Disability Access Service Passes & Program at Walt Disney World Explained | DAS Advance at WDW
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- There are a lot of misconceptions about Walt Disney World's Disability Access Service Program; in this video we go over the facts you need to know! Find out about eligibility, registration, how to use the Disability Access Service program once you're in the theme parks, and other key details.
2023 edit: Do you have more questions? They might be answered in this FAQ video released in July 2023-- • Disability Access Serv...
If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below and I'll do my best to get a useful answer. Thanks for being here, liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing with friends! xoxo, Jacqueline
0:00 Disability Access Service Program introduction
Genie+ launch information: • Disney Genie Service, ...
0:57 Eligibility for Disability Access Service; mobility disabilities only at Walt Disney World are not eligible for DAS
Learn more about DAS on the WDW website: disneyworld.disney.go.com/gue...
Learn more about services for guests with mobility disabilities: disneyworld.disney.go.com/gue...
Attractions where guests must be ambulatory: disneyworld.disney.go.com/att...
4:12 Registering for DAS online in advance or in person
6:18 Penalty for lying to register for DAS
6:59 Using DAS to access attractions in the theme parks: same day return times and DAS Advance
Please note: I used Frozen Ever After as an example in this video a handful of times. At the time of filming/posting, Frozen Ever After was not an "Individual Lightning Lane Purchase" ride and therefore DAS worked with it like any standard ride. For rides that are available for Individual Lightning Lane Purchase, these rides are typically not included as part of DAS Advance selections (this is subject to change, of course). For Individual Lightning Lane attractions without a virtual queue (typically, how Frozen Ever After operates--subject to change), DAS eligible guests can get a return time based on the posted standby wait time just the same as other attractions.
10:20 Redeeming DAS pass for an attraction
11:34 DAS registration validity
11:56 DAS interacting with other WDW services -- specific example of DAS and virtual queues
12:38 Wrapping up; summary of key DAS program information to know
Other videos you may enjoy:
Advance Dining Reservations at WDW tips, tricks, and live look in: • Disney World Advance D...
Room Requests at WDW: • Room Requests at Walt ...
MagicBand Ordering & Unboxing: • MagicBand Ordering & U...
PhotoPass, Magic Shots, and Memory Maker explained: • PhotoPass, Magic Shots...
Is Memory Maker Worth It?: • Memory Maker at Disney...
Private VIP Tours at Walt Disney World explained: • Private VIP Tours at W...
Disney Travel Agent Q&A: • Disney Travel Agent Qu...
Options to support the channel outside of UA-cam:
1) Tip me on Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/pixiedustphd
2) Consider shopping through my Amazon affiliate link: amzn.to/37nnsAm . Amazon Associates is a program that allows me to earn a very small commission on qualifying purchases made through my Amazon affiliate link. You will not pay a higher price by purchasing anything on Amazon through my affiliate link then if you had gone to Amazon.com yourself and searched for the product. There is no bonus for you when shopping through my Amazon affiliate link-it just helps support my work without any additional cost for you!
#DisabilityAccessService #DAS #WaltDisneyWorldDAS
Information is accurate as of posting; please reference official websites for most up to date information.
Let's chat on Twitter and Instagram! Twitter has far more random and frequent thoughts, and instagram has more pictures.
Twitter: / pixiedustphd
Instagram: / pixiedustphd
Channel profile picture drawn by my friend Karen. Find Karen on Twitter @LiveInJustToday or on Instagram @kz_estrella
Video thumbnail made with Canva. Join Canva with my referral link and we'll both earn 1 Canva Credit: www.canva.com/join/thrilled-t...
music: Monday Like This by | e s c p | escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Pop sound: freesound.org/s/463388/
Images
Twitter: By Source, Fair use, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
Instagram: By Instagram - Own work, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Like/subscribe graphic: Video by imotivation: pixabay.com/videos/id-29881/
I hope you find this information helpful! If you have questions about DAS at WDW please let me know and I'll do my best to help you out. And if you think you or someone in your travel party is eligible, please don't feel any amount of shame for using the system. You aren't "taking advantage" of anything if it's genuinely a needed and beneficial accommodation--that's why it exists! I think most folks have a lot of internalized ableism we have to work through; feeling good about using DAS when necessary is part of that process :)
2023 edit: here's a follow-up video answering a lot of frequently asked questions I've received - ua-cam.com/video/RKR_lmBQgKU/v-deo.html
The revised DAS program is incredible! Much better than before using app to plan return times. I just wish there was a way the app would allow the user to delete any reserved time for the party. Many times late at night the cast members happily say just go in, but other rides still queue and the app will not allow any more return times. But the program is an amazing help for us, having a child with physical and cognitive disabilities. The video chat was pretty easy and not much of a wait. Its nice to get some type of advanced reservations before even getting their (old fast pass and dont count toward the first DAS return time).
