New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[TrainsOfDisney]

If someone is going to wait until they arrive at Disney to do it, they may as well wait hours in their hotel room rather than waiting hours at Disney Springs. Makes no sense to go to Disney Springs and do it, IMO.

If they don’t have, or don’t easily understand the technology it would be easier to do it at Guest Relations.

 

[nickys]

If someone is going to wait until they arrive at Disney to do it, they may as well wait hours in their hotel room rather than waiting hours at Disney Springs. Makes no sense to go to Disney Springs and do it, IMO.

Fair enough point.

But how would a guest necessarily know how to call. Since the UK website doesn’t actually give us any details, I have no idea if you use zoom, Skype etc. Does it matter?

A typical guest might just have been told by the TA “ go to Guest Services when you get there”. And often international guests have to go to Disney Springs to collect gift cards that come with the package. They may also still get charged astronomical roaming charges for the call if they do it themselves.

Much easier to go to GS and ask them to set up the call.

 

[RememberWhen]

I have a logistical DAS registration question:

DAS is good for 120 days (we have APs). You can register 30 days before your visit. Does the 120 day clock start at registration or the first visit?

Trying to sort out when to apply. Our trip isn’t until December, but if we can find out before November about whether or not DS will be approved, that would be helpful in our planning.

If the clock starts at the time of the interview we’d want to wait a bit longer so that all of December is covered. Does that make sense?

 

[NotTheOne]

If they don’t have, or don’t easily understand the technology it would be easier to do it at Guest Relations.

Agree, but that's not the same as saying do it at Disney Springs.

 

[NotTheOne]

Fair enough point.

But how would a guest necessarily know how to call. Since the UK website doesn’t actually give us any details, I have no idea if you use zoom, Skype etc. Does it matter?

A typical guest might just have been told by the TA “ go to Guest Services when you get there”. And often international guests have to go to Disney Springs to collect gift cards that come with the package. They may also still get charged astronomical roaming charges for the call if they do it themselves.

Much easier to go to GS and ask them to set up the call.

It's on the Disney website once you're in the US how to do it.

And I get it about the roaming charges, but again, why not just do it at GS in the parks and get through quickly instead of Disney Springs and perhaps wait hours?

 

[Ravenclaw78]

I have a logistical DAS registration question:

DAS is good for 120 days (we have APs). You can register 30 days before your visit. Does the 120 day clock start at registration or the first visit?

Trying to sort out when to apply. Our trip isn’t until December, but if we can find out before November about whether or not DS will be approved, that would be helpful in our planning.

If the clock starts at the time of the interview we’d want to wait a bit longer so that all of December is covered. Does that make sense?

You tell them the date of your next park day (must be within 30 days of your call), and they'll set it to start on that date. At least, that's how they set mine up. If they don't offer to post-date your registration, ask them to and see what happens. If you're calling more than 30 days before your trip, make a random AP park reservation for a few weeks out and then cancel it later.

 

[RememberWhen]

You tell them the date of your next park day (must be within 30 days of your call), and they'll set it to start on that date. At least, that's how they set mine up. If they don't offer to post-date your registration, ask them to and see what happens. If you're calling more than 30 days before your trip, make a random AP park reservation for a few weeks out and then cancel it later.

Thanks! That should work fine. If he doesn’t qualify it’ll give us a bit longer to decide on back up plans.

 

[Mem11]

It looks like @lentesta has become the media go to guy on all things related to Disney Parks

 

[jennab55]

So I’ve now seen this said a few times over the last few weeks, so thought it might be worth noting. People are saying they’ve called, got denied, called back again, got denied, and tried another time and not been connected to a DAS CM, but instead told they need to wait 120 days before trying to apply again…. It doesn’t seem this 120 waiting period rule for everyone, but for some people who keep calling back and haven’t even tried the other accommodations.

 

[lentesta]

It looks like @lentesta has become the media go to guy on all things related to Disney Parks

Thanks! I did a few hours of prep for that, including researching the disability access policies of theme parks in other countries.

