A Cast Member at Disney has leaked the following information regarding the new Disability Assistance Service (DAS) at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. You see all CM’s started training on Tuesday 09/24/13, as reported on our Official Confirmation of the END of the GAC post.
It appears that the Kiosks are no more, and that this system is being driven my individual needs and not a blanket system like the previous one. While I do see some potential pitfalls, I think this system will be effective in removing some of the flagrant fraud the old system had.
I will be heading to the parks 10/09/13 at rope drop to report live on these changes, and test the system for myself. I will also start working on suggested itineraries utilizing the new DAS system for families with special needs children and for families with mobility issues.
Here is the unofficial leaked training information regarding the new DAS system for the Walt Disney World parks:
General Info
-Last day of Guest Assistance Card (GAC) program is Oct 8.
-First day of Disability Access Service (DAS) program is Oct 9.
-Years in the making, but was expedited with the publicity in May.
-Worked closely with AustimSpeaks, park leaders from both coasts, and other disability advocacy groups.
-Sole purpose is the create a consistent similar experience for all guests including making sure guests with disabilities had a much more extreme chance of doing EVERYTHING in the park when the average can hardly do it.
DAS Card Description
-Photo of DAS cardholder will be on the front along with name, date, location issued, and # of guests in the party.
-Guest must also sign a terms and conditions on the DAS card that says they understand how it works, that they won’t abuse it, use it for commercial gain, or give it to someone else. If they breach this contract, they can have it revoked.
-DAS cards can only be issued for up to a 7 day period or until the return time slots are filled up, including for pass holders.
-On the back are lots of return time slots, gone are the different stamps.
-Card will be paper and slightly larger than existing GAC card.
-Make-a-Wish and Give Kids the World guests will not use DAS. They will have a separate lanyard issues prior to their visit that will allow expedited waits. Nothing changes for these folks on how they access the attractions, only what they will use.
-Guests with a stroller being used a wheelchair sticker will not need a DAS unless they have other needs that warrant it. Attraction based procedures will used to accommodate these guests.
-Guests needing Front Row Seating will not need a DAS. Attraction based procedures and accommodation will be used.
-Guests who only have mobility issues will not need DAS. Attraction based procedures and accommodation will be used.
-The card also has a QR code making it easy for Guest Relations to reprint new ones with the information ready to go if needed.
-Guest limit is still only 6.
Procedures
-After getting a DAS card, guests will approach the attraction they wish to visit. Each attraction will have a cast member at the entrance to assist you. (Not a kiosk.)
-If the wait is less than 10 minutes, they are admitted through an alternate entrance or Fastpass queue.
-If the wait is more than 10 minutes, they are issued a return time on their DAS card.
-Return times will be based on the current posted wait time minus 10 minutes.
-Only 1 (one) active return time can be written on a DAS card placing you in a virtual standby queue. Just like a regular guest in a standby queue, you can’t be in multiple lines at once.
-The DAS card holder (photo and name) does not need to be present to receive a return time which allows families with children with autism a chance to stay clear of the attraction while a member gets the return time to avoid potential meltdowns by not getting to ride right away.
-Once the return time has arrived, you will arrive to the attractions alternate entrance or Fastpass line to redeem.
-Once a return time has been redeemed it is crossed off and no longer active allowing you get a new return time.
-Crossing off a return time also voids or cancels it to the equivalent of getting out of line.
-Fastpass & Fastpass+ are not tied to this program and can be used in conjunction.
-DAS Return Times have the same policy as a Fastpass when it comes to early arrivals, but they do not expire at a certain time of that day allowing those with special needs to not be restricted to returning back by a specific time if it doesn’t work for them. The catch however is that it will still remain active and additional return times can’t be gotten until it is used.
-The DAS card holder (photo and name) must be present and experiencing the attraction in order to use the return time. If the person isn’t present or choose to sit out and let their family ride, they will be turned away and potentially have their card revoked. After all, the card is design to assist the card holder and a few other companions or family members, but it is not designed solely assist the family or companions when the card holder chooses not to or can’t ride.
-If an attraction is broken, they can’t give you a return time. If you return and it’s broken, they will accommodate you by giving you a Fastpass to come back later and clearing your DAS return time to allow you to get another.
