I always use a DAS pass, I have several disabilities. Once I saw a bunch of teenagers using a pass. I know that there are invisible disabilities, but those guys were clearly abusing the system. They were rowdy, playing around, typical teenagers. People like that make it difficult for people like us. If I don't have a DAS pass it's impossible for me to return to Disney World.
Pretty well done and covered except for one word near the beginning. People using DAS don’t BYPASS the line at all! They are given a return time equal to the standby wait line and THEN have to wait in the return line (which was the DAS line before Lightning Lane…so a little mistake on that verbiage too). For example, last Saturday I waited 90 minutes outside of the line for Space Mountain then was told it would be another 40 minutes wait at check-in. The people who get upset at legitimate DAS users with invisible needs usually have the misunderstanding that this is a ‘skip the line, jump to the front pass’. Far from it!
What really happened is a lot of people felt entitled especially at Walt Disney World when they had paper fastpasses they took advantage of this they kept doing this until they had th e@peacehappyb237
Wrong This is BS to the Ford Escape under the Ada the people with Disabilities Act Six Flags Cedar Fair are getting sued in California so is universal soon to be Walt Disney company because they can't eat the warning Bob Iger has always been greedy
My mom is a stage 4 cancer patient. We tried to get the DAS pass for her since she can't wait in long lines in the heat or sit for too long using her scooter. We wanted to have her enjoy seeing her nephew's first Disney trip (he's 9 months). They denied my mom. They even said it was not worth doing the interview and have a bad experience. They only qualify those with autism or similar cognitive disabilities that can't handle 'time' in long lines. Even though my mom is highly anxious and suffering.
Disney needs to do what Universal did and let guests use an Accessibility Card from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The fact that they won’t do this makes me think they ARE looking to make more money on Genie +.
We’ve been to Disney many times over the years. The first few trips had some really low points because we didn’t know about DAS. One of our kiddos is autistic and one has a severe anxiety disorder. We always used fast pass and took advantage of rope drop, etc. Even so, there were times we left a line. Our son’s special education teacher clued us in about DAS and it made a world of difference. We are in a position now that we purchase Genie+, but I will forever appreciate that Disney makes the magic possible for those with disabilities. Thanks for all you do to keep people informed. ❤
Yes as they get older and we as a family have run into a routine that works for vacations, the paying to be in a moving line and not a maze trapped in the center of a crowd of people is a great help. 5,7,9,12, 16. I didn’t bother with it for 16. Just bought the genie plus and then paid for web-slinger. But each year before it changed trip to trip when we used it. We know things like taking a break middle of day at hotel.
Without the DAS pass we would struggle so much , but even though my little needs it now I look forward to the day we no longer require it because that would mean my little has grown and improved in so many ways. He’s currently non verbal autistic.
@@tjtennisicmroll2k I am a different person. My son is almost adult. We had 5 trips to Disney starting at 5. 2-4 years apart thank you Covid. He has autism but is verbal. He is extremely sensitive to sound. But it must be frequency. For instance he is fine of Big thunder railroad with the dynamite. But jungle cruise he remembered the gunshots from 3-4 years before and the cast member skipped it cause he was really freaking out on the boat. At 16 he could handle the maze and up and down stairs for the wait area for jungle cruise. At 5 he never could. In fact a 5 year old hit me three times in that wait line. There is something about not being able to see out and feeling trapped that causes distress and when no one is listening to words, if any, physical behavior is the communication that follows. I assumed he was distressed and having an issue and thankfully my son ignored it when he was also hit, but if he could have been waiting with his parents at the other entrance for assistance it would have been less stressful for him, his parents and other guests like us waiting in a maze. They estimate how long the person would have waiting going through the line, then let them in around that time. They are just waiting in a open area with nothing to trigger them instead of in the crowded maze, sometimes indoors which makes it worse. My husband and I don’t have autism. All we think of jungle cruise is a nice quiet ride with some dad jokes thrown in and a little squirt of water. That was what we thought he was starting to stress about. Water. We forgot about the gun. The thing is if we don’t try it as he keep reaching older ages how do we know it’s still a problem? So some rides we just try once a trip all together. I mean finally big thunder open while there, a miracle, and that loud noise in a dark tunnel no problem. Why would a few short cracking sounds be so stressful? Fantasy land lines are horrid for the inside rides like Snow White. Tea cups is a maze but outside and never stuck standing still too long so usually fine. Astro orbiter is fine. Waiting for a character usually fine. One thing we often did for the 5,7,9 trip was use the first aid station to use bathrooms. The regular ones too loud and while we could control the flush we could not in the other stalls. Now that is less a problem. Also cause he is a boy there was a certain age he could not come in the women’s with me. We would have to go back and forth to hotel. Sometimes we would go to first aid to decompress. It’s quiet. Tv on and place to sit for a moment. And a bathroom. It was difficult cause California Adventure and Disneyland each had one place to pee. We walk a lot for bathrooms at the age he needed the pass. We used to also go to part of Frontierland for quiet, but that is no more with Star Wars area. A meltdown trapped in a line we can’t take him away easily from the crowd is what we are trying to avoid. We would visit pixie hollow when it was great and the movies released and visit the characters. A nice cool outdoor place to wait in line. As he got older we learned when to take a break from the park and go to the hotel. He and I would do the pool and dad would spend time in park not using the pass doing the adult rides. Then we would go back for dinner. We also stayed in a Disneyland hotel to take advantage of magic mornings with less people. Now we pay for Disney genie plus or whatever and even paid extra to not wait for web slinger. He knows the place now, we pay extra to be on site hotel for breaks, try and be in the park at less crowded times of day, pay for movement in lines and he can tolerate a little more than at age 5. The limit would have made the trip awful for us at 5. We were meeting out of state relatives all of us flying to the place and our group was 8? People with autism can’t self regulate, are impulsive, have sensory issues and difficulty with attention. And they can’t communicate clearly for their age and advocate. A typical kid would whine and you would know a nap is in order even though they gave them up 6 months before. An autistic 5 year old might suddenly start kicking you. And their expressive language is like a 2 year old. I was carrying him from attraction to attraction the trip he was 7. And autistic people can not understand social clues or identify a person’s tone of voice. A sarcastic comment for me holding a 7 year old in line by another would have gone over his head. Just let some of us who need it stand over by the wheel chair access so not to make the rest of the guests uncomfortable because we are doing something weird. Other kids where hanging off the railing at Astro orbiter. A line he could do fine without a pass. He asked why they were hanging on the railing. Wasn’t it a rule? He doesn’t understand social interactions and comes off as rude with some comments. Other kids would mind their own business or not point out the other kids misbehavior as a mom was clearly there. They were slightly younger as well. A big kid would just understand they are too little and that is why not following directions. But not a spectrum kid. I just said different kid different rule. And that worked and the other mom liked it too. I didn’t care the kid was swinging off the railing. And pleased mine was not. People not at their best at the park, in lines. It’s a lot of money. Routine shot. Time change for half the guests. Interactions between guests could get goofy. It helped he wore over the ear headphones that trip so we looked a little different. We didn’t know how helpful they would have been for the 5 year trip.
I feel you. My little was just recently diagnosed with level 1 autism. We just always went to Disneyland late at night so lines were shorter (bad idea) and many times we wouldn’t ride rides. He’d just window shop from 10Pm-close in the exit store of the buzz lightyear ride. I even bought a LL for radiator springs once and he refused to go on even tho cars was his favorite movie b4 lightyear came out. I didn’t realize he was autistic until he was diagnosed and im a pediatric nurse lol. I’m learning it’s hereditary and I’m also autistic+adhd. We just got DAS the past 2 visits and rode rise of the resistance for the first time together 🤩 twice lol. Before he was diagnosed Disneyland trips were an exercise in patience, waiting in line, social skills for my little one (and myself). I thought my kid was just difficult and weird (like his parents) and wiggly and a runner and was told he would grow out of that (by my bro who is a pediatric neurodevelopmental occupational therapist!) my kiddos autistic traits are so mild and nuanced no one would notice and think he’s quirky and cute and bright until he reaches the point of overstimulation and he blasts off into another dimension and we find a quiet place until the emotional dysregulation passes. I pray for the day my child doesn’t need the DAS and can enjoy waiting in a 2 hour line shooting the sh*t with his visiting cousins and friends making memories and connecting. 🫶🏽 people who need DAS wish we didn’t need it. And as much as possible I wait in the queues to increase my child’s frustration tolerance, which fluctuates. DAS makes it possible for my husband to join us, since my little ones dysregulation sends my husband (also likely autistic/adhd) into panic attacks. DAS increases the chances that we’ll get to ride a ride instead of melting down and going home with a stop by the Lego store so the outing isn’t a total bummer. DAS makes the park more enjoyable for everyone, meltdowns are so sad to experience and uncomfortable for others who don’t know what’s going on to watch. I hope this clarifies the question on your comment and wish all the best for you and your little one 💞
@@tjtennisicmroll2k I’ve seen you ask the same question on other’s comments and wondering if you’re genuinely curious or fishing for what to say so you can get a fraudulent DAS of your own. If it’s the latter I hope you get caught and trespassed! 😈
Disney used to do the disability “Fast Pass” the proper way a while ago. They issued you a card that allowed you to go to the fast pass line and walk onto the ride. No waiting in line, no returning at a later time. Yes, this was abused by people, but that should have been addressed, not changing the whole way they handled disabled people. My wife & I are both disabled, we used the old pass to go on rides when she could enjoy them, and having to wait was not an option. We never abused it by repeatedly riding the same ride, as it was an unwritten rule. I can’t wait in lines because my feet and legs hurt if I stand too long, walking helps, or sometimes I need to sit down and relax. Maybe make the disabled pass not allow returns for a period. There are many ways to do this better than they are implementing now. Seriously I could run the place better. 🤨
I’m one of those that have an invisible disability and no longer qualify. Breaks my heart but infuriates me more than anything. I no longer feel welcome, so I will be going somewhere else. I priced it out and 2 weeks in Europe is cheaper then a week at Disneyworld. Disney its time we break it. It’s not me, it’s you.
An important thing to point out is that with the DAS, you are given a return time equal to the posted wait time for the ride (often longer than actual wait time) and THEN you wait in the Lightening lane. You're still "waiting in line," just not physically in the line. I love that they're cracking down on people misusing it. I don't like that the verbiage on their website says "only" those with autism and similar disabilities. There's a lot of disabilities that need the DAS. Also, I worry as they crack down that my family members who use it don't "look autistic" so will be denied. There's a lot of judgement that will be made that may make those with invisible disabilities seem like they're faking. I think their goal is in the right place. I'm hesitant in how it will all flush out, and I think they need to reword their website to be more inclusive. My 5 cents. 😊
Good point! I didn’t know they give you a return time equal to posted wait time. That is new. That seems fair. I think it just appears to be unfair to the people in the line up waiting when they see people getting escorted to the front not knowing they have come back after a wait time. Thank you for the info ❤
@tarahartshorne4439 It's been that way for years, even years before covid. And it's always good to remember that an accommodation isn't giving an unfair advantage. It's making up a difference so their experience can be a little closer to the experience for people who are not disabled.
I have heard many cast members post online and say the wait time is shorter than the actual wait time. But, whatever the system, why not just let everyone have DAS, if everyone can use it even without a disability wouldn't that be the most fair way to do it?
@tjtennisicmroll2k As one with family members who need DAS, I can tell you the return time is the posted (often inflated) wait time. If everyone can use it, then it's no longer useful. That's the problem right now. Because it goes through the Lightening lane and because so many people are getting it who don't need it, the Lightening lanes lines are often too long for many DAS users to wait in now. The point of an accommodation is to fill a need so that a person with a disability can have a closer experience to someone without a disability. But when that accommodation is limited and people who don't actually need the accommodation start using it, it leaves those who need it without. When someone truly can't wait in a long line, and the accommodation given is to return later to go through a new long line, it no longer works. That's what's happening now. There are some rides my family member just can't ride now because the Lightening lane is now too long.
This makes total sense.. My wife has rheumatoid arthritis & both knee replacements… We have used this in the past, as it’s difficult for her to stand for that long periods of time. We aren’t senior citizen age as of yet, so some don’t understand why we get the bypass of the line (still had to “wait” in a ritual queue as well). Thanks for the explanation 👍
If she's been given DAS for not being able to stand for a long time, they've been breaking the rules giving it to her. It's not supposed to be given for issues of mobility or stamina or for anything that can be helped by a wheelchair or other mobility device. And that's not changing anytime soon.
It sounds like they are pretty much saying DAS pass is for developmentally disabled guests only. It will be very interesting to see how they handle other severely disabled but not autistic guests. My daughter is completely blind and we use the DAS pass (we have Inspire keys that expire in 2025). It is incredibly difficult (actually impossible without a sighted guide) for her to navigate the twists and turns of the lines, starting and stopping all the time, not being able to see when or where to go, and having people in front of her step on and even trip over her cane. The Indiana Jones queue in the worst! Minimizing the distance traveled in queues is critical for her. I guess we'll have to wait and see how they handle her condition.
