Disney Makes HUGE Change To Its Disability Program

One of the great things about visiting a place like Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort is how inclusive the theme parks are. Disney wants everyone to feel welcome regardless of things like age, gender, or any physical limitations a guest might have. Disney’s disability program is there to help guests who have trouble waiting in a traditional ride queue, and was utilized by thousands of guests. They found Disney’s DAS program an absolute lifesaver.

Related: Disney’s Disability Pass: Everything You Need to Know!

However, a BIG change is coming to that Disability Service, and it will affect thousands of guests.

Beginning May 20, Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) will ONLY be available to those guests who need it because they have a developmental disability like autism. Those who needed the service because of certain medical disabilities will no longer have access to the service and will have to wait in the traditional ride queue.

Related: Disney vs Universal: Whose Disability Service Ranks Supreme?

Disney’s DAS pass used to be available for anyone with any kind of disability that prevented them from waiting in a traditional line. Walt Disney World and Disneyland’s websites now read:

Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests. DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate only those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.

Disney said that the reason for the change is due to the extreme uptick in the use and abuse of its Disability Program in recent years. Disney officials said DAS usage has tripled over the last five years. Many videos on social media have gone viral because they show people how to get a disability pass even if they don’t have a disability.

Disney will still not require guests to show any medical proof of their disability. The non-requirement of confirming a disability was part of the reason Disney’s DAS program was abused by many guests.

Disney’s biggest competitor, Universal Studios, also has a Disability Program for those guests who can’t wait in a traditional queue. However, they work with an outside source and require medical confirmation of a disability. Universal does not limit its service to only those with developmental disabilities.

What do you think about Disney’s change to its Disability Access Service? Let us know in the comments. 

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