Overview of Disney World's Disability Access Service (DAS)

Hi Im planning on going to Disney World in August and obtaining a DAS pass as my son is autistic and cannot stand in queues for too long my question is he is 14 years old can he go on the ride by himself or does his carer have to go on with him apart from the queuing bit he is a sensible lad and absolutely fine to ride a ride on his own

MY DISABILITY IS NOT A VISIBLE ONE AND I HATE THE TERM DISABLED BUT UNDERSTAND IT IS WHAT IT IS BUT WHY IF I CAN BRING A DOCTOR LETTER STATING MY CONDITION WILL NOT GET BETTER BUT SLOWLY WORSE WHY DO I HAVE TO COME BACK EVERY 60 DAY JUST TO BE REMINDED THAT IM DISABLED (THANKS TO A IDIOT SEMI DRIVER) AND THAT FACT WILL NEVER CHANGE.

Can I buy the DAS card for my adult son ( age 42) and can I pick up the card the night before we go?

Do you need to get it for each park?

Hello. I have 6 developmentally disabled adults. 3 with balance issues and 1 with a debilitating seizure disorder. We have visited DL resort for the last 18 years. Unfortunately we cannot stay for the fireworks because my clients cannot stand for that long. They so want to see the fireworks at DL and have never been able to. I have noticed that there is a special roped off area with chairs sectioned off with disabled signs posted. Is there anyway we can access this area so my clients can sit down and wait for the fireworks show.? Please let me know as we will be visiting again in May 2019. TY :)

I'm currently planning a trip to WDW for our whole family, 6 adults 2 children. All of the adults have varying degrees of disabilities. Only 1 is not currently on disability from the government.

Since there's so many of us how should we handle getting the DAS cards and Magic Bands?

Is there a way we can speak to someone before we get there. We are coming from Texas and if we can't get the Cards and Bands there's NO Reason for us to come all the way to Florida. I know another amusement park system is very accommodating. Seeing all these Bad Experiences is really making me nervous.

I tore my ACL/PCL and cartilage two weeks before a one week stay at Shades of Green, Disney World. Walking was difficult. We debated cancelling, but the 5 and 7 year old told Dad to suck it up. When we arrived, we rented an electric scooter and Disney made it happen! Buses and monorail attendants got me and my "sweet ride" on and off easily, other patrons kindly gave me a little room to maneuver, and the cast members accommodated me on the rides I could do, and put me were I could see my crew do their thing on those rides I could not. I had a good time, family had a good time, and I learned something about disability. Thanks Disney.

Each person in the DAS party will have to have their magic bands scanned at guest services when you first get issued the pass.

"While at Guest Relations, a cast member registering you will give you a return time for the first attraction you’d like to experience that will be added to your ticket or MagicBand."

Disney said this was not accurate. That you have to go to the attraction, they will not set up the first one at Guest Relations.

Can you tell me what time Guest Services opens at Hollywood Studios to get a DAS pass. Our first fast pass is at 9:15. Thank you

Hi we went to disney world 2 years ago and was able to get a dap for our whole group due to my son having down syndrome, on that visit we stayed at a disney resort and had the magic bands. We are planning a visit at the end of November this year and we are not staying at a resort so we are not getting the magic bands, how do the parks handle guests with a dap that don't have a magic band, or will I need to purchase bands for my family?

I am reading all of the comments and all customer support says is go see if you qualify. It’s making me nervous enough to cancel my reservations. I already paid for a premium room so the distance to transportation would not be bad. I’m a person that doesn’t look sick, but in all reality I’m very ill. The fact that they won’t even look at a doctor note scared me. How can you honestly have a customer service rep judge whether you need a DAS card!!!!

Hi!

I have plantar fasciitis, :( and it’s so painful at times, do you think I would qualify for a das cars,

As I won’t be able to stand in long queues as my feet will start to get very painful.

Do you think I should ask my doctor for something so it’s proof that I do have it?

Thanks

We have a trip planned March 2019. We've already paid for our hotel at West Gate Resort right outside the park. We just found out last week that my oldest daughter is pregnant with twins due the middle of April. We're not even sure the Doctor will let her go but maybe if things are going along good and we can get a scooter for her and a pass it would help. But only if things are going good. Can you help?

I am looking for an advice blog, Facebook or email list for people with disabilities similar to the regular Disney advice blogs. I developed Noticeable MS symptoms when I hit menopause, apparently not unusual in women. My Mom is 80. I was a little disappointed with Disney at my last trip and maybe with advice things will be better. To years ago we rented scooters and tried to also get Das cards or black bands. We were refused the cards/bands despite the obvious age and disability. There are enough rides and shows where the lines are to narrow to use scooters, also getting the scooter from one side of the ride to the other is difficult. As we did not have black bands or Das cards we had some awful employee experiences where we were told we could not go to the show or ride because they could not accommodate scooters and we would have to wait in lines because we did not have the special passes. In one case the employee had me get off the scooter, parked it in the front of the ride with the key in the ignition despite telling me it would be waiting for me when I got out. I had one heck of a time finding it, getting to it as it was very far away and it could have easily been stolen as it was easy to grab ( yes people do try to steal scooters at Disney, I caught people trying twice, but I had the key). Then there were the employees who helped my Mom and I, but asked us not to tell anyone because they would get in trouble for breaking the rules which is sad. I don’t know why we were refused when I saw able bodied families with 6members get in. I know they could have had a non obvious disability but I would have thought, my Mom and I could get a little consideration. So I need to know all the tricks, all the ins and outs and hidden information. So please point me to a good blog. Thanks

Would I qualify for this card due to bowel incontinence and bad hips due to after effects of cancer treatment

Hi,

This will be our first time using any kind of disability service. There are only 2 of us, and my mom within the last year started chemo/biologic shots that don't allow her to be in direct sunlight, so from what I understand we go to guest services and apply for the DAS? Without the pass, she would have to skip a lot of lines that have outdoor queues. She has doctor's notes but from what I understand they won't look at them? If she is approved, how does she sign up for attractions? Where does she go specifically to register for a ride? Is it the ride entrance to that ride or a fastpass kiosk? I'm confused on that part.

I went with my 10 yr old daughter in Dec 2016 who sits in a wheelchair because she can’t walk more than 10 steps by herself but she is able to transfer to rides. It was our first time to WDW and we heard about the DAS from a previous employee who saw our situation and suggested we get one for her. We went to guest relations and they gave us one with no hassle and it made our trip so much better. Honestly not every rides line is set up for wheelchairs ex. Pirates of the Caribbean was hard for us and there were a couple of others! We had no complaints and everyone at Disney was great and very helpful to us!!

Hi, thanks for such an informative blog. My question is, if you are near an attraction that you would like to ride but the GRKiosk is further away. Can you just go straight to the attraction and have a return time (for that ride) issued in your DAS booklet directly from them? Or do you still have to go to GRKiosk?

Is there a das paaa kiosk? How do you get another return time ? When I called my Disney experience she said we just go in the fast pass line . Is this true ?

We are planning on a visit in October 2019 and trying to get the DAS part clear in our heads. I recall the Guest Assistance card from years ago, where you showed it to a cast member and they would take you to the front of the queue. Does the DAS work similarly, where you go through the Fastpass entrance which cuts down on the long queues?

Trying to picture the process in my head, so that I can relay this to our children to help them visualize too.

Thanks

Steve

Hiya

After reading through a lot of the comments, would I be correct in saying that the DAS is for people who have a cognitive disability? If it is a mobility disability, you do not normally qualify?

Thanks for a wonderful blog.

Steve

I will go to DAP by myself the first day with DAS pass. My friend volunteered to come help me my second day, she has a yearly pass. Can I Bring her pass the first day to connect to my DAS pass for the second day? I will spend a night and wait for her.

E

I have two children with special needs: one with autism and epilepsy age 16 and one with tourettes, epilepsy and a mild form of cerebral palsy age 14. They are not always the best when together, but then most teenagers I am sure are probably the same. What is the options for two DAS? and how would that work?

I had knee surgery a few months ago. I cannot bend my knee fully. So I know some rides I will not be getting on. Other rides I might take a little longer to get on. Will DAS help me?

Hello,

Does the party of 6 exclude babies? Do they still need to show a wrist band if the guest is under the age of 2?

Hi i have slip disk had 2 strokes brain embolisum diabetic standing in qeues i cant do much my daughter has hip dysplasia and otger daughter has adha can we qualify for the das

Hi, my daughter has been diagnosed with anxiety, are we qualified for a DASH?

Hi

This might help some people who are a bit unsure of asking for a DAS pass. We visited last year as unextended family of 11. My daughter has Aspergers and daughter in law has social anxiety. The people at Disneyland guest services were fantastic. I explained our situation and explained why my daughter in law could not come over to the counter with us, she sat in a quiet corner. They issued my daughter with a DAS pass that was linked to the rest of our party's bands so we could go on rides with her. They issued my daughter in law with her own DAS card that was linked to my son's band as she often has to have quiet time away from the rest of the family. They did not speak directly to her they only came over to scan her band and asked my son to sign an agreement . We were treated very kindly and cannot praise the staff enough.

Does the DAS work like a fast pass? Or do I still need to get fast pass in conjunction with the DAS ? Im confused.

For example if you want to use it to meet talking Mickey , do you need to have a fast pass for it and the das? Or will your das pass get you a ticket to get in the attraction. Whether the attraction takes fast pass or not

Is the family covered and can come too With you? I need my husband for support to help calm me down

If so how long is usually the wait? And where do you wait? My problem is I have extreme anxiety, claustrophobia and IBS and I cannot wait in lines , cannot be around a lot of people in one place. I usually have to go to a quiet area when I get overwhelmed. especially in an enclosed space packed like sardines. I won't be able to breathe and will have a panic attack. I cannot ride public transportation because of this. I don't even know how I will be able to get in the park since I have to take the monorail.

Hi. My son is autistic. There will be 8 of us in our party. Will the DAS pass cover all 8 of us?

Also is there a discount for a disability/carers park ticket?

Thanks

Is anaphylaxis considered a reason for DAS at Disney world? (Allergy is wasp/bee)

Thanks

Luanne

I have 6 kiddos oldest is 9 with ADHD, youngest is 2 with Down Syndrome, heart defect and thyroid disease (common with DS). Our others are typical. Would it be possible to get a pass for the 2 year old with DS even if he doesn't have a magicband/ticket

It's unsafe for him to be exposed to to many people and also over heating/exhaustion from standing means he can't be held the whole time (to hot) or stand the whole time.

Maybe Dad or I could have the disability pass on our mad?

Hi,

I have diabetes type 1 on insulin will I be able to qualify for DAS? I struggle standing in long ques in themeparks in the UK when its warm and when i show proof of my diabetes they accomodate me in making sure my que times are a smaller incase I have a hypo etc.

We are planning a trip this fall. My daughter has type one diabetes, and I have asthma. Do we qualify??

I am diabetic and have PTSD as well as my daughter has Tourette’s and asthma with diabetes. We are going to Disney with her band from

School. First will we be able to get a DAS pass for both of us and how many of her friends can be with her to ride?

I just sent a question. There will be TEN of us including kids. Not 20! Typo

I have severe IBS with uncontrollable bouts of sudden diarrhea. Being "trapped" somewhere and unable to make a beeline to a restroom aggravates this. I don't mind waiting my turn - just not trapped in a line. There will be 20 of us coming in February. Can you tell me how "public" I am going to be when I discuss this? It is extremely embarrassing. Also , our party is terrified of getting separated. If only 5 can go with me, do the other 4 just hope for the best? Trying to ask here so I will know if it is worth the embarrassment or if I should just plan on skipping all rides and waiting for everyone outside the ride? Thank you in advance!

For some people who are asking what the criteria is for the DAS because they've been denied with physical disabilities: if Guest Relations believes your disability needs are solely mobility related, they will suggest a wheelchair or ECV and that will be the end of it. The DAS is really for people with cognitive disabilities and other things not accommodated with a mobility device. If you feel that you should receive the DAS but have been denied, they are expecting you not to share your diagnosis, but only to explain why you cannot wait in line in the normal queue. At WDW almost every line is mainstreamed, meaning mobility devices can be used in the regular lines and therefore, don't need the DAS accommodation of waiting outside the line (which is all the DAS is for.)

Hello... I was able to get a DAS prior to the changes at Disneyland. I am able to still get a DAS at Disney World. Is there any way to have a record of this on file so I don't have to always explain my medical history to everyone in the office. There are laws protecting my privacy, yet I have to say everything out loud and everyone can hear it. I have been told if I get a wheelchair, I can easily get the DAS... I don't own a motorized wheelchair, but I am practicing at the stores that have them. I am not proficient enough to rent something like this and possibly injure others because of my lack of skill using something like this. It is really unfortunate the lengths I need to go through to get Disney to understand about my disability.

I have a combat related severe spinal injury as rated by DoD and VA,, wear a Thoraco Lumbar Sacral Orthosis and have a letter from a military Orthopedic Surgeon stating not to stand longer than 30 minutes., The Gust Service Representative told me I can stand in line like everyone else or go sit down. I see MANY people using the disability access although no visible disability, physical motion appeared normal and some even laughing after allowed to breach the line to the ride by the ride operator. What is the criteria the Guest Services Representative use to determine the extent of a disability that invalidates an Orthopedic Surgeon? Or what are the magic words that others who abuse the DAS system use?

