New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Angel Ariel]

Not really a technicality, because now the "I wanna DAS" bullies won't be able to put on their show in front of all of the other guests in GS or at the umbrellas, which put additional pressure on the poor CMs who had to deal with their antics.

I mean, the esplanade isn't exactly private. There's plenty of other guests around all the time. My understanding is this is near the ticket windows in the esplanade.

 

[jaklgreen]

There are a few on this thread, not many, but a very few, who are making it abundantly clear that they don't care one whit about any guest - disabled or not - in the park except for themselves and their party. They don't care that handing out DAS like candy not only made the standby lines longer, but made the LLs so long that many legitimate DAS users couldn't access the attraction even after waiting the standby time. No, it doesn't matter whether other disabled guests are adequately accommodated or not, I don't want to have to split my party darn it! I don't want to try the standby line, even though I might be able to do so, because I don't want to have to leave the line and meet my party at the merge. All of that bonding time in line together, oh my pearls!

This is why I hope Disney sticks to their guns on these changes and doesn't lose their spine. And if guests are giving CMs at the attractions a hard time because they don't want to try the accommodation - escort them from the park and give them a few hours to cool off, grow up, and act like adults.

Finally, I hope Disney institutes a policy that says if you're a denied a DAS, you won't be reconsidered, no matter how many times you call, until you try the recommended accommodations.

And there are people who have literally said that the disabled people should just stay home.

 

[NotTheOne]

You say that but in reality, it is arbitrary. We have already seen that it depends on what cast member you get on if you get approved.

Actually, we've seen no such thing, because we haven't been privy to the conversations between the guests and the CMs. 20 people with the same needs could call, and those who don't adequately describe the needs won't get the DAS, while those who do, will.

Are there inconsistencies between CMs? Most likely, as that is the case whenever you're dealing with humans and a new system. Is it rampant? Unlikely.

 

[NotTheOne]

I mean, the esplanade isn't exactly private. There's plenty of other guests around all the time. My understanding is this is near the ticket windows in the esplanade.

I agree, it's not private, but it's nothing like the umbrellas where everyone casually walking by can witness the bullying.

 

[NotTheOne]

And there are people who have literally said that the disabled people should just stay home.

That's outrageous, I agree.

 

[NotTheOne]

you do know that legally, Guest Relations is the place where disabled guests are supposed to complain about access issues.

I’m not sure what your definition of bully, pressure, or antics are.

You put out all of sorts of stuff about what is "legally required", but I've not seen you back any of it up with facts yet.

Where is it written that "legally, Guest Relations is the place where disabled guests are supposed to complain about access issues."?

And if you don't know what bullying is...

 

[Angel Ariel]

I agree, it's not private, but it's nothing like the umbrellas where everyone casually walking by can witness the bullying.

I agree it's not so much like the umbrellas, but it's not incredibly different than guest relations

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Where is it written that "legally, Guest Relations is the place where disabled guests are supposed to complain about access issues."?

From the ADA website -

“8. WDW will continue to provide a complaint procedure for guests including complaints regarding treatment of guests with hearing disabilities and availability of auxiliary aids. All WDW Guest Services employees located at any Guest Services location shall be trained to respond to questions or complaints about: current policies for addressing the needs of guests with disabilities, information about available transcripts, paper and pencil, and emergency procedures for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

there is a more recent case against Marriott that says the same thing about all disabilities and that there must be a way for disabled guest to complain at the property.

 

[NotTheOne]

I agree it's not so much like the umbrellas, but it's not incredibly different than guest relations

I disagree, but that's ok

 

[NotTheOne]

From the ADA website -

“8. WDW will continue to provide a complaint procedure for guests including complaints regarding treatment of guests with hearing disabilities and availability of auxiliary aids. All WDW Guest Services employees located at any Guest Services location shall be trained to respond to questions or complaints about: current policies for addressing the needs of guests with disabilities, information about available transcripts, paper and pencil, and emergency procedures for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

there is a more recent case against Marriott that says the same thing about all disabilities and that there must be a way for disabled guest to complain at the property.

They can respond - they hand them an iPad and have them contact disability services.

 

[Angel Ariel]

From the ADA website -

“8. WDW will continue to provide a complaint procedure for guests including complaints regarding treatment of guests with hearing disabilities and availability of auxiliary aids. All WDW Guest Services employees located at any Guest Services location shall be trained to respond to questions or complaints about: current policies for addressing the needs of guests with disabilities, information about available transcripts, paper and pencil, and emergency procedures for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

there is a more recent case against Marriott that says the same thing about all disabilities and that there must be a way for disabled guest to complain at the property.

