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Disney plans to overhaul disability access services at its theme parks in California and Florida, the company announced on Tuesday, April 9.
The change was announced in an update to the Disability Access Services (DAS) pages on the Disneyland and Walt Disney World websites.
The service is free and allows people with disabilities to know when it will be possible to return to an attraction rather than waiting in the regular queue.
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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.”
Previously, DAS was said to be for “guests who, due to impairments, find it difficult to wait for long periods of time in a traditional queuing environment.”
Ticker Securities Last Change Change Percentage DIS THE WALT DISNEY CO. 97.13 +0.53 +0.55%
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.
In addition to changing the specifications for who qualifies for DAS, Disney has also changed the application process for the service.
Disney announced changes to disability access services at its theme parks in Florida (pictured above) and California on April 9, 2024. (Disney Dreamers Academy/Getty Images for Fox News)
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.
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At Disneyland, starting June 18, guests applying for DAS can do so on the day via virtual chat or a dedicated “Accessibility Services” desk.
Once granted, the DAS will be valid for the life of the guest’s theme park ticket, or up to a maximum of 120 days.
DAS is a program that allows people with disabilities to avoid waiting in traditional lines, but from now on it will be limited to “people who cannot stand in traditional lines for long periods of time due to developmental disorders such as autism.” (iStock / iStock)
Disney said it will be possible to re-enroll in DAS after these dates.
Previously, DAS was valid for 60 days.
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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.
Disneyland (pictured above) and Walt Disney World will soon be implementing new procedures for guests with disabilities. (Jeff Glitchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images/Getty Images)
TouringPlans, a travel website that reports theme park news and helps people plan trips, said other changes to Disney’s disability access policies are rumored, including accommodations for people with non-developmental disabilities that affect their ability to wait in line.
“Disney is reportedly planning to implement a clear ‘return in line’ process for guests who need to leave the line and re-enter,” the website stated, noting that this could be a suitable measure for people who were previously eligible for DAS.
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Introduced in 2013, DAS is an update to a previous policy, the Guest Assistance Card, that allowed park-goers with disabilities to skip most lines at attractions.
In 2013, Disney said it hoped DAS would “curb current programmatic abuses, which are unfortunately widespread and increasing at an alarming rate.”
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FOX Business has reached out to Disney for additional comment and clarification regarding the new policy.
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