Los Angeles, California – Disney has announced significant changes to its Disability Access Service (DAS) at its theme parks in California and Florida. The company unveiled updates to the DAS pages on the Disneyland and Walt Disney World websites on Tuesday, April 9.
The DAS program, which is free of charge, aims to assist guests with disabilities by providing them with return times for attractions instead of waiting in line. The service is specifically tailored for individuals who, due to a developmental disability like autism, find it challenging to endure long waits in traditional queues.
Starting on May 20 at Walt Disney World in Florida and June 18 at Disneyland in California, the new DAS procedures will go into effect. Until then, the current DAS process will remain in place. The modifications include a shift in the qualification criteria for DAS and adjustments to how guests can request the service.
At Walt Disney World, all DAS registrations will now take place via virtual video chat, and in-person registrations at the theme park Guest Relations locations will no longer be available as of May 20, 2024. Meanwhile, at Disneyland, guests applying for DAS after June 18 will have the option to use either a virtual chat or visit a designated “accessibility services” window for same-day requests.
Once approved, the DAS benefits will be valid for the duration of the guest’s theme park ticket or up to 120 days. Guests will be able to re-register for DAS after these initial periods have passed, as noted by Disney.
Additionally, the company emphasized that individuals with DAS can now only include their “immediate family” or a group of up to four unrelated people as part of the service. These changes mark a significant shift in Disney’s efforts to better accommodate guests with disabilities.
TouringPlans, a website specializing in theme park news and trip planning, reported rumors of further adjustments to Disney’s DAS policies. These rumored changes include provisions for individuals with non-developmental disabilities that affect their ability to wait in line, potentially introducing a “return to queue” process for those needing to exit and re-enter the queue.
Introduced in 2013 as an updated version of the “Guest Assistance Card,” the DAS program was designed to address the increasing abuse of the previous system. Disney aimed to create a more efficient and inclusive experience for all park guests, particularly those with disabilities.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle.