Social media has been buzzing over the announcement that Disney is changing the Disability Access System (DAS). There are thousands and thousands of angry, outraged and nasty people going on and on about the Disney DAS change.
For many Disney is a once in a lifetime experience. For others it is a constant part of their life. Wherever you may fall in the Disney visitor line – there are things that you need to know about visiting the most magical place on earth!
O.K. – I’m sure this will be an extremely unpopular opinion but . . . I feel like most people doing the complaining are very likely the same people that abused the system. Those that truly need the system will go through the steps that are necessary and all will be fine. People are outraged before even trying the new system.
With that being said, I also feel that Disney themselves created the extensive abuse of the system when they did away with FastPasses. Many with minor issues used the FastPass system to avoid standing in long lines. Genie+ just doesn’t cut it! Adding additional costs to an already very expensive trip is just greedy on Disney’s part.
The DAS system at Disney has been abused for years. So abused that those abusers have come to think of it as their right. So abused that many have taken to social media to school others on how to get and use the system. So in reality, those so called “social media influencers” who put out how to skirt the system are, in part, to blame for Disney’s new policies.
I think part of my issue with the outrage comes from the fact that I have many of the same conditions and ailments that people are saying they need to use DAS for and I have never used the system. Nor would I even consider using the system. Many of these complainers are probably half my age.
Disney DAS: Why I Feel This Way
One of the most common I’ve seen is – I (or my husband or child) has diabetes and unable to wait in line. This one truly confuses me. I am a diabetic. I have been a diabetic for years. I wait in line. My diabetes does not prevent me from waiting in line. I manage my condition on a regular basis as most diabetic do (or should do).
I broke my back. I have continued issues and pain. I have been to the park many times since. I wait in line. Never even considered getting a DAS. If I’m having a bad day – I stay home. If I experience an issue in the park – I go sit down on a bench for a little while. Unfortunately life changes when we have certain conditions. It is our own responsibility to adapt to those changes – it is not the world’s responsibility to adapt for us.
I have high blood pressure, osteoporosis and a handful of other ailments. I have never used the DAS system. I manage my own issues and ailments and don’t expect special treatment for them.
One of my favorite complaints is “I have IBS. I can’t wait in line.” So your IBS prevents you from waiting in line but doesn’t prevent you from spending any time on the ride. Do your ailments suddenly disappear when you are on the ride? Your IBS is only a problem waiting in line but not while slowly boating through It’s a Small World?
Another complaint is that Disney gave no notice. Well, actually they have. The information has been out well over a week already and doesn’t go into full effect until May 20th at WDW and mid-June at Disneyland. How much more notice do people need? What many don’t understand is that Disney can change anything, at anytime, with no notice.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT DISNEY HAS NOT SAID THEY WILL REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION. THIS IS AN ASSUMPTION ON THE PART OF MANY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
The outrage over the possibility that you may now have to prove you have a condition gives an entire long list of reasons. HIPPA violation – how dare Disney ask for such a thing! So tell me – why is it an issue for Disney to ask but isn’t an issue for you to put your conditions all over social media?
My all time favorite is “now I’ll have to go to the doctor to get proof.” If your conditions are so serious – aren’t you seeing a doctor on a regular basis?
I’m going to be 69 years old this year with a handful of conditions and ailments – old age and those conditions do not entitle me to use a system to not wait in line.
In a world that is constantly screaming about kindness, maybe it’s time many apply that kindness that they talk about to NOT USING A SYSTEM YOU DON’T NEED simply because you don’t want to wait in line. Leave the system for those that really need it.
The Disney of Today
The Disney of today is not the same Disney of 20 or 30 years ago – or even 5 years ago. Disney has changed dramatically over the years because the visitors have changed dramatically over the years. Many, if not most, of the changes Disney has made over the years have been caused by the dramatic change in visitors and their behavior.
Disney is a business. It’s their right to do whatever they choose to do. It’s their right to change how things are done in their business on their property. They no longer cater to demanding guests who feel they are entitled to things because they paid for a vacation. They will no longer tolerate bad behavior by visitors.
If you choose not to visit because you don’t get your own way – there are hundreds of thousands who will still visit and Disney will continue to be a money making business. Saying you will never visit Disney again doesn’t hurt (or bother) Disney.
The Disney DAS
DAS is a program offered at the Disney theme parks intended to accommodate only those Guests who, due to a developmental disability such as autism or a similar disorder, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.
The service has always been meant for those visitors described in the new policy, but the program did not use such specific language in the past and was granted to users with other needs.
DAS doesn’t provide immediate access to experiences, but rather allows Guests to request a return time for a specific experience that is comparable to the current standby wait.
Visitors can discuss their needs with a Cast Member via live video chat as soon as 30 days prior to their park visit. Cast Members will work with Guests individually to discuss specific requests and offer assistance.
READ THAT AGAIN! CAST MEMBERS WILL WORK WITH GUESTS INDIVIDUALLY TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC REQUESTS AND OFFER ASSISTANCE.
What that means is – why are you complaining when you haven’t even tried to use the new system for a legitimate condition?
What that means is – don’t automatically assume (and take to social media) that you no longer qualify to use DAS if you have a legitimate condition. Just because a condition is not listed in the guidelines doesn’t mean it won’t qualify.
Disney will have more cast members, available and trained, to help direct guests to the options they need; health professionals from Inspire Health Alliance will help Disney employees determine eligibility as needed. They will not require documentation, unlike the services at other theme park companies including Universal and Six Flags.
Registering for DAS
- Sign in to the Walt Disney World website or your My Disney Experience
- Link valid theme park admission for each member of your party
- Ensure that the Guest who is requesting to use DAS is present at the time of registration via live video chat
- Guests have the option to discuss eligibility virtually with a Cast Member via live video chat as soon as 30 days in advance of a park visit.
- If DAS is provided, you (or a parent/guardian if younger than 18 years of age) will participate in the registration process, which requires having a photo taken.
- DAS is valid for up to 120 days. After this time period has passed, Guests will need to re-register.
- Make sure your device has a working camera and a microphone.
- Live video chat is available from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time.
- The recording of this video chat is strictly prohibited.
- At this time, live chat is offered in English only.
In closing . . . If you truly feel you need the system – go through the steps to qualify before being upset. Don’t listen to so much of the nonsense on social media. Listen to Disney. Go through the process.
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