If you’re going to Disney World soon, it can be daunting to take in all the information and policies.
Cinderella Castle
For many folks, Disability Access Service (DAS) is an important option to consider. Disney has long earned a reputation for being an accommodating vacation destination for families that have a wide range of health or nutritional needs to work around, and the DAS system is just one of those tools to help families have the Disney vacation that fits with their family needs. Disney just announced that the DAS system would undergo some important changes, and if you and your family are considering utilizing the services on your next vacation, you’ll need to be aware of these. Let’s talk about it!
First, let’s talk about the basics of DAS.
What is DAS?
Disability Access Service (DAS) is designed to accommodate guests and their families who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability. The service allows you to schedule a return time that is comparable to the current queue wait for the given attraction. It does not provide immediate attraction access.
Animal Kingdom
Once a return time is issued, you can enjoy other theme park offerings while you wait virtually for the return time to arrive, as opposed to waiting in the queue. When you redeem a return time, you can book another return time for the same or a different attraction. So think of it like having access to a Virtual Queue for all of the attractions.
EPCOT
In addition to the traditional DAS system, Disney has recently introduced DAS Advance. It is a new, enhanced feature of the popular DAS program. During the DAS Advance video conference, you can select and book up to 2 DAS Advance selections for each day of your visit (subject to availability).
Hollywood Studios
If a selection is available, you will be given a one-hour time period during the day of the visit to redeem the selection. Selections are valid for use only on the date and during the one-hour time period chosen and cannot be transferred. If you don’t pre-register for DAS, you will not be eligible to receive the DAS Advance selections.
Pandora
Once you pre-register for DAS, you’ll be able to proceed to the booked attraction to confirm your identity before being able to use your DAS selections.
Journey of Water
With DAS, the person registered in the system will be able to get return times for themselves as well as their party — up to six people. At least, that’s how it has been in the past. Once you’re registered for DAS, it’s valid for 60 days.
So…what’s changing?
Starting May 20th for Disney World and June 18th for Disneyland, DAS will undergo several changes. Firstly, Disney will partner with Inspire Health Alliance (the group who handled the COVID vaccination information for Disney Cruise Line back when people had to show proof of vaccination in order to sail).
Cinderella Castle
Further, the party size for DAS will shift from six people to just the “immediate family,” or limit of four people. For example, if you have a DAS pass and are visiting with six of your family members, all of them would be able to join a line with you. However, if you are visiting with six of your friends, only four of them would be able to join lines with you.
Animal Kingdom
Next, the rules regarding pre-entitlements are changing. Right now, DAS comes with two pre-entitlements. Once the new system is put in place, pre-entitlements and DAS will not be grouped together and will be used as separate options depending on guest needs. For the most part, visitors who are eligible for DAS will NOT receive those entitlements.
Slinky Dog Dash
Now, one of the more helpful updates is that the DAS enrollment will be EXTENDED from 60 days to 120 days. So, once you’re registered within the DAS system, you won’t have to register again for another 120 days — which is super helpful if you’re in the parks a lot.
Expedition Everest
Finally, a newly-defined “return to queue” process will be put into place for people who may need to leave queue lines for a bit in order to get through the full queue.
EPCOT
Of course, full details regarding the process will become available when the new system updates do — on May 20th and June 18th.
We’re always on the lookout for more Disney news and updates and we make sure to share them here so that you’re always in the loop. Make sure to follow along so that you’re always in the loop.
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When you say “DAS comes with two pre-entitlements. Once the new system is put in place, pre-entitlements and DAS will not be grouped together and will be used as separate options depending on guest needs. For the most part, visitors who are eligible for DAS will NOT receive those entitlements.”
is this talking about the 2 choices you get to select before your trip? Can you explain a little more what this refers too? Thanks
Hi Sarah! Yes, it’s the two ride choices you get to pre-select before arrival. Disney has not given us a lot of details on that just yet so once it is in place we will have a better idea of what that actually means.
I appreciate the DAS system a lot for our special needs kid. I hate that people are abusing the system to cause Disney to have to tighten up the screening process but I’m good with whatever needs to be done to make our next trip as magical as the last. We’re paying just as much to come to the parks as the next person, I’m happy that Disney is still trying to make a way for people with unique needs to enjoy it. It was a huge life saver several times on our first trip last year. We had to spend at least an hour or more each day in the family rooms at each park to help them calm down from their emotional “melt down” episodes that tend to come when we are least expecting them. Getting stuck in line with one of these or waiting for a long time just to have to leave was a nightmare that my wife and I were dreading until a friend told us about DAS and it ended up being a perfect solution to such a huge source of anxiety for us.
When I read line skipping, I thought they would be addressing the problem of one person holding a place in line for 10 friends or family members.
