Changes to Disability Access Service - DAS Advance Video Chat + book 2 rides per day in advance & book return times in MDE - all available NOW!

[StuckInKS]

Yes they can not require a disclosure of diagnosis, but they can require a note from a physician stating that "in my professional opinion guest X needs the following accommodations..."

I don't think they can legally require Dr notes and those that have brought them have been told by the CMs that they cannot look at them.

 

[Sandisw]

I wonder if those of us who have DAS already will need to do the live chat to activate even if we don’t want ones done ahead of time?

Or will it be the same as before…go to GS and have them activate it for me and the guests with me for the trip?

 

[OppR2nist]

I wonder if those of us who have DAS already will need to do the live chat to activate even if we don’t want ones done ahead of time?

Or will it be the same as before…go to GS and have them activate it for me and the guests with me for the trip?

I would venture a guess that both will be an option. People with disabilities have varying levels of familiarity with technology, like everyone else, and Disney will have to accommodate.

 

[TioAdis78]

DAS guests have to wait the amount of time required for the standby line, so if the standby line is 120 minutes, you still need to wait 120 minutes and then when you return you can use the Lightning Lane. So I do think they will be allowed to use it for Tier 1 rides. For many, that would be the only way to ride those Tier 1 attractions because they cannot wait in the long standby line.

Exactly this. In all fairness, the return time issued should be the next one available, as it’s always been.
Except that with Advanced DAS, the one you do the video interview for, if you qualify, they’ll let you schedule two rides in advance per day, at least two days before your park day, and I would assume they’ll be whichever, tier 2 or tier 1.

 

[TioAdis78]

Exactly this. In all fairness, the return time issued should be the next one available, as it’s always been.
Except that with Advanced DAS, the one you do the video interview for, if you qualify, they’ll let you schedule two rides in advance per day, at least two days before your park day, and I would assume they’ll be whichever, tier 2 or tier 1.

My thought process for this is as follows:
My autistic daughter likes FOP, and we always got either our FP+ or a return time with DAS. With today’s rules, in two weeks when we are there, what we’ll do is ask for a return time, which we’ll get for 40, 90, 120 minutes. She’ll have to wait the same amount of time as everyone else, only outside of the queue environment. We all know how it works.
With the new system, I’m sure she’ll be granted a pre determined ride time for any ride, not just Genie+‘s tier 2. The reason why is fairly simple: let’s suppose they do in fact only give out ride times for tier 2. What we’d do is go to the park, ask for a return time for FOP, and get it. It wouldn’t matter if all LLs are sold out, because we are opting for a standby wait, albeit a different version of it. So it won’t make a difference, she’ll get to ride FOP either way, so why not issue the return time in advance?
The only reason I’d imagine they might limit this is to deter scammers from trying to get a “guaranteed” slot.

 

[Liquidice]

My thought process for this is as follows:
My autistic daughter likes FOP, and we always got either our FP+ or a return time with DAS. With today’s rules, in two weeks when we are there, what we’ll do is ask for a return time, which we’ll get for 40, 90, 120 minutes. She’ll have to wait the same amount of time as everyone else, only outside of the queue environment. We all know how it works.
With the new system, I’m sure she’ll be granted a pre determined ride time for any ride, not just Genie+‘s tier 2. The reason why is fairly simple: let’s suppose they do in fact only give out ride times for tier 2. What we’d do is go to the park, ask for a return time for FOP, and get it. It wouldn’t matter if all LLs are sold out, because we are opting for a standby wait, albeit a different version of it. So it won’t make a difference, she’ll get to ride FOP either way, so why not issue the return time in advance?
The only reason I’d imagine they might limit this is to deter scammers from trying to get a “guaranteed” slot.

Abuse is the reason I could see them only offering Advanced DAS return times for the Tier 2 rides. I could see it going either way though!

I am curious what the vetting process will be like for the video call. Will it be a higher bar that you need to meet to "prove" your child needs DAS or will it be the same as when you talk to someone at guest services? I hope it is the latter only because requiring a doctor's note or something seems extreme. But I guess we'll see!