This seems like an example where skipping the line is unnecessary for the disability. In Indiana Jones, doesn't DAS just use the fast pass entrance, so your daughter would still have to walk through the line. How does skipping the line accommodate her disability?
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Hiya TJ. Let me see if I can describe it better for you... Let's go with Indiana Jones, with the wait time being, say, 80 minutes. Your mission is to navigate the entire line completely blindfolded. Obviously there is no way you could do this by yourself, so you need a sighted person to guide you through the line. About every 30-60 seconds, the people in front of you move ahead, so your guide has to prompt you to start moving, and then prompt you when to stop moving. If you stop too late, maybe you bump into the people in front of you. Or worse, your white cane, which you use to "see", bumps into their feet. Or if you stop appropriately, but the people in front of you shift and take a step back right on your cane. Most of the time this is no big deal, but we've had times where someone stepped on her cane and broke the roller tip off, and times when the person tripped on her cane and fell. Also, during your navigation, you must rely on your guide for every turn of the line. Is it a 45 degree turn? 90 degrees? Or 180 degrees? Right or left? And heaven forbid your guide gets the least bit distracted and runs you into a pole (done that many times much to my chagrin) or there's an obstacle at head level that your guide misses. Then what about uneven walkways, steps up, or the worst - steps down. Hopefully your sighted guide warns you about steps down before you get to them (don't ask my daughter how many times I've failed that!). Now repeat this over 100 times during your 80 minute line. Then, just for an extra challenge, have your sighted guide manage your movement while also monitoring another child or two. I don't know if it's more stressful for the blind person or for their guide! OR, you can use the DAS pass. You don't get on right away, you still have to wait (like everybody else) 70 minutes from the time you selected the ride until you can go to the DAS entrance, which for Indiana Jones is going through the exit. In this case, it's a constant, non-stop walk for most of the journey with no one in front of you - easy peezy. Then when you enter the queue you only have a 10 minute wait where you have to rely on your sighted guide who better be paying 100% attention to your movement.
I am also legally blind. When I used DAS for Indian Jones we went through the regular queue (not the exit in 2022). It was such a struggle to navigate. My family needed up pulling off to the side to let others go ahead of us because it takes so much longer to go through. We are planning a trip in 2025, and I am genuinely worried about how it will go.
Visual disabilities are not supposed to be covered under DAS; somebody's been pixie dusting your daughter. The old GAC with the vision stamp worked better. With my low vision, I have to describe my needs and request accommodation from the CMs at every single attraction, and hope they feel like giving them that day. I've had CMs say things like, "If your eyesight is really that bad, why do you even want to ride? You can't be getting much out of it" or, "Every seat in the house is good; you don;' need the front row." Once I told one of them that trying to get through the queue and preshow would be unsafe and they said, "If it's unsafe, maybe you shouldn't do it. That's your decision." Anyway, I wouldn't expect them to keep bending the rules for your daughter when these changes go through.
@@AmayaNixie I've actually been knocked down and stepped on more than once in that dark area in the WDW HM between the stretching rooms and load area where everybody is milling around and letting their kids run around willy-nilly. Both times I yelled for help but the CMs did nothing. Finally, strangers took pity on me and helped me get through. And they still won't let me enter from the exit.
This is exactly the man to learn this stuff from. His business acumen and calm demeanor really helps to make this information easier to understand and remember! Thank you PPP!
Disney just needs to require documentation through a 3rd party...problem solved when weeding out liars. 99% of us with disabilities are happy to provide it. The one thing Disney has not taken into account is that autism has really skyrocketed since 2000, even more from 2018. The increase in usage could actually just be from more people visiting, which Disney has been saying is true, and some of those families have individuals with autism. I truly hope they continue to qualify individuals with PTSD, MS, LUPUS, RA, Cancer etc because although they aren't developmental disabilities they are disabilities. They need to utilize the system Universal uses, it has been very successful.
I’ll say autism has skyrocketed. Literally everyone has it, or adhd. At this point I don’t think having das will help since everyone else is also using it.
@mindyschocolate the point is, nobody has any idea who specifically is utilizing DAS. I have a son and nephew, both with autism, my nephew it is more noticeable. My point is that Disney can't assume who the liars are, unless they require documentation, and I have no problem providing whatever it takes to continue utilizing DAS.
No one in their right mind would sign an ROI to release any information to a huge company like Disney, to ask seems like a huge violation of HIPPA laws or should be at any rate.
You just listed a bunch of disabilities who would be easily served by Genie +. There has to be a line drawn somewhere. The longer the list gets, the more people included, the less effective the program. That’s why we are where we are with this system; the vast majority of people have a physical or mental diagnosis and most of those people can be served by genie +. Only those with developmental disabilities may struggle to adhere to the 1-hr return window for their rides, everyone else can work within that parameter and still skip the standby lines. They just have to pay for genie + which is what the real issue is here: people not wanting to pay an extra $30 a day, but they’re willing to pay $150-200 per day on park tickets and god knows how much on park food.
This is the best video I've seen on this topic. Thank you for not acting like everyone with DAS is a scammer. I think watching the hate and assumptions being made has been the worst part watching this all play out in the media.
Thanks for the info, definitely looking forward to better wait times! Also, big thanks for the great savings with Getaway Today! Second time using Provost Park Pass for a Disney trip! Took my oldest when she was 3 1/2 on her first Disney adventure. Now five years later, we’re taking her little sister who will also be 3 1/2 at the time of our trip this October on her first Disney adventure! Keep all the great tips and info coming, you are truly helping me to plan for another great family vacation with my 2 sweethearts by my side!
Id like to know more about this "return to line" thing. I honestly think the ability to return to your place in line would take care of the needs of so many DAS pass users AND be super valuable to the average guest as well. It really sucks being an hour into the line and then discovering that you suddenly reeeeeally need to use the restroom. Queue benches and restrooms would also be a nice addition where possible.
Six Flags Magic Mountain request’s a doctor’s note to get the pass. C’mon Disney!!!! Magic Mountain is literally empty and they do it, im sure disney could afford to verify medical documents
Do you not realize how easy it is to get a doctor's note? If all these liars and cheaters Disney is claiming are applying for DAS really are, asking for a doctor's note is going to do absolutely nothing to stop them. It's all for show, and I'm disappointed that people are so prejudiced that they're falling for it.
@well-dressed-bird It's HIPAA and no it isn't. HIPAA keeps parties from sharing your information with others without your express consent. You may share with anyone you wish.
The problem with this is there are "dr's" that will write the note. Lots of people advertise they will get you a medical Marijuana card ( before it was legal) for just two visits at 150 a visit. When it became legal these " pain Dr's" went out of buisness
@@barbaraolcsvay62 well it wouldn't matter either way if they aren't requiring it. Anyone can lie and say they have a mental disorder etc. etc. My point is it would require extra work to get a fake dr's note, and would probably deter some from doing so. Unfortunately there are liars everywhere so not much can be done to stop that.
Id like to see an example of someone who was trespassed for mis-use of the DAS pass. Considering they don’t require proof or any type of doctor’s note to get the DAS pass, I doubt it has been done. How are they going to prove it?
I had genie+ last visit for my family of 4. My nephew has autism. We went and got the DAS after the first day of breakdowns. The difference was there is no expiration to your DAS ride. It lasts longer than an hour. It lasts until you go on that ride. Then you can go to tip board and claim your next ride. I think all should have to purchase genie plus and then get DAS for the extra benefit. Seems fair for the genie+ purchasers without DAS also.
Chris, Thank you for posting this. I found this channel years ago when I was going to Disneyland for the first time. I have level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety and Fibromyalgia, and I would not have had as much fun and a good time without the DAS pass. I was exhausted after all day fun, but if not for DAS I would not have seen as much as I did because of how overwhelming and overstimulated lines can be and with my Fibromyalgia, I can’t stand for long periods of time anyways. I never went to theme parks of any sort growing up because of how overwhelmed and overstimulated I got as a girl when trying to stand in lines. Having DAS really is a life saver for those of us with disabilities. Thank you for spreading awareness and always lighting up my days when I watch your videos. You have such a kind heart. ☺️🫂💕
I have a condition that causes me to be unable to wait in line. That condition is NOT autism. I have an extremely rare genetic disease. I LOOK, walk, and act “normal” but I am not. My disorder affects every organ in my body including my heart and brain. I have a permanent IV line that goes directly to my heart. I have needed a medical alert dog and wheelchair in the past but currently you could not tell by looking at me. I travel with my partner. If I have a medical episode I have to leave the line WITH my partner. I absolutely NEED his assistance administering medication. Disney told me that I do not qualify because I do not have a developmental disability. They said I could leave the line in a medical episode and rejoin my party. I would love to know how that is supposed to work when I travel with just my partner and need him to help me. Even WITH DAS, I usually get to ride 2-3 rides in a full day because I have to take long rest breaks. Now I wouldn’t be able to experience any attractions in Disney. This needs to change.
Thank you for the super informative video. My husband has used this pass in the past due to his Epilepsy & not being able to que in the sun for a long period of time. 2 years ago was the first time we traveled with his service dog & went to guest services to get his pass. The castmember had a list of questions she asked us & seemed annoyed when he offered his DR note & disability paperwork from the federal government. I really hope he qualifies next year when we go. We bought Genie+ for the rest of the party for the rides he could not go on & only used DAS twice. That being said I have never seen so many " disabled" people in one place so I am not surprised they have to do this. It's a shame but people will learn how to scam the system
Thank you for this! We used the DAS for my autistic child when we went in 2022. It was a lifesaver. All the news about changes and rumors swirling had me worried. My children wouldn’t be able to enjoy Disney without the DAS, it’s wonderful for those who need it but the program has definitely been abused.
@@tjtennisicmroll2k if there weren’t das passes, our experience would have been very limited (in 2019). I have a daughter with such limited communication and inability to wait in line, we would’ve had to skip everything with a line if it weren’t for the DAS pass. It means a lot for those who need it.
I’m on the autism spectrum and I have cerebral palsy on one side of my body and I can’t handle waiting in lines very much and I just hate what Disney has done to their parks I’m happy to show records of my diagnosed disabilities but this is absurd and I don’t know if me and my family will even go to Disney this spring break
This subject is so important to our family. We’ve been using DAS since 2010 for our adult, developmentally disabled son. We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but it’s always made a huge difference to his experience in the parks (and ours too, of course). Disney has always been so kind to us. We’re going in December and I’m looking forward to checking it all out. Fingers crossed. 😘
@@tjtennisicmroll2k That is very true, of course it would. Imagine a grown man, 29 years old, 260 lbs, with a capacity for waiting in line that is similar to a 4-5 year old. I don’t mean throwing a fit. I mean becoming scared, very anxious, quietly crying, labored breathing. The experience is very difficult for him, for us as parents, and for those around us in line. It does not make for a fun day. DAS makes it possible for us to be there. Please be kind and patient with those you don’t know. Ps: He is also 6’1”. His weight really has nothing to do with it, I was trying to illustrate that he’s a big guy. Also, we’ve never used DAS for every ride. He can wait in line, and does sometimes. I know his limits and try to keep it fun for everyone.
I just came back from a trip to Universal Studios, and while I had a great time overall, there were some frustrating moments regarding accessibility. I used a mobile wheelchair and was told by the trip organizers that if the line was 30 minutes or longer, I could get a return time. If it was shorter, I could wait in line. However, none of that happened. I ended up waiting the entire 75 minutes, which wasn't terrible but was still irritating. The cast members seemed unsure about how to handle disabled guests. For instance, at Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, one cast member told me to go up the queue to get scanned, but another stopped us and said I needed to go through the exit, up the elevator, where they would wand me. Additionally, we found out that the cast members at the entrance didn't communicate with those inside the ride about the need for special transfer vehicles for disabled guests. Despite these issues, I did have fun on the trip.
Best explanation ever. I tried to get an explanation from Guest Services and it was so confusing! The water is still a little muddy, but I think that's intentional
This is good news! Thank you for the info. We plan to take our triplets for the first trip in the next year or two and we have a child on the spectrum. We were worried about how that child would handle things like wait times and were willing to get genie passes for our family. We are grateful for the opportunity to be considered at least for that child’s benefit.
I’ve been on the “Dash” list for over 26 years and I’ve been on record at Disney World since! They should have my name and I shouldn’t have to go through all the red tape again! I understand and agree with this, but the ones who have been on their list for a longtime should be exempt!
And if you find out what the questions are, please do not disclose them. I am sure that people are going to research what they think these questions are to try to be fraudulent. My son is autistic and this is absolutely a lifesaver so please don’t ruin it for the people that absolutely need it so that they can enjoy Disney.
