Disney shareholders have now voted on the proposal related to changes to the Disability Access Service (DAS) at Disneyland and Walt Disney World during the Walt Disney Company’s annual shareholder meeting. Advocates of the proposal have been anxiously awaiting the results of this vote, which would call for a company review of the recent DAS changes.
The results of this vote follow the introduction of the proposal requesting that the company review the recent DAS changes. Disney had already issued a recommendation to shareholders on how the board believes the proposal should be addressed after initially reversing the effort to block the proposal. Now that the results are in, let’s get into the vote on the DAS shareholder proposal and comments from the CEO. At Mickey Visit, we report on Disney news like the major discounts and perks for Disney World hotel guests this summer, the reopening date of an anticipated attraction, and new seating. See new DAS lawsuit.
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DAS Disability Shareholder Proposal Vote Results
DAS was significantly restructured in 2024 in an effort to curb overuse, misuse, and other issues that were beginning to weaken the program’s effectiveness. As a result, many guests who were previously eligible for these accommodations became ineligible after the changes.
One of the most recent responses to this overhaul was the shareholder proposal supported by disability advocates.
The proposal “urges The Walt Disney Company to assess the legal, financial, and reputational risks associated with its controversial Disability Access Service (DAS) overhaul.” A vote in favor of this proposal would require Disney to commission an independent third-party review of its accessibility and disability inclusion practices, evaluating risks, comparing them against standards and competitors, and sharing the findings publicly and internally. The annual shareholder meeting for The Walt Disney Company was on March 18, 2026, at 1 PM ET, and shareholders finally voted on the DAS proposal.
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A shareholder spoke about the new proposal in a statement on the call. Here’s what was shared by the advocate for the proposal:
Walt Disney said, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” That promise built one of the most trusted brands in the world. For more than a century, Disney stories have shaped culture because they reflect a core value of this company, inclusion. As Bob Iger himself said, one reason Disney’s storytelling has such a meaningful and positive impact is because it embraces inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance.
The disability community is one of the fastest growing demographics in the world. These are not fringe guests. They are families planning multi-generational vacations, loyal customers who invest extraordinary time, coordination, and resources to make a Disney trip possible. Accessibility for disabled guests is not charity. It is not politics. It is smart market positioning, responsible brand stewardship, and sound risk management. And right now, there are warning signs.
A recent study found that 85% of disabled Disney guests surveyed said they are unlikely to return because of recent accessibility changes. That is not noise, that is a strategic signal. We are already seeing tightening consumer spending, raising competition for travelers, and leadership acknowledging lower park volumes tied to attendance, as well as a class action lawsuit. At a moment like this, we can’t afford to erode one of Disney’s most powerful brand promises that everyone belongs and is welcome. An independent review of accessibility practices is not an admission of failure, it is leadership.
It shows shareholders that the board takes risk management, brand strength, and guest loyalty seriously. Disney magic is not only created in films, it is created in how people feel when they walk through the gates. Protecting that magic means protecting the people who believe in it. I urge you to support this proposal.
The preliminary report on the vote for the item states that only 5% of shares approve the proposal and so the proposal did not pass. Three total shareholder proposals were not approved during the shareholder portion of the meeting.
Why Did Disney Shareholders Vote No?
This is disappointing news for disability advocates who were in favor of this shareholder proposal. But this wasn’t unexpected, as it is rare for investors not to follow the board’s recommendation unless there is a strong governance or financial concern. In this case, Disney’s board had previously argued that the company already reviews accessibility policies internally and that the proposal was unnecessary. The board argued that the proposal would not add meaningful value for shareholders and would require resources without providing new or useful information, leading it to unanimously recommend a vote against the proposal.
Since shareholders were recommended by the board to vote no, it’s not surprising that a majority followed that guidance.
Shareholder proposals typically gain more support when the issues are clearly affecting financial performance or shareholder value. While the proposal argued that the new limitations on DAS were affecting park attendance, a claim Disney denied in its response, many investors may have viewed the issue as outside the company’s core financial priorities. Other investors also might have felt that Disney leadership should retain discretion over how the parks manage their accessibility programs.
Some shareholders might also agree with Disney’s position that tightening eligibility was necessary to preserve the program for guests with developmental disabilities. Disney has repeatedly stated that the program experienced significant misuse, which prompted the 2024 changes.
Most shareholder proposals at large companies typically receive low support, especially if they do not involve major issues like corporate governance, executive pay, or broader environmental and social policies.
