The “odd” thing is at other Disney parks (Tokyo and Paris from what I know) they have a standard, simple process for most DAS. Provide a medical letter or similar from a doctor stating you qualify with specific diagnosis. Boom. Done. I’m sure there are probably exceptions etc but 
. I know the “issues “ of privacy etc. but it should be an option if people are comfortable.
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I wonder if there is any issue with storing sensitive medical data that prevents this.
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MMParis has two types of pass.
The Easy access card is for anyone who has one of 30 specified long term chronic conditions (which are those “protected” in French law). You need a medical certificate (letter) (in English or French) simply stating that you have condition # 14, for example.
And of the categories are fairly specific (certain types of cancer or MS), others are broader.
Thus you don’t actually tell them what you have, just number blah.
This gets you an actual card where they literally write down a return time for each ride (only once per ride).,
The Priority Card is for those with more cognitive disabilities, for which you upload documentation up to a month ahead. They have a list of the actual documentation accepted, depending where you’re from. The EU (incl UK) is easier because they recognise specific disability benefits are only given after thorough and extensive assessment.
When you arrive you get a dated pass with photo. That gives you access to the premier access lines.
So if you’re prepared it’s “easy” but if not then you have to plead your case.
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I called with my son Ben. We were both very nervous. It was my inclination to not even try because I didn’t feel up for a humiliating experience but he really wanted to try.
He was approved for DAS.
He does meet the criteria of a developmental disability but we did not bring up nor were we asked about his disability.
She began by asking why he couldn’t wait in line and he explained.
She then asked about the accommodations he had in the rest of his life for work and school. I explained for school and told her he neither works nor drives.
She asked what he would do if he was in a line that he couldn’t get out of, for example the TSA line. I told her we have TSA pre and explained our flying process.
I relayed a few stories about what happens in situations when he gets frustrated with waiting like his complete meltdown on the streets of San Francisco last year when we couldn’t get back on a cable car because they were all full. Who knew that embarrassing memory would help for anything! I also shared situations he will avoid if he is able to in order to not be frustrated.
He was relieved to have been approved. The CM was nice but he didn’t enjoy having to listen to these stories being told. He later came to me and said “I have lots of things to work on.” He does but it just left me feeling sad for him. Honestly, it was all kind of depressing and still humiliating but not because of anything the CM said or did. I think I feel like such misfit because of all of the issues our boys have (Ben is not my only kid with challenges) that telling the stories drove that point home even more for me. It’s not like I don’t know it, but relaying all that info just left me depressed.
We have six in our family. We are all linked to him but on any given ride, three of us can go with him. He doesn’t ride a lot of different rides but always wants to be in and out of the parks early. Having DAS for him will now allow me to utilize Genie + better for the rest of us, especially in MK where now I can actually book TBA instead of having to prioritize his rides because he needs a LL and then miss out on what others of us want to do. He won’t ride TBA because he hates to get wet. He loves Tron so I’m hoping for the early BG so we can all ride together before the line is long in the hopes of riding together. We’ll get a Tron ILL too because he loves the ride. That is part of the struggle with the system now for neurodivergent people. There are few rides he likes but those few he likes to repeat which is so common. The old FPP system allowed that. This system is trickier.
So that is our experience. I hope it’s helpful to someone but I really hope they ultimately land in a place that keeps cheaters out and helps those who need assistance.
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I totally understand this. We don’t have any “normal” kids at all. Other people our age have grandchildren. I doubt it will ever happen for us. You’re not alone and you’re not a misfit.
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I understand why Disney wants to hear about the day to day accomodations. But I hate that people will have to go through this whole process. It feels very, I don’t want to say humiliating because you shouldn’t feel that way, but maybe vulnerable- intrusive. And it doesn’t sound like these CMs have been trained in being outwardly compassionate.
Another part of this I do not understand is why a person has to go over this so often. The pass should be good for 3-5 years. It’s not like there will be a major change in circumstance- maybe a little more controlled but the struggle will always be there.
I am glad he got approved. But I thought they made an acception for additional family members?
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ETA: I also don’t feel a day in Disney parks are comparable to people’s day to day lives but that’s it’s a starting point I guess.
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Just wanted to send some hugs your way. It’s never easy, not for our children and not for us. I’m glad he got approved.
