disabilities assistance Abuse

[DisSurfer878]

I’m not upset with the CM’s. You can’t really be upset with Disney IT either if they weren’t given enough resources to fully create this system-which we don’t know if it they were. I AM upset at Disney for creating a system that is not working and those people on the internet who, trying to be helpful, are giving up too much information on why they receive a DAS. With the new system, I think people who had skated by are now desperate for new information on what to say and what reason they might need to indicate for a DAS. Hopefully Disney will get their act together and either staff up the video lines or change the system. I personally would prefer if they just made us do it onsite-I’d be willing to go to someplace specific to “check in”, get the DAS and pick my 2 rides per day-but I haven’t reached the point where it would be impossible for me to do it yet.

Disney's software team is falling apart. They are forcing them a vast majority of them to move from Los Angeles to Florida and so they are quitting like crazy. They are cutting pay in doing so and not providing relocation costs. That's why this reservation system is so bad because THAT specific team is one of the big ones being forced to move, and they have no one to work on because people are quitting like mad.

 

[ttintagel]

I think it’s probably true that there are a lot more people applying for DAS now who’ve never applied before, and that the elimination of free FP is playing a significant part in those numbers.

But I’m willing to give most people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they do have some need that they used to be able to manage by using FP instead of DAS. And because they haven’t used DAS before, they’re not familiar with what it is and isn’t meant to help with (e.g. mobility/stamina/standing issues).

 

[Kimly]

Online is a great idea I hope it works better in the future. We went this past week and stood in line for 10 mins, renewed our DAS, it was easy, and quick. For now that’s what we will be doing to renew. Waiting hours for 2 pre booked reservations (which is awesome of them, and I’m super grateful Disney is doing this) isn’t worth it for me.

 

[charmed59]

I think it’s probably true that there are a lot more people applying for DAS now who’ve never applied before, and that the elimination of free FP is playing a significant part in those numbers.

I think the pandemic has also increased the number of people who get extreme anxiety in stagnant crowds. An offshoot of the pandemic may mean there are more people eligible than before.

 

[DisneyOma]

I think the pandemic has also increased the number of people who get extreme anxiety in stagnant crowds. An offshoot of the pandemic may mean there are more people eligible than before.

I second this - as it probably applies to me! Never used an accommodation before in my life, but after finding out that what I thought was chronic infections was actually a reaction to stress and anxiety, I got the DAS on our trip this past August, and didn't end up with any horrible symptoms like the ones I had that sent me to the ER on our previous trip. I actually stayed away from Disney for 4 years after that trip, when we used to go 1-2 times a year. I knew my anxiety built up in queues, and we used FP all the time, and I thought I was managing? Anyways, I wasn't, and long story short, I got a DAS, and I didn't end up in the ER this trip. Only had to use First Aid once to do my PT/breathing exercises. So yes, without free FP, I need a DAS to have access to the longer queues that set off my issues.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I second this - as it probably applies to me! Never used an accommodation before in my life, but after finding out that what I thought was chronic infections was actually a reaction to stress and anxiety, I got the DAS on our trip this past August, and didn't end up with any horrible symptoms like the ones I had that sent me to the ER on our previous trip. I actually stayed away from Disney for 4 years after that trip, when we used to go 1-2 times a year. I knew my anxiety built up in queues, and we used FP all the time, and I thought I was managing? Anyways, I wasn't, and long story short, I got a DAS, and I didn't end up in the ER this trip. Only had to use First Aid once to do my PT/breathing exercises. So yes, without free FP, I need a DAS to have access to the longer queues that set off my issues.

i am so glad you figured out how to enjoy the parks now. Hopefully the ER visits are a thing of the past for you

 

[Wiltony]

Probably the worst is when people get a scooter or wheelchair just to get some type of advantage. Our last we actually came across a family that was arguing on who turn it was to ride in the wheelchair.

We’ve spoken to cast members on this issue and they basically told us they are not allowed to question guests and the fact that so many guests are abusing the system they cut back on the assistance. Somewhere along the lines the term “handicap” got lost.

I think OP is talking about the abusers who BLATANTLY LIE about being disabled in order to get the front of the line privileges. (Example: People who ... fight over who gets to ride in the chair, ...)

Gawd, even this isn't as clear-cut an example of abuse as you think it is. First of all, DAS wouldn't be granted to these people in the first place because I know it's not for mobility needs. Second, I was this family, and was really concerned and self-conscious about judgement by people like you -- it seems it was warranted.

