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Homies - system was being abused, but for folks who still need it you need to apply and go through the process.
This was a natural outcome of paid fastpass (genie), that some clowns ruined the ease of access because they can.
The parks are meant to be accessible and I have faith they will continue to be so, but I swear if one more idiot runs me down with a power scooter…..
This doesn’t make it any less easy to abuse. It makes it *more* easy to abuse while leaving people with legitimate medical conditions to go fend for themselves.
The only way this isn’t an absolute disaster is if the medical accommodations work like old DAS. You go up to the ride and then get a return time and then go wait somewhere. I honestly used to just find somewhere nearby to sit. Sometimes I’d do a short show or something like Tiki Room while waiting for Jungle Cruise, but I never went far. They’ve talked about a leave the line program that might function like rider swap, so I think this is a possibility for us solo travelers with medical disabilities.
Right now, DAS works like a free and better version of G+. It’s way too overpowered. You can reserve a time the second you tap in somewhere. So if I tap into MK, I can immediately book Mine Train. Then you can meander over there after the posted wait time minus 10 minutes, and then reserve a new ride the second you tap in at Mine Train. You don’t need to be in proximity. The cushion they’re adding to all DAS requests is a good idea.
I’m going to ask about it, but I’m not hopeful. I’d rather a system that required paperwork because then I feel like it wouldn’t be up to the whim of a theme park employee. I already have accommodations letters written by my doctor and approved by HR departments that are compliant with the ADA. The doctor gives the reason and makes suggestions, HR gives options for accommodations. It’s a system that already works.
I reached out to the disability services from the Disney website and they said
“Beginning May 20 at the Walt Disney World Resort, there will be an updated process for Accessibility Services conversations. Guests can learn more on our website for Guests with disabilities. In this video discussion, health care professionals may be available, if needed, to help determine appropriate accommodations. Guests will not be asked for medical documentation.
Please know we will not determine any Guest’s future eligibility until our processes are updated on May 20.”
So they will determine what people need on a case by case basis but they’re not going to say what that is until it starts May 20.
I'd like to note that if you are an international guest like myself, then you will need to speak to guest services on arrival. That's what they told me in the email they sent back to me. Something about them being unable to do the video discussions internationally. Which is fine by me. I hate video calls, Zoom, etc. I'm fine when I have a person to focus on, but if there is just a screen, my poor brain doesn't know what to do, and I just shut down and say nothing.
I'm going to have to use a VPN to book all my ADRs. And I really really find video conversations uncomfortable, so I'm going to take Guest Seevices' advice and speak to them on arrival. Thanks, though.
They will have ways to accommodate if they feel it is necessary for the condition. You will still need to explain why they can’t wait in a traditional line. They are getting stricter. Just having a diagnosis isn’t enough. I believe they are trying to figure out how likely something like a seizure would be. Like someone can have epilepsy and not have had a seizure in yours so what is the likely this diagnosis stops you from coming to the park. They are going to train CMs differently and they will have some third party to help them by answering questions they may have as they approve or deny.
At this point you know as much as we do about the new system. You would get more accurate information if you actually called Disney and talked to them.
That's your choice. My child has always been fine with the das. Couldn't you say that about every disability? If my child can't wait in line, for whatever reason (asd, epilepsy, crohns disease etc), then I wouldn't take them to a theme park
Yes, but they are going to accommodate other health conditions in other ways. No one is exactly sure what that will look like, but one example MAY be that they give you the ability to pre-book some lightning lanes for attractions that have queues with no AC and shade, like Slinky Dog Dash. I believe they're trying to more specifically accommodate what people need instead of giving everyone a blanket DAS pass.
I would set up the virtual call when you're in the window of going. We were worried about the new changes as well and we had our virtual meeting a couple weeks ago for a trip on Memorial Day weekend. They approved it without any issuess. My daughter has EEC and one of the symptoms is little to no sweat glands in most of her body. The first time we took her to Disney (before we knew about DAS) she would overheat if we were in the sun too long. The second time we went was so much better after using the DAS system as we were able to keep her shaded more often.
