As much as we love the Disney parks, we understand that they can be overwhelming environments, especially for those with cognitive or physical disabilities.
Long lines, heat, and crowds can make what should be a magical day feel stressful and exhausting. That’s why Disney introduced the Disability Access Service (DAS) to make their parks more inclusive and accessible so everyone is able to experience the magic.
Disney’s DAS is designed to assist guests with difficulty waiting in standard lines due to a disability. This program has allowed many guests to enjoy the park without compromising their well-being. However, it underwent an entire overhaul back in May of this year that caused significant changes to it.
The changes have limited the number of people who qualify for the program and have been frustrating for many guests who once were eligible and are not anymore. However, Disney has released another update concerning this new change that may be beneficial for those who qualify.
Before the changes, DAS eligibility was valid for up to 30 days. When the changes first took place, eligibility was bumped up to 120 days, and now it is valid for up to 240 days. After that, guests will need to re-register for the program. Keep in mind that the DAS is valid for either the length of the ticket or the set number of days (240)—whichever comes first.
It is important to note that DAS is not a ‘skip the line’ service but a way to accommodate guests who “due to a developmental disability like autism or a similar disorder, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.” It also does not offer immediate access to attractions but instead allows guests to reserve a return time for an experience similar to the current standby wait time.
Though DAS is available at both Disney World and Disneyland Resort, it is only valid throughout the Resort it was issued in. For more information pertaining to DAS, including how to apply, you can go to the official Disney World website.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates surrounding DAS.
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So it’s still a terrible system but you have more time to use it. My husband who has a neurological condition & travels with a service dog is not eligible even though standing in the sun & over heating can cause a seizure. He has federal disability but Disney says he is not disabled. They need a complete overhaul of the system to require proof of a disability. Yes people abused it but now the people that really need it are no longer eligible
Disney is not saying your husband is not disabled; they are saying he does not have a condition like autism that requires an alternate way to wait for an attraction. DAS was never intended for anyone but people with conditions like autism, but unfortunately people with other disabilities chipped away at it until it was being handed out like candy and then non-disabled people took advantage of it so they didn’t have to wait in lines anymore. Disney has always said there are other solutions for people who have other conditions; DAS is the solution just for people who have autism and similar conditions. Mobility issues are solved with wheelchairs and ECVs. Staying out of the sun and not overheating is solved by clothing, umbrellas, sunscreen, going at cooler times of the year and day, spending time indoors, using portable fans and misters, drinking adequately, etc. Your husband does not have a problem with waiting in lines, but people who have autism and the like do. The DAS has always been the intention for the solution to their disability as wheelchairs etc. will not help them with their symptoms.
The new DAS is a joke. My wife has ALS. She cannot walk, let alone wait in a long line. She tires quickly. After trying to obtain DAS for our last trip in May 2024, she was denied. She only has a few hours everyday to spend in the park before we have to go back to the room and rest, stretch and recover. The old DAS allowed her to plan her day and enjoy the attractions she enjoys the most. Now, there’s no time to enjoy those attractions that made MK special. Shout out to the cast members that allow her the extra time to board the rides and attractions. You are very special people. Thank you to the guests for being patient with us to allow a few extra minutes for to board and get secure.
A wheelchair or ECV sounds like the perfect solution for someone who has difficulty walking/standing. Both can be rented either at the Disney parks or from an outside company.
And Disney has always stated that the solution for mobility issues is a wheelchair or ECV. Your wife can mentally wait in line, but autistic kids cannot, which is why the DAS was created just for them. The fact that you and other people abused it in the past does not change that it was never intended to be for mobility issues. It also has never been a front-of-the-line pass and still isn’t. Your wife’s visit to the parks would be the same length of time with or without the pass unless you were cheating the system by taking advantage of her disability. Equal access, not special privileges access. There are places to rest in the parks as well. This was always Disney’s intentions before people abused it as well as faked disabilities to get it. Mobility aids, going at quieter times, taking rest breaks, using reservations, etc. will help those who need it. The amount of physically disabled people who are jealous of mentally/neurologically disabled people’s accommodation is surprising, especially since many physically disabled people don’t care to acknowledge mental/neurological conditions as being disabilities. Accommodations are based on symptoms, not a generic category of having a disability.
People complained about the changes but sadly there were lots of entitled people getting it who didn’t really need it…my husband…on ECV with cancer having destroyed his spine didn’t use it since he could sit on ECV on traditional line….its NOT meant to be used by people who don’t want to wait…and their huge families of able bodied adults and kids.
I am truly sorry to hear about your husband. You make an excellent point that it is not for convenience because someone does not want to wait in line. Reality is a vast number of people are scamming the system and they know it. There does come a point where it might make sense to vacation somewhere there are not lines. Disney Cruiseline is a great alternative.
One thing that disturbs me is seeing a person who deserves the pass but is barely with it, if at all. The family is wheeling them around and freeloading off of their family member who is out of the loop. It is especially painful to see it on hot sticky days. In that case is the pass for the ambulatory people or the person who qualifies for the pass.