Disneyland and Walt Disney World have announced a big change in their Disability Access Service (DAS) programs. These programs help people who have a hard time waiting in long lines due to disabilities. But some folks have been misusing the system, making lines longer for everyone else. So, Disney wants to fix that.
Starting on June 18 at Disneyland and May 20 at Walt Disney World, there will be new rules. If someone lies when they sign up for DAS, they could get banned from both parks forever. That means no more visits to “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
Disney didn’t say exactly how they’ll catch people who lie. But it’s likely that park staff will be on the lookout.
Here’s what’s changing:
1. People won’t automatically get to choose their rides in advance anymore.
2. Only groups of up to four people can use DAS together.
3. You can apply for DAS further ahead of time now, up to 120 days.
4. If you’re already using DAS, you’ll have to sign up again.
If you’re planning to visit Disneyland between April 9 and June 17, there are some things you should know. You can talk to Disney about DAS eligibility before your visit, either online or in person at Guest Relations.
You can also reserve two one-hour time slots for certain rides using DAS. This might sound like a sweet deal, but it’s important to use DAS the right way. It’s meant for folks who really need it, like people with autism who can’t handle long lines.
The DAS program got really popular over the years. Some people even figured out how to use it to skip lines without paying for another service called Genie+. That’s not what DAS is for, though.
So, Disney is tightening the rules to make sure DAS is fair for everyone who truly needs it. If you play by the rules, you can still have a magical time at the parks!