So since it seems like I'm required to provide an explanation to ya'll, I guess I will: after day 3 of an 8-day trip to WDW, my youngest 10-year-old daughter started to develop some massive blisters on her feet. Too many and too large to just cover up with band-aids. There was no way she was going to be able to continue walking these long distances for the rest of our stay, so we rented a wheelchair to help shuttle her around the parks. Well, I (her dad) didn't want to let her use the chair and blisters as an ongoing "crutch" and just sit like a bump-on-a-log the entire trip, so after a day-and-a-half of partial blister healing, I made her get out of the chair and walk short distances, on-and-off, until she needed to return to the chair due to the blisters starting to hurt again. Instead of leaving the chair empty during these times, we'd let the other kids sit in it and shuttle each other around -- so yes, they'd argue over "whose turn it was to sit in the wheelchair."

I'll have to wear a sign next time to inform all the judgy people that we weren't "abusing the system" by having an occasionally empty wheelchair with us that we were apparently just using as a "shopping cart." Get bent!

 

[SueM in MN]

Pretty much the only ‘advantage’ to using a wheelchair or other mobility device is having a place to sit while waiting.

MOST attractions at WDW (and from what I’ve seen, also at Universal) have Mainstream Lines, which means the regular line is wheelchair accessible and guests using mobility devices wait in the same lines with everyone else.
At WDW, most lines are also ECV accessible. For those WDW attractions that are not, guests get a return time to come back to a different location since they can’t use the regular entrance/line. The return time is based on the current wait in the Standby (regular) line.
People who see guests coming back may assume they entered the line without waiting, but that’s not the real story.

My DD uses a wheelchair every day, in fact most of the time she’s awake, because she can’t walk or stand. There are a lot of full time, every day users like her.
There are also a lot of people with disabilities/mobility issues who can manage fine in their everyday life without a mobility device or just using one occasionally.
But, WDW is not everyday life. Most people don’t walk 4-9 miles a day several days in a row or in a week. They are not ‘abusers’ or ‘fakers’; they are using tools that are available to meet their needs.

 

[Evita_W]

I think it’s probably true that there are a lot more people applying for DAS now who’ve never applied before, and that the elimination of free FP is playing a significant part in those numbers.

But I’m willing to give most people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they do have some need that they used to be able to manage by using FP instead of DAS. And because they haven’t used DAS before, they’re not familiar with what it is and isn’t meant to help with (e.g. mobility/stamina/standing issues).

This is a very valid point, interestingly enough, FP and FP+ didn't work well for DH, but when Disneyland introduced MaxPass, that system helped a lot, there were days DAS wasn't needed at all, unless we wanted to do rides that didn't have FP. Unfortunately, I don't see Genie+ working out as well since it is limited to once per attraction per day, as there are some rides we would do multiple times and others we would skip. But for many, FP may have helped.

I think the pandemic has also increased the number of people who get extreme anxiety in stagnant crowds. An offshoot of the pandemic may mean there are more people eligible than before.

Also quite true and not just is stagnant crowds, but overcrowding as well, I would honestly be shocked if Disney can ever go back to what was considered full capacity without people complaining.

 

[CBMom01]

Maybe we'd all be happier if, every time folks see someone doing something that looks extra they think: "Those must be rich people who paid for the extra super secret VIP experience!". Then all we have to worry about is feeling inadequate financially and don't accidentally expend energy thinking someone is abusing a disability accommodation

 

[LynJ]

We get DAS for my daughter related to her hearing (not giving specifics, but she's qualified). However, I've had 3 knee surgeries, an ankle rebuild, and 2 blood clots causing permanent leg issues. As a result, this trip I'll be bringing a rollator, to reduce standing for fireworks, etc. If people saw us getting a DAS at a blue umbrella, I'm sure they would assume it was mobility related, when my rollator is entirely irrelevant, but far more visible.

 

[bsmcneil]

Pretty much the only ‘advantage’ to using a wheelchair or other mobility device is having a place to sit while waiting.

