FANTASTIC video! You made so many good points! Disney's new policy is not only ableist but cruel and demeaning! They have alienated so many people with these changes and they don't seem to realize it. They need to actually consult with their disabled guests, to find out why the DAS system wasn't working the way it was, instead of limiting the accessibility to one very narrow sliver of the disabled community when SO many more people truly do need it. If they thought about it logically, they would see that they're losing out on a lot of money turning away people who are disabled and their families, who will end up refusing to pay for Disney trips at all! We're not going to pay even more than before for so much less magic!
Well done!!! A few things to add. The "medical professional" they have you speak to isn't necessarily a doctor. They may also be nurses. They don't really tell you unless you ask. Of course, if you ask and start trying to figure out the qualifications of this person they will not tell you or hang up on you. Also, the cast members now working in DAS are NOT a lot of the same people. Accessibility Services is an entirely new 'department'. Prior to the change, DAS was administered by Guest Services (people in plaid). With the change, all decision making regarding DAS was taken away from Guest Services. The new staff in DAS are just that... new. They are wearing blue shirts. Many of these people are transferred from other roles in the parks because it was a raise in pay from jobs like janitorial. However, it doesn't pay like the guest services roles do. So, the people who have been trained in Guest Services, and are amazing, wouldn't transfer. I was told this by a guest services cast member. Some of DAS Management may be former guest services, but not necessarily. The "medical professionals" they have you talk to are NOT Disney employees. They are third-parties who work for a company called Inspire Health Alliance. The biggest issue, aside from the crazy denials, is the completely inconsistency with those being approved. I was denied. I am Autistic. By all accounts, I should have been approved again. I was told I didn't qualify because I understood the concept of a line, and because I didn't have a caregiver. A LOT of people with Autism are being told something similar. That's insanely ridiculous, of course. I mean, I understand the idea of brain surgery. That doesn't mean I can do it. But if that truly was a parameter to qualify, though, then why not publish that so people know? Well, the funny thing is, they are still approving plenty of adults with Autism, such as @ChristinasMagicalMoments. There are many others, too. And that's wonderful for them! But the inconsistency is insane. They are putting guests through interrogations, likely triggering meltdowns, just to deny them. It's irresponsible. But the insane part is that, they are telling people who struggle to communicate, that they need to... communicate, and tell people their issues in order to get assistance. They are actually taking disabled people and forcing them to hurt themselves. An attorney told me this week that it's like telling a paraplegic person that they can walk if they really try and believe. Or giving a blind person a printed (non-brailled) map and telling them to figure it out. Obviously, these are inappropriate and noneffective accommodations. Providing ineffective accommodation doesn't make them ADA complaints. He further explained it like this: Imagine wanting to get on the ferry to Tom Sawyer's island. You are a paraplegic in a wheelchair. All you need to do it wheel on the the raft with everyone, right? Oh, no! See, the raft is for people who really need it. They randomly decided you don't need it and you can swim across the river instead. You tell them you can't swim, and you don't understand why you can't ride the ferry with everyone else. They tell you that you simply don't meet the requirements for using the raft, even though you've been on it many times before, and refuse to elaborate further. You just want to go to the island. They say, "Well maybe the island isn't the right place you. Have you thought about the submarine ride instead? You insist that you want to go to the island and you cannot swim. They just push you in the river and say, "Figure it out." Yes, it's ridiculous. Of course this would never happen. Yet that's exactly what the DAS people are doing to people. They are forcing people to hurt themselves through ineffective and inappropriate accommodations, when a perfectly adequate one is readily available. Another thing a lot of people are saying is that Disney is 100% ADA complaint and they don't need to provide DAS, any everyone who is getting denied clearly doesn't need it and they are just upset for not getting what they want. That's 100% incorrect... well.... 90%. It IS true that Disney doesn't need to offer DAS. They do not. BUT...BUT... they DO offer it, and they offer it as an accommodation for disabled guests. Therefore, such an accommodation becomes subject to Title III of the ADA, which requires business to offer customers equal access to good and services. Also, just because they may be complaint as it relates to physical barriers doesn't make them 100% ADA complaint. The ADA is more than wheelchair access, much more. And as for 'not liking' their decision? That's nonsense. If they are denying guests equal access to good and services, it's a violation of the law, plain and simple. By advertising an accommodation for Autistic guests, then denying Autism guests the service, while approving others, that's a clear preferential system, and unequal application. Okay, rant over. Sorry. When I start typing, I write novels. I can't help it. And yes, I realize I do this and that it annoys people. I don't mean to, but details matter (to me, anyway). Thanks Autism.
My son has autism and epliepsy and we use DAS. I have to say I think they are doing the best they can between helping those in need and those who are abusing it. I also think it is absurd to state that a virtual queue is the same as standing in line. You can explore the park for 60 minutes, have lunch or even get on a ride with a short wait time while waiting for your reservation. It isn't close to waiting on line, it is a huge benefit to those with disabilities. The real issue here is distingusihing between fraud and genuine need and it is incredibly hard with the current laws.
Thank you for your time creating this and being so thorough. I previously had DAS and without it we are giving up our annual passes. It isn't an option for us anymore. WDW made it clear that they do not care what the result is for their customers. We've repeatedly emailed. The emails are ignored.
