New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Tha Realest]

I can’t imagine how many panicked phone calls a bunch of NYC finance dudes just got from their wives/au pairs on how their plans for their summer trip just got disrupted.

 

[BaconPancakes]

For around 2 of those years there was no FP+/G+/LL. I would speculate that the large increase in usage happened after they started charging for it.

 

[tissandtully]

I can’t imagine how many panicked phone calls a bunch of NYC finance dudes just got from their wives/au pairs on how their plans for their summer trip just got disrupted.

They can buy a plaid still.

 

[blackthidot]

So the process looks like it is the same but the time the DAS is good for is extended. So where I am confused it where a 3rd party would need to be involved? If you get in on a video chat to get DAS and your story seems fishy? Or what? It almost seems like they are trying to make people "worry" about doing it or "scaring" people away from doing it who may be on the boarder or needing or not needing it at all because a lot of this stuff is very vague or am I just interpreting this wrong?

 

[monothingie]

The advantage is that the process, which could take quite a while to complete if there's sufficient day-of demand, could be completed and all setup for you in advance of your arrival, so you can get right to doing what you want to do in the park. Disney is really pushing pre-arrival consults to ensure that all needs, not just DAS, are taken care of in advance.

I've never experienced using the system, but was there that little oversight of the current process that they were given away easily? I've been in GR when people have gone to request them, but it never seemed like anything out of the ordinary in which a GR CM handles.

Pre-arrival registration under the current scheme is limited to between 30 and 2 days. Those wishing to register a day in advance or day of have to go to Guest Relations.

Just clarifying, I was referring to the new implementation. Everything announced today says that after 5/20 will be done via pre-registration.

 

[Tha Realest]

So the process looks like it is the same but the time the DAS is good for is extended. So where I am confused it where a 3rd party would need to be involved? If you get in on a video chat to get DAS and your story seems fishy? Or what? It almost seems like they are trying to make people "worry" about doing it or "scaring" people away from doing it who may be on the boarder or needing or not needing it at all because a lot of this stuff is very vague or am I just interpreting this wrong?

Limitation on parties and “return to queue” suggests more expansive change in operations than just merely screening out obvious abusers.

 

[AmishGuy91]

What stunned me is that DAS usage has tripled in 5 years.

It stuns me if it is only 3x

 

[mattpeto]

As far as I can tell, the 3rd party thing was a rumor by Coreless. It wasn't and isn't true. Disney can consult with health professionals if needed. That's it.

 

[Andrew25]

The way this is worded, even though I have documentation, it no longer seems like the system would allow me to have the same level of access I once did, because my disability is not autism related, and while I do possibly have something that could be classified as a developmental disability... It is physical rather than mental in nature, and I'm not sure if they will recognize that as valid under this new system, even though both the CDC and Wikipedia claim it is a developmental disability and should be allowed under that. Hell it's not even my primary disability...

The Disney wording mentions Autism first and then directly provides a vague "and developmental disabilities" in the same point, so it's still open to interpretation.

If you were previously accommodated at WDW, I'd imagine they'll work with you.

So the process looks like it is the same but the time the DAS is good for is extended. So where I am confused it where a 3rd party would need to be involved? If you get in on a video chat to get DAS and your story seems fishy? Or what? It almost seems like they are trying to make people "worry" about doing it or "scaring" people away from doing it who may be on the boarder or needing or not needing it at all because a lot of this stuff is very vague or am I just interpreting this wrong?

Yes, the goal is to "scare" people who don't actually need it. The idea behind the 3rd party is, if documents are requested, its a way to verify it for those who actually need the system (or could possibly be faking it).

If you were accommodated in the past, and actually need it, I don't think you need to worry.

 

[Brian]

I've never experienced using the system, but was there that little oversight of the current process that they were given away easily? I've been in GR when people have gone to request them, but it never seemed like anything out of the ordinary in which a GR CM handles.

They were given away like candy, and there was little consistency to who would be granted DAS and who wouldn't. Someone could go to GR at one park and say they have a certain condition and get DAS while another person could go to GR at a different park, say they have the same condition, and be denied.

The new procedures will help a lot with consistency.

Just clarifying, I was referring to the new implementation. Everything announced today says that after 5/20 will be done via pre-registration.

Yes, the new scheme will allow for same-day consultation. The 30 to 2 days thing is still up on the website because that's the current policy.

 

[tissandtully]

They just need to get the doctors that do pre-approvals for insurance companies doing this, there will be like a handful of DAS a day lol.

 

[Angel Ariel]

i am happy to hear it will stay similar to the pre registration chat as it exists now, with some tweaks.

And.

With eliminating in park guest relations DAS, they need to seriously improve the online system. People are already waiting hours for these chats. To add volume, they need to add human support for the online system.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The way this is worded, even though I have documentation, it no longer seems like the system would allow me to have the same level of access I once did, because my disability is not autism related, and while I do possibly have something that could be classified as a developmental disability... It is physical rather than mental in nature, and I'm not sure if they will recognize that as valid under this new system, even though both the CDC and Wikipedia claim it is a developmental disability and should be allowed under that. Hell it's not even my primary disability...

 

[tissandtully]

To add volume, they need to add human support for the online system.

Unfortunately more humans is not the current operating plan. Hope you like AI chatbots!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I recently heard of a family using DAS for their party of 6 because one adult has diabetes. I’m not even sure how that affects their ability to wait in line. But hopefully this change is for the better and reserved for people who truly need it.

It absolutely does NOT

I’ll die on this hill

 

[MagicHappens1971]

With eliminating in park guest relations DAS, they need to seriously improve the online system. People are already waiting hours for these chats. To add volume, they need to add human support for the online system.

This is my concern. I have waited upwards of 3 hours at times

 

[tissandtully]

It absolutely does NOT

I’ll die on this hill

I've got "Type 2 Wow that line looks long I'd rather not wait in it "

 

[Smiley/OCD]

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.

I had NY Jets season tickets for 32 years and last year moved my seats to the “handicapped platform” for the games…I was never asked for proof of my disability (but would have GLADLY provided it). The past few concerts I’ve gone to, I’ve asked at the show where I could park my ECV and was immediately offered handicapped seats for my wife and I so I could sit on my ECV.
Look, whatever system gets adopted, it’s not going to be perfect, there will be abuses but any change will be better. I personally am sick and tired of people hiding BEHIND their disability. I obviously wish I didn’t have MS and I’m convinced there a “warm” special place for those that lie for that accommodation but I’m not hiding behind it…i have ABSOLUTELY NO problem disclosing my disease…my drug costs 130k/year (Ocrevus)…anyone who wants to trade places with me, have at it…thank God for insurance.

 

[mattpeto]

The Disney wording mentions Autism first and then directly provides a vague "and developmental disabilities" in the same point, so it's still open to interpretation.

If you were previously accommodated at WDW, I'd imagine they'll work with you.


Yes, the goal is to "scare" people who don't actually need it. The idea behind the 3rd party is, if documents are requested, its a way to verify it for those who actually need the system (or could possibly be faking it).

If you were accommodated in the past, and actually need it, I don't think you need to worry.

That's the target.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I've got "Type 2 Wow that line looks long I'd rather not wait in it "

…don’t get me all riled up