Breaking: Disney Makes Big Changes to the Disability Service (DAS)
Disney graciously allows Guests who cannot wait in a physical queue the opportunity to apply for the Disability Access Service (DAS). However, after widespread abuse, Disney is making several changes that will affect EVERYONE.
DAS
Guests who cannot wait in a physical standby queue for longer periods of time may benefit from Disney's Disability Access Service. Instead of waiting in the standby line, they receive a return time that is equal to 10 minutes less than the current wait time.
That Guest and the party he/she is traveling with can then enter the Lightning Lane entrance and experience the attraction.
Do note that this is not a skip the standby opportunity. The Guest must still wait to ride the attraction. It just gives them the opportunity to wait elsewhere.
Changes
It has become increasingly more common for Guests to misuse and abuse the DAS system. Those who do not really need it are applying for it so they do not have to pay for Disney's Genie+.
Now, Disney World and Disneyland will see some massive changes to the service on May 20 (WDW) and in June (DLR). This will help ensure DAS is used fairly by those who truly need it.
Some of the most noticeable changes are:
- Advanced pre-arrival selections will no longer be a default offering to every DAS user (we are unsure if you will have to ask for it or if they only offer it in certain scenarios or if it will not be available at all)
- Current DAS users need to re-apply
- The max number of Guests that may accompany the DAS user is 4 (exceptions for families)
- DAS enrollment increases from 60 to 120 days
- At Disney World, pre-registration or day-of regisration must both be done via virtual chat
- A "return to queue" process will also be implemented for those who need to leave an re-enter a queue (though we have no further details for that)
What does this mean for you?
DAS usage has increased 3x over in the past 5 years, so Disney hopes that by working with Inspire Health's Alliance professionals, DAS eligibility is more consistent and thorough.
These new changes will hopefully eliminate DAS abuse and will therefore decrease the number of people using the Lightning Lane.
We will be sure to share more details as we learn them. Right now, this is all pretty new and things will continue to be fleshed out in the weeks ahead before the official change over occurs in May and June.
Are you a DAS user? What do you think of these changes? Do they encourage you or scare you? Let us know in the comments below, and share this post with a friend.
I was a DAS user buy after their changes I wasn't allowed.
Being a heart patient wasn't good enough to get the DAS program . Even with a note from my doctor which is ridiculous.
I was a participant in the DAS program at Disney World since its inception. I was told about and helped sigh up for the DAS program from a management employee from Disney. I am visually impaired (lost my sight within the last 11 years) I am 68 years old and have problems in low light areas. I begin to panic because I have knocked down and hurt others while in these situations. I also have a form of PTSD due to circumstances that have happened in the past 10 years. When I applied in 2024 was turned down because the interviewer did not think that I was qualified. I feel that the program should have been grandfathered for the original participants.
They scare me ans it seems to go against the ADA especially because you have to buy a ticket before you even know if your family has gotten the needed accommodation of the DAS.
These DAS changes will do more harm than good because they need to listen to actually autistic people. (Whether they are kids or adults or speaking, or non speaking)! Everyone deserves to be heard!!
The new DAS updates are a tragedy for individuals and families with genuine medical disabilities.
Disney is making clear that they DO NOT care about the disabled. What they care about is avoiding liability due to autistic children having violent meltdowns because a TINY fraction of the people who previously qualified are now being approved. They will not discuss any medical diagnoses; refuse to allow people to submit medical documentation, and basically are haphazardly approving some people while rejecting others with exactly the same issues/concerns.
It’s a mess and a tragedy.
Children with cancer, vets and abuse victims with PTSD, people with major medical issues like ostomy bags that require rapid access to restrooms, BLIND individuals being told to get an ECV?! Seriously?
#DoBetterDisney
#DASDisaster
#WhatWouldWaltDo
Do you have any sources for this? Any evidence of your claim that
“It has become increasingly more common for Guests to misuse and abuse the DAS system. Those who do not really need it are applying for it so they do not have to pay for Disney’s Genie+.”
Thanks!
Unfortunately after hearing many terrible stories of how people, autistic people included are not getting the DAS, are treated rudely, not even allowed to get a sentence out before being denied is awful. Cancer patients, veterans with PTSD, autistic people and many more are not getting the accommodations needed. Instead Disney is willing to allow medical emergencies to possibly happen in line, with people passing out, seizing, vomiting or possibly having accidents in line. Adults are being told to leave their disabled children to leave the line by themselves or vice versa their companions to wait in line while they go through what they have going on alone. All of this is so dangerous for the disabled community. We are severely suffering for the few that abused it and now many are choosing to cancel instead of being able to visit the previously most magical place on Earth.
Disney has denied disabled veterans for any disability. We have already gone thru federal verification of our disability but we aren't disabled enough for disney.
This whole topic has unleashed ableism at all levels. It only changes when a person starts to have a loved one that needs the access at the airport or wants that one last trip with the family. Until then most of the public is tried and true ableist.
