New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[LAKid53]

Title III is the set of regulations that implements the ADA. It's not exhaustive of what the ADA prescribes.

I'm going to disagree with this statement. Regulations are the implementation of law. Having worked in government for nearly 40 years, been involved in the development, implementation & enforcement of both, regulations are quite exhaustive.

Disney's lawyers will be quite familiar with the ADA and what, as a private company proving public access, it must do to meet the ADA. I'm also pretty sure Disney's internal counsel or an expert firm it keeps on retainer, reviewed both the original DAS and the revised version to make sure it complies with both statute and regulation.

 

[ditzee]

It’s certainly unsustainable with a program like Genie, it seemed to work fine with FP, we’ve used DAS since probably 2017, rarely ever stood in a FP/DAS line over 15 minutes, ever since they implemented Genie those lines are frequently over 30 minutes and have occasionally hit an hour or more. Disney created the problem when they eliminated FP and people realized DAS was essentially what FP used to be, add the lack of documentation for DAS and it was doomed to fail.

It’ll be curious to see whether the changes to DAS actually change anything or if it’s just a scapegoat so Disney management can avoid admitting that Genie, and their lack of park investment, is the true reason behind the current line issues at the parks.

It really is a shame that Disney treats the parks like an unwanted pet when it's the very pet that keeps them afloat.
If you had to guess, which way do you think Disney will lean as far as responsibility for the Genie fiasco?
This has me wondering how long before they announce a new system like "Fairy Godmother" to replace Genie. The company should bring back or bring back to the forefront whoever came up with FP.
This mess will not reflect well on the "inclusivity" company. There are youtube videos, tweets, etc. already that are slamming Disney and the sloppy way this has been handled. I don't do Tik Tok or Instagram but I'd be surprised if there are not the same types of videos at those social media outlets as well.

 

[ditzee]

I'm going to disagree with this statement. Regulations are the implementation of law. Having worked in government for nearly 40 years, been involved in the development, implementation & enforcement of both, regulations are quite exhaustive.

Disney's lawyers will be quite familiar with the ADA and what, as a private company proving public access, it must do to meet the ADA. I'm also pretty sure Disney's internal counsel or an expert firm it keeps on retainer, reviewed both the original DAS and the revised version to make sure it complies with both statute and regulation.

Either this or Disney figures they have a coup with the blurb about only being able to file suit as individual. They rightly think this will scare people off because they know that the rat kingdom has deep pockets.

 

[KDM31091]

Having spent the last hour reading people on Twitter I, on one hand, feel guilty that some people who are legitimately in need of DAS are being turned down. On the other, there are a whole lot of people, based on their statement of needs, have convinced themselves they need it when other accommodations (complimentary wheelchair access for queues, exit points to visit the restroom, etc) would work absolutely fine. This is to say nothing of the many people who lie about having an illness to get it.

This exactly. There is a fine line between being unable to wait in a queue and simply not wanting to. As others have said there can be accommodations made for heat exhaustion, IBS etc whereupon you can still wait in the line. Maybe it’s not ideal. But you can do it without a major issue if proper accommodations are given.

The number of people who absolutely cannot wait in a line, under any circumstances, whatsoever, I would guess is much smaller than the population who had been using/ sometimes abusing DAS.

 

[Todd H]

Wow. Just did our video chat. Thanks Disney for denying my son' DAS...my son who is severely autistic, who will need care his entire life, who constantly wears headphones throughout the day, who has a parapro with him at all times at school, who will run screaming into the road when you least expect it, who is terrified of the sound of flushing toilets and screaming babies, and who is currently having a meltdown as we speak because he's scared of waiting in line. Thanks for the generic suggestions on how to cope. Congratulations on losing guests who always stay in deluxes, who have been 10 plus times, and spend five figures every trip. Our trip in a few for the two of us is not going to be pleasant.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Wow. Just did our video chat. Thanks Disney for denying my son' DAS...my son who is severely autistic, who will need care his entire life, who constantly wears headphones throughout the day, who has a parapro with him at all times at school, who will run screaming into the road when you least expect it, who is terrified of the sound of flushing toilets and screaming babies, and who is currently having a meltdown as we speak because he's scared of waiting in line. Thanks for the generic suggestions on how to cope. Congratulations on losing guests who always stay in deluxes, who have been 10 plus times, and spend five figures every trip. Our trip in a few for the two of us is not going to be pleasant.

I’m so sorry! Did they give you a reason?

 

[Todd H]

I’m so sorry! Did they give you a reason?

Nope. Just some generic tips for how to wait in line. Weird part is she said she was going to bring in a specialist and never did. She also at the end told me to have a magical day and hung up while I was talking. If it wasn't too late to cancel I would.

 

[MintCity]

If you’re spending 5 figures why not buy Genie + and ILLs?

 

[pigglewiggle]

Wow. Just did our video chat. Thanks Disney for denying my son' DAS...my son who is severely autistic, who will need care his entire life, who constantly wears headphones throughout the day, who has a parapro with him at all times at school, who will run screaming into the road when you least expect it, who is terrified of the sound of flushing toilets and screaming babies, and who is currently having a meltdown as we speak because he's scared of waiting in line. Thanks for the generic suggestions on how to cope. Congratulations on losing guests who always stay in deluxes, who have been 10 plus times, and spend five figures every trip. Our trip in a few for the two of us is not going to be pleasant.

Reading this, on the surface this sounds pretty bad they denied the DAS.

I have to wonder what they are looking for, what they are using as a litmus test so to speak to deny these individual cases. Because I am reading of others being successful in their attempt to get a DAS.

There has to be a reason some are getting approved and some aren't. I don't believe for a second that a CM is just deciding on their own. They are using some specific criteria.

 

[Todd H]

If you’re spending 5 figures why not buy Genie + and ILLs?

And that there is their plan.

 

[Indy_UK]

Please Call back and get the specialist involved

 

[Todd H]

Now that you said that I would call back and explain that she never called in the specialist and you really need some answers. Run it up to the next level.

Is there a next level? I'd be curious since this new system just kicked in.

Honestly the CM sounded rehearsed and like she was reading from a script. I had to laugh at some of the suggestions...surround your son in line with members of your party (who am I surrounding him with if it's just the two of us?), rider swap (wait...what?), and some other generic stuff.

 

[pigglewiggle]

Is there a next level? I'd be curious since this new system just kicked in.

Honestly the CM sounded rehearsed and like she was reading from a script. I had to laugh at some of the suggestions...surround your son in line with members of your party (who am I surrounding him with if it's just the two of us?), rider swap (wait...what?), and some other generic stuff.

I imagine they do stick to a general script, which is the right thing to do. You don't want people just offering their own advice.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Wow. Just did our video chat. Thanks Disney for denying my son' DAS...my son who is severely autistic, who will need care his entire life, who constantly wears headphones throughout the day, who has a parapro with him at all times at school, who will run screaming into the road when you least expect it, who is terrified of the sound of flushing toilets and screaming babies, and who is currently having a meltdown as we speak because he's scared of waiting in line. Thanks for the generic suggestions on how to cope. Congratulations on losing guests who always stay in deluxes, who have been 10 plus times, and spend five figures every trip. Our trip in a few for the two of us is not going to be pleasant.

They need better training if they are denying like this. This seems like the exact type of case they’d include.

Than maybe Disney is not a place for your son. It sounds like it could a safety issue for him. Is there other places you guys could visit that would not cause him such stress an anxiety? I feel bad for him to needlessly be exposed to such a place that would cause such fear in him. It seems very cruel.

On the other hand, Disney typically prides itself on being a safe space for neurodivergent people and their posted new standard (to me) seems to specifically include children like the one described.

I’m perplexed.

 

[pigglewiggle]

Also, this is in general and not directed at anyone, remember to stay calm on the phone during these even if it's hard.

I imagine the CMs at this point are getting laughed at, yelled at, cursed at, etc., (more than likely by those who were abusing in first place) and even if someone really does need the DAS but gets upset with CM on the phone, they are probably cutting calls short if they think it's getting out of hand.

I would take a breath, call back and speak with someone else if that happens to you.

 

[Todd H]

Also, this is in general and not directed at anyone, remember to stay calm on the phone during these even if it's hard.

I imagine the CMs at this point are getting laughed at, yelled at, cursed at, etc., (more than likely by those who were abusing in first place) and even if someone really does need the DAS but gets upset with CM on the phone, they are probably cutting calls short if they think it's getting out of hand.

I would take a breath, call back and speak with someone else if that happens to you.

Oh I was pleasant as can be and very respectful. As soon as I started asking questions about why he wasn't eligible that's when she ended the call.

 

[pigglewiggle]

Oh I was pleasant as can be and very respectful. As soon as I started asking questions about why he wasn't eligible that's when she ended the call.

I agree with others, I would call back and ask directly for a specialist. Explain the CM was supposed to get one but ended the call first.

 

[Splash4eva]

Reading this, on the surface this sounds pretty bad they denied the DAS.

I have to wonder what they are looking for, what they are using as a litmus test so to speak to deny these individual cases. Because I am reading of others being successful in their attempt to get a DAS.

There has to be a reason some are getting approved and some aren't. I don't believe for a second that a CM is just deciding on their own. They are using some specific criteria.

Im curious what is being said that are getting people approved & others who seemingly need it that fell under Disneys category are still getting denied!

 

[Chip Chipperson]

If Disney could prove another accommodation was sufficient, I think you would be right. But I still don't see how providing DAS represents fundamentally altering the service of being able to experience an attraction.

It is altering the service provided to other guests by creating longer waits for both the paid LL and the standby lines. Disney already won a court case over its access on those grounds when FP+ was free. I think they have a strong case if challenged here, too. The options aren't either stand in line regardless of the length or don't ride that attraction. They also have Rider Swap and Return to Line options, so removal of DAS for cases where they believe the other accommodations are suitable is not prohibiting access. It's hard to make a convincing case that they aren't making reasonable accommodations.

 

[Ayla]

It is altering the service provided to other guests by creating longer waits for both the paid LL and the standby lines. Disney already won a court case over its access on those grounds when FP+ was free. I think they have a strong case if challenged here, too. The options aren't either stand in line regardless of the length or don't ride that attraction. They also have Rider Swap and Return to Line options, so removal of DAS for cases where they believe the other accommodations are suitable is not prohibiting access. It's hard to make a convincing case that they aren't making reasonable accommodations.

It seems to many, the only 'reasonable' accommodation is not having to stand in any line at all.