This post is one of a multi part series on the WDW Disability Access Service. These posts are based upon our own personal experience with using DAS with our daughter, so your mileage may vary.
What is DAS?
DAS stands for “Disability Access Service”. It allows qualified individuals who have issues waiting in ride lines to wait in a virtual queue instead. If you are familiar with rides like Cosmic Rewind, you probably are already familiar with the virtual queue concept. Basically, you sign up for a return time, and when the time comes, you enter the ride through the Lightning Lane entrance.
What this is not is a “cut to the front of the line” service. Your virtual queue wait time is generally the current standby wait time minus 10 minutes. That 10 minutes is to account for the time it takes from going from the ride entrance to boarding the ride. In theory, you will be boarding your ride at exactly the same time you would have if you had waited on the traditional standby line. You aren’t getting preferred access – you are getting equal access.
Overview of How It Works
While I will be covering the nuts and bolts of the system in future posts, here is a general overview.
STEP ONE: Enroll in the DAS Program
This can be done before your visit via video chat or in person at any Guest Services location. You will need to ask to register for DAS and be prepared to state why you eligible.
STEP TWO: Reserve a return time for you and your party
From the My Disney Experience app, you can join the virtual queue for a ride of your choice. You can select the names of all of the other party members who will be joining you on the ride.
If you are tech averse, a Disney Cast Member at the ride entrance can also add you to the virtual queue.
Note that you can only join the DAS virtual queue for one ride at a time.
[EXCEPTION: If you pre-registered for DAS prior to your visit, you may be able to pre-reserve DAS return times for rides in advance which don’t count against your “one ride at a time” limit. More on that in a future article]
STEP THREE: Enter the ride!
Any time after your return time, go to the Lightning Lane entrance of your ride. The party member with DAS should scan their MagicBand or key card first. After the DAS party member has been confirmed, the other party members can then scan in.
At this point, you will proceed through the Lightning Lane line and onto your ride.
Note that unlike Genie+ and other virtual queueing systems, your return time does not expire until the park closes. This means if you end up taking an extended break, you won’t lose your DAS reservation. You can be as late as you want. Just be aware that you won’t be able to reserve DAS return times for any other rides until you have used your current reservation.
Who is Eligible?
You might be a candidate for DAS if you have some medical condition which limits your ability to wait in the regular line. While Disney does not have a comprehensive list of conditions, people use it for conditions like anxiety, autism, frequent and/or unexpected bathroom use, and the like. Having the ability to use a virtual queues allows them to manage their visit. In many cases, without a system like this, they would not be able to enjoy the parks at all.
Up to five other members of the eligible individual’s party are allowed to use the virtual queue. The only restriction is that the eligible party member must be with the party when returning to the ride. So if the eligible individual can’t or won’t ride Space Mountain, then you can’t use DAS for the other party members.
Who is NOT Eligible?
If you only have a mobility issue, then Disney will say that you are not eligible for DAS. You usually be asked to wait in the regular line, as most rides already accommodate wheelchairs and scooters, unless you have some other condition which prevents this. Our daughter uses a wheelchair but it is because of her other conditions that we use the DAS. If mobility were her only issue, I’d be more than happy to wait in the standby line like everyone else.
One Last Note
It certainly is possible for someone to abuse the system by falsifying their condition to make it appear as if they are eligible. However, I would stronger urge people to be truthful. If too many people start to abuse this system, it is possible that Disney could make the DAS more restrictive or eliminate it altogether. So please, be kind and considerate so that everyone can enjoy the magic equally.
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