Disney's Disability Service Makes Change for Eligibility
After several changes and a pending lawsuit, Disney's Disability Access Service receives another big change.
Disney's Disability Access Service
A Walt Disney World vacation is a dream for so many, but with long lines and heavy crowds, this can be a bit difficult to navigate for many. Guests who cannot wait in a physical standby queue for longer periods may benefit from Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS).
Instead of waiting in the standby line, they receive a return time that is equal to 10 minutes less than the current wait time. In April 2024, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland made big changes to who is eligible for DAS.
Over the past year, Disney has made a few adjustments to the DAS program, including expanding the eligibility window for guests and removing the term "only" for eligibility. Unfortunately, for Disney, these changes came with a lawsuit as well.
DAS Eligibility Changes
It seems that the one constant over the past year has been the eligibility window for DAS. At first the DAS eligibility period increased from 60 days to 120 days.
This was later doubled and was then valid up to 240 days. Now this has been extended once again.
Once approved, this access is now valid for the length of your ticket or up to one full year. This is a great benefit for guests with an Annual Pass. For guests with an Annual Pass, once approved, they will be eligible for DAS for up to one full year.
Important Details For Disney's DAS
Once this service has expired, guests must begin the enrollment process all over again. DAS is only valid for the location you registered for. You must register separately if visiting Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
DAS is now valid for one full year or the length of your ticket.
Although guests can no longer be approved for DAS at Disney Parks, Guests can still participate in a live video chat on the day of their visit.
What do you think of this change? Do you think more changes need to be made for DAS? Share your thoughts with us and share this update with your Disney pals.
Certain intellectaly disabilities should be permanent. What my child was born with and the the issues faced have not changed in 30 years. And certainly are not going change yearly.
Extensions are great but this still isn't enough. Change the eligibility requirements and make documentation mandatory
@David M McIntosh,
Never going to happen.
HIPPA
@Mark, that's not how HIPAA works. The only HIPAA violation would be disney allowing the private medical information to be leaked or compromised after collection. Them asking for it, and you supplying it to them voluntarily is not a HIPAA violation.
@Mark,
HIPPA forms are signed all the time (i.e. insurance protection) as a waiver, for a specific time period & purpose. That wouldn't be a problem, just and extra step.
This doesn't help people who have other disabilities. As it stands now DAS is only for people with autism as I was told during a one on one meeting with a Disney person on a ZOOM call . Not for people with heart conditions and other medical conditions. This is absolutely ridiculous.
@J, My daughter has autism, and she was denied DAS. She is disabled per social security, but not per Disney.
@J, agree 100%. There other disabilities besides autism, especially for older people.
@J, my brother has a heart condition and can't stay in long lines because of the heat that can cause migraines but apparently that doesn't qualify him for the pass anymore. I also have a sister who has narcolepsy and insomnia and another sister who has adhd and neither of them qualify for it either apparently. It's honestly bs
Disney has to make more changes dealing with who can get the disability pass. My daughter is in a wheelchair and due to other disabilities cannot wait in the regular line for long periods of time. She had a DAS pass for many years until this change. I hope the lawsuit brings more changes to eligibility.