News New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[jennab55]

…but do you get a DAS with say a return time of 5:15…but have a lightning lane booked at 4:30?

That’s where it gets sticky.

And none of this is “easy” nor absolute. But Disney is serving its own agenda (everyone pays) and that has squeezed the capacity by design…so unlimited access to DAS had to go.

Just hard.

I 100% agree that DAS had to change. I don’t think we purposely overlapped LL and DAS , but it might have happened based on eligible times available. I suppose now with pre-booking LL it could happen too, but with the option to prebook LL , DAS may be used even less.

 

[jennab55]

The part that seems consistently overlooked is the impact of the disability.

It took us 25 minutes to get out the door today for what was a 10 minute appointment. A neurotypical family with a child our kid's age would be out the door in 5, maybe 10 mins. Basically everything takes at least twice as long for us, on a good day. The only area at Disney where we're accessing things in an equivalent amount of time to neurotypical guests is the attraction itself (once we're actually in line).

We've never gotten LL in conjunction with DAS because of this..making the strict return windows for LL is incredibly challenging and makes everything much more stressful. Especially now that it's back to having to book times before you're even in the park (even with DAS preselects, the only ones that ever worked for us were the ones we could book for first thing in the morning, because after that we just never made it there on time).

I realize there are those with DAS who are not this impacted, I'm just trying to keep some perspective on the very wide spectrum of what DAS does for people.

Yes, there’s many times we had a LL or DAS booked and had to cancel it too. We try to plan, but things don’t always go as we want. People with disabilities are used to having to be flexible and change plans if needed.

ETA - G+ didn’t work great for us because mornings were typically the best time for rides (as day goes on things just go all over the place) but the hardest times to pick. It was better to stack for afternoon/evening. The LL pre scheduling may help for this if we can choose morning.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disney’s LL return times now have a 2 hour buffer, 3 hours total. I tested this on our last trip after it was reported by several WDW news outlets / bloggers. Possible they made this change in part because of the DAS changes.

Do you have a link? I haven't seen this anywhere

 

[Splash4eva]

Not a good analogy…

If you were in a standby with a slot through genie…you were in the line

If you do the same thing with DAS…you can spend an hour eating…or feeding the ducks (my personal favorite) or buying your 87th loungelfy bag with matching, hideous ears…

More freedom. And yes…that sounds awful with DAS but it is technically true.

And what gets me is not extra rides…I wish everyone can get what they want.

The problem is this: Disney gets everything if desires and it sucks for everyone:
1. Das users now give them the LL money they want.
2. The combo using of both puts more stress on the capacity of the rides
3. That stress contributes to the unspoken pressure to buy these line skips…
4. Lather rinse…
And making all high priced gate entry tickets closer to worthless.

So what would I pay $175 on a crowded day to enter magic kingdom for?

The ability to buy a $75 breakfast at Crystal Palace? Or to buy a $45 line skip with restricted use?


So much magic

Listen i agree with the points as ive stated plenty regarding DAS and its “advantages” while in parks. Like you said. Anytime we would eat a ride was booked waiting for both DAS and Genie. Same with any breakfast in the parks. Its just something Disney was not gonna pass up. Can they limited DAS users Genie “rules” possibly but my guess is why poke someone who is spending money and you cant blame them for that again there were plenty of things they could have done to help the system and some they have implemented but the nuking of it was something i think was simply a pure money grab as its biggest reason. The pre books may have the most moronic and yes i know it was to get people to book prior as an incentive. Guess what. You are Disney you make the rules. Its that simple you want DAS you have to get pre approval no incentive no 2 free rides

 

[Purduevian]

…but do you get a DAS with say a return time of 5:15…but have a lightning lane booked at 4:30?

That’s where it gets sticky.

And none of this is “easy” nor absolute. But Disney is serving its own agenda (everyone pays) and that has squeezed the capacity by design…so unlimited access to DAS had to go.

Just hard.

