Not here trying to argue with anyone, we are equally impacted by the decisions that Disney and other parks make. BUT I do realize that Disney is a business, that they have to do what is best for their operations, that they still are a magical place for many like my son and I appreciate the quality of the experience we get there. If the program has become cumbersome and they make changes - we will do what we have to do because that is our responsibility.
Of course they are not just standing in the middle of the park doing nothing. We are not walking across the park for a less stressful line just to come all the way back. We certainly don’t have the ability to wait for characters in a normal line. We will probably grab a snack, use the restroom or just wait in a shaded area or inside by guest relations in liberty square. All parties are different which is what makes
DAS unique in helping multiple families enjoy the magic as much as possible with regards to their circumstances.
No one has to walk across a park and back - that is the plus of the DAS being in your
MDE. You can plan your time in a way that while you are waiting for 7 Dwarfs DAS time you ride Small World, Carousel, Mickey Philharmonic (which is usually walk on for a seat and A/C), eating lunch, going the bathroom.
All things the SB line folks are not getting to do.
Yes all parties are different and I think the ones who are just sitting waiting for the next ride are the minority of those using the DAS.
All the people I know personally who use DAS are not going on other rides, seeing shows, or meeting characters, etc. Yes, we are "doing something" while waiting, e.g. lying down in First Aid or resting in a relatively quiet area, using the restroom (this can take a while for some of our friends), taking meds and hoping they work (If they don't work, we go home), or doing PT to keep muscles warmed up to try to prevent more pain, etc. I wish we were hale and hearty enough to entertain ourselves while waiting for a return time, but that just isn't the case for us. We all would LOVE to not need DAS and to be able to wait "like normal people."
I think that is very much the minority of DAS users.
I'm not trying to diminish anyone's issues, my DS has some quite severe ones on top of multiple disabilities and medical issues. And many of us have medical issues that we don't use to obtain services. But as a family that has lived 24/7 with disability for 40 years - WE are responsible for our/his needs, and we have to recognize that sometimes the abuse of others (including those with disabilities) leads to changes in offerings and processes. I think the program needs changes (thanks to social media's wide offering of "how to get a DAS" and the two in advance) but I don't want the process to obtain to become difficult.
But if they want to use a third party system, that is their decision. Our choice is to make it work - apply for the card, move budget money to
Genie+ (no TS for us now) or don't go. Disney is an optional luxury vacation and many who can't afford to go will call this "first world problems." NOT TRYING TO BE SNARKY - I have lived in the real world knowing that in the end, as long as nothing illegal is happening, it's on us to make the best and work with what we have.
And I suppose in this particular situation, Disney doesn't have to offer anything beyond the basic standards. I'm sure they always will but they
might be adjusting the process.
Len Testa from touring plans said recently on the Disney Dish podcast that they estimate about a quarter of people in the park are now using a disability pass and that this has been a big increase from before Genie + was added.
I totally believe this. Social Media is full of how to videos to get a DAS. Unless Disney moves to a more vetted system, this is only going to get worse. Any time we scan in there are several in front and back of us that go blue and get automatic entry.
I think we are way past "a few" are scamming the system. There are literally accounts online Tik Tok and IG etc that their whole purpose is to discuss DAS, how to get and use.
Disney once again has an out of control system.
AI haven't read all the replies. But what concerns me about this in regards to Universal in particular is what it might do to people like my Dad who are already approved by Universal for specific accommodations. He has the next level of disability pass beyond the basic, and he got it by submitting reams of documentation to Universal and going through a lengthy review by their disability manager. It's all stored in their computer systems under a GC code number, and all he has to do is walk in and show his AP, give them the code, and they print out the relevant accommodation passes. I'm really hoping all that still works, and that switching to this new system doesn't close out that previous approval. I know several people in the same boat, and it would be horrible for everyone to have to start that whole process over again, or lose it altogether.
YEARS ago we had AP there where they literally printed DS AAP right on his AP card. Our cards had our photo on them, printed name and it stated he had pass right across the top. Maybe we had the same thing. In a way having this third party card would be a way to show it at any park that uses the system and they be able to give you the pass without issues. So say Disney and SeaWorld decide to use it (SW and Aquatica are already Autism approved by this same company) then when people go to Orlando all they have to do is show this card at the theme park and in exchange get their disability pass. That would likely save us lots of time not having to go through the approval process multiple times in a week.
If true no wonder Disney wants to crack down!
As many have said, using IEPs or disabled parking passes as “proof” is not necessarily a good idea because they don’t speak to the specific need or the person with respect to visiting the theme park, especially because DAS isn’t for mobility related issues. Further, there are lots of anecdotes floating around of doctors offering to write notes for people to “cut the line.” If that’s all that’s required now I think it will backfire quite badly.
The only thing that will really work is to remove whatever incentive there is to “cheat” the system. If there is no (or very limited) advantage then DAS will be preserved for those who really need it. Eg if Southwest were to say that anyone who boards with a wheelchair must sit in the back of the plane and may end up in a middle seat, the number of “miraculously cured” fliers would likely be drastically reduced.
Reminds of many years ago in NJ when DS was very young. DS went to a preschool special program that fed into multiple districts and we'd have lots of parent meetings. Several districts had become overwhelmed with the number of kids who were "special" and needed extra time to take tests and other extra help. Just because parents explained their kids issues (like we get a DAS). Well they decided any kid who received these special services would have to be evaluated and be classified aka label. Lots of kids were cured that year and no longer needed services.
People will always take advantage of special programs that gain them an advantage. Sadly. And sadly that sometimes means tightening up the qualifications for those programs. GAC went away due to abuse and overuse, and I'm afraid we are on path for another change.
Either having DAS or being in their party. They worked it out by looking at the number of people using the LL and comparing that to the number of LL sold. You should listen it’s interesting.
YUP. What this great MDE system has done is what folks feared with MB. TRACKS YOU. They know exactly how many people use DAS (holder and party) and they know exactly how many people paid for Genie+ and exactly how many LL each of them booked, and used.
MagicBand was developed to track guests movements, rides, purchases and more. Everyone jokes about what a failure MB was and how they don't give them to guests or push the sales. Last laugh is that Disney is getting all the info it wanted plus so much more via MDE. They could likely tell you what you did all day better than you can.
