Jumping the line at rides?

[cedricandsophie]

We are at DW now. I have a question about the use of the fast pass lane Given there are not fast passes. In both epcot and Hollywood studios we noticed that in several instances people were allowed in front of the rest of the crowd after going through the fast pass lane and having their bands scanned. I asked a CM about it and she said it was people with the a special disability pass. But in many cases these were young people or whole families with no sign of anyone disabled. And these people were not led by a guide as in a private tour. I’m curious. Anybody know why some people qualify to jump the line?

 

[luv2cheer92]

This question gets asked almost every day. First, most disabilities that use DAS are not visible. As physical disabilities would usually not be able to use that system. Also, rider switch, VIP tours, Club 33, and guest recovery FPs all use the FP line.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I would also add that my understanding with the DAS (Disability Access Service) Program is that it isn't a true line jumper. Let me explain very briefly. The person in need (i.e. the DAS eligible person) is given a return time. For instance, the person in need arrives at SM at noon and the stand-by line is a 60 minute wait. The CM will give the person in need a return time around 1:00 p.m. The person in need (and his/her party) can then enter the FP lane at 1:00 p.m. to ride the attraction. The person in need didn't actually line hop SM, they simply waited outside the queue for 1 hour instead of in the queue for 1 hour.

I'm not sure there is a quote/unquote "perfect" system to balance the needs of folks with disabilities and those folks who don't have disabilities. But, it seems like this current system is far more fair in its application then the previous system which was apparently wrought with abuse by persons who did not have special needs or disabilities.

To the PP point about hidden disabilities. My DD has a medical disorder. If you saw her you would never know she is on chemotherapy. But, she is. Isn't fair, but that's life.

 

[ellbell]

We are at DW now. I have a question about the use of the fast pass lane Given there are not fast passes. In both epcot and Hollywood studios we noticed that in several instances people were allowed in front of the rest of the crowd after going through the fast pass lane and having their bands scanned. I asked a CM about it and she said it was people with the a special disability pass. But in many cases these were young people or whole families with no sign of anyone disabled. And these people were not led by a guide as in a private tour. I’m curious. Anybody know why some people qualify to jump the line?

A lot of disabilities aren't visible and just because someone appears young and healthy does not.mean they do not have a disability.

 

[FCDub]

"No sign of anyone disabled"

YIKES.

Best advice? Don't spend time on your vacation wondering what other people are doing.

 

[Chuck S]

As others have said, there are a number of reasons this could have happened. Since they had to tap in, I think it is more likely that had to evac from a ride, or a ride shut down as they were getting ready to board. Although they may have started adding disability passes to magic bands now, though I hadn't heard of that...it would sure be a lot easier than pulling out a card. If it had been a normal day, with fast pass operating normally, you'd have never noticed, anyway.

 

[kj2mom]

I know it was already mentioned but I think it is worth a repeat, they are not jumping the line if they are using DAS. They waited the time that Disney tells them to, they just didn't do it physically in the line. They arrived at the line, were told how long they needed to wait before riding then they returned at that time. They can only do this with ride at a time.

 

[DisLiss]

In regards to the idea that they could not be a tour since there was no guide:

From what I've seen/heard, those on VIP tours can re-ride rides by getting back into the "fastpass" line as many times as they would like. In the case of re-rides, I don't know that they must have the guide accompany them each time. Since sometimes the guides need to be phoning ahead for transportation if they are about to switch parks, or checking in on something that the family or group is asking for or about, times when the group is on a ride might be the perfect opportunity for a guide to say "You go ahead again, and I'll set up XYZ for you."

 

[erionm]

Since they had to tap in, I think it is more likely that had to evac from a ride, or a ride shut down as they were getting ready to board. Although they may have started adding disability passes to magic bands now, though I hadn't heard of that.

DAS has been using MagicBands for several years now.

 

[Brett Wyman]

A lot of disabilities aren't visible and just because someone appears young and healthy does not.mean they do not have a disability.