I agree, I've made the argument before that for fairness's sake, a DAS user should not be able to redeem a LL while holding a DAS return time. Just like I can't redeem a LL while waiting in a standby line... However, Disney isn't interested in what is "fair", they are interested in what makes $$. If nerfing LL for DAS users results in less purchases, they won't do it, even if it's technically "fairer".

The part that seems consistently overlooked is the impact of the disability.

It took us 25 minutes to get out the door today for what was a 10 minute appointment. A neurotypical family with a child our kid's age would be out the door in 5, maybe 10 mins. Basically everything takes at least twice as long for us, on a good day. The only area at Disney where we're accessing things in an equivalent amount of time to neurotypical guests is the attraction itself (once we're actually in line).

We've never gotten LL in conjunction with DAS because of this..making the strict return windows for LL is incredibly challenging and makes everything much more stressful. Especially now that it's back to having to book times before you're even in the park (even with DAS preselects, the only ones that ever worked for us were the ones we could book for first thing in the morning, because after that we just never made it there on time).

I realize there are those with DAS who are not this impacted, I'm just trying to keep some perspective on the very wide spectrum of what DAS does for people.

While this is true... DAS is not meant to compensate for the different movement speed or stops required for certain groups. If this was the case, an accommodation could be argued for anyone over a certain age, anyone under a certain age, anyone with mobility issues, anyone in a large group, ect.

As a personal example, my wife and I visited a few times just the two of us in our 20s... Now we have an almost 2 year old. We have visited twice with him. We move far slower in the parks, have to make many more stops (diaper changes, naps, snacks, ect), and take longer to get ready than before. In no way do I think I should get an accommodation because I move slower than other groups are able to. I also recognize that I move faster than other groups that do not get DAS (I also realize my "slow down" was a choice, and for those with DAS it isn't. However, that isn't true of everyone that can't keep up with other groups)

Do you have a link? I haven't seen this anywhere

No official source, but from personal experience my LLMP did light up green after I was 30 mins past the "expiration" time on a LL at Frozen. Lots of "influencers" have shown scanning green up to 2 hours past expiration.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I 100% agree that DAS had to change. I don’t think we purposely overlapped LL and DAS , but it might have happened based on eligible times available. I suppose now with pre-booking LL it could happen too, but with the option to prebook LL , DAS may be used even less.

Totally fair

And I appreciate the common sense comments on this…not indignant and claiming offense

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

I 100% agree that DAS had to change. I don’t think we purposely overlapped LL and DAS , but it might have happened based on eligible times available. I suppose now with pre-booking LL it could happen too, but with the option to prebook LL , DAS may be used even less.

This was discussed a lot previously.

Technically, DAS is just an alternative to waiting in line. Therefore, holding both is the "same" as a regular guest holding a LL while waiting in a standby line.

While technically equitable, it's one of the ways DAS became very desirable, particularly to those whose benefit from DAS exceeded what they truly needed, or didn't actually need it at all. It's one of the factors that made people want to lie and cheat to get it despite having no actual need for it.

That's been a core reason for the changes to DAS over time from what I understand. Finding a way to make the service available but stop it from being an "advantage".

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This was discussed a lot previously.

Technically, DAS is just an alternative to waiting in line. Therefore, holding both is the "same" as a regular guest holding a LL while waiting in a standby line.

While technically equitable, it's one of the ways DAS became very desirable, particularly to those whose benefit from DAS exceeded what they truly needed, or didn't actually need it at all. It's one of the factors that made people want to lie and cheat to get it despite having no actual need for it.

That's been a core reason for the changes to DAS over time from what I understand. Finding a way to make the service available but stop it from being an "advantage".

Not correct…because das doesn’t require you to be in a standby line as having LL and going in a standby would

Clearly a difference

 

[Chi84]

This was discussed a lot

It was. And the mods have expressly asked us more than once not to do so again.

If latecomers want to read the entire discussion, it can be found earlier in the thread. If they don’t want to bother, that’s no reason to indulge them here.

 

[Angel Ariel]

While this is true... DAS is not meant to compensate for the different movement speed or stops required for certain groups. If this was the case, an accommodation could be argued for anyone over a certain age, anyone under a certain age, anyone with mobility issues, anyone in a large group, ect.

