This summer is going to be one of BIG change for Disney World.
For example, this summer will finally see the massive multi-year EPCOT transformation come to an end with the opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza. We’ll also see the opening of a brand-new ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, in Magic Kingdom. Country Bear Jamboree, also in Magic Kingdom, will reopen with a new show. But there’s another change we have to remind you about coming next week: the change to Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS).
Disney Disability Access Service (DAS) is a program that accommodates Disney World visitors and their families who have difficulty standing in extended queues due to a disability. With DAS, you can schedule a return time equivalent to the current standby wait for an attraction. The service does not provide immediate attraction access. Disney explains that DAS accommodates those who are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time “due to a developmental disability like autism or similar.”
Disney has also introduced DAS Advance, which allows you to talk with a Cast Member online to pre-register for DAS, at which time you can book up to two DAS Advance ride times during each day of your visit. If a selection is available, you have one hour from that time to scan into that ride’s Lightning Lane.
However, as of next week, on May 20th, this is all changing. Disney is partnering with Inspire Health Alliance to assist with its DAS approval process. The party size for DAS will also change from six people to just “immediate family” or four other people.
Additionally, the rules regarding pre-entitlements will change. Currently, 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. In many cases, those who are eligible for DAS will NOT receive those entitlements.
In terms of those “pre-entitlements,” we think that those are referring to the ability to skip two lines per day using a DAS pass, or the ability to book these two “skips” in advance. Under the new changes, we might see Disney start to not automatically allow anyone in the DAS system to have those two “skips,” and instead might require a person in the system to meet further criteria. Disney should release more on this soon. We’re continuing to look into this and will update you here with more information.
Further, 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.
Of course, we won’t know more about how this new DAS system works until it goes into effect on May 20th in Disney World and June 18th in Disneyland. We’ll keep you updated on any developments, though, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
4 Changes Coming to Disney’s DAS Program
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What do you think of these changes? Let us know if it will affect you in the comments!
Avery says
Do you guys have anyone on the DFB team who is disabled and has used DAS? It would be very interesting to hear their perspective once these new changes come into effect. I was able to qualify in 2023 to pick the rides (entitlements) in advanced based on my physical disabilities. Now I’m concerned that I will no longer qualify even though I am also autistic. Thank you DFB, I really appreciate your solid reporting.
DFB Gigi says
Hi Avery! We do have team members with disabilities who utilize DAS and we will be asking all the questions we can and reporting back on that.
Avery says
DFB Gigi, thank you! Have a great day!
Sara says
I was denied for the first time when I spoke with a CM to renew DAS a couple of weeks ago. I have cerebral palsy and normally don’t use a wheelchair as I can walk, but cannot stand for long as it will cause leg spasms that are extremely painful. In the past I’d sit somewhere close by and go to the line when it’s near my return time. The CM told me to use a wheelchair or rent an ECV for $86 a day. I explained that would essentially be more disabling for me as I don’t have the arm strength to push myself in a wheelchair and can’t afford to rent an ECV every time I went, but she just said sorry and said those were the only “accommodations” available for my situation because they are making some changes. Very upset about this.
Sara R says
I am very concerned about the updates to this policy. I just returned from a trip to Disneyland and my mom, who has physical limitations, was basically told she that the solution is to be in a scooter. At this time, she does not require a scooter, and scooters also pose a risk to her condition. We could not get the meeting in advance, as she was put on hold with a wait time of 5 hours and then would get disconnected. This happened 4 times before we gave up and decided to speak to someone when we got there. Basically, it sounds like there is a separate program in place for mobility issues. It allowed us to get a “return time” for rides, HOWEVER, it only applied to rides where the queue was not built wide enough to fit a scooter/wheelchair. So they just expect everyone with a physical disability to be in a scooter or wheelchair, which not only is just incorrect, but also feels like a discriminatory scheme to get more people to rent scooters/chairs from them.
Ron says
Gigi, I have used Das for a number of years showing my DISABILITY CARD during the video chat. I was given two fast passes each day of our vacation for my wife and I. Will this new program change that? Thanks Ron
DFB Gigi says
Hi Ron! It sounds like they will be changing the two Lightning Lane passes, but since it has yet to be implemented we don’t know what that change will look like so it’s impossible to say right now, but we do have team members with DAS that are going to look into it and I’m sure we’ll have articles on what that looks like soon enough.
Ron says
Thanks Gigi. Ron
Anne says
Good afternoon,
We are scheduled to arrive in Disney World on Saturday. We have never used DAS before but my 6 yr old son has a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. This is all new to us. We had the video call last week (after the changes were made) and were approved for DAS. We were not given the 2 ride skips (which is fine because we didn’t even know that was an option until digging a little deeper). I am just not sure what to expect using DAS. We are just wondering if we still need to purchase Genie+ or is DAS the same thing?
Thank you for any guidance you can provide.
DFB Gigi says
Hi Anne! DAS and Genie+ are not the same, but can be used together. If you decide to add Genie+ every day, it just means your return times are likely to be shorter.