Picture this- You have been planning your magical vacation to the most Magical Place on Earth. It has taken you weeks and even months to plan this practically perfect vacation especially for your little one with special needs. You got your Mickey ears on, you’re walking down Main Street, head to the attraction your child has been waiting for only to realize the line is 120 minutes long. It is way too much on your child and the meltdowns start to wreck havoc.
I get it mama. I have been there!
Parenting special needs kids can be hard even in their preferred environment. But when you take a special needs child out of their comfort zone, disrupt their schedule, and add in a Disney theme park, it can all be too overwhelming for them and feel like the world is going to end.
But what if I told you that Disney had an awesome solution that could benefit your family? What if I told you that by using this tool you could possibly alleviate some meltdowns, get on those rides, and still have an absolutely magical time?
The Disney Disability Access Service (DAS)
Okay so what is the Disability Access Service? The Disney Disability Access Service pass was created to allow guests with disabilities (including non-apparent disabilities) at both Disney World and Disneyland to receive a return time for attractions based on the current wait times.
Now before we get into the details I just want to let you know that getting a DAS pass does not reduce the amount of time that you wait. It simply means that you are given a return time. While you are waiting for your return time, you do not have to stand in line. You may spend your time as you please and then return to the ride when the time is up.
How do I know if we qualify for DAS?
Just because you feel like you might qualify for DAS doesn’t necessarily mean that you will. It is completely up to Disney and they will determine it once you register. Disney states that,
“DAS is for Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability”.
So be prepared to answer questions when you try to register. You do not have to show any physical proof of a disability but you do have to explain why your child (or whomever needs the DAS) cannot tolerate waiting in a line/queue for an extended period of time. They will ask questions and I know it can be frustrating sometimes. However, its their job and they are also trying to make sure that no one is abusing the system.
Tip: Before you travel, make a list of reasons why said guest cannot tolerate waiting in a line/queue for an extended period of time. That way when you get to the parks, you are prepared.
How do I get a Disney Disability (DAS) pass?
Disney has really stepped up their game when it comes to obtaining the DAS pass. At first, you could only get the DAS pass at Guest Services or City Hall, when you entered the parks. Now there are two options.
Guest Relations
On your first day, you can head to guest relations at the first park you’re visiting to register for the DAS pass.
There are many Guest Relations locations throughout the parks but the easiest are the ones at the entrance to each park.
- Magic Kingdom Park – Inside of City Hall
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park – Near main entrance on the left upon entering the park
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Near main entrance on the left upon entering the park
- Epcot – Lobby in World Celebration (near Spaceship Earth)
At the Disneyland Resort
- City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland
- Chamber of Commerce on Buena Vista Street in California Adventure
Pre-Arrival via Live Video Chat (My Recommendation)
Okay so this option is the coolest (& the newest) and I think Disney’s worked out their kinks enough so I feel confident telling you about it. (Note: Phone lines can get backed up during busy times. I have heard people waiting 5 minutes to a couple of hours before having their live chat. But I promise it’s worth it)
Eligible guests are now able to pre-register for DAS Advance virtually with a cast member using a live video chat through the My Disney Experience app. You can pre register up to 30 days in advance from your park visit but no later than 2 days before your park visit. This is where you will have a live video chat with a cast member to discuss why you need the DAS pass. You can request a live video chat here.
After you have qualified, what’s really great is that you get to choose up to 2 of those requested return times right then & there on the live chat! Woohoo! So the cast member will ask you what two rides you’d like to do first on your first park visit. Let them know and they’ll work their magic.
Quick tip: Before you do your Registration Via video chat, make sure that you’ve already got your park pass reservations for each park (if you booked your trip with me then it’s already been taken care) AND have a couple of attractions written down that you know you want to pre-select when the cast member asks.
Who needs to be present when I try to qualify?
The person requiring the DAS must be present at either Guest Relations or during the live video chat. Whichever one you decided to register with.
The Cast Member will go over how the DAS pass works before scanning your magic band or key to the world card. Then they will take a photo of the guest receiving the DAS pass. The cast member might request to see the rest of your party in order to scan their ticket or magic band as well. However, if you have your party listed in your app/account, the cast member can easily add them without needing to see them.
The DAS pass is good for up to 6 guests. If you have a party over 6 guests be sure to discuss that with the Cast Member.
How long is the DAS pass good for?
The Disney DAS pass is good for the duration of your trip or up to 60 days depending on what kind of tickets you have. For Annual Passholders the DAS pass is valid for 60 days. What is awesome is that the DAS pass is valid for all of the parks. So there is no need to go to Guest Relations at each park to activate it.
How do I book the DAS pass for rides on the app?
Like I said before, Disney has really upped their game with this feature.
First things first. When you enter the parks, you’ll want to go into your my Disney Experience app. Once there, you’re going to click the 3 lines in the bottom right hand corner that looks like a hamburger.
Then you’re going to scroll down until you see the DAS symbol.
After you’ve clicked on the DAS symbol, the app will give you a list of rides that qualify for DAS. Pick and choose your ride.
Once you’ve chosen your ride the next screen will show you the ride you’ve chosen and your requested return time to head back to the ride. *make sure to click this return time*
Once you’ve chosen your ride and requested return time, then you’ll be directed to choose your party for everyone that is going to ride this attraction. The person requiring DAS MUST BE PRESENT when riding the attractions. The DAS pass is for them. So they must be experiencing the attraction for everyone else to experience it too.
After you’ve selected everyone, make sure you hit continue to confirm and then the very last page will give you a confirmation of everything!
That’s it! You’ll be ready to go. Once you leave this screen, you can simply click on “My Genie Day” and your DAS requested return time will be listed there in case you forget what time you need to head back.
What do I do when my return time is up?
This is the best part! Now you get to HAVE FUN. Once your return time is up you’re going to head back to the attraction. Once there, you are going to see 2 different lines, the stand-by line and the Lightening lane line. Make sure to go through the Lightening Lane. As soon as you enter, you are going to have to scan your magic band or key to the world card on the Mickey touchpoint. The person whom requires the DAS has to scan theirs first. So make sure they are at the front of the line. Again, the person requiring DAS MUST BE PRESENT when riding the attractions. The DAS pass is for them. So they must be experiencing the attraction for everyone else to experience it too.
Quick Tip: There are 2 Mickey touchpoints in the lines. One is at the beginning when you first enter and the second one is about halfway through the line. This means you will be scanning your magic band (or key to the world card/ticket) twice before you even get on the ride. Once you have been scanned in for the second time, you can go ahead and go into the app and preselect your next attraction for the DAS.
Does Rider Switch work with Disability Access Service Pass?
Yes, 100%! If there is someone in your party that doesn’t meet the height requirement for a ride or simply does not want to ride, that is totally okay. When you return to the ride, simply let a cast member know that you would like to do a rider switch.
You can have an amazing time!
See! I told you! I told you that Disney is continuously improving their ways and implementing new accomodations to help guests with all abilities. I hope you found this blog helpful, mama! You got this!
As you know, Disney is always ever changing, so as things improve and change, I will continue to update these blogs to keep you “in the know.”
If you have any more questions, please reach out to me. And if you are planning a magical vacation to any Disney destination I would be absolutely honored to help you and your family plan that vacation.
