WDW Summary of NEW DAS changes and Disney Genie - Post ONE is an updated summary

[mshanson3121]

People who wait in the standby queue for G+ and ILL attractions also do not have to pay. Why would it matter where you wait?

Because why would you stand in line for 90 minutes, when you can spend that 90 minutes doing other rides, shopping, eating, sitting in AC etc...

 

[mshanson3121]

Actually, that isn't true at all, they have to make as much of the park accessible as is possible, they cannot exclude 2 attractions just due to wanting to make more money, if they have a virtual queue and no standby line, sure then everyone is on an equal playing field, but if there is a standby line, the DAS has to be an option, as long as there is an alternative entrance.

The ability to wait outside the line is NOT required by ADA which contrary to what most thinks, applies to physical ability to board the ride. The whole waiting in line part however is not actually required by ADA. It was an accomodation that Disney provided. But many parks in the US do not, because they are not legally required to.

Actually, assuming GP+ is similar to MaxPass+, it would be worth every penny for those with a DAS to still get it, it makes a huge difference and helps a lot. Not for everyone, depending on needs, but for a lot of people who need a DAS, it is still very beneficial.

That wasn't even remotely the discussion being had.

Here is what people have to remember, ADA requires businesses (including theme parks) to provide accommodations at no additional cost to the customer (or guest in this case), so as far as the DAS goes, here is what ADA would have to say about this:

If a Guest without a disability can do the following:	A guest with a disability would have to be allowed the following:
Get a Virtual Queue or pay for a single use lightning lane and come back to a stand by wait time (or have lightning lane access if paid)	Get a virtual queue or pay for a single use lightning lane and use a DAS to have an alternative place to wait for an equal amount of time or less (or have lightning lane access if paid)
Use a stand by queue at no additional cost	Be able to use a DAS at no additional cost to provide an alternative place to wait.
Can only access the attraction by paying and coming back to a stand by time	Must still pay to access, but when returning must be offered an alternative place to wait.

In short, if someone without a disability can wait for an attraction without a boarding group or paying, then the DAS must provide a return time, anything short of that would be violating ADA, unless Disney completely overhauled the access system and then it would be based on whatever the new system is, but it would still need to provide access without additional costs. And since there is a Lightning Lane at the individual paid LL access attractions, there is a feasible alternate entrance, so the exception I am about to mention cannot be applied here.

Allowable exceptions are if it is not technically possible to make something accessible, for example a fun house with a moving floor would not be technically able to be accessible; however, even under those circumstances as much as can be made accessible must be. Let's take the fun house example, say the beginning and end cannot be made accessible, but there is a large section in the middle that can be accessed through an alternate entrance and exit, then that must be done.

See above.

 

[Evita_W]

The ability to wait outside the line is NOT required by ADA which contrary to what most thinks, applies to physical ability to board the ride. The whole waiting in line part however is not actually required by ADA. It was an accomodation that Disney provided. But many parks in the US do not, because they are not legally required to.

Sorry, that is inaccurate at best, all parks do offer some form of something like the DAS, some require waiting, some provide immediate access, but they exist at every park across the country that DH an I have visited or considered visiting, which includes, but is not limited to:

• All U.S. Disney Parks
• Knott's Berry Farm (All Cedar Fair Parks have the same system)
• Magic Mountain (and all Six Flags parks) (They do try to illegally require proof, which can be bypassed, but ultimately not enough there to warrant any interest from us to deal with it)
• Legoland (All)
• SeaWorld Parks (All use the same system and once you are in one, you just need to show your ID at Guest Services and let them know, you are in all of them)
• Dollywood
• Silver Dollar City
• Holiday World
• Adventure City
• Silverwood
• Even zoos that have rides have similar programs, such as the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
• Castle Park
• Hershey Park

There is literally not a single theme park we have looked at anywhere in the country that doesn't have some sort of alternative access. Now as I said the exact mechanism may vary, but they understand that standing in a stand by queue may not work for certain disabilities and providing alternative access is a reasonable accommodation, which would be required under ADA. Several years ago there were some parks that didn't offer this type of access and they got sued and lost the lawsuits, so I would say it absolutely is required.

