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The Disability Access Service (DAS) program at Disney theme parks has undergone significant changes, raising concerns about its accessibility for guests with invisible disabilities.
Recent adjustments have narrowed the eligibility criteria, focusing primarily on developmental disabilities. This shift has effectively limited accommodations for individuals whose disabilities are less visible, potentially compromising their ability to enjoy the parks.
Credit: Disney
Changes to the Disney DAS Program
Guests now face stricter guidelines regarding eligibility for the Disney DAS pass. Previously, broad criteria allowed a wider range of disabilities to qualify, emphasizing the program’s intention to serve those who cannot endure standard queue times.
The new restrictions, however, have led to widespread dissatisfaction among those with conditions like chronic illnesses and neurological disorders, as they no longer fulfill the necessary qualifications, thereby feeling unfairly excluded from the magic that Disney parks promise.
The impact of the new DAS limitations is perhaps best illustrated through personal narratives of affected guests. Rylie Shaw, a Disney enthusiast with narcolepsy, has shared her negative experiences extensively on social media.
@rylie_shaw The aftermath of a long day like this was not pretty 😬- it sucks that Disney chose to get rid of the DAS pass and it definitely made my day much less fun and a lot more draining :/ #disney #disneyland #daspass #narcolepsy #sleepdisorder #narcolepsyawareness
She highlighted how the new DAS pass failed to meet her needs, leaving her exhausted and frustrated after trying to navigate the parks without adequate support. Her posts resonate with many who share similar experiences, showcasing a significant oversight in the new policies.
Charisma Mangahas, an annual passholder diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, went viral on TikTok after detailing her struggles obtaining a Disability Access Service pass. She encountered barriers that amplified her disability symptoms and prevented her from enjoying her visit.
The public response to her video underscores the urgency of addressing these new barriers. Advocacy groups, including one named DAS Defenders, have emerged, calling for the reversal of these changes to ensure fair and adequate access for all guests with disabilities.
Credit: Disney
Disney’s Justification for DAS Restrictions
In response to the criticism, Disney officials have reiterated their commitment to inclusivity and the importance of providing enjoyable experiences for all guests.
According to company representatives, the adjustments to the DAS program aim to more effectively target its intended audience. They argue that the previous system had become overburdened by increased demand, which necessitated a reevaluation of eligibility criteria.
Disney’s statements emphasize a desire to streamline support services to ensure that guests who genuinely require assistance receive it.
Credit: Disney
However, the comparison of old and new policies has raised eyebrows among advocates. The previous structure was deemed more inclusive, whereas the current version appears to marginalize those whose disabilities may not present in outwardly visible ways, leading to significant public backlash.
The changes to the Disney DAS program come with potential legal ramifications. The restructured eligibility criteria may open the company to lawsuits from guests who believe they have been discriminated against.
As Disney has already been embroiled in various legal challenges concerning guest accommodations, the new DAS limitations could further complicate its reputation among advocates and the general public alike.
Credit: Disney
As public sentiment continues to sway against the recent changes, Disney may find itself under pressure to reconsider its policies. Advocacy groups are already mobilizing to gather support through petitions and campaigns aimed at reversing the restrictive measures placed on the DAS.
If Disney fails to address these concerns, there is a reasonable risk of damaging its long-standing reputation as a family-oriented and inclusive destination.
The concerns expressed by guests illustrate a critical need for a more balanced approach that truly considers the diverse spectrum of disabilities, including invisible ones.
Have these changes affected your decision to visit Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks? Tell Disney Fanatic about it in the comments below.
Disney’s is using disabled people to increase their profits by focusing on their profit disabilities of people should not be used for money disney see that if a disabilities then they can pay for quick access at one time longago when staying in a disney property you receive 3 fast pass but now disney is looking for ways to make more money we use to want to go to disney and for some of us we’re thinking about how bad it is with disney moving to the loss of helping and caring for their customers
Disney’s moving to make sure they will get more money
They have effectively made it so that I can no longer ride the few rides that I could go on. I cannot stand for more than a few minutes at a time and can’t walk more than about 100 yards without extreme discomfort – as in debilitating pain.
I also have some issues that sometimes require me to have access to restroom facilities frequently, but it’s a pretty sudden need.
All of this is medically supported, in writing, by my doctor,
I use an ECV and Disney’s idea of leaving a queue and returning is far, far beyond a reasonable idea. Have they never been in one of their narrow queues? You can’t WALK out, must less ride out.
Their other answer is to leave your party in the queue and you just wait at the head of the line for them. How if this different than getting a return time (which is often a longer wait to access the attraction as you have the added Lightning Lane wait on top of your return time wait).
In our case, my wife and I travel alone and she has issues herself that prevent her from pushing me in a wheel chair, being in crowds without me with her and other issues.
The final answer is to plead your case at each attraction to see if they will issue you a return time.
I want you to imagine being a senior and having to explain to a teenager or ‘twenty-something’ over an over that if you get in a queue, and the problem hits you, you have a limited amount of time to find a facility. It’s beyond embarrassing. It’s humiliating and degrading.
But, Disney obviously does not care at all. Oh, the other answer is to buy Genie and Lightning Lane passes.
This is not an option for many, many seniors or disabled people as we often scrape up the funds just to some to the park. Social Security only goes so far.
I fear that my Disney days are coming to an end. I’ll just spend the AP money on a Universal AP for the new park when it opens.
Disney should hang its corporate head in shame.
I’m in England and we’ve been to WDW 30 times in 22 years. We love it. Since I suffered a spinal injury in 2004 and surgery in 2006 that was supposed to make me better failed and my condition is now degenerative. In the last few years I’ve been able to benefit from DAS which has helped me enjoy the parks. However, when we were in WDW 9 months ago, I went to customer services as usual, but the CM made me feel like a liar, a fraud, which really upset me. She told me I should hire a wheelchair or an electric scooter to make it easier to be in line. But sitting like that for any length of time just exacerbates my problems! She seemed irritated by my problems and by me asking for the DAS and eventually said I could have one this time but I didn’t fulfill the criteria for the scheme with my problems and to expect to be turned down by CMs at the attractions, which didn’t happen. You can’t see my injury or my disabilities, but I walk slowly with 2 crutches but she said “anyone could buy sticks”! I don’t know when we’ll be going back to WDW which really upsets me, but it’s currently out of bounds to me if I can no longer use the DAS !
Yes! I am nervous about my upcoming trip to DisneyWorld. I am a senior taking a grandchild for a week by myself. I have arthritis in the top of my feet which can be debilitating at times. I got a disability pass a couple years ago with a doctor’s note and it saved my precious trip with my grandson.i am nervous about not getting one this trip. My granddaughter will just be devastated if I have to sit for hours on end. Here’s hoping and praying.