News New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[NotTheOne]

No, I meant DAS. Which maybe wasn’t clear because of the posts surrounding it.

And Disney recognizes that's not the purpose of DAS.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Disney is a company, and their purpose to increase profit.

In their theme park business - ABSOLUTLY YES AND THEY WILL PUSH THE ENVELOPE AS FAR AS THEY CAN; CUTTING COSTS WHILE RAISING PRICES ON EVERYTHING!

In their movie business - They spend hundreds of millions of dollars WITH RUNAWAY BUDGETS and hope for the best.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Disney is a company, and their purpose to increase profit. If they choose to do that by selling access to the LLs, that is their right. It makes no sense whatsoever to give away something for free to people who can be accommodated via other means.

Not to mention that the overuse of DAS negatively impacted everyone in the park, including some DAS holders who weren't able to utilize LLs because the lines were so long.

The sad thing is prior to LL it was never a problem, we didn’t need DAS until 2019, we never once noticed a problem with DAS users causing problems in standby, after we started getting DAS in 2019 we never once noticed a problem with long FP lines… once they monetized FP and created Genie everything fell apart.

LL created the problem, and instead of getting rid of LL to correct the problems it caused they eliminated DAS so they’d have even more capacity to sell.

It’s their right to do whatever they want but it’s not accurate to blame DAS for the issues caused by LL. It’ll be interesting to see if the gains from LL will be enough to cover the losses due to LL in the long run.

 

[Chi84]

The sad thing is prior to LL it was never a problem, we didn’t need DAS until 2019, we never once noticed a problem with DAS users causing problems in standby, after we started getting DAS in 2019 we never once noticed a problem with long FP lines… once they monetized FP and created Genie everything fell apart.

LL created the problem, and instead of getting rid of LL to correct the problems it caused they eliminated DAS so they’d have even more capacity to sell.

It’s their right to do whatever they want but it’s not accurate to blame DAS for the issues caused by LL. It’ll be interesting to see if the gains from LL will be enough to cover the losses due to LL in the long run.

My understanding is that the number of people requesting DAS was increasing significantly.

Also, according to many people who claim to know, FP+ was becoming unsustainable. Tiers were added and new rides like Rise weren’t part of it. There were endless threads discussing the problems.

With an aging population and more disabilities being recognized, I think DAS would have been limited even if FP+ had remained.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Hi all, not sure if this is the correct place for this so apologies if not.
My Dad suffers with severe claustrophobia that causes him to have panic attacks and a need to find an open space- he has been known to run out of a hotel room if he wakes up in the night in the dark!- and has qualified for the DAS in the past due to the tight spaces in queues (specifically places like some of the alley ways in Rise, the tight space in the Remy queue etc)
We only used it for queues that I knew he’d find tricky and he doesn’t ride everything as things like simulators with locked doors are too much for him.
We haven’t been since the DAS change but assuming he will no longer qualify?
Thanks for any input anyone can give.

He will likely not qualify. Is he able to wait outside the queue while you wait, then join you at the merge point through the LL?

This largely points to the biggest issue with these changes... the conversation is behind a non-refundable paywall. In order for @rubydoo2 to have this conversation, they need to purchase tickets and be 30 days out from that trip. At that point, most people have booked hotel accommodations, plane tickets, rental cars, etc.

I recognize that the old DAS system was also technically behind a paywall as well, but the system was a lot broader. If Disney is insisting on these stricter usage rules for DAS, they need to open up the application process and/or employ something like IBCCES.

Hotel & Ticket packages are refundable up to 30 days before the scheduled trip.

EDIT: If this change has happened, i.e. 60 days for the conversation and tickets are now fully refundable, than that's a reasonable enough change for my above concerns.

 

[RSoxNo1]

And they should have the right to determine if the accommodation they will have access to will fit their needs. Just because Disney says it will doesn't mean they will agree - everyone should have the agency to determine if accommodations anywhere will work for them or not without being financially tied.

If you require an ADA hotel room and you call the hotel to book a room and they tell you, "we need your money for the room and then we'll tell you if you get the ADA room", you're not booking that hotel room.

 

[RSoxNo1]

We have decided to sell our DVC at BWV due to these changes. My wife feels like Disney has decided that she is no longer welcomed on their property. We first went in 2013 and had such a stress free time that we purchased a resale at BWV in 2014. We've gone on 2 cruises, an Adventures by Disney trip to Ireland, been to WDW 13 times, done countless backstage tours, spent money all over property and no one will even speak to me about my misgivings as to their policy change. The nice sales associate at The DVC Store said that we aren't the first to sell because of this DAS change.

