New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Chi84]

I think that it is fair to say the the old GAC system was a true skip the line accommodation. It was where you just walked up to the ride and got right on. What DAS does is still have you wait, and then go through the LL. People still waited their turn and then waited in the LL line. So it is really is not a true skip the line accommodation. You can't say that both GAC and DAS were skip the line, when clearly they are not the same.
And anyone that is not familiar with how DAS works, if they hear "skip the line", they absolutely will think of how GAC worked, not how DAS works. So we can pretend all that we want that they are the same, but they are not.

We went through all that earlier in the thread. No one in this discussion is confused and i doubt anyone else is either.

 

[WDWTrojan]

It's funny that people keep talking about "abuse" but so many don't want to acknowledge the fact that many, if not most, of the people who had DAS previously really didn't need. Sure, they may have a disability, but not all disabilities require a DAS to accommodate.

So no, it wasn't just abuse, it was overuse. And yes, I know that the usual suspects will pop in say "why do you keep bringing up overuse???" Easy...because the loudest complainers about the changes keep acting like overuse wasn't an issue.

Exactly. People with IBS, POTS, anxiety and a host of other conditions don't need DAS. They need, if nothing else, the ability to tend to their disability should the need arise. The new service offerings do that. Sure, it's not as easy or convenient as DAS was, but when 70% of the Lightning Lane was DAS users and their guests, there was a real problem - as it was making the people who had no other viable accommodation outside of DAS (and those who paid for the Genie+ service) have a materially worse experience with the backed up LLs.

 

[NotTheOne]

I think that it is fair to say the the old GAC system was a true skip the line accommodation. It was where you just walked up to the ride and got right on. What DAS does is still have you wait, and then go through the LL. People still waited their turn and then waited in the LL line. So it is really is not a true skip the line accommodation. You can't say that both GAC and DAS were skip the line, when clearly they are not the same.
And anyone that is not familiar with how DAS works, if they hear "skip the line", they absolutely will think of how GAC worked, not how DAS works. So we can pretend all that we want that they are the same, but they are not.

No, for most users the GAC was not a walk up and get on the ride - it was a walk straight into the FP line without having to wait for a return time. And you are correct, DAS and GAC are not the same.

But all of your word salad aside, the fact is that DAS users skip the standby line...they don't skip the wait, but they skip the line.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Having just been there for a week, the real improvement is in the LL availability and the LL backups. I went the same week last year and it was night and day. Not a single backed up lightning lane entrance. The LL’s felt eerily empty as we walked through them.

Not saying this will happen, but how would you feel if the line and availability becomes the same after the upcoming LL changes?

 

[NotTheOne]

Not saying this will happen, but how would you feel if the line and availability becomes the same after the upcoming LL changes?

What makes you think they will?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

We went through all that earlier in the thread. No one in this discussion is confused and i doubt anyone else is either.

It was a good clarification - just because something was said 100 pages ago doesn’t mean it can’t be repeated as a reminder.

I’m still not entirely sure what the actual Disney definition of RTQ etc. is.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

What makes you think they will?

nothing, key word “if” not “when” - it’s certainly possible though.

 

[ConfettiCupcake]

Not saying this will happen, but how would you feel if the line and availability becomes the same after the upcoming LL changes?

If true that LL availability is improved right now from 1-2 months ago, just my guess but I’d expect that to feel different once the new multipass system comes into play. I think thats one of the reasons why the DAS changes needed to happen first. I think they couldn’t effectively offer prebooks and still have some amount of day of availability otherwise. I still think that overall more LL return times circulating for the guests is good for everyone.

I do think that LL return lines will stay relatively controlled.

 

[Splash4eva]

I wasn't saying they were the same thing, just that what happens when using either is the same. Let's use your example. Is preferred parking, and handicap parking both at the front of the lot?

Handicap is closer than the preferred parking

 

[lazyboy97o]

Handicap is closer than the preferred parking

That can depend on the lot and its configuration. There are premium spaces at Magic Kingdom that are closer to the Transportation and Ticket Center than some of the accessible spaces.

 

[Splash4eva]

That can depend on the lot and its configuration. There are premium spaces at Magic Kingdom that are closer to the Transportation and Ticket Center than some of the accessible spaces.

I havent parked in MK parking lot at TTC in a few years but the ones in HS,AK & EC are right up front literally…. Off memory tho MK TTC was closer as well

 

[jaklgreen]

It's funny that people keep talking about "abuse" but so many don't want to acknowledge the fact that many, if not most, of the people who had DAS previously really didn't need. Sure, they may have a disability, but not all disabilities require a DAS to accommodate.

So no, it wasn't just abuse, it was overuse. And yes, I know that the usual suspects will pop in say "why do you keep bringing up overuse???" Easy...because the loudest complainers about the changes keep acting like overuse wasn't an issue.

Who said that over use wasn't an issue? I agree that having groups of 6+ was too much. I agree that being able to go on other rides was a good deal. But again, they could have easily countered that without cutting most people out of DAS. And for what it's worth, not all of us did those things. I never went on anything else while waiting for my return time because it didn't seem right. I am limited on what I can go on anyway.

 

[jaklgreen]

We went through all that earlier in the thread. No one in this discussion is confused and i doubt anyone else is either.

That is not true at all. I have been a part of a few DAS groups over the last few years and a LOT of people where confused about how DAS worked. Many did believe that it was a true skip the line accommodation. You keep saying the same thing doesn't make it true. Just like how people keep bringing up the lawsuit about GAC as if those abuse numbers are valid with DAS. Clearly they are not since they are 2 totally different services.

 

[jaklgreen]

Exactly. People with IBS, POTS, anxiety and a host of other conditions don't need DAS. They need, if nothing else, the ability to tend to their disability should the need arise. The new service offerings do that. Sure, it's not as easy or convenient as DAS was, but when 70% of the Lightning Lane was DAS users and their guests, there was a real problem - as it was making the people who had no other viable accommodation outside of DAS (and those who paid for the Genie+ service) have a materially worse experience with the backed up LLs.

How do you know what those people need? You are not in their bodies to know how things work. Why do some of you make such generalized statements like this when you know nothing about people's lives? Sure, some will do fine on the new system, but you can't make a blanket statement like that. That is like saying everyone with Autism needs DAS when we know that is not true.

 

[jaklgreen]

No, for most users the GAC was not a walk up and get on the ride - it was a walk straight into the FP line without having to wait for a return time. And you are correct, DAS and GAC are not the same.

But all of your word salad aside, the fact is that DAS users skip the standby line...they don't skip the wait, but they skip the line.

Word salad? Did you not comprehend what I was saying? Because others had no issue understanding me. And no, GAC absolutely was go strait to the ride for most. Remember, GAC was around long before FP was.

 

[jaklgreen]

So essentially, if you’re still waiting in line, you're still waiting just not as long. These dramatic posts about almost dying unless they get DAS are just so over the top.

Who is saying that they are going to die if they don't get DAS? Now who is being dramatic?

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Again, I am calling out you and others trying to muddle your perception with operational specifics. If you’re going to keep throwing operational impacts at people expressing concern or disappointment about the situation then that should be a sincere understanding of those impacts and not just your feelings. Lots of people refer to all colas (and some even all sodas) as “Coke” but if you’re adjusting a soda fountain to have the proper syrup to water ratio then it actually is important to know whether or not you are dealing with Coke or Pepsi or even a root beer. “We just just call it all Coke” isn’t actually useful information.

A virtual queue is a system that allows people to wait elsewhere. FastPass, FastPass+, Genie+ and Virtual Queues (Boarding Groups) are all virtual queue systems. At Universal the TapuTapu system at Volcano Bay is a virtual queue. The big problem with these systems (as best demonstrated by Volcano Bay when it opened) is the problem of people no longer physically occupying queues. People are effectively in multiple places at once created increased crowding. This is all compounded when you introduce simultaneous virtual queuing (multiple selections), something that Disney just so happens is reintroducing in the near future. There are though tools available to help shape and control demand.

Skip the line systems let the guest skip the wait. Disney’s VIP tours offer line skipping. GAC at the end offered line skipping. Universal’s ExpressPass offers this. These services command top dollar not only because they eliminate waiting, but because they have an even bigger operational impact and supply must be limited. There are very few limits on the capacity they can consume. This is why Universal excludes new marquee attractions from ExpressPass.

That people return using certain lines is completely irrelevant. Many parks offer both virtual queues and skip the line systems that share attraction access. That Disney has also used the language of line skipping to create a sense of value is also irrelevant. It’s marketing, not operations.

DAS is not a line skipping system. How it impacts the parks is not the same and does not scale the same as a line skipping system. Letting people leave a queue and return is also a virtual queue implementation.

If you don’t care about that then be honest and say you don’t actually care about the operational impacts and stop trying to use your feelings to shame and denigrate others.

