New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Splash4eva]

I think the majority of those people who do not really need DAS but were successful getting approved with the current system will easily be able to obtain doctors notes. An annoyance yes but many of “those people” will just say challenge accepted and start making doctor appointments to get the needed documentation.

Sadly this is pretty accurate thats for sure…

 

[Patcheslee]

I agree. It's about time.

I've been saying for over a decade that this was the only real solution - and I say that as someone who has a member of my family that when we bring them needs a DAS.

I'm absolutely sure that some are going to be very defensive about this, but the fact is - anyone that has a disability - especially what we call an "invisible disability" - already has this documentation, or can easily get it.

For example, if you child has a diagnosis of some form of autism, you already have piles of documents that you have to update and provide yearly to schools in order to get accommodations, ones that go way more in detail than it sounds these programs require. It can be dozens or even hundreds of pages of reports from specialists, etc. detailing what your child needs. This is nothing compared to that.

And harsh as it may sound, if you don't already need to have this type of documentation for anything, that your child is able to make it through school, etc. without any accommodations/special needs at home, and/or are receiving no type of medical treatment whatsoever, then a vacation at Disney should be no different. Same for adults, many of whom are self-diagnosed, etc. - if your disability requires no medical or other support care, then claiming you only need assistance at Disney is just not realistic.

What kind of paperwork would they be requiring through? The only documentation with actual diagnosis I have is FMLA paperwork and get charged extra every 6 months for renewal so I can attend appointments. My problem is restroom access, which isn't a daily issue I need work accommodation for because I have flexibility at my job. I really wish Disney could just give me a card to hop out of standby, use the restroom, and return to my group.

 

[Chi84]

Agree to disagree. That’s not unreasonable. We don’t even know if all those steps would be required. There are far more “in advance” hoops the average guest has to jump through for a trip to WDW.

A business has a right to take general steps to verify a claimed disability as they assess the ability or reasonableness for the accommodation.

That’s one of the issues being litigated in a lawsuit against Six Flags.

 

[oldwren]

*Everyone* gets overwhelmed with the lines and noise at Disney.

The difference is, not everyone gets overwhelmed by them to a disabling degree.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

*Everyone* gets overwhelmed with the lines and noise at Disney.

I don’t.

 

[senorpenguin]

*Everyone* gets overwhelmed with the lines and noise at Disney.

Not everyone gets called "childish", "stupid", "immature", "crazy", etc., or gets told by other guests "to leave" due to their reaction to feeling overwhelmed by lines, noise, and people.

 

[JustInTime]

If one has serious reactions due to “feeling overwhelmed by lines, noise, and people”, perhaps going to the world’s busiest theme park four days a week is not the best recreation choice.

My wife has a severe fear of heights, so she does not go hot air ballooning four days a week for amusement.

We are talking about an amusement park, not a daily need or service.

There are countless other entertainment options that seem better suited for somebody with that condition.

Obviously, a person has the right to go to a theme park filled with tens of thousands of people, but it is an odd choice for daily entertainment if those particular issues cause them pain.

This a very ableist way to look at things. If accommodations can allow people to enjoy something they love, they should be allowed to.

 

[Trauma]

My only hope is one your vetted you don’t have to do it again every single trip.

It would be annoying to have to go to the doctor every 6 months to get a note.

 

[nickf456]

Saw this today and have a ton of thoughts on this topic

I worked at a destination amusement park (Cedar Point) in guest services two years ago and did a DCP last year (albeit in concierge at a resorts). The amount of abuse I saw of the system at the amusement park I worked at was staggering, and at WDW, I witnessed many cast members and people around me at the parks when I went that I knew who abused the system as well.

In my opinion, this change is really fantastic. I completely understand that it will be a very unfortunate extra hassle for those who actually need the program, but if it even weeds out half of the people who were abusing the system, I see this as a massive win. I was very angry watching so many people abuse the system at both parks/resorts I worked at, and I really want what's beneficial to all guests and this is it. I can tell you first hand from going to the parks and talking with attractions CMs, that DAS currently accounts for most of the Lightning Lane lines, so if you've seen long LL lines that put the standby line to a halt, this is why.

I know I may have a bit of a hot take on this whole thing, but I'm currently going to school for resort and attraction management, so this is something that I personally have thought about and taken a look at these last few years. I think WDW is making a move in the right direction here.

 

[Comped]

I'm currently going to school for resort and attraction management, so this is something that I personally have thought about and taken a look at these last few years. I think WDW is making a move in the right direction here.

Bowling Green's program I take it? When I was at Rosen, during undergrad the issue of disability access came up often, especially during my risk management class. Something like this was almost always ruled out as likely, as this was before Six Flags or SeaWorld adopted the standard, because of the potential data issues. The professor was at the time an executive with Seaworld's corporate IT department, and he noted that this kind of thing would be a huge risk that most places wouldn't want to take unless they absolutely had to.

 

[nickf456]

Bowling Green's program I take it?

Yep haha.

When I was at Rosen, during undergrad the issue of disability access came up often, especially during my risk management class. Something like this was almost always ruled out as likely, as this was before Six Flags or SeaWorld adopted the standard, because of the potential data issues. The professor was at the time an executive with Seaworld's corporate IT department, and he noted that this kind of thing would be a huge risk that most places wouldn't want to take unless they absolutely had to.

It seems like we've come to a time where these parks absolutely have to do it as I or many others that I talk to don't see another logistical option. I'm shocked Cedar Fair has not moved to a system like this. They have a system to attempt to combat it, but from my experience, it frustrates, confuses, and angers both guests and employees. I personally see this as a much better option, and its fairly easy to implement now with all the technology we have.

 

[co10064]

This is already the requirement.

I'm not doubting that this is the requirement, but I'm not sure how strictly it is enforced. (More so, how could you? What if someone gets scared/wants to use the "chicken exit"?)

I have personally witnessed (on more than one occasion) an individual in a wheelchair go directly to the unload station and bypass the attraction while their party experienced the ride.

Of course they could have had a Lightning Lane and not DAS, but it makes you wonder.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

any attraction, I would have no issue with this Third Party System if they schedule me a free virtual Dr. Appointment

Yeah, they’re not going to do that.

 

[Doberge]

It’s been rumored to have been in the works for awhile now and discussed on at least one podcast I listen to

Yes this open secret first made rounds in late 2023 after the Six Flags lawsuit that I believe is over a third party reviewer. And then it came up another time since, maybe in discussion about pending Genie+ changes? Maybe it's at least close now. Would be great to see Disney announce changes and then attempt distracting folks with other news.

 

[Coaster Lover]

My only hope is one your vetted you don’t have to do it again every single trip.

It would be annoying to have to go to the doctor every 6 months to get a note.

If it's the same program many other theme parks are using, it's good for 1 year from when you get it and can be updated/renewed as many times as needed.

 

[networkpro]

This a very ableist way to look at things. If accommodations can allow people to enjoy something they love, they should be allowed to.

Not to pick any fights, but when those accommodations sufficiently impact the average operational metrics do they pass the line from reasonable to unreasonable? That's where the legal determination has to be codified since one person's not enough is another's way too much. Ambiguity in laws drive this effort from every viewpoint.

 

[MichWolv]

I understand why this is being done, but it is unfortunate. Those who really need it will have to go through extra burden because of the abusers. My older son is mildly autistic. He has learned to deal with it and you’d never know it now. But when younger, he’d have infrequent melt-downs. Never got violent and dangerous, but from time to time, he’d lose it, mainly when things didn’t happen when they were scheduled And he was otherwise stressed. At WDW, he generally had no problems and we never used DAS. But one trip, when he was about 4, he was off — the plane was delayed 5 hours, and he took a few days to recover. The thought of getting in a line and not knowing how long it would take was overwhelming him. That trip, we stopped at Guest Services and used DAS. With outside verification required, I’ll bet that a decision like that wont be possible. And that’s too bad.

 

[Chi84]

Not to pick any fights, but when those accommodations sufficiently impact the average operational metrics do they pass the line from reasonable to unreasonable? That's where the legal determination has to be codified since one person's not enough is another's way too much. Ambiguity in laws drive this effort from every viewpoint.

The impact on Disney’s business model would absolutely be considered in determining whether an accommodation is required under the ADA.

 

[JustInTime]

Not to pick any fights, but when those accommodations sufficiently impact the average operational metrics do they pass the line from reasonable to unreasonable? That's where the legal determination has to be codified since one person's not enough is another's way too much. Ambiguity in laws drive this effort from every viewpoint.

These are two different conversations, though. Abusing the system is one thing but essentially saying if you are disabled stay home is a different story.

Everyone knows the DAS system needs help but that doesn't negate that if a disabled person can enjoy the parks with accommodations, they absolutely should be encouraged to do so.

 

[Bullseye1967]

That’s one of the issues being litigated in a lawsuit against Six Flags.

I lost track of this. Any idea what point the litigation is at?