What I posted was indeed accurate. As for GP+, I was responding to someone who was saying it wouldn't be necessary if you have a DAS and I simply was pointing out why it would still be beneficial. Sorry if you missed their post.

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

Has anyone tried the video sign up yet?

 

[mshanson3121]

Sorry, that is inaccurate at best, all parks do offer some form of something like the DAS, some require waiting, some provide immediate access, but they exist at every park across the country that DH an I have visited or considered visiting, which includes, but is not limited to:

• All U.S. Disney Parks
• Knott's Berry Farm (All Cedar Fair Parks have the same system)
• Magic Mountain (and all Six Flags parks) (They do try to illegally require proof, which can be bypassed, but ultimately not enough there to warrant any interest from us to deal with it)
• Legoland (All)
• SeaWorld Parks (All use the same system and once you are in one, you just need to show your ID at Guest Services and let them know, you are in all of them)
• Dollywood
• Silver Dollar City
• Holiday World
• Adventure City
• Silverwood
• Even zoos that have rides have similar programs, such as the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
• Castle Park
• Hershey Park

There is literally not a single theme park we have looked at anywhere in the country that doesn't have some sort of alternative access. .

Okay. Now start looking at all the small theme parks - not the major ones.

 

[Mcmd11]

Has anyone tried the video sign up yet?

My trip starts on the 19th. I am going to call tomorrow or Thursday. Will let you know how it goes

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

My trip starts on the 19th. I am going to call tomorrow or Thursday. Will let you know how it goes

I’m hanging on now just wondering what the wait times have been

 

[Willow1213]

I’m hanging on now just wondering what the wait times have been

Been "holding" since 4:27, so about 40 minutes. No wait time estimate or any indication something hasn't failed. We will see how long this takes.

 

[mshanson3121]

I’m hanging on now just wondering what the wait times have been

Both times I called I got through immediately! No small miracle lol

 

[Evita_W]

Okay. Now start looking at all the small theme parks - not the major ones.

You do understand that I listed several smaller parks in there, right?

• Adventure City
• Castle Park
• Silverwood

Also, Gilroy Gardens is a smaller park, but run by Cedar Fair, so I didn't mention it, as it uses the same as all Cedar Fair Parks.

It should also be noted that Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and a few others are also considered smaller parks when you look up the lists.

Some other small parks if you would like that all offer something similar to a DAS:

• Knoebels
• Canobie Lake Park
• The North Pole Santa’s Workshop
• Lake Coumpounce
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
• Idlewild
• Stone Mountain Park
• Santa Monica Pier
• Fairyland
• Santa Barbara Zoo
• Santa Ana Zoo

Admittedly, there are some even smaller ones, such as Balboa Fun Zone and Belmont Park (although they do board those with disabilities through the exit) that do not; however, they also never have more than a 5 minute queue for any of their attractions, so there would be no need there.

 

[SueM in MN]

Has anyone tried the video sign up yet?

Been "holding" since 4:27, so about 40 minutes. No wait time estimate or any indication something hasn't failed. We will see how long this takes.

people on another thread are also reporting long waits.
is there music playing so at least you know you‘re still connected?

My trip starts on the 19th. I am going to call tomorrow or Thursday. Will let you know how it goes

Good luck.
We have a trip coming up, but I still have to wait a few days to try.
Maybe all the bugs will be worked out by then? LOL

 

[Willow1213]

people on another thread are also reporting long waits.
is there music playing so at least you know you‘re still connected?

It's online utilizing their chat platform, not over the phone. Since the chat window is still here I'm assuming we're good.

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

Me too for 90 mins now every once in a while I type something on the chat.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Do they give you time options for the ride you choose or how does that work I wonder?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Okay. Now start looking at all the small theme parks - not the major ones.

Dutch Wonderland does have

 

[dawnball]

But many parks in the US do not, because they are not legally required to.

Which parks don't?

 

[mshanson3121]

You do understand that I listed several smaller parks in there, right?

• Adventure City
• Castle Park
• Silverwood

Also, Gilroy Gardens is a smaller park, but run by Cedar Fair, so I didn't mention it, as it uses the same as all Cedar Fair Parks.

It should also be noted that Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and a few others are also considered smaller parks when you look up the lists.

Some other small parks if you would like that all offer something similar to a DAS:

• Knoebels
• Canobie Lake Park
• The North Pole Santa’s Workshop
• Lake Coumpounce
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
• Idlewild
• Stone Mountain Park
• Santa Monica Pier
• Fairyland
• Santa Barbara Zoo
• Santa Ana Zoo

Admittedly, there are some even smaller ones, such as Balboa Fun Zone and Belmont Park (although they do board those with disabilities through the exit) that do not; however, they also never have more than a 5 minute queue for any of their attractions, so there would be no need there.

I had heard of all the ones you listed, so didn't see them as "small". Regardless, just because they do it doesn't mean it's legally required. The fact remains, not all parks do. And even those that do, many only started doing it within the last few years - because it's become an industry standard - not necessarily a legal requirement.

Which parks don't?

Well for two examples, Storyland and Santa's Village didn't used to. SV does now, however it has restrictions - it's not offered for all rides. Why? Because legally they can do that.

 

[Evita_W]

I had heard of all the ones you listed, so didn't see them as "small". Regardless, just because they do it doesn't mean it's legally required. The fact remains, not all parks do. And even those that do, many only started doing it within the last few years - because it's become an industry standard - not necessarily a legal requirement.



Well for two examples, Storyland and Santa's Village didn't used to. SV does now, however it has restrictions - it's not offered for all rides. Why? Because legally they can do that. View attachment 612569

No, the attractions that are excluded are ones that either have no alternative access, thus no practical way to accommodate or because the wait times are short enough at all times (say under 10 minutes), but wherever possible, access to alternative entrances must be provided to guests with disabilities that cannot wait in the standard queue. There have been several court rulings on this and yes, different parks handle it differently, some just send the guests on word alone to the alternate entrance, others require something along the lines of a DAS and some do immediate access, while others have you wait.

It is actually a legal requirement, but I am going to now leave this, as you obviously choose not to believe that to be the case.

 

[Evita_W]

Which parks don't?

There aren't any that do not provide some form of alternate access that DH and I have found, most use some form of DAS type system, but some just send you straight to the alternate entrance. The exception being where the attractions always have less than a 10 minute wait and the queues are fully accessible.

 

[lanejudy]

l for two examples, Storyland and Santa's Village didn't used to. SV does now, however it has restrictions - it's not offered for all rides. Why? Because legally they can do that.

Both in NH, right? (I think you are in Quebec and both would be relatively close, close for me too!) Both of those parks do offer some form of accommodations, and they are required to do so. Both of those parks are "older" by theme park standards (I remember going as a kid!) and like WDW were not originally built to current accessibility standards. As attractions are upgraded or modified they must meet newer standards unless doing so would fundamentally change the attraction. Unfortunately it sounds as though you've been given some misinformation with regards to what is or is not "required" -- the ADA is a very complex law and many do not understand it, unfortunately even some who should.

It is true that not every attraction must be made accessible to all. WDW is not not required to make the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse or Tom Sawyer's Island accessible because doing so would fundamentally change the attraction. BUT when an attraction has an existing accessible entrance, they can't refuse it's use to someone who needs it. Imagine someone arriving at Crystal Palace with a wheelchair and being told "no, sorry, access by stairs only unless you pay extra."

So back to discussion about how the new DAS changes will work...