Thank you for the amazing video! Were a family of autistics and, even with DAS, our trip To Disneyland last year was challenging to put it mildly, in particular to our kid. Naively, we’ve booked another one, we’re coming from AUSTRALIA, and now I’m in the verge of a panic attack, wishing I had looked this up before hand. I honestly have no idea what we gonna do if we’re denied, it will be a mammoth waste of our money and time, not mentioning having having a 6yo’s heartbroken for not being able to (partially) enjoy Disney again. Utterly and completely unacceptable. Thank you for using your spoons to advocate for the disabled community ❤
I dont particularly care about the disney company, but i do care about people. The fact that this dumbass company thinks they can determine who is "disabled enough" to need accomidations is so infuriating! Especially putting that responsibility on random cast members who arent educated on disabilities and not actual doctors 😭. i genuinely hope disney fixes their shit for all the people who need das passes, yall deserve better ❤
I'm a WDW AP and this is one of the main reasons why I probably won't renew my AP next year when it lapses in January. With Universal becoming the more accommodating parks chain, and with Epic Universe opening in the Spring, I think I'll be taking my spending money there. Obviously, DIsney doesn't value people like me anymore, so it's their loss. And I spend a LOT of money in the parks, even though Disney doesn't seem to value their APs and assume we don't spend. I buy snacks, coffee, meals, pins, ears, and other merch, and I go to a lot of separately ticketed events. But I'm not going to continue doing so somewhere that doesn't want to accommodate for my needs or doesn't value me as an AP.
Yes, Disneyland is horribly failing the disabled population, even well before you get inside the parks. With the addition of the Pixar Pals parking structure, there were no Handicap spaces allotted in that structure. Some people argue that there are some on the ground floor, but that is in the Tram Storage area and is not accessible. Additionally, Disney offset this lack of spaces by putting up temporary signs that say “Handicap Only Beyond this Point”, suggesting that standard size spaces will meet the specific needs of most handicap visitors. And because it is not official signage, nobody, not even police can do anything if someone parks in one of those spots without a handicap placard or plates. So, first Disney does this to prevent handicap patrons from accessing parking. Then there is DAS. I was denied both before and after the changes to DAS because my mobility disability “did not fit their primary purpose of DAS”. So, I continue to use the return-time option at some rides. Or I pick rides with short wait times to reduce standing time. In the past I have used a mobility scooter or wheelchair, but other guests can be quite rude and even cause injury. Even when I used a cane to enter the haunted mansion at my designated return time, letting me in the entrance in front of others waiting in line, I had a guest wait until the light went low in the stretching room, then came over and pushed me, nearly knocking me over. Cast members did nothing about the attack. I do go often, but rarely ride more than 2 rides. Disney has made it much harder for handicap patrons to get the same value and enjoyment from the parks, instead offering opportunities to spend more for very little improvement, or insisting that we take remedies that are demeaning and insulting. I’m shocked that any cast member or contractor would say someone with Crohn’s disease should just “wear a diaper”. 1) that’s disgusting that anyone should settle for soiling themselves as an option, and 2) having had a close relative with Crohn’s , if you have a colostomy bag, that’s not how it works. Lastly, Disney has failed to respond to complaints about the practices and behaviors that limit handicapped patrons, instead making disingenuous public statements of inclusion.
I am able bodied (in this context) and have zero feelings about disabled folks getting so “skip a line”, in fact it’s weird to me for them to put to you in the fast pass line when the whole point is that waiting in the line is difficult, painful, etc.
Thank you! I have epilepsy, and while I’m somewhat controlled, waiting in line for Jungle Cruise or Haunted Mansion can (and has) caused me to pass out or sieze because of the standing and heat. It’s an invisible illness, and it drives me crazy that I don’t look “sick enough” for Disney. And the whole leave the ride? Great, have a full on Grad Mal in the back nook of Peter Pan, try and get for safety, than return? Whole mess.
I have a feeding tube and I have epilepsy and what they call psychogenic non-epileptic seizures so what I'm afraid of is if I go in a regular line cuz I also have mobility issues but what I'm more afraid of is s standing in the line and if somebody send me with my tube it might fall out are with my epilepsy in my psychogenic non-epileptic seizures I could go into a seizure and nobody would know except for the people that I'm with
My family just went through the process to obtain it. My dad has had the service for 8 years, Disney recommended it to my dad! He was denied after a professional said he didn’t qualify…even though he has severe hearing loss that causes him to freak out like a child with autism basically. He can’t comprehend where sounds are coming from and causes extreme anxiety. His cast member was right away telling him about alternate options. I personally have never applied or used it for my own cognitive issues…I have ADHD/OCD/Anxiety. I wasn’t hopeful after my dad’s experience. But I do experience anxiety standing in long lines and again my dad’s DAS was how I skipped and just experienced things he wanted to do. When even asked “How do you avoid crowds on the transportation?” I walk! And it’s 100% true! To my relief, I was granted. And even more information being an AP holder you have 8 months before having to renew the pass. And they also will have you on record that you applied and were granted.
Thanks so much for this video, I think it will go a long way to help dispel what most people think DAS is and how it really works. It definitely is NOT skipping the line. Anyway, I have a couple mental health issues that can effect heart issues that I have been dealing with for years now, and had used DAS for a number of years before the changes. I tried to explain what happens when anxiety induced stress causes my heart arrhythmia issues to be aggravated and have even gone out of control at times in the past, which causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, sudden weakness all over, feeling dizzy and fog headed. It can ruin the rest of my day whenever this happens. Thankfully it hasn't happened at DLand Resort for the whole time I had DAS, and THAT is the point. Without DAS, I am afraid of what will happen. I'm a local and MK holder, but after I was denied in July after my DAS under the old system expired and I went to try to renew it, we've only gone twice..the day I was denied, and then we went to the Oogie Boogie Bash (which my brother had already bought tickets for). I only rode 1 ride that night, and it was the Haunted Mansion (via virtual que) after we left the Bash, so I didn't ride anything at DCA. It wasn't the same for me. Like you, I love the parks, and I always will love them....but Disney Corporate is a Villianous Bully to me now, who has Betrayed the Disabled Community. Unless and until they fix this and go back to having DAS as it was before (or at least as close to it as possible), my brother nor I will be renewing our Magic Keys in late January. I'm praying something will be done before then because I do love the parks, Disney Movies, etc. I just GREATLY DISLIKE (hate is a strong word) Disney Corporate, and how they are treating us now.
