News New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[TrainsOfDisney]

I know you refuse to accept it but skipping the physical line on all of their attractions is different simply because of the sheer numbers of people requesting that accommodation.

Not at all - I’m not exactly sure what the easiest solution is. Hence the discussion!

 

[DisneyHead123]

I haven't seen anyone saying "stay home." Please don't exaggerate to that degree; it's not productive.

It has in a sense - it’s been framed as “If it’s so miserable for you / your child just go somewhere else.” Assume the mods don’t want this discussed, just mentioning it to be fair to jaklgreen as I see how those comments could in good faith be perceived as unwelcoming.

 

[jennab55]

It has in a sense - it’s been framed as “If it’s so miserable for you / your child just go somewhere else.” Assume the mods don’t want this discussed, just mentioning it to be fair to jaklgreen as I see how those comments could in good faith be perceived as unwelcoming.

I can see that. I think most are trying to just say, if you feel jt wont work for you or is causing too much anxiety, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. Not that Disney shouldn’t give accommodations, just that it seems to be causing stress and maybe not worth going anymore. Heck we had issues on our last Disney trip and I chose to take a few year break because of it.

 

[DisneyHead123]

I can see that. I think most are trying to just say, if you feel jt wont work for you or is causing too much anxiety, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. Not that Disney shouldn’t give accommodations, just that it seems to be causing stress and maybe not worth going anymore. Heck we had issues on our last Disney trip and I chose to take a few year break because of it.

I definitely wasn’t referring to any recent comments, this is older stuff that has most likely been deleted.

 

[DisneyHead123]

My mind works the same way. It’s odd that some members want to dictate what is a “valid” comparison.

Even with the food allergy comparison - I’m quite certain that a lot more guests ask to speak to a chef about allergy concerns than 10-20 years ago. So yes, it’s costing Disney more money and slowing things down. It’s a pretty valid comparison in my book.

Yeah I think people have particularly strong feelings about lines, especially now that they are monetized. Even though guests may have to wait longer for food, I think LLs have made lines feel like a zero sum competition to park goers and there’s a certain competitiveness around them.

 

[Chi84]

Since I brought up audio tours, I want to say this isn’t Whataboutism, it’s just the way I think. I want to extract the underlying axiom and see how it holds up when carried to its logical extreme in various scenarios. Maybe I spent too much of my young adulthood on philosophy forums, lol, but here I am. I just feel like this is the best approach to things and if your first principles aren’t solid then nothing holds up over the long term. I get that there are many detail oriented, inductive thinkers here who focus on individual facts and not overarching principles, and my way of thinking won’t make a lot of sense to them - and that’s cool too, just explaining why I approach things the way I do.

Don’t you think Disney’s principle is to reasonably accommodate all disabilities?

The only accommodation Disney is limiting is DAS and that’s because it was hurting the business.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Don’t you think Disney’s principle is to reasonably accommodate all disabilities?

The only accommodation Disney is limiting is DAS and that’s because it was hurting the business.

Honestly my first conclusion in looking at how accommodations are applied is that overall (everywhere, not just at Disney,) it seems extremely pell mell and haphazard. It’s hard to identify consistent underlying principles for what gets accommodated, what doesn’t, how, and what qualifies as a disability. As a general question I’m curious to see if the topic arises more and more in the coming years.

When compared to the current standard of what other companies are doing, I do think Disney has historically been very accommodating. I’m reserving judgment on the new accommodations because not many people are posting real life experiences with them, but I am worried that they sound very inconsistent, with some CMs still not aware that they exist.

 

[Chi84]

Honestly my first conclusion in looking at how accommodations are applied is that overall (everywhere, not just at Disney,) it seems extremely pell mell and haphazard. It’s hard to identify consistent underlying principles for what gets accommodated, what doesn’t, how, and what qualifies as a disability. As a general question I’m curious to see if the topic arises more and more in the coming years.

When compared to the current standard of what other companies are doing, I do think Disney has historically been very accommodating. I’m reserving judgment on the new accommodations because not many people are posting real life experiences with them, but I am worried that they sound very inconsistent, with some CMs still not aware that they exist.

I’m not sure I understand what you mean. Other than the DOJ guidelines the only direction for businesses is to offer reasonable accommodation. Clearly there will be inconsistencies.

The consistent underlying principle is that people with disabilities should be included and businesses should offer reasonable accommodations toward that end.

The DOJ guidelines do caution businesses against inquiring into the nature and extent of a person’s disability, which can cause uncertainty in what accommodation is appropriate.

 

[Splash4eva]

Now i know the RTQ is not really defined on a ride by ride basis BUT if you are traveling with others the person who needs DAS and from what i understand another can meet you group up at any point of the ride… why is this a problem? If you are a single rider/solo parent the alternative is pretty much better for most part. Again why is this a problem. Disney found a way to eliminate the “cheats” gave them another way w/o outright using DAS yet people are still not happy? Again sans the fact that yes when in lines you may be broken from your family but lets face it. That is NOT uncommon at all when you travel to places like this especially with multiples kids and age groups.

 

[jennab55]

You don't think that people know that? You don't think that there are any number of places where many can't and don't go to because of their limitations?

So why is Disney, specifically with DAS held to an impossible standard?

 

[flynnibus]

I just feel like this is the best approach to things and if your first principles aren’t solid then nothing holds up over the long term. I get that there are many detail oriented, inductive thinkers here who focus on individual facts and not overarching principles, and my way of thinking won’t make a lot of sense to them

Bu this isn’t a philosophical debate. It’s comparing topics defined by legal interpretation and laws. Contrasting things you think should be comparable by emotion- but are not under the law.

