Disney World announces new measures to address abuse of Disability Access Service

Apr 09, 2024 in "Magic Kingdom"

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Posted: Tuesday April 9, 2024 12:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney is making changes to Walt Disney World's Disability Access Service (DAS) to address the misuse of this widely used benefit, which skips conventional queue environments at the parks. The new system aims to ensure that DAS is used fairly and only by those who truly need it, improving the park experience for all guests.

A major change is in the works for Walt Disney World's Disability Access Service (DAS)

DAS is intended for guests with difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability. DAS offers return times for attractions, similar to standby waits, allowing guests and their party to enjoy other park experiences instead of waiting in line. Notably, Disney has dramatically narrowed the scope of eligibility and now says that DAS is for guests with a "developmental disability like autism or similar." The new DAS also extends the enrollment period from 60 days to 120 days, and reduces the DAS party size to four guests.

Disney is facing increasing abuse of the system, which, according to sources who spoke with WDWMAGIC, is the primary cause for extended wait times in the Genie+ Lightning Lanes and occupies a significant quantity of available Lightning Lane inventory.

Disney plans to introduce the new DAS system on May 20, 2024 at Walt Disney World, and June 18, 2024 at Disneyland Resort in California. Disney is teaming up with Inspire Health Alliance to help Cast Members determine eligibility.

How to Register for DAS at Walt Disney World

Registration is available via live video chat.
Speak with a Cast Member via live video chat to determine eligibility as soon as 30 days in advance of a park visit.
At this time, live chat is offered in English only.
Guests visiting now through May 19 may visit a theme park Guest Relation location to speak with a Cast Member. In-person registration will no longer be available at theme park Guest Relations locations starting May 20, 2024.
If DAS is provided after a conversation with a Cast Member to determine eligibility, the Guest with a disability (or a parent/guardian) will participate in the registration process. This requires having a photo taken of the DAS-registered Guest.
DAS registration maximum party size is the registered DAS Guest and up to 3 additional party members, for a total of 4 people.
DAS is valid for up to 120 days. Once the service has elapsed, Guests will need to re-register.
Guests visiting now through May 19, 2024, DAS is valid for up to 30 days.

Disney says that, "If it is determined that any of the statements a Guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the Guest will be permanently barred from entering Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any previously purchased Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and other park products and services will be forfeited and not refunded."

DAS Information for Guests visiting from April 9 through May 19, 2024

Pre-arrival conversations to determine eligibility for DAS are available 2-30 days prior to your park visit.
In-person conversations to determine eligibility for DAS will continue to be at Guest Relations locations.
You can book up to 2 one-hour return windows for select experiences using our DAS Advance planning option.
DAS is valid for up to 30 days from the start of the registration. Once the service has elapsed, Guests will need to re-register.

Discuss on the Forums

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Retiredlife602 minutes ago

I yes, it is. It is not something we get to do all the time. We are going with our children and our grandchildren for the first time. we used to take our children when they were young and would like to be able to see the joy on our grandchildren faces. He is willing to go through the pain in order to do that. And he is in a lot of pain.

Section10619 minutes ago

My late Mother took a foldable tripod seat before she had to use a walker. MK allowed the seat in but DHS didn't. The Head of Security told me it was up to his discretion and he wouldn't allow my Mother to use it in his park. So I rented her a scooter for the rest of our vacation. If you take a seat be prepared to leave it with security. I also just looked at the WDW website and it states that a cane with a seat MAY be allowed. I suspect it is up to who is working that day. Which will lead to more confusion and frustration now that DAS is only for developmental disabilities, like autism.

ditzee23 minutes ago

Can't speak for the man in the post. Since I have what seems a similar condition, I'll tell you that we're taking our grandchildren, so yes, this is my chosen entertainment option for this trip. That said, we leave or I will leave by 1pm or earlier because I know my limitations. That means by 1pm, I will need to rest or else I will not have the ability to go to any other parks the rest of the trip.

Epcot81Fan39 minutes ago

So spending a day at a Disney theme park is his chosen entertainment option?

ditzee54 minutes ago

I qualified for the same type of issue. Now will I qualify after my trip next week, I don't know.

Retiredlife605 hours ago

My husband is totally disabled with a back injury. Has been for a number of years. Has had back surgeries which have made him worse. A mobility device does not work for him because his back hurts if he sits too long, stands too long or walks for extended periods. We know that he will not qualify for DAS because it’s a mobility issue. We plan on taking a cane with a seat and hope that they allow that so that if we are in line and he needs to sit down he can. I guess the point I’m trying to make is a mobility device is not always the answer for people with certain conditions like my husbands. It would be nice if they have something for these type of issues.

nickys2 days ago

Coming to update with information confirmed on Touring Plans from someone who just did it. @mikejs78 is correct here for APs too. If you renew now for a trip starting before June 20th, the DAS is valid for 30 days after your first park reservation.

Happyday2 days ago

True. But I would be prepared just in case. These are interesting times ☺️

RamblinWreck3 days ago

I have heard of it but I’m not sure if they could right now or not. With everything changing, I’d say it can’t hurt to try and find out.

Splash4eva3 days ago

Thats what i thought. It will be good for my entire trip once it starts…

Happyday3 days ago

Have you heard of AP holders renewing before the old DAS expired? That would be the only thing that may be a catch for this person.🤔

RamblinWreck3 days ago

Are you a pass holder or no? If you are a pass holder it will be good for 30 days starting with the day your trip starts. This one I am 100% confident in. If you are not, it will be good for the length of your ticket. On another forum there are a lot of people posting their results and this seems to be the consensus.

nickys3 days ago

To clarify the situation for regular tickets, if your trip starts before June 20th, you can register 30 days before and your DAS will be valid for the length of your ticket. So if you have a 10 day ticket with a start date of June 11th, you can register today under the old eligibility rules and your DAS will be valid for your entire trip. In the case of a UK 14 day ticket starting June 11th it would be valid until June 28th. For APs I don’t know how it’s working.

Fido Chuckwagon3 days ago

I’m sure they’re doing it this way to avoid people who won’t qualify under the new system from registering 1 day before the new system rolls out to try to continue getting access to the old system for as long as possible. I’m interested to see if they move Guardians off VQ ahead of my late June trip understanding that they can’t right now because of how much capacity would be eaten up by DAS reriders.