The Disney Parks provide an experience like no other. For years, the Walt Disney Company has provided families with a magical experience with unparalleled customer service. One of the services that helped many people at the parks was the Disability Access Services or the DAS program. This gave accommodations for people with disabilities to experience the magic of the parks in a way that works for them. Disney has made some massive changes to the program, but it is being met with severe backlash.
Disney Parks: Changes To The DAS System
The Disney Parks implemented the DAS system to help guests with disabilities. Contrary to popular belief, the service doesn’t allow people to skip lines and wait times. It does allow them to join the line virtually or wait in another designated area so there is a shorter in-person wait. For certain people, this is the only way they can experience the magic of the parks. However, Disney has started to limit who has access to the DAS system.
One guest, Charisma Mangahas, has been using the system for years. She has Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is a rare nerve-damaging disorder. She was denied the service at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. It shocked her, and the suggestions the cast members gave shocked her even more. They suggested she could use the paid Genie+/Lightning Lane service to skip lines. While this is an option, it isn’t cheap. It was also suggested she could step out of line if needed and get back in but this often draws dirty looks from other guests. She isn’t the only one who has experienced issues.
Other Issues
Mangahas is just one of many people who have shared their stories of being denied the DAS system at Disney Parks. Guests with epilepsy and other neuro-disabilities have shared they were denied and not given a reason as to why. One mother of four shared that some of her kids have auditory processing disorders, and it isn’t feasible for the kids to simply step out when needed. She recalled her kids getting mean comments when they tried to get back to their place in line, which is why the DAS system worked well. They could have the accommodations without disturbing other guests.
In Defense Of Disney
It is important in a story like this to look at the other side. Why did the Disney Parks crack down on the DAS system? Unfortunately, many guests were abusing the service. Many parkgoers saw it as an opportunity for convenience and manipulated the system to their advantage. It had become overrun, and Disney had to do something to curb the use of it. It is yet another situation in this world where a small group of people ruin something by abusing the system.
Unfortunately, it seems they went too far the other way. While the people who didn’t need the service can no longer get it, neither can the people who actually do. Disney has also made it very unclear exactly who qualifies under the new rules. Furthermore, their messaging of other solutions seems like a money grab. Telling guests they no longer qualify for a free service and then telling them to purchase a Lightning Lane ticket doesn’t look good.
The Disney Parks are for everyone. It seems that Disney needs to adjust their DAS system requirements. The hope is the outcry prompts Disney to tweak their rules and make it easier for people with disabilities to experience the magic.
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