Oh I'm really glad to hear you like it! there's been so much negativity around it, nice to hear the flip side. For what it's worth, for the same day bookings you should be able to cancel those if you change your mind. if you go to the reservation itself in the app (probably in "my day") then there should be an option to cancel. If you're talking about the DAS advance rides then I'm less sure if you can cancel those yourself or if you'd have to talk to guest relations. If you got a trip coming up, I'd love to hear your findings on this ^^
I'm so glad it's been working relatively well for your family! Thanks again for sharing :)
The best, to-the-point explanation of the DAS program
Aw thank you! I hope it was helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to let me know and I'll do my best to help out.
@@PixieDustPhD thank you!
I am so grateful for DAS - I had to step out of line to use my nebulizer for Asthma - Cast Members took me to guest relations - and they helped me so much!
Ah fantastic! I'm so glad a Cast Member had the foresight to help you out longer time via guest relations and DAS. Hopefully this makes all of your repeated visits less stressful in managing your asthma and more magical overall! Thanks for sharing :)
I use the DAS every time I go to either DL or WDW and it truly is the only way someone like me can enjoy the parks. You did a great job covering everything!
Aw I'm so glad the service is helpful for your Brittany, and thanks for the kind words! If you think of anything I forgot or have key tips to share please do leave another comments for others to see ☺
Thank you so much for this video, it was straight forward and to the point. I was watching another video before I saw yours and it was ridiculous how slow they spoke, and that was watching part 1 of 2!
Ah, David! This is SO nice to hear. For every one comment like this I get, I get 30x the feedback that I talk too fast and need to slow down, etc etc. We are totally of the same thought here - I despise when other channels go SO SLOW and take 60+ minutes to cover information that could be delivered in 1/3 the time or so. Truly, thanks so much for the comment. Really lifts my spirits to find the people who absolutely get what I'm going for with the pace of the channel!
Thank you for the video. I just registered for the DAS program on line for my son. I went on right when they opened at 7am eastern time on a Sunday morning. The process was very easy and I was done with the full process, including ride selection by 7:15am. I can’t say that everyone will be able to complete the process this quickly, but this was my experience.
Ah, thanks so much for sharing! I've definitely heard logging on right at 7 am is the way to go to avoid the massively long waits. I'm so glad this worked out for you and will make your son's trip more magical!
Hi Jacqueline! Thanks so much for this incredibly helpful and informative video. I know I was one person (probably of many) who requested this video since it directly impacts one of my children so thank you, thank you! We’ve never used the system, but we may actually register for our upcoming trip since it would be exceedingly beneficial for our family and help out our child immensely.
As things have gone to *bleep* recently, I really appreciate your thoroughness and detail (and to-the-point/no-nonsense reporting, as usual!). You rock! Take care and be well...I'm trying to stay positive...ugh.
Ah, Tara! If one of your children is eligible and would benefit please don't hesitate to sign up! The online wait times can be ridiculous, but even just doing it with Guest Relations on your first park day can make a world of a difference. You haven't expressed this by any means, but just want to reaffirm there is absolutely no shame! This is precisely what the system is made for.
Ugh, I feel ya on the bleep. Hopefully things turn around sooner rather than later. Sending good vibes!
@@PixieDustPhD Hi Jacqueline! Success! I had no problem signing up my child for this service so thanks again for the helpful information. Hopefully it will help my child's experience be more streamlined and consistent and organized. The process was straightforward and for the most part pretty quick (I logged on to the chat right at 7am). I was surprised how many pre-selections were already unavailable, but it's not a big deal. I am just thankful that we can utilize this service to make our whole family's trip a little easier. Be well!
@@tarazanardi157 Ohhhh yay thanks for the update, Tara! So glad you were able to get into the chat efficiently. Definitely with all things customer service/call center or similar, I find doing it RIGHT when the open to be the key since there's a whole shift of folks who have to take requests haha.
They're being really vague about the pre-selections! I have no clue how many it is or how that's determined, or if that pool is shared with something else (I can't imagine what it would be, but honestly who knows). Thanks for the feedback on that.
But yes, yay, overall a success and will hopefully make your trip more magical!! I'm glad generally it went well!!