Hello,

2.5 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Lyme Disease after passing out and ending up in ER. I have terrible muscle weakness and numbness in my extremities. I have been on a very high does of doxycyclene and cant stay out in the sun for a long period of time. I have prescription sunscreen but my scalp blistered without a hat. I didnt even know about this card until my doctor told me to get one for our upcoming trip. I have TONS of perscrition sunscreen, hats, umbreals, etc for percaution. He is (as is my DH) concerned about waiting in lines any longer than necessary. I know that not all lines are directly in the sun but any change I can get to be out of the sun would certainly help. Is this something that would even qualify? I feel so embarrassed even asking. This stinks.

I do not get the whole DAS thing?! Only autistic children are eligable? I personaly have been treated like a liar and the cast members in Ca are rude and condesending. Guest services tells me to go to guest relations in the parks where they then treat me like a liar and look down their noses at me. My trouble is standing for long periods of time due to smashing my patella to bits 7 years ago. I go to the parks to be able to walk and do not want the expense of renting a wheelchair for a couple of rides as I am an annual pass holder also I don't want to fight the crowds with an empty chair just to have it to sit in line. One cast member told me "well, you can put your things in it". All I had was a purse. I really need to rent a wheelchair for my purse. I fail to see the harm in letting me get a return time and then sit on a bench and wait for it instead of the torture it is to stand. I thought this would be a godsent when I became aware of it but all I have gotten is rudeness. Guest relations by phone tells me "I am so sorry you are having trouble go back and talk to someone else. That went well, as the cast member told me " they don't know what they are talking about they don't have anything to do with this". If they want me to sit in a wheelchair in line then do as Disney World did when I was there and provide one at the ride entrance that I can use and then leave at the ride! It may come down to that my days at Disneyland are over. When I say that to the lovely cast members I had the pleasure of discussing this with they shrug like oh well lady too bad for you. I don't get why they have to be so nasty.

Hi

My daughter has Aspergers and scoptic sensitivity disorder. My son also has IBS. They go on different rides as my daughter is sensitive to certain motions.

Do they qualify for a Das card? If so can they both have their own cards or do they share one. The reason Im asking this is the that the card holder will have to be on the ride and as I said there are some rides that they can't go on together,

Many thanks

da

ps If they do qualify for a card how many can go on with them. We are going as an extended family of 11 and one baby. It is most likely that we will not all go on the same rides at once but to having a baby and toddlers with us.

once again

many thanks

I'm a Veteran, I have open heart surgery, a pass maker

and mentally disable, surgery in my left leg my wife and 2 children my pass if from Military Base my question is they have DAS card or I can have this from Disney in California.

Disneyland and California Adventures have changed. It seems like you can only get a DAS pass for mental disabilities, not physical ones. Last year(2016) we were basically told at California Adventures that if you can't stand in line for too long due to a mobility issue- then rent a wheelchair. When we went in 2015 we were able to get return time at California Adventure. Disneyland is a little different because a lot of their lines aren't handicapped accessible so you still can get a return time. Not to sound insensitive but I saw a man get return times for Tower of Terror. Someone please tell me what kind of mental disability can you have to where you can't wait in line for this ride but you are okay to go on it?

My young adult daughter has down's syndrome and I plan to visit Universal Studios on 16thMay 2017. Could you give me some information as to how to go about getting the DAS Card. We are one couple and our adult cognitively disableld daughter

How much does one has to pay ?

Who all have to pay ?

Hi,

We are looking into planning a trip. I was just looking into this as a possibility. My son has a heart condition. Hypertrophic Cardiomyoapthy. He can fatigue more easily as well become dehydrated if overheated. I haven't been in a while, so I don't know if lines are still outside. We would look to not be standing outside for hours in line. taking frequent breaks inside etc.

Thanks for your help.

Noelle

I am planing on heading to the park with my three children (13/9/5) both boys (13/9) have been diagnosed with ASD, DCD and ADHD. When were visited DLP we always availed of the GAP system which worked wonders for both of them, I know we will be entitled to the DAS but can it be obtained for both of them as they both ride completely different rides. 12 yo is a thrill seeker and loves anything fast and will ride rollercoaster until I throw up but 9 yo likes things a lots calmer.

Also if both boys have access passes can my 12 yo ride alone so either myself or my husband can sit with our 5 yo? Or is that a completely different can of worms.

My husband and I are traveling to WDW this weekend from MA with our 11 year old grand-daughter who is totally blind. I have NOT bought park tickets yet, as I want to make sure I am buying the right package for her . I am concerned however, that I may have to purchase tickets before I enter the park to get to the office of disabilities. Would someone be kind enough to tell me where we go when we get there to get a pass for her? Thank you

Hi!

I'm planning to take my kids to Disneyland, one of them has asthma and gets tire really easy, the other one has flat feet and it's extremely painful to stand up for long periods, can they get a DAS card?