I know I said this before (maybe in this thread - but I can't recall) - but your comment made me want to reiterate. I worried so much that I would get a lot of grief for using mobility aids on my last trip. I've gotten grief before in lots of venues - and I did get some. But at a certain point on my first day using a manual wheelchair (and this was a solo trip) - I want to say when my hands started bleeding after 45 minutes and I barely made it to one ride, I realized - no one would think, "Hey - this is the way to get over on people!" There wasn't an advantage for me. I couldn't make it up ramps and hills, negating whole parts of the park. The blisters were awful. Add in all of the people stopping, etc and the difficulties and then feeling dumb/weak because you can't work the chair.

Even when I did get an ECV (I had been waitlisted), perhaps it's because I chose a slower speed - but people whizzed past me constantly. I didn't pass anyone with the chair. So, it slowed me down even more (I had it in my mind that people might think - well, he's got an advantage because he can go fast). If anyone is willing to put up with the difficulties of navigating the park using mobility aids, my sense is that they need it to improve, or even allow, their access to the park. I learned on my last trip - I had a major problem on my very first day, halfway through the day (not even rope drop). And I swore that I would not go back to a park for this trip or any other without a mobility aid. And so often, I will chicken out and push on (beyond my limits) - but it was bad enough that I didn't. It wasn't optional.

It is true as SueM wrote - sitting in line is a huge advantage, although I learned that it's not the advantage I once thought. A while back, my then-partner and I were at Target trying to get our phones setup before a trip. The person was taking a long time - complications, etc, etc. But there was this one day window of a really good deal and we were about to travel across country - so we really wanted to get it done. So we waited (and, to be fair to us, they kept saying, "Oh, we should have this wrapped up in 15-20 minutes."). And we waited. After about 45 minutes, I had been moving around and grimacing. I asked my wife - are you not in a surreal amount of pain right now? "No, not at all." However, my hips were on fire. Our ordeal lasted almost 6 hours (we did go sit and eat for part of that). I was in so much pain that I could not walk to the car - so we had to grab a wheelchair. Her hips were fine. I have this weird muscular dystrophy thing that also screwed up my hips. To me, not having to stand on them for long periods of time is a life-saver. For my partner, even after all of that time, she was unfazed. But, I'm one of those people that if you looked at me, if you saw me come in walking, you might think - well, he's just getting a wheelchair to be lazy. But I couldn't move my hips enough to walk out of the store (which is sort of what happened in the above paragraph on that first day - my hips locked and I couldn't even sit down. I couldn't rotate them to move. It was terrible).

Anyway. Be as kind and gentle as you can with folks. It may be their first time experiencing this level of pain or something not working. They may be needing to grieve in that exact moment the loss of something they once could do, maybe never could do, or may never do again. If you see some person or family that aren't taking it seriously like you think they ought to - realize they may have a different coping mechanism OR try to be okay with the fact that for every person/family in this situation, there are thousands more who struggle to get the help they need or don't go because they don't think they can ask for help (or the help they need isn't available). It's a small price to pay to make the most Magical Place on Earth accessible to as many people as possible.

 

[potterfanatic]

We will be trying to get a Pass this year and have never tried before. My daughter came down with a neurological issue induced by stress and loss the ability to fully control both her legs. Her neurologist told us that this is something that’s becoming increasingly more and more common in kids and teens as their systems react to the stress of the pandemic and pandemic recovery.

 

[DisSurfer878]

We will be trying to get a Pass this year and have never tried before. My daughter came down with a neurological issue induced by stress and loss the ability to fully control both her legs. Her neurologist told us that this is something that’s becoming increasingly more and more common in kids and teens as their systems react to the stress of the pandemic and pandemic recovery.

I say this with love and kindness; if the only problem your daughter has from this neurological disorder is that she struggles to control use of her legs, disney will likely go straight to the "DAS is not for mobility issues" and recommend a wheelchair or stroller. all they will hear is "can't walk". Just something to consider to be prepared in your explanation

 

[potterfanatic]

I say this with love and kindness; if the only problem your daughter has from this neurological disorder is that she struggles to control use of her legs, disney will likely go straight to the "DAS is not for mobility issues" and recommend a wheelchair or stroller. all they will hear is "can't walk". Just something to consider to be prepared in your explanation

Thank you for this! I actually haven’t looked into it a lot since this is a new issue for us and our trip is still a ways out. I thought that to access the wheelchair services she would need to have this pass. So I will actually do some more research and see if it’s even something we do think we’ll need. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time, or abuse the system like the thread is talking about.