People should understand that this was never a “skip the line” pass. You would get a return time and could go wait elsewhere, maybe getting a snack or doing another attraction without a long line. The major change for my family is that you will no longer be able to go to Guest Services to get the DAS. You will need to go through the online virtual interview up to 30 days before your visit. This is something I have never been able to accomplish because of hours long waits to connect with a CM, so I hope they plan to add staff. But this alone should cut back on people trying to use the DAS as a way to get around waiting in line. Disney has indicated they will be more forward about offering alternative accommodations such as handheld captioning devices.
It’s sad that so many people have abused the system. Now it will make it so much harder for those who actually need it to get it. I have talked with people who have bragged about “beating the system.” They lie about their kids having issues. Pretty irritating. Maybe doctors proof is the best way forward. Typical for the people doing the right thing, always paying for those that break the rules.
thank you I appreciate the reply
If it weren’t for DAS, my son would not be able to do Disney. I am very grateful that Disney accommodates individuals with special needs. While getting the 2 pre-selections is a nice perk, I understand the importance of making changes.
I don’t know if others will be unhappy with the changes, but I will continue to appreciate and be grateful for DAS.
They just need to stop the groups who put one person in line and then a whole group of people joins them. Wait until you have your entire party before you get in line.
Not everyone eligible for DAS is eligible to pre-select the rides. My husband’s back pain won’t let him stand in line for any length of time. He has to alternate sitting and standing. He had the video call ahead of our Disneyland trip last August, but the person said he wasn’t eligible to pre-select rides.
I smell a class action lawsuit if this isn’t handled very carefully. Fair or not, everything Disney does is put under a microscope.
I have been eligible because of my multiple sclerosis for a little while now and I have always asked if they need my disability card or my letter from my neurologist, and they always say no. I do not understand why they do not require this. People who are being honest Would be able to provide this.
I applaud Disney for this…I’m not going to go into reasons but anyone else that watches the people that “skip the line” know what I am talking about.
Changes to the pre entitlement are worrying. As a parent to an autistic child, those pre entitlements allowed us to provide some structure and predictability to our trip, which took a whole load of anxiety away from our child. It’s half the benefit of the DAS for us (although not having to tolerate physically standing in a queue is also massive!)
Im a nurse and i salute any measures to help. In my experience in WDW staying on site; we would go to bus stop early wait and when the bus came it would take …. not a wheelchair person but one of those motorized rentals first with 10 or more people at back of queue. Causing us to wait at front of line for next bus. This was a thing. People just Uber save your self the scam and aggravation!!!!
For a minute, I thought Disney had a plan for addressing those people who move ahead of others in line and say they’re “looking for someone.” LOL!
I’ve been going since 2003 and I’ve only seen one instance of a family renting a wheelchair to get ahead in line (that was back when you could get to the front with them). I was waiting on Living with the Land boat and a family pushed their maybe 6 year old kid in a wheelchair through to the loading area. The kid jumped off the wheelchair and ran to the ride while the family looked soooo embarrassed. OMG I started laughing out loud.
I don’t necessarily know the ins and outs or difficulties with the DAS pass, but I hope families who rely on this aren’t too put out. I’m learning a lot reading the comments!
It’s definitely a horrible abuse for people to abuse the system but I guess that’s expected with human nature. It’s a real shame that no where is it included about combat veterans/soldiers with TBI or extreme PTSD that can really benefit from the DAS. I’m sure they will be left out because their disability is not a developmental issue. Hopefully disney doesn’t leave behind our heroes once again.
I agree that because there are so many people abusing the system (I’ve witnessed it), they are making it harder for those who truly need it. I also agree that people who don’t have a special needs child don’t understand why they need DAS and/or how it works. Thanks to Sandra G. for explaining the reality of DAS.
I have used DAS for the 3 years. I have uncurable cancer an chemo treatment has damaged my body. It is very hard to wait in long lines with no bathrooms available. I will not be eligible for DAS now. It is going to be interesting to see what the solution is for this issue suffered by many disabled people and seniors.
The DAS pass is a huge help for my 35 year old son with Autism. Hi is on medication that helps with repetitive movements, interior monologue and anxiety. He is a very large man, which could be intimidating for people who do not understand this neurological disorder. Please WDW keep this DAS pass access for him.
This problem (the over use/abuse) of the DAS system when Disney decided to get super greedy. They had the fastpass system where everyone could get 3 passes a day to a ride or attraction and everyone qualified. Then they introduced the Genie + system and charge for a system which while limited used to be free. That started the major abuse of folks who along with legitimate medical needs made stuff up to not have to buy the Genie +. I work for Disney and I didn’t even know about DAS eligibility until one of my coworkers said he got it. I asked what for, He said he has pre-diabetes? I said I have been insulin dependent for over 40+ years with type 1 diabetes and on 5 different blood pressure medicines and that’s when I said if people make up stuff, why can’t someone who has a legitimate disease get one. Like I said greed brought us to this point, because most people would have been happy with 3 fastpasses, at least I would have.
