New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[jennab55]

I don't think it was ever 60 for pre-registration - since preregistration started only after Covid.

I didn't have an issue with just showing up back then but DAS was also much more widely given. Right or not, people didn't have much reason to think they'd be denied. With the Choi e to much more significantly limit who qualifies, it would make sense to me to make preregistration earlier and allow for tickets to be refunded if they require tickets to have the comversation.

Yes I think 60 days might be nice. However, most people have other components of a trip, not just the resort, which can be very hard to change as well (airfare, nonrefundable tickets, etc). Personally, if I didn’t fall into the “developmental disability” I would assume I did not qualify for DAS and use that to base my decision on going to Disney. I don’t think people with let’s say physical disabilities should assume they will qualify anymore.

 

[jennab55]

Not 60. About 3 years ago when they started the video pre-registration was the first time it could be done prior to arrival on property, and it was only 30 days out. No different than now. Pre-covid it was only in person.

Ok that is what I am remembering as well. We had done both in person and then 30 days out when it went to online.

 

[Drdcm]

This doesn’t really relate to DAS itself, but I have been reading about a series of lawsuits in NY against small business websites for violating ADA rules for public businesses. Essentially the expectation is that all business websites also need to be accessible (so include screen readers/ programs that translate text to braille, etc…). What’s interesting about this is that there are clear alternatives to be able to engage with the businesses (like phone call, or shopping in person) yet they are still being sued over the websites specifically. As this grows (apparently only 5% of business websites are ADA compliant) it’s going to become more apparent to the public. It made me think of the DAS changes and this forum specifically.

I think the concept of what constitutes a reasonable accommodation is going to be (hopefully) better characterized in the coming years. Will be interesting to see how this plays out with theme parks and if there is any impact.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes I think 60 days might be nice. However, most people have other components of a trip, not just the resort, which can be very hard to change as well (airfare, nonrefundable tickets, etc). Personally, if I didn’t fall into the “developmental disability” I would assume I did not qualify for DAS and use that to base my decision on going to Disney. I don’t think people with let’s say physical disabilities should assume they will qualify anymore.

I am primarily thinking of the families who have an autistic family member or someone with developmental disabilities who still get denied for whatever reason. Tickets for 3 of us, even with a discounted ticket, were $1500. Thankfully DD qualified, but had she not and we cancelled the trip there should be a way to not lose so much.

 

[jennab55]

I am primarily thinking of the families who have an autistic family member or someone with developmental disabilities who still get denied for whatever reason. Tickets for 3 of us, even with a discounted ticket, were $1500. Thankfully DD qualified, but had she not and we cancelled the trip there should be a way to not lose so much.

Yes those who do fall into the “developmental disabilities” do have to gamble a bit. As in, is there a plan B if denied? Are you willing to still pay and go with plan B if denied? Those are the questions I’d be asking. I always have alternative plans and do risk assessments on if the risk to reward is still worth it. That will be different for each family.

But I do not think someone with a non developmental disability should be banking on getting DAS anymore.

 

[NotTheOne]

And you are saying that neurological issues can not be met by other accommodations? How is "leave the line before your issue flairs up" different for those with physical and those with neurological?
And why do you say that all physical issues "might" and not "DO"? How can you say that with 100% certainty? None of us know what people go through and to dismiss all other disabilities, like you just did, is not right. I truly do not understand the disdain of those who have physical disabilities, as if they are "less disabled" than those with autism. EVERYONE that needs it should get DAS and just randomly saying that people don't need it is not right.

Some can yes, which is why some people with autism and other developmental and/or neurological disabilities aren't being granted a DAS.

And no one is dismissing anyone's disability, but there is a big difference between an issue being caused due to waiting in a line and an issue occurring while one is waiting in line but not caused by the line itself. Disney is, rightfully IMO, trying to limit DAS to the former group while offering different accommodations for the latter group.

 

[NotTheOne]

I know that. But they are blanket denying those with physical disabilities. It is posted on their website that DAS is only for those with autism and other neurological conditions.

No, they aren't.

 

[NotTheOne]

It may or may not ever come up - but in an ADA case with Marriott it was brought up that larger corporations (like mariott hotels) shouldn’t be able to use an excuse of “we would have to pay extra workers to staff the phones”

So a huge corporation like Disney should indeed be careful with how this is handled. (This being call times, who is allowed to call for information, etc.)

You're actually the only person I've seen on any forum who has implied that it's discrimination to make people wait on the phone, so I doubt that when Disney gets sued it will be over the phone wait times.

 

[NotTheOne]

But it can be said that Disney is denying DAS to those with physical disabilities based on the express wording of its program. What about all the people with physical disabilities who don’t apply for DAS because of this language?

My issue with this is pretty straightforward. People have a right to take Disney at its word and Disney has to stand by what it represents.

If people choose to not apply, that's really on them.

