On May 20, 2024, the previously announced changes for the Disability Access Service (DAS) went into effect at Walt Disney World.

According to Disney officials, these changes to the service are due to overuse. In the past five years alone, the use of the DAS has tripled, bringing it far beyond its original intended capacity.

Updated Disability Access Service Now in Effect at Walt Disney World

According to the Disability Access Service webpage on the Walt Disney World website, the service is now intended to “accommodate only those guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar,” cannot wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time. No medical records are required to obtain DAS.

However, guests who are found lying to obtain DAS will be permanently banned from the Disney Parks. Any previously purchased Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets, and other park products and services will be forfeited and not refunded.

DAS Eligibility and Registration

Guests will now have to participate in a live video chat with a Cast Member to determine their eligibility for the Disability Access Service; this can be done as soon as 30 days in advance of a park visit. At this time, the call is offered in English only. If DAS is provided after the live chat, the guest with a disability (or a parent or guardian) will take part in the registration process, which requires having a photo taken of the DAS-registered guest.

The maximum party size for DAS is the registered guest and immediate family only or up to three additional party members, for a total of four people. The service is valid for the length of the ticket or up to 120 days. Once that time has passed or when a new ticket is required, the guest will have to re-register.

There is no longer an in-person option to request DAS registration, but guests who do not register in advance can take part in a live video chat on the day of their visit. Previously, guests could visit Guest Relations to register for the Disability Access Service.

In addition to DAS, Walt Disney World also recommends that guests with disabilities pre-plan their trip using resources on their accessibility webpage, which provides suggestions like practicing waiting in lines for long periods, accessing attraction queues with mobility aides, and more.

During our experience renewing DAS in-park, we had a very fast turnaround from scanning a code at a Guest Experience Team station to chatting live with a Cast Member via chat and then video call. The questions that we were asked were similar to what we’ve experienced with DAS renewal previously, along with follow-up questions about situations outside of the parks that would present similar challenges. Overall, we felt it was much more thorough than it was previously and very easy to do.

We also learned that guests will need to reach back out to the registration team to add additional guests to their DAS if they register alone for the first time.

DAS Return Time Self-Selection

Once registered and in the park for the day, guests registered with DAS and members of their party can make return time selections in the My Disney Experience app. The DAS-registered guest must be present to experience the attraction with their party once a return time is redeemed.

In addition, only one DAS return time can be held at once; a virtual queue boarding group can also be held at the same time. Those who do not have a mobile device can visit Guest Relations or a Guest Experience Team location to schedule return times.

Guests can utilize the DAS Return Time Self-Selection Tool by opening the My Disney Experience mobile app and tapping the three-line menu icon (sometimes called the “hamburger button”) at the bottom of the screen.

Then, guests will tap the DAS button to choose their attraction and return time. This can also be accessed from the attraction detail pages.

Guests who need further clarification or assistance are encouraged to email disability.services@disneyparks.com.

The updated Disability Access Service will launch at Disneyland Resort on June 18.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.