- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 36,337
Disneyland & Disney's California Adventure - Disability Access Service (DAS) Cards replace Guest Assistance Cards (GACs)
The DAS program was rolled out at all WDW and California Disney parks on October 9, 2013.
This thread is going to be about Disneyland & Disney's California Adventure questions and information.
Post 1 is what we know about the DAS. It will be updated as more information comes out.
Post 2 is Guidelines for discussion, FAQs about the change and other information
Post 3 and 4 are going to be a collection of suggestions or things people feel have been helpful as they navigate the new system.
Disneyland & Disney's California Adventure - Disability Access Service Cards replace Guest Assistance Cards
The information that follows is not 'official', but is as complete, up to date and accurate as possible. Some is from documents already released by Disney and some from personal conversations with reliable sources. The Moderators are not employed by Disney and make no claims to be speaking for Disney.
items that are rumor will be labeled as rumor. Anything not labeled as rumor has been confirmed to be accurate, at least at the time of the last update.
As of November 2014, Disneyland has tied DAS to tickets.
Basically, the DAS holder's ticket is tied to the DAS and the tickets of other members of the party are linked to the DAS holder. When getting a DAS Return Time, any of those members can also be linked to the DAS Return Time to ride with the DAS holder.
The process is to prevent abuse, which was occurring.
What is the Disability Access Service (DAS)?
This is Disney's new way of providing assistance to guests with disabilities that prevent them from waiting in a traditional line environment because of their disability.
The quick overview:
No, you can't write or call ahead to get one.
If you have specific questions about the DAS program, you can email Disney at disability.services@disneyparks.com
- Guest Relations in Disneyland is called City Hall and is located just inside the park on the left hand side. The front entrance has steps, and the ramp is located on the far side of the building.
- Guest Relations in DCA is called Chamber of Commerce and is located just inside the park on the left hand side.
- Please note, under the GAC system, it was not possible to get a GAC at any Guest Relations location outside the park entrances. There is no evidence this will change under the new system. As far as we know right now, you must actually enter the parks to get the DAS card.
How do I request a DAS?
No.
Children on Wish Trips will be issued a separate lanyard and card that will provide the accommodations they need. Their lanyard will have some identification and date information.
Nothing will change for them on how they access attractions, only on what they will use.
STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
MORE TO COME.............................
The DAS program was rolled out at all WDW and California Disney parks on October 9, 2013.
This thread is going to be about Disneyland & Disney's California Adventure questions and information.
Post 1 is what we know about the DAS. It will be updated as more information comes out.
Post 2 is Guidelines for discussion, FAQs about the change and other information
Post 3 and 4 are going to be a collection of suggestions or things people feel have been helpful as they navigate the new system.
Disneyland & Disney's California Adventure - Disability Access Service Cards replace Guest Assistance Cards
The information that follows is not 'official', but is as complete, up to date and accurate as possible. Some is from documents already released by Disney and some from personal conversations with reliable sources. The Moderators are not employed by Disney and make no claims to be speaking for Disney.
items that are rumor will be labeled as rumor. Anything not labeled as rumor has been confirmed to be accurate, at least at the time of the last update.
As of November 2014, Disneyland has tied DAS to tickets.
Basically, the DAS holder's ticket is tied to the DAS and the tickets of other members of the party are linked to the DAS holder. When getting a DAS Return Time, any of those members can also be linked to the DAS Return Time to ride with the DAS holder.
The process is to prevent abuse, which was occurring.
What is the Disability Access Service (DAS)?
This is Disney's new way of providing assistance to guests with disabilities that prevent them from waiting in a traditional line environment because of their disability.
The quick overview:
- Guests with a disability that prevents them from waiting in a traditional line environment will receive a DAS card with their photo on it.
- Person the DAS was issued to must actually be going on the attraction in order to use the DAS. It can't be used for the group to shorten their wait on attractions the DAS holder chooses not to or can't ride.
- Using the DAS card, the guest will be able to get a return time, based on the current wait time. That will allow the guest to wait in a place of their choice.
- It will work much like a Fastpass. (We are going to call the DAS return times Return Times to help differentiate them from Fastpass (FP) and Fastpass + (FP+)
- DAS can be used in addition to using Disney's Fastpass Service, so guests will be able to get a DAS Return Time and Fastpasses.
No, you can't write or call ahead to get one.
If you have specific questions about the DAS program, you can email Disney at disability.services@disneyparks.com
- issued at Guest Relations at Theme Parks (see below for locations)
- DAS issued at one park is valid at any other Theme Park; do not need one for each park
- DAS is only used at Theme Park attractions; not used at Downtown Disney, transportation, restaurants or parking
- Guest Relations in Disneyland is called City Hall and is located just inside the park on the left hand side. The front entrance has steps, and the ramp is located on the far side of the building.
