New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Trauma]

Just a few hours ago @Trauma posed this series of questions:



Yes, for the example @Fido Chuckwagon brings up

So for your argument to hold water, you are saying a person is MORE likely to find a doctor to lie about a made up disability, then they are just to lie and say that have autism that no one can question?

I find that hard to believe.

 

[Tha Realest]

That’s not specific guidelines or regulations.

I never said they were specific guidelines or regulations.

@Trauma suggested just get a primary care physician to give a doctor’s note. My response was:

This is not for a doctor to decide. It’s up to Disney, and perhaps if challenged, the courts. Of course a prospective guest and their doctor are going to have a certain view. Disney can consider that, but it’s a factor, not something they have to go along with

He then suggested Disney would lose in court. I told him he should familiarize himself more with the requirements under the ADA. I’m sure there’s probably more guidance out there somewhere, but, again, the accommodation need only be reasonable and not fundamentally change the company’s ability to provide goods and services.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Ya the doctors note feels off. Nowadays everything medical is on a mychart. You should be able to pull up your file with your list of medical conditions without making doctors write notes and should be more legit as it’s your medical file.

So but that’s maybe an issue. Lots of people have diagnosed conditions but different disabilities. Different impacts on life. So pulling up a mychart with your diagnosis can’t determine if you can wait in a line or not.

I’ve been thinking about this too because a doctors note is just easy to get

I feel like you’d need both

 

[Tha Realest]

So for your argument to hold water you are saying a person is MORE likely to find a doctor to lie about a made up disability, then they are just to lie and say that have autism that no one can question?

I find that hard to believe.

I’ve made no such argument. By limiting DAS to developmental disabilities (after they pass the screening evaluation) it cuts off the “doctor’s note” for physical ailments off from the get go.

You’re also deliberately misstating the new DAS guidelines, which require telehealth conference for the third party to independently assess whether purported disability /extent of disability qualifies.

Seriously, have you even read the new policies? It says repeatedly anyone seeking DAS must meet eligibility requirements, as opposed to those who “just lie and say they have autism that no one can question.” They will be questioned; that’s the point of the independent evaluation.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I’ve made no such argument. By limiting DAS to developmental disabilities (after they pass the screening evaluation) it cuts off the “doctor’s note” for physical ailments off from the get go.

You’re also deliberately misstating the new DAS guidelines, which require telehealth conference for the third party to independently assess whether purported disability /extent of disability qualifies.

Seriously, have you even read the new policies? It says repeatedly anyone seeking DAS must meet eligibility requirements, as opposed to those who “just lie and say they have autism that no one can question.” They will be questioned; that’s the point of the independent evaluation.

People were already being questioned. Part of the reason people just want to provide documentation is because it’s rather difficult to try and explain needs to people who are not familiar with your medical history (or even medicine in general) without referencing a diagnosis.

 

[Angel Ariel]

So but that’s maybe an issue. Lots of people have diagnosed conditions but different disabilities. Different impacts on life. So pulling up a mychart with your diagnosis can’t determine if you can wait in a line or not.

I’ve been thinking about this too because a doctors note is just easy to get

I feel like you’d need both

Exactly. Many developmental disorders exist on a spectrum. The same diagnosis often results in very different needs, so simply printing out a mychart with a diagnosis on it isn't telling the narrative of what a person needs in terms of accommodations.

 

[Happyday]

People were already being questioned. Part of the reason people just want to provide documentation is because it’s rather difficult to try and explain needs to people who are not familiar with your medical history (or even medicine in general) without referencing a diagnosis.

Have you gone through a video chat yet?

 

[Angel Ariel]

You’re also deliberately misstating the new DAS guidelines, which require telehealth conference for the third party to independently assess whether purported disability /extent of disability qualifies.

I haven't seen anything indicating that inspire health alliance will be the primary contact on DAS calls, or that they will even be involved directly in every case. The WDW DAS site does not indicate this, and from USA Today's article:

"Registering for DAS involves meeting with a specially trained cast member, who can determine if DAS is the right fit."

"Virtual video calls will be similar to what existing and past DAS enrollees are used to having with cast members, but Disney is also partnering with Inspire Health Alliance, whose experts may be brought in."

