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Disney Revises Disability Access Program Once Again, Expansion Implemented

Walt Disney World has once again made changes to its Disability Access Service (DAS), this time extending the pre-registration window from 30 days to 60 days before a guest’s visit. This update follows a series of modifications to the DAS program in recent years, many of which have sparked debate over accessibility, fairness, and the park’s efforts to prevent misuse.

slinky dog dash at Disney Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Patrick Konior, Unsplash

For guests who rely on DAS to navigate the parks, the expanded registration period provides a longer planning window and may help alleviate some of the challenges that come with arranging a Disney vacation while managing a disability. However, this is just the latest in a long string of updates Disney has made to the service, some of which have been more restrictive in nature.

Disney’s Disability Access Service: A History of Changes

Walt Disney World entrance
Credit: Inside the Magic

Disney’s Disability Access Service was introduced as an alternative to traditional ride queues, allowing guests with developmental disabilities—such as autism—to request return times for attractions rather than waiting in long standby lines.

For years, DAS remained relatively unchanged, but in early 2024, Disney implemented sweeping adjustments to the program, citing an increase in fraudulent use. As part of these new policies, the company:

Tightened eligibility criteria, making DAS available only to guests with developmental disabilities.
Excluded guests with certain medical conditions, including narcolepsy and terminal illnesses.
Required guests to complete a stricter screening process, conducted through a live video chat with a Cast Member.

Many guests who had previously qualified for DAS found themselves denied access under the new eligibility guidelines, and the changes were met with significant backlash. Some guests reported being told to “practice waiting in line at home” as a way to prepare for their park visit—an official response that drew strong criticism online.

Recent Adjustments to DAS Eligibility Language

In addition to the eligibility restrictions introduced in 2024, Disney quietly made a subtle but important revision to the language used to describe the DAS program on its official website.

Previously, the description included the word “only”, reinforcing the idea that DAS was strictly limited to a small group of guests. However, as of January 28, 2025, Disney has removed this wording, a move that some believe signals a slight softening of the restrictions.

Prior wording:

“DAS is 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.”

Updated wording:

“DAS is intended to accommodate 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.”

While Disney has not provided an official explanation for the change, some speculate that this opens the door for more flexibility in how Cast Members determine DAS eligibility. It remains unclear whether this will result in more guests being approved for DAS or if it was simply a clarification of the existing policy.

New Change: Disney Expands DAS Pre-Registration Window

Disney World Parks
Credit: Disney

Following these language revisions, Disney has now announced another significant update to the DAS process: guests can now register for DAS up to 60 days before their visit, doubling the previous 30-day window.

The change applies to both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, and is already reflected in Disney’s official DAS policy online.

New DAS registration policy:

“Guests may discuss their needs with a Cast Member via live video chat as soon as 60 days prior to their park visit. Cast Members will work with Guests individually to discuss specific requests and offer assistance.”

What This Means for Guests Who Use DAS

Although the application process remains unchanged, this update grants guests more time to complete their registration before their trip. For families who rely on DAS, this extended period could provide more flexibility when planning park visits, securing reservations, and coordinating accommodations.

Additionally, this follows another recent adjustment to DAS validity, which now allows approved guests to use the service for up to 240 days before needing to reapply—another move aimed at making the process more efficient for repeat visitors.

Looking Ahead: Will Disney Make Further Changes to DAS?

While the expansion of the pre-registration window is a positive step for guests who rely on DAS, larger concerns about the program’s accessibility remain. The eligibility restrictions introduced in 2024 are still in place, leaving many guests who once qualified without access to the service.

However, between the subtle wording changes on the DAS website and this latest extension of the registration period, it is possible that Disney is reevaluating aspects of the program in response to guest feedback.

For now, guests who plan to use DAS should take advantage of the longer registration window and ensure their application is completed well in advance of their visit. As the discussion around accessibility and inclusivity at Disney parks continues, further updates to the DAS program may still be on the horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alessia Dunn

Orlando theme park lover who loves thrills and theming, with a side of entertainment. You can often catch me at Disney or Universal sipping a cocktail, or crying during Happily Ever After or Fantasmic.

3 Comments

  1. Some people have physical disabilities that make standing and waiting difficult, such as JRA. My son used to qualify and it makes me so mad that I’m hearinmatildag of the rules changing! This is not fair to people that need it!

  2. We still can’t do our face-to-face interview until we’re on American soil. We fly out on Monday. How on earth am I supposed to get an interview within a couple of days? I can see me getting an appointment after we’ve returned to the UK!! So unfair.

  3. UK citizens can apply for DAS via video call. Download a free VPN such as tunnelbear. Connect to the US then follow the steps in the My Disney Experience app.

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