While I’m glad what I said resonated with people, I’m so sorry that this was your experience recently. DAS was meant to prevent medical episodes like what you described and it’s awful that you were denied. I hope that Disney changes their ways and we’re able to enjoy the parks again soon
I had an annual pass at Walt Disney World in 2008 they put my grandmother in the back way it was very hot in the summer my problems are a little bit more hidden and they made me go into the standby line and I knew my past was coming up for Renewal so I walked out of there because of what happened that day I said never again
I agree with everything you said. Why is Disney trying to burn their reputation so hard? It feels like the current leadership is trying to cause a massive backlash. The park budget cuts, the Disney+ wrongful death lawsuit, the DAS cuts... Why?
You know Universal Studios got sued in California for using a third party vendor over the people what Disabilities Act maybe Bob Iger should take a good look at that
It’s way better over Here in Disneyland Paris. You only get a priority card (their DAS system) with official documents. I look normal but have a hidden disabillity, in Paris you only have to show official papers and don’t need to explain why you need it (it spreaks for itself)
I do hope that people get the Disney difference at attitude adjustment because it's so so nice when I hear the people say "oh you got to ride splash mountain apparently I had great memories on that ride for a couple days" it's called an experience and having that happen instead of... "you're holding up the line friend... please move along." I hate the fact that I just had to fix it to be correct and it feels even worse now.
I do think the old system was being abused and it really did need an overhaul to protect against people who are not disabled taking advantage. But I think Disney went much too far, from one extreme to the other. I have Crohn’s myself, but am lucky. it isn’t so severe that I ever needed to apply. But it sounds like I would be out of luck if it got to that point.
@@artemismoon7655 personally, I don’t believe the level of abuse is anywhere near how extreme it seemed. Abuse of things like SSI are talked about all the time, but the level of abuse is actually under 1%. More people became disabled in recent years and more people became aware that this system existed as well
I have a gehandicaptenparkeerkaart/disabled parking pass (NL) and got a special pass at dpparis last year to skip ALL the lines. Has this changed to? I don't look and 'act' disabled but have chronic nerve pain after a c-section.
Yeah, I won’t be going to back until it changes (which may never happen). My friend with autism got denied, and I present similarly so I assume I would be too. I *need* that accommodation to go. So I guess I won’t go.
Thank you for this video. This new system is so ableist. I’m likely going to not renew my pass now. I’m autistic and guess what, it doesn’t go away when you turn 18. Shocker. The only way I could go to Disney and relatively enjoy my time was with DAS. I’m just tired of being told to shut up and deal with it.
I have multiple medical issues and am an ambulatory wheelchair user. I used to enjoy going to Disney world solo. Now I’m not going any more. My last interview, before the change, the CM told me that my heat intolerance wasn’t a reason for das because Florida is hot and I knew that when deciding to come. I had to leave a line last time I was at Disney and it was almost impossible as a wheelchair user. Also the medical professional is not a doctor or anything close to it.
That is like telling a blind person that they don't need the curb bumps to tell them where the curb is because they know there are streets. Unfortunately to get that interview, you had to agree not to sue.
The fact that they told you that you should’ve expected heat is awful. You also expected access that they denied you! Also thank you for letting me know about the medical professionals! I wasn’t aware it isn’t even a doctor who makes these decisions!
Unfortunately I feel Disney felt that their hand was forced on this. Disney didn’t just change the DAS program because they felt like it, it has worked great for them for many years. It was because they knew that the system was being abused by people who did not need it and making it harder for them to help people who actually needed the assistance. I speak from experience and think we can attest to seeing this program being exploited. I don’t think Disney is to blame here, I think they have and continue to make a concerted effort to ensure this program is what these guests need, and I feel this action is an extension of that. It is unfortunate that it is now more of a hassle for these DAS eligible guests, and I do think Disney has some room for improvement. But the old system no longer worked due to exploitation by certain guests.
So let me see if I understand you correctly. Disney had a system that worked very well for disabled people, and was not being abused. Then DISNEY added what is basically a paid version for non disabled people. Non disabled frauds realized that they could scam the system, and get the paid perk for free by faking a disability. Disney's response was to do NOTHING to the non disabled frauds scamming the system, but to punish disabled people for what the non disabled frauds did by removing a much needed accommodation. Oh, and Disney just happens to make bank on it by charging for the accommodation, but it is completely altruistic. 🙄 Have you always been this gullible, or is Disney paying you?
People keep claiming it’s because of exploitation but how on earth can you prove that every single person using DAS did or didn’t need it. I have invisible illnesses and I’m neurodivergent and both of these things you can’t tell by just looking at me, yet I still need DAS. The percentage of people faking it was not nearly as high as everyone made it out to be. And we as disabled people shouldn’t be punished with a bad system because of a few bad actors. It’s not fair and it’s not accessible.