Both of these quotes fit everything I've read - that inspire health alliance will train the CMs for virtual calls, and that inspire health alliance *may* be additionally consulted beyond that.

 

[Naplesgolfer]

I haven't seen anything indicating that inspire health alliance will be the primary contact on DAS calls, or that they will even be involved directly in every case. The WDW DAS site does not indicate this, and from USA Today's article:

"Registering for DAS involves meeting with a specially trained cast member, who can determine if DAS is the right fit."

"Virtual video calls will be similar to what existing and past DAS enrollees are used to having with cast members, but Disney is also partnering with Inspire Health Alliance, whose experts may be brought in."

Both of these quotes fit everything I've read - that inspire health alliance will train the CMs for virtual calls, and that inspire health alliance *may* be additionally consulted beyond that.

My guess is if the Cast member denies some one the DAS pass then Inspire will be used as the escalation ( I want to speak to a manager) call. It will give Disney a buffer.

I feel many of the physical disabilities with be accommodated with the return to the line solution that has yet to be explained.

 

[Splash4eva]

For everyone who is seemingly cheering on DIsney changing this policy etc… we have established less than 10% of guests use DAS. Can any of you explain to me why Disney before looking to change all the rules yet again did not eliminate the 2 pre books immediately explain to me why they didnt reduce party size to 4 immediately and remove the in park approval at GS. Why would they not change when you can book another DAS after tapping in? Alllll of these changes are perfectly legal and allll of them can come with zero backlash from any DAS user then see what it looked like.

 

[Chi84]

For everyone who is seemingly cheering on DIsney changing this policy etc… we have established less than 10% of guests use DAS. Can any of you explain to me why Disney before looking to change all the rules yet again did not eliminate the 2 pre books immediately explain to me why they didnt reduce party size to 4 immediately and remove the in park approval at GS. Why would they not change when you can book another DAS after tapping in? Alllll of these changes are perfectly legal and allll of them can come with zero backlash from any DAS user then see what it looked like.

My immediate thought is that it wouldn’t have gone far enough. I think they want everyone back in line and to restrict DAS to the people mentioned in the new system.

 

[Splash4eva]

I’ve made no such argument. By limiting DAS to developmental disabilities (after they pass the screening evaluation) it cuts off the “doctor’s note” for physical ailments off from the get go.

You’re also deliberately misstating the new DAS guidelines, which require telehealth conference for the third party to independently assess whether purported disability /extent of disability qualifies.

Seriously, have you even read the new policies? It says repeatedly anyone seeking DAS must meet eligibility requirements, as opposed to those who “just lie and say they have autism that no one can question.” They will be questioned; that’s the point of the independent evaluation.

Explain to me how an “independent evaluation” over a few minute video chat will determine a child with autism/spectrum/iep/behavorial issues needs DAS. Unless im misunderstanding what you are saying. I assure you there is Zero chance anyone can determine that at all. As someone who is around my GF daughter plenty who fits into this category i assure you no way would you tell she couldnt. But she has all the medical records via private & boe certified she would need such assistance. Along with pretty much everyone in her class that im around enough to see the need.

 

[Angel Ariel]

My guess is if the Cast member denies some one the DAS pass then Inspire will be used as the escalation ( I want to speak to a manager) call. It will give Disney a buffer.

I feel many of the physical disabilities with be accommodated with the return to the line solution that has yet to be explained.

My guess as well - any kind of escalation (whether from CM not feeling confident and wanting more help, or a customer asking for a manager), will involve inspire.

I just think it's important to not make this seem like it's a telehealth video conference - those also have privacy protocols and such. This is not a telehealth conference.

 

[Splash4eva]

My immediate thought is that it wouldn’t have gone far enough. I think they want everyone back in line and to restrict DAS to the people mentioned in the new system.

Or they just want to sell more Genie + to people they plan on denying access too going forward and playing the odds here…. You dk how far it would have went until you try it. And everyone back in line does what to a guest experience. I just dk why people think this is going to make a big difference on wait times. Capacity is the major driver here and thats not changing anytime soon.

