The magic of Walt Disney World and Disneyland has always been rooted in the promise that every guest—no matter their background, age, or ability—can step into a storybook world where barriers fall away. For generations, families have planned once-in-a-lifetime vacations to Disney Parks expecting not just spectacle, but care, empathy, and inclusion. For many guests with disabilities, that promise has meant the difference between feeling welcomed or quietly shut out.
Disney Disability Access Service Changes Are Coming: Is This a Good Thing or Something Worse?
Yet in recent years, a subtle shift has unsettled that trust. Quiet policy changes, tightened eligibility requirements, and confusing new queueing rules have left many longtime visitors uneasy. The Disability Access Service, once seen as a cornerstone of Disney’s accessibility efforts, has become a lightning rod for criticism. Fans are heartbroken, and advocates say something essential has been lost.
Now, a new twist is unfolding—one that could reshape how The Walt Disney Company approaches disability inclusion across its theme parks.
A Vague “Change” Is Stirring Unease Across Disney Parks
Over the past year, reports have trickled out from Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Disney’s international parks describing tense interactions at attractions, long waits without accommodations, and confused Cast Members enforcing unfamiliar rules. On Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), disabled guests and their families have shared stories of being denied assistance they had relied on for years.
For many, the experience felt less like operational fine-tuning and more like a quiet rollback of accessibility. But Disney, for its part, has largely framed the updates as necessary adjustments to prevent misuse and improve fairness. To casual observers, it seemed like another internal policy tweak—until it wasn’t.
Behind the scenes, something much bigger was brewing.
The Context: A History of Inclusion Meets Corporate Risk
Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) was originally designed to allow guests who could not tolerate traditional queues to return at a later time, similar to FastPass. For years, it was held up as an industry-leading accommodation, praised by disability advocates and families alike.
But during 2024 and 2025, Disney Parks quietly narrowed DAS eligibility, triggering an uproar. Critics argued that the new rules excluded many guests with invisible disabilities, forcing them into alternative arrangements like having companions hold spots in line—a practice that sometimes led to accusations of line-cutting and even physical altercations.
At the same time, national outlets including USA Today, the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, Forbes, NBC News, and Business Insider began covering guest complaints. A class-action lawsuit alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act soon followed.
The situation was no longer just a public relations headache. It was becoming a material risk.
Social Media Erupts as Fans Demand Accountability
As news of the DAS controversy spread, social media platforms lit up. On X/Twitter, hashtags tied to Disney accessibility trended intermittently, with users accusing the company of abandoning its core values. On Reddit, long threads dissected the operational chaos inside queues at Disney World and Disneyland.
Some fans called for boycotts. Others pleaded for transparency. A recurring theme emerged: Disney, the company that built its brand on magic and inclusion, seemed dangerously out of step with the needs of disabled guests.
Still, nothing suggested the company was preparing to meaningfully revisit its decision—until now.
A Shocking Development Forces Disney’s Hand
In December 2025, a disabled Disney shareholder, Erik G. Paul, submitted a formal proposal requesting that the company commission an independent review of its accessibility and disability inclusion practices. The proposal specifically targeted the controversial 2024–2025 DAS changes, citing legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Disney initially pushed back. In a letter filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 4, 2025, the company asked to exclude the proposal from its 2026 proxy materials, arguing that it was “materially false and misleading,” related to ordinary business operations, and had already been substantially implemented.
Then everything changed.
On November 17, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance announced it would no longer review company attempts to exclude shareholder proposals except in narrow circumstances. That decision took effect immediately—meaning Disney no longer needed SEC approval to block the resolution.
And on January 19, 2026, Disney formally reversed course.
In a letter sent to shareholders and submitted to the SEC by Disney’s legal counsel, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, the company withdrew its no-action request and confirmed it would include the proposal in its 2026 proxy statement. The letter explicitly states that The Walt Disney Company has “determined to include the Proposal in its Proxy Materials and therefore withdraws the No-Action Request.”
In other words: Disney Parks has agreed to let shareholders vote on whether the company should commission an independent review of its DAS changes.
Why This Matters to Guests—and Investors
The proposal does not mandate reinstating old policies or forcing operational changes. Instead, it calls for a qualified third party to assess legal, financial, and reputational risks, compare Disney’s accessibility standards with international competitors, and identify leadership opportunities. It also requests a public summary and internal board briefing to ensure transparency and accountability.