-If all your return slots get filled, you have to return to Guest Relations for a new one. (There are a bunch however.)
Additional Procedures
-Attractions that are not fully accessible through the standby queue may also have return cards. These are only for guests with wheelchairs, scooters, & strollers acting as wheelchairs who do not have a DAS card. Space Mountain is an example of a place that already does this, but additional attractions will soon be getting a similar procedure. The return times for these are just like DAS, but because they are attraction specific cards verses a global DAS card, you are able to grab multiple at once if you visit attractions that require it. Not all attractions will have this.
For decades, no one in the amusement park industry did anything for the disabled. So be thankful that they’re doing anything at all.
Have you heard if they are going to continue producing the GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES GUIDEBOOKS for each park?
Apparently there WILL still be kiosks, but only at the Disneyland Resort, not WDW, according to DLR cast members. The info you got was from a WDW cast member about no kiosks. Pity that Disneyland will get the harder system for our kids to handle.
We always got 2 GAC for our party of 5 – one for 3 people and one for 2 people – so that we could take the kids on different things. That seems to have stayed the same for us in this system.
I will now be using the FastPass system more though. I always left those for people traveling without the GAC since they can run out of FP for popular rides.
I would love to see a picture of this. It sounds like they will actually be writing the times on the card, and the card may physically get filled with crossed off times which means you have to go back to get a new one. I was hoping for something smaller than the GAC, not bigger since I don’t carry a bag and they already didn’t fit in a pocket. Hopefully they will work this system out so that it can get done electronically in the near future.
Thank you for the update.
It’s too bad that people were being dishonest and abusing the system. It sounds like Disney is trying to accommodate people as well as they possibly can. I’m sure that the program will be adjusted as issues arise. My own personal experience has been that the folks at Disney will bend over backwards to keep customers happy. (The honest customers, anyway!) I think allowing anyone in the party to get the pass for the group, rather than only the card holder, is a wonderful idea.
As a cast member I can see why people are concerned but remember there is some magic that can happen. There are many other things that can be done while you wait. Guests, please realize that the rides are only 1/4 of the guest experience. There are shops to look in with hidden mickeys to find all around, (ask a cast member to show you) there are things also in the shops to see besides things to buy. (Take a look at Aurora’s dress in Castle Cortier in Fantasyland. Watch the magic happen.) And if you like pick up some pixie dust on the way out. Perhaps a sample treat at the confectionery (we pass them out all the time. Go to the cotton candy machine and most of the time they will give you a little snippet of something sweet to eat!) Ask about the M & M game there. Lots of fun to play!! How about the great street shows? They are on main street and in Frontierland and in front of the castle etc.. What about Casey;s in the new Fantasyland? A great place to cool off and sit down to rest, plus lots of fun things to see!! Have you tired pin trading? A great way to talk to cast members and perhaps they will offer you something special. Let them know how they can help you pass the time. Have you tired the Sorcerers Apprentice card game? So much fun to play and not that much wait time. Just stop by the firehouse on the way in and pick up your cards. They are free to each guest so you can combined your cards and play in each land if you have a large group. There are numerous places throughout all the lands you can play and some are close to rides etc. There is always a fun time in the restaurants if you want to go to them. How about a nice ride around the Magic Kingdom on the train? There are stops in many lands and you can just take a nice ride to cool down and to see some things. How about having some great pictures taken by photo pass? You don’t have to buy them if you don’t want to. I send the link to my family and friends after our trips and have them see the fun we had and don’t buy a thing unless I really like the pictures.. Also you can ask photopass to take your picture with your camera. So many places for photos. Try the Sword in the Stone at Fantasyland.