 

[Naplesgolfer]

Explain to me how an “independent evaluation” over a few minute video chat will determine a child with autism/spectrum/iep/behavorial issues needs DAS. Unless im misunderstanding what you are saying. I assure you there is Zero chance anyone can determine that at all. As someone who is around my GF daughter plenty who fits into this category i assure you no way would you tell she couldnt. But she has all the medical records via private & boe certified she would need such assistance. Along with pretty much everyone in her class that im around enough to see the need.

I feel Disney wants to do the best job for their guests. But they have to use a system far short of a 45 min in person doctor interview. IMHO we need to have some perspective. This not someone's education, livelihood etc. The end of the day this is still a theme park.

 

[seabreezept813]

So but that’s maybe an issue. Lots of people have diagnosed conditions but different disabilities. Different impacts on life. So pulling up a mychart with your diagnosis can’t determine if you can wait in a line or not.

I’ve been thinking about this too because a doctors note is just easy to get

I feel like you’d need both

I think either would work to help curb the abuse but the more I think about it, I think it’s probably accurate that Disney knows that the main problem isn’t people lying or abusing, it’s the way it’s set up. And rather than apply soft fixes, like no preselects, they’re taking the route of oh we can’t accommodate all and make the profit we want so let’s find a way to just not try as hard.

 

[Jrb1979]

And how is that a meaningful difference? It’s the same operational impact.

The difference is the demand for it isn't as high compared to Disney due to there being no benefits to having it. At most other parks having a skip the line pass isn't a must as it's expensive and limited.

Look at how much DAS usage has risen since Genie+ started.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

For everyone who is seemingly cheering on DIsney changing this policy etc… we have established less than 10% of guests use DAS. Can any of you explain to me why Disney before looking to change all the rules yet again did not eliminate the 2 pre books immediately explain to me why they didnt reduce party size to 4 immediately and remove the in park approval at GS. Why would they not change when you can book another DAS after tapping in? Alllll of these changes are perfectly legal and allll of them can come with zero backlash from any DAS user then see what it looked like.

Because 8 percent of guests were using up up to 70 percent of ride capacity (maybe more), and they probably decided that what you’re describing would have been insufficient.

 

[Chi84]

Or they just want to sell more Genie + to people they plan on denying access too going forward and playing the odds here…. You dk how far it would have went until you try it. And everyone back in line does what to a guest experience. I just dk why people think this is going to make a big difference on wait times. Capacity is the major driver here and thats not changing anytime soon.

They definitely want to sell more Genie+.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Can any of you explain to me why Disney before looking to change all the rules yet again did not eliminate the 2 pre books immediately explain to me why they didnt reduce party size to 4 immediately and remove the in park approval at GS. Why would they not change when you can book another DAS after tapping in? Alllll of these changes are perfectly legal and allll of them can come with zero backlash from any DAS user then see what it looked like.

I think from Disney’s perspective… say they were projecting that DAS use would reach around 10% of park users with current growth rates. Then say that even with a 4 person soft limit, some people legitimately do have large immediate families, so the average people in a DAS party is still 5. That’s 50% of park guests using DAS, right? (Math is not my thing. But 10% x 5 people equates to 10% x 5 or 50%, right?) Or say it’s 8% x 4, or 32% of visitors. Still quite high.

I don’t necessarily disagree with Disney’s assessment that what they are doing with DAS is not sustainable and that they need to make changes. Where I disagree is in their approach. At best they get a temporary reduction followed by lawsuits, cheaters finding new ways to game the system, and angry patrons - and in the end rates of DAS users will continue to grow anyways. I think that long term they need to make bigger changes. Rates of true disability will likely steadily increase in the US for a multitude of reasons. Attitudes about disability and asking for accommodations are markedly different in younger generations, and I think people will increasingly ask for accommodations. And people will continue to try avoiding paying for Genie+ by cheating. Rates of DAS users will increase. Long term, I think they will need to: 1. Invest in capacity and people eaters - or, alternately, cap attendance levels 2. Separate DAS and LL lines so they’re not using the same physical space 3. Return to incorporating some form of unpaid “ride reservations” the way they did with FastPass (that probably sounds like wishful thinking, but if they are going to continue to cram higher and higher numbers of people into the parks, I think they will have to utilize a reservation based style of thinking in order to make that feasible. Maybe FastPass is for Nemo and parades while paid LL is for Mine Train, but logistically I think they’ll have to do that for crowd management purposes.)