- Guest Relations in DCA is called Chamber of Commerce and is located just inside the park on the left hand side.
- Please note, under the GAC system, it was not possible to get a GAC at any Guest Relations location outside the park entrances. There is no evidence this will change under the new system. As far as we know right now, you must actually enter the parks to get the DAS card.
How do I request a DAS?
- person the DAS is being requested for needs to be present, even if they can't talk
- you will be asked about your/the person's needs related to disability, not your diagnosis
- you may be asked "why are you requesting it?" - this does not mean they are asking what your disability is; they want to know what your needs are. For example, diabetes, autism and fibromylagia are not disabilities - they (like Cerebral Palsy, that is one of the conditions my DD has) are conditions that can cause a disability.
Not everyone with a condition has a disability. So, your task will be to explain how your conditions affect you in a way that causes a need for accommodation.
- different people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs
- no proof or doctor's note is needed, and will not be looked at - there will not be any different stamps like GACs had; the person will either be issued a DAS or not
- DAS will be issued for up to 6 (5 plus the person with a disability)
- Guest Relations will be able to make exceptions on a case by case basis - for example, 7 for a family of 2 adults and 5 children; 7 for family of 2 parents, 3 children, Grandma and Grandpa. (This was done for GACs)
- if it is given for more then a total of 4 people, all must be present at the time it is requested.
NEW AS OF NOVEMER 2014 - ALL MEMBERS OF THE PARTY OR THEIR PARK PASSES MUST BE PRESENT TO REQUEST DAS.
DAS WILL BE LINKED TO THE TICKET OF THE PERSON DAS WAS ISSUED TO. THE TICKETS OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PARTY WILL BE LINKED TO THE DAS HOLDER. - Guest (parent or responsible person if guest is not able to sign) must sign terms and conditions for the DAS
- agree they understand how the program works
- agree to not abuse the DAS
- agree they will not use it for commercial gain (like leading tours) or give it to someone else
- DAS can be revoked if this contract is breached
- DAS will be issued for length of stay up to 14 days, depending on the guest's ticket entitlement/length of stay
- 'proofs' given as an example included a resort key or something else showing dates for a stay; valid multiday park ticket
- guests with Annual Passes may have their DAS valid for up to 60 days
- AS OF NOVEMBER 2014, DISNEYLAND IS NO LONGER ISSUING PAPER DAS CARDS.
A PICTURE WILL STILL BE TAKEN OF THE PERSON DAS WAS ISSUED TO AND THE DAS HOLDER OR RESPONSIBLE PERSON (like parent) WILL STILL NEED TO READ AND SIGN THAT THEY AGREE WITH THE CONDITIONS.
- DAS is for the use of the person it was issued to and can't be used for attractions they will not be going on/experiencing
- Guest using a DAS will get a Return Time for the attraction they want to visit.
- Return times will be for the current wait time minus 10-15 minutes.
- If current wait is 10 minutes or less (many reports say 20 minutes or less), the guest will be directed to use the regular queue.
- the CM (Cast Member) will scan the park ticket and issue a Return Time, which will generally be the posted Standby wait time minus 10 minutes.
AS OF NOVEMBER 2014, DISNEYLAND IS ELECTRONICALLY ISSUING DAS RETURN TIMES.
THESE CAN STILL BE OBTAINED AT THE KIOSKS, BUT ALSO AT SOME ATTRACTIONS - specifically those with queues that are not wheelchair/ECV accessible. Those attractions issue Return Times without DAS to guests with wheelchairs /ECVs.
THE DASHOLDER DOES NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT, BUT WHOEVER IS GETTING THE DAS RETURN TIME MUST BE A GUEST LINKED ELECTRONICALLY TO THE DAS. - Guests at Disneyland Resort will go to Guest Relations kiosks scattered in each park
- at Disneyland
- Main Street was by at Central Plaza
- Fantasyland is in front of The Mad Hatter
- New Orleans sq near haunted mansion
- Tomorrowland near little green men store command - at California Adventure
- Buena Vista street near the carthay circle red car trolley stop
- Carsland near Radiator Springs Racers
- 2 in Paradise Pier, one near Little Mermaid ride and one near CA Screamin
- the DAS holder (person whose name and picture is on the DAS) does not need to be present to get a DAS Return Time
- would allow another member of the group to get a Return Time while the DAS holder is resting or doing something else.
