News New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Jenn Finan]

Speaking specifically to EPCOT, if we got a DAS and started at, for example, Soarin', we would have either (a) waited for our return time which was an hour, had a nibble, then done the ride, then walked over to Ratatoulle, gotten another time (when I looked it was a 90 minute return time) and because we still would have been in the LL, we would have had about another 20 minute to 30 minute wait. This would have been too long in the total time in the part with all the walking, etc. I am estimating a 30 minute wait in Lightening because we waited 30 minutes in the LL for Soarin' and the line outside was at least as long that I could see plus whatever it was inside. Alternatively, Frozen had similar wait times and also had a line out the door so basically we faced the same choices for whichever ride we wanted. I also looked at expected wait times based on previous experience and information available online. With either DAS or LL, we would have likely been fairly similar in our outcomes that day. Because DAS has wait times, it was a given that it would likely not have allowed us to ride more than 1 of the 3 rides that we wanted in our time frame so we paid for Lightening Lane in the hopes that even though we had to book times, we would have shorter lines over all and had hoped that would allow us to do 2 or maybe even all 3 of our rides. My mistake was not looking at availability before we purchased the passes. If I had, I would have known that was an unrealistic expectation.

Re: why we didn't do DAS at the Halloween party, to be honest, we've done both Halloween and Xmas parties in the past and thought that it would be quiet enough and the lines short enough that we would do at least as well, if not better than if we pursued DAS. And we hoped that we would also have a bit more flexibility to react to how the crowds were and the lines for individual rides. Unfortunately, it was more crowded, the lines were longer and with the crowds waiting for the special castle shows/parade, it slowed us down. I think we did 3 rides. Aladdin, Pirates and Haunted Mansion as they were all pretty much in a row going up the one side. There were about 20 minute waits or so for everything but Aladdin. We might have been able to do the Jungle Cruise or the Tiki Room as well but they were both closed when we were there. Not horrendous but not worth the $213 a ticket that we each paid. I don't find value in spending almost $70 a ride and with my nephew in a wheelchair, he can't see the shows. He used to be able to when the handicapped viewing area was right in front of the castle stage but now it's off to the side near the Crystal Palace and was packed with people standing. That was another unwelcome change. On the other hand, we went to Gatorland and did their things, as well as a really cute redneck haunted house that was fantastic! All the staff were kind and helpful, a staff member brought Little One over a treat bag while we waited and they made sure that he was at the front of each group as we moved from room to room so that he could see each presentation. Now that was a magical experience for us.

 

[jennab55]

Speaking specifically to EPCOT, if we got a DAS and started at, for example, Soarin', we would have either (a) waited for our return time which was an hour, had a nibble, then done the ride, then walked over to Ratatoulle, gotten another time (when I looked it was a 90 minute return time) and because we still would have been in the LL, we would have had about another 20 minute to 30 minute wait. This would have been too long in the total time in the part with all the walking, etc. I am estimating a 30 minute wait in Lightening because we waited 30 minutes in the LL for Soarin' and the line outside was at least as long that I could see plus whatever it was inside. Alternatively, Frozen had similar wait times and also had a line out the door so basically we faced the same choices for whichever ride we wanted. I also looked at expected wait times based on previous experience and information available online. With either DAS or LL, we would have likely been fairly similar in our outcomes that day. Because DAS has wait times, it was a given that it would likely not have allowed us to ride more than 1 of the 3 rides that we wanted in our time frame so we paid for Lightening Lane in the hopes that even though we had to book times, we would have shorter lines over all and had hoped that would allow us to do 2 or maybe even all 3 of our rides. My mistake was not looking at availability before we purchased the passes. If I had, I would have known that was an unrealistic expectation.

Re: why we didn't do DAS at the Halloween party, to be honest, we've done both Halloween and Xmas parties in the past and thought that it would be quiet enough and the lines short enough that we would do at least as well, if not better than if we pursued DAS. And we hoped that we would also have a bit more flexibility to react to how the crowds were and the lines for individual rides. Unfortunately, it was more crowded, the lines were longer and with the crowds waiting for the special castle shows/parade, it slowed us down. I think we did 3 rides. Aladdin, Pirates and Haunted Mansion as they were all pretty much in a row going up the one side. There were about 20 minute waits or so for everything but Aladdin. We might have been able to do the Jungle Cruise or the Tiki Room as well but they were both closed when we were there. Not horrendous but not worth the $213 a ticket that we each paid. I don't find value in spending almost $70 a ride and with my nephew in a wheelchair, he can't see the shows. He used to be able to when the handicapped viewing area was right in front of the castle stage but now it's off to the side near the Crystal Palace and was packed with people standing. That was another unwelcome change. On the other hand, we went to Gatorland and did their things, as well as a really cute redneck haunted house that was fantastic! All the staff were kind and helpful, a staff member brought Little One over a treat bag while we waited and they made sure that he was at the front of each group as we moved from room to room so that he could see each presentation. Now that was a magical experience for us.

