Disney’s disability program has gone through many structural changes the past few years with their biggest change reducing eligibility to a smaller number of guests. DAS, Disability Access Service, allows qualifying guests to access the shorter Lightning Lane for attractions after they wait in different areas than the standard ride queue.
The newest change is a positive one that eligible guests will appreciate as Disney begins to loosen some of their earlier regulations that began with the initial crackdown of the DAS program.
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Disney Disability Program Continues to Change
DAS went through a major overhaul on May 20, 2024 in order to reduce a large amount of abuse and misuse of the program. These changes reduced eligibility for guests that qualify for the program to only those that have a “developmental disability or similar” which was met with a significant amount of controversy including a class action lawsuit.
It was no surprise to see a class action lawsuit filed as there has been quite a bit of pushback from guests due to these changes and we’ve heard stories of six hour long waits to apply with lengthy interrogations and strange instructions given to guests by cast members. We have been watching the changes to DAS closely since this change, you can read more about the initial crackdown in our earlier reports.
Disney Extends Duration of Time for DAS Approvals
This newest change follows an earlier positive move that extends the length of time before guests need to renew their DAS which mostly applies to annual passholders. The language on the DAS website has now been changed to, “DAS is valid for the length of the ticket or up to 1 year, whichever is shorter. Once the service has elapsed, Guests need to re-register for the program.” This change is for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Previously, DAS was only valid for 240 days before requiring guests to reapply for the program which was an extension from the original 120 day period when the program changes first went into effect. When guests are approved for DAS, their approval is then linked to their park ticket or their annual pass. DAS is only valid for the duration of the ticket or for a set number of days for annual passholders. Once approval is no longer valid, guests need to reapply for the program again.
Since annual passes are good for one year, this meant multiple times of reapplying for DAS during the pass period. Now that the DAS approval has been extended to a full year this means that annual passholders will only need to apply once for the duration of their pass which is a big improvement as these DAS interviews have been said to be quite intense and specific.
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While this doesn’t really apply to regular ticket holders, this is positive news for those that require DAS and use an annual pass at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
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do we still need to register for a DAS? because on the website it says that we do need to register for a DAS so now i’m becoming confused
No rules have changed. See our guide to DAS at Disneyland and DAS at Disney World.
1. Is the magic band free? How does one obtain the band?
2. I still have my opening day ticket given to my dad for the family by Walt himself when Tom Blackburn was a writer. I would travel to Disneyland from the San Francisco Bay area with my wife of 64 years if you had a program for seniors that we could afford and without all the complexities and gimmicks. At 91, we are fully mobile but can’t deal with long standing in line nor understand things that have to be done with a smart phone. Is there a program for seniors that I don’t know about?
At 91 I need a cane, and my wife is starting Alzheimer’s disease. Is there no accommodation for us?
As usual, Passholders get the benefits. My granddaughter is 15yo and has a number of health issues that make it hard to stand in line. She does use a scooter and can go through the line that way, but when your body can’t regulate its temperature, sometimes it can be hard on her. She also has POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome – she can develop lightheadedness, fainting and rapid heartbeat.