While there were absolutely cases of exploitation in the DAS system, I feel like focusing on the abuse is focusing on the 1% of users. Plus unless we are in a person’s body, we cannot have a full understanding of whether or not accommodations were needed. The best way to accommodate all disabled people is to let in the 1% of fakers and I personally believe it would be worth the abuse to do so.
If Disney really cared about “stamping out the liars”, they could’ve gone the Universal route where you can provide medical documentation-which Disney refuses to look at. But they refuse to do so.
A lot of people claim DAS was being abused because DAS usage increased significantly when fastpass went away and genie was implemented. I thought that too until I saw an interesting comment. Maybe many people who might have qualified for DAS in the past didn’t use it because fastpass was a good enough accommodation. Personal anecdote, I would have qualified for years before I started using it but I didn’t try because I was on my sister’s DAS. I will add, a lot more people acquired the disability label after having covid. I’m not wanting to argue whether or not those people should qualify for DAS but look at the data. There are a lot more people who are now considered disabled. Perhaps these two things explain a lot of the increase rather than just plain abuse. What troubles me most is many of us have chosen Disney as our vacation destination for years specifically because they have accommodated us so well.
My son gets Das but I disagree it is an absolute advantage. Yes we have to wait and maybe even longer but I can go to the store or grab food or even go on another ride that has no wait
I’m pretty sure it is against DAS rules to ride another ride while having a wait time, and this could result in a lifetime ban. So it’s really not a hack to ride more rides. Also respectfully, your son is the only one who can say whether DAS provides needed access or not. As the member of a DAS users group, you are not the one that needs the accommodations
@@spoonfulofsarah maybe now it is but the prior version allowed you to book 2 rides a day so most of the time you were riding other rides while you had a das selection. I haven’t been since the update so I can’t speak on that but it does still allow you time out of a line. Yes I understand the disabilty warrants that but it still gives you the opportunity to do other things. Also as a father of child that gets DAS I think I absolutely know what he needs as well as he doesn’t understand at his age what it really entails. I am all for it and really thinking about not going back unless it gets modified again but it does have its advantages that no one can argue.
You can ride another ride as long as you go through the standby line. That might mean at Epcot yo have a DAS for Remy but ride Figment on your way there if the standby wait time is short enough for you to tolerate. Edited to add, I’m talking about the Walt Disney World version. They had no restrictions regarding going on another ride while waiting. In my example Remy typically has a 60 minute wait while Figment is typically walk on so you would almost never need to use DAS for it.
@@paulhojnacki1287 The advantage for me at Walt Disney World was the flexible return time. If I felt uncomfortable with getting in the lightning lane line at my return time then I could wait and come back later. That flexibility had allowed me the possibility of going on 1 to 2 rides per day. My routine was to schedule a return time for an attraction as soon as I entered the park. Most days I never felt comfortable enough to get in the lightning lane line so I didn’t ride but knowing I had a return time was extremely comforting.
Disney is not a right, though. If you can get to Disney, you can wait in line like everyone else. Or pay for LL like everyone else. Having "accommodations" doesn't mean free lightening lane.
@@blueable1 Disney is not a right. Accessibility is a right and it should rank HIGHER than people who can pay to skip lines, not lower. We should be aiming for equity at all times, in all places
@@spoonfulofsarah so free lightening lane for all? Because able-bodied people shouldn't have to pay more for the same accommodations that disabled people receive
@@blueable1 equity is about leveling the playing field. People who cannot wait in lines should have an option besides just not being able to access the parks at all. People who CAN wait in lines are not disadvantaged in this way, therefore they do not need the extra help. They should not be lumped in with the people who cannot wait in lines because this makes the system less effective for those people who need it. If you have a stepping stool, you should give it to the shorter person who needs it, not to the taller person just because they offered to pay for it. Thats equity.
@@blueable1 wow how original! Also I’m fat because of a medication my doctor put me on BECAUSE of my disability so you’re a little backwards there! Also, there’s nothing stopping people except the fact that it would be incredibly wrong! There’s nothing stopping people the way that it is now! The best way to properly accommodate disabled people is to use self attesting and hope that people are willing to be good people! In disability benefits, less than 1% of claims are fraudulent, so most people make the right decision, it’s just that we hear about the fakers much more than we hear about the people who actually need accommodations!
FANTASTIC video! You made so many good points! Disney's new policy is not only ableist but cruel and demeaning! They have alienated so many people with these changes and they don't seem to realize it. They need to actually consult with their disabled guests, to find out why the DAS system wasn't working the way it was, instead of limiting the accessibility to one very narrow sliver of the disabled community when SO many more people truly do need it. If they thought about it logically, they would see that they're losing out on a lot of money turning away people who are disabled and their families, who will end up refusing to pay for Disney trips at all! We're not going to pay even more than before for so much less magic!
Well done!!! A few things to add. The "medical professional" they have you speak to isn't necessarily a doctor. They may also be nurses. They don't really tell you unless you ask. Of course, if you ask and start trying to figure out the qualifications of this person they will not tell you or hang up on you. Also, the cast members now working in DAS are NOT a lot of the same people. Accessibility Services is an entirely new 'department'. Prior to the change, DAS was administered by Guest Services (people in plaid). With the change, all decision making regarding DAS was taken away from Guest Services. The new staff in DAS are just that... new. They are wearing blue shirts. Many of these people are transferred from other roles in the parks because it was a raise in pay from jobs like janitorial. However, it doesn't pay like the guest services roles do. So, the people who have been trained in Guest Services, and are amazing, wouldn't transfer. I was told this by a guest services cast member. Some of DAS Management may be former guest services, but not necessarily. The "medical professionals" they have you talk to are NOT Disney employees. They are third-parties who work for a company called Inspire Health Alliance.