Hopefully they implement a documentation requirement, through the 3rd party. It is the only way to get rid of the abusers of the policy. DAS is a lifesaver for many individuals, me included. I also have a son with autism...I hope your son continues to enjoy his Disney trips 🥰
The question is who absolutely needs it? I am sure everyone thinks they need it. I am sure some people with autism could wait in line and have a great time.
@@austingirl39 You can't possibly be naive enough to actually believe that a documentation requirement would stop even a single person who was determined to get DAS. Please tell me you're not out and about and walking around in the world with that kind of gullibility on full display. ANYONE can get a doctor's note. If there's one thing in this world doctors love more than playing golf, it's writing notes. All it would do is create a big hassle for everybody.
I have used the DAS pass for years and it really has helped me a lot. The people who really need it won’t have any problems getting it and the people who are fraudulent will be weeded out. Disney knows what they’re doing. Thank you so much for the informative video.
Yes, they know exactly wht they're doing. They're trying to make more people with disabilities buy Genie+ instead of getting the accommodations they need.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. My mom is disabled (stage 4 cancer patient) and they denied her. Only those with cognitive disabilities qualify (such as autism). Anything medically related is 'accommodated' by a wheelchair and leaving the line of it is too much. Then maybe you can join your party later. Assuming they're still in line and haven't ridden yet. I think they are missing the mark entirely. I hope you have a better experience than we did.
My son had Muscular Dystrophy and was permanently in a wheelchair. From his fists visit to his last (ages 7 /21), the folks at Disneyland & DCA could not have been more kind & helpful. During that time, we saw many park guests taking obvious advantage of the system. It is reassuring that more stringent measures are being taken to quell those who would commit fraud. Good job Chris! Bless you and thanks! 💕
During the conversation with a virtual cast member they stress you are not supposed to mention a medical diagnosis. I found it very difficult several times to explain my disability without explaining the diagnosis somehow. That's a tricky area for me. I am a three time cancer survivor and have a plethora of conditions , have been approved for DAS 3 times. Going forward I will see what happens.
There is no possible way you could tell if someone was "taking advantage of the system" or not. What exactly were they doing, wearing T-shirts that said, "I'm Taking Advantage Of The System" or something? How would you like it if strangers jumped to conclusions about you and your family without knowing anything about you?
@@DianaPixieDust I understand what your imaginary scenario of what you choose to believe was going on in they system. But that facts are that neither you nor anybody else has any way of knowing, and you're clinging on to DIsney's just-so story because it aligns with your own bigotry. I would call it ridiculous, but that would be too kind.
How would you know they were taking obvious advantage? No one would know of my issues unless I’m having episodes…. So some may think that, so please don’t be part of the judgement police.
Thank you for the update! I've used the DAS pass on my last two Disney trips and it made my trip significantly more enjoyable. I was scared that I would not qualify, or worse, be labeled as a fraudster because my disability is not severe or obvious. I decided that I would do the interview and just tell the truth about my concerns and let them decide whether I qualify or not. I ended up qualifying and it was a great experience.
Thank you for saying this. My son has diabetes and his blood sugar can drop quickly and uncontrollably in the sun, I am concerned taking him but not sure about gettinh a Das pass
@@notenoughcoffeeintheworld6037 Worst case, they'll say no. Just tell the truth and let them decide. If not a DAS pass, they may be able to offer alternative solutions such as an ability to wait in the shade.
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Yeah and my life would be more enjoyable without my disability that's gonna kill me before I ever meet my grandkids. You want it because you want a pass so bad? I want my normal life back. If I can get half a normal day that'd be peachy. Bury this weird bone of yours, my god.
The question I have is most theme parks have the Disabled pass and also require documentation like Universal Sea world Sesame place My question ..Why don’t Disney ??? They should do that And I never hear of anything wrong with the other parks having issues It just boggles my mind. 🤔
Medical documentation should required in order to get das. I always offer the cast member a copy of my med records and offer to show them my medication with labels. I want to ensure them i do have a reason why i cant stand in line. It seems like it's more tailored for mental disorders than physical. So it should bring down that number of das users drastically. That said, i think there is a fear for many people who actually need it, not being able to get it anymore. Im looking forward to the anecdotal accounts of people applying and seeing what they were rejected for. The return to queue line is interesting and i want to know how that works. Im just not sure how its going to keep track of your spot in line.
My daughter has autism and they have always been so good to her. I have no doubt it will continue, it’s just sad that it’s more difficult because of people who cheat and lie. I have used the video chat to pre register for WDW and it was fine. I go to city hall for Disneyland because the time that I have tried with Disneyland the wait was horrible and I could never get through. If they don’t fix that I would have to go to the ticket booth set up and if the line is long that will be difficult. Other than those thoughts I am glad they are trying to weed out those who can truly wait in line. My daughter truly needs DAS and these people cheating the system need to go.
@ttintagel No, there are people cheating it absolutely now. The only people mad about this seem to be those who either don't understand the changes or how the system works now or were cheating the system to get out of buying genie plus without care of who this program is actually for. Always had to interview for DAS, mobility issues haven't been covered for DAS for years now. The only thing that has changed really is you can't apply in park anymore to try bypass the required interview and a third party health service, not disney themselves any longer, will do the interview.
We went to California a couple years ago and after 3 days at Disneyland, we headed to Universal for one day. That morning I woke up and my back had a debilitating spasm. We slowly shuffled to the park (because why not) and rented the scooter. It was less than an express pass, and we got front of the line the entire day. I was surprised how easy it was and nobody questioned it (though they could tell by just looking at me).
We took my severely ADHD son in April of 23. DAS was a lifesaver. We get the pass at most amusement parks, but so many only allow one to go with him, so we can not go on anything as a family. Even 4 will be helpful. We had to wait for 4 hours to do a prequalification interview. That was so hard because he had to be there and he could not wait all that time. Being confined to home and not having the option to leave without having to leave the virtual queue was rough. He needs to keep moving. The pass worked well. He does not have an autism diagnosis yet, but line waiting is no easier than it was last year. We would not be able to do Disney without DAS.
So many people will be unable to go now because they have the wrong kind of disability and don't qualify for DAS anymore. We are already considering going to somewhere else.
Disney is no longer disability friendly. My husband has Primary Progressive MS and is unable to stand or sit in lines at all and cannot be alone. They denied him and the new accommodations were inconsistent and did not work.
I Suffer from PF but have never utilized DAS pass but my 5 year old who’s on the Spectrum absolutely and my family of 4 have an enjoyable experience and also I have no problem showing Dr paper work to prove it
If someone has mobility issues, wouldn't they already have wheelchairs or ecvs? Seems like walking is required in places other than Disneyland, I don't know why Disneyland should have to be a one stop shop for all disability related products for people. Why doesn't Disney rent insulin pumps or provide dialysis on the matterhorn?
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Unless people drive there it's unlikely they will have their chair/etc. Airlines are notorious for damaging and even destroying mobility equipment and then refusing to replace what they done. I learned of this when I read about an airline destroying a $20K wheelchair and refusing to replace it. While the court battle raged the person who's chair they destroyed died from complications from not having their expensive chair. I'm in a similar boat. If I sit in a normal chair too long my legs swell causing blood clots. My fancy chair tilts back to shift weight off my legs. I do agree that they should have a place to get medical items.
@@douglascampbell9809I can’t walk and I have to fly because I’m 2000 miles from Disneyland. I always take my chair on airplanes and other than a scratch or two it’s never been damaged. I couldn’t get around without it.
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Think about it for a minute. And not this back and white, all or nothing kind of thinking. Do you really believe that a day at a Disney park is the same as the average person's daily routine at home? The average Disney guest walks TEN MILES per day and stands in line for hours. Most people aren't doing that at home, especially people with medical conditions that limit mobility or stamina or cause pain. Many, many people don't need assistive devices in Situation A but absolutely do need them in Situation B.
1. most of us who actually needed it due to severe medical issues effecting being able to wait will no longer be able to. as someone who is disabled, it is absolutely disgusting that super sick kids who really 100% need it can’t relax and escape the pain by going to disney. 2. we should absolutely not have to pay for genie+ to get accomodations. 3. disney needs to use a 3rd party company that can have us provide documentation. anyone acting like they have an issue to get a DAS will not be able to prove the disability they claimed and they won’t do it. this is extremely discriminatory and i really hope they realize it. it is very clear to me that whoever made this decision is able bodied.
Im worried that as someone with an invisible illness, such as tumor fatigued epilepsy, this might become tricky. I have already had issues trying to get DAS pass before, but without it I almost had a seizure in the park
I've used DAS in the past because I had problems waiting in line. As an adult now, I don't use it anymore as I've gotten more used to waiting in long lines especially if they're attractions I cannot miss. What I think of the change in the DAS pass now is a bit of nerve. Interviewing for this thing is a whole different ball game and I don't believe I would be able to get it in today's world. Disney needs to get back to it's roots one day when all things for us guests were easier.
Pre registering in person was so much faster for us in January. I tried for a month to do a video call and never once saw a wait less than 7 hours and never got through. I simply went up to an info kiosk and got setup super fast.
Thank you - I have been hearing so many different stories. I thought it would be a case by case basis. I have Parkinson's and DAS is a lifesaver. I use a scooter for mobility issues but with Parkinson's there are so many other issues. Each day is a new experience - my daughter and I love to go to Disney and have the pass creates us to get what we want to do and I am also able to rest. I appreciate your videos!
Thank you for letting us know. It anger's me that someone takes advantage of the disability thing . only people who actually has a disability rather if it's mobile or who has special needs it breaks my heart that people who really take advantage of that. if you can wait in Line than wait . give it to those who actually needs it .
I had an employee on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland tell me she uses it because she has anxiety. I thought it was weird because she is able to work there but not stand in line?? Definitely seems like part of the issue is overcrowding which I don't see an answer to. I'm not sure how effective the new system will be. People can still answer questions untruthful. Doctor's note, DHS K plan, or Social Security qualification may be in the future. Since my son freaks having a person on a screen talk to him, and doesn't do well waiting for City Hall, we try to hit it at rope drop or waste a day and stop late that night. Thanks Chris for summarizing the info. You Rock!!!
If she has an anxiety disorder, she has a legitimate disability. It also can be situational. She could very well be able to work there and not be able to be trapped in a line. So no, what she said is not weird at all.
@@ohana8535 That's what is hard and Disney is going to have to figure it out. My son is serverly disabled, doesn't know how to call someone with a phone or have a conversation with someone. He is nonverbal autistic. But I also know kids with feeding tubes that would be more deserving of a DAS than him. Do you give a DAS to someone that just gets "uncomfortable". And if 76% of the people in the fastpass lane use DAS, how do you drop that number down? I saw another young couple back when there was a disability paper pass so I saw they used it. And they were making out hot and heavy. But they could also be disabled. It looks different for different people. But everyone will continue to say they have anxiety and continue to use it.
@@loravaloo55 The thing is, Disney is a very popular destination for people with disabilities. It's not perfect, but it's way more accommodating and easy to navigate than a lot of other vacation spots. There's a higher concentration of people with disabilities there than most places. Including people whose disabilities are situational (they don't necessarily need much assistance in their daily lives at home, but they need it to get through a heavy day at the parks). So it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn that 76% of the people in any given LL were legitimately using DAS. If Disney needs to "drop that number down" they need to look at what they're doing wrong when designing their parks and attractions, not make them less accommodating.
@@ohana8535 a lot of people make up disabilities to get out of doing stuff they don't like, it happens a lot in our society, seems like you don't know either way in this specific situation unless you were given all of the details of this cast member. However, the definition of disability in the ADA is not as broad as you seem to be implying. You can have anxiety disorder and not have a disability which requires a reasonable accommodation to skip the line at Disneyland. One of the major tests to determine if someone has a disability is to see if their condition affects a major life activity, such as being able to work a job. Clearly, she can work a job, so it seems doubtful that having anxiety in line would be a disability under the proper ADA legal interpretation.
@@ttintagel I very much agree that Disneyland is a great place for people with disabilities. I love the fact that my son has never gotten too tall to do "kids" rides there like he has a knotts. At Disneyland, everyone can do everything. And having attractions close together, while causes more crowding, means less walking.
My daughter is 15 and has been using DAS since she was 5 years old do to her medical condition. This year they totally kicked her out and it has ruined her entire experience. She has had to fight through her condition just to be able to do a few of their rides and has had to return to our room because of their refusal to accommodate her. We loved Disney and appreciated and thought so highly of them for their support and treatment of our daughter. NOT ANYMORE… this is without a doubt our last trip to their parks. We have a granddaughter that we were intending to bring in the upcoming months, and now that’s a big fat NOPE. We will boycott their products, theme parks and motion picture. Good bye is how we part with friends. Good riddance is how we part with Disney. 😡
My mom has a small/overactive bladder which makes it so she has to use the restroom every hour, so waiting in a queue for more than 60 minutes would certainly be difficult or outright impossible. I hope this qualifies for DAS Pass, or as you mention at 8:15, perhaps the "Return To Queue" thing might be more fitting/appropriate. I hope Disney explains the details on that one soon.