The main point of my previous post was that her doctor had stated that they’re seeing so many more cases of these stress induced disorders that it’s very likely that many people will legitimately need more assistance. (I’m sure that’s been discussed but I didn’t read all 400+ replies)

 

[Starwind]

Thank you for this! I actually haven’t looked into it a lot since this is a new issue for us and our trip is still a ways out. I thought that to access the wheelchair services she would need to have this pass. So I will actually do some more research and see if it’s even something we do think we’ll need. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time, or abuse the system like the thread is talking about.

The main point of my previous post was that her doctor had stated that they’re seeing so many more cases of these stress induced disorders that it’s very likely that many people will legitimately need more assistance. (I’m sure that’s been discussed but I didn’t read all 400+ replies)

WDW has an excellent page with info for guests with mobility disabilities: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/mobility-disabilities/

Almost all of the attraction lines at WDW are wheelchair accessible, and for the few that are not, there are alternate arrangements for access (eg via the exit) - which you can receive at the entrance to the ride with no need for the DAS.

For reference, this is WDW's page about the DAS: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/disability-access-service/ The DAS is for "Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability" - i.e. where being in the line environment itself is an issue. Disney notes "A Guest whose disability is based on the necessity to use a wheelchair or scooter does not need DAS. Depending on the experience, Guests utilizing a wheelchair or scooter will either wait in the standard queue or receive a return time at the attraction that is comparable to the current standby wait. ".

Hope this helps.

SW

 

[notatallmagic]

Sigh. Angry mama bear here.

We had our DAS pre-approval experience today. I may post this in another group as well, but our experience was quite relevant for this forum's topic.

I'll start with the positive stuff -
1) Both of our chat/texting Cast Members seemed competent, quick, and helpful.
2) We were able to book for our entire 3 day trip; today was 30 days out from the FIRST park day, so that was nice. I had recieved conflicting reports on that issue.
3) I let them know that we would be arriving late the first day, and leaving early on the last day, and they were able to work with that.
4) TIP: Be SURE to pre-plan your pre-book attraction requests, have your traveling party specified in MDE, and have your Park Reservations and Reservation # ready. They seem to want to move quickly (understandably).

Now the Ugly -
1) Logged on right a 7am. At 7:04 the Chat came live, and asked for my List of desired attractions; the Cast Member then came back and asked why I hadn't done my Video Chat - and that was what I had requested! When I explained, they did say they were "transferring" me back into that queue;
2) Waited just over six hours. The system kept glitching and timing me out; so after my laptop NOT letting me back in, I tried on my phone, and that worked! The very same chat window popped up, so I ended up doing the whole process on my (Samsung) phone.
3) I filled out the "pre-cert" questionnaire about 4 1/2 hours in; then waited another 90 minutes or so. We also had to pick our attractions again - so what we'd entered the first time must not have "saved" anywhere.
4) MY VERY UN-FAVORITE PART - My 18 year old kid is the one with the disability. Diagnosed not quite 2 years ago; multiple Disney trips since then using DAS (and being approved immediately) every time. When we've requested in person, her disability is visually obvious; but likely not obvious on the Video Chat feature (maybe that was the issue?). In any event, the Video Chat Cast Member was simply RUDE, and implied that my daughter didn't qualify for a DAS. My daughter clearly stated the issues she has that qualify her for DAS; she gave specific examples of park issues we've had when DAS wasn't functioning properly last summer (losing conciousness amoung them)...and the Cast Member continued to say, "sorry, I need MORE!" Seriously?
5) I get that there's abuse of the system, but being super rude to any park guest who has repeatedly used DAS in the past? Not sure what that's about? We have only ever used the same traveling group...not sure what the trigger would have been for the harsh treatment. My kid was in tears. Super sh#$#y treatment by the Cast Member, and totally unnecessary. I was proud of my kid for standing her ground, staying calm, and advocating for herself, but it was really crappy treatment. She was ultimately approved, but it was harsh.

In summary - I felt we needed the advance DAS for our December trip due to the super high anticipated crowd levels. But we have one more trip before our Annual Passes expire, scheduled for a typically less busy time of year. I'm not sure I'd put my kid through this kind of nastiness again. We've never had anything but pleasant experiences at the parks getting the DAS in person. I get that these folks are busy, but there's simply no excuse for that level of rudeness. I was shocked. Abuse of the system? I'm sure there is. But it's not likely to be abused by folks who have REPEATEDLY used DAS in the past; who request medical related resort accomodations, etc. Epic Disney fail, IMO.

