Disneyland Disability Pass (DAS) 2024 Guide & Tips
The Disneyland disability pass is a service provided to guests with disabilities that cannot wait in traditional lines. This service is commonly referred to as DAS which stands for Disability Access Service. The Disneyland disability pass allows guests that qualify access to the Lightning Lane for attractions along with an ADA entrance for attractions that do not have Lightning Lane.
Keep reading for our full overview of the Disneyland disability pass including qualifications, how to register for DAS in advance, and how to use it at Disneyland.
Disneyland Disability Pass Overview
The Disneyland disability pass, also known as DAS, is a program offered at Disneyland to assist guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability.
The service works by allowing guests to schedule a return time that is comparable to the current queue wait time for the attraction. It does not provide immediate attraction access which is a common misconception. For example, if the wait for Haunted Mansion is 45 minutes, DAS users will be given a 45-minute return time. Guests can only hold one return time at once and cannot book another until they redeem their current one or cancel it.
Essentially, guests utilizing the Disneyland disability pass wait virtually and can enjoy other areas of the theme park while they wait or simply use this time to rest. You can read our full guide on quiet places at Disneyland if you need a good rest area during your visit.
There is no time limit to redeem your DAS return time. You could even book a return time and then go back to your hotel for a break and use it when you return. The return time does not expire until the day ends but you can only book a second one until you redeem or cancel the first one. This is all done via the Disneyland app, more on this below!
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How to Qualify for Disneyland Disability Pass?
DAS at Disneyland will undergo a change on June 18th 2024 that will restrict the criteria of those who are eligible for DAS. This change seeks to preserve DAS “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.” This means that many guests that may have been eligible for DAS in the past will no longer qualify under the new criteria. Starting on this date, health professionals from Inspire Health Alliance will also assist determine accommodations and provide advice along with the cast members.
Prior to this date, DAS eligibility will still fall under the more general criteria where guests explain why they can't wait in a conventional queue and what Disney can do to help make their experience more successful.
The cast members that work in DAS are extremely knowledgable and kind, try not to stress about this conversation and just be honest about the limitations you or your child have with standard queues. Depending on the needs, the cast member may ask follow up questions or offer further assistance.
Once registered for DAS, the pass is good for the length of the ticket or up to 120 days, whichever is shorter. DAS is valid throughout the resort at which it was issued. DAS issued at Walt Disney World Resort is not, for example, valid at the Disneyland Resort, and vice versa. The pass allows five members to join the DAS holder in a party so everyone can ride together.
Be honest during your conversation with a cast member. According to Disney, if they determine any of the statements made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true then the guests will be permanently banned from Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and will have any Magic Key/annual passes held revoked.
How to Apply for Disneyland Disability Pass
There are two different ways to apply for the Disneyland disability pass. You can apply in person at the theme park or online in advance of your trip. The person that is applying for DAS needs to be present for this conversation whether you sign up in advance or in person. So if you are applying for your child, they have to be with you, but you can speak on their behalf. The person approved for DAS will have their photo taken and linked to the ticket approved for the Disneyland disability pass. You will also need to have all your tickets ready for the other group members to be linked to the DAS holder.
Guest Services
Starting on June 18th 2024, guests will only be able to apply for DAS in the new guest services windows set up in the esplanade between the two parks. Until then, guests can continue to apply as usual at Guest Services inside either park.
At Disneyland, visit City Hall at the front of the park. At Disney California Adventure, visit the Chamber of Commerce at the front of the park. Guests can also visit the guest service kiosks in the park, look for the cast member umbrellas. These kiosks usually have shorter lines which can be helpful if you're visiting in the morning when lines are long.
Just tell the cast member that you would like to apply for DAS. The cast member will have a conversation with you to determine your eligibility and explain the process of how to use it.
Cast members in guest services are trained well to work with guests with disabilities and are sensitive to discussing these personal details.
DAS Advance
Guests can also choose to pre-register for what Disney calls “DAS Advance” which allows guests to meet with a cast member using live video chat to apply for DAS.
Guests can pre-register as soon as 30 days in advance of a park visit but no less than 2 days before arrival. During the chat with the cast member, guests that are approved for DAS can book up to 2 one-hour return arrivals for certain attractions.
If there is a long wait expected, the chat will notify you.
The video chat can have long wait times, especially during the afternoons and evenings. The best way to avoid a lengthy wait is to log on right before the chat hours begin.
Before your chat, make sure to:
- log in to your Disney account
- accept the Terms & Conditions
- link valid theme park admission for each member of your party, so they can be included in DAS plans
- ensure that every member of your party has a valid theme park reservation
- make sure your arrival date/tickets fall within a 2-30 day arrival window
- that the person needing DAS is physically present
Other important things to note:
- Live chat is available from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Pacific Time.
- At this time, live chat is offered in English only.