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We recently visited Disneyland with our Mentally Disabled 37 year old son. We went through the DAS process and were and were able to access the DAS pass. In 2009 our son would only ride Autotopia, watch shows and shop. This year with the pass and more coaxing he road many rides. We are so grateful for the DAS pass. It really made a world of difference and our trip so much more pleasurable.
Thank you Disney for providing this access to our disabled community.
Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad it sounds like you all had a better time! We have DAS too. We wouldn’t go without it, it has some issues but we are grateful nonetheless. It’s better than it was before.
We almost didn’t renew passes because of the old system. It was terrible for ASD people before. Now it helps.
What they need to change is the reservation system. We pay a lot for passes but many times can’t go because of disability related emergencies. We still get blocked out for 30 days and then have to hope we don’t have any more mishaps for another 60.
For not being able to make our park reservation. 😕 This also affects everybody. Things happen. I think if the parks need any improvement STAT; it’s the reservation system.
Take care!!! 💕
You need to put BACK disability access for people with problems .I am an annual passhold that can’t enjoy the park any more i can not !! Stay in a long line because of a medical condition i was able to get on rides before YOU CHANGED THE RULES and through US under the bus THANKS
They have options for you. Just ask. DAS takes longer. You don’t want DAS.
If you physically can’t wait you can use your scooter or wheelchair….or a cane with seat etc. They also have rider swap so you can wait and when your family goes through you can hop on.
If you have certain disabilities it can be a liability for Disney because some rides are too dangerous for certain conditions. So stay safe.
I had DAS since 2016 and with the new change, I’m no longer eligible. Apparently, if you don’t have a mental disorder, you don’t qualify. This is ridiculous and needs to be fixed.
They have other options for you….it’s faster for you than DAS by far. Just ask. If we could go without DAS we would. It’s just not an option. We NEEd DAS and thankfully get it. It’s better now. But still a long wait.
You wait the time for the ride which is posted higher often, they don’t scan in early anymore either. Then you have to be penalized with a countdown of like 20 minutes before you can make another reservation and it already takes us much longer to get around the parks…..
We have been blocked out because we didn’t make it the third time in a row as passhodlers because of our child’s disabilities. That is unfair.
DAS is unfair to the people using it. But it’s necessary also. Count your blessings that you don’t need it.
They have other options for you….it’s faster for you than DAS by far. Just ask. If we could go without DAS we would. It’s just not an option. We NEEd DAS and thankfully get it. It’s better now. But still a long wait.
You wait the time for the ride which is posted higher often, they don’t scan in early anymore either. Then you have to be penalized with a countdown of like 20 minutes before you can make another reservation and it already takes us much longer to get around the parks…..
We have been blocked out because we didn’t make it the third time in a row as passhodlers because of our child’s disabilities. That is unfair.
DAS is unfair to the people using it. But it’s necessary also. Count your blessings that you don’t need it. They have wheelchairs and scooters and you probably have one if you are physically disabled. They even have elevators for some rides.
DAS isn’t for phsyical disabilities. Some people might have both situations. I know last year I had a physical disability as well as the ASD that I don’t need DAS for. But we have DAS for our child. “Invisible” disabilities. Mental and physical. People glared because I think they assumed I got DAS for being in a scooter or whatnot and that was not the case.
That makes no sense.
This is disappointing. I know people with diabetes and other issues that are no longer covered who dont go to the parks as much or at all anymore because it’s too much of a risk. Even my own gf will rarely do rides anymore because the queues many times can trigger her claustrophobia which triggers asthma attacks which is clearly a risk to her well-being. I’m all for them having the screenings with a health professional so an untrained cast member is no longer in charge of figuring out if someone really has a serious health issue, but to take away DAS for people with severe anxiety, bowl issues, and other physical issues that make waiting in an hour+ queue, sometimes in severe heat, dangerous is just awful.
I dont have issues with the new system but the current guidelines that pretty much exclude anything that isn’t a sensory disorder are absolutely insane.
Sorry Phil, but I agree with Disney, anxiety over tight spaces does NOT entitle someone to skip lines at Disney. You do realize the rides themselves have you strapped into tight spaces for prolonged periods of time, how come those don’t conveniently trigger anxiety?
US servicemembers with diagnosed PTSD, which is a form of anxiety much worse and much more real than others, don’t get front of the line privileges, and they’ve done a lot more to earn it, in my opinion.
But sounds like those are issues that are a liability if you ride at all….they can’t be documented allowing your gf on a crowded ride where she might have an emergency…..also diabetic people can handle normal lines, or why can’t they? I have family with diabetes and they can handle normal lines just fine.
It’s a shorter wait without DAS BTW. I have asthma with claustraphobia and ASD and having DAS wouldn’t change much for me. Stick up for your gf and make space. My husband and I have to do that for me and our child because we still have to wait the same lines as you do. Lol
Most rides are just lightning lane or the exits of the rides which are more congested than the normal line……………
Pretty sure Disney is going to LOSE the lawsuit that requires access for all to public facilities. That said, it seems difficult to police abuse of this. Nevertheless, Disney has a responsibility to provide access to disabled guests under the American’s with Disabilities Act, aka, ADA. Basically, since 1990, any new rides and any existing rides undergoing alterations need to comply. If they weren’t done to comply during this time period they are required to comply.
You do have access to them. What you aren’t entitled to is slipping the line with your 20 “close relatives”. There’s a difference.
Spot on. I do think it’s crazy they limited the party size so drastically but I think maybe that’s changed….we have seen parties of five or six I think. Which can be small for Disneyland but I get it.
I’m glad overall with the changes. They DO make people wait out a penalty now after checking in for a DAS ride which makes zero sense because it takes most people with DAS a lot longer to get around the parks already. Plus the posted times can often be higher than the actual lines. But I’m glad we have it. We actually need it or wouldn’t go. Unlike most of the people we used to see in the lines for DAS.
It’s a not a penalty to wait 10 minutes to book another ride. No one in standby can start waiting in a standby line while they’re riding a ride.
Disney should make DAS work such that you can’t book a return time until you’re at least in the vicinity of the ride. No more booking Big Thunder Mountain when you’re standing outside of Buzz Lightyear.
Highly unlikely that Disney will lose because while they are required to provide reasonable accommodations, they are not required to provide DAS. Disabled guests can use mobility devices while in line, they can have part of their party wait outside the line then meet up through LL, or leave the line and return if they need to.
You can bet that Disney has massive amounts of data that will show how the unlimited DAS was negatively impacting park operations, which will demonstrate why they had to limit DAS and offer alternate accommodations.
I also think they need to make additional changes to how DAS is used so that it is less attractive to those who lie to get it. Not allowing guests to wait in a standby line while they have an active return time would be a start, since non-disabled guests can’t wait in two standby lines at the same time. Standing in an hour long line for Space Mountain while you’re holding a return time for Tron should void the DAS immediately.
Also, a DAS user shouldn’t be able to make a DAS return time unless they are in the vicinity of the attraction they wish to access – a DAS user shouldn’t be able to get a return time for Tiana’s if they just finished riding Space Mountain.
If DAS is supposed to be a replacement for standby, then they should make it act more like standby, minus the wait in the actual standby line.
DAS already has those systems. Lol So done and done. We have DAS. You have always had to wait at least as long as the other guests. They did update it so you have to wait before you can reserve a new time/ride. Which to us is BS because we aren’t other guests, we have many reasons for our dx that everything takes longer.
(Incuding DAS itself since you wait the time for the LINE which is often posted higher than it is AND you have to show up and wait again sometimes up to another 40 or so after you already waited however long the normal line was……. We have waited 60 plus 40 for space mountain plenty of times. If we could use the normal line we would’ve been on the ride in half the time…. )
Also for DAS you already have to walk extra many times to get to a different area, TBH it’s a stupid part of it that is hectic because of the crowding at exits etc, or incompetent cast members which thankfully seem to be getting replaced or better training. But its been an issue plenty. Going back and forth between lines because they don’t know what’s what.
So yeah. You have had your wishes come true! Lol You DO get that it’s not “fair” when you have to wait LONGER to ride as someone with DAS, right? Technically fair WOULD be less time since we take more time to do normal things people take for granted (even people with many of the physical disabilities we saw before in the old system that we spoke with. )
But we are grateful enough to grumble by with it because as we know with these disabilities; the world isn’t fair. As Bill Nye says “WELCOME to the world we live in!!!” It can suck. The thing is my family needs DAS to attend the parks. Not worth it for us to risk zero rides or a ride or two and going home. As we had to even do often with the old abused DAS system.
So we both have had some wishes granted. Nice!
If you have a DAS, you don’t have to go to the ride to get a return time, you can do it in the app from anywhere in the park.
“ Which to us is BS because we aren’t other guests”
LOL entitled much?
As Ryan said, you do have access. It’s not the same thing. DAS passes are for very specific situations. You can’t just have autism either. It’s specific developmental disabilities. Can be autism but it’s nuanced for a reason.
It’s not the same thing as disability ramps etc. Most people complaining about DAS can handle the lines, they can also use the other systems. Many can’t even ride at all because it’s unsafe for them, so they should use the other systems. Not DAS.