None of this means that DAS requests have to be made in person. Guests with disabilities can still file complaints at guest relations, guest relations just doesn't have the ability to override a DAS accessibility team decision.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

None of this means that DAS requests have to be made in person. Guests with disabilities can still file complaints at guest relations, guest relations just doesn't have the ability to override a DAS accessibility team decision.

Oh I agree - I was saying that guest relations is the place for guests to make complaints and ask questions about accessibility.

While I personally think the current interview process will not pass ADA when it is looked into, that remains to be seen and is just a guess based on my understanding of the ADA.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Oh I agree - I was saying that guest relations is the place for guests to make complaints and ask questions about accessibility.

While I personally think the current interview process will not pass ADA when it is looked into, that remains to be seen and is just a guess based on my understanding of the ADA.

The interviews aren't much different than before, other than perhaps asking more follow up questions. I doubt anything will be found wrong with the interview itself.

 

[NotTheOne]

Oh I agree - I was saying that guest relations is the place for guests to make complaints and ask questions about accessibility.

While I personally think the current interview process will not pass ADA when it is looked into, that remains to be seen and is just a guess based on my understanding of the ADA.

Other than now being on video v. in-person, it's the same DAS interview process that's been in place since 2013. With all of the lawsuits brought when DAS was implemented, if anyone thought the interview process itself was an ADA violation, you can be sure they would have sued over it.

 

[nickys]

I agree it would not work for a solo traveler. But, if a vision problem makes it difficult for someone to walk through a line, why wouldn't being pushed through the line in a wheelchair help?

Ummm, how would the CM know there is someone capable of doing that for them? Does the visually impaired guest have to explain the physical limitations of their travel party too now?
I certainly couldn’t push someone around in a wheelchair all day.

 

[SamusAranX]

This isn't accurate. VIP Tours have access to all attractions, including FoP, GotG, Tron, etc. However, they use the Lightning Lane except in a few cases (Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear and a few others where they take you on quicker). They also restrict how many times you can do the newest rides, but you have access to them all via LL for those rides.

What IS frustrating about VIP Tours is that they force you to use the Lightning Lane. When the FoP LL is 40 minutes and you're paying $750/hour, it is incredibly frustrating. The guides should have the ability to bypass then once it gets to a certain point - but they only do this for celebs and high profile people.

Yep.

Did a Disney VIP tour with my uncle (paid for by his family thankfully) and most of the rides we were in the LL waiting 15 minutes. If I had paid thousands for that I would have been livid

 

[SamusAranX]

We’ll see what happens— I hope for the sake of severely disabled guests that they don’t scrap DAS entirely and ex-DAS people refrain from exaggerating and faking to get back in the DAS system, but if they don’t, Disney will be able to argue that they tried to preserve the system in a way that didn’t impact operations but then an avalanche of new requests came in off shared scripts for severe autism, which will further justify (to a judge) scrapping any type of complimentary line skip program under the standards set in prior cases.

Almost 500 pages in and people still think it was a “line skip” program

 

[rk3668]

Ummm, how would the CM know there is someone capable of doing that for them? Does the visually impaired guest have to explain the physical limitations of their travel party too now?
I certainly couldn’t push someone around in a wheelchair all day.

Sorry but I don't understand this response. I thought it was a suggestion that could work for some guests. If the guest replied that the suggestion would not work for them, then the CM could move on to something else.

Should CMs only make suggestions about DAS (or anything really) if they are sure they will work for every guest? I don't like analogies, but---- If someone asked a hotel worker if there were any good restaurants nearby, should the worker not recommend the excellent seafood place across the street because the person who asked could have a shellfish allergy?

 

[nickys]

Sorry but I don't understand this response. I thought it was a suggestion that could work for some guests. If the guest replied that the suggestion would not work for them, then the CM could move on to something else.

Should CMs only make suggestions about DAS (or anything really) if they are sure they will work for every guest? I don't like analogies, but---- If someone asked a hotel worker if there were any good restaurants nearby, should the worker not recommend the excellent seafood place across the street because the person who asked could have a shellfish allergy?

I just think it’s a very strange suggestion to make to someone who is visually impaired.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Almost 500 pages in and people still think it was a “line skip” program

Right right. Can you clarify what you would call it?