A lot of people with legitimate, documented disabilities that prevent them from waiting in line (adults and kids) are now excluded from DAS and cannot enjoy WDW and Disneyland at the same level as their able bodied peers. Disney is now pushing its “return to queue” option, in which disabled guests have to navigate through the line to use a toilet or have a seizure, often in a wheelchair, and then are somehow expected to convince other guests to let them return to their place. Plus you cannot get approved for DAS until 30 days before your trip, which is past the holding window cutoff for DVC if you are denied DAS and have to cancel. Disney needs to allow guests to provide documentation and use a more inclusive system similar to Universal. We need more coverage of how this is affecting families with disabilities!
@Amber Buonodono, I would be more than happy to provide documentation!
WELL WELL ANOTHER DISNEY STUPID RULE CATERING TO TOURISTS PAYING FOR LIGHTNING LANE FIRST!!!!
I don’t like it but I have to use my mobility scooter due to my disability
I have C5 C6 vertebra in my neck fused C7 is pending
I have had both knees replaced and I am unable to stand for long periods of time or walk too far or kneel or sit lower than my knees
I have several fractures in my sacral spine surgery is not an option
I have severe neuropathy in both legs to include a blood clot in my right leg
I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO BE NORMAL AND ABLE TO WALK ALONG SIDE MY HUSBAND BUT AT 74 that is impossible so I applied for the disability access after waiting in line inside the mountain to the Falcon Ride when it was announced the ride had stopped so we made it to the exit door due to the long time spent with no access to a restroom
SO YOU TELL ME why Disney intends to discriminate against disabled people except for autistic children????????
How about monitoring the parking lots when cars park as close to the entrances as possible by using disabled plaques THAT I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET THE MAJORITY OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE USING THESE CLOSE TO ENTRANCE SPACES WITH STROLLERS AND SMALL CHILDREN ARE USING STOLEN OR BORROWED PLAQUEZS
@Doris DuPriest, I totally agree with you. My husband and I both both have age-related health problems. For many reasons, we cannot physically tolerate standing in long lines. We have been using the DAS for many years. We have never abused it. Disney has made thousands of dollars from us because we generally use the waiting time to purchase food and drinks. People will be miserable if they have to wait in line behind us. Everyone is so impatient these days. I had always believed that Disney was for everyone. It seems it's just for the young and healthy and families with autistic children. This is so sad.
I wish they required medical documentation. This would probably cut the abuse in half. Yes, there are people who would find a way to provide false documentation, but Disney currently makes it so effortless to scam the system that almost anyone can do it. And then tell their friends about it. Or post about it online. So a bunch more people give it a try because what's the worst that can happen, they say no? That is why it has tripled in the past 5 years. That and the Genie+ system. People don't want to pay for something that used to be free, so now they are finding other work arounds. As a family who actually NEEDS the DAS, I'm excited about them starting to weed out the abusers.
Very happy about this! My daughter is a Type 1 Diabetic and truly needs this in order to enjoy Disney... but the DAS abuse outshines her perk!!!
@Christy,
Hugs to you and your daughter nephew is a Type 1 kiddo as well.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news—but for all personal accounts I've seen to date, no Type 1 kiddos are approved anymore. It's a medical condition, not a cognitive one—so they no longer qualify!
Don't worry though, they have alternatives for you:
“Rider Switch”—your party separates and those who can wait in line do, while a caregiver and your daughter get your tickets scanned, wait somewhere else, and then when your party gets off the ride you swap and scan into the lightening lane for the two of you)
and “Return to Que” -if she's having a medical episode/emergency, your daughter and a caregiver leave the line, push through people, find a castmember, let them know you need to leave and why…then push through people to exit the line. When your condition is under control, you can tell a castmember at the front and they will direct you through the lightening lane to meet your party at the merge point—it hasn't been made clear what you do if your party has already reached the loading area and ridden, it's not been made clear what to do if cast members have a shift change and the person you talked to isn't there (they don't scan your tickets or anything, it's completely honor system).
Both of these options are 100% up to the discretion of the cast members you encounter!
I was hoping this change would include not having to return to the lightning lane line. There are times the wait in that line is quite long and sort of defeats the purpose for people who are unable to wait in traditional lines. I'm also unclear on if the party size is limited to 4 total or if 4 additional guests may accompany the DAS holder. Our party size is 5 so I'm hopeful its the latter.
anything that depends on people having class and ethics is doomed nowadays. just look at handicapped parking and early boarding on aircraft. the majority of the time its people scamming. so disney has no choice because people suck.
@ml, 100%... sad truth!
It would be wonderful if Disney could make virtual queues for all guests and rides. Of course there would be a lot to think through such as where the crowds that are normally in line go to and expanding some free space in the park to accomodate that, and what about those park guests who are not digitally inclined.... I think it would be a much more enjoyable experience if the entire day was planned digitally for everyone. Not ideal, but more enjoyable than current situation
@Jill, I totally agree with you. I have recommended virtual queues to Disney for many years. People would spend so much more money and have a much better time. So many people leave Disney being miserable now that they have no intention of returning to the parks any time in the near future. This disenchantment bleeds over into other areas, such as the merchandise, movies, and cruises. Disney's problem is that they don't have enough things to do for the number of people in the parks, and they don't know how else to manage the crowds except to stick them in a line.