I really think a change to the ADA is needed. A company like Disney, which can show proof of abuse that harms the very people for which the ADA was created, should be able to ask to see some paperwork.

I know there'll be people saying "Keep the government out of my disability claim", but again, the US seems to be the only country in the world where theme parks aren't allowed to ask for medical documentation. And I'm guessing this same problem exists in areas outside of theme parks.

 

[Splash4eva]

Thanks! I did a few hours of prep for that, including researching the disability access policies of theme parks in other countries.

I really think a change to the ADA is needed. A company like Disney, which can show proof of abuse that harms the very people for which the ADA was created, should be able to ask to see some paperwork.

I know there'll be people saying "Keep the government out of my disability claim", but again, the US seems to be the only country in the world where theme parks aren't allowed to ask for medical documentation. And I'm guessing this same problem exists in areas outside of theme parks.

You solve this very simply by amending it stating that theme parks and even airlines to a degree are allowed to ask for proof behind closed doors…

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I really think a change to the ADA is needed.

While I understand why the ADA doesn’t want to have “proof” of disability I agree there may be a better option that would improve things.

The problem is, it wouldn’t be simple and quick to create. You can’t just let businesses decide what’s appropriate- that’s one of the reasons the ADA exists. Q

 

[Angel Ariel]

Thanks! I did a few hours of prep for that, including researching the disability access policies of theme parks in other countries.

I really think a change to the ADA is needed. A company like Disney, which can show proof of abuse that harms the very people for which the ADA was created, should be able to ask to see some paperwork.

I know there'll be people saying "Keep the government out of my disability claim", but again, the US seems to be the only country in the world where theme parks aren't allowed to ask for medical documentation. And I'm guessing this same problem exists in areas outside of theme parks.

My biggest thing with medical documentation is if it's going to be required, then whatever it is needs to be easy to access with no cost barrier.

It took a week of back and forth with my doctor to get the documentation for universal, requiring me to send screeenshots of what IBCCES was asking so she could understand what information they were asking for and how she could write it in a way that also respected DD's medical privacy. Thankfully it was all free in our situation, but there are places that charge for it (and the time required is not an insignificant barrier either).

The ADA needs to be updated for numerous reasons - and all should be about increasing accessibility for disabled people as much as possible. ADA compliance often does not actually equate to accessibility (not speaking of theme parks specifically, but generally speaking).

 

[Mem11]

Thanks! I did a few hours of prep for that, including researching the disability access policies of theme parks in other countries.

I really think a change to the ADA is needed. A company like Disney, which can show proof of abuse that harms the very people for which the ADA was created, should be able to ask to see some paperwork.

I know there'll be people saying "Keep the government out of my disability claim", but again, the US seems to be the only country in the world where theme parks aren't allowed to ask for medical documentation. And I'm guessing this same problem exists in areas outside of theme parks.

If they can figure out a government document certification process that's not too intrusive and easy to use, then that would probably eliminate most of the problem.

At the very least it would eliminate those who are just trying to scam the system, as you wouldn't think they would lie their way through a government certification process to get on theme park attractions quicker. Then again spending thousands $$$$ on your dream WDW vacation can make you do strange things.

I do believe, even after providing the certified documentation, that DAS should still be need based as not all disabilities prevent you from being in long lines.

 

[jennab55]

If they can figure out a government document certification process that's not too intrusive and easy to use, then that would probably eliminate most of the problem.

At the very least it would eliminate those who are just trying to scam the system, as you wouldn't think they would lie their way through a government certification process to get on theme park attractions quicker. Then again spending thousands $$$$ on your dream WDW vacation can make you do strange things.

I do believe, even after providing the certified documentation, that DAS should still be need based as not all disabilities prevent you from being in long lines.

Yes! This is my worry about just giving DAS to anyone who can provide disability documentation. Just because someone has a disability, does not mean they cannot wait in a line. One reason I don’t think documentation would be the best way to go. Not all disabled people need DAS.