I have to use it due to having a heat stroke so I can’t be in the heat for long periods so it’s good to allow me to do other things. But I have heard people who try to use it because they can’t stand for long periods and then complain because they aren’t eligible and that they were told that they can use a wheelchair. But DAS is NOT line-skipping. Line-skipping are those people who hold a place in line for people or get out of line and then try to get back in their spot. DAS is NOT line-skipping but Disney does need to do smoething about those who try to scam the system.
I’ll be interested to see what other changes they make. I’ve used the DAS for both of my daughters. We usually just go to guest services in the parks to register, rather than in advance, so we don’t take advantage of the pre-selections. (Last time, my husband spent 2+ hours in the online queue to pre-register before it kicked him out. We opted to just wait until we arrived) And, honestly, I’m not sure I would, anyway. It would be difficult/impossible to know that far in advance whether my youngest, in particular, would be in a state for a given attraction at a specific time, months in advance. I’m sure others with different disabilities would use it more.
I’d almost prefer, instead, a bit more cast member training on dealing with disabled guests. Our last trip, I will say that Universal had a significant leg-up on Disney where this was concerned. The Universal cast members were ON IT, and much more willing/able to assist. And this was in spite of the fact that we did NOT bother with the disability pass at Universal (which IS a bit more of a PITA to use). They simply recognized immediately that there might be a need for a little extra help and stepped up.
This is my opinion…. The DAS system is not the problem, my issue with line skipping is those that hold a place in line for their group. We have had multiple groups for 5 or more people working their way up the line saying that they are finding their friends up front. The rule should be that the entire party needs to be in line
DAS is the only thing that makes Disney work for us, so I am curious how this is going to work. My husband and I are both older, and cannot tolerate standing in long lines for a variety of health reasons. My husband has used the DAS for many years. His physical limitations are permanent and are getting worse as he ages. We do not and have never abused the DAS. We are physically capable of doing only a couple of things each time we visit the parks and we never visit for more than a few hours. Our rope dropping to park close days ended decades ago. We greatly appreciate not having to wait in line. We generally use this time to sit and purchase food and drinks. Our two IncrediPasses are coming up for renewal soon, and I really want to know if DAS is still going to be an option for us. I understand that the DAS has been abused, but based on my experience, it’s generally resulted from the number of healthy people who have been permitted to join the DAS groups rather than with the disabled person themselves.
I echo the folks who said DAS abuse isn’t the problem. Last trip, first two days in the parks, we encountered twenty line skipper groups, none of whom appeared to have a disability (speaking as a hidden disabled person, I know that doesn’t mean anything), all of whom were ‘meeting their party’. That alone convinced us to buy genie+, which might be why Disney isn’t fixing that problem. To tote this as a solution to a real problem that this does nothing to address, harms people with actual disabilities. The policy, which might make it harder for disabled people to visit, harms people with actual disabilities.
Take it up with the real culprits.
Disney needs to do better.
We were in line for Remys and a large geoup with small children came up behind us saying excuse me and trying to push ahead. They were supposedly joining ifamily members up ahead. I asked how many there were and they said eight. I said no way. They got quite angry and accused me of not letting them ride with their family. I told them that we could get a cast member to come and help us sort it out if they wanted and they backed right off. I thought the line in front of me was goi g to break into applause!
I use DAS as I’m disabled between neurological, adrenal, and pain issues I needed it but it sounds like I won’t be eligible which will mean I won’t be going back I’m really disappointed I’ve been going since 1979
Hi Tasha! I would encourage you to call and speak with them directly. The wording is very vague and it appears that was done intentionally to stop people from abusing the system. Explain to them why it’s difficult for you to stand in long lines and see if there’s any kind of accommodation, even if it’s not the traditional DAS accommodation.
My issue is that they have lifted the program to those of us who use scooters, no I am not someone who is too lazy to walk, I can only walk a very short distance, it is because I cannot stand for more then 2 minutes of the pain is unbearable. I keep being told I can transfer to a wheelchair and my “family” can push me. I travel a least once a year to WDW alone and I KNOW they don’t want me wheeling myself down into Pirates (can you say bowling for guests!). I hadn’t been on Pirates in 6 years when finally a lovely cast member took me down the elevator in a wheelchair. I cried. I keep trying to get them to give me DAS only for my alone trips, but no such luck. I will try now with the new program for my October trip.
For seniors and people with back problems, I have had to use transport chairs for years at Disney parks. They look like wheel chairs but are generally for just pushing people around, smaller wheels. They are not expensive, maybe around $125. to 150. I can’t stand or sit either for long periods, so I push the chair with all our stuff when I need to stand and let someone push me when I need to sit. I am older now and since it is much harder for me to get around at WDW I rented an ecv last time and that was super. I was very pleased with Buena Vista rentals. I don’t feel we should expect Disney to come up with solutions for all our problems. But not constantly raising prices would be great !!
What does it mean by pre-entitlements and DAS will not be grouped together?
Hi Trent! Disney hasn’t clarified what that means just yet, but we should have more information after May 20th when the new system begins.
Getting an interview has not always been possible from the UK unless you choose a US VPN.
Is Disney looking into access to the interview process available in the UK?