And make no mistake, this is a money grab. Less pesky sick people clogging up the Lightning Lanes the better, am I right? WDW charged $499 per person per day for LLMP over Christmas to prove to me that they don't want disabled people in their parks anymore. Just able bodied people on their first trip with lots of disposable income(or credit).

I hear you Bob, we're out!

That seems awfully harsh. They are still accommodating people but not necessarily with DAS. The number of people using it became unsustainable and impacted Disney’s ability to serve all of its guests, both disabled and non-disabled.

Sorry @Chi84, but I completely disagree. if @Section106 feels that the value isn't there, they can absolutely stop going.

The DAS abuse that has historically fueled these changes is not solely the responsibility of the consumer. Disney created this problem in the first place and now they're charging for the solution. It's a practice they've employed for decades.

 

[Chi84]

Sorry @Chi84, but I completely disagree. if @Section106 feels that the value isn't there, they can absolutely stop going.

The DAS abuse that has historically fueled these changes is not solely the responsibility of the consumer. Disney created this problem in the first place and now they're charging for the solution. It's a practice they've employed for decades.

You must have misunderstood. I would never presume to decide what is or is not an acceptable value for another person. Of course he can stop going; no one has to go to WDW.

If you followed this thread, it’s not solely abuse that was an issue. More like a significant increase in how many people were requesting DAS.

 

[Angel Ariel]

EDIT: If this change has happened, i.e. 60 days for the conversation and tickets are now fully refundable, than that's a reasonable enough change for my above concerns.

I believe that only applies to packages (not to those who stay offsite or get room only rates and buy tickets separately).

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

If you followed this thread, it’s not solely abuse that was an issue. More like a significant increase in how many people were requesting DAS.

And part of the issue is not expanding the park capacity and cutting live entertainment which puts more demand on the attractions.

 

[jennab55]

This largely points to the biggest issue with these changes... the conversation is behind a non-refundable paywall. In order for @rubydoo2 to have this conversation, they need to purchase tickets and be 30 days out from that trip. At that point, most people have booked hotel accommodations, plane tickets, rental cars, etc.

I recognize that the old DAS system was also technically behind a paywall as well, but the system was a lot broader. If Disney is insisting on these stricter usage rules for DAS, they need to open up the application process and/or employ something like IBCCES.


EDIT: If this change has happened, i.e. 60 days for the conversation and tickets are now fully refundable, than that's a reasonable enough change for my above concerns.

The information on what accommodations are available is not behind a paywall. He WILL be eligible for some sort of accommodation, it just likely won’t be DAS based on the information on their website. In this case, that is what I would use when deciding if I wanted to spend the money on a trip to Disney.

 

[jennab55]

If you require an ADA hotel room and you call the hotel to book a room and they tell you, "we need your money for the room and then we'll tell you if you get the ADA room", you're not booking that hotel room.

Real question, but doesn’t Disney also not state that a person will get a specific room? I had heard of this being an issue with some resorts that don’t have elevators. That people will request ground floor because they can’t use stairs due to a disability, but it’s never a sure thing that they will get ground floor. What if 10 disabled people book and they only have 7 rooms? What happens then?

 

[DoubleSwitchback]

This largely points to the biggest issue with these changes... the conversation is behind a non-refundable paywall. In order for @rubydoo2 to have this conversation, they need to purchase tickets and be 30 days out from that trip. At that point, most people have booked hotel accommodations, plane tickets, rental cars, etc.

I recognize that the old DAS system was also technically behind a paywall as well, but the system was a lot broader. If Disney is insisting on these stricter usage rules for DAS, they need to open up the application process and/or employ something like IBCCES.


EDIT: If this change has happened, i.e. 60 days for the conversation and tickets are now fully refundable, than that's a reasonable enough change for my above concerns.

There's a simple answer here. He clearly doesn't qualify based on Disney's policies. To say that the other policies around refunds, needing a ticket before applying, etc. are unfair because people who don't qualify are still going to try to talk their way into DAS is strange to me. If you have POTS, anxiety, epilepsy, ADHD, lupus, etc., DAS isn't for you and you should proceed knowing that you're not eligible.

 

[jennab55]

There's a simple answer here. He clearly doesn't qualify based on Disney's policies. To say that the other policies around refunds, needing a ticket before applying, etc. are unfair because people who don't qualify are still going to try to talk their way into DAS is strange to me. If you have POTS, anxiety, epilepsy, ADHD, lupus, etc., DAS isn't for you and you should proceed knowing that you're not eligible.

