We’ve acquired over 200 questions concerning the overhaul of Incapacity Entry Service (DAS) at Walt Disney World and Disneyland that can roll out within the subsequent couple of months. This FAQ solutions widespread inquiries about eligibility modifications, mechanics of how DAS will (and gained’t) work, causes for brand new insurance policies, how they need to minimize down on Lightning Lane abuse and misuse, and far more.
This comes as a follow-up to the long-awaited information that Disney is as soon as once more redoing DAS at Walt Disney World and Disneyland due largely to abuse and proliferation of this system’s use. That article covers plenty of floor concerning the specifics of the new-look Incapacity Entry Service, plus our commentary about winners & losers, in addition to collateral injury and extra.
Sadly, that article can also be practically 4,500 phrases lengthy. Brevity is hardly this web site’s sturdy swimsuit, so a prolonged publish is pretty unsurprising. Besides on this case, I had one other 1,500+ phrases that had been misplaced left on the chopping block–and I may’ve devoted one other 2,000 phrases to answering reader questions. As a substitute, I assumed I’d put collectively an FAQ that might try to be as concise as attainable–and likewise be simpler to navigate so you’ll be able to skim and bypass questions that don’t apply to you.
This combines public data that Walt Disney World has launched, questions we’ve been in a position to get answered throughout discussions with Disney’s crew engaged on the DAS overhaul, knowledgeable hypothesis based mostly on studying between the traces of the insurance policies, sensible realities of ADA compliance, and extra.
That is nonetheless going to be an extended one, so let’s dig proper into the FAQ…
How do you register for DAS?
Registration is accessible by way of reside video chat.
Communicate with a Forged Member by way of reside video chat to find out eligibility not more than 30 days prematurely of a park go to.
Is in-person same-day registration out there at Walt Disney World?
No and sure. Similar day registration continues to be out there by visiting Visitor Relations, however it won’t be in-person within the sense that you simply’ll be talking face-to-face with a Forged Member contained in the park. You’ll be directed to a location and given a tool to conduct the reside video chat. It’ll work precisely like it will from outdoors the park, besides you’ll be squandering precious trip time to take action.
On condition that alone–and the opportunity of this taking additional time based mostly on demand–we extremely suggest going the pre-arrival route at Walt Disney World. Nothing goes to vary, outcome-wise, with getting or not getting DAS. It’s simply the place you’re taking the time to undergo the method.
Visitors visiting now by Might 19 might go to a theme park Visitor Relation location to talk with a Forged Member. In-person registration will not be out there at theme park Visitor Relations areas beginning Might 20, 2024.
What’s the utmost DAS get together dimension?
DAS registration most get together dimension is the registered DAS visitor and all members of their quick household (dad and mom and siblings), however in any other case as much as 3 further get together members, for a complete of 4 individuals.
Because of this if the DAS visitor brings each of their dad and mom, three sisters, and two brothers (complete get together dimension of 8)–that’s superb. But when a DAS visitor brings each dad and mom and one sibling (complete get together dimension of 4), they’d NOT additionally be capable of carry their two grandparents who footed the invoice for the journey.
As soon as outdoors the nuclear household, the get together dimension cap is 4 individuals, and that features the DAS visitor. (This isn’t speculative–I confirmed with Disney because it was a query we had been getting lots.)
How lengthy is DAS legitimate?
DAS is legitimate for the size of the ticket or as much as 120 days, whichever is shorter. As soon as the DAS interval has elapsed, company must re-register for this system.
For company visiting from April 9 by Might 19, 2024, DAS is legitimate for as much as 30 days, or when a brand new ticket is required.
For which disabilities is DAS meant?
In keeping with Walt Disney World, “DAS is meant to accommodate a small share of company who, attributable to a developmental incapacity like autism or related, are unable to attend in a traditional queue for an prolonged time period.”
This line (or a variation thereof) will be discovered repeatedly all through Walt Disney World’s new DAS sources. From that, it’s clear that they’re attempting to recalibrate expectations concerning the meant recipients of DAS.
Does that imply that DAS has been narrowed in scope to solely company with developmental disabilities?
Not fully. In the course of the video chat, Encourage Well being Alliance’s well being professionals will work with Disney Forged Members to find out eligibility for acceptable lodging and be certain that these lodging are offered just for the company for whom they’re meant.
This may imply having a personalised dialog about every visitor’s distinctive wants and the providers they could require to find out whether or not DAS is acceptable or whether or not the visitor ought to be directed to different sorts of providers out there, together with however not restricted to a line-return choice for company who might have to go to the restroom with higher frequency, ASL decoding providers, and wheelchair or different mobility gadget entry.