Our son has medical diagnoses and we’ve had DAS for some time now, today went to get it and were denied because “he doesn’t meet the criteria “ while I get the heart behind it it’s sad because even with having a diagnosis it will all come down to “if it fits there list” and saying the right things. Changes the Disney experience for my family and I
My son was diagnosed autistic oct 2023, he does ABA therapy 40 hours a week, doesn’t recognize his name, can’t stand in line for even a minute BUT they told me based on what I told the person, doesn’t qualify.
I’m all for this. I’ve been using a version of the DAS pass since I was a kid. I’ve had JRA since the age of 3 and although Disney has always been incredibly accommodating, I’ve watched countless people take advantage. I’d be more than happy to show proof of need if it came to that, but I doubt it will. I’m somewhat fortunate that my disability is visible and understand that it’s harder for those with invisible disabilities, but I don’t blame Disney for wanting to sort it out. I’m sure the new restrictions will have some kinks to work out, but it’ll all be sorted with time and I appreciate the fact that Disney sees there is a problem and they’re trying to fix it.
I feel that all those reporting on this keep saying bypass the line, which is and isnt true. Yes we dont have to wait in the actual line, but we do still wait the same amount of time before we can get onto the rides. We just dont physically stand with the crowd for one reason or another. All of us wait the same amount of time though. However, when people say we bypass the line others think we skip and jump the lines by perception. Plus them asking for a DR Note explaining your disability kinda borders on violating HIPAA.
I am so happy that their doing this. Im in a wheelchair and I don't need the DAS because I can wait in line but people trying to get DAS pass just so they don't have to wait in line are one of my Pet- peeve at Disneyland. one time Long time ago before they had return time for Disable poeple and you just waited at the exit my dad and I were waiting to go on Splash Mountion😥and there were a group of Teenage girl in line ahead of us and one girl was in a wheelchair so you they got on the ride and we did to and after they got of a different girl sat down in the wheelchair.
Did it never occur to you that there are disabilities that don't require you to be in the wheelchair 24/7? Ones where it's good for you to get up and walk when you can, but if fatigue or pain flares up you need to sit back down right away? What are you going to do with the wheelchair during the times you don't need it? You're not going to abandon it; you're going to take it with you. And maybe you let your friend have a ride in it while you're able to walk. It's making me lose all hope in humanity that so many people are so willing to jump to the worst possible conclusions about people they don't even know. I bet you wouldn't be thrilled if everybody who saw you just assumed you were faking your disability because you didn't look like whatever definition of a disabled person they made up in their head. I would have thought you, of all people, would know better.
Thanks for the info! We’re going to WDW early 2025 and need DAS pass for my daughter with ASD. We used it back in 2019 with so much positive experience! I’m glad they’re narrowing it down to those who truly need it and I love the concept of return to queue.
I just want to let everyone know that, as I spoke to Disney Guest Services, the DAS is not REQUIRED for those of us have a MOBILITY issue and use an electric mobility scooter or wheelchair. We still do not need to call in. We can continue as we have in the past. I can see how guests do take advantage of DAS. I was there in February and saw a woman walking around with a mobility grabber that was taped on one end, and once in a while would use it like a cane.😮
I think what irritates me is the autism statement because it makes it sound like it will exclude veterans like me and my daughters best friend with a Heart Condition. It sounds exclusionary to those of us with invisible disability
Getting the records or just trusting your word doesn't matter for determining what limitations you have from that disability, Disney is required to give a reasonable accommodation to let you enjoy the facilities, so that is why they have to have a conversation with you, it is called an interactive process and it is required by federal law.
yes and I wish Disney would just sequester some type of a note or medical records. How do they know the person is not lying about their condition? I don't see how they're going to legitimately make it around that loop. I hope they do. By the way thank you for your service.🇺🇸
I get that they're trying to improve the guest experience overall and if they're successful with it brilliant! But case by cases basis systems are rarely ever fair. Not trying to be cynical but what usually happens is it will come down to the individual training of the cast member granting the pass and that will probably yield an inconsistent result.
I'm paralyzed from the neck down and drive a wheelchair with my mouth. I suffer from temperature regulation and sudden onset autonomic dysreflexia, both conditions can be potentially lethal if not taken care of immediately. I had my interview today and did not qualify for a disability access pass. They said I could return to Q, which I don't even know what that means. I don't understand how I can suddenly get out of line if I have an emergency which threatens my life if I do not take care of it immediately. But they say they have people running up and down the lines all the time just waiting to let people out and back in. It seems very stupid and I'm not sure that this new system is safe for my life.
I have epilepsy as a result of a serious head injury when I was two years old and I'm lucky to be alive I hope that I will still be able to get the DAS pass I got it at Disneyland in May of 2023 and plan to visit Disnay World sometime in 2025
I have anxiety with panic attacks in crowds that cause my heart rate to rise feels like I am having a heart attack. So if I can’t get the Disney das pass I won’t be able to come to Disney world my favorite place to go
My husband is in a wheelchair, he has no problem waiting in line, but for rides that he has to get to separate line after waiting in the first (ie Toy Story Mania) I wish he could use the lighting lane, otherwise we are basically waiting in the line twice.
Im curious on what kind of experience your friend who does videos with you has experienced since these new rules have been put in place. I have cancer and my chemo leaves my in a akward situation with brain fog at times and having to be in as much shade as posssible as my skin flares up . I have used DAS in the past and it makes my disney trips more enjoyable by helping me to plan my day by accomidating me and my situations
As a person with a disability where too much direct sunlight and too much confined noise stimulus makes my symptoms worse (muscle weakness, eye muscles give out, swallow reflex slowly fades) - I was in the parks before the DAS pass. People would get ECVs or wheelchair and run illegal park tours with 'front of line privileges." So that DAS got corrupted too was only a matter of time. A note to help y'all with legitimate concerns - don't focus on diagnosis names. Focus on what behaviors ormsymptoms make line sitting difficult or impossible.
I have two kids with autism and we had our first family trip to Disneyland last February. We used the DAS pass and I know for a fact that there was at least one family that was faking to use the pass because they were bragging about it to each other in the line. I thought they were outliers so I didn't snitch on them (even though I totally should have) and hearing that 76 percent figure makes me wish I had.
Hi Chris, thanks so much for your video and your easy to understand presentation. I am confused about one statement. You say that you can apply for pass now a 120 days in advance . On both DL and WDW Websites, it still states you can make interview 30 days before visit. If you could please clarify
I worry that this is going to cause issues for people who are nonverbal and not able to interview. As a social worker, I've worked with many people who are experiencing disabilities and nonverbal communicators or individuals who have trouble with overstimulation are not going to do well with this process. My niece would be one of them, she wouldn't be able to handle this sort of interview and the last time I was at Disneyland they wouldn't let anyone help the individual who is experiencing a disability, I.e communicate for them. Honestly I can see a lot of ADA / discrimination lawsuits in their future.
they should just abandon physical queues all together and do virtual queues similar to volcano Bay where you have to abandon a queue if you want to ride something in the interim. It would allow people to eat, use the restroom, see street shows, and most important to Disney, shop in the interim. The only thing physical queues do is hide crowds.
I have a lot of pause. I’m on full-time oxygen and have seizures when I sit up for too long. I’m also a wheelchair user, but I wouldn’t take that into account for a DAS pass. Anytime I’ve tried to explain the seizure thing, or that my oxygen is limited, it’s been a struggle. Because I don’t look sick people become very judgy. This just sounds like more hoops to go through. There was one time they kept trying to deny me. I finally was so overwhelmed and mad that they weren’t believing me that I had a seizure from the stress right in front of them. After my postictal phase, which took hours, I went back and then they gave it to me. I LOVE Disney. I’ve been going to Disneyland since 2 weeks old, now 43. If I didn’t have those memories, and I was only judging Disney on how they’ve accommodated my disabilities later in life, I’d never go back. There are more stories beyond DAS qualifications about Disney being not very accommodating and downright mean. The thing is, I only go on like 4 rides too. Sometimes I wish that they’d look at my ride history to see that I only go on 2 rides a day because I’m that disabled. This is a very sensitive subject for me. *tears formimg* I just hope there isn’t more judgement. This sounds fine in theory. But I’ve been disabled for 30 years, and have learned that the people making the decisions are not normally those who are in the situation. Trying to stay positive…maybe since it’s being outsourced, things will change. But I do have reservations that this will actually make it better. I think this really affects the people who don’t “look sick.”
Yes, it can be hard to get across to able-bodied people how difficult things are with multiple disabilities. Especially if each one on its own wouldn't necessarily be debilitating. There's so much casual ableism out there.
I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that. My friend has awful anxiety & some ride lines noise would make her shut down. Some of the cast members trying to verify DAS have made her shut down.
It's a worry as I would not manage in a park without DAS. Booking a trip to the USA at 10 months out without knowing if I will qualify is really scary. Its a long way to come and a lot of money spent if I can't get it.
It doesn’t seem like much has changed? I was recovering from surgery and did the virtual interview. The only thing was they didn’t really explain how to use it or how it works. Better explaining the process is a win to me.
Honestly, i just found out about the DAS from my kids teacher, my son has seperation anxiety and i was gonna apply for him but now i dont think so, we use with my friend who has ptsd from the military but we dont have it, i see the benefit for her and i see if i got it for my son how it could benefit him, since he goes super impatient in 30min plus lines, i guess i would feel better applying if they required a doctors note because then i feel like i wouldnt be judged seeing that we look normal but my son has the anxiety, i will admit in long lines his anxiety passes onto me and we do call it quits while waiting 40 mins plus, he'll starts saying he's tired, he wants to eat, use the restroom, tries to play tag and then it bothers me when i see he cant be patient and other might think that i need to control my kid because yes ive been there, yes ive judged too but honestly, seeing how a LOT of people are using it then thats a no for me. I just wish physical fast passes would return. Aaaaand what happened why'd we get the photopass for only the two most expensive keys? Can we touch base on that please? Thanks!
With DAS Disneyland is still so challenging for me… I only really use it for 3 rides a visit. Without it Disneyland is impossible! As an inspire holder this is devastating! I hope it is case by case
A big thank you to those that cheated & made it harder for those of us that are actually disabled 😕
Exactly.
I always use a DAS pass, I have several disabilities. Once I saw a bunch of teenagers using a pass. I know that there are invisible disabilities, but those guys were clearly abusing the system. They were rowdy, playing around, typical teenagers. People like that make it difficult for people like us. If I don't have a DAS pass it's impossible for me to return to Disney World.
@@maribelrios8652 rowdy kids…..that’s a symptom of ASD….
Teenagers having fun at an amusement park? Thats your proof that they dont deserve accomodations?@maribelrios8652
They aren't going to crack down on fakers.. fakers will still lie. They're trying to increase sales on LL pass. It's about money
Pretty well done and covered except for one word near the beginning. People using DAS don’t BYPASS the line at all! They are given a return time equal to the standby wait line and THEN have to wait in the return line (which was the DAS line before Lightning Lane…so a little mistake on that verbiage too). For example, last Saturday I waited 90 minutes outside of the line for Space Mountain then was told it would be another 40 minutes wait at check-in. The people who get upset at legitimate DAS users with invisible needs usually have the misunderstanding that this is a ‘skip the line, jump to the front pass’. Far from it!
Exactly. People don't realize you still waiting with DAS.
Just pay for the genie it’s way faster
yes! my partner before this change previously qualified and we still had to wait just outside the line!
What really happened is a lot of people felt entitled especially at Walt Disney World when they had paper fastpasses they took advantage of this they kept doing this until they had th e@peacehappyb237
Wrong This is BS to the Ford Escape under the Ada the people with Disabilities Act Six Flags Cedar Fair are getting sued in California so is universal soon to be Walt Disney company because they can't eat the warning Bob Iger has always been greedy
My mom is a stage 4 cancer patient. We tried to get the DAS pass for her since she can't wait in long lines in the heat or sit for too long using her scooter. We wanted to have her enjoy seeing her nephew's first Disney trip (he's 9 months). They denied my mom. They even said it was not worth doing the interview and have a bad experience. They only qualify those with autism or similar cognitive disabilities that can't handle 'time' in long lines. Even though my mom is highly anxious and suffering.
Disney needs to do what Universal did and let guests use an Accessibility Card from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The fact that they won’t do this makes me think they ARE looking to make more money on Genie +.