The biggest issue, aside from the crazy denials, is the completely inconsistency with those being approved. I was denied. I am Autistic. By all accounts, I should have been approved again. I was told I didn't qualify because I understood the concept of a line, and because I didn't have a caregiver. A LOT of people with Autism are being told something similar. That's insanely ridiculous, of course. I mean, I understand the idea of brain surgery. That doesn't mean I can do it. But if that truly was a parameter to qualify, though, then why not publish that so people know? Well, the funny thing is, they are still approving plenty of adults with Autism, such as @ChristinasMagicalMoments. There are many others, too. And that's wonderful for them! But the inconsistency is insane. They are putting guests through interrogations, likely triggering meltdowns, just to deny them. It's irresponsible.
But the insane part is that, they are telling people who struggle to communicate, that they need to... communicate, and tell people their issues in order to get assistance. They are actually taking disabled people and forcing them to hurt themselves. An attorney told me this week that it's like telling a paraplegic person that they can walk if they really try and believe. Or giving a blind person a printed (non-brailled) map and telling them to figure it out. Obviously, these are inappropriate and noneffective accommodations. Providing ineffective accommodation doesn't make them ADA complaints.
He further explained it like this: Imagine wanting to get on the ferry to Tom Sawyer's island. You are a paraplegic in a wheelchair. All you need to do it wheel on the the raft with everyone, right? Oh, no! See, the raft is for people who really need it. They randomly decided you don't need it and you can swim across the river instead. You tell them you can't swim, and you don't understand why you can't ride the ferry with everyone else. They tell you that you simply don't meet the requirements for using the raft, even though you've been on it many times before, and refuse to elaborate further. You just want to go to the island. They say, "Well maybe the island isn't the right place you. Have you thought about the submarine ride instead? You insist that you want to go to the island and you cannot swim. They just push you in the river and say, "Figure it out."
Yes, it's ridiculous. Of course this would never happen.
Yet that's exactly what the DAS people are doing to people. They are forcing people to hurt themselves through ineffective and inappropriate accommodations, when a perfectly adequate one is readily available.
Another thing a lot of people are saying is that Disney is 100% ADA complaint and they don't need to provide DAS, any everyone who is getting denied clearly doesn't need it and they are just upset for not getting what they want. That's 100% incorrect... well.... 90%. It IS true that Disney doesn't need to offer DAS. They do not. BUT...BUT... they DO offer it, and they offer it as an accommodation for disabled guests. Therefore, such an accommodation becomes subject to Title III of the ADA, which requires business to offer customers equal access to good and services. Also, just because they may be complaint as it relates to physical barriers doesn't make them 100% ADA complaint. The ADA is more than wheelchair access, much more. And as for 'not liking' their decision? That's nonsense. If they are denying guests equal access to good and services, it's a violation of the law, plain and simple. By advertising an accommodation for Autistic guests, then denying Autism guests the service, while approving others, that's a clear preferential system, and unequal application.
Okay, rant over. Sorry. When I start typing, I write novels. I can't help it. And yes, I realize I do this and that it annoys people. I don't mean to, but details matter (to me, anyway). Thanks Autism.
Thank you so much for this comment! There’s so much good information here that I wasn’t aware of and the way you explained it all was so clear!
Fellow autistic here, I very much enjoyed this detailed analysis. Thank you for your service. 🫡
My son has autism and epliepsy and we use DAS. I have to say I think they are doing the best they can between helping those in need and those who are abusing it. I also think it is absurd to state that a virtual queue is the same as standing in line. You can explore the park for 60 minutes, have lunch or even get on a ride with a short wait time while waiting for your reservation. It isn't close to waiting on line, it is a huge benefit to those with disabilities. The real issue here is distingusihing between fraud and genuine need and it is incredibly hard with the current laws.
Thank you for your time creating this and being so thorough. I previously had DAS and without it we are giving up our annual passes. It isn't an option for us anymore. WDW made it clear that they do not care what the result is for their customers. We've repeatedly emailed. The emails are ignored.
I’m so sorry this was your experience. Everyone deserves access to the parks
Same, I’ve emailed general feedback/sentiments-same copy/paste every time.
Thank you for the amazing video! Were a family of autistics and, even with DAS, our trip
To Disneyland last year was challenging to put it mildly, in particular to our kid. Naively, we’ve booked another one, we’re coming from AUSTRALIA, and now I’m in the verge of a panic attack, wishing I had looked this up before hand. I honestly have no idea what we gonna do if we’re denied, it will be a mammoth waste of our money and time, not mentioning having having a 6yo’s heartbroken for not being able to (partially) enjoy Disney again.
Utterly and completely unacceptable.
Thank you for using your spoons to advocate for the disabled community ❤
I dont particularly care about the disney company, but i do care about people. The fact that this dumbass company thinks they can determine who is "disabled enough" to need accomidations is so infuriating! Especially putting that responsibility on random cast members who arent educated on disabilities and not actual doctors 😭. i genuinely hope disney fixes their shit for all the people who need das passes, yall deserve better ❤
Everyone deserves to experience the parks no matter what. It’s wild how poorly they treat disabled people.