 

[Chi84]

No, they aren't.

Why do you say that?

 

[NotTheOne]

Yes those who do fall into the “developmental disabilities” do have to gamble a bit. As in, is there a plan B if denied? Are you willing to still pay and go with plan B if denied? Those are the questions I’d be asking. I always have alternative plans and do risk assessments on if the risk to reward is still worth it. That will be different for each family.

But I do not think someone with a non developmental disability should be banking on getting DAS anymore.

Agree 100% with your last sentence - doesn't mean they shouldn't apply, but they should definitely not plan on getting the DAS.

 

[NotTheOne]

Why do you say that?

Because Disney isn't "blanket" denying anyone.

 

[Chi84]

If people choose to not apply, that's really on them.

Oh okay, I get it. So if Disney says that a program is for guests 12 and under and a 65-year-old doesn't apply, that's on them.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

True, but not all parents are looking for more services for their child, and no parent should feel pressured into accepting services they don't want for their child.

Not all kids are good at math, but that doesn't mean that those kids need some kind of special service from the school.

Clearly a Disney forum is not the best place to decide such a personal issue, and why I prefaced my post the way I did.

We should stick to the thread topic.

 

[NotTheOne]

Oh okay, I get it. So if Disney says that a program is for guests 12 and under and a 65-year-old doesn't apply, that's on them.

Those instructions are very specific, whereas Disney's leave room for anyone to apply.
"
DAS is one of our programs offered at Walt Disney World theme parks intended to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.

Guests may have a conversation with a Cast Member to determine eligibility for DAS via live video chat. There is not an in-person option to request DAS Registration." (emphasis added)

Disney could easily have said that it was only for guests with autism or similar, and that only guests with developmental disabilities could apply...they didn't.

So yes, if someone who feels they need the DAS won't call, that's on them.

 

[Chi84]

Those instructions are very specific, whereas Disney's leave room for anyone to apply.
"
DAS is one of our programs offered at Walt Disney World theme parks intended to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.

Guests may have a conversation with a Cast Member to determine eligibility for DAS via live video chat. There is not an in-person option to request DAS Registration." (emphasis added)

Disney could easily have said that it was only for guests with autism or similar, and that only guests with developmental disabilities could apply...they didn't.

So yes, if someone who feels they need the DAS won't call, that's on them.

That's an interesting argument, but I doubt even Disney would be bold enough to use it if someone challenged them on the basis that they were not extending the DAS program to persons with physical disabilities. It wouldn't go very far.

 

[NotTheOne]

That's an interesting argument, but I doubt even Disney would be bold enough to use it if someone challenged them on the basis that they were not extending the DAS program to persons with physical disabilities. It wouldn't go very far.

Apparently many people with physical disabilities are applying, because most of them are complaining about the DAS party being over for them, while others are being approved for DAS.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Oh okay, I get it. So if Disney says that a program is for guests 12 and under and a 65-year-old doesn't apply, that's on them.

BBB is for guests 3-12 but that doesn't stop many from trying to get an exception for someone too young or too old. Party tickets are non-refundable but people still ask for a refund. MagicBands are non-transferrable but people still ask to swap an extra one to a family member who didn't travel with them before. Yet DAS is "intended to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar" and suddenly everyone takes that as gospel. Which is it? People expect and request exceptions all the time? or people always believe everything they read on the internet?

I agree the wording on Disney's website is awkward at best, in accurate at worst, but I don't know exactly what they can say to convey the limited access to DAS compared to more recent times. That wording is not going to result in a court ruling reversing the changes -- it may result in some better wording, or removal of any attempt to clarify about DAS. To that end, there is a TON of outdated or inaccurate information not just on Disney's websites but many others as well.

That's an interesting argument, but I doubt even Disney would be bold enough to use it if someone challenged them on the basis that they were not extending the DAS program to persons with physical disabilities. It wouldn't go very far.

First off that individual would have to show their level of need qualifies for DAS. That's an uphill battle, though there are definitely individuals with non-developmental disabilities who have qualified. Then Disney would only need to show they have extended DAS to those who have that level of need to prove they aren't excluding based on disability/diagnosis. "Physical disabilities" is a category of diagnoses and accommodations aren't based on diagnoses.

 

[Chi84]

Apparently many people with physical disabilities are applying, because most of them are complaining about the DAS party being over for them, while others are being approved for DAS.

"DAS party" seems a bit judgmental, doesn't it? At best it's a rude way to characterize disability accommodations.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

You're actually the only person I've seen on any forum who has implied that it's discrimination to make people wait on the phone, so I doubt that when Disney gets sued it will be over the phone wait times.

I don’t think I’d use the word discrimination - nor do I think the wait times will be the only reason for a lawsuit or legal issue. But they can certainly be referenced as an example of the extra steps that those with disabilities have to take.

The legal system is complex - I don’t know what is or isn’t legal.