 

[jo-jo]

Sigh. Angry mama bear here.

We had our DAS pre-approval experience today. I may post this in another group as well, but our experience was quite relevant for this forum's topic.

I'll start with the positive stuff -
1) Both of our chat/texting Cast Members seemed competent, quick, and helpful.
2) We were able to book for our entire 3 day trip; today was 30 days out from the FIRST park day, so that was nice. I had recieved conflicting reports on that issue.
3) I let them know that we would be arriving late the first day, and leaving early on the last day, and they were able to work with that.
4) TIP: Be SURE to pre-plan your pre-book attraction requests, have your traveling party specified in MDE, and have your Park Reservations and Reservation # ready. They seem to want to move quickly (understandably).

Now the Ugly -
1) Logged on right a 7am. At 7:04 the Chat came live, and asked for my List of desired attractions; the Cast Member then came back and asked why I hadn't done my Video Chat - and that was what I had requested! When I explained, they did say they were "transferring" me back into that queue;
2) Waited just over six hours. The system kept glitching and timing me out; so after my laptop NOT letting me back in, I tried on my phone, and that worked! The very same chat window popped up, so I ended up doing the whole process on my (Samsung) phone.
3) I filled out the "pre-cert" questionnaire about 4 1/2 hours in; then waited another 90 minutes or so. We also had to pick our attractions again - so what we'd entered the first time must not have "saved" anywhere.
4) MY VERY UN-FAVORITE PART - My 18 year old kid is the one with the disability. Diagnosed not quite 2 years ago; multiple Disney trips since then using DAS (and being approved immediately) every time. When we've requested in person, her disability is visually obvious; but likely not obvious on the Video Chat feature (maybe that was the issue?). In any event, the Video Chat Cast Member was simply RUDE, and implied that my daughter didn't qualify for a DAS. My daughter clearly stated the issues she has that qualify her for DAS; she gave specific examples of park issues we've had when DAS wasn't functioning properly last summer (losing conciousness amoung them)...and the Cast Member continued to say, "sorry, I need MORE!" Seriously?
5) I get that there's abuse of the system, but being super rude to any park guest who has repeatedly used DAS in the past? Not sure what that's about? We have only ever used the same traveling group...not sure what the trigger would have been for the harsh treatment. My kid was in tears. Super sh#$#y treatment by the Cast Member, and totally unnecessary. I was proud of my kid for standing her ground, staying calm, and advocating for herself, but it was really crappy treatment. She was ultimately approved, but it was harsh.

In summary - I felt we needed the advance DAS for our December trip due to the super high anticipated crowd levels. But we have one more trip before our Annual Passes expire, scheduled for a typically less busy time of year. I'm not sure I'd put my kid through this kind of nastiness again. We've never had anything but pleasant experiences at the parks getting the DAS in person. I get that these folks are busy, but there's simply no excuse for that level of rudeness. I was shocked. Abuse of the system? I'm sure there is. But it's not likely to be abused by folks who have REPEATEDLY used DAS in the past; who request medical related resort accomodations, etc. Epic Disney fail, IMO.

I never needed a pass, so maybe I don't understand. I would think Disney would have a record of you using the pass in the past. I don't understand the grief they gave you. I suppose there are some medical cases that are temporary, like some going through some type of treatment can't spend lots of time in the sun. But if your child has XYZ and it's not a temporary type illness, again why the grief? Wouldn't that fall under renewing a pass that some speak of?

 

[notatallmagic]

I never needed a pass, so maybe I don't understand. I would think Disney would have a record of you using the pass in the past. I don't understand the grief they gave you. I suppose there are some medical cases that are temporary, like some going through some type of treatment can't spend lots of time in the sun. But if your child has XYZ and it's not a temporary type illness, again why the grief? Wouldn't that fall under renewing a pass that some speak of?

I sure would have thought so! Today was shocking! We have never had an issue; and her condition is chronic and life-long. It was insulting.

I would understand (maybe) if we were adding a bunch of random strangers to our travel group; or had never had the pass before...but as Annual Passholders with the same 3 family members with multiple DAS approvals before? Just hard to understand.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Not that this excuses anything but I assume they are being stricter in not allowing mobility issues to get the pass on these calls than they were in the past. So I am sure they are not giving them to people just because they had the pass previously. Again they should not be rude to people but they should make sure that they are appropriately giving the pas. Otherwise we will end up with a situation where lightning lane becomes a long line.