DAS is Disney’s shorcut name for their Disability Access Service. On the heels of the announcement of Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane, Disney has also announced that there will be changes to the DAS. The DAS allows guests with a disability to “skip the line” for most attractions.
To be clear, those with a DAS still have to wait, just in a different way. Let me start by explaining the current way it works. On the first day of your trip in a park, you go to Guest Services to request DAS. You tell the cast member why you need it and they can either approve or deny you. In some cases, a disability may be invisible, but the cast member will ask about what accomodations are needed because of your condition. The cast member has to rely on the fact that you are telling the truth. They cannot request for a doctor note or proof of the disability. Although, it has been noted that any guest found to be not telling the truth, they will be permanently banned from all Disney World and Disneyland parks and resorts.
To be clear, those with a DAS still have to wait, just in a different way. Let me start by explaining the current way it works. On the first day of your trip in a park, you go to Guest Services to request DAS. You tell the cast member why you need it and they can either approve or deny you. In some cases, a disability may be invisible. The cast member has to rely on the fact that you are telling the truth. They cannot request for a doctor note or proof of the disability. If approved, they will take a picture of the person in need of the pass, and it will be linked to your magic band. You only need to go to Guest Services once during your trip. The DAS is good for 60 days.
To use the DAS, you then go up to the fast pass line of the attraction you want to go on. They will scan your band to verify you have the pass, and add anyone in your party that wants to ride with you. If the standby wait is currently 15 minutes or less, you can immediately join the FastPass line. If it is longer, you will be given a return time to go through the FastPass line. In my experience, it is whatever the wait time is, less 10 minutes. You can only have ONE ride wait active at a time. During your wait time you can go do something else like go on a ride with an acceptable wait time, shop, eat, or just rest.
Disney has indicated that the old way of using the DAS will still be available! However, there is now going to be a new way to utilize the DAS. Here is what Disney had to say:
DAS Advance
This fall, we’re introducing a new option to register virtually with a Cast Member via live video chat as early as 30 days in advance of a park visit.
During your chat with a Cast Member, you’ll also have the opportunity to select up to 2 experiences per day (subject to availability) using our new DAS Advance planning option. Please keep in mind that DAS Advance selections must be booked at least 2 days prior to the day you plan to redeem them, and you will not be able to make selections on the day of your visit.
If the experience you want is available, you’ll be given a one-hour return window to redeem during the day of your visit. Any selections you make will appear as plans on the My Disney Experience app or on this website.
Please note: at this time, live chat will be offered in English only.
Same-Day DAS Return Time Self-Selection Tool
A new way to request return times is also debuting this fall. In lieu of having to physically go to an experience or to a kiosk to obtain a return time from a Cast Member, Guests registered in the DAS program (and their party members) will be able to make return time selections right from the My Disney Experience app during the day of a park visit.
You can read more info and FAQ about the DAS here https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/
The Disability Access Service isn’t without its critics, but many find that it works well for them. I think for the most part, these changes will have a positive effect on the program.
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