To be honest, accommodations like DAS are supposed to make your queue/ride experience similar to those who are not disabled. So what you explained is what a normal family has to do as well, wait around in queue or outside of queue. We also don’t spend open to close in parks and go for a few hours at a time. Many non disabled people can’t do full park days either. It honestly sounds like your expectations of immediate access are just too high. You could purchase the premier pass, which is very expensive, but allows you access to any rode LL one time without pre-booking.

 

[NotTheOne]

To be honest, accommodations like DAS are supposed to make your queue/ride experience similar to those who are not disabled. So what you explained is what a normal family has to do as well, wait around in queue or outside of queue. We also don’t spend open to close in parks and go for a few hours at a time. Many non disabled people can’t do full park days either. It honestly sounds like your expectations of immediate access are just too high. You could purchase the premier pass, which is very expensive, but allows you access to any rode LL one time without pre-booking.

Exactly - anyone who can only be in the park, regardless of reason, is going to be very limited in how many things they can do. Accommodations aren't intended to make up for that.

 

[Jenn Finan]

To be honest, accommodations like DAS are supposed to make your queue/ride experience similar to those who are not disabled. So what you explained is what a normal family has to do as well, wait around in queue or outside of queue. We also don’t spend open to close in parks and go for a few hours at a time. Many non disabled people can’t do full park days either. It honestly sounds like your expectations of immediate access are just too high. You could purchase the premier pass, which is very expensive, but allows you access to any rode LL one time without pre-booking.

That certainly is/was an option for those who can afford such luxuries. It is not within my reach and therefore I choose to go elsewhere where I will receive better value and still have a great time.

 

[jaklgreen]

Just because I was curious.

Check out Disney's Change to the Make-a-Wish Pass

Disney and Make-A-Wish work together to make children's dreams come true. Now, Disney is making a change. Check out details here. Children's Charities

www.kennythepirate.com

Yeah... seems like that was only for Make-A-Wish kids. I'm not mad at anyone that got it outside of make-a-wish, because Disney can do what Disney wants. However, I also don't think people should be upset if Disney took away this special pass for them as it seems like they were a rare exception to the norm.

I don't want this to come off in any way judgmental or rude. But I think that they gave Disney the impression that the nephew's life was not to be long lived. Hence the special accommodations like they do for Wish kids. To have used it for 10 years and still going is probably more than what the original cast member was expecting. There would be no other reason why they would give this type of accommodations to someone that would make annual trips to the parks for over a decade.

 

[Purduevian]

Speaking specifically to EPCOT, if we got a DAS and started at, for example, Soarin', we would have either (a) waited for our return time which was an hour, had a nibble, then done the ride, then walked over to Ratatoulle, gotten another time (when I looked it was a 90 minute return time) and because we still would have been in the LL, we would have had about another 20 minute to 30 minute wait. This would have been too long in the total time in the part with all the walking, etc. I am estimating a 30 minute wait in Lightening because we waited 30 minutes in the LL for Soarin' and the line outside was at least as long that I could see plus whatever it was inside. Alternatively, Frozen had similar wait times and also had a line out the door so basically we faced the same choices for whichever ride we wanted. I also looked at expected wait times based on previous experience and information available online. With either DAS or LL, we would have likely been fairly similar in our outcomes that day. Because DAS has wait times, it was a given that it would likely not have allowed us to ride more than 1 of the 3 rides that we wanted in our time frame so we paid for Lightening Lane in the hopes that even though we had to book times, we would have shorter lines over all and had hoped that would allow us to do 2 or maybe even all 3 of our rides. My mistake was not looking at availability before we purchased the passes. If I had, I would have known that was an unrealistic expectation.

I think the confusing part to me... is that you didn't even try to apply for DAS or utilize any of the other available accommodations, then complain about Disney not doing enough. It is entirely possible you would not have gotten on RAT or Frozen with DAS (I do not know your situation, restrictions, or ect), but you didn't even try to use what Disney is offering.

