How the Disney Disability Access Service (DAS) Works
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If you or someone traveling with you has a disability, the long lines at Walt Disney World or Disneyland can be frustrating.
Disney recognizes this, which is why it offers Disability Access Service (DAS) to eligible visitors.
Rather than waiting in a standard line, those registered for DAS can wait in a virtual queue and return at a predetermined time.
Let’s look at the Disney DAS pass, whom it’s meant for and how it works.
What is the Disability Access Service?
DAS is an accessibility program designed by Disney for visitors with disabilities who have difficulty waiting in long lines. This service is available at Disney World and Disneyland.
Rather than waiting in a standard queue, those using DAS select a return time for an eligible attraction and wait elsewhere until it’s time to return. During the waiting period, people may head to a ride with a short wait, grab food, shop or even stop at the restroom.
Visitors may have only one return time at a time; the existing return time must be redeemed (or canceled) before selecting a new attraction.
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DAS eligibility
Those who qualify for a DAS pass at Disney parks recently changed. The changes went into effect at Disney World Resort on May 20, 2024, and June 18, 2024, at Disneyland Resort.
The new policy states that visitors with developmental disabilities can request a Disney disability pass. Across various pages of Disney park websites, autism and similar developmental disabilities are used as examples of DAS eligibility.
Traveling with a wheelchair or an electric scooter does not automatically make you eligible for DAS. Disney has created accessible lines for most of its attractions, enabling most people to wait in the standard queue.
Keep in mind that DAS is not a pass for those who just don’t like waiting in lines. Disney will permanently ban and revoke all tickets, annual passes or other purchased park products if it finds a person was dishonest in obtaining the service.
Registering for a Disney DAS pass before your next visit
People can register for a Disney disability pass as soon as 30 days in advance of their park visit online through Disney’s DAS registration. Interview times are available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET for a Disney World DAS pass. For Disneyland DAS, interviews are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT.
The person with the disability must be able to conduct a video call and answer questions, or be present with the help of a parent or guardian, if necessary. All interviews are conducted in English.
The wait time to preregister for DAS is often long, so be prepared with other activities or entertainment while you wait.
Note that completing an in-person DAS registration with Guest Services after entering the parks is no longer an option. However, people who didn’t preregister can request registration upon arriving at the park.
An employee will provide a QR code that the visitor must scan with their mobile device. The code directs visitors to the DAS video chat via Zoom to get the registration process started.
If DAS is granted, a photo of the person with a disability is taken. The DAS visitor’s party can include up to three additional members.
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How to use the Disney disability pass
Once registered for DAS, you and your registered party can use it for up to 120 days. Before the recent DAS changes, registered visitors could reserve up to two return times in advance. Now, DAS visitors must reserve one return time at a time upon entering the park on their visit day.
Making an attraction reservation is simple. If you have the My Disney Experience app, you can do so directly within the app. This function can be found in the hamburger lines in the bottom right corner of the homepage.
From here, you’ll see which rides are available using the DAS service and their current wait times. Return times mirror the current standby wait times at each attraction.
Once you’ve selected a ride, you’ll be given more information, including projected wait times. On this page, you can request your return time for DAS, which will show you the earliest time you can ride.
Ten minutes after scanning into your attraction, you can choose your next ride for DAS. Some attractions have two scanners — you must scan your return time at both before making your next selection.
The person who’s registered under DAS isn’t required to make the return time reservation; party members of DAS-registered visitors can also select return times through the app. However, the registered DAS visitor must be present at the attraction to redeem the return time.
People using DAS enter through the Lightning Lane line and may still encounter short waits. Prepare for this with headphones, snacks or other distractions.
You can also select return times at Guest Services locations if you don’t have the app. These are scattered around the parks. Just look for the employees hanging out under umbrellas. They’ll be able to create a new selection for you.
Alternatives to the disability pass at Disney
The Disability Access Service isn’t available for everyone. However, there are options if you still want to skip out on those lines. For example, Disney World has introduced a paid service called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, formerly called Genie+, that’ll let you bypass the standard queue for most rides.
The price for a Lightning Lane Multi Pass varies on demand and when you’re visiting. Once it is purchased, visitors can choose return times for up to three preferred attractions.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass grants you access to each attraction one time; after that, you’ll need to use the regular standby queue if you’d like to ride again.
It’s also possible to purchase individual Lightning Lane access for certain rides. This is restricted to the most sought-after rides, which are not included in standard Lightning Lane Multi Pass packages. Purchasing individual Lightning Lane access allows you to skip the standby line and enter through the Lightning Lane queue.
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(Top photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)
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