Disney sparked a major controversy when it introduced changes to its Disability Assistance Service (DAS) back in May 2024. These changes were made, according to Disney, due to a substantial increase in DAS usage over the past few years, a result of the system being abused by individuals who did not qualify, or for whom the system was not designed.

And so revisions were made to the procedures to register for, and use, DAS. As the parent of a child on the autism spectrum, TJ, I have used this system for many years, and through numerous iterations. Therefore I was anxious to see how these changes would affect our next visit to Walt Disney World. Would the new procedures make DAS better or worse? 

Pre-May 2024 DAS vs Current Disability Access Service at Disney World

With that in mind then, here is a step-by-step comparison between the old and the new versions of DAS, as well as any advantages and disadvantages of either version.

Pre Registration

• Old Version: You would pre-register for DAS Advance via live video chat, as soon as 30 days before a park visit. You could also register in person at the park at Guest Services.
• New Version: You still pre-register via live video chat as soon as 30 days before your visit. However in-person registration is no longer available; all registration must be done online.

Who Needs to Be on the Chat

• Old Version: The person you are requesting the DAS for must be present during the chat. 
• New Version: No change.

What the Chat Consisted Of

• Old Version: The chat was brief, and the Cast Member asked why you were requesting DAS.  It was perfectly acceptable to answer for the person if they did not understand, or were unable to, respond to the question.
• New Version: The Cast Member asked a lot more questions this time around, which I did not mind answering. When she asked if TJ had other types of accommodations in his life, I mentioned that he has accommodations at other area theme parks, although Disney may not acknowledge that these places exist. She laughed at that.

Return Windows

• Old Version: Once you pre-registered, you were transferred to a regular online chat, wherein another cast member pre-booked two return windows for select attractions for each day of your trip. These times were good for everyone in your party.
• New Version: Here we have our first major drawbacks to the new system. Disney will no longer pre-book attractions for your visit. You can only book your DAS selections once you enter the park. This definitely impacts your ability to schedule and structure your day. Furthermore, the maximum party size is now the registered DAS Guest and up to 3 additional party members (although requests can be made for additional guests).

How Long DAS is Valid For

• Old Version: DAS was valid for the length of your visit, or up to 90 days. Once the service elapsed you had to re-register.
• New Version: Here we see a slight advantage to the new system, as DAS is now valid for up to 120 days. However, other than Florida residents, I don’t imagine a lot of people are visiting Walt Disney World twice in four months. As with the old version, once DAS has elapsed guests need to re-register.

Using DAS Day Of

• Old Version: On the day of your visit, you were able to make DAS selections, one attraction at a time, either by speaking with a Cast Member or using the app. This could be done by anyone in your party.
• New Version: No change.  

How Guests and Party Can Experience DAS

• Old Version: The Guest registered for DAS must be present and experience the attraction with their party.
• New Version: No change.  

Return Times

• Old Version: When you made your DAS selection, you were given a return time for an attraction that was 10 minutes less than the current standby wait. So if the time was 1 PM and the wait for Spaceship Earth was one hour, you could enter any time after 1:50 PM, up until the park, or the attraction, closes. 
• New Version: No change.  

Process After Scanning In

• Old Version: Once you scanned in, you could immediately book a return time for your next attraction.  
• New Version: This is another drawback to the new system, albeit not as substantial as the inability to pre-book attractions. Now you must wait 10 minutes after scanning in before you can book your next attraction. (Note: be sure to ask the cast member at the entrance to the attraction if there is a second scan inside. If so, you must scan in again and then wait 10 minutes.)  

How Many Return Times You Can Use at a Time

• Old Version: A party can only hold one DAS return time at once.
• New Version: No change.  

Pre-Booking Attractions

• Old Version: You were not able to pre-book attractions with virtual queues, such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot, using DAS.  
• New Version: Here is a major advantage to the new system, in that you can use DAS on attractions with virtual queues. When you arrive at the attraction, after your boarding group has been called, you inform a cast member that you are using DAS, and they will allow you to enter via the Lightning Lane queue. (Note: this process even applies to the recently opened Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.)  

So there you have it. There are advantages and disadvantages to the new system, but overall it remains the same. However, it should be noted that, in addition to procedural changes, Disney has indicated that DAS is only intended for “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.” Needless to say, this policy has also caused quite a stir.

Nevertheless, and despite all the controversy, the new procedures, at least for my family, have not had a substantial impact on our visits to the Most Magical Place on Earth. DAS has always been and will remain, a vital component of our Walt Disney World experience.