This will likely sound imprecise and unclear, and that’s partly by (Disney’s) design. Simply remember the fact that the ADA requires companies which can be open to the general public to make cheap modifications to insurance policies, practices, and procedures the place wanted. In case your particular person circumstances are such {that a} totally different lodging shouldn’t be appropriate and solely DAS will be just right for you, for no matter purpose, it’s prone to be the lodging you’re granted, developmental incapacity or not.
The premise of my conclusion shouldn’t be essentially something Walt Disney World has stated, though there are a number of wiggle phrases (customized conversations, every company distinctive wants, and many others.) that counsel requests will likely be evaluated on a case-by-case foundation. Furthermore, there’s the matter of federal legislation, which Disney clearly has the nice sense (and authorized crew!) to know to not violate.
So DAS gained’t be issued to fewer company with precise disabilities?
That is the place issues get tough. It’s a near-certainty that fewer truly disabled company will likely be deemed eligible for DAS. Whereas Disney gained’t outright say as a lot, that’s clearly one purpose of those modifications.
Nevertheless, this has much less to do with a altering of who qualifies for lodging and extra to do with the method for evaluating DAS requests. Previously, it was not very rigorous and was kind of a rubber stamping as soon as sure phrases had been stated.
This additionally was by design, particularly in-park the place Visitor Relations Forged Members got the unenviable activity of evaluating DAS requests. It was higher for them to err on the facet of asking too little and issuing DAS too typically, each as a matter of legislation and the 4 Keys.
Consequently, DAS was issued to legitimately disabled company in lots of eventualities the place different lodging had been out there. These company weren’t abusers (we dubbed them “unwitting misusers” in our earlier publish about DAS) as their requests had been real, they usually had been merely following established process. If reevaluated as soon as the brand new insurance policies take impact, a lot of them wouldn’t obtain DAS. So briefly, the anticipated final result is decreasing the frequency with which DAS is issued.
Will these modifications completely eradicate abuse?
Positively not. There’s no good DAS system, and reform can’t be narrowly tailor-made in such a manner that it solely hurts the abusers. That simply isn’t lifelike. The unhappy actuality is that some scammers are extremely intelligent and can at all times discover a strategy to exploit a loophole and outfox a system. The extra Disney clamps all the way down to attempt to cease them, the extra disabled company turn into unintended casualties, and the extra possible it’s that the system runs afoul of the ADA.
There’s no flawless technique of eliminating abuse. The perfect I can consider is definitely stigmatizing the losers who abuse DAS so that they’re not as loud and pleased with their terrible actions. However in a world the place actuality tv and social media fame seemingly reward the worst of society, that too appears unrealistic.
Why isn’t Disney utilizing IBCCES?
Walt Disney World shouldn’t be utilizing the Worldwide Board of Credentialing and Persevering with Training Requirements (IBCCES) Points of interest Help Go that has turn into considerably of an business commonplace. Many different parks have switched to this, together with Common Orlando.
With IBCCES, company should join earlier than their go to and add documentation for evaluate. Upon qualifying by way of IBCCES for the Points of interest Help Go, the theme park operators then contact them about lodging they could want. It’s nearly definitely a extra rigorous system that decreases the chance of abuse.
It is usually extra controversial. There has already been litigation in California involving IBCCES, with one lawsuit specializing in the pre-planning requirement. There are additionally issues about the usage of an middleman with regard to medical privateness and extra. I might not be in the least shocked if there’s extra litigation involving IBCCES. I gained’t fake to understand how that can all be determined.
Not eager to be on the dropping facet of ADA circumstances, my sturdy suspicion is that Disney Authorized carried out litigation threat assessments on IBCCES and steered DAS in a special path because of this. I additionally wouldn’t be in the least shocked if the following DAS overhaul does contain IBCCES, ought to they prevail in pending and future litigation. All of that is purely speculative on my half.
Why isn’t Disney requiring medical paperwork?
Many disabled company have welcomed Walt Disney World requiring medical paperwork or proof of a incapacity as a way of decreasing abuse. Some say that is hardly burdensome, as they want this for a lot of points of their day-to-day lives. Just a few indicated they’ve even introduced this to Visitor Relations up to now, and Forged Members truly refused to take a look at it.
That is additionally all by design. Simply as Walt Disney World doesn’t wish to run afoul of the ADA, they don’t wish to violate the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA, not HIPPA). Primarily based on my admittedly restricted understanding of public well being and administrative legislation, I believe issues about HIPAA and its limiting issue are most likely overblown. It’s not a blanket prohibition on disclosures (particularly voluntary ones) or requests to supply documentation for substantiation or to supply the bases for a request for lodging.
Nonetheless, HIPAA acts as a robust incentive for companies to deal with medical data with nice care. It’s additionally necessary to do not forget that Disney insurance policies must be applied by Forged Members, presenting the chance for human error or oversight. On high of that, Disney is conservative and risk-averse with its insurance policies, which might be truthful–the corporate has a bullseye on its again in terms of litigation.