Supporters argue that Disney’s current approach creates preventable risks that could devalue shares through litigation, negative press, and the alienation of disabled travelers—a demographic representing over 70 million adults in the United States with significant discretionary spending power.
For future travelers, this could mark a turning point. For the first time, Disney’s DAS controversy will be debated at the shareholder level, placing unprecedented pressure on the company to address disability access systematically.
The end of an era—or the beginning of a long-overdue correction?
As Disney prepares its 2026 proxy materials, one thing is certain: the conversation around accessibility at Walt Disney World and Disneyland is far from over.
What do you think Disney should do next? Should the company restore its previous DAS policies—or chart a new path entirely?
They absolutely must make changes it is very discriminatory against multiple disabilities and furthermore even with my son being non verbal and autistic the interrogation tactics and attempt to disprove his need for a DAS when it is evident he has profound autism is an uncomfortable experience crossing serious boundaries
Disney had to change the DAS system due to some people misusing it but I think it is a case of throwing out the baby with the bath water! So many disabled guests have been discriminated against due to a few bad apples. I think the policy needs to go back to the way it was, allowing many types of disabled people access to rides and entertainment and just accept that a few bad people will abuse it but move on from that to the greater good of helping many people with disabilities.
The change was 110% due to the corporate greed mongering of Disney executives wanting to fleece $$$$$ from more people and make them need to buy lightening lane or whatever system they choose from the former Fast Pass which was free if they want to experience the parks. They don’t care if you have no arms or legs and are paralyzed, blind and on a ventilator…..then you might qualify for an interview after a team of 10 doctors verify. All they do is figure out what to take away and charge more for. The words Free or Included probably get you fired from Disney if you work for them and suggest it.
We were distraught over the changes. Our daughter is Autistic and suffers from anxiety issues that prevent her from being in these long lines. Not only did she get denied the DAS pass last year but we felt the interview process was a bit demeaning and borderline intrusive. We are long time annual passholders and will most likely will always be, but we do not go as often with our 10 year old as they won’t accommodate her needs. This should fall under the “If it aint broke, dont fix it” rule. In an effort to “restrict” abusers from using it they have damaged the process for which it was actually designed.
Totally agree the DAS needs to be fixed.
The qualifying call is difficult, the cast member asked my non verbal daughter a few times why she find it difficult to wait on a regular line. She got no answer. After asking me the same question a few times we finally got approved!
We are a family of 5, however only 4 people can book a return time…so what is the other member supposed to do??? this makes it upsetting for my daughter since she wants to have her whole family on a ride with her. I also don’t understand the reasoning that I have to wait 10 minutes before I’m able to book another return time. The waiting is the big problem for my daughter, it makes her very frustrated and angry waiting and no matter how much we try to explain the situation she doesn’t understand why.
Actually maybe it’s so people with a disabled person in their family are forced to buy lightening lane, it’s a money making reason.
With the exorbitant prices for admission and lightening lane on top of it, unfortunately Disney World is becoming an experience that only the upper class can afford.
This is not what Walt Disney had in mind when decided to build amusement parks for ALL families to enjoy.
My son has autism. He is 28 years old and lives for theme parks. He loves roller coasters. He gets stressed standing in a line w multiple people w strange smells, noises, and bumps. He stims by jumping up and down flapping his hands on the sides of his head. Perhaps Disney should look at the IBCCESS card. You go online and provide your name, doctor’s name, phone number and documentation from your doctor explaining why you need the pass.
You then print it, take it to gust services and show them the card. You are good to go. It is free and definitely cuts down on the abuse.
I agree I have that card for Universal & have always been allowed DAS until this new rule went into effect & now I have been denied. I also found the cast member to be unfriendly. The IBCCESS card would definitely be a good choice for Disney.
My son has always been able to get the DAS pass until 2025. It was very disappointing. My son has many disabilities including hearing, sight and is physically unable to walk without canes so we use a wheelchair. Many times the noise and wait can be too much for him. If he gets a headache form waiting in very loud area he is done and we need to leave. Disney always used to be very good about access and the cast members were always so caring. That has been lacking a bit lately. We always said that Disney was the best at helping with disabilities but I think the people that have taken advantage of how helpful they are and that is why the people with real issues are having more problems getting the access they should. I hope they figure this out better.