:sigh: I realize you haven't been in this thread the whole time, I'm just exhausted by the circles. I am well aware of the bolded and wasn't saying otherwise. I've stated so repeatedly in this thread. I was simply responding to the discussion re: LL and DAS to share why LL isn't an option for some because of the disability need, not implying that DAS is to make up for anything.

 

[Angel Ariel]

No official source, but from personal experience my LLMP did light up green after I was 30 mins past the "expiration" time on a LL at Frozen. Lots of "influencers" have shown scanning green up to 2 hours past expiration.

I appreciate this. TBH, I'm still not going to spend hundreds of dollars on something that's a maybe(which can also then be restricted or taken away at any time without notice). But i don't expect Disney to publish that there's a 2 hour grace window either as then it would likely cause LL backup issues.

We accommodate to deal with crowds in other ways. For example, even though I'm a former teacher and said for years I'd never take her out of school - we will and do take her out so we can travel at times of year that work with her disability. We minimize the time out of school by traveling during weeks we have professional development days (that aren't connected to major holidays), but this timing helps limit the impact of lines.

 

[Purduevian]

:sigh: I realize you haven't been in this thread the whole time, I'm just exhausted by the circles. I am well aware of the bolded and wasn't saying otherwise. I've stated so repeatedly in this thread. I was simply responding to the discussion re: LL and DAS to share why LL isn't an option for some because of the disability need, not implying that DAS is to make up for anything.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Yes, I fully agree that LL is not an easy substitute for DAS for some individuals. I misunderstood your argument as in the past, I have seen people argue that some people deserve or need DAS or due to the time it takes them to get from attraction to attraction, the lack of ability to go rope drop to close, the need to take breaks, or things like that. Again, I do not think these are good arguments for needing DAS.

IMHO: DAS should mirror the tradeoffs and benefits of a standby line as close as is reasonably possible while still accommodating the needs of those using it.

PS: I've actually been posting on this thread since 3 days after it was made... so I haven't been in this thread from day 1, but I think day 3 is pretty c;lose

 

[Angel Ariel]

IMHO: DAS should mirror the tradeoffs and benefits of a standby line as close as is reasonably possible while still accommodating the needs of those using it.

I agree, and for us that's what DAS does

PS: I've actually been posting on this thread since 3 days after it was made... so I haven't been in this thread from day 1, but I think day 3 is pretty c;lose

My apologies for that error. I know I've seen your name in other threads but wasn't remembering it from this one - thank you for your grace in that

 

[jennab55]

I appreciate this. TBH, I'm still not going to spend hundreds of dollars on something that's a maybe(which can also then be restricted or taken away at any time without notice). But i don't expect Disney to publish that there's a 2 hour grace window either as then it would likely cause LL backup issues.

We accommodate to deal with crowds in other ways. For example, even though I'm a former teacher and said for years I'd never take her out of school - we will and do take her out so we can travel at times of year that work with her disability. We minimize the time out of school by traveling during weeks we have professional development days (that aren't connected to major holidays), but this timing helps limit the impact of lines.

Same! I refuse to travel at high crowd times. My anxiety alone couldn’t handle that! No way. Although as my child gets older I realize I may not be able to take him out anymore. So it will be coming when it’s hot, which isn’t the best, but we’ve always made do on previous Aug trips. I think most people with disabilities are used to trying to go at odd times and navigating how they can adjust to make things work (like going early morning or late at night less crowded)

 

[jennab55]

This was discussed a lot previously.

Technically, DAS is just an alternative to waiting in line. Therefore, holding both is the "same" as a regular guest holding a LL while waiting in a standby line.

While technically equitable, it's one of the ways DAS became very desirable, particularly to those whose benefit from DAS exceeded what they truly needed, or didn't actually need it at all. It's one of the factors that made people want to lie and cheat to get it despite having no actual need for it.

That's been a core reason for the changes to DAS over time from what I understand. Finding a way to make the service available but stop it from being an "advantage".

