Home Disney News Major limitations on new Disability Access Service at Disney

Major limitations on new Disability Access Service at Disney

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Major limitations on new Disability Access Service at Disney
Credit: Disney

Disney has shared more insight into how the Disability Access Service will be implemented this fall. However, some major limitations could have a serious impact on the Guests utilizing the service. What are your thoughts on these changes?

Disability Access Service (DAS)

Credit: Monica

When all of the Genie news came out, Disney also announced changes were underway for the DAS system. In the announcement, we learned that there would be a pre-booking option and Guests would be able to obtain return times via the app instead of in person.

The new DAS system will roll out with Genie on October 19. We still do not know when the pre-booking option opens up.

Pre-Booking

The system as it is now. Credit: Disney

As mentioned above, Disney will allow you to enroll and book two return times with a Cast Member virtually. Right now, you have to speak with someone at Guest Relations before you can use the service.

During this virtual chat, you will complete the registration process (which will be good for 60 days), and you’ll also have the opportunity to select up to 2 experiences per day (subject to availability) using the new DAS Advance planning option.

Please keep in mind that DAS Advance selections must be booked at least 2 days prior to the day you plan to redeem them, and you will not be able to make selections on the day of your visit (from the Disney website).

Credit: KtP

Are they referring to making advance selections or just selections in general? The language is a bit confusing. I know many who use this service for almost every attraction they experience. That is a major change from the current system as we know it.

More details coming: If the attraction you want is available, you will be given a one hour return window to redeem on the day you visit. It will be like the old FastPass+ system where you must return by the time your window is up. Don’t worry, your plans will be in the My Disney Experience app to help you remember!

Same-Day Booking

Credit: KtP

There is also an option for same-day booking. Instead of having to physically walk to each attraction and get your return time, you will be able to obtain one in the MDE app.

In lieu of having to physically go to an experience or to a kiosk to obtain a return time from a Cast Member, Guests registered in the DAS program (and their party members) will be able to make return time selections right from the My Disney Experience app during the day of a park visit (from the Disney website).

This was difficult for many Guests who needed to utilize the service but had to make the trek around the park to get to that attraction. This is a welcome change!

Photo: Disney

Guests needing to utilize DAS can also use it with Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections. Additionally, you can opt out of pre-registering and pre-booking and instead just do it on the day of your visit and make your selections in the app.

Return times can still be handed out at Guest Relations and Cast Members located at each attraction. If you book them in the app, do note that you can also change or cancel them as well.

Here’s where we need clarification

Credit: Disney

As stated above, Disney tells us if we pre-book we only get two selections per day and no more. They also state if we register the day of the visit, we can make selections in the app.

So, will we still be limited to 2 per day if we do self-booking like we would pre-registering? Or, are they just talking about the 2 advanced booking selections.

“…you will not be able to make selections on the day of your visit” in the pre-registration section contradicts “…will be able to make return time selections right from the My Disney Experience app during the day of a park visit” in the same-day booking section unless you are limited to 2 selections no matter how you register/book them.

Inside Disney Springs Guest Relations

If we are not limited to 2 selections per day with the self-booking tool why even have a pre-registering system? Why bother registering and pre-selecting them if you cannot get additional ones in the park?

Disney will need to clarify the limitations imposed on same-day registration and booking, but there are going to be some limitations for pre-registration and pre-booking.

Update: After further discussion with other KtP writers and reviewing the policy, it appears that you can participate in both the new system with pre-booking and the current system where you obtain return times throughout the day. We all agreed the policy was poorly written and should have been more clear.

What do you think of these changes? How are you reading the policy? Join the conversation in the comments below and on Facebook.

11 COMMENTS

  1. I’m hoping this will all be figured out by the time we go. My husband uses a cane & sometimes rents an EVC. He cannot sit or stand for long periods (15 minutes is his usual limit). I thought it all sounded pretty simple, but now their wording seems to be making it complicated.

  2. CJ, just to clarify, they are not saying that just guests who preregister have to go to CMs for reservations beyond the first 2. They have not put the online reservation system in place yet, and until then, EVERYONE with a DAS has to get return times from a CM. You don’t get penalized for preregistering, as some people feared.

  3. Looking over the lastest information released by Disney confirms I was correct. 2 pre-selected rides per day is the limit, but you may continue to select other rides by approaching the CM at the ride as we did in the past.
    “At the end of that process, the Guest will be able to select up to 2 DAS Advance selections for select attractions (subject to availability).”
    “On the day of their visit, Guests can obtain return times from a Cast Member at Guest Relations or at available attractions. For Guests who pre-register and take advantage of the DAS Advance planning option, these return times are available in addition to their initial DAS Advance selections.”

  4. Universal you are told to use a wheelchair or EVC as they are handicap accessible. Many of us don’t or can’t wait in line. Its life and you live with it. Too many people take advantage of the system.

  5. You can thank the able-bodied folks who used to try to game the system by getting wheelchairs just so they could get a DAS for that. :( Disney changed the system several years back because of that abuse. They figured people in wheelchairs WEREN’T having to stand, so they could exclude that to keep out the abusers. However, maybe it is possible, since you yourself have a problem standing but don’t use a wheelchair, that you might be able to get a DAS, that would then also apply to a limited number of your party members.

  6. I thought the language was clear. People with disabilities get a leg up, so to speak, by getting to reserve 2 rides up to a month early, which seems to be earlier than anyone else, now that they have done away with Fastpass+. And in the park, rather than having to run all over the park to make their additional reservations, they can just do them on the app.

    What I am wondering (wishing), though I’m pretty sure I know the answer, is whether “experiences” means anything beyond just attractions, like say dining reservations (which ARE sometimes called experiences on the website, though by 30 days ahead, the hard to get ones are already gone). The use of the word “experiences” rather than attractions seems an odd choice. But maybe it is so it can encompass things like shows or meet and greets.

    Also curious whether you can make these 2 reservations in different parks, and if 1 or both have to be in the park where you have a reservation. Also, it sounds like DAS will work a lot like Genie+, but as consecutive rides probably set at the current wait time, as it currently is, rather than governed by some algorithm as it sounds like the Genie+ system and old Fastpass system were. Is there any benefit for guests with DAS to get Genie+? Can they hold separate reservations under both at the same time (as they used to be able to hold both a Fastpass reservation and a DAS reservation)? (I know Disney has not yet answered these questions, but I would really like them to!)

  7. I am glad they are changing the way to obtain a pass. It felt like I was hurrying to get the return time, when I take the longest to walk and need to rest more. I hope this helps eliminates that issue.

  8. What confusing is me is the wording that the fact that an EVC is needed does not mean that a DAS will be approved?? My husband will have an EVC and I use a cane. Standing in a long line is not something that is reasonable for either of us.

  9. It’s my understanding that it’s only 2 pre-selected rides before entering the park, and those most be made at least 2 days in advance. But even if you pre-select rides you WILL be able to do additional return times once you are in the park. Again, my understanding.

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