If one reads what is being written, the only people I have seen insulting or trying to shame people, seem to be those who feel entitled to DAS and yet maybe fear losing it, and it has led them to write things...like you have been writing to me and others. We have presented facts, you have presented your narrow interpretation, based mainly on your feelings, your personal specific interpretation and seem to want to argue semantics.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If one reads what is being written, the only people I have seen insulting or trying to shame people, seem to be those who feel entitled to DAS and yet maybe fear losing it, and it has led them to write things...like you have been writing to me and others. We have presented facts, you have presented your narrow interpretation, based mainly on your feelings, your personal specific interpretation and seem to want to argue semantics.

You specifically, along with others, have repeatedly tried to deny agency to people with disabilities. People routinely discount the challenges people face and insinuated that they are exaggerating or faking. GI and mental health issues in particular seem to be dismissed out of hand. People have been routinely questioned about their conditions and why they even go to the parks. Just going on about people being afraid of losing DAS is itself an attempt at shame that often comes along with calling people selfish that completely misses that some of us do not use DAS.

I do not use DAS. I have had experience with conditions that might have previously qualified me that people have routinely mocked and dismissed. Thankfully I do not foresee that part of my life recurring. What I do do almost every day is deal with access and compliance with relevant legislation. I want to argue semantics because that’s actually where the facts you claim to be interested lie and become incredibly important.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I do not use DAS either, my mother has health concerns and avoids crowds as much as possible at Disney and despite members saying “if you don’t like crowds don’t go to Disney” we are able to visit and do fine.

I do sympathize with those who have issues and are trying to have the best possible time at Disney.

 

[Vacationeer]

Again, I am calling out you and others trying to muddle your perception with operational specifics. If you’re going to keep throwing operational impacts at people expressing concern or disappointment about the situation then that should be a sincere understanding of those impacts and not just your feelings. Lots of people refer to all colas (and some even all sodas) as “Coke” but if you’re adjusting a soda fountain to have the proper syrup to water ratio then it actually is important to know whether or not you are dealing with Coke or Pepsi or even a root beer. “We just just call it all Coke” isn’t actually useful information.

A virtual queue is a system that allows people to wait elsewhere. FastPass, FastPass+, Genie+ and Virtual Queues (Boarding Groups) are all virtual queue systems. At Universal the TapuTapu system at Volcano Bay is a virtual queue. The big problem with these systems (as best demonstrated by Volcano Bay when it opened) is the problem of people no longer physically occupying queues. People are effectively in multiple places at once created increased crowding. This is all compounded when you introduce simultaneous virtual queuing (multiple selections), something that Disney just so happens is reintroducing in the near future. There are though tools available to help shape and control demand.

Skip the line systems let the guest skip the wait. Disney’s VIP tours offer line skipping. GAC at the end offered line skipping. Universal’s ExpressPass offers this. These services command top dollar not only because they eliminate waiting, but because they have an even bigger operational impact and supply must be limited. There are very few limits on the capacity they can consume. This is why Universal excludes new marquee attractions from ExpressPass.

That people return using certain lines is completely irrelevant. Many parks offer both virtual queues and skip the line systems that share attraction access. That Disney has also used the language of line skipping to create a sense of value is also irrelevant. It’s marketing, not operations.

DAS is not a line skipping system. How it impacts the parks is not the same and does not scale the same as a line skipping system. Letting people leave a queue and return is also a virtual queue implementation.

If you don’t care about that then be honest and say you don’t actually care about the operational impacts and stop trying to use your feelings to shame and denigrate others.

VIP is not a line skip. Even at those extravagant prices line skip is not a given.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/private-vip-tours/
“The ability to enjoy some of your favorite attractions efficiently through most Lightning Lane entrances”
If it’s very popular or new WDW makes a point of VIPs not skipping everyone else (there’s some crazy next level extremely expensive version that’s not widely advertised that does offer line skip, but it’s well over 5 figures and meant for multi-millionaires aka super duper extra rich). They have to wait for FoP, 7DMT, GotG and many more. If LL is backed up 40+ minutes then the ‘plaid’ families are waiting too.

To be completely honest about differences LL and DAS:
LL could also use standby
DAS could also use LL and standby.

Why did/does that matter? DAS held the potential to accomplish more than any other method alone OR with possible options.

Somebody using DAS for 4 hours in the parks could potentially do more than LL, standby, or a combo of LL/standby doing 4 hours in the park. If you change that time to 1.5hrs, 7 hrs, 14hrs… it doesn’t matter. DAS had the potential to experience more in the parks than other methods.

I think it could be disputed if that was intended or OK or whatever. I do not think the potential can be disputed. There was a difference. It was not insignificant.