disabilities Archives - Buster and the Banshee

Our Experience Registering for the NEW Disability Access Service

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As we previously reported, Disney has revamped the rules for its Disability Access Service (DAS). In particular, qualifying for DAS has become much harder: DAS is intended to accommodate only those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar disorder, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time. Disney narrowed the criteria for qualifying due to widespread abuse by people with low morals. Previously, people with wide spectrum of invisible disabilities were granted DAS. However, because Disney does not require any sort of medical documentation, it was easy for people to…

FIVE OBSERVATIONS on the New Disability Access Service Policies at Walt Disney World

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As we previous reported, Disney announced that they were making changes to their Disability Access Service in order to reduce abuse and fraud. Well, these changes have gone into effect at WDW this past week, so now we have some real world feedback on the new system. In this article I will summarize some of the initial observations I have, based upon what I am hearing. To put together this article, I read various stories that people have posted on different social media sites, message boards, and other forums. However, rather than basing my opinions on individual stories, I looked…

CHANGES COMING to Walt Disney World’s Disability Access Service

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This past week, Walt Disney World announced that there are changes on the horizon to their Disability Access Service (DAS). You can read our past articles on DAS, but in a nutshell, DAS allows people who can't wait in the traditional queue to receive a return time for when they can ride the attraction. The return time is based upon the current standby line wait time so, effectively, this allows an individual to wait outside of the normal line. This service mainly is meant for people who might have some invisible disability which makes it harder for them to tolerate…

Six Flags Sued Over Disability Policy. How Will This Impact Universal and Disney?

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Previously, I had written an article about a new process that Universal Studios and other theme parks had implemented to handle disability accommodations. In a nutshell, Universal, Six Flags, Sea World, and others now utilize a third party company, the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), to certify that the person's disability accommodation request is valid. The process that the IBCCES uses involves uploading a statement from your medical provider regarding your disability and necessary accommodations. That means that Universal Studios, Six Flags, and others are no longer just taking your word for it. They want proof!…

Walt Disney World Attraction Access For Those With Mobility Issues

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Our Little Banshee usually tours Walt Disney World in a wheelchair with me, Buster, pushing her. Although she is generally able to walk on her own, because of her Phelan-McDermid Syndrome she has low muscle tone and her coordination is not the best. Spending a complete day walking in a theme park, especially one as big as Walt Disney World, would be a challenge both for her and for us. This gives us quite a bit of firsthand experience with navigating the attractions with someone with mobility issues. This article will provide an overview of what you can expect at…

Service Animals at Walt Disney World

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There are many people who travel to Walt Disney World who require a service animal. WDW, like most public places, accommodates these animals in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). This article discusses some of the things that you need to know before you bring your service animal to Walt Disney World. Hopefully, this will also educate those without service animals about the law surrounding them, in order to eliminate misconceptions and prevent conflicts. Service Animals and the Law What is a Service Animal? The Americans With Disabilities Act defines a service animal as follows: "Service animals are…

Are Changes Coming to Disney’s Disability Access Service?

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Walt Disney World's Disability Access Service (DAS) allows guests with non-visible disabilities who unable to wait in the conventional line to get a return time for an attraction. This is about EQUAL ACCESS, not preferred access, since the return time will approximate how long the person would have had to wait in line, if they had been able to wait in the regular queue. I did a whole series of articles about DAS, so I refer you to them if you want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of the service. However, one of the first steps in…

WDW’s Disability Access Service Part 2: Signing Up

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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. In our first article in this series, we provided an introduction to the Disability Access Service: what it is? how it works? who is eligible? In today's article, I will walk you through the process of signing up for the DAS. Before You Sign Up Before you start the process of requesting a DAS for yourself or members of your party, you need to be…

Packing a Special Needs Theme Park Bag

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I have read some wonderful blogs about what people pack in their park bags. I thought I would contribute to that community. Along with the usual necessary sundries, Buster and I have found some items we are sure to pack for the day unique to Little Banshee’s needs. Some of these are the same as everyone else, some unique to our family. At any rate, I thought I would chime in with our families must brings. First… I carry my own smaller needs in a Loungefly. Perfect size for me and they are so Disney chic! That’s my phone, wallet, lip balm, sunglasses, and body glide…