Disability Access Service (DAS) at Disneyland and Walt Disney World went through major changes to eligibility last year in response to what Disney saw as an “overuse” of the program. Eligibility for DAS is now far more limited and requires a lengthy interview process which some guests have compared to feeling like an interrogation.
Disney has recently changed the language regarding eligibility on numerous pages of the website describing the program for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. We have been covering the DAS changes since the original announcement and continue to track all updates that might be relevant to our readers.
Let’s breakdown this most recent change and share our commentary on whether or not this actually means a change for the DAS program.
Disney Changes Wording for DAS Eligibility
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Last summer Disney made large changes to the criteria for guests using the DAS program at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. At that time, the language on the websites was changed stating that the program is meant to “only accommodate 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.”
The language has remained on the website since the changes and has been continuously enforced based on what guests have reported. According to guests reports, it has been rare for guests to get approved that do not have a developmental disability but not necessarily impossible. However, since those changes Disney has shared that the process will still focus on the experience of the guest with the disability and how it impacts their day to day lives and not just the diagnosis itself.
Disney has stuck to this wording consistently since then with those applying for the program being reminded of the criteria before each interview. Since they have been so consistent with the wording, it’s no wonder that a change to it on the website would garner such attention.
Today Disney has changed the wording on the DAS websites to remove the word “only” which you can see below:
The language has been changed to remove the word “only” in multiple places on the Disney websites for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Now the criteria for eligibility simply reads “DAS is one of the programs offered at the Disneyland Resort theme parks to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability such as autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.”
The big change is the removal of the word “only” from the description of criteria for DAS.
Is This Actually a Change to DAS?
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It may not seem like a big deal to remove just one word from the eligibility criteria but this phrasing is repeated on multiple pages of the Disney website plus spoken out loud to guests when they apply. So to remove the designation of DAS being “only” for guests with developmental disabilities could indicate some type of future change.
Perhaps Disney is considering loosening the restriction on DAS and opening it up to more guests aside from those impacted by developmental disabilities? While this is likely what many guests are hoping for, I would be wary before getting hopes up too high. It does not hurt to apply for the program and give it your best shot.
It could be that Disney is just removing the word “only” to help with any potential legal challenges as changes to these types of programs often result in some type of lawsuit. Any change to these websites is likely gone over with a fine tooth comb from Disney’s legal department. Perhaps the wording has been changed simply because there is a rare situation when a guest is approved that does NOT have a developmental disability. Or perhaps to avoid phrasing that might make it appear that Disney is ignoring other disability needs.
However, it’s not insignificant to see changes to the language that might result in any kind of flexibility regarding eligibility and we will be keeping a close eye on reader reports moving forward.
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