 

[Splash4eva]

Another serious question…

For ALL the people who use DAS or have complained when denied etc. Currently and even in the past there is NO option for any accommodation for Meet & Greets. Asked again today. How come noone ever cries foul or threatens law suits over that? How come thats “acceptable” for people in need or people who say the only way they can do Disney is with DAS?

 

[jennab55]

Another serious question…

For ALL the people who use DAS or have complained when denied etc. Currently and even in the past there is NO option for any accommodation for Meet & Greets. Asked again today. How come noone ever cries foul or threatens law suits over that? How come thats “acceptable” for people in need or people who say the only way they can do Disney is with DAS?

In the past there was DAS for character meets that had LLs (any you could book online). But yes, there’s always been some that can’t use DAS. My guess is most have 1 person in their party wait for everyone, but seems odd people would be ok splitting up for that, yet not ride queues

 

[flynnibus]

I am not saying Disney should stop providing allergy friendly menus. However, yes it does affect customers that are not utilizing that aspect of the menu.

I actually think it is an interesting comparison to DAS, it's at least apples to oranges. Some of the comparisons on here are more like apples to trains.

You're chasing pennies while dollars fly over your head...

Disney's disability systems didn't change because of minor incremental costs or product swaps - they changed because of a uncontrollable burden across a major pain point for the business and customers.

On top of that - Disney has already justified that having those menu options are worth it to them - because they haven't removed them. So once again, people are trying to draw equals between things that are no where near similar in impact or motivations.

 

[Purduevian]

You're chasing pennies while dollars fly over your head...

Disney's disability systems didn't change because of minor incremental costs or product swaps - they changed because of a uncontrollable burden across a major pain point for the business and customers.

On top of that - Disney has already justified that having those menu options are worth it to them - because they haven't removed them. So once again, people are trying to draw equals between things that are no where near similar in impact or motivations.

Violent agreement. There is a negative affect to guests by offering allergy menus, but Disney has not deemed it worth changing.

Das had a negative affect to guests, but Disney deemed it worth changing.

Back on topic

Another serious question…

For ALL the people who use DAS or have complained when denied etc. Currently and even in the past there is NO option for any accommodation for Meet & Greets. Asked again today. How come noone ever cries foul or threatens law suits over that? How come thats “acceptable” for people in need or people who say the only way they can do Disney is with DAS?

Any idea how this was handled in the past for M&G that didn't have LL (such as Pooh, or Silly sideshow at MK).

 

[Chi84]

Violent agreement. There is a negative affect to guests by offering allergy menus, but Disney has not deemed it worth changing.

Das had a negative affect to guests, but Disney deemed it worth changing.

Back on topic

Any idea how this was handled in the past for M&G that didn't have LL (such as Pooh, or Silly sideshow at MK).

“Deem” is a weird word to use in that context. It suggests capriciousness, which is the opposite of what is happening here.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Not saying it is right or wrong... but with just a few edits to your post, this is what a lot of people are saying about the DAS changes.

Sure, but many of those people haven't even tried the alternative accommodations, by their own admission. There is a big difference between "no accommodations" and "I am accomodated but some people with a different condition get different/better accommodations than me." And "I'm not sure how this accomodation works" doesn't equal "There is no accomodation available."

Again, there is a big difference between food allergies and DAS. Nobody lies to get the allergy-friendly alternatives because they generally don't taste as good and the buns/rolls are tougher. There is no advantage to the allergy menu that makes it more appealing to guests who don't need it.

 

[DisneyHead123]

I’m not sure I understand what you mean. Other than the DOJ guidelines the only direction for businesses is to offer reasonable accommodation. Clearly there will be inconsistencies.

The consistent underlying principle is that people with disabilities should be included and businesses should offer reasonable accommodations toward that end.

The DOJ guidelines do caution businesses against inquiring into the nature and extent of a person’s disability, which can cause uncertainty in what accommodation is appropriate.

It seems like in general only a handful of accommodations are sprinkled around here and there, based mostly on what the definition of “disabled” was circa 1950.

I’m not saying that in an angry way, btw. I actually don’t know that it would be at all possible to provide reasonable accommodations for any condition. Mobility devices for people with mobility issues, quiet rooms for those with certain types of sensory issues, buzzer reminder watches for those with ADHD… the list of what could be proposed as a reasonable accommodation is nearly infinite. I’m not seeing what the selection criteria actually was for the accommodations that we do have.

Again, not a complaint, just explaining what I meant when I said I couldn’t really find the underlying rationale.

 

[flynnibus]

It seems like in general only a handful of accommodations are sprinkled around here and there, based mostly on what the definition of “disabled” was circa 1950.

Another horrible take.

I’m not saying that in an angry way, btw. I actually don’t know that it would be at all possible to provide reasonable accommodations for any condition. Mobility devices for people with mobility issues, quiet rooms for those with certain types of sensory issues, buzzer reminder watches for those with ADHD… the list of what could be proposed as a reasonable accommodation is nearly infinite. I’m not seeing what the selection criteria actually was for the accommodations that we do have.

And now you know why the law didn't say "here is a list of things everyone must do" -- and instead, dictated an expectation of inclusion and in the case of physical spaces, set to define what minimal standards of accessibility for a physical space should be.

You keep searching for this master list and then are shocked no such list exists. There was never an intention to have such a list. The law is intentionally designed to be flexible. What it has done is set boundaries on what should be included, and later through guidance has spelled out boundaries where it makes sense to do so.

The problem here is simply the boundaries on expectations for dealing with topics like... waiting... haven't really been flushed out in the courts in the manner people are dealing with here in the parks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Any idea how this was handled in the past for M&G that didn't have LL (such as Pooh, or Silly sideshow at MK).

For meets that didn't have a LL you had to wait standby. We tried it once for long waits at Pete's circus tent - it was quite challenging, and not something we chose to do frequently after. We do what we can to hit meets when lines are low.