Major policy changes were recently announced for Disney World and Disneyland.
Cinderella Castle
Disney announced that their Disability Access Service will soon be changing in the U.S. parks. These changes will include a new system of approval for DAS, a new timeline for using DAS, and reducing pre-entitlements for DAS users. Disney hopes to preserve the service for the visitors that it is designed to accommodate while making sure they are going to the appropriate people. Now, some folks are disagreeing with the changes being made and are planning to take a stand for fairness and inclusivity.
The ‘DAS Defenders’ is a new alliance that has been formed to fight what they perceive as exclusionary changes to the new DAS policy. It is a group of over 140 people from the disabled community along with their allies. Their goal is to address the exclusion created by the new policies.
Slinky Dog Dash
The DAS Defenders believe that the new changes only support individuals with developmental disabilities, leaving out many other disabilities such as cancer patients, individuals with PTSD, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and more. Their point is that disabilities may be visible and invisible, but they still exist and may need accommodation.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
The new petition from the DAS Defenders states, “We believe that Disney, as a global leader in entertainment and hospitality with a value exceeding 200 billion dollars, should uphold its reputation as a beacon of inclusivity and joy for everyone. By excluding many disabled individuals from these cherished experiences, Disney not only perpetuates discrimination but also sends a clear message that the rights and needs of the disabled community can be overlooked.”
Rise of the Resistance
The group is also urging Disney to make accommodating devices and programs free or low cost, abundantly available, and provided to only those who would truly benefit from them. They are also seeking anti-ableism training for Cast Members, flexible part size considerations, price reductions on Genie+, and more disability-friendly accommodations around the parks and resorts.
The new policy changes go into effect on May 20th in Disney World and June 18th in Disneyland. For more Disney news, keep following DFB.
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My daughter has used DAS many times for her medicated condition. We wonder if she won’t qualify anymore which will make going to Disney very difficult.
I agree with Disney. Too many have abused the system. Blame them, not Disney. Can’t people,get a doctors letter for those accommodations?
I have been using DAS for years, due to a medical condition. If Disney does go forward with this change, I’m probably not going to qualify. If that is the case, I will not be going to Disney any longer. I don’t understand the issue with everyone. It’s not like we are SKIPPING the line. We are just waiting somewhere else until the appointed ride time.
Where’s the petition to sign please
My understanding from previous articles was that they are not changing any of the qualifying conditions just the conditions on use where the party size is reduced and the advanced reservations are removed. My wife was planning on applying this year for the first time as our previous trips were in the good old days of fastpass + and that enabled us to navigate the parks easier. If they are keeping the base DAS pass as it is where you virtually join the queue then I honestly don’t see what the problem is as it is allowing those that need it the ability to still virtually queue for all the rides the same as those that don’t require it.
I have epilepsy, last year when I went to Disney World I signed up for the service and never used it. 90% of the time I’m fine and my seizures, when I have them, are mild but they heavily affect my mobility and ability to stand for extended periods of time after the fact. I know I could get a mobility chair but those range from $65 a day at the parks or upwards of $300 for the duration of a stay for something I most likely will not need. I got the service in case I had an episode not to jump the line. I understand they have to be more vigilant since bad actors have been abusing the system but making the definition so narrow will force me to spend more on my vacations to not cause myself and members of my party to miss out due to my disability.
Universal has the same DAS policies. I didn’t hear of a DAS group going after them.What’s with all the mess over Disney doing the same.Disney has so much more to see and do than Universal and yet they are always being yell about when a rule changes.Since I have had to use a wheel chair in the 90’s Disney has given me a DAS pass and I have been thankful.My Disability is not one that is visible so I will most like not get a DAS at Disney just like at Universal.I will stop going to Universal as there is nothing much to do there and it cost a lot more than going to Disney.I will continue to go to Disney because there are so many other things to do than just go on rides.
One major issue is that Genie+ comes nowhere near the convenience and potential of DAS. I realize some people need and rely on assistance to make the visit possible. Does not change how widespread use of a ‘one size fits all’ approach is affecting other guests’ experience and the business itself.
People questioning what if any problems even exist shows the disconnect between perceptions and impacts. Some of the data is leaking out. One part that has not is the average numbers of higher demand attractions accomplished per hour for fully standby guests, Genie+ guests, and DAS guests and their parties. For a business, they’ll break down even further into tiers of spending and ratios within each group.
Folks, understand who has really created this issue and why the change. Disney is mainly changing the size of the groups that are currently abusing DAS…and we all know who they are. Those with disabilities will still be welcome at the parks. However, the 37 others with those disabled will not be able to use the DAS system. They will let one or two people with the person disabled as that is all that’s needed for them. The other family and friends will have to stand in line or buy Genie+ just like everyone else.
This is the abuse Disney is eliminating.
I can say that the criteria has changed. We just tried to renew DAS for our kids. The one child with autism, no problem. The one with torrets, denied.
With the change in who is interviewing for the DAS, they no longer are active in the interview. They don’t even engage with who they are interviewing. Head down, reading a script.
Until such time that the process changes we will no longer be going to Disney. Which is sad, my wife and I have been going since we were small children but this just makes it impossible for my family to enjoy a day in the parks.
As it was said earlier. You are not line jumping with a DAS. When you schedule your return time you are waiting but it is virtually and not in a physical queue. Hard to say someone is abusing something when you can’t.
My wife and I returned from Disney World a week ago. She is visually impaired and was denied the DAS. We had to share medical needs with teenagers operating the rides. The employees usually could have cared less, had no time for us, and sure as heck didn’t know what to do with my wife. Only in Animal Kingdom did any of the employees want to hear us. The new DAS is not at all like the old system. Only individuals who have autism are granted the pass. For those talking about party size, I understand to an extent; however, what do you do when one parent has a DAS pass, the other parent is their assistant, and the family has 3 little kids? You can’t separate everyone. And please do not preach to me about what YOU know about whether or not a person who is visually impaired can do with a queue for a ride.
We are DVC members from the UK and will be travelling to Disney in 19 days.
When I heard about the changes to the DAS system I came straight here to DFB to get all the information I needed to plan my holiday. We have used the system several times in the past for my young daughter and it’s a God sent.
I followed the directions given and 30 days prior to my holiday I attempted to book an on line video chat with a cast member. To cut a long story short, after several emails to customer services , I have been told that due to international communication law, guests living out side the USA ( international guests ) cannot pre book a DAS on line interview before their vacation. On the first day of my trip, after traveling thousands of miles with a disabled child I will have to go to guest services , with my child and attempt to get an on line interview to access the DAS system. If I am unsuccessful, I will then have to through all my plans out the window and start again ,planning my trip without the DAS system. My stress levels are through the roof. This is supposed to be an enjoyable trip with my family. Instead I am dreading it,
Worried that we won’t get accepted for the pass. I understand some people have abused the system, but to target everyone with a disability and then further inconvenience those from outside the US is not very inclusive . Time for a rethink Disney.