New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[nickys]

I think the information we need more than that is what the other accommodations will be and how they will work, lol

But you’re right we won’t likely get that from the company

Yes. But you will get that information when you call.

And once people start getting offered the accommodations we’ll hear about how they work.

I mean they have said something along the lines of “these accommodations may include rider switch, a return to line pass, ….” on the DL site.

They could write a couple of lines on the return to line pass, just like they already do on rider switch.

But people are still asking about RS even though the gist of it known. Why? Because they want to know exactly how it’s going to work, how many will be able to ride, etc. But that will vary depending on who has the need, what care they need whilst waiting, in line and whilst riding, who else and the ages of the rest of the party etc. Yhat’s what “needs based” means.

The information on DAS was only a few lines. It wasn’t extensive. A first timer would still need it explained. There were variations around group sizes etc.

 

[Touchdown]

Honestly

It still hate this.

I wonder if it would have worked if they had made these changes instead.

Remove all pre booking.

Limit DAS to three uses a day.

This ensures that all disabled people still receive accommodations and will be able to experience the attractions most important to them that day.

It also greatly reduces any reward for abusers.

It might have been a happy middle ground but maybe it runs into legal trouble ?

limiting access to x amount of rides would definitely be taken to court and likely be decided agains Disney. Even if it didn’t, it would concentrate use on the E tickets.

 

[Katieg3030]

I understand.
This is from Disney:
"Guests utilizing DAS can enjoy many other experiences throughout Walt Disney World Resort during a DAS virtual wait, such as other rides, shows, concerts, parades and Character Greetings. They can also take a rest in a break area, get something to eat or go shopping."

Yes, that’s why I said that Disney encourages people to do that. So I don’t think it’s wrong that are people are doing it, I can just see how it might not be considered “fair “ to some folks waiting in standby lines.. and make it more attractive to lie to get the pass. But like I said, I know Disney encourages it

 

[ditzee]

It's truly baffling that some believe that using DAS, which allows you to bypass standard lines, and then buying Genie+, which allows you to bypass standard lines, is somehow OK because "it's my money and Disney wants me to spend it". It's abusing the system for your own selfish reasons. Rationalization at its worst. Your actions have consequences. And now you're seeing what they are.

Wake me when there is something truly news-worthy posted in this thread.

Last November, I didn't buy Genie+ but would have if I needed it. It had been several yrs since going to WDW and my first since my condition required DAS. I felt like a newbie so I watched lots of videos and read a lot across the internet. Some said Genie+ was needed but others said it was not. I would never have thought of it as abuse because there wasn't any Snidely Whiplash wink winks as I read or watched the videos. It was more like "If it's very crowded and your condition means just a few hours in the parks, you might want to add Genie+".

 

[el_super]

The applicable section basically says you can't discriminate or deny access to goods and services to somebody based on their disability.

Ok....

If Disney eliminated DAS completely, there is a reasonable chance that they would win a suit if it was brought against them. Based upon the (overly vague and complex wording) of the actual law, you could argue that making an autistic person wait in the standby line does not deny them access to the attraction.

Uhm.... No.

If they have a disability that prevents them from standing in the queue, and Disney says they MUST stand in the queue in order to ride an attraction, then Disney is denying them access based on their disability.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Yes. But you will get that information when you call.

And once people start getting offered the accommodations we’ll hear about how they work.

I mean they have said something along the lines of “these accommodations may include rider switch, a return to line pass, ….” on the DL site.

They could write a couple of lines on the return to line pass, just like they already do on rider switch.

But people are still asking about RS even though the gist of it known. Why? Because they want to know exactly how it’s going to work, how many will be able to ride, etc. But that will vary depending on who has the need, what care they need whilst waiting, in line and whilst riding, who else and the ages of the rest of the party etc. Yhat’s what “needs based” means.

The information on DAS was only a few lines. It wasn’t extensive. A first timer would still need it explained. There were variations around group sizes etc.

Right. That’s been my point from the beginning. We won’t know exactly how this works until people start using it and reporting back

 

[Disstevefan1]

It sounds like you are thinking that Disney will decide to reject any applications from people with certain medical conditions.

This exactly. It will happen.

There will also continue to be cheaters that will claim specific medical conditions (that cant be proven either way) to get DAS.

The only way to reduce the use of DAS is to reject honest folks with real medical conditions.

 

[Katieg3030]

I don’t know how operationally Disney would cut out the “two places at once” issue here. Require tapping in to each line? Turning away a guest because they are “in line” for a different attraction?

I know, and that’s why I’m not sure that they will even try to tackle that… and as someone who has traveled with people on the spectrum I know how hard it can be to try to distract them when their whole focus is on riding they one thing they are obsessed with. So it might be just more work for Disney and the families involved.
But I do see why it’s such a complaint of those using the standby line. I imagine though, Disney is trying to cut back on this a little by cutting down on who they give the pass To, which will cut down on a lot of people “standing in” two lines at once .

 

[ditzee]

This is true but denial of DAS is not a basis for complaint. They have to be denied a reasonable accommodation for their medical issue.

That might depend on a grand jury and trial jury.

 

[Katieg3030]

But technically they can with Genie.

I get a Genie for say PP at 930. I am now allowed to hop in another line prior to that and wait to ride say HM before my time comes up… so yes i understand why people are saying that but its another slippery slope Disney im sure does not want to go down.

I agree that standby guest who purchase genie can hold 2 places at once… but they have to pay to do it.
So I think the “elevated experience” offered to those with the DAS is that in theory they can hold 2 places in 2 lines without paying for it. Which makes it “greater than equal” experience.
I have seen people argue on some chats that they don’t feel it is fair to let DAS holders buy genie plus and that of course isn’t fair… DAS is the disabled persons standby line.. so they should be able to hold a place with genie as well like anyone else can.
It’s just when DAS folks are getting to be in “ 2 lines at once” for free that DAS becomes a “better” experience (which is part of the reason why Disney is in this mess to begin with lol- making it a better scenario always sadly attracts fraud )

 

[Disstevefan1]

It's possible that happens but we also don't know how the return to line is going to work.

This return to line is going to be a huge mess. There was a time Disney would test things. Today they manage by committee and approved this in a meeting full of people probably.

It will be interesting to watch.

 

[nickys]

This exactly. It will happen.

There will also continue to be cheaters that will claim specific medical conditions (that cant be proven either way) to get DAS.

The only way to reduce the use of DAS is to reject honest folks with real medical conditions.

We’ll have to disagree. I don’t believe it will be certain conditions that no longer qualify, rather the questioning will be more stringent. That’s where the healthcare partnership comes into play - how to weed out those that don’t need an accommodation. People will not be able to get away with stock answers eg: “he gets anxious in line”.

 

[Chi84]

That might depend on a grand jury and trial jury.

How would a grand jury ever get involved in an ADA complaint? Or a regular jury for that matter.

 

[Tha Realest]

We’ll have to disagree. I don’t believe it will be certain conditions that no longer qualify, rather the questioning will be more stringent. That’s where the healthcare partnership comes into play - how to weed out those that don’t need an accommodation. People will not be able to get away with stock answers eg: “he gets anxious in line”.

I think it’ll be both.
1) Certain disabilities / classifications will no longer qualify for DAS, and be accommodated in a different way.
2) They will be more stringent/discerning for those claiming developmental disabilities.

 

[ditzee]

How would a grand jury ever get involved in an ADA complaint?

Not sure if all states have grand juries for civil investigations but some do if a trial is sought.

 

[Disstevefan1]

We’ll have to disagree. I don’t believe it will be certain conditions that no longer qualify, rather the questioning will be more stringent.

This is a contradictory statement in my opinion.
Person A, previously qualified, their conditions as actually worsened.
The same questions, plus "more stringent" questions whatever that means.
This same person who previously qualified does not.

This person is not now magically able to wait in these queues, in fact their condition has worsened since before the pandemic and Genie+ when this person qualified with no issues and renewed regularly.

Disney answer, purchase Genie+ even though the DAS is a MUCH BETTER guest experience.

 

[Andrew25]

This return to line is going to be a huge mess. There was a time Disney would test things. Today they manage by committee and approved this in a meeting full of people probably.

It will be interesting to watch.

It will be very interesting to see what happens, as its the one puzzle piece I'm not quite sure will work as well as they think it will.

There are certain queues that are built well to accommodate such a feature (Flight of Passage, etc.), but what happens to Claustrophobic queues like Peter Pan's Flight that has no easy way for access?

The new system/policies will be enacted in about a month... very little time to do any construction/massive changes to the queue themselves.

 

[The Mom]

This is a contradictory statement in my opinion.
Person A, previously qualified, their conditions as actually worsened.
The same questions, plus "more stringent" questions whatever that means.
This same person who previously qualified does not.

This person is not now magically able to wait in these queues, in fact their condition has worsened since before the pandemic and Genie+ when this person qualified with no issues and renewed regularly.

Disney answer, purchase Genie+ even though the DAS is a MUCH BETTER guest experience.

That is still supposition without anyone actually experiencing this. But this whole discussion has been full of hypotheticals.

 

[DisneyCane]

Ok....



Uhm.... No.

If they have a disability that prevents them from standing in the queue, and Disney says they MUST stand in the queue in order to ride an attraction, then Disney is denying them access based on their disability.

If the person can't stand in a queue, Disney could provide a wheelchair so they can sit in the queue.

As I posted dozens of pages back, I have a nephew with autism who is towards the severe end of the spectrum. Waiting in a long standby line will likely lead to him acting out, very possibly screaming and maybe hitting whoever happens to be near him but he technically CAN wait in line. He's not going to end up in the hospital if he does, it will just be a very miserable experience.

The text of the law is very open to interpretation with respect to things like autism and different judges may rule differently. It's very clear that you have to provide a means for somebody in a wheelchair to access attractions, not so clear on other disabilities.

 

[Chi84]

This is a contradictory statement in my opinion.
Person A, previously qualified, their conditions as actually worsened.
The same questions, plus "more stringent" questions whatever that means.
This same person who previously qualified does not.

This person is not now magically able to wait in these queues, in fact their condition has worsened since before the pandemic and Genie+ when this person qualified with no issues and renewed regularly.

Disney answer, purchase Genie+ even though the DAS is a MUCH BETTER guest experience.

I think the confusion comes in with thinking that DAS = disability accommodation. DAS is just Disney's system, which may have given some people more accommodation than they actually needed, even the person whose condition has worsened.