Finally, obviously what you do with your time/money is your own business. If you no longer want to go to Disney World that's fair. I am sorry Disney World is no longer as magical for you as it was.

From a personal opinion, the previous Genie/Wish pass your family received should be extremely limited, I don't know your family circumstances, so I can't say or not if I approve of Disney giving it to you for 10 years, but it isn't up to me.

 

[DoubleSwitchback]

Speaking specifically to EPCOT, if we got a DAS and started at, for example, Soarin', we would have either (a) waited for our return time which was an hour, had a nibble, then done the ride, then walked over to Ratatoulle, gotten another time (when I looked it was a 90 minute return time) and because we still would have been in the LL, we would have had about another 20 minute to 30 minute wait. This would have been too long in the total time in the part with all the walking, etc. I am estimating a 30 minute wait in Lightening because we waited 30 minutes in the LL for Soarin' and the line outside was at least as long that I could see plus whatever it was inside. Alternatively, Frozen had similar wait times and also had a line out the door so basically we faced the same choices for whichever ride we wanted. I also looked at expected wait times based on previous experience and information available online. With either DAS or LL, we would have likely been fairly similar in our outcomes that day. Because DAS has wait times, it was a given that it would likely not have allowed us to ride more than 1 of the 3 rides that we wanted in our time frame so we paid for Lightening Lane in the hopes that even though we had to book times, we would have shorter lines over all and had hoped that would allow us to do 2 or maybe even all 3 of our rides. My mistake was not looking at availability before we purchased the passes. If I had, I would have known that was an unrealistic expectation.

I don't want to argue with you or tell you what your reality is. But some of your descriptions of why DAS wouldn't work for you seem to misunderstand how flexible and generous DAS is, so I thought I'd clarify in case, as someone who hasn't used it before, you weren't aware. In fact, while I won't speculate as to whether your nephew would be approved, people who struggle with transit between rides are probably the ideal ones to benefit from DAS (versus kids with very high stimulation needs).

• DAS return time is 10 minutes shorter than standby (really, 15, since you can scan in 5 minutes early)
• You don't need to be anywhere near the ride to get a DAS return time. In fact, you can join your first DAS line the second you scan into the park.
• You can join the next DAS 10 minutes after scanning into the previous one, even if you are still in LL for the previous one

For example, assume you arrive at the park and there's a 60 minute posted standby time for the first ride you want. Well, really it's only 45 for you, and given what you said about your transit difficulties, it'll probably take you 20 minutes to get there. Then you only have a 25 minute wait before entering the LL.

Once in that LL, you only have to wait 10 minutes before getting your next DAS. So even if the LL is running up to 30 minutes, 20 of those minutes will also be counting down your next DAS return time! Assume the ride you want next has a 50 minute posted standby; for you, it's only 35 minutes until your return time. 20 of those minutes spent in the LL of the current ride, say 5 minutes to actually ride and exit the ride, and then 10 minutes to get to the next ride, and you can walk right onto its LL! Rinse and repeat.

 

[Jenn Finan]

I don't want this to come off in any way judgmental or rude. But I think that they gave Disney the impression that the nephew's life was not to be long lived. Hence the special accommodations like they do for Wish kids. To have used it for 10 years and still going is probably more than what the original cast member was expecting. There would be no other reason why they would give this type of accommodations to someone that would make annual trips to the parks for over a decade.

I appreciate your tone but that is an incorrect assumption. Although this is apparently an accommodation given to Make a Wish children, I was told at the time that this was an expanded accommodation that was offered to individuals for whom the existing program was not sufficient. If I had been told it was designed specifically for Make a Wish, I never would have accepted it. Last night was the first time that I heard any of that. I learned from this message board years ago that Disney would make further accommodations to their existing DAS program if there were good reasons, so we sought out Guest Services when we arrived on our first day at the parks. I did not lie or exaggerate. I simply provided details when asked why the existing program did not work for our party. We waited for an area manager for some time, I had a nice chat with him over a coffee and this was what he offered. I didn't demand or scream or yell. It's not my style. I'm basically a wallflower to be honest but I will stand for my family and in particular for my nephew. If it makes any difference, this was done on our first trip and we only went back each year because I could afford it , my nephew enjoyed it and we were able to experience the park in a similar way to parties without disabilities. We did not seek special treatment. I explained why the program did not work for us and when asked, offered a suggestion about what would work. We were then offered the accommodation that we got. Over the years, as I suspect a lot of other families with children with disabilities have likely experienced, going to the Parks has become more challenging, not easier but I am committed to trying to offer my nephew the fullest life experience that I can. There are many, many everyday things that he cannot do. Previously, this was one that he could and did enjoy. Since our last trip we now have other things that we can do in the Orlando area and we will be doing so. And again, this is about more than how many rides we can do.