How will the brand new outlined “return to queue” course of for company who must exit the standby line and re-enter work?
Actually, I don’t know. It’s unclear whether or not this will likely be a digital system, a bodily flip card or one thing of that kind, contain higher Forged Member coaching and visitor communications or what.
It’s attainable that Walt Disney World hasn’t even totally found out the mechanics of how the “return to queue” course of will work, or aren’t prepared to debate it for no matter purpose. This was the primary I had even heard of this being within the pipeline, whereas a DAS overhaul has been in growth for some time. I’d be shocked if it’s digital or is something all that elaborate, however may very well be improper.
How will video calls work for worldwide guests?
Previously, worldwide guests have reported having points connecting with the video chats needed to finish the pre-arrival DAS course of. There are workarounds for this (VPN, and many others.) that might and may nonetheless work, though that’s not Walt Disney World’s official recommendation.
Disney’s suggestion is to finish the method by way of video chat upon arriving in america however earlier than coming to the parks. Failing that, there will likely be an in-park choice as mentioned above (iPads at Visitor Relations). So actually, you wish to determine a manner to do that earlier than attending to Walt Disney World and there’s no assure that the video chat will work overseas with out using a workaround.
Is DAS issued at Walt Disney World legitimate at Disneyland, or vice-versa?
DAS is legitimate solely on the coast the place it was issued. DAS issued at Walt Disney World shouldn’t be legitimate on the Disneyland Resort, and vice versa.
What occurs if statements made by company in the course of the DAS registration course of are discovered to be false?
Whether it is decided that any of the statements a Visitor made within the technique of acquiring DAS should not true, the Visitor will likely be completely barred from coming into Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any beforehand bought Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and different park services will likely be forfeited and never refunded.
Word that this isn’t a brand new coverage, and has been in place since (no less than) the modifications launched alongside Lightning Lanes. It’s most likely unenforceable (absent a visitor outright stating that they lied to a Forged Member), however I nonetheless want that Disney had been publicizing this extra.
The place do company obtain DAS return instances?
Visitors using DAS (and their get together members) could make return time alternatives proper from the My Disney Expertise app in the course of the day of their park go to. Registered company utilizing DAS and members of their get together will be capable of e book, redeem, change or cancel DAS return instances utilizing the My Disney Expertise app by way of a sensible cellphone or different sensible gadget.
If further help is required, company may receive return instances instantly from a Forged Member at any Visitor Relations or Visitor Expertise Workforce location (the blue umbrella stands, pictured above).
Can company nonetheless pre-register for experience return instances previous to their go to?
No. Solely after you’ve registered and entered the theme park, are you able to request your first return time.
What can company do throughout their digital wait?
Visitors using DAS can get pleasure from many different experiences all through Walt Disney World Resort throughout a DAS digital wait, akin to different rides, reveals, leisure, parades and character meet & greets. They’ll additionally take a relaxation in a break space, get one thing to eat or buy groceries.
Does DAS give company a bonus?
Sure. There’s been plenty of debate about this, however the reply is sure, statistically talking.
This has come out throughout previous litigation concerning the system, throughout which Walt Disney World indicated that company utilizing DAS expertise 45% extra sights than these with out DAS. On one of many days, the non-DAS testers waited in queues on common a complete of 255 minutes, whereas the DAS testers solely waited in line on common complete of 107 minutes, or simply below two hours.
Notably, this was in the course of the FastPass+ period, again when even the non-DAS group would’ve had entry to a model of line-skipping. If that check had been redone in the present day, the hole between standby company and DAS company would nearly definitely be higher.
Some Walt Disney World followers assume this isn’t the case as a result of DAS entails a digital wait in line. However a digital line permits company to be in two locations without delay, whereas somebody standing in a standby line is solely in that line. Clearly, precise outcomes are going to vary from individual to individual and lots of disabled company will accomplish far much less for a wide range of causes.
That is possible why some disabled company justifiably imagine DAS is solely leveling the enjoying subject, relatively than providing a bonus. The issue, once more, possible lies with the abusers who’re utilizing DAS to maximise their effectivity and aren’t disabled within the first place.
Is there a strategy to forestall DAS company from doing different sights throughout their digital wait?
In fact not. Walt Disney World shouldn’t be going to scan park tickets on the standby entrances of sights, restaurant and retail entrances (and many others), to cease DAS company from (successfully) being in two locations at one time. That’s an unworkable (proposed) answer.
Does the Visitor using DAS must be current to acquire a return time at a Visitor Relations or Visitor Expertise Workforce location?
No. Any member of the DAS-eligible visitor’s journey get together might receive a return time, however the visitor registered for DAS should be current and expertise the attraction with their get together.
Does a Visitor using DAS must experience the attraction on the actual return time listed?
