Disney DAS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People really took advantage of the DAS program. I don’t blame Disney for changing it.

I do. People taking advantage of it is no reason to completely take away DAS from physically disabled people. It’s crazy to me that someone with like cerebral palsy or cancer or MS or whatever can’t use this service anymore because they don’t also have autism.

It doesn't sound like the new policy removes all access to physical disabilities. DAS is just excluding people whose issues can be solved with a pass to leave the line and return or a mobility device (e.g., scooter or wheelchair) so they don't have to stand.

Cant basically any disability be solved by the bold, including autism and anxiety?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People really took advantage of the DAS program. I don’t blame Disney for changing it.

I do. People taking advantage of it is no reason to completely take away DAS from physically disabled people. It’s crazy to me that someone with like cerebral palsy or cancer or MS or whatever can’t use this service anymore because they don’t also have autism.

It doesn't sound like the new policy removes all access to physical disabilities. DAS is just excluding people whose issues can be solved with a pass to leave the line and return or a mobility device (e.g., scooter or wheelchair) so they don't have to stand.

Cant basically any disability be solved by the bold, including autism and anxiety?

So for my daughter with autism, she struggles with the lines that have like the dark and closed areas in the pre-show activities, like animatronics and stuff like that. I've gotten das for her and has used it in the past occasionally, but only for lines like that. Outside lines were no problem for her because you don't have that extra sensory overload. In our case, I never booked ahead the rides and she won't go on the high demand rides anyway.
Now that she's older and can't communicate better, she simply tells us which one she doesn't want to wait in line for, and last time we went I didn't need the das for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People really took advantage of the DAS program. I don’t blame Disney for changing it.

I do. People taking advantage of it is no reason to completely take away DAS from physically disabled people. It’s crazy to me that someone with like cerebral palsy or cancer or MS or whatever can’t use this service anymore because they don’t also have autism.

It doesn't sound like the new policy removes all access to physical disabilities. DAS is just excluding people whose issues can be solved with a pass to leave the line and return or a mobility device (e.g., scooter or wheelchair) so they don't have to stand.

Cant basically any disability be solved by the bold, including autism and anxiety?

So for my daughter with autism, she struggles with the lines that have like the dark and closed areas in the pre-show activities, like animatronics and stuff like that. I've gotten das for her and has used it in the past occasionally, but only for lines like that. Outside lines were no problem for her because you don't have that extra sensory overload. In our case, I never booked ahead the rides and she won't go on the high demand rides anyway.
Now that she's older and can't communicate better, she simply tells us which one she doesn't want to wait in line for, and last time we went I didn't need the das for her.

But what does this mean? she whines? cries? feels bored? So what?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP who said that DAS became necessary when they eliminated the FastPass. I have two children who benefit from waiting elsewhere (one autistic ADHD and one ADHD—we just get the DAS for the autistic family member), but we did fine with the FastPass system. Now that they’ve monetized the Lighting Lane even the DAS isn’t great because if it’s very busy that line can be quite long, too. We waited in Haunted Mansion Lighting Lane line in Disneyland for nearly an hour after waiting outside the line for an hour plus. Several times we almost bailed as our kids kept bumping into the people around us because the line was so congested. One could also argue that we are “taking advantage” of the DAS since we didn’t use it before, but honestly we didn’t need it with the old system. FastPass is never coming back though, since they’ve figured out how to charge people to wait in shorter lines. I don’t understand how people will leave the line either. There have been times when we wanted to leave the line and couldn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PP who said that DAS became necessary when they eliminated the FastPass. I have two children who benefit from waiting elsewhere (one autistic ADHD and one ADHD—we just get the DAS for the autistic family member), but we did fine with the FastPass system. Now that they’ve monetized the Lighting Lane even the DAS isn’t great because if it’s very busy that line can be quite long, too. We waited in Haunted Mansion Lighting Lane line in Disneyland for nearly an hour after waiting outside the line for an hour plus. Several times we almost bailed as our kids kept bumping into the people around us because the line was so congested. One could also argue that we are “taking advantage” of the DAS since we didn’t use it before, but honestly we didn’t need it with the old system. FastPass is never coming back though, since they’ve figured out how to charge people to wait in shorter lines. I don’t understand how people will leave the line either. There have been times when we wanted to leave the line and couldn’t.

