5 Things To Know About Disney World’s Disability Access Service

We absolutely love Walt Disney World’s ability to continuously be aware of and accommodating to guests that have disabilities. One program Disney World has available is called the Disability Access Service – also known as “DAS”. Check out these five things to know about DAS.

1 – All Little Background

Chances are, if you haven’t heard of Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS), you may have heard of the Guest Assistance Card program. The DAS program replaced the Guest Assistance Card program in 2013. The original DAS program is a modification of the Guest Assistance Card program with an effort to control abuse of the old program. It’s sad to think that people would falsely use a disability program when they, in fact, don’t need it – but unfortunately, it was happening at an increasing rate! Hence – DAS took over in October 2013. The service was updated in October 2021 with new pre-registration and advanced planning tools to better guest experience. Most recently, the service was updated once again in mid-May 2024 with much stricter requirements for who is eligible for the service. The changes were prompted because of the widespread misuse of the program (with people even bragging on social media about cheating the system). The latest changes are still not going over well with guests who are no longer eligible but once were.

2 – What is DAS and Who Qualifies?

Some developmental disabilities (such as autism or similar disorders, for example) make standing in a conventional attraction queue extremely difficult. The Disability Access Service (DAS) program is for guests who aren’t able to wait in a queue environment due to a disability. This includes apparent and non-apparent disabilities. The service now allows guests to schedule a return time that is comparable to the current wait time for the attraction. Immediate access is not given.

To determine eligibility, guests need to register for the service (see #4). DAS is approved on a case-by-case basis. Remember that the DAS pass is not provided to those in a wheelchair or scooter if their disability does not prevent them from being able to wait in a conventional queue for an attraction.

3 – Registration via Video Chat

Guests will need to meet virtually with a Cast Member using a live video chat (via Zoom) to determine if they qualify for the service. Guests may have a pre-arrival conversation as early as 30 days before a park visit and are encouraged to do so ahead of their trip. Do note that the in-person option to request DAS registration is no longer available. So if you wait until you arrive at Walt Disney World, you’ll still need to participate in a live video conference on the day of their visit. Click here to begin the registration process. Finally, the guest for which DAS is being requested must be present during registration and if approved, a photo will be taken as part of the registration process. Live video chat is available from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm EST.

In an effort to reduce the number of fraudulent claims Disney now has this statement on their website:

Q: What happens if any of the statements made by a guest in the process of registering for a DAS are found to be not true:

A: If it is determined that any of the statements a Guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the Guest will be permanently barred from entering Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any previously purchased Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and other park products and services will be forfeited and not refunded.

4 – Request a Return Time

Once you’ve registered and you’ve entered the theme park, guests can request the first return time for the day. Guests registered in DAS will make their return selection times in the My Disney Experience App on the day of their visit. If guests do not have a mobile device, they can also visit Guest Relations or a Guest Experience Team location to receive return times. Note that while any member of a DAS party may obtain a return time for the whole party at Guest Relations, the guest registered for DAS must be present and experience the attraction when the return time is redeemed.

The return time will be comparable to the current standby wait for the attraction. Once a return time is given, there is no specific return window to when the guest needs to visit the attraction. The return time is valid until the attraction or park closes for the day. When ready to enjoy the attraction, guests will enter through the Lightning Lane entrance for a reduced wait time in a physical queue.

Guests can only have one DAS return time at a time. Once the party redeems a return time, they can make another selection ten minutes after that. Up to four people can be in the return party, including the person registered for DAS; however, exceptions can be made for immediate family members.

5 – Other Important Information

DAS is valid for the length of your ticket or up to 120 days, whichever is shorter. After that, you’ll need to re-register for the program. If someone has a concern and is worried about whether they qualify or not, Disney encourages the guest to reach out and discuss concerns and to see if they are eligible. We’ve seen reminders online that those with medical conditions that make waiting in line difficult should seek scooters or other mobility devices to make waiting in a physical line easier.

Disney has also updated its website with a lot of information given to guests with disabilities. Click here to learn more about visiting Walt Disney World with a disability.