I'm a WDW AP and this is one of the main reasons why I probably won't renew my AP next year when it lapses in January. With Universal becoming the more accommodating parks chain, and with Epic Universe opening in the Spring, I think I'll be taking my spending money there. Obviously, DIsney doesn't value people like me anymore, so it's their loss. And I spend a LOT of money in the parks, even though Disney doesn't seem to value their APs and assume we don't spend. I buy snacks, coffee, meals, pins, ears, and other merch, and I go to a lot of separately ticketed events. But I'm not going to continue doing so somewhere that doesn't want to accommodate for my needs or doesn't value me as an AP.
Even if no one got me, I know Universal got me.
Yes, Disneyland is horribly failing the disabled population, even well before you get inside the parks. With the addition of the Pixar Pals parking structure, there were no Handicap spaces allotted in that structure. Some people argue that there are some on the ground floor, but that is in the Tram Storage area and is not accessible. Additionally, Disney offset this lack of spaces by putting up temporary signs that say “Handicap Only Beyond this Point”, suggesting that standard size spaces will meet the specific needs of most handicap visitors. And because it is not official signage, nobody, not even police can do anything if someone parks in one of those spots without a handicap placard or plates. So, first Disney does this to prevent handicap patrons from accessing parking. Then there is DAS. I was denied both before and after the changes to DAS because my mobility disability “did not fit their primary purpose of DAS”. So, I continue to use the return-time option at some rides. Or I pick rides with short wait times to reduce standing time. In the past I have used a mobility scooter or wheelchair, but other guests can be quite rude and even cause injury. Even when I used a cane to enter the haunted mansion at my designated return time, letting me in the entrance in front of others waiting in line, I had a guest wait until the light went low in the stretching room, then came over and pushed me, nearly knocking me over. Cast members did nothing about the attack. I do go often, but rarely ride more than 2 rides. Disney has made it much harder for handicap patrons to get the same value and enjoyment from the parks, instead offering opportunities to spend more for very little improvement, or insisting that we take remedies that are demeaning and insulting. I’m shocked that any cast member or contractor would say someone with Crohn’s disease should just “wear a diaper”. 1) that’s disgusting that anyone should settle for soiling themselves as an option, and 2) having had a close relative with Crohn’s , if you have a colostomy bag, that’s not how it works. Lastly, Disney has failed to respond to complaints about the practices and behaviors that limit handicapped patrons, instead making disingenuous public statements of inclusion.
I am able bodied (in this context) and have zero feelings about disabled folks getting so “skip a line”, in fact it’s weird to me for them to put to you in the fast pass line when the whole point is that waiting in the line is difficult, painful, etc.
Thank you! I absolutely agree that the FastPass line is not the right place to put DAS users!
Thank you! I have epilepsy, and while I’m somewhat controlled, waiting in line for Jungle Cruise or Haunted Mansion can (and has) caused me to pass out or sieze because of the standing and heat. It’s an invisible illness, and it drives me crazy that I don’t look “sick enough” for Disney. And the whole leave the ride? Great, have a full on Grad Mal in the back nook of Peter Pan, try and get for safety, than return? Whole mess.
I have a feeding tube and I have epilepsy and what they call psychogenic non-epileptic seizures so what I'm afraid of is if I go in a regular line cuz I also have mobility issues but what I'm more afraid of is s standing in the line and if somebody send me with my tube it might fall out are with my epilepsy in my psychogenic non-epileptic seizures I could go into a seizure and nobody would know except for the people that I'm with
This is the reason why I won't go back to Walt Disney World
My family just went through the process to obtain it. My dad has had the service for 8 years, Disney recommended it to my dad! He was denied after a professional said he didn’t qualify…even though he has severe hearing loss that causes him to freak out like a child with autism basically. He can’t comprehend where sounds are coming from and causes extreme anxiety. His cast member was right away telling him about alternate options. I personally have never applied or used it for my own cognitive issues…I have ADHD/OCD/Anxiety. I wasn’t hopeful after my dad’s experience. But I do experience anxiety standing in long lines and again my dad’s DAS was how I skipped and just experienced things he wanted to do. When even asked “How do you avoid crowds on the transportation?” I walk! And it’s 100% true! To my relief, I was granted. And even more information being an AP holder you have 8 months before having to renew the pass. And they also will have you on record that you applied and were granted.
This is why I’ll never go back to Disney
Thanks so much for this video, I think it will go a long way to help dispel what most people think DAS is and how it really works. It definitely is NOT skipping the line.
Anyway, I have a couple mental health issues that can effect heart issues that I have been dealing with for years now, and had used DAS for a number of years before the changes. I tried to explain what happens when anxiety induced stress causes my heart arrhythmia issues to be aggravated and have even gone out of control at times in the past, which causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, sudden weakness all over, feeling dizzy and fog headed. It can ruin the rest of my day whenever this happens. Thankfully it hasn't happened at DLand Resort for the whole time I had DAS, and THAT is the point. Without DAS, I am afraid of what will happen. I'm a local and MK holder, but after I was denied in July after my DAS under the old system expired and I went to try to renew it, we've only gone twice..the day I was denied, and then we went to the Oogie Boogie Bash (which my brother had already bought tickets for). I only rode 1 ride that night, and it was the Haunted Mansion (via virtual que) after we left the Bash, so I didn't ride anything at DCA. It wasn't the same for me.
Like you, I love the parks, and I always will love them....but Disney Corporate is a Villianous Bully to me now, who has Betrayed the Disabled Community. Unless and until they fix this and go back to having DAS as it was before (or at least as close to it as possible), my brother nor I will be renewing our Magic Keys in late January.
I'm praying something will be done before then because I do love the parks, Disney Movies, etc. I just GREATLY DISLIKE (hate is a strong word) Disney Corporate, and how they are treating us now.
While I’m glad what I said resonated with people, I’m so sorry that this was your experience recently. DAS was meant to prevent medical episodes like what you described and it’s awful that you were denied. I hope that Disney changes their ways and we’re able to enjoy the parks again soon
I had an annual pass at Walt Disney World in 2008 they put my grandmother in the back way it was very hot in the summer my problems are a little bit more hidden and they made me go into the standby line and I knew my past was coming up for Renewal so I walked out of there because of what happened that day I said never again
I agree with everything you said.
Why is Disney trying to burn their reputation so hard? It feels like the current leadership is trying to cause a massive backlash.
The park budget cuts, the Disney+ wrongful death lawsuit, the DAS cuts... Why?
You know Universal Studios got sued in California for using a third party vendor over the people what Disabilities Act maybe Bob Iger should take a good look at that
Disney missed the mark. They were so helpful to people with disabilities and this new system is BS
Thank you for making this video and actually making the CEO looks so bad
You know what if they would have told me that I can leave the line to have a seizure I would have broke off of National Lampoon's Vacation line
This was a fantastic update on this issue! Thanks for the shoutout, and for continuing to speak up for our community!
@@MamaZebra Thank you!!
Didn't the old system already had in place if you were caught abusing the system you were banned from the parks
It’s way better over Here in Disneyland Paris. You only get a priority card (their DAS system) with official documents. I look normal but have a hidden disabillity, in Paris you only have to show official papers and don’t need to explain why you need it (it spreaks for itself)
I do hope that people get the Disney difference at attitude adjustment because it's so so nice when I hear the people say "oh you got to ride splash mountain apparently I had great memories on that ride for a couple days" it's called an experience and having that happen instead of... "you're holding up the line friend... please move along." I hate the fact that I just had to fix it to be correct and it feels even worse now.
Ha. My husband and I have both been denied after both of us have been granted DAS in the past. The “doctor” my husband spoke with was actually an LPN.
My dad was denied after using it for 8 years and Disney recommending it
May God bless you I hope you have a wonderful future
I love this video so much it’s so well written and detailed!!
When Bob Iger fired a whole bunch of people you should have expected this Bob Iger is a 🤡
I do think the old system was being abused and it really did need an overhaul to protect against people who are not disabled taking advantage. But I think Disney went much too far, from one extreme to the other.
I have Crohn’s myself, but am lucky. it isn’t so severe that I ever needed to apply. But it sounds like I would be out of luck if it got to that point.
@@artemismoon7655 personally, I don’t believe the level of abuse is anywhere near how extreme it seemed. Abuse of things like SSI are talked about all the time, but the level of abuse is actually under 1%. More people became disabled in recent years and more people became aware that this system existed as well
@@spoonfulofsarahAnd many people found the old fastpass system accommodated them well enough so they didn’t apply for DAS.
Thank you for this! You have done this better than anything else I have found. We can beat this. One ant is not strong, but all the ants are mighty!
I have a gehandicaptenparkeerkaart/disabled parking pass (NL) and got a special pass at dpparis last year to skip ALL the lines. Has this changed to? I don't look and 'act' disabled but have chronic nerve pain after a c-section.
The system has only changed in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, so thankfully, I believe you should still be good in Disneyland Paris!
Best explanation I have seen. Thank you!
Yeah, I won’t be going to back until it changes (which may never happen). My friend with autism got denied, and I present similarly so I assume I would be too. I *need* that accommodation to go. So I guess I won’t go.
Thank you for this video. This new system is so ableist. I’m likely going to not renew my pass now. I’m autistic and guess what, it doesn’t go away when you turn 18. Shocker. The only way I could go to Disney and relatively enjoy my time was with DAS. I’m just tired of being told to shut up and deal with it.
Thank you for putting out this content and new information about Disney.
So the old DAS pass used to basically be like the old fast pass system, that seems fair to me
Hi I have autism and was denied DAS and just was told to pick up headphones in the park :(
Try again. My dad was denied and I was given it. I am not autistic, but have severe ADHD/OCD.
@@WickedlyMe328You can only try again once now. If you get denied the second time, you cannot reapply for 120 days.
Great video :)
Can’t believe I caught this video at such low views
I have multiple medical issues and am an ambulatory wheelchair user. I used to enjoy going to Disney world solo. Now I’m not going any more. My last interview, before the change, the CM told me that my heat intolerance wasn’t a reason for das because Florida is hot and I knew that when deciding to come. I had to leave a line last time I was at Disney and it was almost impossible as a wheelchair user. Also the medical professional is not a doctor or anything close to it.
That is like telling a blind person that they don't need the curb bumps to tell them where the curb is because they know there are streets. Unfortunately to get that interview, you had to agree not to sue.
The fact that they told you that you should’ve expected heat is awful. You also expected access that they denied you! Also thank you for letting me know about the medical professionals! I wasn’t aware it isn’t even a doctor who makes these decisions!
4 Shane Bob Iger
Thank you!!! 💖
Unfortunately I feel Disney felt that their hand was forced on this. Disney didn’t just change the DAS program because they felt like it, it has worked great for them for many years. It was because they knew that the system was being abused by people who did not need it and making it harder for them to help people who actually needed the assistance. I speak from experience and think we can attest to seeing this program being exploited. I don’t think Disney is to blame here, I think they have and continue to make a concerted effort to ensure this program is what these guests need, and I feel this action is an extension of that. It is unfortunate that it is now more of a hassle for these DAS eligible guests, and I do think Disney has some room for improvement. But the old system no longer worked due to exploitation by certain guests.
