The Walt Disney Co. is tightening restrictions and increasing oversight of individuals claiming disabilities at its theme parks after a surge in fraudulent claims attempting to exploit the service.
The company announced Tuesday that guests found to have made false statements to receive disability access services will be permanently banned from its parks.
“If any statements made by a guest during the DAS process are determined to be untrue, the guest will be permanently banned from Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort,” Disney’s website warns.
It adds that any “previously purchased annual passes, Magic Key passes, tickets or other park products or services” of customers found to have falsely declared a disability will be “confiscated and will not be refunded.”
The free DAS allows people with disabilities time to return to the attraction instead of waiting in the regular queue.
Previously, DAS was said to be aimed at “guests who, due to impairments, find it difficult to wait for long periods of time in a traditional queuing environment.”
Guests who lie about having a disability will be banned from Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Getty Images
Currently, the Disneyland and Walt Disney Resort websites state that “DAS is intended to accommodate the small number of guests who, due to autism or other developmental disabilities, are unable to wait in traditional lines for long periods of time.”
According to the company, the new changes will take effect at Walt Disney World in Florida on May 20 and at Disneyland in California on June 18. Until then, the existing “DAS” process will continue.
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In addition to changing the specifications for who qualifies for DAS, Disney has also changed the application process for the service.
At Walt Disney World, as of May 20, all DAS registration must be done via virtual video chat, and “after May 20, 2024, in-person registration will no longer be available at theme park Guest Relations locations,” the Walt Disney World website states.
At Disneyland, starting June 18, guests applying for DAS can do so on the day via virtual chat or a dedicated “Accessibility Services” desk.
Disney is cracking down on visitors who claim to have disabilities. GC Images
According to the company, current DAS users will need to apply for the service again.
DAS is also currently limited to groups of four or less who are members of a guest’s “immediate family” or unrelated, the website said.
In recent years, Disney has struggled to reduce wait times and better manage access to its park attractions as rising attendance and abuse by groups have challenged park planners.
Fox Business’ Christine Roussel contributed to this report.