- would allow the DAS holder to not approach the attraction until they will actually get in line
- Only 1 (one) Return Time can be active on the DAS at a time, which puts the DAS holder into a virtual 'standby queue'.
- Just like a guest actually standing in a standby queue, the DAS holder can't be in multiple standby queues at the same time.
- Just like a guest actually standing in a standby queue, the DAS holder can also get Fastpasses using the Fastpass System.
AS OF NOVEMBER 2014, THE PROCESS AT DISNEYLAND IS ALL ELECTRONIC, NOT PAPER.
Once the Return Time has arrived, the DAS holder and their group go to the Fastpass or alternate entrance to redeem the Return TIme
- just like Fastpass, you won't be able to come earlier than the Return TIme
- CM will check the Return Time, look at picture on of the DAS holder that comes up on the Attraction display and confirm that the DAS holder is going to ride/experience the attraction
- the Return TIme will remain active until it is used (you won't lose your spot if late- When a Return Time has been redeemed, it is no longer active.
- when a DAS Holder has no active Return Times to redeem, they can get a new Return TIme
- a DAS holder can choose to cancel a DAS Return TIme by asking a CM - If an attraction is broken or not in operation, there is no current standby time and the DAS holder will not be able to get a Return Time.
- UNCONFIRMED RUMOR, PROBABLY TRUE: If the DAS holder returns to an attraction and it is broken or not operating:
- a Fastpass to come back later MAY be given, depending on whether or not the attraction is expected to return to operation
- the DAS Return Time will be cleared, allowing the DAS holder to get another Return TIme - DAS holders will not be able to use DAS for Celebrity Autographs or most Character Meet & Greets (this is consistent with the way GACs worked)
- UNCONFIRMED RUMOR, PROBABLY TRUE: DAS holders will be able to get Return Times for Character Meet & Greets that have Fastpass or Fastpass Plus
- There will no longer be any stamps; guests with disabilities will either get a DAS or not
- Attraction based procedures and accommodations will be set up to handle guests who previously used stamps
- Guests needing assistance for visual or audio concerns will need to communicate their need to the attraction host
- Attraction CMs have received training on the DAS system and how to accommodate guests at their attraction.
- If your only needs are mobility related, no you would not.
- Majority of mobility device users will not have other needs and would not receive a DAS card
- Cast Members (CMs) can see the mobility device and will direct you to the correct place.
- Guidemap for Guests with disabilities available for each park lists the 'Mobility Entrance' for each attraction
- Disneyland is an older park and has some attractions that are not accessible thru the main (Standby) line.
- DCA was built with mostly Mainstream (accessible) lines and guests whose only needs are mobility based will use those Mainstream Lines. - Depending on attraction, guest may:
- be waiting in the Mainstream queue
- receive a return time at the attraction (NOT at a kiosk)
- go directly to an alternate entrance at Disneyland Park (since the line is not accessible).
- Strollers are not usually allowed inside buildings or in most queues, but can be if needed because of disability.
- may be helpful to create a 'safe haven' for a child with cognitive/sensory disabilities or autism
- may be needed by children with disabilities that affect muscle tone or stamina - Sticker tag will be placed on the stroller to show it is being used as a wheelchair.
- park rental strollers would need a new sticker each day
- personal strollers in the past were usually tagged for the length of stay. THIS will probably continue. - If the only needs are mobility related, the child will not need a DAS; they will just need the sticker.
- If only for mobility related needs, the guest would follow the information above for guests using wheelchairs.
- if the child has additional needs besides using the stroller as a wheelchair, they would need a DAS to get those other needs met.
- With a 'stroller as a wheelchair', you will be able to:
- take the stroller in all lines and buildings, even if strollers are not usually allowed
- use wheelchair entrances.
- use the stroller until boarding. The child may need to be removed to board a ride, but you can leave the stroller at the boarding area. You won't need to fold it, but should take anything of value.
- use the stroller in shows and sit in the wheelchair seating areas. The child may need to get out of the stroller and sit on an adult's lap if the stroller seat is too low. Most shows have limited numbers of wheelchair spots, so wheelchair spots are sometimes filled before other seats are filled.
- use wheelchair areas for parades. Wheelchairs and strollers are usually parked very close together across the front of the viewing area. If your child needs to be away from others, this may not work for you, or you may need to park behind the front row to get more space. Areas sometimes fill quickly, so arrive early.
No.
Children on Wish Trips will be issued a separate lanyard and card that will provide the accommodations they need. Their lanyard will have some identification and date information.
Nothing will change for them on how they access attractions, only on what they will use.
STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
MORE TO COME.............................
Last edited:
