New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[mikejs78]

I’ve heard a few people saying they didn’t want to pay so they used it…same with ADHD. Nobody should be so proud to take advantage of it.

We all hate genie. But if you don’t want to pay/deal with it…don’t go to Disney parks. Do the right thing

I never dreamed I would use something like DAS - but life has a way of throwing you curveballs. And it makes my blood boil that there are people who would abuse it and use it to avoid paying for Genie. As I stated above, we use DAS for my youngest; but we also get Genie beceause for us it's not about avoiding the fee, it's about making sure that he is able to enjoy Disney. If it is just a trip for me and my wife, or me and my older son, I would never dream of trying to get DAS....

 

[Drdcm]

While I’m obviously biased, I fully believe the documentation is appropriate. Physicians and some other very specific authorities diagnose people with disabilities - they don’t diagnose themselves. If someone needs a second opinion… they can get a second opinion.

Just today, I had four intakes for ADHD evaluations. (That is the question in about 50% of all new intakes by the way). None of them met criteria. Everyone thinks their attention and concentration is impaired because we aren’t perfect. They all had attention and concentration within normal limits. 2 out of the 4 fired me on the spot after discussing that I didn’t think they had ADHD, the others were relieved and wanted to follow up.

Autism tends to be even worse for self-diagnosis. When someone has autism, you can usually tell right away. Autism is not subtle… even in mild cases because their social skills are very impaired. Often times people have social anxiety and believe they have autism.

I won’t get into my thoughts on the motivations behind why people seek out these diagnoses when they don’t have them, but I don’t think it is deliberate or malicious.

People legitimately have these diagnoses and are impaired by them. But there are a lot of people that think they have these things because they can’t meet their own expectations on what they believe is normal. .

 

[BaconPancakes]

This is great news! Hopefully not a rumor.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Have you experienced a situation in which a guest used DAS to admit their party, but then sat the ride out? The policy is already that the DAS guest must ride.

ETA: I'm certain it's possible to get around this, but the policy already prohibits this behavior.

This is the current policy, but nothing prohibits the DAS guest from using the chicken exit after scanning in at both check points.

 

[MichWolv]

That's not entirely correct. The ADA usuaully doesn't allow asking for proof. The loophole this company (and Six Flags, Universal, and soon Disney) are trying to argue, is that because it is not *required* but is a benefit to the person with the disability by creating a single one-year pass that can be used at multiple locations, then it may pass scrutiny. But that hasn't been tested yet with the DOJ or the courts.

Thank you for this. I had been wondering (not actively, but in the back of my mind, as it wasn't all that important for me personally), how the third-party verification works given that I had thought that requiring proof of disability wasn't allowed. This helps me follow.

 

[Chi84]

That's not entirely correct. The ADA usuaully doesn't allow asking for proof. The loophole this company (and Six Flags, Universal, and soon Disney) are trying to argue, is that because it is not *required* but is a benefit to the person with the disability by creating a single one-year pass that can be used at multiple locations, then it may pass scrutiny. But that hasn't been tested yet with the DOJ or the courts.

Can I ask where you saw this argument presented? Was it in an actual lawsuit or comments in a news report?

 

[doctornick]

Thank you for this. I had been wondering (not actively, but in the back of my mind, as it wasn't all that important for my personally), how the third-party verification works given that I had thought that requiring proof of disability wasn't allowed. This helps me follow.

I’m certainly no expert but have been told by HR folks that (for employment at least) you can be required to provide proof of disability to qualify for reasonable accommodation (if requested). I would imagine any reasonable accommodation request - like a theme park for DAS - would be the same.

I am open to being proven wrong but I would be surprised if Disney (or a third party) weren’t allowed to ask for evidence of disability. I understand why they wouldn’t want to bother. But not that they couldn’t request it (and obviously follow appropriate standards and security with the information they get provided).

 

[AEfx]

I won’t get into my thoughts on the motivations behind why people seek out these diagnoses when they don’t have them, but I don’t think it is deliberate or malicious.

People legitimately have these diagnoses and are impaired by them. But there are a lot of people that think they have these things because they can’t meet their own expectations on what they believe is normal. .

If only more medical professionals were this honest.

 

[Drdcm]

I’m certainly no expert but have been told by HR folks that (for employment at least) you can be required to provide proof of disability to qualify for reasonable accommodation (if requested). I would imagine any reasonable accommodation request - like a theme park for DAS - would be the same.

I am open to being proven wrong but I would be surprised if Disney (or a third party) weren’t allowed to ask for evidence of disability. I understand why they wouldn’t want to bother. But not that they couldn’t request it (and obviously follow appropriate standards and security with the information they get provided).

That was my thought. Just off the top of my head, I’ve had to provide documentation for employment accommodations, testing conditions, school accommodations (both grade school and university), obtaining accessible stadium seating, and emotional support pets (which I don’t generally do)… I don’t think the “you can’t legally” ask situation is as broad as people believe.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’m certainly no expert but have been told by HR folks that (for employment at least) you can be required to provide proof of disability to qualify for reasonable accommodation (if requested).

That’s not a public accommodation and even then they can only ask under certain conditions.

And this should be pretty obvious as to the why…. Someone shouldn’t have to “prove” a disability to be able to be treated fairly.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

obtaining accessible stadium seating,

That’s definitely illegal.

 

[Drdcm]

That’s definitely illegal.

Maybe… I’m not the lawyer. Just trying to help out my patient who needed it.

 

[doctornick]

That’s not a public accommodation and even then they can only ask under certain conditions.

And this should be pretty obvious as to the why…. Someone shouldn’t have to “prove” a disability to be able to be treated fairly.

But how can you treat someone “fairly” unless you know what the issue is or their needs?

 

[fgmnt]

I doubt outside verification will be required. There would need to be a"day of" method also. That being said, they could offer additional carrots for those authenticating ahead of their trip. And IMO that would generally benefit those needing DAS more than people who try to abuse the system

I think the outside verification will let you mark up certain accounts to get what amounts to a modified Genie+ and day-of verification will be a more limited and cumbersome service in comparison.

My mom is someone who could be DAS eligible if we wanted to set it up but we have always been able to get by and have a great trip without it, so we have never done it. A couple legacy attractions on both coasts let our party get a queue time from a CM at the ride; i think that will end up being what the onsite accommodations will be.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I dunno…I can’t see anyone with legitimate needs disputing verification?

It’s not like there’s a reason to hide it. So why dispute it?

 

[Chi84]

Apart from a pending lawsuit which someone reported. And no, it wasn’t the Six Flags one.

To be clear, I don’t oppose having to prove your disability. It is common practice across Europe to have to do so. I’m aware that the ADA has certain limitations around that though, which is why Disney can’t simply say “show us the documentation”.

Has Universal been sued based on requiring documentation for its express pass system? I can only find the Six Flags suit.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Maybe… I’m not the lawyer. Just trying to help out my patient who needed it.

Neither am I but from the ADA website:

“Venues cannot require proof of disability as a condition for purchasing tickets for accessible seats. However, venues and third-party vendors may take steps to prevent the fraudulent sale and use of accessible seating. For single event tickets, venues may ask purchasers to state that they have a disability that requires, or they are purchasing tickets for someone who has a disability that requires, the features of an accessible seat.”

 

[Drdcm]

Neither am I but from the ADA website:

“Venues cannot require proof of disability as a condition for purchasing tickets for accessible seats. However, venues and third-party vendors may take steps to prevent the fraudulent sale and use of accessible seating. For single event tickets, venues may ask purchasers to state that they have a disability that requires, or they are purchasing tickets for someone who has a disability that requires, the features of an accessible seat.”

hmm, idk then. I’ll ask him about it next time I see him. It was just a letter stating he needed an accessible seat. This place finds creative ways to do unethical things, so it wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[Chi84]

Neither am I but from the ADA website:

“Venues cannot require proof of disability as a condition for purchasing tickets for accessible seats. However, venues and third-party vendors may take steps to prevent the fraudulent sale and use of accessible seating. For single event tickets, venues may ask purchasers to state that they have a disability that requires, or they are purchasing tickets for someone who has a disability that requires, the features of an accessible seat.”

Maybe the person was trying to buy season tickets? There’s a lot not covered by the DOJ guidelines.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I’m certainly no expert but have been told by HR folks that (for employment at least) you can be required to provide proof of disability to qualify for reasonable accommodation (if requested). I would imagine any reasonable accommodation request - like a theme park for DAS - would be the same.

I am open to being proven wrong but I would be surprised if Disney (or a third party) weren’t allowed to ask for evidence of disability. I understand why they wouldn’t want to bother. But not that they couldn’t request it (and obviously follow appropriate standards and security with the information they get provided).

The ADA and the subsequent regulations are divided into different sections related to different types of accommodation. Employment (Title I) and Public Accommodations (Title III) are completely separate sections with different rules. You cannot just assume that what applies to one transfers and applies to the other.