How the Disney Disability Access Service (DAS) Works

If you or someone traveling with you has a disability, the long queues at Walt Disney World or Disneyland can be frustrating.

Disney recognizes this, which is why it offers Disability Access Service to eligible guests.

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 Disney’s Disability Access Service, who it’s meant for and how it works. 

For the unfamiliar, DAS is an accessibility program designed by Disney for guests with disabilities who have difficulty waiting in long lines. This service is available at both Disney World and Disneyland. 

Rather than waiting in a standard queue, those utilizing DAS select a return time for an eligible attraction and wait elsewhere until it’s time to return. During the waiting period, guests may head to a ride with a short wait, grab food, shop or even stop at the restroom. 

Guests may only have one return time at a time; the existing return time must be redeemed (or canceled) before selecting a new attraction. 

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Who qualifies for a Disability Access Service pass at Disney World or Disneyland?

Guests can request DAS for various reasons, whether cognitive or physical. However, it is not just a pass for those who don’t like waiting. Disney will permanently ban and revoke all tickets, annual passes or other purchased park products if it finds a guest dishonest in obtaining the service. 

To register, guests have two options. First, if their visit is less than 30 but more than two days away, they can choose to register in advance through Disney’s website.

To do so, the person with the disability must be able to conduct a video call and answer questions. 

Secondly, registering in person at any Walt Disney theme park you visit is also possible. You’ll need a theme park ticket and a park reservation to enter.

From there, you can go to guest services to register for DAS. You’ll need to answer the same questions as you would if pre-registering.

Note that 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 guests to wait in the standard queue.

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Once registered for DAS, you and your registered party can use it for up to 60 days. 

If you’ve chosen to pre-register for the program, you can select up to two advance return times per day during your visit. These work similarly to how the old FastPass system worked. However, there are only specific times available and you have just one hour to redeem them, so it behooves you to register as early as possible to have a great choice of rides.

Those two advanced selections don’t count towards your day-of limit, so it’s possible to have them, then arrive at the park and make another selection. 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to pre-register, you can choose to make selections when you arrive at the park. 

Making an attraction reservation is simple. If you have the Walt Disney World 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 home page. 

From here, you’ll see which rides are available using the DAS service and their current wait times. 

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. 

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 following selection. 

You can select return times at guest services locations if you don’t have the Walt Disney World app. These are scattered around the parks. Just look for the cast members hanging out under umbrellas. They’ll be able to create a new selection for you.

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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 has introduced a paid service called Genie+ that’ll let you bypass the standard queue for most rides. 

The price for Genie+ varies on demand and when you’re visiting, but it starts at $15 per person per day. Once purchased, guests can choose return times for their preferred attractions.

Genie+ 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 Genie+ packages. Purchasing individual Lightning Lane access allows you to skip the standby line and enter through the Lightning Lane queue. 

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Disney’s DAS program is helpful to all travelers with disabilities. It enables people with disabilities who are unable to endure lengthy waits in regular lines to engage in other activities while they wait virtually.

Registering for DAS can be done in person or online. Those who pre-register can make advanced selections for rides.

Whatever you choose, be ready to answer questions about the disability as Disney seeks to weed out those looking to skip the line. 

(Top photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)