What Is DAS and How It Changed Our Disney Visits

What Is DAS?

DAS stands for Disability Access Service. Disney offers DAS for guests who, due to a developmental disability such as autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time. 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?

Disney changes DAS policies and procedures over time. We review this post against Disney's official DAS information, but you should confirm the current details using the official source linked below before your visit.

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.

Use the official Walt Disney World DAS page to request a live video chat, currently available from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 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, DAS is applied to the account of the registered guest and normally includes up to three additional party members, for a total of four. The DAS-registered guest will also have a photo taken during registration.

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, ask the Cast Member which other accommodations may fit your needs. You can also speak with Guest Relations, a Guest Experience Team member, or Cast Members at individual attractions during your visit.

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, tap the menu at the bottom 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.

Additional details and frequently asked questions are available from the official Walt Disney World source linked below. This post reflects our family's experience at Walt Disney World; Disneyland maintains its own registration and usage information.