I loved it when they you went in through the exit and skip the wait
New subscriber here! Hi! This was a great video- we recently utilized this program for our youngest child. We went in Feb 2022 and tried to go without but the wait times of 60 minutes within a short time of opening just didn't work. Guest services was amazing and I found it very easy to use. At first our daughter was upset because she was "different" but we told her it was Mickey magic to help her through her day. We plan on using this again on our next trip in Feb 2023 it just eases her anxiety and reduces her stress response of having to go to the bathroom 10 times while in a 30 minute line! So thankful that Disney provides this :)
I could not find the online register- can you share a link? We went to Guest services in MK and that took about an hour
Hey Sarah! Thanks so much for subscribing, the kind words, and sharing your experience. I'm really glad you found the DAS system helpful for your family and the Mickey Magic thing is SO cute. Glad that worked!
And sure - for DAS advance you'll head to the register page here and then scroll down a bunch to the "request live video chat" button: disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/register/
Also, wow it took an hour at Guest Relations?! Was that just the waiting in line, or like your actual time speaking to the Cast Member took a long time ?? It really shouldn't be that long... >.>
Thank you for this video! It was very helpful!!!!
Hi Christy, you're very welcome! Thanks for checking it out and leaving a comment. I won't claim to be a total expert here, but if you have any questions feel free to let me know and I'll do my best to help out!
I don’t have need for DAS at this point but know a few people who may and will definitely point them to this video. Thanks!
Ah wonderful, thanks! I'm glad you aren't in a position to need DAS at the moment and also I know you wouldn't ever abuse it. For folks who do need it though I hope this makes everything a bit more clear for them. Appreciate you!!
I use a wheelchair at Disney because it’s way too much walking for me. Last time we went in 2021, Peter Pan’s Flight, they took us in immediately through the lightning lane. They did that for several rides that couldn’t accommodate a wheelchair in the regular line.
Oh, fantastic! Thanks for sharing, Crystal. I know Disney advertises they have ways to help folks with mobility issues, but those methods aren't nearly as publicized as DAS. Good to know you're still being taken care of and your trip was magical!!
That makes sense. I was wondering how ppl were supposed to get a wheelchair through jungle cruise
I'm Excited This Year To Take My 7 Kids But One Kid I Have Is Autistic Who Is Only 4 Yrs Old & He Just Isn't Too Good In Being In Line & Been Planning Since 2013 But Waited & Waited Til I Had Him In 2018, Then Realize He Had Flat Head Syndrome & Finally Found Out He Is Autistic; Just This Year! I Haven't Plan On Going Since I Was Afraid Of His Screaming Non Stop & His Melt Down Is So Horrible!! So I Was Scared To Be In Line But Since I Was Planning On Going This Year 2023, This Makes Me Wanna Cry So Bad! So Many Times I Want To Go But Knowing That My Son Isn't Too Good In Staying In Line For Periods Of Time & He Has Horrible Melt Downs & I Don't Want To Stay In Line Due To His Behavior & Have People Stare At Me With A Big 4 Yr Old Since I Am Petite!!
This Is A Big Tears Of Joy For Me Because If People Will See My Son's Meltdown & Will Stare At Me & I Would Like To Hate Doing This At Disney World!! I Hope They Understand .. Thanks Walt Disney World For This! Hopefully, Making This Magical For All My Kids & Me! First Time Going & I Hope It's The Greatest Of All Time!!
Ah so glad you found out about this program and it will help your son and your whole family enjoy the trip. Best of luck -- sending you lots of magic!!
This is amazing to know thank you. We have always got DAS, because my eldest son has autism. However, we were last there in 2019 and we always had to go to people directly in person to get the return time. So, the news that I can do this all via the App AND apply for this in advance is great news and something I was not aware of. I wasn't aware that you could also book these two attractions per day in advance, this will be so helpful. One thing I do not understand is why they don't ask for proof. At Disneyland Paris, you HAVE to provide proof and can get a similar pass in advance of your trip set up. We found the Disneyland Paris park pass to be incredibly efficient and in our case, it didn't involve even having to come back at a specific time. But they have two different types of access pass there depending on your disability, so it's a bit different. Universal also has a similar system in place and I'm wondering if they have updated theirs. Anyway, thanks very much for this information!!!