We’ve been to Disney many times over the years. The first few trips had some really low points because we didn’t know about DAS. One of our kiddos is autistic and one has a severe anxiety disorder. We always used fast pass and took advantage of rope drop, etc. Even so, there were times we left a line. Our son’s special education teacher clued us in about DAS and it made a world of difference. We are in a position now that we purchase Genie+, but I will forever appreciate that Disney makes the magic possible for those with disabilities. Thanks for all you do to keep people informed. ❤
Yes as they get older and we as a family have run into a routine that works for vacations, the paying to be in a moving line and not a maze trapped in the center of a crowd of people is a great help. 5,7,9,12, 16. I didn’t bother with it for 16. Just bought the genie plus and then paid for web-slinger. But each year before it changed trip to trip when we used it. We know things like taking a break middle of day at hotel.
Without the DAS pass we would struggle so much , but even though my little needs it now I look forward to the day we no longer require it because that would mean my little has grown and improved in so many ways. He’s currently non verbal autistic.
what struggles would you have without DAS?
@@tjtennisicmroll2k I am a different person. My son is almost adult. We had 5 trips to Disney starting at 5. 2-4 years apart thank you Covid. He has autism but is verbal. He is extremely sensitive to sound. But it must be frequency. For instance he is fine of Big thunder railroad with the dynamite. But jungle cruise he remembered the gunshots from 3-4 years before and the cast member skipped it cause he was really freaking out on the boat. At 16 he could handle the maze and up and down stairs for the wait area for jungle cruise. At 5 he never could. In fact a 5 year old hit me three times in that wait line. There is something about not being able to see out and feeling trapped that causes distress and when no one is listening to words, if any, physical behavior is the communication that follows. I assumed he was distressed and having an issue and thankfully my son ignored it when he was also hit, but if he could have been waiting with his parents at the other entrance for assistance it would have been less stressful for him, his parents and other guests like us waiting in a maze. They estimate how long the person would have waiting going through the line, then let them in around that time. They are just waiting in a open area with nothing to trigger them instead of in the crowded maze, sometimes indoors which makes it worse. My husband and I don’t have autism. All we think of jungle cruise is a nice quiet ride with some dad jokes thrown in and a little squirt of water. That was what we thought he was starting to stress about. Water. We forgot about the gun. The thing is if we don’t try it as he keep reaching older ages how do we know it’s still a problem? So some rides we just try once a trip all together. I mean finally big thunder open while there, a miracle, and that loud noise in a dark tunnel no problem. Why would a few short cracking sounds be so stressful? Fantasy land lines are horrid for the inside rides like Snow White. Tea cups is a maze but outside and never stuck standing still too long so usually fine. Astro orbiter is fine. Waiting for a character usually fine. One thing we often did for the 5,7,9 trip was use the first aid station to use bathrooms. The regular ones too loud and while we could control the flush we could not in the other stalls. Now that is less a problem. Also cause he is a boy there was a certain age he could not come in the women’s with me. We would have to go back and forth to hotel. Sometimes we would go to first aid to decompress. It’s quiet. Tv on and place to sit for a moment. And a bathroom. It was difficult cause California Adventure and Disneyland each had one place to pee. We walk a lot for bathrooms at the age he needed the pass. We used to also go to part of Frontierland for quiet, but that is no more with Star Wars area. A meltdown trapped in a line we can’t take him away easily from the crowd is what we are trying to avoid. We would visit pixie hollow when it was great and the movies released and visit the characters. A nice cool outdoor place to wait in line. As he got older we learned when to take a break from the park and go to the hotel. He and I would do the pool and dad would spend time in park not using the pass doing the adult rides. Then we would go back for dinner. We also stayed in a Disneyland hotel to take advantage of magic mornings with less people. Now we pay for Disney genie plus or whatever and even paid extra to not wait for web slinger. He knows the place now, we pay extra to be on site hotel for breaks, try and be in the park at less crowded times of day, pay for movement in lines and he can tolerate a little more than at age 5. The limit would have made the trip awful for us at 5. We were meeting out of state relatives all of us flying to the place and our group was 8? People with autism can’t self regulate, are impulsive, have sensory issues and difficulty with attention. And they can’t communicate clearly for their age and advocate. A typical kid would whine and you would know a nap is in order even though they gave them up 6 months before. An autistic 5 year old might suddenly start kicking you. And their expressive language is like a 2 year old. I was carrying him from attraction to attraction the trip he was 7. And autistic people can not understand social clues or identify a person’s tone of voice. A sarcastic comment for me holding a 7 year old in line by another would have gone over his head. Just let some of us who need it stand over by the wheel chair access so not to make the rest of the guests uncomfortable because we are doing something weird. Other kids where hanging off the railing at Astro orbiter. A line he could do fine without a pass. He asked why they were hanging on the railing. Wasn’t it a rule? He doesn’t understand social interactions and comes off as rude with some comments. Other kids would mind their own business or not point out the other kids misbehavior as a mom was clearly there. They were slightly younger as well. A big kid would just understand they are too little and that is why not following directions. But not a spectrum kid. I just said different kid different rule. And that worked and the other mom liked it too. I didn’t care the kid was swinging off the railing. And pleased mine was not. People not at their best at the park, in lines. It’s a lot of money. Routine shot. Time change for half the guests. Interactions between guests could get goofy. It helped he wore over the ear headphones that trip so we looked a little different. We didn’t know how helpful they would have been for the 5 year trip.
I feel you. My little was just recently diagnosed with level 1 autism. We just always went to Disneyland late at night so lines were shorter (bad idea) and many times we wouldn’t ride rides. He’d just window shop from 10Pm-close in the exit store of the buzz lightyear ride. I even bought a LL for radiator springs once and he refused to go on even tho cars was his favorite movie b4 lightyear came out. I didn’t realize he was autistic until he was diagnosed and im a pediatric nurse lol. I’m learning it’s hereditary and I’m also autistic+adhd. We just got DAS the past 2 visits and rode rise of the resistance for the first time together 🤩 twice lol. Before he was diagnosed Disneyland trips were an exercise in patience, waiting in line, social skills for my little one (and myself). I thought my kid was just difficult and weird (like his parents) and wiggly and a runner and was told he would grow out of that (by my bro who is a pediatric neurodevelopmental occupational therapist!) my kiddos autistic traits are so mild and nuanced no one would notice and think he’s quirky and cute and bright until he reaches the point of overstimulation and he blasts off into another dimension and we find a quiet place until the emotional dysregulation passes. I pray for the day my child doesn’t need the DAS and can enjoy waiting in a 2 hour line shooting the sh*t with his visiting cousins and friends making memories and connecting. 🫶🏽 people who need DAS wish we didn’t need it. And as much as possible I wait in the queues to increase my child’s frustration tolerance, which fluctuates. DAS makes it possible for my husband to join us, since my little ones dysregulation sends my husband (also likely autistic/adhd) into panic attacks. DAS increases the chances that we’ll get to ride a ride instead of melting down and going home with a stop by the Lego store so the outing isn’t a total bummer. DAS makes the park more enjoyable for everyone, meltdowns are so sad to experience and uncomfortable for others who don’t know what’s going on to watch. I hope this clarifies the question on your comment and wish all the best for you and your little one 💞
@@tjtennisicmroll2k I’ve seen you ask the same question on other’s comments and wondering if you’re genuinely curious or fishing for what to say so you can get a fraudulent DAS of your own. If it’s the latter I hope you get caught and trespassed! 😈
Disney used to do the disability “Fast Pass” the proper way a while ago. They issued you a card that allowed you to go to the fast pass line and walk onto the ride. No waiting in line, no returning at a later time. Yes, this was abused by people, but that should have been addressed, not changing the whole way they handled disabled people. My wife & I are both disabled, we used the old pass to go on rides when she could enjoy them, and having to wait was not an option. We never abused it by repeatedly riding the same ride, as it was an unwritten rule.
I can’t wait in lines because my feet and legs hurt if I stand too long, walking helps, or sometimes I need to sit down and relax. Maybe make the disabled pass not allow returns for a period. There are many ways to do this better than they are implementing now. Seriously I could run the place better. 🤨
I’m one of those that have an invisible disability and no longer qualify. Breaks my heart but infuriates me more than anything. I no longer feel welcome, so I will be going somewhere else. I priced it out and 2 weeks in Europe is cheaper then a week at Disneyworld.
Disney its time we break it. It’s not me, it’s you.
I feel your pain. I am not able to return to WDW if I'm denied a DAS pass, which I'm sure I will if I dare ask for one now.
An important thing to point out is that with the DAS, you are given a return time equal to the posted wait time for the ride (often longer than actual wait time) and THEN you wait in the Lightening lane. You're still "waiting in line," just not physically in the line. I love that they're cracking down on people misusing it. I don't like that the verbiage on their website says "only" those with autism and similar disabilities. There's a lot of disabilities that need the DAS. Also, I worry as they crack down that my family members who use it don't "look autistic" so will be denied. There's a lot of judgement that will be made that may make those with invisible disabilities seem like they're faking. I think their goal is in the right place. I'm hesitant in how it will all flush out, and I think they need to reword their website to be more inclusive. My 5 cents. 😊
Good point! I didn’t know they give you a return time equal to posted wait time. That is new. That seems fair. I think it just appears to be unfair to the people in the line up waiting when they see people getting escorted to the front not knowing they have come back after a wait time. Thank you for the info ❤
@tarahartshorne4439 It's been that way for years, even years before covid. And it's always good to remember that an accommodation isn't giving an unfair advantage. It's making up a difference so their experience can be a little closer to the experience for people who are not disabled.
@@EnchantedStoryEars so true. Good point!
I have heard many cast members post online and say the wait time is shorter than the actual wait time. But, whatever the system, why not just let everyone have DAS, if everyone can use it even without a disability wouldn't that be the most fair way to do it?
@tjtennisicmroll2k As one with family members who need DAS, I can tell you the return time is the posted (often inflated) wait time. If everyone can use it, then it's no longer useful. That's the problem right now. Because it goes through the Lightening lane and because so many people are getting it who don't need it, the Lightening lanes lines are often too long for many DAS users to wait in now. The point of an accommodation is to fill a need so that a person with a disability can have a closer experience to someone without a disability. But when that accommodation is limited and people who don't actually need the accommodation start using it, it leaves those who need it without. When someone truly can't wait in a long line, and the accommodation given is to return later to go through a new long line, it no longer works. That's what's happening now. There are some rides my family member just can't ride now because the Lightening lane is now too long.
This makes total sense.. My wife has rheumatoid arthritis & both knee replacements… We have used this in the past, as it’s difficult for her to stand for that long periods of time. We aren’t senior citizen age as of yet, so some don’t understand why we get the bypass of the line (still had to “wait” in a ritual queue as well). Thanks for the explanation 👍
If she's been given DAS for not being able to stand for a long time, they've been breaking the rules giving it to her. It's not supposed to be given for issues of mobility or stamina or for anything that can be helped by a wheelchair or other mobility device. And that's not changing anytime soon.
It sounds like they are pretty much saying DAS pass is for developmentally disabled guests only. It will be very interesting to see how they handle other severely disabled but not autistic guests. My daughter is completely blind and we use the DAS pass (we have Inspire keys that expire in 2025). It is incredibly difficult (actually impossible without a sighted guide) for her to navigate the twists and turns of the lines, starting and stopping all the time, not being able to see when or where to go, and having people in front of her step on and even trip over her cane. The Indiana Jones queue in the worst! Minimizing the distance traveled in queues is critical for her. I guess we'll have to wait and see how they handle her condition.
This seems like an example where skipping the line is unnecessary for the disability. In Indiana Jones, doesn't DAS just use the fast pass entrance, so your daughter would still have to walk through the line. How does skipping the line accommodate her disability?
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Hiya TJ. Let me see if I can describe it better for you... Let's go with Indiana Jones, with the wait time being, say, 80 minutes. Your mission is to navigate the entire line completely blindfolded. Obviously there is no way you could do this by yourself, so you need a sighted person to guide you through the line. About every 30-60 seconds, the people in front of you move ahead, so your guide has to prompt you to start moving, and then prompt you when to stop moving. If you stop too late, maybe you bump into the people in front of you. Or worse, your white cane, which you use to "see", bumps into their feet. Or if you stop appropriately, but the people in front of you shift and take a step back right on your cane. Most of the time this is no big deal, but we've had times where someone stepped on her cane and broke the roller tip off, and times when the person tripped on her cane and fell. Also, during your navigation, you must rely on your guide for every turn of the line. Is it a 45 degree turn? 90 degrees? Or 180 degrees? Right or left? And heaven forbid your guide gets the least bit distracted and runs you into a pole (done that many times much to my chagrin) or there's an obstacle at head level that your guide misses. Then what about uneven walkways, steps up, or the worst - steps down. Hopefully your sighted guide warns you about steps down before you get to them (don't ask my daughter how many times I've failed that!). Now repeat this over 100 times during your 80 minute line. Then, just for an extra challenge, have your sighted guide manage your movement while also monitoring another child or two. I don't know if it's more stressful for the blind person or for their guide!
