New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Fido Chuckwagon]

People watching at Disney is wildly entertaining, imo. And the kids are so darn cute

Agreed! I legitimately think that people who are powerusing DAS to just hit headliners or are using genie+ to just hit headliners are really doing themselves a disservice at Disney. There is just so much to do. Our last trip was our 17th trip there. We try to do something new we’ve never done before every trip, so last trip we hit the Pixar Short Film Festival which somehow we had never done in the previous 16 trips. It was great! What a hidden gem. People who are just powerusing DAS to hit headliners and make sure they can skip every line possible for things like peoplemover are missing out on everything WDW has to offer in my opinion.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Yes to me people watching is boring im confused as to how this has anything to do with DAS. Some people enjoy certain things that others dont…

It’s relevant because the argument is that a DAS user can’t stand in line, but should also not be on other rides or activities or attractions during the wait because it’s not fair to the person in the standby queue.

You dismissing it by saying “that’s boring” is somewhat ridiculous because that standby guest in the queue is bored to tears waiting in line.

And then turning around and saying it’s not at all an advantage, also ridiculous.

Person A: bored to tears in the queue for 60 minutes

Person B: goes to the restroom, meets a character, grabs an ice cream, maybe even goes on another ride.

That’s why it’s relevant.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Agreed! I legitimately think that people who are powerusing DAS to just hit headliners or are using genie+ to just hit headliners are really doing themselves a disservice at Disney. There is just so much to do. Our last trip was our 17th trip there. We try to do something new we’ve never done before every trip, so last trip we hit the Pixar Short Film Festival which somehow we had never done in the previous 16 trips. It was great! What a hidden gem. People who are just powerusing DAS to hit headliners and make sure they can skip every line possible for things like peoplemover are missing out on everything WDW has to offer in my opinion.

We did the treehouse for the first time last trip and it was So enjoyable. My daughter still talks about how much fun it was. We’ve added it to our “must see” for the next trip.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

The notion of treating families differently is problematic.

Why does a biologically related group get to stay together, but a group of close friends who see each other as brothers and sisters do not?

They have to draw the line somewhere or else the limit of 4 isn't really a limit at all and the issue of large groups of people using DAS as a "Disney hack" doesn't improve at all. There's no 100% foolproof way to prevent every member of the party from using DAS as a way to join 2 lines at once, but limiting the party size and restricting what exceptions are granted will curtail some of it. If a group of 6 friends want to ride 7DMT when there's a 2-hour wait, then at least 2 of them will have to physically wait on that line now, as opposed to the entire party using those 2 hours to ride Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, and Little Mermaid (for example). Even if the other 4 do that, it's still 2 fewer people in the other 3 lines. Multiply that by the number of large groups where someone has DAS and it should improve wait times throughout the park, particularly Magic Kingdom.

 

[phillip9698]

Makes sense. The more regular folks they can scare away, the more Genie+ they can sell.

In my opinion, once this is fully in place, there will be a short period of time where all wait times (LL and standby) will be lower because there wont be all the DAS folks slowing the lighting lane and thereby slowing the standby.

BUT THEN, Disney will increase the number of Genie+ they sell daily and we will be RIGHT where we were before the DAS change as far as wait times for both LL and standby, but the difference is Disney will be selling more Genie+ and making more money!

That last point is only valid if G+ was a product that regularly sold out and they wanted to increase sales. It isn’t.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Okay. But NONE OF US WITH FOR DISNEY like of course we can’t solve the problem. It’s not our field of expertise and we’re don’t have all the facts.

People don’t have to make suggestions. Much less ones that make things more difficult for people.

And when people are telling others how to manage personal conditions with which they have no experience or to just not visit, it’s hard to believe the issue is a lack of information.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I really don’t think it should be a question mark and I think this falls into the category of people who keep assuming the worst of Disney despite Disney having a really good track record of being extremely disability friendly. I understand the anxiety, but I really think you’re going to be fine. Like, if I gambled, I’d wager you $100 at pretty good odds that you will be approved. Their website literally carves out developmental disabilities, which is what your daughter suffers from. This does not appear to be targeted at (especially children) with developmental disabilities, nor should it be.

There'd be less anxiety if I didn't need to purchase expensive non-refundable tickets in order to even apply for the DAS

 

[Bastet]

I'm based in the UK and am following a thread on a different forum about DAS. Flight time from the UK to Orlando is approx 9 hours, one person needs DAS due to anxiety and possible panic attack, the other has arthritus and cannot wait in a queue for longer than 30 mins as they cant sit/stand for any length of time so a chair/scooter is not an option. If someone can sit on a plane for 9 hours do they really need DAS? Or if you have a panic attack on a plane due to close proximity to others what are you going to do halfway over the Atlantic?Both people have used DAS in the past -

 

[TeriofTerror]

People watching at Disney is wildly entertaining, imo. And the kids are so darn cute

I like to play "Guess the Resort" as people head to the buses. I'm always impressed/amazed by the GF guests who can leave a theme park with no stains on their white t-shirts and their khaki shorts still perfectly pressed!

 

[DryerLintFan]

People don’t have to make suggestions. Much less ones that make things more difficult for people.

And when people are telling others how to manage personal conditions with which they have no experience or to just not visit, it’s hard to believe the issue is a lack of information.

That’s fair. Some arguments here are ignorant. But expecting any real solutions here is a fools errand

 

[Happyday]

Well it’s not those traveling with disabilities/issues that are being tossed shade

It’s those that are outright lying or stretching the grey areas too far because it’s more convenient/better value for them at the general public’s disadvantage

The cheaters are creating a “fun/value”disability for them.

Isn’t it stressful enough?

I totally understand that maybe I am reading too much into some of these comments then.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

They have to draw the line somewhere or else the limit of 4 isn't really a limit at all and the issue of large groups of people using DAS as a "Disney hack" doesn't improve at all. There's no 100% foolproof way to prevent every member of the party from using DAS as a way to join 2 lines at once, but limiting the party size and restricting what exceptions are granted will curtail some of it. If a group of 6 friends want to ride 7DMT when there's a 2-hour wait, then at least 2 of them will have to physically wait on that line now, as opposed to the entire party using those 2 hours to ride Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, and Little Mermaid (for example). Even if the other 4 do that, it's still 2 fewer people in the other 3 lines. Multiply that by the number of large groups where someone has DAS and it should improve wait times throughout the park, particularly Magic Kingdom.

As a tool to curb abuse, splitting parties could make sense.

I just think it's a problem to split some groups but not others.

 

[Disstevefan1]

That last point is only valid if G+ was a product that regularly sold out and they wanted to increase sales. It isn’t.

Ha, once this is in place, they will not only sell out, but they will increase the number of G+ sold for all those previous DAS folks who are no longer eligible. BIG MONEY!!!!!

And as I said, we will be right back to where we are now and the difference will be Disney will be making BIG MONEY!

 

[DryerLintFan]

I'm based in the UK and am following a thread on a different forum about DAS. Flight time from the UK to Orlando is approx 9 hours, one person needs DAS due to anxiety and possible panic attack, the other has arthritus and cannot wait in a queue for longer than 30 mins as they cant sit/stand for any length of time so a chair/scooter is not an option. If someone can sit on a plane for 9 hours do they really need DAS? Or if you have a panic attack on a plane due to close proximity to others what are you going to do halfway over the Atlantic?Both people have used DAS in the past -

Totally off topic (sorry Mom!!) but my daughter is OBSESSED with Bastet

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

That’s why i said flag and dig deeper

If someone travels one a year to Disney or twice and has different friends groups, fine. But if someone is there every other week with six new friends, that deserves some questions. A review.

Thanks for the sarcastic emoji. Always a sign of a thoughtful response /s

Like everything else with DAS, a review doesn't mean much if they're going on people's word.

Just as disability disclosures are on the honour system, so is someone saying their new groups of 5 friends every week are super close.

We may assume they're lying, but if we accept one group's declaration but not another, it's treating people differently.

 

[Happyday]

There are some posts on here that question if those with disabilities should even visit Disney parks at all.

Not you of course, but they do exist!

Bingo

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm based in the UK and am following a thread on a different forum about DAS. Flight time from the UK to Orlando is approx 9 hours, one person needs DAS due to anxiety and possible panic attack, the other has arthritus and cannot wait in a queue for longer than 30 mins as they cant sit/stand for any length of time so a chair/scooter is not an option. If someone can sit on a plane for 9 hours do they really need DAS? Or if you have a panic attack on a plane due to close proximity to others what are you going to do halfway over the Atlantic?Both people have used DAS in the past -

Are you seeking judgement on unknown persons, their conditions and specific coping strategies?

People do take medications to ease anxiety while flying. The side effects may not be conducive to visiting a theme park versus a flight.

People do pace the aisles of airplanes. Medications might also be an option. Or just a personal choice to suffer on travel day which doesn’t mean a week or more of suffering is deserved.

 

[Happyday]

In this scenario the DAS user reserved RotR the minute they tapped into the park, and IT had let’s say a 60 minute wait because it’s early so that’sa 50 minute return time. The walk back there would be about 15 minutes right off the bat, even if they don’t stop for coffee, have a reservation for ogas, go to the restroom, meeta character get in line for a photopass, go shopping, etc. So right off the bat they’re waiting 25 minutes less than a standby guest.

And that’s without any extras or side quests.

I understand what you are saying but... let's say all they do is use the restroom. How long does that take the average person? Multiply that by say 3 that is how long it could potentially take someone needing DAS.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

As a tool to curb abuse, splitting parties could make sense.

I just think it's a problem to split some groups but not others.

Why is it a problem? The DAS guest still gets to ride with a family member or friend and 2 more members of their party and have those people available as caregivers during their wait, if needed. Very few rides can accommodate more than that in a ride vehicle anyway. The idea behind allowing up to 4 people to get a return time is so that the DAS user has caregivers with them and isn't just left alone while they wait for their return time and the exception for immediate family is to prwvent splitting up parents and their kids. Why should there be an exception for a group of 6+ friends? It just invites abuse like I described in my previous post.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I totally understand that maybe I am reading too much into some of these comments then.

No…some are borderline mean.

But we can disagree and still
Talk with civility and ignore the rest

It’s therapeutic