This is how I feel as well. If you don’t fall into the very narrow interpretation on disneys website, then assume you aren’t getting DAS. Sure, go ahead and still apply if you want, but plan that you won’t get it. Now the ones I do feel should get a refund regardless are those who do fall into the “developmental disabilities” category and get denied and choose not to go.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Real question, but doesn’t Disney also not state that a person will get a specific room? I had heard of this being an issue with some resorts that don’t have elevators. That people will request ground floor because they can’t use stairs due to a disability, but it’s never a sure thing that they will get ground floor. What if 10 disabled people book and they only have 7 rooms? What happens then?

Regular resort room bookings are not room-specific. I don't know WDW's algorithm but I wouldn't be surprised if it allowed for a certain degree of overbooking due to expected cancellations. If overbooked, those reservations might be upgraded to another category or on rare occasion "walked" to another resort.

HA rooms are removed from inventory once booked. You do get a room with the features described in the booking. There is no "overbooking" unless something unexpected occurs such as a maintenance issue. But what you are describing is a REQUEST not an HA booking. People make requests all the time -- top floor, ground floor, near an elevator, near lobby, etc. for all kinds of reasons. REQUESTS are never guaranteed and the guest should understand they might not get the room/location they'd prefer. If ground floor is an absolute must at CBR or OKW (the only 2 resorts without elevators, and OKW does have elevators in a couple of buildings) then the guest should either book a wheelchair accessible room or choose another resort.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

EDIT: If this change has happened, i.e. 60 days for the conversation and tickets are now fully refundable, than that's a reasonable enough change for my above concerns.

It is a very recent change, as of this past weekend. Guests can now do the DAS interview up to 60 days prior to arrival. Package bookings are fully refundable outside of 30 days, so this gives time to make that decision to cancel. Room-only has always been refundable until much closer (currently 8 days, used to be 7 days). However tickets purchased separately are not refundable but do carry a credit value for future use. Or there is at least one authorized reseller who has a refund policy (I think there is a restocking fee).

 

[jennab55]

Regular resort room bookings are not room-specific. I don't know WDW's algorithm but I wouldn't be surprised if it allowed for a certain degree of overbooking due to expected cancellations. If overbooked, those reservations might be upgraded to another category or on rare occasion "walked" to another resort.

HA rooms are removed from inventory once booked. You do get a room with the features described in the booking. There is no "overbooking" unless something unexpected occurs such as a maintenance issue. But what you are describing is a REQUEST not an HA booking. People make requests all the time -- top floor, ground floor, near an elevator, near lobby, etc. for all kinds of reasons. REQUESTS are never guaranteed and the guest should understand they might not get the room/location they'd prefer. If ground floor is an absolute must at CBR or OKW (the only 2 resorts without elevators, and OKW does have elevators in a couple of buildings) then the guest should either book a wheelchair accessible room or choose another resort.

Is booking a wheelchair accessible room even an option at CBR? I did not see this option when I browsed their rooms a few months ago.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Is booking a wheelchair accessible room even an option at CBR? I did not see this option when I browsed their rooms a few months ago.

Yes, there are wheelchair accessible rooms at all WDW resorts. You have to check a box to have the HA rooms show, and click an acknowledgement that someone in your party needs that accommodation. Not all HA rooms are wheelchair accessible so it's important to read the description.

 

[jennab55]

Yes, there are wheelchair accessible rooms at all WDW resorts. You have to check a box to have the HA rooms show, and click an acknowledgement that someone in your party needs that accommodation. Not all HA rooms are wheelchair accessible so it's important to read the description.

View attachment 842276 View attachment 842277

Thank you! That is why I was not seeing any options!

 

[Angel Ariel]

The information on what accommodations are available is not behind a paywall. He WILL be eligible for some sort of accommodation, it just likely won’t be DAS based on the information on their website. In this case, that is what I would use when deciding if I wanted to spend the money on a trip to Disney.

But knowing what accommodations you qualify for - ie DAS - is behind a paywall.

People can look at what's there and many I'm sure will be able to say "hey, I'll apply for DAS, but these other accommodations will work for me if I don't get it". But there are those who will feel that they cannot go if they don't have DAS, and whether anyone agrees with them or not they have the right to feel that way, and they do have the right to know whether they will qualify for DAS before putting nonrefundable money down.