DAS isn’t to get your family on, or to get a lawsuit for knowing someone has the types of disabilities that they specifically say shouldn’t ride. Lol That makes zero sense.
Disneyland parks are some of the very few places we feel we can somewhat relax with our kid’s disabilities. We have been passholders for years because of it. Many times we can’t even make it to the parks and get blocked out because of the dx. That feels unfair and affects way more people than those complaining about DAS. But is what it is.
We don’t vacation other places. We can’t do most things others can. So it was going to be a bummer to stop. But if we didn’t get DAS we would not be going. If you need DAS that would be you as well. Most people complaining loudest are still going and easily able to routinely.
They are private property by and large. LOL They also have access throughout the parks to restrooms and restaurants and rides. So what would they be sued for?
Many rides have warnings about who shouldn’t ride. Why would they give a person DAS that isn’t supposed to ride? They have systems for families of people that can’t ride. It’s actually more efficient than DAS…..Maybe they need to name it better so people stop complaining. Seems a lot of misunderstanding is happening.
We have DAS and many times have to wait twice as long. Not to mention it takes us longer just to get around the parks and do things others take for granted. Even with severe physical disabilities. I have sympathy for many of the folks that have those problems.
But that doesn’t mean they need or should use DAS. They clearly don’t need it if they are still there. We were extremely sad to think about not renewing but we wouldn’t have if we couldn’t get DAS. It’s a struggle to get to the parks so much so we have been blocked out because of their reservation system. THAT is unfair. It affects more people.
If you or a loved one have significant disabilities I’d guess that’s the hill to perish on. Not DAS.
Get them in the pocket book and don’t renew pass unfair situation.
DAs is finally better after they changed it’s necessary but unfair. We have to wait longer than other people………most people complaining loudest about DAS still regularly go because they really don’t need DAS.
If they needed it they wouldn’t go. Then Disney maybe WOULD feel it. But they don’t.
Also the reservation system affects everyone. We have been blocked out for disabilities many times. We pay for passes and have been blocked out from going because we couldn’t make it due to emergencies. IDK how that is legal…but it’s a major process to fight it individually. Vs if people would actually put energy twords that.
If someone has disabilities that don’t stop them from being able to get in a car to go to a fun place, that’s a blessing.
Sounds like the shareholders are a bunch of morons who can’t think for themselves. “Yeah, I’ll vote the way that the corporation I’m voting against wants me to.” 🙄🙄🙄
This is soooo disappointing. The argument that those with disabilities such as autism are the focus is patently false. My son and my son-in-law’s brother, both adults with autism, were denied DAS and given the most inane “alternate accommodations” for the first time in October 2025. This will definitely affect our future trips to Disney parks,…if there are any. Such a shame, because we are all historically huge Disney fans. 😡😒☹️
OK but I hope they are “HF” like I am.
ASD varies greatly as you know. I have ASD I don’t need DAS. My child has ASD and needs DAS. We wouldn’t go without it. Hence the NEED.
We have been blocked out via their reservation system because my kid’s disabilities have been too bad that day. THAT is unfair. We pay for passes. But it’s not unfair enough that we won’t go.
It’s difficult to do most things other people can. So Disney is one of the only recreational places we go as a family. If I explained people will lie. We have seen it. Many don’t get in at least but they try. They have their kids faking things. It’s so sad. Also silly….DAS takes longer lol.
If we could go through the normal lines we would. Many favorites are often twice the wait. Not to mention other factors that mean it takes longer for us to get around the parks.
If they offered your family other options that sounds nice. Those wouldn’t really apply to us. I’d imagine if we couldn’t get DAS they wouldn’t offer us other options.
Either way. We wouldn’t go because it would be too hard to get on rides without DAS. That’s the main reason we go. For rides.
I hope it works out better than you imagine.
I was under the old rules and no longer eligible under the the new rules.very dissapointed i barley used but now I don’t qualify. I am rated total and permanent disabled but not according to Disney. I couldn’t stand in those long lines
I understand. That would suck adjusting. isn’t for permenant disability it’s for specific permanent disabilities. If you can’t stand in the lines they have wheelchairs and scooters, but I assume you have your own since you have this permenant disability.
I had a disability last year that I’m mostly better from, but couldn’t walk hardly at all….we spend most of our disposable income on Disney passes TBH. Our savings had to go all to my medical. I had to get a ton of equipment. I still bring a cane with a seat and other things to the parks in case I need to sit randomly. Or I don’t go. Other times I only go to scan in and then watch my kids and spouse get on rides without me.
