New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[Jcf8037]

In the end, the online / social media world seems to be what has ruined it for everyone. Its not the same, obviously, as someone needing DAS to go on rides, but I remember the trip where my daughter and I tried to get our favorite treat at Disney, ice cream from the French pavilion, every day we spent at Epcot, and found an hour long line every time we showed up. Finally, we went in the exit door to ask why the lines had become so long compared to our previous experiences. The answer was, in all seriousness, “tik tok.” People had posted about the brioche ice cream sandwich and it went viral. I watched two teen girls filming themselves and the cast member preparing the food. It became a status symbol, a “must have” Disney treat.

While that’s not on the same level as this, if we didn’t have all the “Disney hacks” posts out there, and we didn’t support the parks influencer culture, we likely wouldn’t have all the DAS cheaters either. In an attempt to earn online clout, or in some very few cases, money, these people have ruined it for everyone.

 

[Jrb1979]

I thought it was those abusing the system that was affecting other guests not those with disabilities?

That is only part of it. Many seem to not understand that Disney has til now gone over above accommodating those with disabilities. I get many are frustrated with the changes but it had to happen.

 

[wdwjmp239]

There are so many people who have unjustly taken advantage of this system, to the detriment of those who truly need it, so, unfortunately this was an inevitable outcome.

This is what my wife and I were talking about on the drive home from Epcot last night. There are so many people who need it and there are those who abuse the system because they think they're entitled to some special access. This all started with the spring break crowds back in the early 2000s when they would rent a scooter so they can skip the lines. And this is why I keep saying, "This is why we can't have nice things."

Hey Disney...if you're following this thread.....you need to make this right. This is absolutely out of hand.

 

[Splash4eva]

If the DAS applicant knew the others in their group (if more than one attendant) has to actually stand in the standby line for an hour for Peter Pan, the fraud issue and incentive would instantly be significantly reduced and “DAS tours” would immediately end.

I don’t know anybody that wanted to pretend they had a three year old with them to be able to experience what my wife and I were doing during our child swap trips.

If there had been a “magic pass” that would have allowed us to not have to wait through the entire standby line for every attraction, yeah, people would have lied to get it.

This is without a doubt something that should have been tested out 1st. With basically everyone having a phone texting someone you are “close” is not an issue. Also if your party got to the front and the DAS user was not there yet you could easily have them wait on the side for say a 5 minute grace period to ride alone. Problem solved. Its a win win for everyone. To me there were plenty of options Disney could have easily tried they just didnt. Now with that being said. I would agree on a case by case basis this hard “rule” could be adjusted but to me have it a rule to deter anyone initially and go from there.

 

[Angel Ariel]

To be honest, I really would not trust the app, if I happen to be walking past an attraction that had a low standby posted AND it looked like the queue was short, we would jump in.

Exactly. Something nearby with a short wait, yeah, we would pop in. Having to travel for said short line to then travel back? Not feasible. We'd do a bathroom break or snack break instead. Or, back in the day when streetmosphere was a thing, enjoy that. Sadly WDW has sucked the life out of that. Part of why I prefer DLR.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That is only part of it. Many seem to not understand that Disney has til now gone over above accommodating those with disabilities. I get many are frustrated with the changes but it had to happen.

Many of us have actually acknowledged this and the need for change - but it's a long thread and it gets lost, and tbh it's exhausting to keep repeating it

 

[Tha Realest]

There is a difference between ADA mandated facility accessibility requirements and “I can’t stand in amusement ride lines in the sun so I choose to go to an amusement park with outside lines in the sun and demand the amusement park figure that out for me”.

Yep

Generally speaking, ADA mandated facility accessibility guidelines deals with ensuring wheechair access or other physical disabilities (e.g., certain percentage of seating or restrooms being ADA accessible, doors and aisles of a certain width, ramps of a certain incline). Existing facilities that predate the ADA do not necessarily have to rework them. This is why there are less physically accessible rides or queues at DL, and one possible reason why we’ve not seen a revamp of Peoplemover - that the current figuration, if brought back online with the extensive work it would require, would not pass ADA compliance.

What’s being debated is the more murky area of what is a reasonable accommodation for various guests that are considered disabled to have equal access to a good/service.

As someone eloquently put it earlier, those generally in favor of these revamped guidelines look at it from a macro level: what is the best way to continue to provide these accommodations to those who have near-impossible cognitive ability to wait that long. From the other standpoint, they view how suboptimal the experience is going to be if they have to physically wait, or use some form of return to line.

