be someone on the board who will actually use it and post soon.

FUNNY…when I mentioned the DisBoard to people, no one had even heard of it. They kept thinking I was on “the Disney Board” Hahaha…if I ran the zoo, things would be a whole lot different!!

 

[cougarfan84]

While I am not someone who will be needing DAS on my upcoming trip this summer, I am interested to see how the policy change affects the lines. I just hope that the new policy allows them to EFFECTIVELY allow for those who really need assistance to get the help they get while also filtering out those who are using the service as a way to "game" the system to essentially get free Lightning Lanes without paying for Genie+.

The one question I have is we have my wife's father coming with us and while he is fully capable of walking, he has back issues and foot issues that somewhat limit his mobility (and has a full-time disability tag due to it). He is probably capable of going through the normal queues, but may struggle a bit during longer lines that require an extended amount of standing with no break to sit. I'm not sure what (if any) Disney has to help with his situation. From what I understand, DAS isn't necessarily for this as much as it is for people who have conditions like autism that make crowded queues untenable to wait in. For now our plan is simply to take things at a slow and relaxed pace and build in plenty of breaks into the days to allow him to keep up and hope long periods of time on his feet doesn't become an issue.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I am not attacking anyone but do find it interesting they are making people wait 60-90 mins in a line for people saying they can't wait in line a a long time

And in this heat no less, just....yeah an interesting idea Disney

 

[lanejudy]

may struggle a bit during longer lines that require an extended amount of standing with no break to sit. I'm not sure what (if any) Disney has to help with his situation.

Disney will likely recommend that he use a mobility device to will allow him to sit when needed. That doesn't have to mean an ECV or wheelchair -- they have recently started allowing "cane seats" which is a cane that opens out into a 3-legged stool. Or maybe a rollator (a walker with seat) would work for him. Both would allow him to do all the walking he wants but also to sit briefly when needed.

 

[KPeterso]

I posted this in the main DAS thread, but here is my experience on Saturday with applying for DAS at Disneyland.

I went on Saturday afternoon to Disneyland. I am guessing by the time I got parked and rode the tram over to the entrance that it was a little after 4 PM when I got in the line. The cast member told me the line was longer than it looked. They have put some umbrellas in the queue and people were only moving from shady spot to shady spot, so there were big gaps in the line --- it almost looked social distanced to be honest. I think the wait was about 45 minutes total for me. I did see groups where one family member waited while the others walked around or were off waiting elsewhere (guessing keeping the potential DAS person out of the line). I ended up being denied (I expected it), but I had a nice long conversation with the cast member. We also discussed my Mom a bit and the cast member said she should probably be approved but it could not be done since she was not with me. I am ok trying AQR out for awhile. I would have tried Saturday, but the parks were pretty quiet (walk-ons to Star Tours and Small World around 5-6 PM, Soaring about 10). The cast member did give me 3 (multi experience) lightening lanes but I only used 1 (and then scanned in for a second with the ride going down as soon as I walked out of the preshow so I got a new MEP).

 

[Tinkaboo]

I posted this in the main DAS thread, but here is my experience on Saturday with applying for DAS at Disneyland.

I went on Saturday afternoon to Disneyland. I am guessing by the time I got parked and rode the tram over to the entrance that it was a little after 4 PM when I got in the line. The cast member told me the line was longer than it looked. They have put some umbrellas in the queue and people were only moving from shady spot to shady spot, so there were big gaps in the line --- it almost looked social distanced to be honest. I think the wait was about 45 minutes total for me. I did see groups where one family member waited while the others walked around or were off waiting elsewhere (guessing keeping the potential DAS person out of the line). I ended up being denied (I expected it), but I had a nice long conversation with the cast member. We also discussed my Mom a bit and the cast member said she should probably be approved but it could not be done since she was not with me. I am ok trying AQR out for awhile. I would have tried Saturday, but the parks were pretty quiet (walk-ons to Star Tours and Small World around 5-6 PM, Soaring about 10). The cast member did give me 3 (multi experience) lightening lanes but I only used 1 (and then scanned in for a second with the ride going down as soon as I walked out of the preshow so I got a new MEP).

Thanks for the post. Did you interview with live CM or did they give you an iPad? As I watched, it seemed like interviews were being done up at the kiosk windows, seemed like in-depth discussions were taking place. I didn’t see anyone using iPads like they said they would.