Things have changed in other ways that made our trip to Disney less accommodating than previously. Most people would not notice them because they are not affected by them and that's fine. However, I would like to point out that, as others have noted, it seems that there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of persons with disabilities that you are aware of versus previous years. We may all draw our own conclusions as to why we may even be correct, or not. Each person has their own reason for no longer going. I can only speak for our experiences and I've said as much (and probably more) than I want to.

 

[Purduevian]

If it makes any difference, this was done on our first trip and we only went back each year because I could afford it , my nephew enjoyed it and we were able to experience the park in a similar way to parties without disabilities.

To be clear, I have no problem with you and your family using the Genie/Wish pass. Disney decided that at the time that was something they were willing to do for your nephew. You had every right to use and enjoy it at the time.

I do have an issue with the phrase "able to experience the park in a similar way to parties without disabilities" park. Getting 5 anytime fastpasses/Lightning Lanes fundamentally alters and enhances the way you were able to experience the parks over someone without this pass (even if they had DAS).

Do people like your nephew deserve this enhanced experience? That's not for me, you, or anyone on this forum to really decide. That is Disney's decision (and the law if it pertains). Disney has now decided for one reason or another than they no longer think your Nephew deserves this specific enhanced touring experience. You also have a right to decide that Disney is no longer worth it to you and spend your money and time elsewhere.

 

[jennab55]

If it makes any difference, this was done on our first trip and we only went back each year because I could afford it , my nephew enjoyed it and we were able to experience the park in a similar way to parties without disabilities. We did not seek special treatment. I explained why the program did not work for us and when asked, offered a suggestion about what would work. We were then offered the accommodation that we got.

I find the bolded to be untrue. What you received was far above and beyond what parties without disabilities experience. Honestly, even DAS is above and beyond.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

In theory, yes, DAS could possibly have worked for us but I don't think people realize just how far rides are apart once you include getting to different buildings, walking queues, waiting, getting on and off, etc. It all adds up way more that you would think. In Epcot, in a perfect world of LLMP's, timing and booking far enough ahead, we could have possibly gotten the 2 or 3 rides that he wanted and maybe a quick little bit of food from a booth but that would have been basically it for the day, but it's not a perfect world. Whereas we used to be able to work it out, as it is now, we can't. So, we just did the best we could at EPCOT with the LL's. DAS was not an option there because of the distances between the rides and the queuing. Soarin' to Ratatoille to Frozen or some other combination takes too long with the walking, the waits and the sheer distances. There just isn't enough time when you have a child in a wheelchair and another person in your party in an ECV because of back injuries (his mother). That was a new twist this trip. We're slow unfortunately and we've tried to optimize fun as best as possible. Before I was a Management Consultant, I was an analyst for a large bank so I worked out all of the possible scenarios and outcomes based on the available data and my experience of the parks gathered over the past 40 years of going. I would have loved to have gotten him on more rides or experiences. It's not a lack of knowledge of the programs, policies or other random planning trips, nor is it a lack of desire to work with new realities. I helped raise him until he was 8 years old and we worked with reality everyday. Sadly, the new DAS program and other changes that Disney has implemented make it extremely difficult to enjoy the parks for the time we are there. It was $200 each for the Halloween party ($1,000+ total) and whereas in the past, we were able to execute a plan that made sense, it no longer does. So we'll go do Gatorland, or go-carting or the Crayola Experience or other things that suit our abilities better. I don't think that Universal will be any better but his Mom wants to try so we'll try. As I say though, Disney used to be a leader in this space and I am saddened that the changes that they have made force us to spend our time elsewhere.

FWIW, I think if we were chatting, I could help you understand the fullness of the situation but I can't get into that level of detail on a public forum so it is what it is. No worries.

A small clarification, it sounds like you are thinking of paper-style DAS. Universal still uses a paper card system - where disability pass holders have to go to each attraction to get a return time.

At WDW, return times can now be obtained electronically for DAS holders, at least if you have My Disney Experience on a smartphone. Generally, DAS holders do not have to go to the attractions to obtain a return time.