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I can’t say anything negative about the CM. There was nothing she said to make us feel badly. It just isn’t fun articulating all of the details. Previously he told them why he struggled in line and that was that but we saw what happened. Other people took the words of those who struggle and used them for their own benefit. I understand needing to explain further. It just sucks.
I didn’t ask for the number of riders to be increased. She told us how it was and said we could take turns. The youngest of the group is 15 so it’s not like we have little kids. Honestly, youngest kid has his own issues and skips a lot of rides too. I care about everyone riding together more than anyone else does 
.
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Thank you, @goofygardiner for sharing your story. You inspired me to post the following on the Change petition.
I have three children with type one diabetes, one of them is also in the severe end of the autism spectrum, and Walt Disney World is our happy place away from the many significant stressors and challenges in our daily lives.
In the past, all 3 kids qualified for the DAS, which allowed us time to treat high or low blood sugars or change insulin pump sites and still have time for attractions, because we could be doing those things outside the queue while waiting for our attraction.
With so many inconveniences in my children’s lives, they felt getting the DAS pass was a silver lining that allowed them the ability to enjoy Walt Disney World as other guests do.
Now, perhaps my autistic son will qualify, but not the others, and the limit of 3 family members means my mother, who travels with us to help me manage the children, won’t be included by the changes.
Please find another way to reduce fraud, without taking DAS away from those who really do benefit from it.
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I would ask to add her, explain that she is the other adult and family member. They are making allowing up to 6 in the immediate family. They should make grandparents part of that count! It’s definitely worth asking.
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Thank you! I’m just not sure how far the generosity would go, because our party is:
- Me & my 5 children
- My mother (the grandmother)
- My 9 yr old nephew/her grandson, whose mother (my sister) passed away this year.
So we are a total of 8. Previously we’d split up over the 3 DAS, according to who was likely to ride what (age/attraction preferences).
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I saw a TT about a wheelchair user that went to Tokyo Disney and he made it out to be a nightmare, he could not do anything he tried. They are not wheelchair friendly. (Probably why I hardly saw any wheelchairs when I was there)
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Oh, yeah, they probably won’t do that. Sadly, the paid option is probably the best bet. You may be able to work it where 4 use the DAS and 4 use a LL for each ride. But it’s hard to sync them up. Once you can prebook 3 LLs it will be much easier to get at least 3 rides where everyone rides in the LL. Just swap bands as needed. Hopefully the preselected DAS rides will be a bit better than before. Because the excuse for all these changes is over use. So if less people are using, than DAS options SHOULD be better (or have more options at least).
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Ive heard this about Europe in whole. Never been so I can’t say true or false.
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Mobility issues might be treated differently than DAS, I have not been to either and only know what I’ve seen on websites etc.
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First, I’m so glad Ben got approved for DAS! When they started putting age cutoffs and such I was worried for you guys. It absolutely stinks to have to go through the level of detail you did. Second, I think despite some lack of training you got a good CM with compassion. Definitely not the attitude many have encountered during this change.
I’m just SO unhappy about people who definitely deserve and need it being denied. It makes my sense of justice boil!
Having mobility issues and also medical (particularly with DH) I know how difficult it is to advocate for yourself so you can enjoy something. ‘Able-bodied’ people don’t understand how hard that can be to make yourself do (unless they are a caregiver etc) even when you are believed, much less if you think you might not be. 
I do hope they swing the pendulum back a bit, but I definitely agree with the lady in the article, “imagine something better”.
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This is what I’ve been hearing too.
I think this is a major thing that hasn’t been adressed. They have a return to line system but that only works for a subset of people. But they have basically said DAS or R2L. And that leaves a lot of people without a viable option. 
I’ve recently started to sound a little alarm on some pages I follow. There is a lot of misinformation. But also ghere is no age limit. That has been something that has been circulated. But I know adults that have gotten approved. I think you hear less about it because another adult has had to help gain the access and they don’t want to talk ab9ut another adults situation publically. But also that speaks to another problem with the new system. There are people that won’t be able to navigate the new process without an advocate that is willing to help. Even if they can manage a park day on their own.
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I agree. We got lucky.
Me too 
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Exactly. Especially in front of your child. I’m thrilled he was approved but sad for both of you that you had to go through a more extensive process. You are a fantastic mom.
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