New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[GSP Guy]

Just reading some of the comments here I'm reminded that my wife and I once witnessed two teenage boys run from the exit of Crystal Palace and leap from the top of the stairs clearing them all only to then get on their scooters and drive away. Just an observation.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Yep. It was small groups of up to 6 sparsely using it that accounted for TP’s wild number divergences and Disney’s aggressive (and some would say draconian) step in changing their policies here.

6 was absolutely a soft cap.

 

[Brian]

This is by far the most surprising thing I've learned from this thread.

To those who worked at Disney, especially recently, it is hardly surprising.

 

[Chi84]

Maybe we need to wait to see what sort of return to line system Disney is going to adopt.

 

[Patcheslee]

I think the “leave and return” policy would hypothetically solve problems for a huge number of people who currently use DAS… the only problem is that I can’t imagine what system they could implement that wouldn’t be an absolute circus. There aren’t natural points throughout most lines to enter and exit, and in addition, once you can easily leave the line you know everyone is going to start doing it like crazy. Kids are bored… time to “go to the bathroom” (and buy a pretzel, watch part of the parade…) That’s just human nature. Even if the re-entry point isn’t any further ahead, it’s still a little break from waiting.

Unless they somehow plan to convert some of the queue switchbacks to exit lanes, it's going to be difficult. I'm tiny and still had issues getting out of lines. Usually consisted of going between railing when possible to have less back and forth.

 

[Angel Ariel]

To those who worked at Disney, especially recently, it is hardly surprising.

Then I'd love to know what Disney is doing to hold their CMs accountable for any abuses of the DAS.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Remember when Disney tested the “waiting area” like the dumbo tent and the Rock n Roller coaster courtyard? That was such a good idea - wish that idea could have caught on.

That would be better for regular guests AND solve many of these issues.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Maybe we need to wait to see what sort of return to line system Disney is going to adopt.

Agreed, and - Disney should have forseen that this would be a big talking point and have had information prepped for release at the same time.

 

[DeadyRoosevelt]

Maybe we need to wait to see what sort of return to line system Disney is going to adopt.

We certainly do, but this could have been avoided if Disney just released their comprehensive DAS plans all at once.

 

[Patcheslee]

In theory shouldn't we have all the details for the new system 30 days prior to implementation? There very well could be people that no longer choose to visit because the accomodation wouldn't work for them. Packages have to be canceled 30+ days out, so it makes some sense to release sooner.

 

[GSP Guy]

BTW, It isn't just guests, but CM and CPers are significant abusers of DAS. Cases of a CM spending 8 hours working at Slinky Dog Dash on Monday, visiting the park on Tuesday, and then saying they need DAS to wait in line.

holy moly!

 

[larryz]

And it never was a major problem, until Disney monetized FP with G+, incentivizing people to cheat the system.

Well, it's not like nobody never gamed the system when it was free...

 

[jaklgreen]

Oh there’s a simple out here for you. If you don’t feel comfortable with it, then you don’t get DAS. Plain and simple. Disney won’t mind.

Secondly, it appears that they’re using Inspire Health Alliance based out of California who does lab testing under Inspire Diagnosis and mainly does COVID-19 testing. So I have from what I’ve looked into absolutely no idea where from your word salad about them being an autism resource.

I was behind on the info and was thinking that they were going to use the same company that Universal does.
I won't be going back to WDW for at least a couple of years. To not get DAS would be the end of my Disney trips. My issues are bathroom related. I need access urgently and frequently. I have been dealing with this for almost 20 years. I didn't go to any of my kids' sporting events because there were no toilets. No taking my kids to the park for the same reason. No road trips for me, no going to the movie theater because I had to get up so often that there is not point. My life literally revolves around a toilet.
The only reason that I can even go anywhere is because airplanes have toilets. WDW was the ONE place that I felt almost normal. I could set up my DAS and hang out by the toilets until my return time. I would go right before I got on the ride and then hightail it to the toilet as soon as I got off of the ride. Even then, I would only go on about 4 rides a day.
There is no way that I would be able to go in and out of the standby line to use the restroom, especially now that I travel solo.
I think that people, like you, that don't have serious medical conditions that completely affect your whole life, just can not comprehend how horrible it is. At times, I feel like I don't want to live like this anymore because my life consists of work and home. I don't do anything else other than my once a year trip to WDW and now I don't have that.

 

[jaklgreen]

Agreed, and - Disney should have forseen that this would be a big talking point and have had information prepped for release at the same time.

Maybe they think that people are just faking actually having bathroom issues as an excuse to get DAS and that it won't be really that many people wanting to leave the lines. Boy are they in for a surprise. For a 60 minute wait, I would have to leave at last 3-4 times. Not sure how that would be accomplished as a solo traveler.

 

[larryz]

People who do that are an example of what is wrong with society and the sense of entitlement some people have.

As far as I'm concerned, people who cheat and/or can't follow instructions failed kindergarten and should be sent back to repeat it until they get it right.

 

[lentesta]

This is by far the most surprising thing I've learned from this thread.

I will 100% confirm this.

As I said upthread, I understand change is hard. Disney knows where the abuse is happening.

 

[Tha Realest]

BTW, It isn't just guests, but CM and CPers are significant abusers of DAS. Cases of a CM spending 8 hours working at Slinky Dog Dash on Monday, visiting the park on Tuesday, and then saying they need DAS to wait in line.

Seems that person should be fired on Wednesday.

 

[Chi84]

Disney has to cut down the abuse while still complying with the ADA. Autism is a protected disability and, as other posters have noted, requiring documentation is apparently prohibited by the ADA.

Mobility issues don’t necessarily preclude waiting in line so maybe they will address these in some other way, along with announcing whatever return to line system they’re planning.

 

[Tha Realest]

Disney has to cut down the abuse while still complying with the ADA. Autism is a protected disability and, as other posters have noted, requiring documentation is apparently prohibited by the ADA.

Mobility issues don’t necessarily preclude waiting in line so maybe they will address these in some other way, along with announcing whatever return to line system they’re planning.

The lawsuit quoted from a provision involving service animals, not a broad prohibition on asking for documentation.

It seems the data would suggest most of the fraud and abuse falls within the developmental disorder area, and that’s where more rigorous screening will occur?

 

[Section106]

There is no way the standby queue can accomodate two wheelchairs or ECVs having to pass each other to let one user leave. Those lines are no that wide. What a dumb idea.