Ooohhh yes and even if you don't do the DAS Advance online registration and 2 Advance selections per day, definittteeelllyy use MDX to book your same day return times!! So glad DAS is helpful for your family and it sounds like these updates will make it even easier for you to use :)
The proof thing is interesting. My guess (sheer speculation here) is legal issues - america is a very litigious country and I think it's easier for the corporation as a whole to not put their guest relations cast members in a place where they have to judge the doctors letters. For example, in higher ed getting accommodations almost always requires a doctors letter, but the disability student services office can still deny accommodations if they feel whatever is expressed in the letter isn't severe enough or similar. Ultimately that's actually legal -- the Americans with Disabilities Act lets corporations decide what accommodations they deem reasonable or not, but it's obviously a huge headache for both them and the folks with the disabilities. This doesnt even scratch the surface of how hard it is to get a diagnosis for certain types of disabilities or for folks who live in rural areas or don't have super great health insurance that can easily access/cover the cost of specialists. Soooo that was a long rant, but basically it's really complicated in American and I think for a corporation like Disney it's easiest for them to provide accommodations without getting into any legal or ethical murkiness around doctors notes.
@@PixieDustPhD Wow yes, I wasn't aware just how complicated this was! This isn't so in the UK... Well, it can be difficult sometimes to get a diagnosis but I don't think anything like in comparison to the US. So, it's very standard practice that you absolutely have to have proof to get any kind of disability benefit. I can understand now why this isn't so in the US... But I imagine there are a lot of people taking advantage of this system as a result of this! :/
@@TheMagicInWonderland Ya I can't even begin to explain how complicated it is lol. Disability justice is just a hobby of mine; I won't pretend to be an expert here, but it's very very very complicated in the US. And honestly Disney NOT requiring a doctors note I think, in our climate around disability anyway, is good! I agree I am sure some folks abuse the system, but I'd rather see DAS available to all of those who need it plus some dishonest weasels than Disney make it more restrictive and then have folks who do genuinely need it not have access to it. It's obviously a delicate balance, but it's really refreshing to see a huge corporation take the side of being more generous about disability benefits than strict (that like... almost never happens here LOL).
@@PixieDustPhD Hi, yes I have to agree with that side actually. The fact that Disney, (in the US at least) are more generous with it!! There are themeparks here in the UK that are SO strict. I've seen families turned away who CLEARLY had someone in the party in need - just because they had forgotten the right documentation. I would hope that it is a small minority of people that abuse it. At least, when we have been in Disney, it hasn't seemed as though it was a totally overrun system.
Thank you for a very informative explanation of DAS. This will be our first time with the new system, I “heard” that if you set up DAS at your 30 day mark you won’t be able to set up your advance DAS reservations for your length of stay. We are going to be there for 12 days so I am not sure if I should try at 30 days to get it taken care of or something less so we can book the advance selections for our entire trip. Any idea.
Hey there! I’ve not done the DAS Advance registration myself so can’t say for sure. The WDW website isn’t explicitly clear imo, and I’ve seen it reported out by others both ways (either yes you can do it 30 days in advance of your first park day and you can book for your whole trip (up to 10 days) if you’re staying on site like with ADRs, or no it’s one day at a time no matter what). If you want to be on the safe side of only doing the registration once I’d say just wait. Otherwise find some folks who have actually been through the process and ask them directly. Given that you have 12 days, since length of stay is always only up to 10, I’d at least wait til 30 days prior to your second or third day. Then you’ll be able to book those first couple days and find out if you can do the rest or not.
When you find out from your experience it’d be great if you could let me know! I’m sure other folks have the same question, so your report out could help many folks. Thanks!
Hi, thank you for making this video, we will be taking my daughter for the first time in September, she is a young adult who has Autism & many people have told us about the DAS pass and everyone has a different take, one told us you will go straight to the front of line, etc., you have explained and cleared up that it is just basically a holding time and spot so that the individual who struggles based on their disability to stand in long lines like the general population. I'm still no clear on one thing, when we sign up upon entering the park at guest service and pick a particular ride and we are assigned to come back in for example 90 minutes. If we return at that time and there's a line of 40 people what do we do, how does this work? Do we go behind the 40 people, do we go to the cast member, you mentioned if we go through the lightening pass lane we may miss the whole experience of the ride and it's storyline. Thank you and I apologize if I am further complicated this process.
Hey there! So first you definitely do not go straight to the front of the line unless there is no line, lol. Definitely don't go in expecting that. You do just get in the Lightning Lane line, and if that's 40+ people deep you get in the back. Your same day DAS return times don't expire, so you can always come back later when the line dies down a bit. But yeah there's no front of Lightning Lane access because you have DAS.
And yes some Lightning Lanes skip theming in the standby queue. You can try asking a Cast Member about this, but logistically I really don't think there's anything they can do. But for example, folks buying Genie+ going through the Lightning Lane also miss those elements and that's a paid service, vs DAS is free.
