What is DAS Pass at Walt Disney World and How to use it!
What is DAS pass?
DAS stands for Disability Access Service. This service is available to those who have difficulty tolerating long waits in a conventional queue due to a disability. DAS does not provide front of the line access or immediate access to rides. But instead provides a return time as an alternative to waiting in a traditional queue.
Who qualifies for DAS?
Disney does not have a published list of disabilities that qualify for the DAS program. Still, various disabilities such as Autism, PTSD, Anxiety, and conditions that worsen with sun exposure or heat may qualify.
Who DOES NOT qualifies for DAS?
Mobility issues do not qualify for DAS. Queues are wide enough for motorized wheel chairs to enter, and Disney will direct you to use a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair, or scooter. If your disability does not hinder your ability to WAIT in line, your disability may not qualify.
How to register for DAS?
There are two ways to Register for DAS, in person and virtually.
If you decide to wait to do your interview at the park you are able to do that at Guest Relations or at Guest Experience Team Blue Tents located around the park
Guest Relation Office Locations:
Magic Kingdom Park: City Hall
Disney's Animal Kingdom: The Guest Relations Lobby(near the Main Entrance) Disney's Hollywood Studios: The Guest Relations Lobby (near the Main Entrance on the Left before Hollywood Blvd.)
EPCOT: The Guest Relations lobby (across from Spaceship Earth to your left as you walk into the park)
you can work with a Cast Member to book up to 2 one-hour return windows for select experiences using our new DAS Advance planning option (you may also make additional DAS selections on the day of your visit).
Pre-Arrival Registration via Live Video Chat
Eligible Guests can now pre-register for DAS Advance virtually with a Cast Member using live video chat.
During the registration chat, you will explain why you need the DAS pass for your Disney Vacation.
What you need to explain during the interview:
You will have to state your case, whether you have severe anxiety, PTSD in crowds, or have a child with a disability or a diagnosis of Autism. There are numerous reasons waiting in line may be an issue.
Disney cannot ask you for medical forms, but I have a friend who carries them, just in case. You will have to explain why waiting in lines will be difficult for the member of the family that will be with you.
Here are some things you need to know for the chat:
Park visits must be within 30 to 2 days of the live chat.
English is currently the only language provided for Live Chats.
Tickets must be linked in My Disney Experience.
DAS recipient must be on the chat OR their Guardian/Parent must be 18 years old to register.
Live Chats are between 7 am - 10 pm Eastern
The video chat will prompt you to log into My Disney Expereince
Remember DAS is a service for those who really need it and would struggle otherwise. We are so grateful Disney has services like this to help ensure everyone has a magical time.
How many people can be on a das pass?
Six (6) people. If you have more than the allotted number of guests, stop by Guest Relations and speak to a Cast Member inside the parks when you arrive, an they can let you know your options.
How Do I Make a DAS Pass Reservation?
To use DAS, the person that holds the DAS pass must also ride the attraction selected.
If you have a virtual chat with a cast member, they will work with you to book up to 2 one-hour return windows for select experiences using our new DAS Advance planning option. Then you can make additional DAS selections on the day of your visit.
These pre-trip reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the closer the travel date, the fewer option will be available. The earliest booking times will be at the park opening.
In Park Reservations
Once you enter the park, you will see a Disability Access Service button on your menu screen on your My Disney Experience app after scanning your ticket. (Sometimes it takes 30 minutes to appear)
This will ask you which Guests you're booking for, then will how you a list of all operating attractions allowing Disability Access Service scheduling and the current wait time.
You can also make these selections on the Tip Boar by clicking an attraction’s name and the DAS Return Time. Return times available will be about the same as the current standby wait minus 10-15.
You can only have ONE DAS selection made at a time.
When it is time to redeem your DAS Pass, you will enter through the Lightning Lane. The person with DAS must be the first to scan their MagicBand or ticket. Everyone, including the DAS Rider, must ride together.
DAS times do not expire. It will remain active until you use it or the park closes. But remember, you can only have ONE DAS at a time, so if you do not use it, you cannot book another one.
Remember you will redeem your DAS through the Lightning Lane, and even in the LLs there can be some wait time about 5 - 10 minutes typically is the max, but sometimes I have been in line for 20 minutes if a ride breaks down or there is an issue. If the wait becomes too long, exit the queue and let a cast member know.