Unfortunately, “less ideal” or “not as generous a policy” may still fall within a reasonable accommodation. To your hypothetical, someone taking the position that they have trouble being outside in the heat begs two questions: 1) why would you go to the busiest theme park in the world that’s also in Florida, and 2) what would you be doing while not in that line?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I have appreciated your input into this conversation, but I think when those (like me) supporting the changes make a point, some (like you) who have been using DAS compare it to your own needs and respond as such. That’s totally understandable to me, but I think there’s a disconnect. I can’t speak for others, but as for me, I’m seeing it from a. Macro level while those who are upset with the changes are looking at it from a personal and very micro level. I don’t pretend to know your (or anyone’s) personal situation but you’ve shared a lot and I would be stunned if you, or the gentleman with the wife who is a disabled veteran, weren’t able to continue enjoying the parks in the same way (meaning you will still qualify for DAS in the future). You are parties of 2 or 3 where other accommodations are not in the realm of possibilities. There will always be those families where there is no other option, and historically, Disney has catered to them with grace and empathy.

These new rules are presented as the hardline, textbook requirements, in my opinion. Their presentation appears to be designed to immediately cull the families who are outright cheating or taking advantage. Disney doesn’t intend to force the families, like yours, into an experience that is inferior to any guest.

as I have appreciated your input . And I do want to clarify I am trying to see it from the macro level, and often find the personal examples more clear to understand - so it's more a combination of both than one or the other if that makes sense?

As for whether DD will still qualify - i hope you are right, but I hold a cautious viewpoint, as while I agree that I don't think Disney intends to force families into an inferior experience, unintentional consequences happen all the time.

There is so much in DD's life we have had to fight for. School-based therapies, access to actual academics, access to appropriate medical care, fighting with insurance, access to extra curricular activities with supports for her. The list goes on. None of these places *intend* negative experiences (save maybe insurance ), but that hasn't stopped it from being our reality. Disney is basically the one place we never had to fight for her needs to be recognized and met. I pray that doesn't change.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

To your hypothetical, someone taking the position that they have trouble being outside in the heat begs two questions: 1) why would you go to the busiest theme park in the world that’s also in Florida, and 2) what would you be doing while not in that line?

1 - because they want to experience Disney World.

2 - spending time in the shade, or at an indoor location.

 

[Tha Realest]

1 - because they want to experience Disney World.

2 - spending time in the shade, or at an indoor location.

Again, the standard is reasonable accommodations to guests. Do you think Disney has an obligation to protect you from the environment and elements, and that providing such accommodation would be viewed as objectively reasonable?

 

[DryerLintFan]

Question: A party of 4 will now be split up? Both coasts? DAS/autism

I’m still catching up, but in case nobody answered you no. Autism is the only thing specifically mentioned that still gets DAS

If 90% of your time is doing rides in a normal 10 hour day that means that you are in a queue or ride for 9 hours and meals, bathrooms, shows, shopping and walking on the midway only add up to 1 hour of your day. The average non DAS guest does not do this, I bet it’s more like 50-60% of the day is riding and queuing and another example of how warped your DAS experience has been from other guests.

On our fullest days, we rope drop and leave at lunch, so i think we average like,…3.5 hours in the park in the morning, and then 4 hours in the evening. In the morning we could pull a high percentage of time spent on rides, because that’s all we’re doing and then we leave. But the evening is mostly not rides (food and fireworks).

I don’t think I’d survive 10 hours in the parks

 

[jaklgreen]

A 40 minute LL wait is a problem, whether it’s for DAS returns or paid line skip guest satisfaction. Theoretically, this is why changes that are big enough to move the needle should help everyone. Someone who cannot wait in a lengthy queue and has been assigned a DAS should absolutely not be faced with a 40 minute queue upon return.

I agree but those are typically right after a breakdown when everyone has rushed back to the ride. It is not the norm. But Disney is unpredictable and things happen. We all adjust as needed at the time.

 

[wdwjmp239]

Can I offer up a potential "solution" in this thread that might help?

Why can't Disney invest in a "create your own experience" type feature where in your My Disney Experience app, you can select what rides you want to go on and what times. So, it'd be like a reservation system similar to the DAS as it stands now that way you can do what you want to do and go back to the ride at the time you reserved. It would a "virtual queue", but not the virtual queue with boarding groups. So, an example would be:

You have a family with an autistic child and a grandparent with an oxygen tank. Let's say that the child has to have medication between 1pm and 3pm and the grandparent has to charge the oxygen tank between 5 and 6pm. You can block your experiences around those times so you're not shoehorned into waiting in line.

Another example would be:

A family of four is just going up for the day and wants to hit a couple of rides in the morning and then have lunch/dinner later. They can go into their app, create their experience and select up to 3 rides and then go make reservations later on based on the times they selected for their rides.