You are of course welcome to wait in the standby queue if you want the full experience, but there's no way they can like escort you through the standby queue or anything. So your party will just have to decide if your daughter can tolerate the queue or not, and if not if it's okay for the rest of your party to miss the queue elements. I personally really don't think the queues are integral to most of the rides (many are fun, but absolutely just designed to entertain you while waiting, not necessarily a huge part of the story). But you can always ask a Cast Member what you'd be missing in the queue, or look up some full ride experiences on UA-cam before your trip to get a sense of it.
I hope that helps! Let me know if I missed any aspects of your questions.
This video was so helpful! I have one question, hoping you have some insight. We are heading to Disney for the first time with our 4 kids - 2 of which qualified for the DAS and we had our interview and got two passes set up. There is 8 in our party (have 2 grandparents as well for needed extra caregivers). With the 2 DAS passes on my app - will I be able to have a ride selected with a return time for each of them (plus their added guests)? Or will the app limit me to only having a ride for one of them at a time?
Hi Emily! I'm glad this was helpful and you were able to sign up easily enough (I hope it was easy, anyway).
This is ... tricky. I'd like to preface with I've never actually been in your situation, so the following is how I understand it would work but I can't be 100% sure. If you have time to hope back on the DAS web chat it might be worth it to try to speak to a DAS knowledgeable Cast Member just to be very sure. Or if you run into any issues the Guest Relations Cast Members in the parks are wonderful (you can go to the physical GR location or there are now those blue umbrellas set up around the parks with Cast Members stationed at them).
First, it's worth noting that DAS generally only allows 6 in a DAS party at one time -- 5 guests plus the DAS user. Since you have 2 DAS users, even with a party of 8, this should be okay... but if all, 8 of you want to ride the same attraction together via DAS, you'll need to split up your party into 2 groups.
My understanding (again, I could be wrong) is DAS users cannot be linked to another DAS user. And a person linked to a DAS holder can only be included in one attraction return time at a time. So if I'm not misunderstanding, it sounds like you have 2 DAS users in your party, both of whom are your kids? If yes, then for example you could not be in Kid 1's DAS return time and Kid 2's DAS return time at the same time (in general, anyone in Kid 1's DAS return time party cannot also be in Kid 2's DAS return time party). Also if yes, Kid 2 (DAS user) could not be in Kid 1's party for a DAS return time.
Again, not 100% sure here, but also my understanding is that you/they should be able to each have a DAS return time going at the same time. I believe this is true even if they are "managed accounts" under your profile and they dont manager their own MDX account. As I said above, you will need to be careful about parties not overlapping to make this work seamlessly.
This might not be 100% relevant, also, but just wanted to let you know in case: in general, DAS is only valid for groups of 6 guests total (including the DAS user). If you would like to be able to have all 8 of you go together under the same single DAS reservation (not splitting your party between the two DAS users) you probably want to speak to Guest Services (in a theme park) when you arrive. It's not 100% that they'll grant an exception on your account, but they might -- particularly if the kids are quite young (some rides require an adult per kid 6 or under I think so, ya the ages of the kids may make a difference. I don't know this kids/adult ride rule very well to be honest so I may have gotten that a bit wrong, but you get the idea).
I'll do some googling and if I find anything more out I'll reply again. Hope this was helpful even though I can't be 100% certain!
It was very interesting to discover that mobility disabilities do not qualify for DAS. While it makes sense, it was simply something that never occurred to me. You mentioned that wheelchair rental is encouraged for people with limited mobility or mobility disabilities. Can you also bring your own wheelchair or are you required to use park rentals? If you can bring your own, is there an additional process of approval for the wheelchair or any restrictions placed on types of mobility aids allowed in the park?
Ya! It's definitely unexpected for a lot of people I think. But for sure, if you know you'll need the aid you can absolutely bring your own wheelchair. You definitely do not have to rent from Disney; they just suggest it when mobility concerns come up as it's pretty easy (and surprisingly cheap) to rent them from Disney directly. I'm not aware of any sort of extra approval for bringing your own aids, though admittedly I am not an expert here. General rules in terms of like don't abandon your aid in hallways/corridors and stuff for sure apply, but otherwise I honestly think it would be very hard for them to enforce any types of restrictions so I doubt they do. I hope that's helpful! I realize it's vague, and if this is a situation you know you'll be coming up on I would suggest seeking out content creators with mobility disabilities who have the expertise, and/or calling Disney and asking Cast Members directly!
You’ve covered DAS very well. One thing I’ll mention is that DAS advance is only good on a very limited amount of rides while Regular DAS is good on any ride (even non-genie+) though is most beneficial on individual LL rides. It can be combined with Genie+, which is really kinda strange to me as you’re already in a virtual queue. Isn’t that strange?