ALSO I would add that I think standby lines became much more untenable when they started selling Genie+. For example we used to have no issue waiting in standby for rides like Buzz Lightyear because while there was a line, it moved along fairly quickly. Now people flood the Lighting Lane (I’m guessing because there’s nothing left more attractive) on even these rides. I counted the last time we went and they were letting like 20+ people in from the Lightning Lane for every 4-6 people in standby! That’s ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PP who said that DAS became necessary when they eliminated the FastPass. I have two children who benefit from waiting elsewhere (one autistic ADHD and one ADHD—we just get the DAS for the autistic family member), but we did fine with the FastPass system. Now that they’ve monetized the Lighting Lane even the DAS isn’t great because if it’s very busy that line can be quite long, too. We waited in Haunted Mansion Lighting Lane line in Disneyland for nearly an hour after waiting outside the line for an hour plus. Several times we almost bailed as our kids kept bumping into the people around us because the line was so congested. One could also argue that we are “taking advantage” of the DAS since we didn’t use it before, but honestly we didn’t need it with the old system. FastPass is never coming back though, since they’ve figured out how to charge people to wait in shorter lines. I don’t understand how people will leave the line either. There have been times when we wanted to leave the line and couldn’t.

ALSO I would add that I think standby lines became much more untenable when they started selling Genie+. For example we used to have no issue waiting in standby for rides like Buzz Lightyear because while there was a line, it moved along fairly quickly. Now people flood the Lighting Lane (I’m guessing because there’s nothing left more attractive) on even these rides. I counted the last time we went and they were letting like 20+ people in from the Lightning Lane for every 4-6 people in standby! That’s ridiculous.

It was the same with Fast Passes before LL.

[Anonymous]

We just applied and received a disability pass for our trip in a few weeks (post may 20th.) the only difference was that you can no longer apply in person at the parks, which we never did anyway. They still allowed us to pre select two rides for each day of our trip.

My son has adhd and emotional regulation challenges and they approved our pass. They did ask some more questions than they have in the past, but I don’t believe we take advantage of the system. We have a child with special needs and DAS makes Disney a lot more accessible for our family. If it was limited to very severe disabilities, we wouldn’t qualify, but they understood our needs based on my sons behaviors and limitations, and even saw some of them on display during the interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PP who said that DAS became necessary when they eliminated the FastPass. I have two children who benefit from waiting elsewhere (one autistic ADHD and one ADHD—we just get the DAS for the autistic family member), but we did fine with the FastPass system. Now that they’ve monetized the Lighting Lane even the DAS isn’t great because if it’s very busy that line can be quite long, too. We waited in Haunted Mansion Lighting Lane line in Disneyland for nearly an hour after waiting outside the line for an hour plus. Several times we almost bailed as our kids kept bumping into the people around us because the line was so congested. One could also argue that we are “taking advantage” of the DAS since we didn’t use it before, but honestly we didn’t need it with the old system. FastPass is never coming back though, since they’ve figured out how to charge people to wait in shorter lines. I don’t understand how people will leave the line either. There have been times when we wanted to leave the line and couldn’t.

ALSO I would add that I think standby lines became much more untenable when they started selling Genie+. For example we used to have no issue waiting in standby for rides like Buzz Lightyear because while there was a line, it moved along fairly quickly. Now people flood the Lighting Lane (I’m guessing because there’s nothing left more attractive) on even these rides. I counted the last time we went and they were letting like 20+ people in from the Lightning Lane for every 4-6 people in standby! That’s ridiculous.

I think that's why Disney is changing the DAS policies. I recall reading somewhere that their tracking showed that over half of the people in the Lightning Lanes were DAS parties. While there are people who fake conditions, it is fair to say that Disney's old policy was generous beyond what is legally required. As more people head to the parks and more people are diagnosed with medical conditions that can impact their ability to stand in lines (POTS, anxiety, etc.), the volume of those using DAS has grown to be unmanageable. However, if this is the case, what does that mean for regular lines? Are they going to move more quickly if there are fewer people in the Lightning Lanes? Aren't those people who used to use DAS going to go somewhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PP who said that DAS became necessary when they eliminated the FastPass. I have two children who benefit from waiting elsewhere (one autistic ADHD and one ADHD—we just get the DAS for the autistic family member), but we did fine with the FastPass system. Now that they’ve monetized the Lighting Lane even the DAS isn’t great because if it’s very busy that line can be quite long, too. We waited in Haunted Mansion Lighting Lane line in Disneyland for nearly an hour after waiting outside the line for an hour plus. Several times we almost bailed as our kids kept bumping into the people around us because the line was so congested. One could also argue that we are “taking advantage” of the DAS since we didn’t use it before, but honestly we didn’t need it with the old system. FastPass is never coming back though, since they’ve figured out how to charge people to wait in shorter lines. I don’t understand how people will leave the line either. There have been times when we wanted to leave the line and couldn’t.

