New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[DisneyCane]

I have a friend with a condition that is slowly fixing his joints together, for whom it is very painful to sit in a wheelchair but also hard to walk (standing is ok) and he was basically told to get a scooter and drive through most queues.

He decided WDW isn’t for him any more although he also said there are parts of a WDW trip beyond the queues that are also hard. The whole trip is hard. Not sure a bloated Lightning Lane would have helped all that much, though.

Segway scooter? Would that work so he could stand but not have to walk?

 

[flynnibus]

I mean, if you think that Disneyland had an equivalent line-skip system to DAS or GAC circa 1955-1975, then I don't know what to tell you.

It was called "Guest relations". Those in need would get walked in the ride exits... just like they did for VIPs, etc.

 

[Tha Realest]

She said her eyes can't stand the sun even with sunglasses. She also gave People a photo of herself at MK in the sun without sunglasses (in what appears to be a DAS section for a stage show based on the row of ECVs behind her, although maybe that's just a coincidence that a group of people all in ECVs were there at the same time). The vast majority of queues are either indoors or have some degree of shade from coverings or trees and shrubs. Slinky is the only queue I can think of that doesn't have adequate shade, even after they added some covering. Add it all up and there's no reason to believe she can't visit the parks without DAS.

One could argue DAS kept her out of shaded queues, and put her more at risk or sun damage.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

She said her eyes can't stand the sun even with sunglasses. She also gave People a photo of herself at MK in the sun without sunglasses (in what appears to be a DAS section for a stage show based on the row of ECVs behind her, although maybe that's just a coincidence that a group of people all in ECVs were there at the same time). The vast majority of queues are either indoors or have some degree of shade from coverings or trees and shrubs. Slinky is the only queue I can think of that doesn't have adequate shade, even after they added some covering. Add it all up and there's no reason to believe she can't visit the parks without DAS.

I would further add that even though she may have qualified for DAS previously, she abused DAS every time she used it to skip a ride that has an indoor queue, in the same way that a DAS user abuses DAS to skip a queue that they could otherwise wait for (ie: the person who uses DAS to skip a 10 minute people-mover line but has no problem waiting in the 20 minute LL queue for Soarin).

The fact that DAS users don't recognize that this is abuse, and that abuse is not just lying about your condition to get it in the first place, is one of the reasons the system failed. Too many people using it for too many things that they didn't need to.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

That’s the point of DAS - to accommodate guests that couldn’t otherwise enjoy the park.

But they do though, that's the point/problem.

 

[RamblinWreck]

Nice there is a whole group of you making ignorant comments.

Did it ever occur to you that there is people that legitimately need DAS that are no longer eligible?

Yes that’s fine it’s Disney’s choice, but people are allowed to voice their displeasure.

I don't think anyone who legitimately needs accommodations will be left without appropriate accommodations.

 

[Brian]

I don't think anyone who legitimately needs accommodations will be left without appropriate accommodations.

Correct. The guest might not like the accommodations they are being offered, but they should be able to properly accommodate the overwhelming majority of guests with disabilities.

 

[Sallie]

My husband and I took 2 of our grandchildren to WDW last November. Test Track was down - had to laugh because last time I was at Epcot several years previously, Test Track was down. Just googled and it said this ride is down about 40% of the time!

And now test track is closing in June for refurbishment. lol.

 

[RamblinWreck]

Someone with a heart condition shouldn't ride TRON at all.

Fair enough.

My point was just that TRON might not be the best example of how people with any condition that is triggered or exacerbated by heat/sun should just work around it, because you often don't have an option of when you are going to get in line for it.

 

[Patcheslee]

Not to make things worse, but most of those exits are not going to be intended for regular guest use. If they don’t trigger an alarm there is still a good chance they will deposit you backstage.

Better than being trapped in a line. If I'm that desperate to leave without backtracking through a line, it's a really bad day anyway.

 

[Ayla]

Segway scooter? Would that work so he could stand but not have to walk?

Good idea, but they aren't allowed in the parks (for good reason).

 

[Tha Realest]

incidentally the pre-trip DAS counseling should’ve been started by now for those with trips in late May. Anyone hearing the responses thus far for those applying?

 

[RamblinWreck]

incidentally the pre-trip DAS counseling should’ve been started by now for those with trips in late May. Anyone hearing the responses thus far for those applying?

I've seen some posted elsewhere.

It seems to be a hybrid of the new rules and old rules.

For instance, you call in now for a trip that starts on May 21, and you're still getting the same old screening you had been getting. But the pass is only good for the length of your ticket, you don't get to book pre-selections, you're limited to 4 people instead of 6, the new 10 minute rule will apply.

It makes sense I guess. They have to wait to fully transition until all the training has been done and any alternative accommodations are ready. So in the meantime DAS is still pretty accessible. But they obviously don't want to advertise that.

 

[Angel Ariel]

incidentally the pre-trip DAS counseling should’ve been started by now for those with trips in late May. Anyone hearing the responses thus far for those applying?

Reports from other boards indicate that all of the new procedures re applying won't begin until May 20th/june 18th for wdw and dlr respectively. Direct reports I've seen coming in over the last few days have been that the screening process has been the same.

 

[ToTBellHop]

When its too hot outside for me to enjoy certain activities, i just wait until its cooler. I had no idea i was supposed to demand accommodations.

I will say this thread opened my eyes to a lot of things. I always wondered how so many people absolutely POURED into the LL queues during parties, how groups of high schoolers would hop skip and jump through the LL lanes, why so may groups were entering the queue after the Mickey head turned blue, etc... Now i know i was a sucker this whole time, i just didnt know the key words to work the system.

My wife works with high schoolers who know how to explain their anxiety in a way that lets them skip lines…they can go to prom but the Haunted Mansion line gives them anxiety if it’s more than a 13-minute wait.

 

[RamblinWreck]

My wife works with high schoolers who know how to explain their anxiety in a way that lets them skip lines…they can go to prom but the Haunted Mansion line gives them anxiety if it’s more than a 13-minute wait.

On the one hand, sure, those kids are probably full of it. Or at least exaggerating to get something they didn't really need. And even if they weren't exaggerating, the new accommodations should serve them just fine rather than the DAS.

On the other, I don't think you have a very good grasp on how anxiety works.

 

[Comped]

On the one hand, sure, those kids are probably full of it. Or at least exaggerating to get something they didn't really need. And even if they weren't exaggerating, the new accommodations should serve them just fine rather than the DAS.

On the other, I don't think you have a very good grasp on how anxiety works.

If they are lying, those are the people Disney should be focusing on eliminating access to DAS for, not legitimately disabled people.

 

[RamblinWreck]

If they are lying, those are the people Disney should be focusing on eliminating access to DAS for, not legitimately disabled people.

I think it’s fine that they are eliminating DAS access for nearly everyone.

Very few conditions can’t be served appropriately by something less generous.

 

[Comped]

I think it’s fine that they are eliminating DAS access for nearly everyone.

Very few conditions can’t be served appropriately by something less generous.

You are fine to have that opinion, but for those of us who actually need the current level of accommodation, a simple line re-entry pass isn't going to do a dang thing... Nor is putting me in a wheelchair...

 

[Ayla]

When innoventions was actually innoventions we were able to test drive Segways.

I even think I remember Segway tours in EPCOT in the world showcase in the mornings before WS was open to guests.

Yes, all in highly controlled environments and the tour was before WS opened. Uncontrolled guests out in the wild? Not a chance.