Disney’s Disability Access Service
Written by Alyssa Dacey & Erika Macias
Like most policies, Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) policy is updated from time to time and as such, if you’d like the most up to date information on DAS, please find that information on the Disney World and Disneyland websites. Here at People Mover Travel, our goal with this article is to explain the DAS program as it currently stands so that you can determine if this is a service you can make use of and, if so, how to make use of that service. We’re taking on this important topic in a Question and Answer format and we hope you’ll find it useful.
What is DAS and who is it for?
Disney has specified that DAS is there to support, “Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.”
DAS doesn’t provide immediate access to experiences, but rather allows Guests to request a return time for a specific experience that is comparable to the current standby wait.
Please be aware that the Guest for which DAS is being requested must be present during registration and must experience the attraction when redeeming a DAS return time at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort Theme Parks.
How can a Disney Guest acquire a DAS pass?
As of May 20, 2024 at Disney World and June 18, 2024 at Disneyland, in order to be granted a DAS pass, a specially trained Disney Cast Member will have to determine eligibility via a video conversation with the guest requesting the accommodation or with their caretaker. These conversations can happen 2-30 days prior to the park visit via a video call. Please be aware that DAS approval is not guaranteed.
How do Guests make an appointment for a video call before my park visit?
You can register for a video chat here if you’re visiting Disney World and here if you’re visiting Disneyland. (At this time, video chats are available in English only.)
If I qualify for DAS at Disney World, will I automatically be approved at Disneyland too?
No. If a guest is qualified for DAS at one set of Parks, they will not be automatically approved for the other set of Parks. That means that guests will have to go through the approval process at both Disneyland and Disney World.
If approved, how long is the service good for and how many guests can join the registered DAS guest?
DAS is valid for the length of the ticket or up to 120 days.
Once the service has elapsed or when a new ticket is required, Guests will need to re-register. DAS registration maximum party size is the registered DAS Guest and up to 3 additional party members, for a total of 4 people. It’s possible that exceptions may be made for large immediate families. Such as, a family of 6 can have the DAS-qualified person plus 5; however, that’s something that will have to be approved by Disney via the specially trained Cast Member during the video call.
If approved, how does DAS work?
Disney encourages Guests utilizing DAS (and their party members) to make return time selections right from the My Disney Experience app during the day of their park visit. Registered Guests using DAS and members of their party will be able to book, redeem, change or cancel DAS return times using the My Disney Experience app via a smart phone or other smart device. If additional assistance is required, Guests can also obtain return times directly from a Cast Member at any Guest Relations or Guest Experience Team location.
Can DAS approved guests have more than one active DAS return time at a time?
No. A Guest may only have one DAS return time at a time. The Guest may obtain another return time for the same or different attraction 10 minutes after they redeem a return time.
What if I have additional questions not addressed in this article or on Disney’s website?
Disney’s DAS service is specific and intricate, if you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to Disney directly at disability.services@disneyparks.com.
For Alyssa who grew up in Hawaii watching Disney classics on repeat and visiting Disneyland annually, the magic of Disney hasn’t faded - it’s only gotten better! Disney has been a part of her life through many milestones including participating in the Disney College Program, getting engaged at Disneyland and getting married at the Aulani Disney Resort in Hawaii! (watch her wedding on season 2 episode 4 of Disney Fairytale Weddings on Disney+!)
Alyssa’s own love of travelling and creating unforgettable experiences has given her a passion for helping clients create their own dream vacations! While Disneyland and the Aulani Resort are specialties of Alyssa’s, her expertise expands beyond Disney with a love and knowledge of travel within Hawaii, Japan and Singapore! Be sure to ask her about her favorite experiences, she’s got some amazing ones!
If you want to work with Alyssa to plan your next great adventure to a Disney Park or beyond you can fill out a quote form here!
Erika grew up in Southern California, so the magic of Disneyland has been a part of her life since she was a little girl. Both as a child and as an adult, she has always been drawn to the whimsey and imagination that are found in the Disney parks. Erika fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2008 when she visited Walt Disney World for the first time. She was blown away by the range and adventure offered in those parks. Since then, she and her family have visited Disney World every year. In particular, she loves Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park where she is transported to an exotic jungle with lush greenery and colorful birds flying overhead! Aside from Disney, cruising is her favorite way to travel. She finds cruising allows for both rest and adventure all in one trip!
If you want to work with Erika to plan your next great adventure to a Disney Park, on a cruise or beyond you can fill out a quote form here!