ALSO I would add that I think standby lines became much more untenable when they started selling Genie+. For example we used to have no issue waiting in standby for rides like Buzz Lightyear because while there was a line, it moved along fairly quickly. Now people flood the Lighting Lane (I’m guessing because there’s nothing left more attractive) on even these rides. I counted the last time we went and they were letting like 20+ people in from the Lightning Lane for every 4-6 people in standby! That’s ridiculous.

It was the same with Fast Passes before LL.

Even if that is true, everyone had a chance to have Fastpasse at no cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PP who said that DAS became necessary when they eliminated the FastPass. I have two children who benefit from waiting elsewhere (one autistic ADHD and one ADHD—we just get the DAS for the autistic family member), but we did fine with the FastPass system. Now that they’ve monetized the Lighting Lane even the DAS isn’t great because if it’s very busy that line can be quite long, too. We waited in Haunted Mansion Lighting Lane line in Disneyland for nearly an hour after waiting outside the line for an hour plus. Several times we almost bailed as our kids kept bumping into the people around us because the line was so congested. One could also argue that we are “taking advantage” of the DAS since we didn’t use it before, but honestly we didn’t need it with the old system. FastPass is never coming back though, since they’ve figured out how to charge people to wait in shorter lines. I don’t understand how people will leave the line either. There have been times when we wanted to leave the line and couldn’t.

Just to be fair, pretty much all kids under the age of 10 would benefit from waiting elsewhere. That's why we purchase Genie+. My kids can't handle waiting without melting down or being obnoxious to those around them. It's a necessary expense, IMO, if you have small kids and aren't a season pass holder who is there to just chill at the parks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People really took advantage of the DAS program. I don’t blame Disney for changing it.

I do. People taking advantage of it is no reason to completely take away DAS from physically disabled people. It’s crazy to me that someone with like cerebral palsy or cancer or MS or whatever can’t use this service anymore because they don’t also have autism.

It doesn't sound like the new policy removes all access to physical disabilities. DAS is just excluding people whose issues can be solved with a pass to leave the line and return or a mobility device (e.g., scooter or wheelchair) so they don't have to stand.

Cant basically any disability be solved by the bold, including autism and anxiety?

So for my daughter with autism, she struggles with the lines that have like the dark and closed areas in the pre-show activities, like animatronics and stuff like that. I've gotten das for her and has used it in the past occasionally, but only for lines like that. Outside lines were no problem for her because you don't have that extra sensory overload. In our case, I never booked ahead the rides and she won't go on the high demand rides anyway.
Now that she's older and can't communicate better, she simply tells us which one she doesn't want to wait in line for, and last time we went I didn't need the das for her.

But what does this mean? she whines? cries? feels bored? So what?

I have two kids. One is neurotypical and one is not. My neurotypical child has appropriate emotional regulation and can be distracted in long lines, waits. My other, who has adhd and behavioral difficulties, gets overstimulated and cannot regulate and will quickly meltdown. Our doctor describes it as not going from 0 to 100, but that ND kids like him are running at a baseline of 60, and quickly ramp up when overestimated or agitated, which happens much more easily.

We would get genie+ regardless, but unless you have a ND kid, I’m not sure you understand what can happen when they are made deeply uncomfortable by things that would be more tolerable to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People really took advantage of the DAS program. I don’t blame Disney for changing it.

I do. People taking advantage of it is no reason to completely take away DAS from physically disabled people. It’s crazy to me that someone with like cerebral palsy or cancer or MS or whatever can’t use this service anymore because they don’t also have autism.

It doesn't sound like the new policy removes all access to physical disabilities. DAS is just excluding people whose issues can be solved with a pass to leave the line and return or a mobility device (e.g., scooter or wheelchair) so they don't have to stand.