Admittedly I don’t have a Autistic child so I don’t know how this will affect them. But I can say that the majority of the guests I speak with (with or without a special needs child) don’t understand the fullest depth that can be explored at Disney Parks. They come for the rides and miss so much of the rest. Sure, the rides are the number one reason but take a look at the amazing decorations! Could a camera with a journal/scrapbook help them record their experience as they are waiting for the next thing? There is also certain times when you can go and there will be less guests in the park therefore having a shorter wait time. Check online for the projected number of guest for your trip. It could be of great help to you to know what to expect when you get there. Evenings have less guest in the park, and you can get on “long wait” rides during the parade in a much shorter time. Speaking of the parade, most guests want to watch it on Main Street and while it is special there, it does go through Liberty Square and Frontierland which is much less crowded. Try the fireworks from Fantasyland (a different view for sure and much less crowded) or perhaps see them from them top of the Contemporary Resort. Perhaps it will mean you can’t do as much as you used to do, but that will give you a reason to come back another time. Limited Time Magic has shown us how much fun it is for Disney to have cool things to offer for a while and then they go away. It makes it special for that moment. Perhaps you will be there when there is something really unique to participate in. Cast Members will love to hear about what happened to you the last time you visited and try to help you find something just as great for this time!
And please be aware that Disney is always open to hearing feedback from guests. Guest Services is there to hear how your experience went and they will pass along your experience (good and bad) to those that make decisions. Any cast member for that matter is interested (or they should be) in how your trip is going. Let us know if we can help you. We are there to make sure it IS the Happiest Place on Earth, but I think they are trying to make it be so for everyone. It isn’t easy to do with so many people all at once. Let someone know if this isn’t working and I’m sure they will make some fair adjustments.
This is just my thoughts are I am reading what you are saying I think if you give everyone a chance to get used to the new system it will work well. Lots of things have changed at Disney from tap to pay to the new entrance brackets (So glad!! no more finger scans!!) all of them made to try and make the guest experience better for everyone.
Have a Magical Day!!
Thank you for the update. We will be back to DW on the 9th, all this really has had me upset on behalf of my son who has DS. We used the GAC, and was very appreciative of the help it gave being able to accomplish in a day what we would never have been able otherwise. I completely understand trying to curb the cheats, but I can’t see this being the way. What’s to keep everyone from getting a DAS, the cheats, frauds, the ones who caused this mess in the first place? Signing a terms and conditions agreement would mean nothing to them.
I totally understand that things had to change due to the abuse, but I feel that it isn’t fair for those that need the guest assistance to now have to suffer. How can they expect kids to go up to the ride and get a time to come back. My kids can’t handle long periods of standing around in line or waiting. Disney doesn’t exactly have a lot of seating and things to distract kids during a 110 minute wait.
Cherie I was told tonight that Disney has purchased a lot of wheelchairs that are available at every attraction that guests can use for someone to be pushed on in the que, so they do not have to stand in lines. If they trouble walking in the parks then it is on you to rent or obtain a wheelchair for them. No one with mobility issues will be granted a pass in the future. They were very emphatic about it and were apologetic that it was beyond their control.
Our son is 5.5 years old. With moderate Autism. We go to Disneyland 2 times a year. This is going to be a challenge to say the least. He has anger outbursts and is very hyper. We are normally only in the park for 4 hours as his sensory over load will not allow us longer.Not sure what we are going to do to keep him entertained while we wait. This will probably end our trips to disneyland as it will no longer be the happiest place on earth anymore. Time to find something new for is to do for vacations. Maybe our last trip will be Dec 2013 as it is already paid for. );
Thank you for the info, We will be visiting soon. My question, even though you explained it above- if you have a return time for Peter Pan’s Flight, and you have to wait 60 minutes to ride, if there is another ride with a long wait you can not get a return time until after you ride on the first ride….. That really does not help to have to wait another 60 minutes to go on another ride, if you were able to have a 80 minute (time given just for an example) return time for the second ride you wanted to go on-you would have only a 20 minute lag between rides. That will really shorten the number of rides someone would be able to ride if the time they were able to stay in the park was limited for their personal disability….. hummm, I hope Disney see’s the stumbling block this will create….if you have a chance to ask about this, please do!!!!! I feel like I am already going slow enough in the parks, hanging around to fill time will not help this be such a magical vacation as it once was.
Thanks for explaining this. It sounds like a pretty good system and should help to cut down on the fraudulent usage.