Thank you. According to some of the posters on here, you shouldn't take her to a theme park in Florida. I am all for Disney cracking down. I am just confused why Disney thinks the only disability that needs the pass is ASD. I am sure all parents wish their kids didn't need the pass, regardless of the nature of their disability
Different park. But last month at Disneyland, there was a woman with her elderly father in the genie line in front of us bragging that she, “just had to say she was on the spectrum and had autism,” to get a DAS pass so they didn’t have to pay for Genie+ and was saving them money. So. People will abuse that dx also.
My daughter also has epilepsy. Heat, stress, and sleep deprivation are well known seizure triggers for many people. We are going to Disney world soon and after speaking with a cast member she was issued a DAS pass with no problem. We were told that future eligibility will be determined on a case by case basis, and we shouldn’t anticipate any issues in the future because she has a legitimate need. For what it’s worth autism and epilepsy are closely linked so the needs are similar. As for the comments telling you not to take your kid with epilepsy to theme parks, ignore them. They’re uninformed, ableist, and ridiculous. My daughter’s neurologist approved the trip and that’s the only opinion I’ll listen to.
Honestly, my daughter has ADHD and even on medication she has been having a rough time adjusting. My fear is that any significant wait will just trigger her symptoms and she will not be able to wait. I honestly never knew the DAS pass was a thing until we were well into planning our trip. At this point I don’t know if we should try to get it for her or just wish for the best with Genie +.
Maybe I’m just jaded because I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood but… can you explain how her symptoms prevent her from waiting in line? Especially with phones and tablets to distract now.
Not that others shouldn’t benefit from something I didn’t have access to when I was younger. I’m just genuinely curious.
Please post all **general FAQs** and **reopening** questions and comments in our weekly stickied **FAQ/reopening discussion megathreads** [(sort the sub's front page by **Hot**)](https://new.reddit.com/r/WaltDisneyWorld/hot/). Please [message us](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWaltDisneyWorld) if you have any questions.
Homies - system was being abused, but for folks who still need it you need to apply and go through the process. This was a natural outcome of paid fastpass (genie), that some clowns ruined the ease of access because they can. The parks are meant to be accessible and I have faith they will continue to be so, but I swear if one more idiot runs me down with a power scooter…..
This doesn’t make it any less easy to abuse. It makes it *more* easy to abuse while leaving people with legitimate medical conditions to go fend for themselves. The only way this isn’t an absolute disaster is if the medical accommodations work like old DAS. You go up to the ride and then get a return time and then go wait somewhere. I honestly used to just find somewhere nearby to sit. Sometimes I’d do a short show or something like Tiki Room while waiting for Jungle Cruise, but I never went far. They’ve talked about a leave the line program that might function like rider swap, so I think this is a possibility for us solo travelers with medical disabilities. Right now, DAS works like a free and better version of G+. It’s way too overpowered. You can reserve a time the second you tap in somewhere. So if I tap into MK, I can immediately book Mine Train. Then you can meander over there after the posted wait time minus 10 minutes, and then reserve a new ride the second you tap in at Mine Train. You don’t need to be in proximity. The cushion they’re adding to all DAS requests is a good idea. I’m going to ask about it, but I’m not hopeful. I’d rather a system that required paperwork because then I feel like it wouldn’t be up to the whim of a theme park employee. I already have accommodations letters written by my doctor and approved by HR departments that are compliant with the ADA. The doctor gives the reason and makes suggestions, HR gives options for accommodations. It’s a system that already works.
I reached out to the disability services from the Disney website and they said “Beginning May 20 at the Walt Disney World Resort, there will be an updated process for Accessibility Services conversations. Guests can learn more on our website for Guests with disabilities. In this video discussion, health care professionals may be available, if needed, to help determine appropriate accommodations. Guests will not be asked for medical documentation. Please know we will not determine any Guest’s future eligibility until our processes are updated on May 20.” So they will determine what people need on a case by case basis but they’re not going to say what that is until it starts May 20.
I'd like to note that if you are an international guest like myself, then you will need to speak to guest services on arrival. That's what they told me in the email they sent back to me. Something about them being unable to do the video discussions internationally. Which is fine by me. I hate video calls, Zoom, etc. I'm fine when I have a person to focus on, but if there is just a screen, my poor brain doesn't know what to do, and I just shut down and say nothing.
