News New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[jennab55]

It was less risk because there were fewer people wanting it. DAS -- while intangible -- is a limited commodity due to it's impact on the standby and evening FP/LL queues. When demand for it increases there's not enough available to give to everyone who wants/needs it without negatively affecting others. Disabilities have "exploded" (for lack of a better word) over the past decade, whether that is due to more diagnoses or better testing to make those diagnoses or simply more acceptance of disabilities or an aging population or likely all of these combined.

As I pointed out...in 2011 I was far from confident that my child would qualify for accommodations (GAC at that time). We made our trip plans, had plans A-B-C considered if needed for any given day. We had to actually be onsite to obtain any accommodation -- and again, I was not feeling confident due to lack of information available. In fact, we didn't obtain the GAC until late in our second day because it was denied at first request (until I arrived at Guest Relations in a frazzled state and my child was in meltdown). The Internet has shared so much about DAS and made it "easy" in the past decade that many felt they were entitled to accommodations long before they left home with no alternative plans in mind to accommodate their own needs. People assumed there was no risk but that doesn't mean there was no risk.

Oh yes, people used to not even be able to apply until onsite!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Oh yes, people used to not even be able to apply until onsite!

Yes - and Disney changed that. They didn't have to, they chose to for their own reasons. But even with having to be on site - I've visited gone to a local amusement park where I was able to have the conversation about disability accommodations and be approved for their program or not *before* having to spend money on tickets. The guest relations window where the conversation was held was before the ticket windows. So there was still a choice available to people who didn't qualify for the accommodations to decide whether to spend the day at the park or not.

Again if smaller parks/businesses can figure out ways for disabled people to still have that choice after knowing what accommodations they'll have access to, Disney can too. They may choose not to, but it is very much a choice.

 

[jennab55]

Yes - and Disney changed that. They didn't have to, they chose to for their own reasons. But even with having to be on site - I've visited gone to a local amusement park where I was able to have the conversation about disability accommodations and be approved for their program or not *before* having to spend money on tickets. The guest relations window where the conversation was held was before the ticket windows. So there was still a choice available to people who didn't qualify for the accommodations to decide whether to spend the day at the park or not.

Again if smaller parks/businesses can figure out ways for disabled people to still have that choice after knowing what accommodations they'll have access to, Disney can too. They may choose not to, but it is very much a choice.

Oh I don’t disagree that they should either refund people or allow a conversation prior to purchasing tickets. I was just agreeing that I forgot you used to have to apply in person once there, which for a lot of people meant shelling out all the money to get there, not usually a day trip.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Yes - and Disney changed that. They didn't have to, they chose to for their own reasons. But even with having to be on site - I've visited gone to a local amusement park where I was able to have the conversation about disability accommodations and be approved for their program or not *before* having to spend money on tickets. The guest relations window where the conversation was held was before the ticket windows. So there was still a choice available to people who didn't qualify for the accommodations to decide whether to spend the day at the park or not.

Again if smaller parks/businesses can figure out ways for disabled people to still have that choice after knowing what accommodations they'll have access to, Disney can too. They may choose not to, but it is very much a choice.

There are zero reported instances of Disney refusing to refund after a DAS denial and a **lot** of reported instances, in a very short time, of Disney issuing refunds if someone who is denied DAS asks for one.

The reality of the situation is that most people dont ask for one, because they can adapt and just purchase LLMP.

 

[nickys]

There are zero reported instances of Disney refusing to refund after a DAS denial and a **lot** of reported instances, in a very short time, of Disney issuing refunds if someone who is denied DAS asks for one.

The reality of the situation is that most people dont ask for one, because they can adapt and just purchase LLMP.

Maybe not reported on major forums but I’d bet that there have been such instances. Actually, I know there have.

WDTC are literally Disney - Walt Disney Travel Company. And if we book a package or tickets with them from the UK they do not give refunds.

If you ask them before booking tickets “Will you give a refund if we are refused a DAS accommodation”? the answer is No.

Obviously the virtual application process is no help, you’d need to have booked well before 30 days. But in any case they don’t have any mention of the process on the website.,

Even worse they didn’t tell people the DAS criteria had changed.

 

[jennab55]

Maybe not reported on major forums but I’d bet that there have been such instances. Actually, I know there have.

WDTC are literally Disney - Walt Disney Travel Company. And if we book a package or tickets with them from the UK they do not give refunds.

If you ask them before booking tickets “Will you give a refund if we are refused a DAS accommodation”? the answer is No.

Obviously the virtual application process is no help, you’d need to have booked well before 30 days. But in any case they don’t have any mention of the process on the website.,

Even worse they didn’t tell people the DAS criteria had changed.

Do you know someone that had been denied a refund after requesting one due to a DAS, or are you assuming they wouldn’t?

 

[jennab55]

There are zero reported instances of Disney refusing to refund after a DAS denial and a **lot** of reported instances, in a very short time, of Disney issuing refunds if someone who is denied DAS asks for one.

The reality of the situation is that most people dont ask for one, because they can adapt and just purchase LLMP.

I also think most people still go on their trip and find a way to adjust. I mean in reality, that is the life of people with disabilities. Constantly having to adapt and adjust to situations, even with accommodations.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I also think most people still go on their trip and find a way to adjust. I mean in reality, that is the life of people with disabilities. Constantly having to adapt and adjust to situations, even with accommodations.

Of course they do. This is especially true (regarding the pervious posters claim about the UK travel agency) for those who already have found a way to “adjust” and manage an 8 hour transatlantic flight after braving one of the busiest airports in the world. For most that adjustment is the added cost of having to pay for LLMP.

 

[nickys]

Do you know someone that had been denied a refund after requesting one due to a DAS, or are you assuming they wouldn’t?

I phoned and asked when the rules changed. That was a hypothetical enquiry, given the general “no refund” policy.

A cousin of mine got the same answer when she was genuinely planning a trip for next summer. Her son has previously qualified, and probably will again. But she decided she wasn’t prepared to take the chance.

 

[jennab55]

I phoned and asked when the rules changed. That was a hypothetical enquiry, given the general “no refund” policy.

A cousin of mine got the same answer when she was genuinely planning a trip for next summer. Her son has previously qualified, and probably will again. But she decided she wasn’t prepared to take the chance.

Yes, they will likely give you their written policy if you ask. However, I’ve read of people actually calling as free being denied for DAS and they were able to cancel without penalty. Now your airline tickets likely have some sort of penalty unless you booked them as refundable, but Disney hotel/tickets they should be able to waive.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I phoned and asked when the rules changed. That was a hypothetical enquiry, given the general “no refund” policy.

A cousin of mine got the same answer when she was genuinely planning a trip for next summer. Her son has previously qualified, and probably will again. But she decided she wasn’t prepared to take the chance.

Yes, on the front end they will tell you no refunds to avoid gaming the system. On the backend though, they refund.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I don’t understand why people keep using the excuse of “I don’t want to have to explain my disability in front of strangers” when that’s not necessary.

These types of conversations can cause pretty severe social anxiety for some guests. CM’s react many different ways to basic questions these days.

 

[jennab55]

These types of conversations can cause pretty severe social anxiety for some guests. CM’s react many different ways to basic questions these days.

But again, no one needs to go into deep details about their disability. So why would it cause social anxiety to simply ask “I might need to leave the line due to my disability, what are my options”?

 

[nickys]

Yes, they will likely give you their written policy if you ask. However, I’ve read of people actually calling as free being denied for DAS and they were able to cancel without penalty. Now your airline tickets likely have some sort of penalty unless you booked them as refundable, but Disney hotel/tickets they should be able to waive.

Yes, on the front end they will tell you no refunds to avoid gaming the system. On the backend though, they refund.

WDTC don’t refund. Not even during Covid. The only option was to postpone the booking up to a year.

I tried getting a refund of our tickets at the start of Covid restrictions and was refused.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I also think most people still go on their trip and find a way to adjust. I mean in reality, that is the life of people with disabilities. Constantly having to adapt and adjust to situations, even with accommodations.

Yes I expect most do. But that doesn't mean there shouldn't be an *advertised* choice. Many people - especially neurodivergent people who may feel especially bound by stated rules - may not ask for a refund when something is explicitly nonrefundable.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, they will likely give you their written policy if you ask. However, I’ve read of people actually calling as free being denied for DAS and they were able to cancel without penalty. Now your airline tickets likely have some sort of penalty unless you booked them as refundable, but Disney hotel/tickets they should be able to waive.

I read reports of refunds at the beginning of the changeover. I haven't seen much in the way of these kinds of reports recently. I hope it's something that would continue and not just be something they did during the transition period.

 

[jennab55]

WDTC don’t refund. Not even during Covid. The only option was to postpone the booking up to a year.

I tried getting a refund of our tickets at the start of Covid restrictions and was refused.

Is this actually purchasing direct from Disney? Like ok their website or by calling them? Didn’t Disney waive cancellation penalties during COVID?

 

[nickys]

Is this actually purchasing direct from Disney? Like ok their website or by calling them? Didn’t Disney waive cancellation penalties during COVID?

Yes, direct from the UK Disney site.

They waived amendment fees for bookings, the £50 pp charge.

We had bought the UK 14 day tickets from them for Dec 2020. They refused to refund, just said I could use them for 2021. And then again moved them to 2022.

And my DS and his friend had a package booked through the UK site for the September. They had to move the date by a year, and then repeat a year later.

 

[jennab55]

Yes, direct from the UK Disney site.

They waived amendment fees for bookings, the £50 pp charge.

We had bought the UK 14 day tickets from them for Dec 2020. They refused to refund, just said I could use them for 2021. And then again moved them to 2022.

And my DS and his friend had a package booked through the UK site for the September. They had to move the date by a year, and then repeat a year later.

Interesting. I guess if that’s the case I wouldn’t book a package that is nonrefundable. I booked a UK 14 day ticket through attraction tickets and for an extra small amount you can make them refundable. That is what I did just in case something comes up. Then book room only with Disney, which is cancelable up to 8 days prior to check in I believe.

 

[nickys]

Interesting. I guess if that’s the case I wouldn’t book a package that is nonrefundable. I booked a UK 14 day ticket through attraction tickets and for an extra small amount you can make them refundable. That is what I did just in case something comes up. Then book room only with Disney, which is cancelable up to 8 days prior to check in I believe.

Cancellation and amendment policies are totally different between the US and UK sites.

We get charged £50 ($60) per person for any change. If you cancel you lose almost all of it.

And room only makes no difference. I’m not even sure we can book room only without using a VPN and going through the US site.

Luckily DVC were much more accommodating. As were the airlines - they had to refund in full.