Cheers Greg, thanks! And ya the Advance attraction selection seemed left very vague on Disney's end so I wasn't sure if that was on purpose? Like if they would start opening it up to other attractions down the line..? So I tried to leave this vague to cover my butt for when they inevitably change things, haha. The Genie+ combination I have not really wrapped my head around other than 1) if its a low crowd day and wait times are inflated Genie+ return times may be faster than the DAS returns times, and/or 2) seems helpful for VERY LARGE parties where not everyone will be part of "party" eligible to ride with the DAS guest, so then having some of the party use DAS and some of the party use Genie+ would mean everyone can ride together and go through the Lightning Lane together (for rides that have Genie+ access at least). But ya, it's a bit hard to suss out from the outside exactly what the primary reason/thought process behind that is >.>
Does this mean that for rides such as Rise of the Resistance, we can use a regular DAS ticket and not need to purchase the LL specifically for this ride (it is my son's #1 attraction request and can not get Advance DAS for it).
@@melissaclinton3467 Hey Melissa! As far as I understand, since Rise of the Resistance no longer uses a virtual queue then yes you should be able to request a same day DAS return time for Rise either via the app or by speaking with a Cast Member at the ride. Have a wonderful trip and I hope your family has a magical time! If you have other questions please let me know 😁
Does the 30 day window for pre-registration start with the first day or the last day you are in the parks? We will be going November 27th thru December 2nd. Can I get in the chat 30 days from November 27th or 30 days from December 2nd? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Hello! I’ve not done the DAS Advance registration myself so can’t say for sure. The WDW website isn’t explicitly clear about this, which in my opinion typically means they like to leave themselves wiggle room to adjust operations to what will work best for them (which is totally fair, but also means there is not a clear cut answer for this). I have seen it reported out both ways (either yes you can do it 30 days in advance of your first park day and you can book for your whole trip (up to 10 days) if you’re staying on site like with ADRs, or no it’s one day at a time no matter what). If you want to be on the safe side of only doing the registration once I’d say just wait until your last day. But this is obviously a cost/benefit calculation you have to do of is it worth your time to do the registration on the first day and those advance selections, and maybe not be able to do the advance selections for the rest of your trip? I have seen folks who registered 30 days prior to their first day say that to make advance selections for subsequent days they could just do the online chat and didn't have to do the whole video process, so that (if/when true) is nice/helpful at least. Sorry I don't have a clear cut answer for you! Disney doesn't publish clear cut rules on this. If you know/can find someone who has *recently* gone through the process I would trust their answer.
If you have a return time of an hour are you able to ride something (just walking on not using your pass) while you’re waiting if something has little to no wait? Or are you not allowed to ride anything else during you’re wait.
Yes! If you want to use the standby line for something else while you are waiting for your same day DAS return time you can absolutely do that. What you do during your virtual queue time for DAS is up to you -- other rides, shop, eat, relax, take a break back at the hotel. So absolutely, if you have a long time to wait for say a Test Track return time but Living with the Land is a walk on go do Living with the Land, not a problem!
Thank you so much! I’m planning a visit with my special needs child and this will be a life saver!!
@@faithmomlife1504 Aw yay, I’m so glad you’re going and this program will help! If you think of any other questions in the meantime feel free to drop a comment and I’ll do my best to help out!
What about if you have stage 4 cancer and cannot stand for too long, be around many, and will be using wheelchair? We did the interview but said we do not qualify for DAS but instead we would have some return time at each ride that we go to? I was very confused with the reps response. Do you know what our options are?
Hey there! I do not currently and never have worked for The Walt Disney Corporation, so don't have any particular insights on policies that aren't broadly publicly available (like DAS). I do agree it sounds like you don't qualify for DAS; what other arrangements they can help you out with is probably a case by case individualized situation, so you'll just need to speak with a Cast Member to get some clarity. If you find their response confusing, keep asking questions until you understand next time!
What if you’re a party of 6. But 4 of 6 have different park reservations for 1 of the days. They will not be able to use the DAS without the holder, obviously, but will it cause issues for DAS holder if “full planning party” is not at same park on a day?
Hi Chrissy! I have not done this myself, but to the best of my knowledge it should be fine. Essentially when you go to select your party for a DAS return time in the app you can select/de-select people (I believe the default is up to 6 guests total, including the DAS user). So if 2 folks are at Magic Kingdom and 4 others, including the DAS user, are at EPCOT and want to use DAS for say Living with the Land, when requesting a return time you should be able to just select the 4 applicable guests. The other 2 guests at Magic Kingdom should just have a typical day!
