DAS is getting an Upgrade!

[SueM in MN]

My understanding is Disney won’t risk an ADA violation in any way by asking/reviewing any sort of medical records. Everything has been verbal in the past, it’s not going to change.

i do think they may be tightening up the individual eligibility criteria though…

not based upon ‘having’ whatever disability/medical condition…

But, upon a person’s stated need ‘why’ they actually need a DAS

i am thinking they will start to possibly restrict the # of people permitted on the pass, restricting it to likely 4 + 1 or the number of people in an onsite room/reservation unless are are immediate family.

My guess (only a guess) is that the CMs doing the virtual video chats and in person will probably have ‘needs based’ set of questions that must be addressed and can’t be overridden before getting to the screen where the person is actually registered for DAS.
In the past, when initially enrolling in DAS and periodically when renewing, there was a page of points about DAS ’Terms and Conditions’ we had to read and sign to show we understood. It included what DAS was for and an acknowledgment that the person DAS was issued to had a disability that required the DAS services.
I’m guessing something like that will be part of the registration process again.

That, along with the photo, would provide things they can verify against.
This screenshot is part of a DAS card posted online soon after DAS began in 2013. I edited out the photo and personal information.
What I posted here was part of the electronic record we signed on the Guest Relations DAS iPad for DAS.


I don‘t think they will change the number of guests on the DAS from what it currently is. The usual number has been a maximum of 5 plus the person with a disability (so total of 6) since at least GAC/SAP (Guest Assistance Card at WDW or Special Assistance Pass at DL).
I also don’t think they will tie it to hotel reservation - some guests are staying at off-site hotels or visiting with family/friends at the park. I also don’t think they will require or check that it’s immediate family.
Guests linked to DAS already have to be part of the My Disney Experience Friends and Family group that the DAS user is part. That in itself cut down on people using DAS to give tours or whatever - Disney can see if someone has a revolving door of ’friends and family’ that changes enough to be suspect of abuse.

 

[Willow1213]

Yes, it will be interesting to see how they are going determine the abuse. I am happy they are going to attempt to try to put a stop to it and offer consequences.

I'm curious about this too. I hope the strong wording will make people think twice about trying to lie to obtain the service. Is it worth risking the thousands you have spent on this vacation?

I think like some have said earlier, Disney has a lot of data on us. For those that have been using DAS for years, it should be pretty breezy. My need is still there We've graduated from GAC and stroller as wheelchair tags to FP+ and DAS over the years.

 

[Starwind]

The answer to your question is not clear from what is on the website.
My DH read it as 2 DAS Advance selections for each day. I read it that it might just be 2 for the first day (similar to how some CMs have been setting up the first DAS Return Time when setting up DAS.

It is two advance selections per day according to the disney website:

"During your chat with a Cast Member, you’ll also have the opportunity to select up to 2 experiences per day (subject to availability) using our new DAS Advance planning option."

 

[bookgirl]

If it's available during my trip, I will probably pay for the Lightning Lane, but I'm solo and only doing 2/3 days on my trip, so not a huge cost.

I actually do have something that should qualify for a DAS but have never gotten it before as 1. On prior trips I was in early stages and didn't have as many 'bad days' 2. Been doing Disney for over a decade and I'm pretty good at the FastPass/tourning plan thing. 3. I never wanted to go stand in the line at GS to get one. 4. I'm kind of laid back and don't care if I skip a ride.

I actually would consider a DAS with a video preregistration. Don't know if I will. I may be able to continue to manage it without assistance or with the paid FP, but I might just in case, since I do like the preregistration.

 

[SueM in MN]

It is two advance selections per day according to the disney website:

"During your chat with a Cast Member, you’ll also have the opportunity to select up to 2 experiences per day (subject to availability) using our new DAS Advance planning option."

Yes. I saw that after. The first things I saw were either quotes/summaries of the system that weren’t clear

 

[keishashadow]

I'm also maybe somewhat ok with the paid "tier 1" pass. I can imagine if I could use it for something like RoTR or the new Remy ride if I missed getting a boarding pass since both are going to be open when I go to WDW next time and I've never ridden them. So I guess at least a person has a way to ride something like that if they haven't lucked out with the boarding pass system.

If ROTR is included, well worth to book it once per trip especially for those who have been shut out in past.

Has there been confirmation it will be included in the tier 1 lineup?

going to guess it will also be subject to availability, a true hot e-ticket.

wonder if advance sales will commence, ala the scramble for many ADRs at 60 days?

