Walt Disney World’s approach to assisting guests with disabilities ensures that every guest can enjoy a day at the parks. For families with one or more members needing accommodations, DAS at Disney World — Disability Access Service — can help make a trip comfortable and memorable for everyone. This comprehensive program is about more than just getting expedited access in lines; it is designed to ensure that every guest and family have a toadally amazing Disney experience. Today, we're covering the ins and outs of DAS at Disney World, including the new changes effective May 20, 2024.
Here are the NEW DAS changes in effect at Walt Disney World:
- Walt Disney World has implemented an updated registration process for the Disability Access Service (DAS). The initial registration process must be completed through a live video chat — in-person registration is no longer available at Guest Relations in the theme parks.
- Up to 30 days before your visit, you must talk with a cast member virtually to determine your eligibility. You do not need to provide documentation. You can also register the same day of your visit (details below).
- If eligible for DAS, the guest with a disability and a parent/guardian will need to participate in the registration process. This includes getting a photo taken of the guest registering for DAS.
- You can have up to four people in your travel party, including the person registered for DAS (exceptions can be made for immediate family members).
- DAS attraction return time selections can be made in the My Disney Experience app (or at Guest Relations) once in the parks, but not in advance.
- DAS is valid for the length of your ticket or up to 120 days (whichever comes first) — after that, you will need to re-register.
What Is DAS?
Disney World's Disability Access Service (DAS) provides assistance for guests and families with disabilities to navigate more easily and enjoy the parks. It is intended to help guests who have difficulty waiting in line queues. The Walt Disney World website states, "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."
Instead of physically waiting in a queue, you receive a return time equal to the current standby wait time. You can spend the time anywhere in the park and then return to enjoy the ride. Then you'll enter through the Lightning Lane entrance for reduced wait time in a physical queue. (Looking for information on using Disability Access Service on the West Coast? Hop over to this post for the DAS details at Disneyland.)
As a heads up, you may hear some people refer to it as a disability pass or DAS card. The “pass” or “card” portion of the name is leftover lingo from a time when guests were provided with a paper or plastic card to use in the program. Today, DAS is fully digital and integrated into your ticket or MagicBand, so no additional card or media is needed, and you can receive DAS return times through the My Disney Experience app.
Who Qualifies for Assistance from DAS?
DAS is determined and approved on a case-by-case basis during a video registration call with a cast member. It's intended for guests with non-apparent disabilities that could impact their park experience such as autism or similar. DAS covers both the impacted guest and those in their group (up to four people, including the DAS holder — exceptions can be made for immediate family members).
Wheelchair users can usually be accommodated at the point of entry at most rides, so if your only concern is about lines and boarding with a scooter or wheelchair, you may not need DAS. DAS is designed to support guests who have needs beyond using a wheelchair or limited mobility. If you’re worried about getting through the line queue or accessing a ride with a scooter, you can simply head to your chosen attraction. Cast members are well-trained and will be able to help you navigate.
How Do I Get DAS?
This is where most of the new changes come into play. As of May 20, 2024, all guests will need to pre-register for DAS via live video chat up to 30 days before a park visit. The live video chat is available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In-person registration is no longer available, meaning that the cast members will not be able to complete the registration process in the parks. For those requesting same-day registration at any of the Disney World parks, cast members are there to assist but will redirect guests to either a QR Code or a device with a link to conduct the live video chat. It's super hopful to get the DAS registration out of the way in advance, this way you won't be missing out on precious park time!
Guests will need to have valid theme park tickets and a My Disney Experience account before initiating the video call. Make sure everyone in your party is linked in My Disney Experience so everyone can be included in the DAS plans. If you need to modify your party between your initial call and your park visit, pop back into the video chat for help. Already in the park? Guest Relations can swap those linked to your DAS to include three party members, plus the DAS holder, for a total of four. Any more additions will have to be done in the live video chat.
The individual requesting DAS must be present during the video chat, even if it's a parent or guardian registering on their child's behalf. This includes getting a photo taken of the guest registering for DAS. The video call is screen reader-friendly and available with text chat for those with visual or hearing impairments.
Note that DAS is still determined on a case-by-case basis. Documentation is not required. Once registered, DAS is valid for the length of your ticket or up to 120 days, whichever comes first. After that window, you will need to re-register.
Even though guests cannot initially register in person at the parks (only via the live video chat), you can still receive return times at Guest Relations or Guest Experience Team kiosks throughout the parks. Here's where you can find Guest Relations at each park:
- Magic Kingdom: A Guest Services location is outside of the park turnstiles on the right-hand side. Already inside Magic Kingdom? Head under the railroad tracks, then veer to the left. Guest Services is in City Hall, the first building you’ll see.
