Disability Access Services aka DAS Will Undergo Major Change May 20th, 2024. More than likely it happened because of major abuse of the DAS system recently. Disney reports a 5x increase over the past 4 years. How many of these are legit is hard to figure out, but now it looks like Disney is trying to prevent further abuse and stop it from happening in the future. (Of course, we all know, people will figure out a way. Jerks!)
I hate judging people, but we have all seen the forums or the posts online of other people explaining how to abuse the system, and all that does is hurt the ones who truly need the DAS system. The system is there to help those with different needs enjoy the Parks to the fullest. We know the ins and outs of this system perfectly and could go into a long-winded explanation of it. We use the Disney DAS system. Our son needs it, and I use it (PTSD is a heck of a condition, which I can make a joke about now, but catch me on an off moment and those jokes do not come as easy).
Right now we do not know who will be able to use the actual DAS Pass after May 19th, 2024. We do not know if IBS, or issues like that will still be able to use the system, or it may turn if a guest needs to leave the line for an IBS attack they will be accommodated by being let back into the line. We also do not know if those, who do not have a developmental disability, but still have a psychiatric disability, psychiatric illnesses, emotional disorders, or mental disabilities will fall under this category.
The DAS system changes are as follows. This is directly from the Walt Disney World site. To learn more, I suggest going directly to the source. There is a lot of new wording.
Accommodating Guests with Disabilities
Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests. DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate only those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.
Related: How to Save on Walt Disney World Vacations This Summer of 2024
For Guests visiting from April 9 through May 19, 2024, please note:
- Pre-arrival conversations to determine eligibility for DAS are available 2-30 days prior to your park visit.
- In-person conversations to determine eligibility for DAS will continue to be at Guest Relations locations.
- You can book up to 2 one-hour return windows for select experiences using our DAS Advance planning option.
- DAS is valid for up to 30 days from the start of the registration. Once the service has elapsed, Guests will need to re-register.
- DAS is intended to accommodate a small percentage of Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.
- DAS doesn’t provide immediate access to experiences but rather allows Guests to request a return time for a specific experience that is comparable to the current standby wait.
- The Guest who is requesting to use DAS must be present during registration and experience the attraction when redeeming a DAS return time at Walt Disney World theme parks.
Step 1: Register Registration is available via live video chat. Speak with a Cast Member via live video chat to determine eligibility as soon as 30 days in advance of a park visit Please note: at this time, live chat is offered in English only. Guests visiting now through May 19 may visit a theme park Guest Relation location to speak with a Cast Member. In-person registration will no longer be available at theme park Guest Relations locations starting May 20, 2024.
If DAS is provided after a conversation with a Cast Member to determine eligibility, the Guest with a disability (or a parent/guardian) will participate in the registration process. This requires having a photo taken of the DAS-registered Guest. DAS registration maximum party size is the registered DAS Guest and up to 3 additional party members, for a total of 4 people. DAS is valid for up to 120 days. Once the service has elapsed, Guests will need to re-register.
Step 2: Request a Return Time After you’ve registered and entered the theme park, you can request your first return time. On the Day of Your Park Visit Guests registered in DAS can make return time selections right in the My Disney Experience mobile app on the day of their visit. lf additional assistance is required, Guests can also obtain return times directly from a Cast Member at any Guest Experience Team location. The return time will be comparable to the current standby wait. Please keep in mind that DAS return times are valid until the park closes or an attraction closes for the day. A party can only hold one active DAS return time at once
Step 3: Enjoy the Park On the day of your visit, have fun exploring the park until you can redeem your return time. After a return time has been redeemed, your party can request another one by using the My Disney Experience mobile app or returning to a Guest Relations or Guest Experience Team location.
Some thoughts: It appears as though until May 19th, 2024 – those who have DAS can now select 2 return times at once, within a certain time frame. From May 20th, 2024, Return times will still be selectable on the app, but it is not clear who can use it.