Help my son is autism and sensory intergration disorder he can’t do lines for long periods due to not being able to handle being touched or brushed by others even strong perfume body odor and overheating is impossible for him to deal with. Any suggestions. I’m so worried we are not going to be able to go again. Many thanks joh
my two autistic boys would not wait, they would certainly not wait 110 mins near or away from the rides. to them it’s right away or we get a meltdown. they just don’t understand waiting. so very one concern parents
Keeping my son “away from a ride” will not work. He has a set routine. Ah well, we will just have to see what happens. I do know this. HIs favorite ride is Toy Story. The line is usually 120 minutes long. No way I can keep him “busy” for 110 minutes. Good Going Autism Speaks, Great way to advocate for us.. Make the kids wait, just make them wait away from the rides. yeah, that should work. /sigh
Thanks for all the info. Interesting about the kiosks not being true, but great that the DAS holder doesn’t have to go to the ride. Sounds like it’s right in line with what the ADA is about to me! Equal access for everyone. 🙂
This system seems a bit cumbersome. I’m disappointed in the wait time aspect. If there is only a 10-15 minute wait, we just get in the regular line (not even using the GAC). I think a lot of people are like that. The problem for us will be the return time of 10 minutes less than the regular wait time. Many of our kids like to ride something like Peter Pan/Toy Story Mania a few times (not a dozen) in the same day because many other rides aren’t appropriate. Peter Pan/Toy Story Mania have pretty long waits all day and you can’t get another ride time (for a different attraction) until you use the first one and the “just go do something” else strategy for many will be difficult (especially in the autistic population). No wonder there was abuse if they were letting the family of the person on the card ride without the person named on the card. We only used the card when the regular wait time wasn’t manageable and my daughter was always riding with us.
You mentioned guests with mobility issues won’t need a DAS. So there’s no card needed for someone who needs to bypass stairs (but won’t be in a wheelchair)? We’d just tell the CM at the beginning of the queue?
I’m very confused. Where do u get these new das cards from?
Guest Services, just like the GAC.
Why are you only answering the ones that don’t have issues? I have one and a big one. I’m tired of spending thousands of dollars every year to have an enjoyable time for the 2 weeks 3 times each year but, Disney always made it worth it for me helping me out with the 2 different disabilities that I have but, guess what?? It’s going to stop. I am not renewing my annual pass or going no more than every 4-5 years. I’m fed up !! Take it out on the people who need the extra help just cause of the abusers. There are other ways of dealing with these issues instead of changing everything. Really PI**ED !!!
My question is does the DAS only apply to the bigger rides? What happens at the smaller ones? My daughter rode the swing ride at CA over and over and over. I would be interested to know what they’re planning to do with these rides. Also, what about people who are blind? I see they are addressing mobility issues and autism, but what about other disabilities?
I think it said that one card was good for up to 6 people in the party – no need to everyone to have a card.
The DAS card is good for the DA person and up to 5 additional people to accompany them on a ride. If your family has more than one DA person, like mine for instance. Then each DA person should get their own DAS card. Why you may ask? Well my 3 year old ASD child rides different rides than my DA Army son. If only the 3 year old has a DAS then my Soldier can not use it for comeback times for his rides. I hope this makes sense…
Thank you for giving this information. I know a ton of people who are upset at the news of the discontinuation and new implementation of early rules. Reading through these make a ton of more sense. It makes it accessible to everyone who needs it and hopefully they will black list those who are found guilty of using it for personal gain.
Help the already confused lol. 7 days. We are going in Dec. We are a family of 4, 2 SN kids and a very large Service Dog. I still have no answers to how the dog plays into this. But 7 days is mentioned. Now we will be there from the 1st to the 9th. We get 3 trips (normally, sometimes 4) out of our PAP and DVC points. How would that play out?
After 7 days you will need to head to Guest Services and get a new DAS card. As for the Service Dog, I haven’t heard back with more specific details, but I am sure that there will be a system in place before this is fully implemented. I will be staying on top of it and get you the information as soon as I have it.
Beautiful, TY so much. I joined you on FB too.
what about kids who are in wheelchairs and cannot wait in a line or the chair does not fit. What about physically disabled
They have special entrances that are handicap accessible, and I am sure Disney has something in place for this situation. I will look into it when the system goes into place on 10/9
Will each member in the party with a disability need a DAS card? I can’t go on rides that my daughter who has a disability can go on, how will that work for us?
I am going to say that each member who needs one, should get one to be safe.
That is what I was thinking. Thank you!