- EPCOT: Before entering the park, head to the far right. Guest Services is located outside of the gates near the monorail entrance. If you are already inside EPCOT, there are Guest Relations locations near Spaceship Earth and near the International Gateway entrance.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: There are two options, one inside and one outside of the park; both are near the park entrance on the left-hand side.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Once inside the park, head to the left; Guest Services is in the first building you’ll see as you enter the park.
Frog Family Tip: You can save time by locating a Guest Experience Team found in several locations around each park. You'll recognize these stations by looking out for the big blue umbrellas with the words "Guest Experience Team" and the park's icon printed on them. These cast members will be dressed in a royal blue shirt and black shorts or pants. The Guest Experience Team can help you book, adjust or cancel a return time if you don't have a smartphone to make return times on the app. In addition, the Guest Experience Team can help answer questions about attraction wait times, showtimes, directions and general questions about the Disney World parks.
What Documentation Is Needed for DAS?
You do not need to have a doctor’s note or documentation about you or the individual's disabilities. You do need to be able to describe the accommodations needed to fully enjoy the park. The more details you provide about your needs, the better cast members are able to provide accommodations to assist you. This is a custom program that will be tailored to meet your specific situation. Your stated needs can range from the need for a quiet area to wait in lieu of standing in line, a pass to bring a stroller right to the loading area of a ride or other specific needs your family may have.
How Do I Use DAS at Disney World?
A helpful feature allows registered DAS guests and their party members to make return time selections right in the My Disney Experience app. Once tapped into the park, a DAS button will appear in the app. You can access it by clicking on the bottom three lines and scrolling down the menu. Anyone in the party can make the selections for everyone, but the guest with DAS must be present when the return time is redeemed and tap into the ride queue first before anyone else in the travel party. Guests can still visit the attraction, Guest Relations or a Guest Experience Team umbrella to receive return times.
Return times are day-of selections and are available once you are tapped into the park. When chosen, they reflect the current standby wait. If Peter Pan's Flight is a 50-minute wait, your return time for that attraction would also be 50 minutes. Once the return time starts, it can be used at any time until park close. You can only hold one return time at a time. After scanning into a return time, there's a 10-minute wait time until you can make your next return time selection.
Return times are not able to be booked during Early Theme Park Entry. If park hopping, selections will become available once you tap into that park.
Using the My Disney Experience app to make selections allows for less walking to attractions or Guest Relations to get return times. We are so glad the service is now integrated into the app so all of the planning is in one place!
What Disney World Attractions Accept DAS?
Every attraction in Disney World can accommodate the needs of guests with disabilities; you can hop on over to our full list of Disability Access for Disney World Attractions to get the scoop on each individual ride. Note that the person holding DAS must meet the height requirements of the ride.
How Does DAS Work with Lightning Lane Multi Pass (Formerly Disney Genie)?
You do not need to purchase the Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass (formerly Genie+) or a Single Pass selection (individual Lightning Lane selections) to utilize DAS. Any ride with a standby wait time is eligible for DAS return times. For attractions using virtual queues (currently Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Tron Lightcycle / Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure operate with a virtual queue), all members must have joined the virtual queue first. Once your boarding group is called, cast members will direct you on using DAS.
All attractions still offer return times with DAS and there is no limit to DAS return times for the same attraction (except for attractions that use a virtual queue — you may only join the virtual queue once a day for a particular ride).
You can also combine DAS and Disney Lightning Lane Passes to truly maximize your day! If you purchase the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can make Multi Pass selections along with your DAS return times. You can also purchase Single Pass selections and select an arrival window. All of these options utilize the Lightning Lane entrances. While DAS return times require you to wait the full standby time, Multi Pass and Single Pass selections can be made for the next available time window and can be used right away. Purchasing Disney Lightning Lane Passes is not necessary when utilizing DAS, but there may be days when using both is helpful, such as peak holiday times.
DAS Stroller Tags
Guest Relations can provide you with an oversized red sticker for your stroller that allows you to bring a stroller directly to the loading area. Attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safaris require strollers to be parked at specific points in the line. If you have this pass, your child can stay in the stroller until the loading area is reached. There are a few exceptions to the policy, as sometimes guests with a DAS stroller tag may not be able to enter areas that the stroller can’t safely navigate.
Still Have Questions? Here Are Our Frogtastic FAQs!
Got questions? We're all ears! (Yes, frogs have ears.) Here are some of the questions we get most often. Don't see your question here? Drop us a comment and we'll be hoppy to help!