Once a cast member becomes available, you will be invited to do a video chat to talk to a cast member about your needs. If you are approved for the Disneyland disability pass, then you can pick two advance DAS return times for each day of your park visit.
Advance DAS Eligible Attractions
Guests can pick 2 one-hour return windows per day for these attractions.
Disneyland Park
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- “it’s a small world”
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Disney California Adventure Park
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoaster
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Toy Story Midway Mania
Keep in mind that not all attractions will be available as the selections are limited to availability. The sooner you register for the Disneyland disability pass, the more availability there will be. Advance DAS works differently as these are specific one-hour return times that do expire after that hour is up. However, there is no penalty for missing these return times and you can still book your regular return times.
Renewing DAS at Disneyland
Disneyland is able to track if you have used DAS in the past as the process is linked to your Disney account. While renewals are not automatic, this does help the process go a bit smoother since the cast member has a record of your previous challenges.
All DAS users need to renew their DAS every 60 days or when they are using a new park ticket. The process will be exactly the same as the first time with a cast member asking about specific needs or challenges.
How to Use DAS at Disneyland
Using the Disneyland disability pass is even easier now that you can book return times on the Disneyland app. Once you are scanned into the park, you can book your first return time.
After entering a park, open the Disneyland mobile app and sign in to your Disney account. Tap the “More” option at the bottom right of the welcome screen. Then, tap on the Disability Access Service (DAS) button to see the available attractions. The tool can also be accessed from attraction detail screens.
As for park hopping, you can't book a return time until you physically scan into that park. So you cannot book a return time for California Adventure if you are currently in Disneyland.
You can also have a cast member book return times for you. Just visit guest services or any of the guest services umbrellas around the park. But it is much more efficient to do it from the app. It is quite similar to using Genie+ at Disneyland and if you like, you can use both Genie+ with DAS at the same time.
The Disneyland disability pass does not provide immediate access to attractions so guests still wait to experience the attraction, they just have the option of waiting somewhere else aside from the queue. Once your return time is ready, just go to the entrance to the Lightning Lane and scan your ticket or MagicBand. The person that is registered for DAS has to scan first before the other members of the group.
Does DAS work on all rides?
The Disneyland disability pass works on all rides at Disneyland including those without a Lightning Lane and the Individual Lightning Lane attractions. For attractions that do not have a Lightning Lane available, there will be a cast member located near the entrance or exit of the attraction that can scan DAS holders in. Typically in this situation, you will be directed to go to the exit of the attraction to access the ride.
This is the case for nearly all the rides in Fantasyland along with other popular attractions like Jungle Cruise. For Pirates of the Caribbean, there is a separate line that merges with the regular queue before entering the building. The cast member will give you a ticket to give to the next cast member to be let through.
What if a ride breaks down?
Just like with Genie+ at Disneyland, if an attraction breaks down that you held a return for, you will be given a Multiple Experience Pass. A Multiple Experience Pass allows guests to redeem this return time on the attractions listed on the pass, at any time. You can then also book a new return time right away.
Virtual Queue & Disneyland Disability Pass
Currently, there is no virtual queue in place for any of the attractions at Disneyland. When a virtual queue is used, typically for a new attraction, DAS users will still need to obtain a boarding group to experience the attraction.
If a DAS guest succeeds in requesting a boarding group they will be able to access the attraction through the Lightning Lane just as they would for other attractions.
Disneyland Disability Pass at Special Events
The Disneyland disability pass works differently at special events like Oogie Boogie Bash and any of the After Hours events. Typically, DAS is not available during special events even if you are already registered. Cast members will tell guests with DAS that the lines for attractions are short during this time and that you don't need it which is true for most attractions. You cannot use DAS for any of the special character lines during these events either.
For Oogie Boogie Bash, there is one thing you can use DAS for which is access to Villain's Grove which tends to get extremely long lines during the event. The cast member at the entrance to Villain's Grove can help with giving guests registered for DAS a return time that is equal to the wait time. Since this line is often long, make sure to get your return time early in the evening.
How many guests can you have on a Disneyland disability pass?
You can have up to five guests on a Disneyland disability pass with the DAS holder for a total of six. If you have a large family, you may be able to add more to the DAS holder's group but this is not guaranteed. The standard rule is a total of six including the DAS holder.
Do I need Genie Plus if I have DAS?
You can absolutely use Genie Plus if you have DAS. It is not needed as you will likely be able to do everything you want to do with DAS. But it can be a great way to maximize your day by using both Genie+ and DAS at the same time.
DAS is only valid at the Disney Park it was issued. Guests will need to reapply for DAS at new theme parks.
DAS is valid for the length of the ticket or up to 60 days, whichever is shorter. Guests will need to re-register for the program once the service ends.
You do not need a doctor's note for a disability pass at Disney. Disney won't look at any doctor's notes, accommodations are based on needs, not a diagnosis.
Disneyland does not require proof of disability. Approval for the DAS pass is based on guest needs, not a diagnosis.
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