Do I need Genie+ with a DAS Pass?
It depends! Getting Genie+ is always a personal choice because there is an additional expense with the service. You don't need it if if you have DAS, but will it make your day much easier, absolutely. The combination of Genie+ and DAS, you essentially, could avoid waiting in any line at all at the parks.
It should also be noted that DAS does not work for virtual queue rides. If you are interested in riding an attraction that has a virtual queue, you will have to book that. However, I suggest purchasing the Individual Lightning Lane - especially if the DAS member wants to ride it. Virtual Queue is an appointed time to get into the standby line to ensure you do not wait 2 - 3 hours for a ride. However, on average, Virtual Queue wait times are 25 - 90 minutes, depending on the attraction. For example, when Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Rise of the Resistance were a virtual queue, we never waited longer than 25 minutes; for Guardians of the Galaxy, we typically wait 25 - 45 minutes; for TRON, wait times have been reported up to 60 - 90 minutes. Disney Typically utilizes Virtual Queue for their newest and most popular rides. These popular rides are typically the Individual Lightning Lane ride for purchase. Also, Disney sometimes adds these attractions to the DAS selections; Star Wars Rise of the Resistance is a DAS Pass selection.
What Attractions are Available with DAS Pass?
Disney's Animal Kingdom
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
Festival of the Lion King
DINOSAUR
Feathered Friends in Flight!
It's Tough to be a Bug!
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventure Outpost
Na'vi River Journey
EPCOT
Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Living with the Land
Mission: SPACE
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Soarin' Around the World
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
Turtle Talk With Crush
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Alien Swirling Saucers
Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage
Disney Junior Play and Dance!
Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Muppet*Vision 3D
Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
Rock' n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania!
Magic Kingdom Park
The Barnstormer
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Haunted Mansion
"It's a Small World"
Jungle Cruise
Mad Tea Party
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
Mickey at Town Square Theater
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (not open until 2024)
Tomorrowland Speedway
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
If someone in your party has cognitive disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Walt Disney World has created a planning guide to assist you. You can download the guide by clicking here. Additionally, here are some tips for you and the guest with cognitive disabilities:
Plan a visual schedule to help with the day's activities.
Watch videos ahead of time to familiarize with the parks.
Study location maps to help navigate the parks.
Choose a meeting location in case anyone gets separated.
Practice waiting in line to help manage expectations.
What if you lie to get DAS?
“If Disney determines that any of the statements a Guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the Guest will be permanently barred from entering Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any previously purchased annual passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and other park products and services will be forfeited and not refunded.” - Straight from the Disney Website!
Do I have to register for DAS each time we go to Disney?
More than likely yes, your DAS pass is only valid for up to 30 days. After that you will have to re-register for the program.
For additional assistance, please call Disability Services at (407) 560-2547, or send an email to disability.services@disneyparks.com.
What strategy do i use when using DAS?
Decide if you are going to use Genie+. If you use Genie+, you essentially will not have to wait in a single line all day. Additionally, if the DAS rider wants to avoid riding a specific ride, you can plan to book that with Genie+ instead of waiting on standby.
Take a look at the MAP. It will be easy to book whatever ride you want next, but without understanding the layout of the parks, that will cause another source of stress if you are running all over the parks. Look at a MAP before your trip and decide what area of the park you would like to start, and then move from land to land.
PRE-register! And do it early! If you can take care of your DAS pass at 60 days and pre-book two rides, once you scan into the park, you could essentially book your 3rd ride of the day. If you are using Genie+, you could have four rides already booked, and if you purchase the ILL, you could have 5 or 6 rides booked and planned before entering the park. That is HUGE. Your day will flow better, and taking sensory and rest breaks will be easier because you will have a game plan. But remember this is based on availability, and it's first come, first serve so rides will sell out for the advance booking.
Remember Genie+ Sell Out order. With DAS, it would be easy to forget to book with Genie+; adding Standby Skipper would not be a back idea. You could ensure Standby Skipper is still reserving the rides that the DAS member does not want to ride, and you can stay focused on your DAS list.
TAKE A BREAK. Make sure you are aware of the quiet areas in the park and you can utilize those for any sensory overload and overstimulation.
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