Disney Parks have worked hard to ensure they are committed to providing a “welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests.” With this commitment, Walt Disney World Resort is now making the Disability Access Service (DAS) program easier to register for. The DAS service is available to assist Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to disability. To accommodate Guests with disabilities, Disney is now offering a pre-register option for the DAS pass with a live video chat feature now available on their website.
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DAS doesn’t provide immediate access to experiences, but rather allows Guests to request a return time for a specific experience that is comparable to the current standby wait. This allows the Guest to use DAS to enjoy other experiences in the Park instead of physically waiting in the standby line. As noted on the Walt Disney World website, “There are 2 ways for eligible Guests to register for the DAS program—pre-arrival via live video chat or in person at Guest Relations during a Park visit. Cast Members will work with Guests individually to discuss specific requests and offer assistance. Before you register, make sure to:
- add your travel party to your Family & Friends list, so they can be included in DAS plans
- link valid theme park admission for each member of your party
- ensure that the Guest who is requesting to use DAS is present at the time of registration, either via live video chat or at one of the Guest Relations Main Entrance locations
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To skip the line and avoid Guest Relations during your Park visit, eligible Guests now have the option to pre-register virtually with a Cast Member via live video chat between 2 to 30 days in advance of a Park visit. When you’re ready to chat with a Cast Member to register for DAS, you can engage in a live video chat using the “Request Live Video Chat” button on the Walt Disney World website. Make sure the device you are using has a working camera and a microphone. Live chat is available from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. If you’ve not logged in to your Disney account, you’ll be prompted to log in. If you don’t have a Disney account, you’ll need to create one before continuing. Video chat is screen reader-friendly for Guests with visual disabilities and available with text chat for Guests with hearing disabilities. At this time, live chat is offered in English only.
If you’ve pre-registered via live video chat, you’re eligible to pre-select up to 2 one-hour return windows for select experiences (subject to availability) using our new DAS Advance planning option as early as 30 days prior to a Park visit. These selections are in addition to the return times you can request throughout the day of your actual Park visit. Please keep in mind that DAS Advance selections must be booked at least 2 days prior to the day you plan to redeem them. DAS is valid for up to 60 days. After this time period, you’ll need to re-register.
If it’s the day of your Disney Park visit and you’re ready to ride more attractions than the initial 2 pre-registered experiences, you can head to an attraction to see a Cast Member to request a return time. The return time will be comparable to the current standby wait. The Cast Member will then scan your MagicBand to add the DAS return time or provide you with a DAS card to return to the queue. Please keep in mind that DAS return times are valid until the Park closes or an attraction closes for the day. And a party can only hold one active DAS return time at once (not counting DAS Advance ride times). Interested in Riding Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure? Guests are required to join the virtual queue to experience this attraction. Once your boarding group is called, see a Cast Member at the attraction for DAS assistance.
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It sounds like this new live video chat process will make the process of obtaining the DAS Service much smoother for those with disabilities. For all the details and FAQs about the DAS Service, check out the Walt Disney World website here.