OR, you can use the DAS pass. You don't get on right away, you still have to wait (like everybody else) 70 minutes from the time you selected the ride until you can go to the DAS entrance, which for Indiana Jones is going through the exit. In this case, it's a constant, non-stop walk for most of the journey with no one in front of you - easy peezy. Then when you enter the queue you only have a 10 minute wait where you have to rely on your sighted guide who better be paying 100% attention to your movement.
I am also legally blind. When I used DAS for Indian Jones we went through the regular queue (not the exit in 2022). It was such a struggle to navigate. My family needed up pulling off to the side to let others go ahead of us because it takes so much longer to go through.
We are planning a trip in 2025, and I am genuinely worried about how it will go.
Visual disabilities are not supposed to be covered under DAS; somebody's been pixie dusting your daughter. The old GAC with the vision stamp worked better. With my low vision, I have to describe my needs and request accommodation from the CMs at every single attraction, and hope they feel like giving them that day. I've had CMs say things like, "If your eyesight is really that bad, why do you even want to ride? You can't be getting much out of it" or, "Every seat in the house is good; you don;' need the front row." Once I told one of them that trying to get through the queue and preshow would be unsafe and they said, "If it's unsafe, maybe you shouldn't do it. That's your decision." Anyway, I wouldn't expect them to keep bending the rules for your daughter when these changes go through.
@@AmayaNixie I've actually been knocked down and stepped on more than once in that dark area in the WDW HM between the stretching rooms and load area where everybody is milling around and letting their kids run around willy-nilly. Both times I yelled for help but the CMs did nothing. Finally, strangers took pity on me and helped me get through. And they still won't let me enter from the exit.
This is exactly the man to learn this stuff from. His business acumen and calm demeanor really helps to make this information easier to understand and remember! Thank you PPP!
Disney just needs to require documentation through a 3rd party...problem solved when weeding out liars. 99% of us with disabilities are happy to provide it. The one thing Disney has not taken into account is that autism has really skyrocketed since 2000, even more from 2018. The increase in usage could actually just be from more people visiting, which Disney has been saying is true, and some of those families have individuals with autism. I truly hope they continue to qualify individuals with PTSD, MS, LUPUS, RA, Cancer etc because although they aren't developmental disabilities they are disabilities. They need to utilize the system Universal uses, it has been very successful.
I’ll say autism has skyrocketed. Literally everyone has it, or adhd. At this point I don’t think having das will help since everyone else is also using it.
Completely agree
@mindyschocolate the point is, nobody has any idea who specifically is utilizing DAS. I have a son and nephew, both with autism, my nephew it is more noticeable. My point is that Disney can't assume who the liars are, unless they require documentation, and I have no problem providing whatever it takes to continue utilizing DAS.
No one in their right mind would sign an ROI to release any information to a huge company like Disney, to ask seems like a huge violation of HIPPA laws or should be at any rate.
You just listed a bunch of disabilities who would be easily served by Genie +. There has to be a line drawn somewhere. The longer the list gets, the more people included, the less effective the program. That’s why we are where we are with this system; the vast majority of people have a physical or mental diagnosis and most of those people can be served by genie +. Only those with developmental disabilities may struggle to adhere to the 1-hr return window for their rides, everyone else can work within that parameter and still skip the standby lines. They just have to pay for genie + which is what the real issue is here: people not wanting to pay an extra $30 a day, but they’re willing to pay $150-200 per day on park tickets and god knows how much on park food.
This is the best video I've seen on this topic. Thank you for not acting like everyone with DAS is a scammer. I think watching the hate and assumptions being made has been the worst part watching this all play out in the media.
Sometimes I forget just how widespread and pervasive ableism is, and it's always disappointing to be reminded.
Thanks for the info, definitely looking forward to better wait times! Also, big thanks for the great savings with Getaway Today! Second time using Provost Park Pass for a Disney trip! Took my oldest when she was 3 1/2 on her first Disney adventure. Now five years later, we’re taking her little sister who will also be 3 1/2 at the time of our trip this October on her first Disney adventure! Keep all the great tips and info coming, you are truly helping me to plan for another great family vacation with my 2 sweethearts by my side!
Id like to know more about this "return to line" thing. I honestly think the ability to return to your place in line would take care of the needs of so many DAS pass users AND be super valuable to the average guest as well. It really sucks being an hour into the line and then discovering that you suddenly reeeeeally need to use the restroom. Queue benches and restrooms would also be a nice addition where possible.
They need IBCCES Accessibility Card like universal studios
Six Flags Magic Mountain request’s a doctor’s note to get the pass. C’mon Disney!!!! Magic Mountain is literally empty and they do it, im sure disney could afford to verify medical documents
Do you not realize how easy it is to get a doctor's note? If all these liars and cheaters Disney is claiming are applying for DAS really are, asking for a doctor's note is going to do absolutely nothing to stop them. It's all for show, and I'm disappointed that people are so prejudiced that they're falling for it.
That's a hippa violation
@well-dressed-bird It's HIPAA and no it isn't. HIPAA keeps parties from sharing your information with others without your express consent. You may share with anyone you wish.
The problem with this is there are "dr's" that will write the note. Lots of people advertise they will get you a medical Marijuana card ( before it was legal) for just two visits at 150 a visit. When it became legal these " pain Dr's" went out of buisness
@@barbaraolcsvay62 well it wouldn't matter either way if they aren't requiring it. Anyone can lie and say they have a mental disorder etc. etc. My point is it would require extra work to get a fake dr's note, and would probably deter some from doing so. Unfortunately there are liars everywhere so not much can be done to stop that.
Id like to see an example of someone who was trespassed for mis-use of the DAS pass. Considering they don’t require proof or any type of doctor’s note to get the DAS pass, I doubt it has been done. How are they going to prove it?
They're not. It's all theater to make butthurt able-bodied people feel better.
I had genie+ last visit for my family of 4. My nephew has autism. We went and got the DAS after the first day of breakdowns. The difference was there is no expiration to your DAS ride. It lasts longer than an hour. It lasts until you go on that ride. Then you can go to tip board and claim your next ride. I think all should have to purchase genie plus and then get DAS for the extra benefit. Seems fair for the genie+ purchasers without DAS also.
Chris, Thank you for posting this. I found this channel years ago when I was going to Disneyland for the first time. I have level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety and Fibromyalgia, and I would not have had as much fun and a good time without the DAS pass. I was exhausted after all day fun, but if not for DAS I would not have seen as much as I did because of how overwhelming and overstimulated lines can be and with my Fibromyalgia, I can’t stand for long periods of time anyways. I never went to theme parks of any sort growing up because of how overwhelmed and overstimulated I got as a girl when trying to stand in lines. Having DAS really is a life saver for those of us with disabilities. Thank you for spreading awareness and always lighting up my days when I watch your videos. You have such a kind heart. ☺️🫂💕
I have a condition that causes me to be unable to wait in line. That condition is NOT autism. I have an extremely rare genetic disease. I LOOK, walk, and act “normal” but I am not. My disorder affects every organ in my body including my heart and brain. I have a permanent IV line that goes directly to my heart. I have needed a medical alert dog and wheelchair in the past but currently you could not tell by looking at me.
I travel with my partner. If I have a medical episode I have to leave the line WITH my partner. I absolutely NEED his assistance administering medication.
Disney told me that I do not qualify because I do not have a developmental disability. They said I could leave the line in a medical episode and rejoin my party. I would love to know how that is supposed to work when I travel with just my partner and need him to help me.
Even WITH DAS, I usually get to ride 2-3 rides in a full day because I have to take long rest breaks. Now I wouldn’t be able to experience any attractions in Disney. This needs to change.
Thank you for the super informative video. My husband has used this pass in the past due to his Epilepsy & not being able to que in the sun for a long period of time. 2 years ago was the first time we traveled with his service dog & went to guest services to get his pass. The castmember had a list of questions she asked us & seemed annoyed when he offered his DR note & disability paperwork from the federal government. I really hope he qualifies next year when we go. We bought Genie+ for the rest of the party for the rides he could not go on & only used DAS twice.
That being said I have never seen so many " disabled" people in one place so I am not surprised they have to do this. It's a shame but people will learn how to scam the system
I’m going to be going through the process for epilepsy as well! I’m nervous about being denied
Thank you for this! We used the DAS for my autistic child when we went in 2022. It was a lifesaver. All the news about changes and rumors swirling had me worried. My children wouldn’t be able to enjoy Disney without the DAS, it’s wonderful for those who need it but the program has definitely been abused.
😊 Us too 😀
Us too!
Us too!
Why wouldn't your children be able to enjoy Disney without DAS?
@@tjtennisicmroll2k if there weren’t das passes, our experience would have been very limited (in 2019). I have a daughter with such limited communication and inability to wait in line, we would’ve had to skip everything with a line if it weren’t for the DAS pass. It means a lot for those who need it.
Thank you for this update .I have autism and my family uses DAS alot for the Disney parks
Thank you so much for this information! Our ASD son and daughter are so excited to go ❤️ I was very nervous before learning about DAS pass.
I’m on the autism spectrum and I have cerebral palsy on one side of my body and I can’t handle waiting in lines very much and I just hate what Disney has done to their parks I’m happy to show records of my diagnosed disabilities but this is absurd and I don’t know if me and my family will even go to Disney this spring break
This subject is so important to our family. We’ve been using DAS since 2010 for our adult, developmentally disabled son. We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but it’s always made a huge difference to his experience in the parks (and ours too, of course). Disney has always been so kind to us. We’re going in December and I’m looking forward to checking it all out. Fingers crossed. 😘
Seems like skipping the line would make a huge difference in everyone's experience in the parks.
@@tjtennisicmroll2k That is very true, of course it would. Imagine a grown man, 29 years old, 260 lbs, with a capacity for waiting in line that is similar to a 4-5 year old. I don’t mean throwing a fit. I mean becoming scared, very anxious, quietly crying, labored breathing. The experience is very difficult for him, for us as parents, and for those around us in line. It does not make for a fun day. DAS makes it possible for us to be there. Please be kind and patient with those you don’t know.
Ps: He is also 6’1”. His weight really has nothing to do with it, I was trying to illustrate that he’s a big guy. Also, we’ve never used DAS for every ride. He can wait in line, and does sometimes. I know his limits and try to keep it fun for everyone.
@@lpcherry2324 You're a good parent. Screw that guy. Hope your trip's great.
I just came back from a trip to Universal Studios, and while I had a great time overall, there were some frustrating moments regarding accessibility. I used a mobile wheelchair and was told by the trip organizers that if the line was 30 minutes or longer, I could get a return time. If it was shorter, I could wait in line. However, none of that happened. I ended up waiting the entire 75 minutes, which wasn't terrible but was still irritating. The cast members seemed unsure about how to handle disabled guests. For instance, at Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, one cast member told me to go up the queue to get scanned, but another stopped us and said I needed to go through the exit, up the elevator, where they would wand me. Additionally, we found out that the cast members at the entrance didn't communicate with those inside the ride about the need for special transfer vehicles for disabled guests. Despite these issues, I did have fun on the trip.
This is wonderful news. My daughter uses DAS and we're all in for cutting down fraud.
Everybody's for cutting down fraud, but there's absolutely no reason to believe there's any significant amount of fraud going on here.
Best explanation ever. I tried to get an explanation from Guest Services and it was so confusing! The water is still a little muddy, but I think that's intentional
This is good news! Thank you for the info. We plan to take our triplets for the first trip in the next year or two and we have a child on the spectrum. We were worried about how that child would handle things like wait times and were willing to get genie passes for our family. We are grateful for the opportunity to be considered at least for that child’s benefit.
I’ve been on the “Dash” list for over 26 years and I’ve been on record at Disney World since! They should have my name and I shouldn’t have to go through all the red tape again! I understand and agree with this, but the ones who have been on their list for a longtime should be exempt!
And if you find out what the questions are, please do not disclose them. I am sure that people are going to research what they think these questions are to try to be fraudulent. My son is autistic and this is absolutely a lifesaver so please don’t ruin it for the people that absolutely need it so that they can enjoy Disney.
There is no such thing as a system that can't be abused. If someone is determined to do it they'll find a way.
Hopefully they implement a documentation requirement, through the 3rd party. It is the only way to get rid of the abusers of the policy. DAS is a lifesaver for many individuals, me included. I also have a son with autism...I hope your son continues to enjoy his Disney trips 🥰
The question is who absolutely needs it? I am sure everyone thinks they need it. I am sure some people with autism could wait in line and have a great time.
@@tjtennisicmroll2keasy to say as someone that isn’t autistic
@@austingirl39 You can't possibly be naive enough to actually believe that a documentation requirement would stop even a single person who was determined to get DAS. Please tell me you're not out and about and walking around in the world with that kind of gullibility on full display. ANYONE can get a doctor's note. If there's one thing in this world doctors love more than playing golf, it's writing notes. All it would do is create a big hassle for everybody.