That may be part of the confusion here. Post 11,227 has even more detail of current DAS rules. I can understand why paper DAS would be difficult for some families to use.

 

[Jenn Finan]

I find the bolded to be untrue. What you received was far above and beyond what parties without disabilities experience. Honestly, even DAS is above and beyond.

I disagree but that's OK. It's always good to listen to and discuss differing points of view. That's how we learn and grow.

 

[jennab55]

I disagree but that's OK. It's always good to listen to and discuss differing points of view. That's how we learn and grow.

Do you think a party without a disabilities could experience the same number of rides/experiences in the same 4-5 hours time window as your party did? If the answer is no, then your statement about them being equal is inaccurate.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Do you think a party without a disabilities could experience the same number of rides/experiences in the same 4-5 hours time window as your party did? If the answer is no, then your statement about them being equal is inaccurate.

There are many ways to look at these situations. For many guests with disabilities, they are not going to be able to stay in the park for long periods of time, so the desire is to maximize the time in the park.

It honestly makes my brain hurt that people seem to lack the compassion to understand this.

 

[jennab55]

There are many ways to look at these situations. For many guests with disabilities, they are not going to be able to stay in the park for long periods of time, so the desire is to maximize the time in the park.

It honestly makes my brain hurt that people seem to lack the compassion to understand this.

Oh 100%, but isn’t the goal of a disability accommodation to make the person experience the parks like a non disabled person?

We only a few hours at the time in the parks, so we take longer trips. Because this is how we have to tour, should Disney give me half my hotel or park tickets for free so we can experience everything a non disabled person can?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Oh 100%, but isn’t the goal of a disability accommodation to make the person experience the parks like a non disabled person?

I’m not sure if you are asking legal or just in general? I’m not speaking on legally - I’m just saying in my view, it doesn’t bother me in the least if guests with disabilities get an advantage.

Of course the issue is, if they get an advantage, there is now an incentive to lie or exaggerate a disability to get that advantage- which is a shame. And in 500 pages we don’t have an easy solution! Haha.

 

[Purduevian]

I disagree but that's OK. It's always good to listen to and discuss differing points of view. That's how we learn and grow.

Do you think a party without a disabilities could experience the same number of rides/experiences in the same 4-5 hours time window as your party did? If the answer is no, then your statement about them being equal is inaccurate.

I think there is a slight disconnect.

I think the discussion should be if is that those with needed special accommodations (such as DAS) should be able to experience a similar to those that do not require special accommodations
a) in a day
b) in the time they are able to be in the parks

The argument for point a is that everyone (regardless of accommodations needed) pays the same price to go to the parks, thus deserve the same quality and quantity of experiences.

The argument for point b is that everyone moves at different paces and have different stamina in the parks. For instance, those with young children, are elderly, or are mobility impaired do not get enhanced access.

 

[jennab55]

I’m not sure if you are asking legal or just in general? I’m not speaking on legally - I’m just saying in my view, it doesn’t bother me in the least if guests with disabilities get an advantage.

Of course the issue is, if they get an advantage, there is now an incentive to lie or exaggerate a disability to get that advantage- which is a shame. And in 500 pages we don’t have an easy solution! Haha.

Ahhh, gotcha. I was giving just what an accommodation is meant to do. Yes, I’m also fine with disabled people getting something that makes things easier for them (heck I’m disabled and so is my son), but like you said, that also causes some problems.

 

[jennab55]

I think there is a slight disconnect.

I think the discussion should be if is that those with needed special accommodations (such as DAS) should be able to experience a similar to those that do not require special accommodations
a) in a day
b) in the time they are able to be in the parks

The argument for point a is that everyone (regardless of accommodations needed) pays the same price to go to the parks, thus deserve the same quality and quantity of experiences.

I can see the disagreement both ways.

The argument for point b is that everyone moves at different paces and have different stamina in the parks. For instance, those with young children, are elderly, or are mobility impaired do not get enhanced access.

I personally just done like the argument of “well our party can only go for a few hours due to a disability, so we should get access to everything in those few hours”. As you stated, many people cannot do full park days due to other factors as well.

 

[DisneyHead123]

I personally just done like the argument of “well our party can only go for a few hours due to a disability, so we should get access to everything in those few hours”. As you stated, many people cannot do full park days due to other factors as well.

Said in a jocular tone, DAS is meant to be a disability accommodation, not the most pure form of communism that ever existed. It's not meant to equalize all human differences.