Disney is probably already doing this with Lightning Lane, but instead of charging $$$ per person per day for LL passes, this would be rolled into the cost of admission (day pass, park hopper pass, annual pass) because when I saw how much a day pass was per park - I about lost my friggin' mind. I had ZERO idea it was that much (almost $200 for a day pass for one park?).

I don't want this thread to go off-topic, but I'm interested in hearing the feedback to this type of "solution" that Disney could look into.

Appreciate the sounding board, folks!

 

[Brian]

Can I offer up a potential "solution" in this thread that might help?

Why can't Disney invest in a "create your own experience" type feature where in your My Disney Experience app, you can select what rides you want to go on and what times. So, it'd be like a reservation system similar to the DAS as it stands now that way you can do what you want to do and go back to the ride at the time you reserved. It would a "virtual queue", but not the virtual queue with boarding groups. So, an example would be:

You have a family with an autistic child and a grandparent with an oxygen tank. Let's say that the child has to have medication between 1pm and 3pm and the grandparent has to charge the oxygen tank between 5 and 6pm. You can block your experiences around those times so you're not shoehorned into waiting in line.

Another example would be:

A family of four is just going up for the day and wants to hit a couple of rides in the morning and then have lunch/dinner later. They can go into their app, create their experience and select up to 3 rides and then go make reservations later on based on the times they selected for their rides.

Disney is probably already doing this with Lightning Lane, but instead of charging $$$ per person per day for LL passes, this would be rolled into the cost of admission (day pass, park hopper pass, annual pass) because when I saw how much a day pass was per park - I about lost my friggin' mind. I had ZERO idea it was that much (almost $200 for a day pass for one park?).

I don't want this thread to go off-topic, but I'm interested in hearing the feedback to this type of "solution" that Disney could look into.

Appreciate the sounding board, folks!

This sounds familiar.

 

[Trauma]

Can I offer up a potential "solution" in this thread that might help?

Why can't Disney invest in a "create your own experience" type feature where in your My Disney Experience app, you can select what rides you want to go on and what times. So, it'd be like a reservation system similar to the DAS as it stands now that way you can do what you want to do and go back to the ride at the time you reserved. It would a "virtual queue", but not the virtual queue with boarding groups. So, an example would be:

You have a family with an autistic child and a grandparent with an oxygen tank. Let's say that the child has to have medication between 1pm and 3pm and the grandparent has to charge the oxygen tank between 5 and 6pm. You can block your experiences around those times so you're not shoehorned into waiting in line.

Another example would be:

A family of four is just going up for the day and wants to hit a couple of rides in the morning and then have lunch/dinner later. They can go into their app, create their experience and select up to 3 rides and then go make reservations later on based on the times they selected for their rides.

Disney is probably already doing this with Lightning Lane, but instead of charging $$$ per person per day for LL passes, this would be rolled into the cost of admission (day pass, park hopper pass, annual pass) because when I saw how much a day pass was per park - I about lost my friggin' mind. I had ZERO idea it was that much (almost $200 for a day pass for one park?).

I don't want this thread to go off-topic, but I'm interested in hearing the feedback to this type of "solution" that Disney could look into.

Appreciate the sounding board, folks!

This all sounds great, but would involve Disney investing money to improve the guest experience.

Won’t happen under Bobs watch.

 

[jaklgreen]

At the same time you and others struggle to understand the problem DAS is causing as it's currently structured. You can't have the majority of LL space taken up by DAS.

Yes they need to accommodate those with disabilities but at the same time they also need to keep those without disabilities happy too.

I understand that there is abuse. But deal with the abuse then. From what cast members on here have said, it sounds like the majority of the abuse is from other cast members. Maybe Disney should start internally first and see what that gets them.

 

[peter11435]

I understand that there is abuse. But deal with the abuse then. From what cast members on here have said, it sounds like the majority of the abuse is from other cast members. Maybe Disney should start internally first and see what that gets them.

There is cast member abuse. It is not even close to the majority.

 

[BalooChicago]

I don’t think anyone is advocating for status quo.

Disney only recognizing autism as a disability worthy of DAS is extreme.

Disney rolling this out without all the details on how it was going to work was a mistake.

 

[Splash4eva]

At the same time you and others struggle to understand the problem DAS is causing as it's currently structured. You can't have the majority of LL space taken up by DAS.

Yes they need to accommodate those with disabilities but at the same time they also need to keep those without disabilities happy too.

I am curious is it guest size or re rides causing this or a combo of both because less than 10% of guests having DAS is NOT a high number.

 

[Joel]

This wasn’t directed at me, but I don’t think anyone is advocating for status quo.

But nearly everyone seems to think the status quo should still apply to them.

Disney rolling this out without all the details on how it was going to work was a mistake.

Agree with you there. They seem to make this mistake fairly often.