Yes, I could see people who have limited time in the parks gaming the system by doing both. I know there have been stories of people overhearing conversations of others in line about how they were able to lie to get DAS easily.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Same! I refuse to travel at high crowd times. My anxiety alone couldn’t handle that! No way. Although as my child gets older I realize I may not be able to take him out anymore. So it will be coming when it’s hot, which isn’t the best, but we’ve always made do on previous Aug trips. I think most people with disabilities are used to trying to go at odd times and navigating how they can adjust to make things work (like going early morning or late at night less crowded)

Honestly, it sounds terrible, but the school district is struggling so much to provide appropriate access to academics for her that it's making me not care at all about taking her out. And we are supposedly one of the best school districts in the country. It's really sad. The infantilization of minimally speaking people is horrific.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I appreciate this. TBH, I'm still not going to spend hundreds of dollars on something that's a maybe(which can also then be restricted or taken away at any time without notice). But i don't expect Disney to publish that there's a 2 hour grace window either as then it would likely cause LL backup issues.

We accommodate to deal with crowds in other ways. For example, even though I'm a former teacher and said for years I'd never take her out of school - we will and do take her out so we can travel at times of year that work with her disability. We minimize the time out of school by traveling during weeks we have professional development days (that aren't connected to major holidays), but this timing helps limit the impact of lines.

This isn't a "maybe." I just came back from a 13 day trip. We consistently tapped in 1-1.5 hours past expiration time over multiple days, in part to test to see if this was accurate, in part because our plans needed to be adjusted based upon exhaustion of our children. (Disney isn't just tough for the disabled). The 15 minute grace period is dead. It's now a 2 hour grace period. They could change it back I suppose, but it's definitely a 2 hour grace period right now, so 3 hours total.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Do you have a link? I haven't seen this anywhere

Why Haven’t They Banned These New Disney World Lightning Lane Hacks Yet?

If you feel you've got a handle on Lightning Lane Multi Pass, allow us to let you in on some secrets that will make your Disney World day even BETTER!

allears.net

You CAN Still Stack Lighting Lanes With THIS Loophole​

Okay, this is the one we’re really worried Disney WILL actually take away, because it’s amazing. With Genie+, you could stack Lightning Lanes since you could select times way out in the evening, wait that 2 hour cooldown, then book another one for the evening. However, now that you can select rides ahead of time with Lightning Lane Multi Pass, we thought stacking was no more — WRONG!
Stay with us, alright? This is gonna take a second to explain, but it’s WORTH IT. Disney has long told us that you only have one hour (plus a 15 minute grace period) to redeem our Lightning Lanes. After that time, you’ve missed it. However, we’ve tested multiple times and can confirm with you that this is a LIE!
Inside the My Disney Experience app, your Lightning Lane selection will show as expired after your hour long window is up, meaning you can now book another one. However, we’ve found out that, even though the app shows that it’s expired, you actually have 3 HOURS to redeem your Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection! BUT you can still book an additional one to “replace it” after an hour — so stacking Lightning Lanes IS possible!

 

[WDWTrojan]

Not correct…because das doesn’t require you to be in a standby line as having LL and going in a standby would

Clearly a difference

Except that from Disney's perspective, waiting for your DAS time in a shop or quiet area is you waiting in a standby line. It's why time you must wait is roughly equivalent to the the current standby wait.

Preventing the DAS user from also using the LL would be seen as discriminatory because able-bodied people are able to avoid some standby lines by using the LL, so a disabled guest should be able to avoid their version of a standby line by using the LL service.

 

[DoubleSwitchback]

Except that from Disney's perspective, waiting for your DAS time in a shop or quiet area is you waiting in a standby line. It's why time you must wait is roughly equivalent to the the current standby wait.

Preventing the DAS user from also using the LL would be seen as discriminatory because able-bodied people are able to avoid some standby lines by using the LL, so a disabled guest should be able to avoid their version of a standby line by using the LL service.

No, I think his point is that I can't redeem the LL while actively standing in a standby lane. The DAS users clearly have a big advantage on that front.