 

[JoJoGirl]

I am curious what the vetting process will be like for the video call. Will it be a higher bar that you need to meet to "prove" your child needs DAS or will it be the same as when you talk to someone at guest services? I hope it is the latter only because requiring a doctor's note or something seems extreme. But I guess we'll see!

My hope would be that the CMs doing the video vetting will be more specially trained than a general Guest Relations CM. These “DAS specialists” could be better at talking through guests’ needs and helping them get the assistance they need. (Or determining who doesn’t need it, as appropriate.) They won’t have the pressure of a long line of potentially disgruntled guests waiting in view at their station, so they are likely to give more thorough service.

 

[Sandisw]

My thought process for this is as follows:
My autistic daughter likes FOP, and we always got either our FP+ or a return time with DAS. With today’s rules, in two weeks when we are there, what we’ll do is ask for a return time, which we’ll get for 40, 90, 120 minutes. She’ll have to wait the same amount of time as everyone else, only outside of the queue environment. We all know how it works.
With the new system, I’m sure she’ll be granted a pre determined ride time for any ride, not just Genie+‘s tier 2. The reason why is fairly simple: let’s suppose they do in fact only give out ride times for tier 2. What we’d do is go to the park, ask for a return time for FOP, and get it. It wouldn’t matter if all LLs are sold out, because we are opting for a standby wait, albeit a different version of it. So it won’t make a difference, she’ll get to ride FOP either way, so why not issue the return time in advance?
The only reason I’d imagine they might limit this is to deter scammers from trying to get a “guaranteed” slot.

Just to share why they may not offer for Tier 1 is that you then have to do no waiting at all, even outside the que.

Right now, when I go to get a DAS return time, we have to wait at the park to still ride. If I don’t want to wait that long, even doing other things, then I dont ride it, This happened in July when wait time for SDMT was 120 minutes. We did not do it because we didn’t want be in the park that long.

Now that there will be a paid option to skip the wait, I just Don’t see a need to for an advance booking.

 

[OppR2nist]

My hope would be that the CMs doing the video vetting will be more specially trained than a general Guest Relations CM. These “DAS specialists” could be better at talking through guests’ needs and helping them get the assistance they need. (Or determining who doesn’t need it, as appropriate.) They won’t have the pressure of a long line of potentially disgruntled guests waiting in view at their station, so they are likely to give more thorough service.

This. The whole point of DAS is to avoid waiting in long lines for people with disabilities who can't wait in long lines. It's nonsensical that, in order to get DAS, you have to wait in a long line.

 

[notatallmagic]

Anyone else dreading this "pre-visit video" conference thing? After spending untold hours on hold with Disney over the past two years, this seems like a nightmare. Who do we call? When do we find out that number for upcoming trips? Will there be some sort of screening, or will we end up on hold for 4 hours along with folks who don't even know what DAS is? Shudder!

 

[Precmom1967]

I called the disability services phone number and got right through to a CM. They only got info on Genie the same day it was released to the public. I was told that you will request your video interview on your MDE app, on phone call or long hold. They do NOT have a release date for the new process so if your trip is soon, you still need to go to GS. To me, I didn’t sound like the change would be here before the 50th but again my opinion.

 

[Mystify]

Well it says you can select 2 experiences in advance...so it seems like that would not be subject to the in park waits. It sounds like DAS guests will essentially be getting 2 lightning passes that with an earlier selection window than anyone else gets. If this is valid for the lightning passes that others are paying for there is a huge incentive for abuse. If the DAS advance selection is only for "tier 2" rides then that would be reasonable. Also, hopefully the DAS return times are as long as the standby lines and not the same as the Genie+ return times.

The whole system is now ripe for abuse though, as everything is done virtually. It is much easier for a lot of people to lie when they do not have to walk up to someones face and lie to them. With the new system the DAS guests are also essentially getting Genie+ and possibly the lightning lane passes for free so there is a huge monetary incentive for people to attempt to obtain DAS. Also they are getting to prebook 2 experiences while people who are paying for Genie+ only get one at a time. The threat of banning people from the parks is an empty one because Disney will never be able to prove this. Hopefully they require some sort of proof above and beyond what someone claims on a video chat to substantiate the need for disability access.

