They will claim this is unfair because then Jude can't right Toy Story Mania 15 times in a row if he wants to. |
We've never done Disney even though our 5 year-old kid would qualify for DAS under both the current and new system BECAUSE we know it would be such a big waste of money due to the uncertainty of his developmental and neuro issues.
We did LegoLand last year for the first time on a very empty day and got to do about 3 rides + enjoying the Lego playrooms before he had a complete and total emotional breakdown. So even if we go to Disney with a DAS, the odds are high that we probably wouldn't do more than 4-5 rides total in a day. And that's if he's having a "good day." My suspicion is that the people who really need a DAS have issues (physical or mental) that prevent them from going on too many rides. They need constant breaks, either to physically rest or - in our case - de-stimulate and reset. So yeah, do a DAS and set a cap. There's so many non-ride attractions to keep DAS users entertained. If anything, we need more arears for them to rest and de-stimulate. |
Except the data said a portion of DAS users were averaging many more rides than those without DAS, so they weren't prevented at all. Both things can be true, people do actually need DAS and other people have abused the previous system. Changes are going into place to address the latter which should help the former. |
PP here: Yes, "super users" will skew the data to show a higher median for all DAS users. Which is why setting a cap on rides for DAS users + tightening proof of eligibility requirements makes the most sense. It's a privilege afforded by Disney, not a right. |
It would be curious to know the data, but I would probably expect DAS ride usage distribution to look like a barbell distribution. On the left side, you have people who really need the DAS and are taking frequent breaks from attractions. On the right side, you have the DAS phonies who are getting the pass to cram in as many rides as possible. The normal Disney ticketholder ride usage looks like a Normal distribution. |
Jude can't do that now. There is not enough hours in the day, because Jude still has to wait the standby time, and then wait in the LL line. Unless the park is unusually empty and the standby time is extremely short-nobody is riding 15 times. But you knew that when you posted this false scenario. |
I think the problem was worse than a few bad apples skewing the median. 60% of people in the Lightning Lane were DAS users. That's a LOT of people using the service, not just a few super users doing it again and again. But I agree with your solution. |
Since everyone pays the same price to enter or to get season passes, people try to get the most they can for their money since it is so expensive for most families to go visit Disneyland / Disneyworld.
When you go and see a family of 6 cutting into the line and they have (or not have a family member) with an invisible disability then you start to think well someone in our family has ADHD, IBS, back issues, eye issues, heart issues, anxiety, etc. so if they don't have to wait in line why should I? |
This! People are upset over a child with disabilities getting a perceived “perk” over their family. But I’m willing to bet they wouldn’t trade places if they realized the trade offs this accommodation comes with. Want to drop 5k on a neuropsych, out of pocket therapies, calls from the school, IEP meetings, etc. Like my goodness, let the families of special needs kids have something to help them so they can take their neurodiverse child (and siblings growing up with a special needs family member) on a somewhat normal vacation. What is next, is the PP going to be upset that amputees get to park closer to the store? That is an unfair advantage while others have to walk farther back in the lot. I mean maybe my feet are hurting too that day, so why should the person with a prosthetic get special treatment. Perhaps they should just stay home and order online groceries instead. (Obviously this last paragraph is sarcasm). |
Umm no one is complaining over people with REAL disabilities getting DAS. There were whole websites that told you how to fake DAS. Lots of blog posts and facebook groups too. |
I’m the PP whose kid is in a lunch bunch (lots of neurodivergent kids do this at some point in time). A cafeteria is a loud, enclosed environment with a lot of kids and few adults. It is rushed and can be chaotic. He did fine at Disney. We had plenty of fresh air outdoors. Were able to move quickly enough through the LL lines. Built in breaks. He had his mom and dad with him. He had a great time and we made it through the day without meltdowns. But we also topped out around 5 hours (went from lunch until 5 pm) and left without riding a couple of our Genie+ return times because we realized it was becoming too much. So that was sort of a waste of $, but oh well. The Disney hotels are also beautiful so we also enjoyed exploring the resort property and swimming in the pool. But way to stereotype kids with SNs and assume you know better than their parents about what they should be able to do. |
Perhaps you missed the post from an active participant in this thread who say that amputees can use wheelchairs or ECVs or just wait in line like everyone else. |
It was an exaggeration, but repeating the same ride is frequently given as a reason why “free” G+ or other limitations for DAS “isn’t fair.” |
As a DAS family I agree with the last part. We never rode a ride more than once (we couldn’t even get through everything we wanted to do due to kid stamina). I would have felt bad riding the really popular rides multiple times. I’d be fine if DAS is tweaked some. |
No there was absolutely a poster I was referring to (hopefully only one, but maybe more) saying kids with developmental disabilities shouldn’t be going on Disney vacations and that every kid under 10 could benefit from not waiting in line so why should these kids get a benefit. As a person who a kid who has SNs and cannot cram in a gazillion rides from sun up to sun down, I’d be fine with a cap or limits on popular rides. I’m just disgusted by certain people saying disabled kids should basically not go at all. |