So many of us will be storming the castle gates the end of September, forward...

Actual details really need to be fleshed out or at least a ‘hard’ opening day announced so we early birds can be prepared to quickly jump thru the proper hoops

 

[OurBigTrip]

Disney has a lot of information about individual guests that most guests are not aware of.
I wrote in another post why Disney is unlikely to require medical or other information that would be verified. Under the ADA, they can ask guests what needs a person has related to their disability. The registration process could involve asking about needs, which could be verified by information Disney has about guest behavior in the parks.

Some people are aware and others may not be aware of lawsuits filed after GAC (Guest Assistance Cards) were discontinued in 2013 and replaced with DAS. The lawsuit was basically saying the group of people who sued were used to using GAC to immediately enter the Fastpass or alternate entry point and ‘required’ that type of access to be given to them by providing multiple anytime Fastpasses under DAS. They lost their case.
I read their statements and also the testimony, which contained some pretty interesting data Disney had that often contradicted their statements.
I don’t remember all the specifics, but Disney was able to show thing like:
- family reported the DAS user could only be in the park several hours at a time, but pass entry and exit showed they were in the park from open to close on multiple occasions

- child needed to do attractions every visit in a specific order that could not be changed, but Disney could show with attraction entry data that the family did not follow that order on multiple visits.

I’m not sure if this was in the testimony or not, but people who were posting on social media that they could only go to the parks during the quietest times, but also posted their family traditions included visits On Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and other really busy days when they used their GAC to go immediately on multiple headline rides without waiting.

The data that Disney provided in that lawsuit was mindboggling...

 

[Branderson610]

I have a question about this new system that I guess I would have to ask a cast member about when it's time. However, I wonder what is the case when you have 2 members of a family that qualify for DAS as we know some conditions are hereditary. Do both kids get to pick 2 attractions once you register them or what?

 

[OurBigTrip]

I have a question about this new system that I guess I would have to ask a cast member about when it's time. However, I wonder what is the case when you have 2 members of a family that qualify for DAS as we know some conditions are hereditary. Do both kids get to pick 2 attractions once you register them or what?

I would think that it would work like it does now, i.e., both kids could pick two attractions, but other people in the party could only be "waiting" for one or the other.

 

[Branderson610]

I would think that it would work like it does now, i.e., both kids could pick two attractions, but other people in the party could only be "waiting" for one or the other.

What about the 2 you pre pick? I though they pre load those. Like I said I am confused lol

 

[SueM in MN]

The data that Disney provided in that lawsuit was mindboggling...

yes. It was quite interesting reading.

I would think that it would work like it does now, i.e., both kids could pick two attractions, but other people in the party could only be "waiting" for one or the other.

I agree.
It seemed to work, so I don’t think they will change it.
As it is now, if both kids want to ride the same attraction, they both need Return Times for that attraction and members of their party would be added to one or the other.
If both chose different attractions, other members of their party could be added to one Return Time, but no one could be on both.

 

[OurBigTrip]

What about the 2 you pre pick?

That's what I'm talking about.

If there are 2 DAS given during the video call, then other members of the party could be added to each DAS, which is how it works now. However, currently although a guest can be on more than one DAS, they can't have more than one return time at a time. I don't see why it would be any different for the pre-picks.

 

[Branderson610]

That's what I'm talking about.

If there are 2 DAS given during the video call, then other members of the party could be added to each DAS, which is how it works now. However, currently although a guest can be on more than one DAS, they can't have more than one return time at a time. I don't see why it would be any different for the pre-picks.

Yeah,I am going to have to get clarification on this. Thanks for your response!

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yeah,I am going to have to get clarification on this. Thanks for your response!

Not sure they will do it that way, but they certainly should do it that way.

 

[Thegoatfeeder]

I for one am really happy with these changes. As well as my physical issues, I also have anxiety, pretty bad at times, and I always got really really 'stressed out' about discussing my needs in front of people in the parks in order to explain why DAS helped me.

Specifically because I have more personal issues as well as a physical one, having to talk about these issues and my anxieties around bathroom access always made be incredible nervous when discussing DAS in a crowded room, not because I was worried I wouldn't get it, purely because it triggered my anxiety.

Being able to have this discussion from my own home, 60 days out is a huge benefit for me. The fact that during that call I can book 2 passes a day is kind of irrelevant as far as I am concerned, but obviously I won't let the opportunity go. My assumption on that point is that realistically availability won't be an issue if a person does do this at the 60 day point.

As for on the day virtual queues, again, I see that as a huge positive, days of me having to have an awkward conversation with a cast member are gone (that awkwardness was always purely on my side, cast members are fantastic its just my anxiety!) and I can just do it from within the app.

The cherry on the cake as far as I am concerned is the fact that disabled people haven't actually been forgotten about, I feel like Disney have actually considered the needs of DAS users as opposed to just keeping rolling out the same system, which was OK and worked well, but ultimately wasn't perfect for everyone.

Anyway, thats just my thoughts

Edit - I have edited out some specifics purely because I don't want people using this as a script of 'what to say'.

 

[Belle1962]

I feel the burn already BUT— liars and cheaters (fake gasp) NO. All someone has to do is go out on the internet and this board alone to learn what people are telling CM’s to get a DAS. We need to reel ourselves in by sticking to a simple “explain your needs” not give out specific language. Explain that even the same condition can results in different needs so advise people to just explain their own needs. I’m not saying don’t be helpful but don’t go overboard either. Because of all the abuse I am a bit jaded, I admit it. Edit to add: it also doesn’t help when you explain what your condition is if an easy jump to what accommodations you need are.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I think Disney may also be comparing needs to reality...if they had all that data before, now with Genie, they'll be able to get exact tracking and location data all day.

As an example - say you say you can't stand in line for more than 10-15 minutes...and Disney has data from Genie that you stood in line for 2 hours for Small World while waiting for Peter Pan DAS return...and then waited 90 minutes for Haunted Mansion while you wait for Splash Mountain DAS return...

I would not put this past Disney to track and know...and decide whether they enforce (with their strict language) or just don't renew DAS's (since your DAS is now only a 60 day DAS)...

 

[OurBigTrip]

I think Disney may also be comparing needs to reality...if they had all that data before, now with Genie, they'll be able to get exact tracking and location data all day.

As an example - say you say you can't stand in line for more than 10-15 minutes...and Disney has data from Genie that you stood in line for 2 hours for Small World while waiting for Peter Pan DAS return...and then waited 90 minutes for Haunted Mansion while you wait for Splash Mountain DAS return...

I would not put this past Disney to track and know...and decide whether they enforce (with their strict language) or just don't renew DAS's (since your DAS is now only a 60 day DAS)...

Excellent points. And the key here will be the "video CMs"...if they're giving someone a DAS simply because they say they can't wait in line for more than 15 minutes, then they're not doing their job.

 

[SueM in MN]

I feel the burn already BUT— liars and cheaters (fake gasp) NO. All someone has to do is go out on the internet and this board alone to learn what people are telling CM’s to get a DAS. We need to reel ourselves in by sticking to a simple “explain your needs” not give out specific language. Explain that even the same condition can results in different needs so advise people to just explain their own needs. I’m not saying don’t be helpful but don’t go overboard either. Because of all the abuse I am a bit jaded, I admit it. Edit to add: it also doesn’t help when you explain what your condition is if an easy jump to what accommodations you need are.

the Moderators of this board always write “explain your needs” and have edited specific information which could be abused when we see it posted. But, we are only 2 volunteer people and have lives outside of Disboards and we don’t see/can’t do anything about things on other boards.
I think that Disney CMs on the live virtual chats or in the parks will have a set of questions related to needs that will be asked (don’t know, but that’s my guess). That would be allowed under the ADA and would address the guests who request DAS based on ‘I have xxx condition’ and either won’t or can’t give information on their needs.

I think Disney may also be comparing needs to reality...if they had all that data before, now with Genie, they'll be able to get exact tracking and location data all day.

As an example - say you say you can't stand in line for more than 10-15 minutes...and Disney has data from Genie that you stood in line for 2 hours for Small World while waiting for Peter Pan DAS return...and then waited 90 minutes for Haunted Mansion while you wait for Splash Mountain DAS return...

I would not put this past Disney to track and know...and decide whether they enforce (with their strict language) or just don't renew DAS's (since your DAS is now only a 60 day DAS)...

I‘m certain Disney already has access to this kind of information if they need it. Some similar info was included in testimony connected with the DAS lawsuit (which Disney won).

 

[Belle1962]

Sue, you and our Mods do a great job!!! I didn’t mean any disrespect. I have nothing but love for you through the years.