Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) has changed a lot recently — here’s how it worked for our family in September 2024.
A Quick Recap of Our Travel Group
In September, we took a family trip to Walt Disney World with 7 of us:
- Me, my husband, and our toddler son
- My parents
- My sister (who applied for DAS) and her support worker
What’s New with DAS
Disney made major changes to DAS in 2024. Here are the key things to know:
- Guests must register via a video chat with a Cast Member, up to 30 days before their visit.
- In-park DAS registration is no longer available — you’ll be referred to the video chat if needed.
- DAS is specifically for guests unable to wait in a conventional queue due to a developmental disability (like autism).
- There’s no longer a pre-arrival ride selection option (like there was in 2022).
We’ve seen many people being denied in Disney Facebook groups, so I wanted to share that my sister was approved for DAS.
🛑 Note: I won’t share the specific details of her interview to help protect the integrity of the program.
The Approval Process
My mom helped my sister with the interview, which was stressful and less straightforward than it was in the past. My sister was approved for herself plus 3 additional guests — the standard DAS party size.
We weren’t sure if we could get an exception to include all 7 of us. Our toddler didn’t need a park ticket, but we still had one person unaccounted for.
Our Backup Plan: Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Since we couldn’t guarantee access for everyone via DAS, we purchased Lightning Lane Multi Pass (LLMP) for my husband and I on:
- Our first Magic Kingdom day
- Our day at Epcot
We also bought Lightning Lane Single Passes for anyone who wanted to ride:
- Flight of Passage (which my sister can’t ride due to the ride vehicle)
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (which she didn’t want to ride)
We hoped this would help us avoid long waits with a toddler — and it did!
How We Used DAS + Lightning Lane Multi-Pass Together
Because our group was connected in the app as Friends & Family, I could manage DAS and Lightning Lane selections in the app.
💡 Reminder: DAS selections are based on current standby wait times and give you a return time (like a virtual queue). LLMP lets you choose a specific return time in a one-hour window.
A few takeaways from managing both:
- It worked best when two people coordinated: one managing DAS, one managing LLMP.
- DAS selections can be made back-to-back when wait times are low.
- Both DAS and LLMP use the Lightning Lane entrance, but they operate a little differently when it comes to when you can book the next selection (see reminder above).
Managing everything while keeping a toddler happy was… a lot. If you’re using both systems, I highly recommend having help!
Can You Get DAS for More Than 4 People?
I spoke with a Cast Member at a Guest Experience tent to see if our whole group could be added. The answer was no.
They mentioned the only common exception is for families with young children who cannot be left alone. While your experience might differ, this was ours.
Final Thoughts on DAS Under the New Rules
Overall, DAS worked well for the approved group of 4, but it was tricky to manage with all 7 of us. If you’re in a similar situation, you may need to:
- Combine DAS + LLMP, or
- Purchase LLMP for everyone (which adds up quickly)
We’ve already had family discussions about whether to apply for DAS in the future or just stick with LLMP.
If you plan to apply for DAS, do it as early as possible so you have time to adjust your plans if it’s not approved, and so it’s before your LLMP window opens. The in-park Cast Members cannot override the decision — they will just refer you to the online chat.
My Honest Take
I’ve said this before, but my love for Disney comes from experiencing the magic alongside my sister — and DAS has always helped make that possible.
These new rules feel like a swing from too generous to too strict. My sister’s approval was not guaranteed, and that left a bad taste in my mouth. I truly hope Disney finds a better balance — one that protects the program while still helping those who need it.
If you have any questions about DAS please let me know!
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