Disney Eliminating Disability Access Service (DAS)

Disney is all about inclusivity. For example, this is why they cast Jada Pinkett-Smith to play Rapunzel, which we reported on here. Also, allowing men to be princesses in their parks. Both of these are examples of being more inclusive as a company. However, they are about to fall short when it comes to inclusivity with the elimination of their Disability Access Service or DAS.

Not long ago, Disney announced inclusions as their fifth key. As Disney says, “The 5 Keys – with Inclusion at the heart – will continue to guide us as we interact with guests, collaborate together, create the next generation of Disney products and experiences, and make critical decisions about the future of our business.” Clearly, they take their keys very seriously. But the announcement that the Disability Access Service is going away puts that into question.

Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) Problems

The Disability Access Service is “a program offered at Walt Disney World theme parks to assist Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability.” Also, “DAS is intended for Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability.” The idea sounds great in practice, but the system is being abused.

Disney offers the Disability Access Service to a variety of people. Oftentimes it is used by people who physically can’t wait in line. However, recently a lot of people are getting approved for the pass that don’t need it. They fake a disability in order to get the pass. This allows them to get essentially a free Fastpass for the ride, while they ride other rides in the park.

Because of how the system works, people get DAS passes for rides and then go ride other rides. Then they come back to use their DAS. It essentially acts as a free Fastpass for them. This is where the system abuse comes in. People who don’t actually need the DAS are getting it. They make up a condition and get approved. They are essentially scamming the system, forcing Disney to put an end to it altogether.

DAS Going Away at Disney

The abuse of the Disability Access Service is causing Disney to shut it down permanently. In fact, there was a 900% increase in people using DAS passes after the pandemic. This makes both the Lightning Lane and Stand-By lines longer for everyone else. They are seeing the system being abused and are putting a stop to it. It’s the old, this is why we can’t have nice things issue.

The obvious downside to this is the impact it has on people who actually need the Disability Access Service. Some people cannot wait in lines like the rest of us. This service allowed everyone to ride Disney rides and experience the magic of them. With the system going away, it has many people wondering if they will ever be able to ride some of their favorite Disney rides again.

The DAS became a system where people found a way to abuse it and use it to get on more rides. The idea behind the system makes a ton of sense, however, it became problematic. This has a lot of people upset as a few bad people ruined the entire system for everyone else, especially those who needed it most. Only time will tell if Disney has a different way to solve this issue or if the DAS will ever return.

What do you of Disney eliminating its Disability Access Service? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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