My potential DAS user does not have a smart phone so will not be able to reserve a ride using MDE. Can a member of her party do that for her or should she just go to a cast member for assistance?
Hi Linda! Short answer - yes it'll be fine! Longer answer - someone else in your party with a phone and MDX will need to be connected to the DAS user in the friends and family list. Any member of your overall travel party (again, connected via friends and family list) will be able to select the same day return times in the app so long as the actual DAS user is selected as one of the guests requesting the return time. If most of your party is anti-smart phone, then again anyone in your party can go talk to a Cast Member at the attraction to get a return time; doesn't necessarily have to be the DAS user themselves!
I hope that was helpful. Let me know if I can provide additional clarification!
I have some questions
1. Can DAS passes run out if lots of people are booking the same ride? For example if I want to use my DAS pass on rise of the resistance, should I book that ride first thing in the morning?
2. If I have pre booked two rides via the DAS advance selection, can I still select a ride at the very beginning of the day, or do I need to wait to use both of the advance selection disability pass return times?
Hey, Stefanie! Happy to help out.
For your first question, don't think of DAS like FastPass or Genie+, it's simply a virtual queue in place of the standby line. So for your same day return times, so long as the ride is operational there aren't a set number of DAS passes or anything (as there isnt a set cut off for the amount of guests that can get in the standby line). If you want to do Rise of the Resistance you can request your same day return time whenever suits you (though, do be cognizant of if the wait is extremely long and you are approaching park close).
For the second question, DAS advance selections are separate from same day return times. You can hold both of your DAS advance selections and still get a same day return time, so no you do not need to wait to use your advance selections to make your first same day return time request.
Hope this helps!
@@PixieDustPhD Thank you so much! I’ve used the DAS system before, but it was before the advance registration update so I just wanted to check.
So what's the difference between using DAS and receiving a return time similar to a standby wait time? I have several unrelated disabilities, and I'm trying to figure out if DAS is the right choice for me. My main concerns are related to mobility & fatigue issues, but I recently learned I'm autistic and I'd probably benefit from DAS from a sensory overload standpoint.
Mostly I just want to wait on a bench and not in line. I can walk fine with a cane, but I can't stand still for long periods, and I'd rather not rent a wheelchair when I don't expressly need one. Unless that's just the internalized ableism talking? I'm in the early planning stages of my trip and I'm not sure whether I'd be a good fit for DAS. 🤔
Hi Shannen!! I'm not sure I entirely understand the question you pose in the opening sentence. When you use DAS for a same day return time, you get the return time based on the posted standby wait time. So there's not really a difference in the literal time. The main difference is doing the traditional standby queue means you have to physically be in the line, versus the virtual DAS queue lets you, as you say, go hang out on a bench or do whatever it necessary for your health.
I'm not nor have I ever been a Disney Cast Member so can't say anything with certainty. The mobility issues alone wouldn't qualify you for DAS; the fatigue issues and/or autism may. Ultimately if you feel like DAS would be helpful for you then you'd need to explain why that is to a Cast Member, e.g., the sensory overload part.
Internalized ableism is tricky and something we all deal with! I understand not wanting to use an aid if you don't need it though. But if it may be beneficial if you do not acquire DAS it's worth considering. The wheel chair rentals at WDW are actually very reasonably priced, so it's a good back up option to at least be aware of.
@@PixieDustPhD No worries, and thank you for your insight, as I know you aren't a cast member! 😊 The main question I have is that the DAS eligibility section ~1:30 says that guests using a wheelchair/ECV will wait in the queue or receive a return time. So if DAS is also a virtual queue, I'm just not sure what the difference is between that and what's already offered for guests with mobility issues, if that makes sense. I'll have to do some more research on it though!
Ah! Okay I understand now. Your question is essentially about mobility disability accommodations then and not really DAS, so let’s put DAS aside for a second. To be honest I’m not as well versed in mobility disability accommodations as DAS as there is less info online. There are lists of attractions that dictate if guests can remain in or would need to transfer from their wheel chair or ECV to be in the queue or ride. I’m largely unaware of virtual queues being utilized for a vast majority of mobility disabilities. I do know some attractions have an auxiliary entrance for guests in wheel chairs or with service animals, but those aren’t meant to skip the queue so I suspect that may be a virtual queue/return time situation. You can contact WDW’s disability services via phone or email if you want a more concrete answer! But generally I’d say, and particularly with regard to your mobility condition that you shared, that mobility accommodations are mostly the availability of wheel chairs to rent for cheap and the fact that most attractions are accessible. I think it’s very rare to get a virtual queue/return time for a mobility only concern. I hope that helps! Sorry I don’t have 100% of the answers but I’m doing my best haha
After having had the chat interview. How do I know if I was accepted for the DAS?
