What Is DAS?
DAS stands for Disability Access Service. This is a service that Disney provides for individuals who struggle waiting in long lines. This is a service you must be approved for. If approved, you book eligible attractions to get a return time that is based on the current wait time of the attraction. Not every attraction, meet and greet, or entertainment option utilizes DAS.
It's important to understand that DAS is not a skip-the-line pass. Your return time is based on the current wait time of the attraction, so you are essentially waiting the same amount of time, just not in the physical queue. This allows your family to wait in a more comfortable environment rather than standing in a confined line.
How Do I Apply and How Long Is It Active?
Over the last two years there have been many changes to the DAS system, including how you apply and the guidelines for approval. At the time of this blog posting, this is the current process.
You can apply for DAS after you have purchased your park ticket or annual pass and up to 60 days prior to your visit. You do not need to stress about applying exactly 60 days beforehand. You can apply at any point, even on the day of your visit.
Either on your phone through the My Disney Experience app or online through the Walt Disney World website, you can request a live video chat, available from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, to talk with a Disney Cast Member. They will discuss the accommodations needed, why they are needed, and whether you qualify. The member of your party for whom the accommodations are needed must be present during this call.
If approved, the DAS will be applied to the account of the person who has the accommodation and up to three other people (a total of four). I have heard of exceptions to the maximum party size, but that would need to be discussed with the Cast Member. Usually if this is given, it's when there are two adults and three children in the party. They will also have the member with the DAS have their picture taken to keep on the account.
The DAS is active for the length of your ticket, up to one year. For example, if you have a four-day ticket, the DAS is active for all four days of that ticket, but you would need to reapply when you purchase a ticket for your next visit. If you have an annual pass, it is active for the length of that pass and will need to be renewed when the pass renews.
It is also important to know that not everyone who applies will be approved. Disney has tightened the guidelines over the past couple of years, and DAS is specifically intended for individuals who are unable to wait in a conventional queue due to a developmental disability. If you are not approved, don't be discouraged. If a Cast Member is the one who denies the DAS, you can ask to speak to a health professional for them to review your case. You can also reapply, but be aware that if you are denied twice, you cannot try again for 120 days. Ask the Cast Member about other accommodations that may be available. You may also speak to the Cast Members at the attractions when you arrive to see if they have any accommodations available.
I Was Approved for DAS. Now What?
Once you enter the park, you can make your first selection under your DAS. On the My Disney Experience app, click on the menu with the three lines on the bottom right of the screen. That will take you to your profile page. Scroll down to the icon that says DAS. That will bring up all the available options. There is no filter, but it will usually show whatever park you are located in first, as you must be scanned into a park to make a selection.
Choose your attraction, then click "Request DAS Return Time" and select everyone who is riding. Please note: the person who was given the DAS must ride that attraction for the return time to be used. Click continue and then confirm. At this point, I like to take a screenshot of my selection, just to have a backup. While it doesn't happen often (we've only had it happen once), something can go wrong where the app doesn't save your selection. Because of our screenshot, we were still able to ride.
You can return to the ride any time after your return time. However, you cannot make another selection until 10 minutes after you have scanned into the ride you currently have a selection for.
When you get to the ride, go to the Lightning Lane entrance. The person with the DAS will need to scan their ticket first so the Cast Member can approve it, then everyone else in the party can scan in. If a member of your party was originally going to ride and chooses not to, you will need to cancel their return time or have Guest Services help you before they can be part of your party for the next selection.
What Do You Do While Waiting for a Return Time?
This is completely up to you and your family and what your needs are. You are allowed to ride another attraction, shop, have a meal, take in a show, watch the parade, or use the play areas in the parks. Maybe you just need to find a quiet place to rest and wait. That's okay too.
How DAS Changed Our Park Visits
DAS has made our park visits so much smoother. With Viola being a sensory seeker who needs to keep moving and have things to stimulate her, it has allowed us to keep moving through the park. This keeps meltdowns to a minimum, and when they do happen, it's not in a confined line that can be extremely difficult to navigate out of to let her re-regulate. It also allows us to go at her pace.
DAS has given us the freedom to explore the parks beyond just the rides. The play areas are some of Viola's favorites, especially the ones in Epcot, along with the walking trails in Animal Kingdom.
Other Notes
For further accessibility, if your child is in a stroller and has DAS or physical disabilities, you may be able to get a tag at any Guest Services location to put on your stroller. This tag allows you to use the stroller as a wheelchair. It can go through lines with you, and during shows your child can stay in it and use the wheelchair-accessible areas. This tag does need to be visible, and a Cast Member can ask to see it at any time.
Any other information and FAQs can be found on Disney's website. This information is based on our experience at Walt Disney World. From what we have researched, the process is very similar at Disneyland, but we would encourage everyone to research and talk to Guest Services for information specific to Disneyland.