Part of the problem is forcing people to use mobility devices when they don't need them under normal circumstances. I've seen several stories about amputees who are perfectly "mobile" but who have difficulty waiting in long lines, especially in heat, as the day progresses because their prosthesis becomes less comfortable and more painful being denied DAS because they could just get a wheelchair. That seems wrong to me.

They can get a scooter. There is nothing “wrong” about that.

Huh. You don't think someone with a genuine physical disability that causes significant pain deserves some accommodation? By the way, ECVs cost $65 per day to rent, but I guess those slacker amputees should just deal.

If they’re walking around a park all day on a prosthesis, there’s no reason they can’t stand in line with the same prosthesis. Or sit on the chair/cane. Or lean on the ropes like the rest of us. If they can’t walk around the park all day and can’t stand in line at all, they get a scooter or a wheelchair.
Quit playing the victim here. There are options. You just don’t like them.

NP. By that logic, people with zero physical disabilities who have autism can also just stand in line for hours.

I don’t think that’s true. If an autistic kid can’t stand in line for an hour they may act out or scream or get physical or cause a disturbance to others waiting in line. It’s a completely different scenario.

This. My kid has to eat in a lunch bunch because he cannot even handle the noise and commotion of the cafeteria at school. If he gets overstimulated/dysregulated he may throw himself on the ground and kick. That doesn’t happen often thankfully, but it does on occasion.

In order for our family to go to Disney, we had to pick a less crowded time, select a few must do rides, and basically have a straight forward itinerary to avoid crossing all over the park and having downtime built in. We bought Genie + in conjunction to using DAS and were able to minimize crowd/line time, take meal breaks while waiting for our return time, and get in and out of the park in a shorter time.

I know people pay a lot of money to go to Disney and I appreciate not having to risk a) my kid losing it 80 minutes into a 90 minute wait and then having to give up on the ride and b) disturbing other guests if my kid flails and is upset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People really took advantage of the DAS program. I don’t blame Disney for changing it.

I do. People taking advantage of it is no reason to completely take away DAS from physically disabled people. It’s crazy to me that someone with like cerebral palsy or cancer or MS or whatever can’t use this service anymore because they don’t also have autism.

It doesn't sound like the new policy removes all access to physical disabilities. DAS is just excluding people whose issues can be solved with a pass to leave the line and return or a mobility device (e.g., scooter or wheelchair) so they don't have to stand.

Part of the problem is forcing people to use mobility devices when they don't need them under normal circumstances. I've seen several stories about amputees who are perfectly "mobile" but who have difficulty waiting in long lines, especially in heat, as the day progresses because their prosthesis becomes less comfortable and more painful being denied DAS because they could just get a wheelchair. That seems wrong to me.

They can get a scooter. There is nothing “wrong” about that.

Huh. You don't think someone with a genuine physical disability that causes significant pain deserves some accommodation? By the way, ECVs cost $65 per day to rent, but I guess those slacker amputees should just deal.

If they’re walking around a park all day on a prosthesis, there’s no reason they can’t stand in line with the same prosthesis. Or sit on the chair/cane. Or lean on the ropes like the rest of us. If they can’t walk around the park all day and can’t stand in line at all, they get a scooter or a wheelchair.
Quit playing the victim here. There are options. You just don’t like them.

NP. By that logic, people with zero physical disabilities who have autism can also just stand in line for hours.

I don’t think that’s true. If an autistic kid can’t stand in line for an hour they may act out or scream or get physical or cause a disturbance to others waiting in line. It’s a completely different scenario.

This. My kid has to eat in a lunch bunch because he cannot even handle the noise and commotion of the cafeteria at school. If he gets overstimulated/dysregulated he may throw himself on the ground and kick. That doesn’t happen often thankfully, but it does on occasion.

In order for our family to go to Disney, we had to pick a less crowded time, select a few must do rides, and basically have a straight forward itinerary to avoid crossing all over the park and having downtime built in. We bought Genie + in conjunction to using DAS and were able to minimize crowd/line time, take meal breaks while waiting for our return time, and get in and out of the park in a shorter time.

I know people pay a lot of money to go to Disney and I appreciate not having to risk a) my kid losing it 80 minutes into a 90 minute wait and then having to give up on the ride and b) disturbing other guests if my kid flails and is upset.