Yes, but what type of proof? We’ve had this discussion on the disability boards over and over again. Some disabilities do not qualify for handicap placards so what are the theme parks going to ask for next, a doctors note? I also think there is some liabilities if they deny certain individuals who are actually disabled. There is also the ADA act to consider. Disney has to walk a fine line because of disabled rights. Here is something that happened to me. Universal is extremely difficult to get a disability pass. I was denied by them but was finally given one after I had an incident where there medical team had to be rushed to help me. At what point are medical concerns considered over abuse of the system? This is a tough decision that theme park operators have to deal with all the time but, it would help if others would be more understanding and not worry about the abuse. Let the theme park handle it.

 

[KYMickey]

I don't think they can legally require Dr notes and those that have brought them have been told by the CMs that they cannot look at them.

I'm not sure why they couldn't, it's a private business and they can basically set any rules they want as long as I don't discriminate while doing it.

 

[KYMickey]

I am curious what the vetting process will be like for the video call. Will it be a higher bar that you need to meet to "prove" your child needs DAS or will it be the same as when you talk to someone at guest services? I hope it is the latter only because requiring a doctor's note or something seems extreme. But I guess we'll see!

I hope it's a higher Bar because the present system is a complete joke! Requiring a decorative note or other proof seems like it would be appropriate. If you are truly disabled in some form it should be quite easy to get proof of some kind. Of course other kinds of proof should also be appropriate suggest a copy of your letter from Social Security saying you get disability from them (that's quite a high Bar to jump).

 

[Liquidice]

I hope it's a higher Bar because the present system is a complete joke! Requiring a decorative note or other proof seems like it would be appropriate. If you are truly disabled in some form it should be quite easy to get proof of some kind. Of course other kinds of proof should also be appropriate suggest a copy of your letter from Social Security saying you get disability from them (that's quite a high Bar to jump).

But DAS is often used for non-physical disabilities thay social security would not recognize especially for children.What would the doctor’s note say? My patient can’t wait in long lines? It would be against ADA to require a description of the disability in the note, so the only thing they could say is that they have difficulty waiting in line.

There were some other good reasons brought up in the DISabilities forum, some very valid saying that it is difficult to get a diagnosis for some disabilities if they were not caught when the person was a child, I believe ADHD and Autism are ones that can be hard to diagnose as adults.

Doctors also often charge money to get a note too, I know my children’s pediatrician charges by the page to fill out forms for school, the first page is more expensive than the rest.

Just some things to consider. We will see soon what they require or ask during the video call.

 

[DisneyWTF]

I'm not sure why they couldn't, it's a private business and they can basically set any rules they want as long as I don't discriminate while doing it.

Because, by asking a disabled person to provide something they’re not asking able bodies guests for … They ARE discriminating.

if Disney ask for proof of disability (Dr’s note or otherwise) they will end up in court and, despite all the stupid Corporate greed stuff going on right now, they’re not stupid enough to go there IMO.

if they do, though, it’ll make real interesting viewing.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

I hope it's a higher Bar because the present system is a complete joke! Requiring a decorative note or other proof seems like it would be appropriate. If you are truly disabled in some form it should be quite easy to get proof of some kind. Of course other kinds of proof should also be appropriate suggest a copy of your letter from Social Security saying you get disability from them (that's quite a high Bar to jump).

I am actually disabled. I do not qualify for Social Security because I am still able to work. I do qualify for DAS because I have several symptoms that make waiting in line a problem. I am not unique in this regard.

For example, suppose someone has IBS. They have a job where they work from home, or they have an understanding boss, or they just generally can manage their symptoms fairly well when in their usual environment, with a regimented diet and schedule. They don't qualify for social security or a blue placqard or anything because their condition does not impair multiple activities of daily living. However, they physically can't stand in a line for 60-90 minutes+ because when they have to go, they have to go now. They would certainly qualify for a DAS, and it would probably help them quite a bit - they could still ride whatever they like, but they can wait out their time in areas closer to the bathroom in case that's needed, they can visit the restroom right before they return for their ride time, etc.