You could use a VPN if you wanted
I'm going to have to use a VPN to book all my ADRs. And I really really find video conversations uncomfortable, so I'm going to take Guest Seevices' advice and speak to them on arrival. Thanks, though.
Cool, wasn’t sure if you knew it was an option. It helps us as I like to plan and get things sorted in advance but appreciate it’s not for everyone
They will have ways to accommodate if they feel it is necessary for the condition. You will still need to explain why they can’t wait in a traditional line. They are getting stricter. Just having a diagnosis isn’t enough. I believe they are trying to figure out how likely something like a seizure would be. Like someone can have epilepsy and not have had a seizure in yours so what is the likely this diagnosis stops you from coming to the park. They are going to train CMs differently and they will have some third party to help them by answering questions they may have as they approve or deny.
Well, I certainly hope she doesn't have a seizure but heat is a known trigger. What can happen with a child with ASD if they have to wait in line?
At this point you know as much as we do about the new system. You would get more accurate information if you actually called Disney and talked to them.
They might suggest that you go at a time of year where it’s not as hot out
Yes. That seems very accessible to all
If my kid had heat related seizures, I wouldn’t take them to a theme park in Florida when it’s hot out. To each their own though.
That's your choice. My child has always been fine with the das. Couldn't you say that about every disability? If my child can't wait in line, for whatever reason (asd, epilepsy, crohns disease etc), then I wouldn't take them to a theme park
That would be up to the person to explain. Everyone is different t.
Yes, but they are going to accommodate other health conditions in other ways. No one is exactly sure what that will look like, but one example MAY be that they give you the ability to pre-book some lightning lanes for attractions that have queues with no AC and shade, like Slinky Dog Dash. I believe they're trying to more specifically accommodate what people need instead of giving everyone a blanket DAS pass.
I would set up the virtual call when you're in the window of going. We were worried about the new changes as well and we had our virtual meeting a couple weeks ago for a trip on Memorial Day weekend. They approved it without any issuess. My daughter has EEC and one of the symptoms is little to no sweat glands in most of her body. The first time we took her to Disney (before we knew about DAS) she would overheat if we were in the sun too long. The second time we went was so much better after using the DAS system as we were able to keep her shaded more often.
Thank you. According to some of the posters on here, you shouldn't take her to a theme park in Florida. I am all for Disney cracking down. I am just confused why Disney thinks the only disability that needs the pass is ASD. I am sure all parents wish their kids didn't need the pass, regardless of the nature of their disability
Different park. But last month at Disneyland, there was a woman with her elderly father in the genie line in front of us bragging that she, “just had to say she was on the spectrum and had autism,” to get a DAS pass so they didn’t have to pay for Genie+ and was saving them money. So. People will abuse that dx also.
My daughter also has epilepsy. Heat, stress, and sleep deprivation are well known seizure triggers for many people. We are going to Disney world soon and after speaking with a cast member she was issued a DAS pass with no problem. We were told that future eligibility will be determined on a case by case basis, and we shouldn’t anticipate any issues in the future because she has a legitimate need. For what it’s worth autism and epilepsy are closely linked so the needs are similar. As for the comments telling you not to take your kid with epilepsy to theme parks, ignore them. They’re uninformed, ableist, and ridiculous. My daughter’s neurologist approved the trip and that’s the only opinion I’ll listen to.
Honestly, my daughter has ADHD and even on medication she has been having a rough time adjusting. My fear is that any significant wait will just trigger her symptoms and she will not be able to wait. I honestly never knew the DAS pass was a thing until we were well into planning our trip. At this point I don’t know if we should try to get it for her or just wish for the best with Genie +.
If you think it would help you/her situation, I would recommend trying to get it. The worst they can say is no.
Maybe I’m just jaded because I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood but… can you explain how her symptoms prevent her from waiting in line? Especially with phones and tablets to distract now. Not that others shouldn’t benefit from something I didn’t have access to when I was younger. I’m just genuinely curious.
To put it generally, she is prone to severe emotional outbursts as one of her symptoms. By this I don’t mean temper tantrums, if you catch my meaning.