Pre-Registering for DAS
Am I eligible for DAS?
DAS is assigned on a case-by-case basis. You can learn more during the pre-registration live virtual chat.
What if I’m afraid that Disney World's DAS will not accommodate my needs?
Disney works with guests individually in order to accommodate their specific requests and provides assistance for a variety of needs and disabilities. Oftentimes, accommodations will be made at individual attractions. If you have any concerns, tell a cast member and they will find a way to work with you!
Does every member of my party need to be present when DAS is obtained?
As of May 20, 2024, in-person registration is no longer available. All guests must register via live video chat. The DAS user and a parent/guardian must both participate in the registration process.
What else do I need to have prepared for the call?
No documentation is necessary when registering for DAS. You'll want your DAS party linked in the My Family and Friends section of My Disney Experience.
What if I need to modify my party?
If you find that you need to modify your party between your initial call and your park visit, pop back into the virtual chat for help. Guest Relations can swap those linked to your DAS to include three party members, plus the DAS holder, for a total of four. Any additional changes will have to be done in the live video chat.
What if I am an international guest?
International guests can register in advance as soon as they can access the U.S. Walt Disney World website. Registration is available up to 30 days before your visit and even on the day of your park visit.
Is the call only available in English?
At this time, yes. However, there is a chat feature before joining the virtual meeting where guests can indicate if they don’t speak English. Reasonable effort will be made to accommodate those guests.
How many guests in one party can be covered under Disney World DAS?
The maximum is four guests per DAS. This includes the person registered for DAS. Exceptions can be made for immediate family members.
Once I have registered and received DAS at Disney World, what’s next?
Time to have fun! You can start booking return times on the app once you are in the park. Go to that attraction during the allotted time and enjoy! Return times are valid until redeemed prior to park closing. Once you’ve experienced an attraction, you can receive another return time ten minutes after the initial return time.
Using DAS in the Parks
Where do I receive more return times for attractions?
You can book return times on the My Disney Experience app or in person at the attraction or Guest Relations. You can choose another return time for the same attraction or a different one 10 minutes after using the initial return time. Another member of your party can obtain a return time, but the guest with DAS must enter the attraction first before the other party members.
Do the guests with DAS have to board the attraction with the rest of the party?
Yes, the guest with the DAS must enter the attraction. The DAS user does not need to be present when obtaining a return time, though.
Do I have to get a new DAS at the start of each day?
No. As of May 20, 2024, DAS is valid for the length of your ticket or 120 days, whichever is shorter.
How many reservations can I have?
You can only have one active return time at once. The return time will appear as part of your plans in the My Disney Experience app.
Can I cancel a reservation? For example, I grab a reservation for Haunted Mansion but then decide I want to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at that time.
Yes! Return times can now be modified or canceled in the My Disney Experience app. Anyone in the party may modify the reservation, but the guest with DAS must enter the attraction.
Can I use DAS for fireworks and parades?
There are no specific reserved areas for guests using DAS. Guests using DAS with concerns should visit Guest Relations to see what accommodations can be made for fireworks/parade viewing. There are special viewing areas on parade routes and some shows for guests with disabilities. However, those cannot be reserved and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Do I have to pay to use DAS on Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections (including Single Pass selections)?
DAS does not require any additional purchase with the Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass system (formerly Disney Genie+). Any attraction with a standby queue can issue DAS return times.
What about rides with virtual queues?
Rides with virtual queues — such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Tron Lightcycle / Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure require that all members of your party join the virtual queue first. Once your boarding group is called, talk with cast members at the entrance about using DAS.
What happens if I didn't register in advance?
This may change, but on day one of these new DAS changes, Guest Relations at Magic Kingdom supplied a QR code that will connect guests to the virtual chat. Guests were then welcome to use the quiet lobby next door at the Chamber of Commerce building to connect to the call.
What if I need help with my return times while I'm in the park?
You can still make or change return times at Guest Relations and at the Guest Experience Team blue umbrellas.
How do I renew DAS?
You'll follow the same process when you're ready to renew — just share that you'd like to renew in the virtual chat.
Will I get a reminder to renew when DAS expires?
There isn’t a reminder sent to renew — so be sure to mark your calendar!
We hope this overview of Disney World's Disability Access Service answers your questions about the new program. If you've used DAS, we'd love to hear your thoughts about it. Share them in the comments below!
Related: Overview of Universal's Attraction Assistance Pass
Related: Overview of Disneyland Disability Access Service (DAS)
Hoppy planning!
