The Disney Experience

[OurBigTrip]

Actually I really disagree with you!

The complaining comes down to the fact that the DAS has stopped many family's from being able to fully enjoy disney world, and for some stopped them bei g able to come at all!!

Accomadations have been taken away from families who really need them, but disney thinks they can cope by renting a wheelchair even though using one helps the condition in no way,

They have put no thought into conditions that are different from ASD or mobility which ends in the person getting no accommodation, or them seeing a wheelchair and believing its the only issue even if you explain continually that its not!

The complaints are far more then people being entitled and wanting FOL which not ALL GACs had anyways since there was so many stamps!

It has certainly stopped them from enjoying it the way they did before, which was in fact, unlimited FastPass access, even when there were no more FastPasses available for anyone else.

I agree 100% that just because someone is in a wheelchair, that doesn't mean that all of their needs are met, and I agree that some CMs see the mobility device, and believe that is all that is needed. That absolutely needs to be addressed. But overall, the system is far more fair to all guests than the GAC was.

But quite frankly, by far the majority of complaints that I've seen and have discussed with others is the fact that now everyone has to wait for the length of the standby line, even the disabled.

 

[alizesmom]

I've been reading the responses with a lot of interest and have learned a lot. The thread has gone in a direction I didn't expect. My intent was to point out the other non attraction benefits of WDW

I wish that somehow Disney could find a way that would be fair to everyone both disabled and neuro typical. I wish that everyone was accepting of the needs of others and didn't judge. For what it's worth I wish there was a way my blind, wheelchair bound son could access more rides even if he had to wait in line. It's not going to happen so I choose to enjoy the World in anyway I can.

I've meant no insult to those whose needs I don't understand and hope your Disney experience is once again happy.

 

[tinkerpea]

It has certainly stopped them from enjoying it the way they did before, which was in fact, unlimited FastPass access, even when there were no more FastPasses available for anyone else.

I agree 100% that just because someone is in a wheelchair, that doesn't mean that all of their needs are met, and I agree that some CMs see the mobility device, and believe that is all that is needed. That absolutely needs to be addressed. But overall, the system is far more fair to all guests than the GAC was.

But quite frankly, by far the majority of complaints that I've seen and have discussed with others is the fact that now everyone has to wait for the length of the standby line, even the disabled.

Then what happened to all the people who needed a whole host of other accommodations not met by the FOL pass as you call it, that now do not get a pass at all as disney feels hey do t need to give out a DAS to them.

I understand there are people annoyed about not having the FP entrance straight away but lots of guests dont even qualify for DAS as they don't have a spectrum need!

I just don't like the stigma that anyone upset about the DAS is looking for FOL access!

 

[OurBigTrip]

Then what happened to all the people who needed a whole host of other accommodations not met by the FOL pass as you call it, that now do not get a pass at all as disney feels hey do t need to give out a DAS to them.

I understand there are people annoyed about not having the FP entrance straight away but lots of guests dont even qualify for DAS as they don't have a spectrum need!

I just don't like the stigma that anyone upset about the DAS is looking for FOL access!

First, I didn't say the GAC was FOL, I said it was unlimited FP, which it was.

What needs aren't being met? With a DAS, guests can wait outside of the line. Mobility issues don't need a DAS, as those are handled by accessible lines and individual assistance at the attractions. Same with vision and hearing problems, they are handled at the attraction.

I agree that there are people with mobility issues that also have other issues, and that CMs need to do a better job of listening to those issues and not just assuming that the wheelchair or ECV answers all their needs. I also believe that Disney needs to do a better job of handling guests that need an accessible vehicle in order to ride - the long time they often have to wait after already waiting for their return time is unacceptable, IMO.

Finally, there is no requirement that a guest have be on the spectrum in order to obtain a DAS, so I'm not sure where that came from.

 

[FortForever]

What needs aren't being met?

Refer to post #38

 

[infopurposesonly]

FortForever, if you don't feel the DAS will meet your family's needs, I would encourage you to contact WDW before your vacation. I didn't even schedule my vacation until I knew my family's needs would be met. After a very productive phone conversation, I received an email outlining exactly how the accommodations would be provided. Without that, I wouldn't even be planning this vacation.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Refer to post #38

If the "need" is to skip the regular wait and have unlimited FP access, as the GAC provided, then no, the DAS won't meet that "need".

That was one point of getting rid of the GAC, to stop that kind of access, and to make everyone wait their turn.

 

[Disneylvr]

ForForever, if the DAS doesn't meet your son's individual needs then go back to Guest Services and discuss it with a supervisor. Disney's own FAQ in the Guide for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities states to do this. The specifics about additional accommodations Disney might be able offer, in unique circumstances, just can't be discussed here.

 

[Kay1]

FortForever, if you don't feel the DAS will meet your family's needs, I would encourage you to contact WDW before your vacation. I didn't even schedule my vacation until I knew my family's needs would be met. After a very productive phone conversation, I received an email outlining exactly how the accommodations would be provided. Without that, I wouldn't even be planning this vacation.

Could you tell us what number you called, please?

 

[infopurposesonly]

Could you tell us what number you called, please?

I don't have the phone number with me right now, but I emailed both wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com and disability.services@disneyparks.com. I received an email back saying I would be contacted within ten days. When I didn't hear back, I called whatever number was on that email.

 

[Kay1]

I don't have the phone number with me right now, but I emailed both wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com and disability.services@disneyparks.com. I received an email back saying I would be contacted within ten days. When I didn't hear back, I called whatever number was on that email.

Okay. Thanks.

 

[tinkerpea]

First, I didn't say the GAC was FOL, I said it was unlimited FP, which it was.

What needs aren't being met? With a DAS, guests can wait outside of the line. Mobility issues don't need a DAS, as those are handled by accessible lines and individual assistance at the attractions. Same with vision and hearing problems, they are handled at the attraction.

I agree that there are people with mobility issues that also have other issues, and that CMs need to do a better job of listening to those issues and not just assuming that the wheelchair or ECV answers all their needs. I also believe that Disney needs to do a better job of handling guests that need an accessible vehicle in order to ride - the long time they often have to wait after already waiting for their return time is unacceptable, IMO.

Finally, there is no requirement that a guest have be on the spectrum in order to obtain a DAS, so I'm not sure where that came from.

There are many disorders and disabilities that are now not covered by the DAS, I'm not going to go into every one! And some CMs are way more understanding towards certain conditions for example crohns then others! Where as some CMs simply Wong except a need for an accommodation when it comes to conditions they don't understand no matter how well they are explained.

Also vision accommodations are not always met by the CM at attractions, its happening ghat the guest is getting frustrated and upset by being told different things, and the guest has to go over and over their condition at each attraction.the stamps helped considerably with this.

The point of the guest having to have a spectrum disorder to qualify to get a DAS, comes from the many guests who have been turned down for their disability or disorder, due to being told its only for cognitive disabilities!
This happens alot!
I have a family member who is a lead in MK right now, they have discussed with me how many of the CMs have taken it upon themselves to judge who needs a DAS based on wether they are a child with autism, sometimes even adults eith ASD have been turned away! and that they have had to hold way more meetings then they thought they would have to over this.
Complaints are coming in thick and fast,

So nope I stand by that not all complaints are due to not getting immediate FP access,also many times on a GAC stamps was put on that had nothing to do with the FP entrance,
Many wheelchair users simply went through a normal line if available,
We do 3wk trips ever year, and it was rare that we was in a line by the exit, or FP line with more then one other person,quite often we was alone. The only tide we ever noticed was on TSM but that was because the WC line backs up a lot at times..I'm sure it was more in busy summer months but we always went in October.

 

[OurBigTrip]

There are many disorders and disabilities that are now not covered by the DAS, I'm not going to go into every one! And some CMs are way more understanding towards certain conditions for example crohns then others! Where as some CMs simply Wong except a need for an accommodation when it comes to conditions they don't understand no matter how well they are explained.

Also vision accommodations are not always met by the CM at attractions, its happening ghat the guest is getting frustrated and upset by being told different things, and the guest has to go over and over their condition at each attraction.the stamps helped considerably with this.

The point of the guest having to have a spectrum disorder to qualify to get a DAS, comes from the many guests who have been turned down for their disability or disorder, due to being told its only for cognitive disabilities!
This happens alot!
I have a family member who is a lead in MK right now, they have discussed with me how many of the CMs have taken it upon themselves to judge who needs a DAS based on wether they are a child with autism, sometimes even adults eith ASD have been turned away! and that they have had to hold way more meetings then they thought they would have to over this.
Complaints are coming in thick and fast,

So nope I stand by that not all complaints are due to not getting immediate FP access,also many times on a GAC stamps was put on that had nothing to do with the FP entrance,
Many wheelchair users simply went through a normal line if available,
We do 3wk trips ever year, and it was rare that we was in a line by the exit, or FP line with more then one other person,quite often we was alone. The only tide we ever noticed was on TSM but that was because the WC line backs up a lot at times..I'm sure it was more in busy summery s months but we always went in October.

Your last paragraph says it all - you were in FP lines or exit with very few people, instead of waiting for the length of the standby line. You had unlimited FP access, and that's wrong, and Disney needed to stop it.

As for people being denied, and you used Crohn's as an example, I will tell you my sister received a DAS for her Crohn's disease at WDW, and she had no issue whatsoever. But she didn't go in and say "I have Crohn's, I need a DAS". Instead, she explained why waiting in a long line wouldn't work for her...waiting wasn't the issue, being stuck in a long line was the issue.

And I also stand by what I've said - the vast majority of the complaints that I've seen about the DAS go back to the fact that the expedited access enjoyed for so long by so many has ended.

Everyone waits now, and that's the way it should be. My hope is that as people get used to the new system, Disney will eliminate the additional "accommodations" that they are providing to some people that complain about the loss of the GAC.

Everyone should have to wait, period. Not necessarily in the line, but wait nonetheless.

JMO.

 

[infopurposesonly]

Your last paragraph says it all - you were in FP lines or exit with very few people, instead of waiting for the length of the standby line. You had unlimited FP access, and that's wrong, and Disney needed to stop it.

As for people being denied, and you used Crohn's as an example, I will tell you my sister received a DAS for her Crohn's disease at WDW, and she had no issue whatsoever. But she didn't go in and say "I have Crohn's, I need a DAS". Instead, she explained why waiting in a long line wouldn't work for her...waiting wasn't the issue, being stuck in a long line was the issue.

And I also stand by what I've said - the vast majority of the complaints that I've seen about the DAS go back to the fact that the expedited access enjoyed for so long by so many has ended.

Everyone waits now, and that's the way it should be. My hope is that as people get used to the new system, Disney will eliminate the additional "accommodations" that they are providing to some people that complain about the loss of the GAC.

Everyone should have to wait, period. Not necessarily in the line, but wait nonetheless.

JMO.

Yes, that is "just" your opinion, but apparently it is not shared by those who are in a position to provide for the varying needs of guests with disabilities. The lovely person with whom I spoke assured me that the DAS is not "carved in stone" and that WDW is committed to addressing those needs on an individual basis. I'm sorry if this is causing you some consternation.

 

[Sparkly]

Nevermind

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yes, that is "just" your opinion, but apparently it is not shared by those who are in a position to provide for the varying needs of guests with disabilities. The lovely person with whom I spoke assured me that the DAS is not "carved in stone" and that WDW is committed to addressing those needs on an individual basis. I'm sorry if this is causing you some consternation.

No, it doesn't cause me consternation - Disney's park, Disney's rules. However, I do believe they are making a huge mistake by caving into those that complain about having to wait their turn like everyone else does. Offering privileged access is what caused the overuse and outright abuse of the GAC in the first place. If they're going to allow the same thing under the DAS, then in the end, it will have been pointless to make any change at all.

 

[infopurposesonly]

No, it doesn't cause me consternation - Disney's park, Disney's rules. However, I do believe they are making a huge mistake by caving into those that complain about having to wait their turn like everyone else does. Offering privileged access is what caused the overuse and outright abuse of the GAC in the first place. If they're going to allow the same thing under the DAS, then in the end, it will have been pointless to make any change at all.

Who is getting privileged access? I merely suggested people contact WDW before their vacation to discuss their needs. For my family, getting written assurance of appropriate accommodations is part of planning our vacation. You seem to be very concerned with the waiting aspect. There are issues with the DAS that have nothing to do with waiting. In fact, it never even came up in my conversation about accommodations.

Getting back to the original topic of this thread, of course WDW is more than just attractions. However, we spend a lot more at WDW than we do at many other vacation destinations. It's a simple financial decision. We don't want to spend more and get less. By getting less, I'm referring to the overall experience. WDW has made a lot of changes, not just the DAS. Just look at the Fastpass+ threads. If a WDW vacation is more expensive and yet requires more planning, possibly more stress and less relaxation, then it's up to me to decide if that's where we want to spend our vacation funds. However, as a consumer, I have every right to let WDW know how I feel about those changes. After my conversation, I felt WDW does value my business.

 

[SueM in MN]

Closing thread because it has deteriorated into a debate about GAC/DAS instead of what it started out as.