100% of the disabilities that qualify for DAS aren't visible. You can have up to 5 additional party members with each DAS guest. They aren't skipping they simply waited the standby line time elsewhere. Which is the literal purpose of DAS and why its not used for physically handicapped guests.

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

They use the magic bands for DAS now. We registered my mom spring break and it was my first time using the system. We rented her an ECV (which in itself was a bit of a feat with her driving) We would go to the line, with her and my 7 year old son. She would ride the ECV through fast pass line but they would scan her band first. We were listed in her party so all was good. She wasn't capable of standing or being in the sun in line that long so we would go somewhere nearby usually and wait, either shopping if it was near or eating/drinking/snacking etc. until ride time. I was soooo grateful for this b/c otherwise she wouldn't have been able to ride anything and she soooo enjoyed most of the rides. It was her first trip and she was a trooper.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Please don't judge. The disabled have enough physical and emotional pain without people judging them. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

It used to happen with some frequency that people vacationing with a disabled person would use DAS to get on rides without the disabled person being present. I think Disney kind of fixed that loophole a few years ago, though. My dad used to work attractions in the MK, and wouldn't allow them to ride unless the person issued the DAS was present and riding. Lots of CMs were less curmudgeonly than my dad though, and would let them on. I'm pretty sure it was fixed so that only the disabled person and one accompanying guest are allowed to ride.

 

[Brett Wyman]

It used to happen with some frequency that people vacationing with a disabled person would use DAS to get on rides without the disabled person being present. I think Disney kind of fixed that loophole a few years ago, though. My dad used to work attractions in the MK, and wouldn't allow them to ride unless the person issued the DAS was present and riding. Lots of CMs were less curmudgeonly than my dad though, and would let them on. I'm pretty sure it was fixed so that only the disabled person and one accompanying guest are allowed to ride.

Yes the DAS guest must now scan in at the podium BEFORE the other guests scan in to "start" the party group for that ride. Then the DAS guest must of course be there upon return.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

It used to happen with some frequency that people vacationing with a disabled person would use DAS to get on rides without the disabled person being present. I think Disney kind of fixed that loophole a few years ago, though. My dad used to work attractions in the MK, and wouldn't allow them to ride unless the person issued the DAS was present and riding. Lots of CMs were less curmudgeonly than my dad though, and would let them on. I'm pretty sure it was fixed so that only the disabled person and one accompanying guest are allowed to ride.

Just being a ‘nosy Parker’ but why ‘Sargeant Tibbs’ rather than ‘Sergeant Tibbs’?

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Just being a ‘nosy Parker’ but why ‘Sargeant Tibbs’ rather than ‘Sergeant Tibbs’?

Because I'm a dummy.

I'm really a decent speller, but it's not a word I spell often. I was thinking of how it's spelled on Sargeant Pet Products, and I thought I had it right when I set up my account .

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Because I'm a dummy.

I'm really a decent speller, but it's not a word I spell often. I was thinking of how it's spelled on Sargeant Pet Products, and I thought I had it right when I set up my account .

Ahh... I thought that there was an interesting story behind it. I agree it’s a peculiar one.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Wow. Lots of rather unkind comments. I only used the term jumping because I was not sure of the correct word to use. I have a disabled daughter with Down syndrome snd she has several friends including her bestie who have no outer sign of disability so I understand the disability world. I was just curious about all the reasons one could use a fast pass lane. I didnt realize there were so many ways to do it. I’m sorry I voiced my curiosity

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Ahh... I thought that there was an interesting story behind it. I agree it’s a peculiar one.

I missed a great opportunity to lie and save face! If someone ever asks again, I'll come up with a good story, just don't tell them the truth.

 

[ellbell]

100% of the disabilities that qualify for DAS aren't visible. You can have up to 5 additional party members with each DAS guest. They aren't skipping they simply waited the standby line time elsewhere. Which is the literal purpose of DAS and why its not used for physically handicapped guests.

I was specifically refering to the OP saying that many of the people entering the fastpass line were young and appeared healthy. I know how DAS works.