Disney announced several big changes to its Disability Access Services (DAS) and unveiled new planning resources to help guests with disabilities prepare for a magical vacation.
On Tuesday, Disney updated its Accessibility Planning Guides and Recommendations for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort to include a variety of tools guests can use when planning their next Disney trip. The new and improved guides more clearly explain the types of accessibility options (and which guests they’re created for) and provide helpful tips, such as quiet areas where guests can rest, a list of companion restrooms, guidelines for service animals, getting around the resorts, and sensory details for various experiences.
“Disney is committed to providing amazing experiences for all of our guests, including individuals with disabilities, which is why we’re committed to offering a wide range of innovative support services to help guests with disabilities have a great time during their visit to our theme parks,” a Walt Disney World Resort spokesperson said in a statement to Travel & Leisure.
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The DAS revamp also includes measures to manage abuse of the skip-the-line program and ensure eligible guests can take advantage. Effective May 20 at Walt Disney World and June 18 at Disneyland, the enrollment period for the DAS program will be extended from 60 to 120 days, and DAS party sizes will be limited to immediate family members or no more than four guests.
DAS works by providing attraction return times to guests who enroll in the program, eliminating the need for guests and their groups to wait in a standby queue. The return time is typically equal to the attraction’s current wait time, allowing guests to wait at an alternative location and return to the attraction through Lightning Lane at the designated time. Disney reported to T+L that use of DAS has more than tripled in the past five years.
Disney plans to add more trained Cast Members (partnering with medical experts from Inspire Health Alliance) to help guests understand which tools and equipment will best suit their needs, while also ensuring that only guests for whom those equipment is intended receive them.
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In light of these new changes, Disney strongly encourages guests to check out their updated website to learn about the different services available to guests with disabilities and find the ones that best meet their needs.
To make guests aware of the new resources, visitors can have a virtual video chat with the Accessibility Services team any time between 30 days and two days before their visit to determine DAS eligibility based on the guest’s individual needs. Disney encourages guests to start planning as soon as the window opens (or sooner). Alternatively, Disneyland guests can have an in-person conversation at a designated window on the promenade between the theme park’s main entrances (if they can’t do so before arriving). Walt Disney World visitors, however, should connect with a cast member via virtual chat if they haven’t completed this prior to their arrival.
According to Disney, the goal of this new process is to ensure that only Guests who need DAS receive it. Cast Members can also direct Guests to other accessibility services (besides DAS) that may be more appropriate, such as back-in-line options for Guests who need to go to the bathroom more frequently, ASL interpretation services, relief areas for service animals, or wheelchair access for Guests who use mobility devices.