 

[lentesta]

I do believe, even after providing the certified documentation, that DAS should still be need based as not all disabilities prevent you from being in long lines.

Agreed. One of the other parks I looked at was Disneyland Paris, which has this list for its Easy Access Card:

Setting aside whether that's the correct list of conditions that should be accomodated, it's pretty clear what is and isn't accepted, right? Like, you could probably map these to ICD-10 codes so there's no question about eligibility.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Agreed. One of the other parks I looked at was Disneyland Paris, which has this list for its Easy Access Card:

View attachment 809771

Setting aside whether that's the correct list of conditions that should be accomodated, it's pretty clear what is and isn't accepted, right? Like, you could probably map these to ICD-10 codes so there's no question about eligibility.

The list is clear, but such a list can never be comprehensive - that's the innate issue. My child's disability has been diagnosed in less than 1000 people *worldwide*. There's over 7,000 rare genetic disorders, according to the NIH they impact 25-30 *million* Americans alone. Now sure not all of these disorders will result in needs that require DAS, others will be so impacted by their disability that they will never likely attend Disney - but there are many in the middle who can and would. When you start creating lists specific to diagnoses, people who do need the accommodations are highly likely to be left out, especially the more rare the diagnosis.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

So I’ve now seen this said a few times over the last few weeks, so thought it might be worth noting. People are saying they’ve called, got denied, called back again, got denied, and tried another time and not been connected to a DAS CM, but instead told they need to wait 120 days before trying to apply again…. It doesn’t seem this 120 waiting period rule for everyone, but for some people who keep calling back and haven’t even tried the other accommodations.

Good. People who are just continuously calling back after being denied without trying the other accommodations are continuing to selfishly waste Disney resources designed to help the disabled, which I suppose isn’t shocking.

 

[nickys]

I know there'll be people saying "Keep the government out of my disability claim", but again, the US seems to be the only country in the world where theme parks aren't allowed to ask for medical documentation. And I'm guessing this same problem exists in areas outside of theme parks.

Just wanted to pick up on this, using DLP as an example (but the same applies across the UK).

You are (almost*) never asked for medical documentation per se.

* just in case there is an exception to the norm.

What you do need to provide for DLP, depending on what your condition or disability is, is

Either
- a letter from a doctor / consultant etc stating that you have “condition # “ from a list of what are legally protected conditions

Note: the letter doesn’t mention the condition by name but only by number

Or
- documentation which confirms your eligibility for certain disability benefits in your home country. They have a specific list of acceptable documentation for the EU, the UK, US etc.

For example, someone for the UK could upload a letter for the Department for Work and Pensions confirming that they will receive one of the disability benefits for the coming year.

So no one at DLP sees a medical diagnosis. They will see a letter confirming a guest has condition # 17. But the definitions are broad. That might be a “neurological condition” which would cover several actual diagnoses. Or a “disease of the liver, kidneys or pancreas”.

Or they’ll see proof that the guest has been deemed eligible to receive a certain benefit.

Within the UK many organisations ask to see a proof of benefit.

 

[nickys]

The list is clear, but such a list can never be comprehensive - that's the innate issue. My child's disability has been diagnosed in less than 1000 people *worldwide*. There's over 7,000 rare genetic disorders, according to the NIH they impact 25-30 *million* Americans alone. Now sure not all of these disorders will result in needs that require DAS, others will be so impacted by their disability that they will never likely attend Disney - but there are many in the middle who can and would. When you start creating lists specific to diagnoses, people who do need the accommodations are highly likely to be left out, especially the more rare the diagnosis.

That list consists of conditions that are protected within French law.

Most of the definitions are broad, so it’s likely a doctor could find one of them which could cover a rare disability.

Could that be abused? Yeah, find a doctor who’s willing to write a letter (on headed paper with their professional designation). But again, presumably DLP is obliged to offer some kind of assistance to anyone with one of hose conditions as confirmed by a physician.