This concerns me. Our next trip is Disneyland....
on June 18th, the day it starts there. If we can't register ahead of time, online....we'll have to do it outside the gates the morning of the 18th. And if a TON of people are doing it...how the heck will that work? I guess we lose a massive chunk of our day waiting in the line. Well, my son wouldn't be able to tolerate a long line (hence the need for
DAS) so I guess I'd be the one losing my morning. Though not sure how that will work because my son won't want to enter the parks without both parents. So I guess my husband and son will have to literally walk laps within view of me at the esplanade. I try not to be a Karen but if that's the scenario that plays out on June 18th, my inner Karen may have to make an appearance.....
(Not to mention if we somehow didn't qualify.....we'll have to try to re-tool our trip right there on the spot. Ugh.)
Disney keeps changing their website disabilities pages for WDW and DL.
A few days ago, there were 2 sets of instructions - one was for people coming BEFORE the date changes take place. And one was for people coming after.
Now, there is only one set. I don't know why they cut the second set. It may be because it was confusing people or maybe because they will add more information as the time gets closer.
This is copied from the Disneyland page:
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.
But that is where the health pros working with DAS come into play.
"The parks will hire more cast members overall and provide more training so additional workers can help guests better understand Disney's accessibility offerings. Disney will work with health professionals from
Health Alliance, a health insurer, as needed to determine the eligibility of DAS applicants."
K, edited because the LA Times article states:
"The announced changes will go into effect May 20 at Disney World and June 18 at Disneyland.
They include:
- The parks will hire more cast members overall and provide more training so additional workers can help guests better understand Disney’s accessibility offerings.
- Disney will work with health professionals from Health Alliance, a health insurer, as needed to determine the eligibility of DAS applicants.
- The DAS verification will be extended, with passes expiring in 120 days instead of 60.
- Pass party sizes will be limited to three people plus the pass holder."
https://www.latimes.com/california/...tes-disability-access-service-to-cut-down-on- abusers#:~:text=The%20parks%20will%20hire%20more,the%20eligibility%20of%20DAS%20applicants.
Most have assumed this means the health professional company would be:
- training Cast Members who will be doing screening
- training front line cast members on how different accommodations would be managed at their attraction
- coming up with possible accommodations and how to operationalize them
- act as consultants as difficult situations occur
Same with the "Return to Line" pass. The person leaving is punished for their disability because they have to fight their way out (and possibly back in) to the line. They have to search for a CM during a time-sensitive situation and explain in detail what they issue is in public. Then the family is punished as they stand at the front of the loading area waiting indefinitely for their person to return, if the person is able to to return.
We don't know what the process will be. It could be something very different than what people are imagining.
The announcement indicated they are partnering with Inspire Health Alliance, but the general understanding is that organization will be training Disney CMs and not the person doing the video chat directly. WDW is not requesting documentation, likely will refuse to look at any documentation, and definitely not collecting documentation. There is no ability for a healthcare provider to be confirmed as valid or truthful, plus their knowledge of Disney Parks operations would likely be minimal. The individual should be prepared to explain their needs (not diagnosis).
Regarding documentation -- what often gets written is something like these:
"Joe Smith needs to skip the lines. Please give him front of the line access." (which isn't an option)
"Jane Doe has MS and needs handicapped accommodations." (what does that mean)
"Sally Jones is pregnant with 3 young children. She should not be expected to wait in lines." (what?!)
Totally agree.
In the past, when all registration was in person at Guest Relations, I heard lots of discussions regarding letters. CMs talking quietly and guests talking loudly:
"My Doctor wrote AN ORDER that says we need front of the line access. You have to give it to us."
"What do you mean WHAT ARE MY CONCERNS with waiting in line? I need handicapped accommodations."
"My doctor said you shouldn't make me wait in lines. You try being pregnant with 3 small kids. That's a disability"
They are able to sell-out of Genie plus, both for the day and for each time slot. This spreads people out in the queue all day long and had an absolute limit to it. Whereas for DAS or disabilities I don't think they are legally able to put a strict number on the cap
In a weird coincidence if everyone with DAS showed up to a ride at the exact same time, it would be a mess. That can't happen with G+ by design
It does spread guests out except for if the ride goes down and all who didn't ride when it was down come back at the same time to ride
It has been my experience that one of the biggest reasons the LL’s are so long is the down times. When a ride finally comes back up, you can have several hours of G+ and DAS riders. At least in Disneyland. I personally feel they need the 3rd shift back and their attraction mechanics either better trained or have more of them. Fixing the DAS is just one possible solution to the long LL’s. If they decrease the amount of people utilizing DAS, increase the sale of
Genie+, and utilize Rider Swap, they are still going to be in the same place they are now.
The piece we don't know is how many 'slots' were taken up by the DAS Advance Selections. The websites no longer mention them, so it appears they are going away, at least for most people with disabilities.
Allears net reported they may be still available for certain disabilities- no information on who or how
She is 4.5 now and barely fits. She can stop the stroller with her legs and reach down despite a 3 point harness. Stroller is Something to consider. I’ll do more research. Thanks!
Orlando Medical Rentals has the largest variety of special needs strollers to rent for WDW.
AdaptiveMall. Com is a good place to 'window shop.'
well..that technically is not allowed. I think it drastically reduced the amount you see though.