You will know right away! If you are eligible the Cast Member will get you registered; if you are not eligible they will tell you that.
If you have a return time for say 1:00 for Frozen. If you don’t use it at 1:00 and it’s now like 2:30. Can you add another one since it’s past 1:00? Or do you have to actually use the 1:00 first.
Also, do you know when you can make your first das selection of the day?
Hi Zach! So for your first question, I assume you're talking about same day return times only? Those are one at a time. So even if youre Frozen Ever After return time was 1 pm and it's now 2:30 pm, no you cannot stack DAS return times until they are used. If you no longer want to ride FEA you can of course select a new ride to wait in your virtual queue, but then your FEA return time will disappear. So long story short, for same day DAS return times it is one at a time, and you have to use it before you can request a new return time.
In order to make same day DAS return times I am fairly certain the DAS eligible guest will have had to enter the park. So this is not a 7 a.m. situation like booking individual lightning lane attractions or your first Genie+ attraction of the day.
I hope this helps!
@@PixieDustPhD thank you very much for the reply. This is the first time I’ve been back since the new Genie+ system and first time with my son who has the DAS, so trying to figure it out. I actually bought us Genie+ before I knew Disney had the DAS program for him. So I’m keeping the genie+ because it’s not that expensive. It all feels overwhelming but I’m just hoping it goes smoothly.
@@blue84freak Ah yeah it's definitely a lot to manage for sure! And depending on the day/crowds, Genie+ can definitely be faster than DAS so may still be a worthwhile purchase. Genie+, since its a paid product, has more of a 'pay to ride' vibe to it, whereas DAS is literally just you all waiting in the queue as if it were standby--just a virtual wait instead of literally queueing. Depending on the Genie+ return times those may be faster/more efficient than DAS! And if you are park hopping again with Genie+ you just can book another lightning lane return time at the next park more or less whenever you want, vs with DAS I'm fairly certain you won't be able to get a DAS return time until your son scans into that park.
Sounds like youre doing your research though to make it go as smoothly as possible. If you think of anymore questions let me know. Otherwise, best of luck and I hope your trip is super magical!
@@PixieDustPhD Thanks! I did have one other question... Do you know if you can only use DAS on the same ride once per day?
Do you still need to pay for genie plus ?
This is what I am wondering as well.
@Kevin Hayes @debracurtis5013
Hi Kevin and Debra -- DAS and Genie+ are completely different products/services. You never _need_ to pay for Genie+ (or use DAS in principle), those are choices that are up to your party. Without additional details, it's hard to say if you would benefit from Genie+ as well. Know that with DAS though you are waiting out that full standby time, then you are getting into the Lightning Lane and waiting in that line as well. So depending on the Genie+ offerings, that can be faster. For example: if Big Thunder Mountain is a 65 minute standby, and you do DAS for that. Then you will wait ~65 minutes virtually and return to Big Thunder and enter the Lightning Lane. That might be another 20 minute wait in the queue. Instead, Genie+ might have a return time in the next half hour, so you'd wait less time overall. It's impossible for me to say though if Genie+ would work better for you since I don't know your circumstances. Also, if you have a larger party, DAS is limited typically to 6 people. In that case if you want your full group to ride together Genie+ would be the simplest solution for sure. I hope this helps! If you have more specific questions let me know, but fundamentally Genie+ and DAS are separate and you can have one, both, or neither -- totally up to your preference (and if you qualify, for DAS).
It sucks you have to jump through hoops just to get disability access I'm not doing that I was born with a disability I have epileptic seizures and that's the reason why I actually left as an annual passholder when I was younger talk about that with me
Hey Todd. Not really sure what you're getting at here. First, I don't work for the company. But mostly, if you have a disability the only hoop to jump through is speaking to a Cast Member. It's pretty easy and straightforward; if you are planning on returning anytime soon I hope you take advantage of DAS to make your experience more palatable!
How do you qualify?
There are no hard and fast rules about how you do or do not qualify. It's up to the Cast Members to determine that. You definitely do not qualify if you have a mobility only disability; otherwise the Cast Members are going to ask you why you think you qualify or why you would benefit from having DAS and they'll make that determination.
Oh yeah that's right that's why Bob Iger got under Fire with the disabilities people in Florida give me a freaking break
What are the question they ask
I don't know the exact phrasing, but the Cast Member is essentially going to ask you why you think you need or would benefit from having the DAS. It's really you lead the conversation and then they make a determination if you qualify or not.