I have used the DAS pass for years and it really has helped me a lot. The people who really need it won’t have any problems getting it and the people who are fraudulent will be weeded out. Disney knows what they’re doing. Thank you so much for the informative video.
Yes, they know exactly wht they're doing. They're trying to make more people with disabilities buy Genie+ instead of getting the accommodations they need.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. My mom is disabled (stage 4 cancer patient) and they denied her. Only those with cognitive disabilities qualify (such as autism).
Anything medically related is 'accommodated' by a wheelchair and leaving the line of it is too much. Then maybe you can join your party later. Assuming they're still in line and haven't ridden yet.
I think they are missing the mark entirely. I hope you have a better experience than we did.
Thank you so much for the information!
You are so welcome!
My son had Muscular Dystrophy and was permanently in a wheelchair. From his fists visit to his last (ages 7 /21), the folks at Disneyland & DCA could not have been more kind & helpful. During that time, we saw many park guests taking obvious advantage of the system. It is reassuring that more stringent measures are being taken to quell those who would commit fraud. Good job Chris! Bless you and thanks! 💕
During the conversation with a virtual cast member they stress you are not supposed to mention a medical diagnosis. I found it very difficult several times to explain my disability without explaining the diagnosis somehow. That's a tricky area for me. I am a three time cancer survivor and have a plethora of conditions , have been approved for DAS 3 times. Going forward I will see what happens.
There is no possible way you could tell if someone was "taking advantage of the system" or not. What exactly were they doing, wearing T-shirts that said, "I'm Taking Advantage Of The System" or something? How would you like it if strangers jumped to conclusions about you and your family without knowing anything about you?
@@ttintagel you obviously do not understand what was going on in the system. Your comment is ridiculous.
@@DianaPixieDust I understand what your imaginary scenario of what you choose to believe was going on in they system. But that facts are that neither you nor anybody else has any way of knowing, and you're clinging on to DIsney's just-so story because it aligns with your own bigotry. I would call it ridiculous, but that would be too kind.
How would you know they were taking obvious advantage? No one would know of my issues unless I’m having episodes…. So some may think that, so please don’t be part of the judgement police.
Thank you for the update! I've used the DAS pass on my last two Disney trips and it made my trip significantly more enjoyable. I was scared that I would not qualify, or worse, be labeled as a fraudster because my disability is not severe or obvious. I decided that I would do the interview and just tell the truth about my concerns and let them decide whether I qualify or not. I ended up qualifying and it was a great experience.
Thank you for saying this. My son has diabetes and his blood sugar can drop quickly and uncontrollably in the sun, I am concerned taking him but not sure about gettinh a Das pass
@@notenoughcoffeeintheworld6037 Worst case, they'll say no. Just tell the truth and let them decide. If not a DAS pass, they may be able to offer alternative solutions such as an ability to wait in the shade.
@@notenoughcoffeeintheworld6037 You can ask. I've always been denied for T1D, but they often give accommodations to children they deny to adults.
Everyone's trip would be more enjoyable with access to DAS
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Yeah and my life would be more enjoyable without my disability that's gonna kill me before I ever meet my grandkids. You want it because you want a pass so bad? I want my normal life back. If I can get half a normal day that'd be peachy. Bury this weird bone of yours, my god.
The question I have is most theme parks have the Disabled pass and also require documentation like
Universal
Sea world
Sesame place
My question ..Why don’t Disney ???
They should do that
And I never hear of anything wrong with the other parks having issues
It just boggles my mind. 🤔
Thank you for clarifying this for us.
Kudos for Disney for implementing this...
Yeah, kudos for stirring up the bigots and ableists with a manufactured narrative, all in the name of a cash grab.
Thank you, I anticipated that you would be able to clarify a lot of the information and help put my mind at ease ❤
So glad they’re finally cracking down on this.
Yeah, it's great when companies waste time and money cracking down on problems they made up.
Medical documentation should required in order to get das. I always offer the cast member a copy of my med records and offer to show them my medication with labels. I want to ensure them i do have a reason why i cant stand in line.
It seems like it's more tailored for mental disorders than physical. So it should bring down that number of das users drastically.
That said, i think there is a fear for many people who actually need it, not being able to get it anymore. Im looking forward to the anecdotal accounts of people applying and seeing what they were rejected for.
The return to queue line is interesting and i want to know how that works. Im just not sure how its going to keep track of your spot in line.
Len Testa is the GOAT, Disney Dish Podcast is awesome
You’re an outstanding TH-cam channel.
Thank you for the fantastic information!! I'm certainly going to be following this very closely.
My daughter has autism and they have always been so good to her. I have no doubt it will continue, it’s just sad that it’s more difficult because of people who cheat and lie. I have used the video chat to pre register for WDW and it was fine. I go to city hall for Disneyland because the time that I have tried with Disneyland the wait was horrible and I could never get through. If they don’t fix that I would have to go to the ticket booth set up and if the line is long that will be difficult. Other than those thoughts I am glad they are trying to weed out those who can truly wait in line. My daughter truly needs DAS and these people cheating the system need to go.
It's not difficult "because people cheat and lie." It's difficult because Disney wants to sell more Genie+.
@ttintagel No, there are people cheating it absolutely now. The only people mad about this seem to be those who either don't understand the changes or how the system works now or were cheating the system to get out of buying genie plus without care of who this program is actually for. Always had to interview for DAS, mobility issues haven't been covered for DAS for years now. The only thing that has changed really is you can't apply in park anymore to try bypass the required interview and a third party health service, not disney themselves any longer, will do the interview.
everyone thinks they need DAS
We went to California a couple years ago and after 3 days at Disneyland, we headed to Universal for one day. That morning I woke up and my back had a debilitating spasm.
We slowly shuffled to the park (because why not) and rented the scooter. It was less than an express pass, and we got front of the line the entire day. I was surprised how easy it was and nobody questioned it (though they could tell by just looking at me).
Thank you so much for the info, my grand is autistic. Love that baby!
We took my severely ADHD son in April of 23. DAS was a lifesaver. We get the pass at most amusement parks, but so many only allow one to go with him, so we can not go on anything as a family. Even 4 will be helpful. We had to wait for 4 hours to do a prequalification interview. That was so hard because he had to be there and he could not wait all that time. Being confined to home and not having the option to leave without having to leave the virtual queue was rough. He needs to keep moving. The pass worked well. He does not have an autism diagnosis yet, but line waiting is no easier than it was last year. We would not be able to do Disney without DAS.
So many people will be unable to go now because they have the wrong kind of disability and don't qualify for DAS anymore. We are already considering going to somewhere else.
Disney is no longer disability friendly. My husband has Primary Progressive MS and is unable to stand or sit in lines at all and cannot be alone. They denied him and the new accommodations were inconsistent and did not work.
I Suffer from PF but have never utilized DAS pass but my 5 year old who’s on the Spectrum absolutely and my family of 4 have an enjoyable experience and also I have no problem showing Dr paper work to prove it
As a companion to this crackdown, Disney should offer lower prices for renting wheelchairs and ecvs to help those with mobility issues.
Mobility issues are already not covered by DAS. Haven't been for years.
If someone has mobility issues, wouldn't they already have wheelchairs or ecvs? Seems like walking is required in places other than Disneyland, I don't know why Disneyland should have to be a one stop shop for all disability related products for people. Why doesn't Disney rent insulin pumps or provide dialysis on the matterhorn?
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Unless people drive there it's unlikely they will have their chair/etc.
Airlines are notorious for damaging and even destroying mobility equipment and then refusing to replace what they done.
I learned of this when I read about an airline destroying a $20K wheelchair and refusing to replace it. While the court battle raged the person who's chair they destroyed died from complications from not having their expensive chair.
I'm in a similar boat. If I sit in a normal chair too long my legs swell causing blood clots.
My fancy chair tilts back to shift weight off my legs.
I do agree that they should have a place to get medical items.
@@douglascampbell9809I can’t walk and I have to fly because I’m 2000 miles from Disneyland. I always take my chair on airplanes and other than a scratch or two it’s never been damaged. I couldn’t get around without it.
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Think about it for a minute. And not this back and white, all or nothing kind of thinking. Do you really believe that a day at a Disney park is the same as the average person's daily routine at home? The average Disney guest walks TEN MILES per day and stands in line for hours. Most people aren't doing that at home, especially people with medical conditions that limit mobility or stamina or cause pain. Many, many people don't need assistive devices in Situation A but absolutely do need them in Situation B.
1. most of us who actually needed it due to severe medical issues effecting being able to wait will no longer be able to. as someone who is disabled, it is absolutely disgusting that super sick kids who really 100% need it can’t relax and escape the pain by going to disney.
2. we should absolutely not have to pay for genie+ to get accomodations.
3. disney needs to use a 3rd party company that can have us provide documentation. anyone acting like they have an issue to get a DAS will not be able to prove the disability they claimed and they won’t do it.
this is extremely discriminatory and i really hope they realize it. it is very clear to me that whoever made this decision is able bodied.
So glad for the info. It is important.
Im worried that as someone with an invisible illness, such as tumor fatigued epilepsy, this might become tricky. I have already had issues trying to get DAS pass before, but without it I almost had a seizure in the park
I've used DAS in the past because I had problems waiting in line. As an adult now, I don't use it anymore as I've gotten more used to waiting in long lines especially if they're attractions I cannot miss. What I think of the change in the DAS pass now is a bit of nerve. Interviewing for this thing is a whole different ball game and I don't believe I would be able to get it in today's world. Disney needs to get back to it's roots one day when all things for us guests were easier.
I have PTSD, but lines don’t bother me so I’d never apply for this, but glad they are weeding out people abusing the system!
Pre registering in person was so much faster for us in January. I tried for a month to do a video call and never once saw a wait less than 7 hours and never got through. I simply went up to an info kiosk and got setup super fast.
Thank you - I have been hearing so many different stories. I thought it would be a case by case basis. I have Parkinson's and DAS is a lifesaver. I use a scooter for mobility issues but with Parkinson's there are so many other issues. Each day is a new experience - my daughter and I love to go to Disney and have the pass creates us to get what we want to do and I am also able to rest. I appreciate your videos!
Thank you for letting us know. It anger's me that someone takes advantage of the disability thing . only people who actually has a disability rather if it's mobile or who has special needs it breaks my heart that people who really take advantage of that. if you can wait in Line than wait . give it to those who actually needs it .
Everyone claims they really need it
@@tjtennisicmroll2k And you have absolutely no way of knowing whether they really need it or not.
I had an employee on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland tell me she uses it because she has anxiety. I thought it was weird because she is able to work there but not stand in line?? Definitely seems like part of the issue is overcrowding which I don't see an answer to. I'm not sure how effective the new system will be. People can still answer questions untruthful. Doctor's note, DHS K plan, or Social Security qualification may be in the future. Since my son freaks having a person on a screen talk to him, and doesn't do well waiting for City Hall, we try to hit it at rope drop or waste a day and stop late that night. Thanks Chris for summarizing the info. You Rock!!!
If she has an anxiety disorder, she has a legitimate disability. It also can be situational. She could very well be able to work there and not be able to be trapped in a line. So no, what she said is not weird at all.
@@ohana8535 That's what is hard and Disney is going to have to figure it out. My son is serverly disabled, doesn't know how to call someone with a phone or have a conversation with someone. He is nonverbal autistic. But I also know kids with feeding tubes that would be more deserving of a DAS than him. Do you give a DAS to someone that just gets "uncomfortable". And if 76% of the people in the fastpass lane use DAS, how do you drop that number down? I saw another young couple back when there was a disability paper pass so I saw they used it. And they were making out hot and heavy. But they could also be disabled. It looks different for different people. But everyone will continue to say they have anxiety and continue to use it.
@@loravaloo55 The thing is, Disney is a very popular destination for people with disabilities. It's not perfect, but it's way more accommodating and easy to navigate than a lot of other vacation spots. There's a higher concentration of people with disabilities there than most places. Including people whose disabilities are situational (they don't necessarily need much assistance in their daily lives at home, but they need it to get through a heavy day at the parks). So it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn that 76% of the people in any given LL were legitimately using DAS. If Disney needs to "drop that number down" they need to look at what they're doing wrong when designing their parks and attractions, not make them less accommodating.
@@ohana8535 a lot of people make up disabilities to get out of doing stuff they don't like, it happens a lot in our society, seems like you don't know either way in this specific situation unless you were given all of the details of this cast member. However, the definition of disability in the ADA is not as broad as you seem to be implying. You can have anxiety disorder and not have a disability which requires a reasonable accommodation to skip the line at Disneyland. One of the major tests to determine if someone has a disability is to see if their condition affects a major life activity, such as being able to work a job. Clearly, she can work a job, so it seems doubtful that having anxiety in line would be a disability under the proper ADA legal interpretation.
@@ttintagel I very much agree that Disneyland is a great place for people with disabilities. I love the fact that my son has never gotten too tall to do "kids" rides there like he has a knotts. At Disneyland, everyone can do everything. And having attractions close together, while causes more crowding, means less walking.
