Walt Disney World Updates DAS Policy Wording: How It May Affect Disability Access

3 days ago in "Disability Access Service Card - DAS"

Posted: Tuesday January 28, 2025 7:15am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Overnight, Walt Disney World quietly made a notable change to the wording of its Disability Access Service (DAS) policy. The updated policy no longer includes the word "only" in the "What to Know About DAS" opening paragraph.

Previous 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 (January 28, 2025):
"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."

This seemingly small adjustment raises questions about its implications for how Disney defines eligibility for DAS and its impact on guests.

The Significance of Dropping "Only"

The removal of the word "only" may soften the exclusivity implied in the previous wording. By doing so, Disney could slightly broaden how it interprets eligibility for DAS. While the policy still emphasizes developmental disabilities like autism as the core criteria, the absence of "only" could be interpreted as leaving room for other similar conditions that may not fit traditional definitions but still meet the intent of the service.

This shift may also indicate an effort by Disney to avoid legal or interpretative limitations tied to the term "only," ensuring that the policy language is more inclusive and adaptable. However, no official statement has been made to clarify whether the change reflects a broader operational adjustment or is simply a refinement in wording.

What It May Mean for Guests

Removing "only" could allow Cast Members greater discretion in determining eligibility for DAS during the video chat registration process. This might benefit guests with non-traditional or less-common disabilities.

The previous wording may have inadvertently discouraged some eligible guests from applying, believing they did not meet the strict criteria. The updated language might encourage those who need DAS to register.

What Hasn't Changed

It's important to note that no other changes have been made to the DAS policy. Guests must still register via live video chat and meet the criteria determined by Disney's Cast Members. The primary purpose of DAS remains unchanged: to assist guests who cannot wait in traditional queues due to a developmental disability or similar condition.

Final Thoughts

While Disney has not provided further clarification on this wording change, it could have implications for how DAS is administered. For now, the impact will depend largely on how Cast Members interpret the updated language during the registration process. Guests relying on DAS should continue to provide a clear explanation of their needs to ensure smooth registration.

How to Register for DAS at Walt Disney World

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jennab5523 hours ago

Thanks! You as well, wherever you decide to vacation next!

Jenn Finan23 hours ago

I hope for only wonderful things for you and your family on your next trip. Many magical wishes!

jennab5523 hours ago

I hear you on some of the changes. Our last trip was summer 2022 and at that time the level of customer service we received was not what I expected. We had quite a few other issues as well. So like you, we decided to take a break. We are planning to return this year and hoping things have gotten better. We will see!

Jenn Finan23 hours ago

For what it is worth, I never asked for a "front of the line" pass, nor was that what my party had/what we needed. I'm not sure where that idea even came from! We had the ability to join a LL standby queue for a small number of rides without having to book it prior...FULL STOP. We still waited 15, 20, 30, even 40 minutes for a particular ride once we were in line. I never walked onto ANY ride with the possible exception of Stitch's Great Escape, and that was because it was a walk on for everyone! Edit** and before anyone jumps on my "waiting time" comment, my nephew was much better about lines when he was 2 than he is now at 12. Naps were a wonderful thing! DAS may work for us sometime in the future, it just didn't this past time.

Jenn Finan23 hours ago

I totally agree with that sentiment as well. The DAS and other changes were made in an attempt to reduce fraud and provide accommodation for those who needed them. I applaud the attempt and am pleased with the couple of tweaks that I have heard of but I think that there are likely more adjustments that would make the program better. Disney is probably still continuing to evaluate and will, I assume, make further changes as they feel warranted. I simply did not find value when we went in October, as well as experiencing a less courteous/welcoming environment. Will this change in 5 years? I hope so, as I truly love Disney and have been going for over 40 years. I want to return at some point but that point for me and my family is not now and that's fine. I did not mean to stir up such a hornet's nest. I just relayed my experience and decision that WDW was not the place for us at this time. No worries. Everybody makes their own decisions based on their individual circumstances.

ConfettiCupcake1 day ago

I don’t think it’s a lack of compassion, I think it’s just understanding this is not what Disney’s accessibility programs are intending to correct, and that it’s a massive can of worms for them to open. Nobody’s big picture experience is ever equal at WDW, for a multitude of reasons and limitations that have absolutely nothing to do with disabilities. The most obvious factor that determines how much you overall can experience at Disney is time spent in the parks, so do they then start accounting for ticket length, past visit history, ticket type (ie are you an AP), how far you’re traveling from, etc? There’s a reason that for all but very exceptional circumstances (like Make a Wish kids), they are offering as close to equal access as they can on an attraction by attraction basis.

DisneyHead1231 day ago

Disagree on the idea that people with disabilities (if they really, truthfully have them) are having a "slightly better experience" with DAS. Maybe some are, I of course can't speak for everyone, but for many people being disabled is not something that can be equalized by any form of accommodation. That said, my comment was about the idea that people can't go to the park for long days due to "other factors". Once you go down that road, you could say that Disney should be paying for people who can't afford longer trips, or offer babysitting to single moms with kids, and on an on. My point being that the whole idea of DAS centers around disabilities, specifically, so saying that other people have difficulties in life too is noteworthy in a personal sense but beside the point when it comes to DAS.

jennab551 day ago

I don’t have an issue with DAS. I do believe it gives a slightly better experience, but I’m ok with that as there is still a waiting component (just outside of the queue). What I had an issue with was PP stating that her front of the line pass was necessary because it gave her party the ability to enjoy the parks the same as a non disabled family. I disagreed that it gave a similar experience to a non disabled party. ETA - also I don’t think people should get DAS just because they can only be in the parks 4hrs per day (if they don’t meet the qualifications otherwise).

DisneyHead1231 day ago

Said in a jocular tone, DAS is meant to be a disability accommodation, not the most pure form of communism that ever existed. It's not meant to equalize all human differences.

jennab551 day ago

I personally just done like the argument of “well our party can only go for a few hours due to a disability, so we should get access to everything in those few hours”. As you stated, many people cannot do full park days due to other factors as well.

jennab551 day ago

Ahhh, gotcha. I was giving just what an accommodation is meant to do. Yes, I’m also fine with disabled people getting something that makes things easier for them (heck I’m disabled and so is my son), but like you said, that also causes some problems.

Purduevian1 day ago

I think there is a slight disconnect. I think the discussion should be if is that those with needed special accommodations (such as DAS) should be able to experience a similar to those that do not require special accommodations a) in a day b) in the time they are able to be in the parks The argument for point a is that everyone (regardless of accommodations needed) pays the same price to go to the parks, thus deserve the same quality and quantity of experiences. The argument for point b is that everyone moves at different paces and have different stamina in the parks. For instance, those with young children, are elderly, or are mobility impaired do not get enhanced access.

TrainsOfDisney1 day ago

I’m not sure if you are asking legal or just in general? I’m not speaking on legally - I’m just saying in my view, it doesn’t bother me in the least if guests with disabilities get an advantage. Of course the issue is, if they get an advantage, there is now an incentive to lie or exaggerate a disability to get that advantage- which is a shame. And in 500 pages we don’t have an easy solution! Haha.

jennab551 day ago

Oh 100%, but isn’t the goal of a disability accommodation to make the person experience the parks like a non disabled person? We only a few hours at the time in the parks, so we take longer trips. Because this is how we have to tour, should Disney give me half my hotel or park tickets for free so we can experience everything a non disabled person can?