No. DAS return instances should not restricted to a particular window and are legitimate till the park closes or an attraction closes for the day.
Can a Visitor have multiple energetic DAS return time at one time?
No. A visitor might solely have one DAS return time at a time. Visitors might receive one other return time for a similar or a special attraction 10 minutes after they redeem their earlier DAS choice.
Can a Visitor with an energetic DAS return time obtain a boarding group for one of many digital queue sights?
Sure. A visitor can maintain one energetic DAS return time and one digital queue boarding group on the similar time. When a visitor using DAS goes to the attraction with a digital queue, they, together with their get together, will communicate to a Forged Member on the attraction about accessing the queue.
All company within the get together might want to have efficiently joined the digital queue for that entry, not simply the DAS visitor.
Are these modifications being made to promote extra Lightning Lanes?
That’s a cynical evaluation, however most likely additionally an correct one. Perhaps not in the best way you assume, although.
One purpose is undoubtedly to push DAS abusers into buying Lightning Lanes, relatively than scamming a manner of getting them totally free. Much like how Disney+ has began a crackdown on password sharing. (I’d argue they’re not equal offenses on an moral degree, however each are breaking guidelines.)
Nevertheless, the belief that this may liberate stock to promote extra Lightning Lanes is usually improper. Genie+ promoting out is pretty uncommon, so the ‘extra stock’ angle for promoting extra Lightning Lanes solely applies to these dates. For many days, the limiting issue on Genie+ is demand–not provide. Particular person Lightning Lanes are a considerably totally different story in that they’re extra continuously supply-constrained, so this might have a much bigger influence on gross sales of these.
Will this enhance Lightning Lane availability?
That’s a special query, and the reply to that ought to be sure. Lightning Lane stock accounts for DAS customers and, it follows that fewer DAS customers means extra experience reservations allotted to paid Lightning Lanes.
That is how we heard about DAS modifications final fall within the first place. It’s our understanding that this can be a needed prerequisite earlier than shifting to pre-arrival Lightning Lane alternatives as a result of there’s a lot DAS abuse or misuse.
So why are these modifications truly taking place?
The quick reply is misuse and abuse.
Walt Disney World has publicly said that DAS utilization has tripled since 2019. Unbiased of that and previous to it, we acquired credible stories that the majority of Lightning Lane utilization is definitely not Genie+ company, however relatively, DAS. Simply to place that into perspective for individuals who may be inclined to imagine that DAS continues to be a low quantity within the grand scheme of issues or relative to Lightning Lanes as an entire. It’s not.
Why has DAS utilization exploded?
That is the extra difficult query and the explanations are undoubtedly multifaceted. For one factor, the prevalence of recognized developmental disabilities in kids have elevated considerably within the U.S. inhabitants as an entire since 2019. That may account for a slight enhance (~5%), however not a tripling. Different contributing components would come with pent-up demand and reputational consciousness, as Disney has a sterling monitor file in treating company with disabilities properly.
All of that pales compared to the principle perpetrator, which is free FastPass+ going away and being changed by paid Lightning Lanes. This new system and every subsequent value enhance thereof created a perverse incentive for dishonest the system. On the similar time, it additionally expanded the viewers for social media “hacks” about how one can skip the traces totally free. This, in flip, created its personal vicious cycle. As this DAS abuse content material proliferated, it additionally grew to become normalized by advantage of its ubiquity.
Abuse has at all times existed with DAS. The distinction is that previously, it was saved quiet as individuals acknowledged what they had been doing was immoral they usually’d be judged for it. Now, that stigma is basically gone. As a substitute of feeling (rightfully) ashamed of abusing a system meant for disabled company, individuals overtly boasted about it.
I’m not usually one to get preachy or advantage sign, however I’ll put this in no unsure phrases: individuals ought to be ashamed of abusing DAS, as what they’re doing is disgusting–it makes me hope karma is a factor. Whereas this can be a drawback of Disney’s personal doing and predictable consequence of shifting to paid Lightning Lanes (making them hardly innocent in the entire affair), that doesn’t make abusing DAS okay.
As we’ve stated numerous instances earlier than, queueing is a zero-sum sport. Abusing DAS shouldn’t be a victimless crime or “sticking it to the person” or no matter dumb justification the abusers would possibly use. There’s actually no good excuse for the abhorrent habits. Not solely is it unethical, however it additionally comes on the expense of fellow company, most notably these in reliable want of DAS who’ve to attend longer within the Lightning Lane or now may be caught within the crossfire of this crackdown.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about motels on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on Walt Disney World overhauling Incapacity Entry Service to scale back abuse and misuse? Do you assume the brand new partnership with Encourage Well being Alliance and different modifications will higher guarantee DAS is just going to those that really want it? If you happen to’ve used Incapacity Entry Service at Walt Disney World, what do you consider the expertise? Any questions not answered by this FAQ?