My daughter is 15 and has been using DAS since she was 5 years old do to her medical condition. This year they totally kicked her out and it has ruined her entire experience. She has had to fight through her condition just to be able to do a few of their rides and has had to return to our room because of their refusal to accommodate her. We loved Disney and appreciated and thought so highly of them for their support and treatment of our daughter. NOT ANYMORE… this is without a doubt our last trip to their parks. We have a granddaughter that we were intending to bring in the upcoming months, and now that’s a big fat NOPE. We will boycott their products, theme parks and motion picture. Good bye is how we part with friends. Good riddance is how we part with Disney. 😡
My mom has a small/overactive bladder which makes it so she has to use the restroom every hour, so waiting in a queue for more than 60 minutes would certainly be difficult or outright impossible. I hope this qualifies for DAS Pass, or as you mention at 8:15, perhaps the "Return To Queue" thing might be more fitting/appropriate. I hope Disney explains the details on that one soon.
Did she find out? My guess is this is a money grab and they will tell her to just buy Genit +
Our son has medical diagnoses and we’ve had DAS for some time now, today went to get it and were denied because “he doesn’t meet the criteria “ while I get the heart behind it it’s sad because even with having a diagnosis it will all come down to “if it fits there list” and saying the right things. Changes the Disney experience for my family and I
Is the "list" available anywhere?
My son was diagnosed autistic oct 2023, he does ABA therapy 40 hours a week, doesn’t recognize his name, can’t stand in line for even a minute BUT they told me based on what I told the person, doesn’t qualify.
I’m all for this. I’ve been using a version of the DAS pass since I was a kid. I’ve had JRA since the age of 3 and although Disney has always been incredibly accommodating, I’ve watched countless people take advantage. I’d be more than happy to show proof of need if it came to that, but I doubt it will. I’m somewhat fortunate that my disability is visible and understand that it’s harder for those with invisible disabilities, but I don’t blame Disney for wanting to sort it out. I’m sure the new restrictions will have some kinks to work out, but it’ll all be sorted with time and I appreciate the fact that Disney sees there is a problem and they’re trying to fix it.
This is a great change! Too many trying to be sneaky..
And you know this how?
I feel that all those reporting on this keep saying bypass the line, which is and isnt true. Yes we dont have to wait in the actual line, but we do still wait the same amount of time before we can get onto the rides. We just dont physically stand with the crowd for one reason or another. All of us wait the same amount of time though. However, when people say we bypass the line others think we skip and jump the lines by perception. Plus them asking for a DR Note explaining your disability kinda borders on violating HIPAA.
Gonna be at Disneyland April 27-29, hope to meet you, if you're there!
I love your energy! Thanks for the info
I am so happy that their doing this. Im in a wheelchair and I don't need the DAS because I can wait in line but people trying to get DAS pass just so they don't have to wait in line are one of my Pet- peeve at Disneyland. one time Long time ago before they had return time for Disable poeple and you just waited at the exit my dad and I were waiting to go on Splash Mountion😥and there were a group of Teenage girl in line ahead of us and one girl was in a wheelchair so you they got on the ride and we did to and after they got of a different girl sat down in the wheelchair.
Did it never occur to you that there are disabilities that don't require you to be in the wheelchair 24/7? Ones where it's good for you to get up and walk when you can, but if fatigue or pain flares up you need to sit back down right away? What are you going to do with the wheelchair during the times you don't need it? You're not going to abandon it; you're going to take it with you. And maybe you let your friend have a ride in it while you're able to walk.
It's making me lose all hope in humanity that so many people are so willing to jump to the worst possible conclusions about people they don't even know. I bet you wouldn't be thrilled if everybody who saw you just assumed you were faking your disability because you didn't look like whatever definition of a disabled person they made up in their head. I would have thought you, of all people, would know better.
@@ttintagel i'm not in a wheelchair 24/7 either but I also don't rent a wheelchair and let other people use it if I need it.
Thanks for the info! We’re going to WDW early 2025 and need DAS pass for my daughter with ASD. We used it back in 2019 with so much positive experience! I’m glad they’re narrowing it down to those who truly need it and I love the concept of return to queue.
are they limiting it to those who truly need it, doesn't seem like that is necessarily the case, who's to say who needs it and who doesn't need it?
I just want to let everyone know that, as I spoke to Disney Guest Services, the DAS is not REQUIRED for those of us have a MOBILITY issue and use an electric mobility scooter or wheelchair. We still do not need to call in. We can continue as we have in the past.
I can see how guests do take advantage of DAS. I was there in February and saw a woman walking around with a mobility grabber that was taped on one end, and once in a while would use it like a cane.😮
Hey sir, I am not seeing a link for the Getaway Today. Thanks for the video, really loved everything about it! ✌🏻
I think what irritates me is the autism statement because it makes it sound like it will exclude veterans like me and my daughters best friend with a Heart Condition.
It sounds exclusionary to those of us with invisible disability
A lot of people with autism also don't look disabled. It will be interesting what Disney comes up with. Hopefully it is successful.
Thank you for information Chris❤
I would rather give all my VA Diagnoses records from my provider from my PTSD from combat than explain why I have PTSD from combat.
Getting the records or just trusting your word doesn't matter for determining what limitations you have from that disability, Disney is required to give a reasonable accommodation to let you enjoy the facilities, so that is why they have to have a conversation with you, it is called an interactive process and it is required by federal law.
Thank you for your service.
yes and I wish Disney would just sequester some type of a note or medical records. How do they know the person is not lying about their condition? I don't see how they're going to legitimately make it around that loop. I hope they do. By the way thank you for your service.🇺🇸
@@tjtennisicmroll2k Exactly. Not everybody with the same diagnosis is necessarily going to have the exact same needs.
@@DianaPixieDust Sequester? Why would they sequester the notes? Anyway, it's so easy to get a doctor's note that it's meaningless.
I get that they're trying to improve the guest experience overall and if they're successful with it brilliant! But case by cases basis systems are rarely ever fair. Not trying to be cynical but what usually happens is it will come down to the individual training of the cast member granting the pass and that will probably yield an inconsistent result.
I'm paralyzed from the neck down and drive a wheelchair with my mouth. I suffer from temperature regulation and sudden onset autonomic dysreflexia, both conditions can be potentially lethal if not taken care of immediately. I had my interview today and did not qualify for a disability access pass. They said I could return to Q, which I don't even know what that means. I don't understand how I can suddenly get out of line if I have an emergency which threatens my life if I do not take care of it immediately. But they say they have people running up and down the lines all the time just waiting to let people out and back in. It seems very stupid and I'm not sure that this new system is safe for my life.
I have epilepsy as a result of a serious head injury when I was two years old and I'm lucky to be alive I hope that I will still be able to get the DAS pass I got it at Disneyland in May of 2023 and plan to visit Disnay World sometime in 2025
Im epileptic as well and unfortunately I dont know if it will qualify anymore ❤️
I have anxiety with panic attacks in crowds that cause my heart rate to rise feels like I am having a heart attack. So if I can’t get the Disney das pass I won’t be able to come to Disney world my favorite place to go
Very useful video, thank you!
My husband is in a wheelchair, he has no problem waiting in line, but for rides that he has to get to separate line after waiting in the first (ie Toy Story Mania) I wish he could use the lighting lane, otherwise we are basically waiting in the line twice.
Disneyland?
Would this include people with issues with feet and legs such as diabetes and neuropathy that cant stand for long period's?
No. If your issues can be solved by using a wheelchair you do not qualify for DAS. It's been that way for years.
Im curious on what kind of experience your friend who does videos with you has experienced since these new rules have been put in place. I have cancer and my chemo leaves my in a akward situation with brain fog at times and having to be in as much shade as posssible as my skin flares up . I have used DAS in the past and it makes my disney trips more enjoyable by helping me to plan my day by accomidating me and my situations
Hi, thank you for the update ❤
As a person with a disability where too much direct sunlight and too much confined noise stimulus makes my symptoms worse (muscle weakness, eye muscles give out, swallow reflex slowly fades) - I was in the parks before the DAS pass. People would get ECVs or wheelchair and run illegal park tours with 'front of line privileges." So that DAS got corrupted too was only a matter of time.
A note to help y'all with legitimate concerns - don't focus on diagnosis names. Focus on what behaviors ormsymptoms make line sitting difficult or impossible.
I have two kids with autism and we had our first family trip to Disneyland last February.
We used the DAS pass and I know for a fact that there was at least one family that was faking to use the pass because they were bragging about it to each other in the line.
I thought they were outliers so I didn't snitch on them (even though I totally should have) and hearing that 76 percent figure makes me wish I had.
Hi Chris, thanks so much for your video and your easy to understand presentation. I am confused about one statement. You say that you can apply for pass now a 120 days in advance . On both DL and WDW Websites, it still states you can make interview 30 days before visit. If you could please clarify
I worry that this is going to cause issues for people who are nonverbal and not able to interview. As a social worker, I've worked with many people who are experiencing disabilities and nonverbal communicators or individuals who have trouble with overstimulation are not going to do well with this process. My niece would be one of them, she wouldn't be able to handle this sort of interview and the last time I was at Disneyland they wouldn't let anyone help the individual who is experiencing a disability, I.e communicate for them. Honestly I can see a lot of ADA / discrimination lawsuits in their future.
My daughter is nonverbal and they always allowed me to speak for her. I sure hope this doesn’t impede your niece in anyway.
Well i'm sure that there's a family member or someone who can vouch for them and complete the interview.
They've always required an interview. A family member can speak for them.
they should just abandon physical queues all together and do virtual queues similar to volcano Bay where you have to abandon a queue if you want to ride something in the interim. It would allow people to eat, use the restroom, see street shows, and most important to Disney, shop in the interim. The only thing physical queues do is hide crowds.
I have a lot of pause. I’m on full-time oxygen and have seizures when I sit up for too long. I’m also a wheelchair user, but I wouldn’t take that into account for a DAS pass. Anytime I’ve tried to explain the seizure thing, or that my oxygen is limited, it’s been a struggle. Because I don’t look sick people become very judgy. This just sounds like more hoops to go through. There was one time they kept trying to deny me. I finally was so overwhelmed and mad that they weren’t believing me that I had a seizure from the stress right in front of them. After my postictal phase, which took hours, I went back and then they gave it to me. I LOVE Disney. I’ve been going to Disneyland since 2 weeks old, now 43. If I didn’t have those memories, and I was only judging Disney on how they’ve accommodated my disabilities later in life, I’d never go back. There are more stories beyond DAS qualifications about Disney being not very accommodating and downright mean. The thing is, I only go on like 4 rides too. Sometimes I wish that they’d look at my ride history to see that I only go on 2 rides a day because I’m that disabled. This is a very sensitive subject for me. *tears formimg* I just hope there isn’t more judgement. This sounds fine in theory. But I’ve been disabled for 30 years, and have learned that the people making the decisions are not normally those who are in the situation. Trying to stay positive…maybe since it’s being outsourced, things will change. But I do have reservations that this will actually make it better. I think this really affects the people who don’t “look sick.”
Yes, it can be hard to get across to able-bodied people how difficult things are with multiple disabilities. Especially if each one on its own wouldn't necessarily be debilitating. There's so much casual ableism out there.
I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that. My friend has awful anxiety & some ride lines noise would make her shut down. Some of the cast members trying to verify DAS have made her shut down.
It's a worry as I would not manage in a park without DAS. Booking a trip to the USA at 10 months out without knowing if I will qualify is really scary. Its a long way to come and a lot of money spent if I can't get it.
I miss disneyland 😢 good info btw!
It doesn’t seem like much has changed? I was recovering from surgery and did the virtual interview. The only thing was they didn’t really explain how to use it or how it works. Better explaining the process is a win to me.
Fibromyalgia no longer covered under DAS?
Honestly, i just found out about the DAS from my kids teacher, my son has seperation anxiety and i was gonna apply for him but now i dont think so, we use with my friend who has ptsd from the military but we dont have it, i see the benefit for her and i see if i got it for my son how it could benefit him, since he goes super impatient in 30min plus lines, i guess i would feel better applying if they required a doctors note because then i feel like i wouldnt be judged seeing that we look normal but my son has the anxiety, i will admit in long lines his anxiety passes onto me and we do call it quits while waiting 40 mins plus, he'll starts saying he's tired, he wants to eat, use the restroom, tries to play tag and then it bothers me when i see he cant be patient and other might think that i need to control my kid because yes ive been there, yes ive judged too but honestly, seeing how a LOT of people are using it then thats a no for me. I just wish physical fast passes would return. Aaaaand what happened why'd we get the photopass for only the two most expensive keys? Can we touch base on that please? Thanks!
With DAS Disneyland is still so challenging for me… I only really use it for 3 rides a visit. Without it Disneyland is impossible! As an inspire holder this is devastating! I hope it is case by case