So let me see if I understand you correctly. Disney had a system that worked very well for disabled people, and was not being abused. Then DISNEY added what is basically a paid version for non disabled people. Non disabled frauds realized that they could scam the system, and get the paid perk for free by faking a disability. Disney's response was to do NOTHING to the non disabled frauds scamming the system, but to punish disabled people for what the non disabled frauds did by removing a much needed accommodation. Oh, and Disney just happens to make bank on it by charging for the accommodation, but it is completely altruistic. 🙄
Have you always been this gullible, or is Disney paying you?
People keep claiming it’s because of exploitation but how on earth can you prove that every single person using DAS did or didn’t need it. I have invisible illnesses and I’m neurodivergent and both of these things you can’t tell by just looking at me, yet I still need DAS. The percentage of people faking it was not nearly as high as everyone made it out to be. And we as disabled people shouldn’t be punished with a bad system because of a few bad actors. It’s not fair and it’s not accessible.
While there were absolutely cases of exploitation in the DAS system, I feel like focusing on the abuse is focusing on the 1% of users. Plus unless we are in a person’s body, we cannot have a full understanding of whether or not accommodations were needed. The best way to accommodate all disabled people is to let in the 1% of fakers and I personally believe it would be worth the abuse to do so.
If Disney really cared about “stamping out the liars”, they could’ve gone the Universal route where you can provide medical documentation-which Disney refuses to look at. But they refuse to do so.
A lot of people claim DAS was being abused because DAS usage increased significantly when fastpass went away and genie was implemented. I thought that too until I saw an interesting comment. Maybe many people who might have qualified for DAS in the past didn’t use it because fastpass was a good enough accommodation. Personal anecdote, I would have qualified for years before I started using it but I didn’t try because I was on my sister’s DAS. I will add, a lot more people acquired the disability label after having covid. I’m not wanting to argue whether or not those people should qualify for DAS but look at the data. There are a lot more people who are now considered disabled. Perhaps these two things explain a lot of the increase rather than just plain abuse.
What troubles me most is many of us have chosen Disney as our vacation destination for years specifically because they have accommodated us so well.
My son gets Das but I disagree it is an absolute advantage. Yes we have to wait and maybe even longer but I can go to the store or grab food or even go on another ride that has no wait
I’m pretty sure it is against DAS rules to ride another ride while having a wait time, and this could result in a lifetime ban. So it’s really not a hack to ride more rides. Also respectfully, your son is the only one who can say whether DAS provides needed access or not. As the member of a DAS users group, you are not the one that needs the accommodations
@@spoonfulofsarah maybe now it is but the prior version allowed you to book 2 rides a day so most of the time you were riding other rides while you had a das selection. I haven’t been since the update so I can’t speak on that but it does still allow you time out of a line. Yes I understand the disabilty warrants that but it still gives you the opportunity to do other things. Also as a father of child that gets DAS I think I absolutely know what he needs as well as he doesn’t understand at his age what it really entails. I am all for it and really thinking about not going back unless it gets modified again but it does have its advantages that no one can argue.
You can ride another ride as long as you go through the standby line. That might mean at Epcot yo have a DAS for Remy but ride Figment on your way there if the standby wait time is short enough for you to tolerate.
Edited to add, I’m talking about the Walt Disney World version. They had no restrictions regarding going on another ride while waiting. In my example Remy typically has a 60 minute wait while Figment is typically walk on so you would almost never need to use DAS for it.
@@paulhojnacki1287 The advantage for me at Walt Disney World was the flexible return time. If I felt uncomfortable with getting in the lightning lane line at my return time then I could wait and come back later. That flexibility had allowed me the possibility of going on 1 to 2 rides per day. My routine was to schedule a return time for an attraction as soon as I entered the park. Most days I never felt comfortable enough to get in the lightning lane line so I didn’t ride but knowing I had a return time was extremely comforting.
Second comment let’s goooooooo. Love you!
Disney is not a right, though. If you can get to Disney, you can wait in line like everyone else. Or pay for LL like everyone else. Having "accommodations" doesn't mean free lightening lane.
@@blueable1 Disney is not a right. Accessibility is a right and it should rank HIGHER than people who can pay to skip lines, not lower. We should be aiming for equity at all times, in all places
@@spoonfulofsarah so free lightening lane for all? Because able-bodied people shouldn't have to pay more for the same accommodations that disabled people receive
@@blueable1 equity is about leveling the playing field. People who cannot wait in lines should have an option besides just not being able to access the parks at all. People who CAN wait in lines are not disadvantaged in this way, therefore they do not need the extra help. They should not be lumped in with the people who cannot wait in lines because this makes the system less effective for those people who need it. If you have a stepping stool, you should give it to the shorter person who needs it, not to the taller person just because they offered to pay for it. Thats equity.
@@spoonfulofsarah Then what is stopping everyone from saying they are disabled? And no, your obesity is not a disability.
@@blueable1 wow how original! Also I’m fat because of a medication my doctor put me on BECAUSE of my disability so you’re a little backwards there! Also, there’s nothing stopping people except the fact that it would be incredibly wrong! There’s nothing stopping people the way that it is now! The best way to properly accommodate disabled people is to use self attesting and hope that people are willing to be good people! In disability benefits, less than 1% of claims are fraudulent, so most people make the right decision, it’s just that we hear about the fakers much more than we hear about the people who actually need accommodations!
Third