News New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Chi84]

Please stop posting the same argument over and over. This thread can be useful, but not when it gets like this.

 

[networkpro]

These discussions always devolve into different pools of opinion with some more strident than others. Some couched in terms of the impact not on the guest experience of everyone, but how personally it doesn't make the park work they want it to work for their own experience. Disney has continuously attempted to provide what ADA calls for "individualized accommodations based on needs" while at the same time it does not need to modify a policy if it would fundamentally alter the nature of the business’s goods or services. The initial GAC deployment didn't create an issue until people found out how to abuse what it offered, so DAS came about and lasted until it too had altered the nature of the waiting queue. Whether it was the increase in guests using it (In 2022, one in four adults identified themselves as disabled or ~ 70 million), abuse of it by those finding the appropriate script on the internet to follow while applying to gain access, or the number of family members tagging along, it altered how the service was supplied to all other guests, so it changed again.

Unfortunately we are quite the litigious society at present so these heated discussions mean little until a court determination is made on the merits. Ones like A. L. v. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc., No. 20-12720 (11th Cir. 2022).

 

[Splash4eva]

Mostly

My concerns before being approved were basically explained in full once i did my video & a few emails…. If what i was told is accurate you should nothing to worry about. Have you done a video chat yet? Expressed your concerns if you were denied?

 

[NotTheOne]

These discussions always devolve into different pools of opinion with some more strident than others. Some couched in terms of the impact not on the guest experience of everyone, but how personally it doesn't make the park work they want it to work for their own experience. Disney has continuously attempted to provide what ADA calls for "individualized accommodations based on needs" while at the same time it does not need to modify a policy if it would fundamentally alter the nature of the business’s goods or services. The initial GAC deployment didn't create an issue until people found out how to abuse what it offered, so DAS came about and lasted until it too had altered the nature of the waiting queue. Whether it was the increase in guests using it (In 2022, one in four adults identified themselves as disabled or ~ 70 million), abuse of it by those finding the appropriate script on the internet to follow while applying to gain access, or the number of family members tagging along, it altered how the service was supplied to all other guests, so it changed again.

Unfortunately we are quite the litigious society at present so these heated discussions mean little until a court determination is made on the merits. Ones like A. L. v. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc., No. 20-12720 (11th Cir. 2022).

Exactly.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Some couched in terms of the impact not on the guest experience of everyone, but how personally it doesn't make the park work they want it to work for their own experience.

And that’s on both sides. Some argue for more DAS approvals because they used to qualify and now don’t. Others argue for less DAS approvals so their LL line moves quicker.

For me… I refuse to pay for LL cause I’m stubborn so as far as I can tell the standby line is gonna move slow either way. An extra 10 minutes isn’t gonna make or break my day.

But I’m also against abuse - which is an issue. It’a tricky to know where the line should be and just like many political issues in the real world, people dig their feet in and refuse to acknowledge the other side has valid points and a middle ground is ideal.

 

[NotTheOne]

And that’s on both sides. Some argue for more DAS approvals because they used to qualify and now don’t. Others argue for less DAS approvals so their LL line moves quicker.

For me… I refuse to pay for LL cause I’m stubborn so as far as I can tell the standby line is gonna move slow either way. An extra 10 minutes isn’t gonna make or break my day.

But I’m also against abuse - which is an issue. It’a tricky to know where the line should be and just like many political issues in the real world, people dig their feet in and refuse to acknowledge the other side has valid points and a middle ground is ideal.

It isn't just about making the LLs move faster, which is better for those who do have DAS, it's also about making the standby lines move faster.

And even if it was only a 10 minute delay per ride (which I think really underestimates the impact, based on my experience), that's well over an hour per day of unnecessary waiting for everyone in the standby lines.

You may well be ok with that, which is up to you, but I'm not, and many other people aren't either, especially when most disabled guests can be adequately accommodated without DAS.

 

[Purduevian]

Why not? It is no secret that many more people started asking for DAS once they got rid of free fast pass and went to paid LL. And yes it should be part of the discussion because those things DID affect those with disabilities as well as everyone else. It is a huge reason why more people started applying for DAS. Many used to be able to make due with the fastpasses but once those were gone, applied for the DAS.
I don't think that your point stands at all. It sounds like an argument just for arguments sake.

IMHO: the line skipping options (whether free or paid) should not factor into accommodations because it is not sufficient enough for the disabled persons. For example, lets take someone that is disabled and can't wait in a 20 min line for whatever reason. They want to ride Pirates, but FP, FP+, G+, or LLMP is sold out for the day, even though the wait is 25 mins. A non-disabled person would just hop in the standby line and ride. The disabled person is out of luck. What about re-rides? What about rides that used to sell out 60+ days out?

The experience of hopping in a standby line without any preplanning, or availability of passes needs to accommodated.

It is just sad to see how heartless and uncaring so many comments are everywhere. People assuming that others are faking it or that they are exaggerating. Which is true for some people, but not everyone is like that. I feel like we are going backwards with the mentality of how people treat those with disabilities and the animosity that some show is disheartening. The reality is that NO ONE knows what a person goes through and for ANYONE to tell someone else, that they don't even know, that they are lying or exaggerating or even saying what they can and can not handle, is just wrong.
How anyone can say any of that is beyond me.
People come here to get information and share their stories, not to be told to "just deal with it" or "you just want to feel special".

There is a balance that needs to be struck with Disability accommodations. Everyone (generally) is paying the same amount to experience the parks. There needs to be a balance such that everyone's access and opportunity cost to riding an attraction is as equal as possible.

And that’s a new, more restrictive definition than Disney’s definition in the past.

Was the system wrong in the past?

The old system was very broken. Too many people were using DAS which caused massive LL backups (reportedly up to 30 mins sometimes) as well as the dreaded 1 to 100 ratio of standby to LL.

I believe Len posted that these changes basically had to happen before Tiana's opened because there was a real probability that on some days basically all of the Tiana ride capacity would be for DAS users. That would not be fair to the non-DAS parties in the park.

 

[Splash4eva]

Im genuinely curious if Disney tried to go a route with DAS where ALL you attractions/rides need to be planned before you get there the same way they gave people the 2 pre booked. Allow maybe X amount of rides and give people times slots and then they can adjust accordingly for it when it comes to the ones they are selling etc…. Like how can someone who needs DAS complain about this option?

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

I can honestly say I have never followed a thread on wdwmagic that continues to go in endless circles like this one. What we are witnessing here is special. People will be talking about the DAS thread for years to come.

 

[Figgy1]

Im genuinely curious if Disney tried to go a route with DAS where ALL you attractions/rides need to be planned before you get there the same way they gave people the 2 pre booked. Allow maybe X amount of rides and give people times slots and then they can adjust accordingly for it when it comes to the ones they are selling etc…. Like how can someone who needs DAS complain about this option?

That won't work for some many or most of those still eligible for DAS. I'd elaborate more but it would wind up being a cheat sheet

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Im genuinely curious if Disney tried to go a route with DAS where ALL you attractions/rides need to be planned before you get there the same way they gave people the 2 pre booked. Allow maybe X amount of rides and give people times slots and then they can adjust accordingly for it when it comes to the ones they are selling etc…. Like how can someone who needs DAS complain about this option?

That may work excellently for some people - but not at all for others depending on their challenges

Ink ow some where their kids will have absolutely break downs due to their conditions and they need to exit the park to calm them down/take a break. What happens for them if then then kiss their slots?

For some having a schedule helps but for other they need flexibility

 

[jennab55]

I can honestly say I have never followed a thread on wdwmagic that continues to go in endless circles like this one. What we are witnessing here is special. People will be talking about the DAS thread for years to come.

I think things come up again when something new happens or changes (wording on website changes, lawsuits, etc).

 

[Angel Ariel]

Im genuinely curious if Disney tried to go a route with DAS where ALL you attractions/rides need to be planned before you get there the same way they gave people the 2 pre booked. Allow maybe X amount of rides and give people times slots and then they can adjust accordingly for it when it comes to the ones they are selling etc…. Like how can someone who needs DAS complain about this option?

Time slots don't work well for many with disabilities. the flexibility in return time is what makes das possible for some families where LLmp is not

 

[DoubleSwitchback]

You literally complained that the alternative accommodations aren't special because anyone can return to the line to rejoin their group, which has nothing to do with their adequacy. That necessarily suggests that you want your accommodations to be special even if the existing accommodations are adequate.

Same sort of battle around "universal accommodations" in schools. At first, it was considered great that teachers could adapt their pedagogy to make accommodations available for everyone, e.g. open book tests for all, or no late penalty for homework so long as it's turned in by end of semester, etc. This has the benefit of not stigmatizing or identifying those with accommodations (otherwise, everyone can see the only kid with the open books, or the one who leaves the classroom for every test). But some parents resisted, as they thought their children's accommodations were supposed to be about giving their kids an advantage, and not just making sure that they had sufficient access to their public education.

 

[DoubleSwitchback]

I can honestly say I have never followed a thread on wdwmagic that continues to go in endless circles like this one. What we are witnessing here is special. People will be talking about the DAS thread for years to come.

There are 1,211 pages about... a gondola. LOL. Seems par for the course here.

 

[Keladry84]

I can honestly say I have never followed a thread on wdwmagic that continues to go in endless circles like this one. What we are witnessing here is special. People will be talking about the DAS thread for years to come.

Or they'll be talking around in circles on the DAS thread for years to come

 

[Splash4eva]

That may work excellently for some people - but not at all for others depending on their challenges

Ink ow some where their kids will have absolutely break downs due to their conditions and they need to exit the park to calm them down/take a break. What happens for them if then then kiss their slots?

For some having a schedule helps but for other they need flexibility

But again this comes down to the fact one system will never fit all & you truly cant expect Disney or any company to find a way to logistically make that happen

 

[networkpro]

IMHO: the line skipping options (whether free or paid) should not factor into accommodations because it is not sufficient enough for the disabled persons.

Please review the legal conclusions in A. L. v. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. I wont belabor the point. Legal precedent overrides opinion.

 

[Chi84]

Please review the legal conclusions in A. L. v. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. I wont belabor the point. Legal precedent overrides opinion.

You don’t have to belabor the point, but could you explain what you mean by citing this case?

 

[networkpro]

You don’t have to belabor the point, but could you explain what you mean by citing this case?

It goes into great detail about how the GAC and DAS accommodations fundamentally altered Disney's services.