Why are you taking a kid who can't cope in crowded places to Disney? Goodness. Choose a different vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PP who said that DAS became necessary when they eliminated the FastPass. I have two children who benefit from waiting elsewhere (one autistic ADHD and one ADHD—we just get the DAS for the autistic family member), but we did fine with the FastPass system. Now that they’ve monetized the Lighting Lane even the DAS isn’t great because if it’s very busy that line can be quite long, too. We waited in Haunted Mansion Lighting Lane line in Disneyland for nearly an hour after waiting outside the line for an hour plus. Several times we almost bailed as our kids kept bumping into the people around us because the line was so congested. One could also argue that we are “taking advantage” of the DAS since we didn’t use it before, but honestly we didn’t need it with the old system. FastPass is never coming back though, since they’ve figured out how to charge people to wait in shorter lines. I don’t understand how people will leave the line either. There have been times when we wanted to leave the line and couldn’t.

ALSO I would add that I think standby lines became much more untenable when they started selling Genie+. For example we used to have no issue waiting in standby for rides like Buzz Lightyear because while there was a line, it moved along fairly quickly. Now people flood the Lighting Lane (I’m guessing because there’s nothing left more attractive) on even these rides. I counted the last time we went and they were letting like 20+ people in from the Lightning Lane for every 4-6 people in standby! That’s ridiculous.

It was the same with Fast Passes before LL.

Even if that is true, everyone had a chance to have Fastpasse at no cost.

You just need to adjust your view. Disney basically increased its prices. There is now a base price to get in, walk around, eat and watch parades. There's an additional price to ride the rides without an intolerable wait. If you want to ride rides, then you have to pay the price increase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People really took advantage of the DAS program. I don’t blame Disney for changing it.

I do. People taking advantage of it is no reason to completely take away DAS from physically disabled people. It’s crazy to me that someone with like cerebral palsy or cancer or MS or whatever can’t use this service anymore because they don’t also have autism.

It doesn't sound like the new policy removes all access to physical disabilities. DAS is just excluding people whose issues can be solved with a pass to leave the line and return or a mobility device (e.g., scooter or wheelchair) so they don't have to stand.

Part of the problem is forcing people to use mobility devices when they don't need them under normal circumstances. I've seen several stories about amputees who are perfectly "mobile" but who have difficulty waiting in long lines, especially in heat, as the day progresses because their prosthesis becomes less comfortable and more painful being denied DAS because they could just get a wheelchair. That seems wrong to me.

They can get a scooter. There is nothing “wrong” about that.

Huh. You don't think someone with a genuine physical disability that causes significant pain deserves some accommodation? By the way, ECVs cost $65 per day to rent, but I guess those slacker amputees should just deal.

If they’re walking around a park all day on a prosthesis, there’s no reason they can’t stand in line with the same prosthesis. Or sit on the chair/cane. Or lean on the ropes like the rest of us. If they can’t walk around the park all day and can’t stand in line at all, they get a scooter or a wheelchair.
Quit playing the victim here. There are options. You just don’t like them.

NP. By that logic, people with zero physical disabilities who have autism can also just stand in line for hours.

I don’t think that’s true. If an autistic kid can’t stand in line for an hour they may act out or scream or get physical or cause a disturbance to others waiting in line. It’s a completely different scenario.

This. My kid has to eat in a lunch bunch because he cannot even handle the noise and commotion of the cafeteria at school. If he gets overstimulated/dysregulated he may throw himself on the ground and kick. That doesn’t happen often thankfully, but it does on occasion.

In order for our family to go to Disney, we had to pick a less crowded time, select a few must do rides, and basically have a straight forward itinerary to avoid crossing all over the park and having downtime built in. We bought Genie + in conjunction to using DAS and were able to minimize crowd/line time, take meal breaks while waiting for our return time, and get in and out of the park in a shorter time.

I know people pay a lot of money to go to Disney and I appreciate not having to risk a) my kid losing it 80 minutes into a 90 minute wait and then having to give up on the ride and b) disturbing other guests if my kid flails and is upset.

Why are you taking a kid who can't cope in crowded places to Disney? Goodness. Choose a different vacation.

She’s doing it in a way that is workable for her family and doesn’t disturb other patrons. You’d have a point if her kid was constantly melting down and making life miserable for her family and other patrons, but it doesn’t sound like that’s happening here.