On the other hand, a good friend of mine has CP. He uses a wheelchair and, for much of his adult life, qualified for social security/disability. However, when he goes to a theme park he just needs to make sure that the queue and ride vehicle are accessible for him. He doesn't need a DAS as he can wait in line just fine - so long as that line fits his chair, which almost all of them at WDW do.

The standards for social security and DAS are fundamentally different - and should remain that way. It doesn't mean that a person who needs/benefits from DAS isn't "truly disabled,' it means that people's needs vary based on the circumstances. I can manage a lot of things in my daily life that I can't manage the same way at the parks. Does that mean I shouldn't be able to enjoy the parks, because I can't prove that my daily life is bad enough?

 

[MinnieMSue]

Honestly I think the phone call people will be highly trained to ask the appropriate questions and appropriately give people DAS for the reason it was created. Mainly weeding out conditions where a wheelchair etc would be appropriate. These people will be comfortable saying no when appropriate as compared to people being given the DAS without even having to say why they need it. We have all read reports of that happening. Also giving people a way to not have to wait in line at guest services.

 

[brockash]

As a person who uses DAS, I am thrilled at the new changes. Having to rush to guest services first thing on the first morning to get the pass was always kind of a pain and anxiety-inducing, and unlike the kiosks at Disneyland where you could get return times easily, having to trek alllll the way across the park or weave through weird line areas (like in Pandora) was really frustrating, especially since it meant having to visit each attraction at least twice: once to get a time and once to return to it.

However, I'm definitely concerned that this will mean a lot more people trying to abuse the system. There will always be a non-zero number of people who want to take advantage by lying/cheating, but the more perks you add to something more tempting it becomes for people. And when that happens, it does increase the lines for the people who really need the DAS.

I agree, and unfortunately Disney is making decisions that will make abuse enticing to some. When fastpasses didn't have a monetary value; the average guest wouldn't find value in abusing the DAS program; however I haveno doubt that some started abusing it since reopening because there were no fastpasses, but others probably considered it, but didn't because they didn't think it was worth it when the majority of ppl would all be using standby, but with this recent news I 100% believe it will entice more ppl., many of whom had never considered it before look into it as an "option." That's unfortunate for all involved.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

I agree, and unfortunately Disney is making decisions that will make abuse enticing to some. When fastpasses didn't have a monetary value; the average guest wouldn't find value in abusing the DAS program; however I haveno doubt that some started abusing it since reopening because there were no fastpasses, but others probably considered it, but didn't because they didn't think it was worth it when the majority of ppl would all be using standby, but with this recent news I 100% believe it will entice more ppl., many of whom had never considered it before look into it as an "option." That's unfortunate for all involved.

Eh, some people definitely abused it before because you could layer on top of FP and basically get twice as many - including to rides that had their FP+ gone months in advance. That said, I agree with your concern; it was one of the first things my partner said when looking at the new system.

My one consolation is that most people are NOT as informed about various options/loopholes as folks on the Boards are. For example, the majority of park-goers don't even know what DAS is unless a member of their party uses it. During the past year, when we are basically the only people in FP lines, a lot of people have been asking who we are and still didn't really know what the program is/does. Heck, given the amount of misinformation on the Boards in the past week about what DAS does and doesn't let people do, I think it's safe to say that most people have no idea. In order to know about the potential advance to abuse, you need to first know and understand how both Genie+ and DAS work, as well as how they work together. Then you need to know roughly what to say to get a DAS because there are certain things that qualify and certain things that don't for various reasons. And then you need to schedule an appointment a month out to do an interview with a CM, especially if you want to be able to set a guaranteed return time for something in advance. And all of that is to get the benefit of...waiting the same amount of time for a ride, just on a bench instead of in the line. Most people aren't going to do that, scruples or not.