My child has DAS. If we didn’t have DAS we legitimately wouldn’t go. We go mainly for the kids. We go as much as we can but even the dx stops us from going many times last minute so we end up blocked out.
Feels unfair but that’s the rules. TBH that rule affects more people.
Old DAS meant we were probably not going to renew passes. We had them for several years but DAS went from bad to worse. So many people in the DAS lines needed a wheelchair or something else that isn’t provided for by DAS.
I won’t go into detail because we have seen people still try to lie their way into the new system. SMH But the lines before had gotten so bad we had to leave early many times. Which was extremely hard because sometimes even with DAS that happens. Then to have it happen because DAS is so screwed up was stupid.
We were nervous about the new changes. Took a while to get it done but we got the new DAS and it’s what keeps us coming back. Count your blessings if you can even still attend the parks without it. For us its actually that important.
“DAS … experienced significant misuse, which prompted the 2024 change” BINGO. It’s already been improved, which sadly irks a lot of people that had it for inappropriate reasons. That must feel similarly to how my family felt when we had DAS and were unable to use it as intended because of most people being people that don’t need DAS.
There is a misconception; even in the wording of the dramatic proposal, that DAS is somehow tied to ALL of the accessibility of Disney. I do think they could’ve named it differently but people will be upset either way. Disney holds to laws and regulations for that type of thing.
They need better safety honestly for everyone, in ways of environmental hazards. Tripping hazards, slipping hazards from poorly trained staff, lack of good crowd management at times. Though I hope that’s shifting already.
As for DAS it’s not the same thing as ramps for wheelchairs and such. They aren’t required to make every attraction attended able by every single person. That’s impossible. I’ve seen people complain about not getting DAS for loved ones that can’t safely ride most rides….
Very tough situation I’m sure but that’s not what DAS is for. They are actually smart enough to have other options for those guests.
I feel many people need perspective. We were very upset by the old DAS system. It removed joy for us, we went to Disney on the regular because it IS one of the safer places to go with a severely disabled child.
But when the DAS line was frequently much longer than the normal line and full of people that didn’t have any significant “ailment” at all, others that were wholly physical disabilities…and many that didn’t understand the situation it was too much.
We had the perspective to feel let down but also….bigger fish to fry.
If DAS could not offer that experience anymore we wouldn’t go. No way we would get a similar experience in a normal line. As heartbreaking as that is for someone with generations going and the break it’s been for us as parents in some minor ways. It’s not as heartbreaking as our kid’s diagnosis. Or the day to day.
What’s crazy is most people complaining the loudest STILL go to the parks regularly. What’s wilder is their dx don’t keep them from the parks. Wow. Ours does. We have many times we can’t make it because of the dx. Or times we go and leave within an hour, even though it took two to get there. Other times we just have waited in a long line with difficulty to only not be able to get on the ride at the end because of the dx.
Yet most people crying about DAS are just upset they lost the option to be included in soemthing perceived to be superior. It’s still required to wait the ride time and then some to use DAS. It’s beyond me why people that CAN and DO use the normal lines with ease (many are this way) would want to wait longer to use DAS anyway.
And this is the piece that so many people miss – the LLs had become so clogged with people who could have been accommodated without a DAS that people who truly needed DAS couldn’t use it.
Everyone wants everything regardless of context. We have been out of state visitors and passholders during the last 45 years. Now, in our seventies, rope drop to opening is not possible. Just getting from parking lot to entrance is difficult, depending on weather, plague of the season or seasonal “events”. We still love coasters and new tech attractions but physically can’t handle the lines or the crowds. So, annual passes are a thing of the past and spending $200. each for 4 hours in a park does not provide value. We still take non-park vacations and love our DVC visits. In a perfect world I would champion for limited admission or annual passes (after 4pm, “slow” times of the year, etc.) but the reality is, it’s not going to happen. Disney is a commercial enterprise and we have simply outlived that aspect of our lives. We can’t always get what we want. The hill I die on will not be Disneyworld visits. It will be healthcare, government restrictions and inequality.
To all the disabled, I recall oh so clearly our exhausted family with my very pregnant daughter having to hold her sleepy child standing up while a person with a scooter who could walk took up three seats plus the one they sat in plus their 6 family members. Oh and they never stood in the long line waiting for the bus. They just showed up to the crowd and waltzed straight to the front of the line. That scenario happens too often. People spend thousands of dollars to enjoy a vacation and then feel very put out by something like this. It’s horrible. So I say yeah. Maybe some special accommodation could be made for such ppl using their own personal vehicle.