It definitely wasn't. The service somewhat accidentally grew overtime to accommodate way more circumstances than it was originally intended to. This just brings it back to where it used to be. Which is, essentially, for folks who require caretakers (namely children or severely disabled adults) with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Adults with challenges waiting in line (who are otherwise able) can meet up with their party when it's time to ride.
What about the cases where the queues can’t accommodate wheelchairs? Stuff like Big Thunder, Spaceship Earth, and very soon, Bayou Adventure. That’s what has me the most curious. In “ye olden days” they would just let you skip the standby line and go through the separate wheelchair entrance. In recent years, they would give you a return time (with or without the DAS interview) which I felt was the most fair.
To clarify, when I say 'haphazardly', I don't mean 'suddenly', or 'without discussion'. I mean 'without adequate logistical preparation'. Did they have CMs going through lines to test RTQ and AQR? In wheelchairs and ECVs as well as on foot? Did they have a solid plan for each ride regarding procedures, and make sure that CMs were fully trained, in addition to making sure that they have enough CMs to meet demand? Did they send out advance surveys to get a feel for what actual usage will probably be?
They would still issue a return time
Ok that’s good to know.
I think you're overthinking this (and I also I think you are overestimating the number of people who were actually using DAS legitimately in the first place).
I don't know, I think it's hard for people over 38-ish to grok this younger generation. I think Disney is thinking they can change a few policies and things will more or less return to the way they were pre-Genie and pre social media. I'm looking around conspiratorially and going "Ooo, mark my words! The Tikkety Tokkers, they're crafty! They're sly! They're everywhere!!", lol.
I think many of the guests who are denied DAS and offered alternate accommodations will choose to buy Genie+/ILLs instead of dealing with the inconvenience of those alternate accommodations.
Remember the days when 0 in 4 guests were paying for it? How did Disney ever survive?!
I emailed specifically for a general idea of where the first CM is in line for GotG & Remy because the walk-throughs I found didn't show any until boarding. The response was they couldn't tell be about exit/reenter. Seems even trying to at least know where to find a CM is secret right now.
I don't take it as an attack; the point of my post is that charging for this is never going to work. I save my "hate" for the Genie+ thread lol.
For some a wheelchair doesn’t actually offer any sort of relief or accommodation.
I know a couple of people who are in this situation. Will be interesting to see what their conversations with Disney are like.
Their position since the implementation of DAS has largely been to reject such notions and offer the wheelchair regardless of its applicability. It became more relaxed over the years and it seems we’re back to that position being more official.
So what will?
Depends on the person and their limitations...
At that point, the focus likely shifts from what the person needs (without questioning the need) to what the business can reasonably be expected to provide.
