Disney Disability Access Service (DAS)

The Disney Disability Access Service, commonly known as the DAS pass, is a service of Disney that supports those with developmental disabilities. DAS is intended to accommodate a small number of guests who are unable to wait in long lines in a conventional queue.  

Disney has a wide variety of services available for guests who experience disabilities of different kinds, including guests with mobility concerns, neurodivergent guests, guests with service animals, guests who are deaf or have hearing loss and guests who are blind or have low vision. There are a wide variety of services available for guests throughout the Disney theme parks and Disney resorts.

“Disney is dedicated to providing a great experience for all Guests, including those with disabilities, which is why we are so committed to delivering a wide range of innovative support services aimed at helping our Guests with disabilities have a wonderful time when visiting our theme parks,” said a spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resort.

One of the most widely used and most well known services for those with disabilities is the Disability Access Service Program.

Who Qualifies for DAS

Here is what you need to know about DAS qualification. The following three bullet points are Directly form Disney: 

• DAS is intended to accommodate a small percentage of Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.
• 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.
• The Guest who is requesting to use DAS must be present during registration and experience the attraction when redeeming a DAS return time at Walt Disney World theme parks.

Guests who qualify for a DAS pass still have to wait in the standby line. The main difference is that they do not physically wait in the queue. Instead, guests wait in what is essentially a virtual queue.

While they are waiting in a virtual queue they can be other places in the park – eating, seeing a show, shopping, or riding other attractions. The guest with the DAS pass and their companions then can go back to the attraction at their DAS return time. 

How to get return times with your DAS pass

Guests utilizing a DAS pass will use the My Diseny Experience app to manage their attractions and return times in all the Disney parks. Registered Guests using DAS and party members will be able to book, redeem, change or cancel DAS return times all via the app.

You will find that the return times will be comparable to the current posted wait time in the standard queue. Only one active DAS return time may be held at a time. DAS return times are valid until the park closes or the attraction closes. 

How to Register for DAS at Walt Disney World

As of May 20, 2024 In order to see if you qualify for Disability Access Pass you must schedule a time to meet with a cast member via a virtual meeting live chat. This will no longer be done in person at Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World is partnering with Inspire Health Alliance’s trained medical professionals to assist Cast Members.

During the live video chat  the cast member will determine what services may be appropriate to help support your visit to Walt Disney World – this includes determining if you qualify for DAS.  If you (or your child) qualify for DAS the registration process will continue. A photo will be taken of the DAS registered guest at this time. 

If you qualify for a DAS pass it covers you and up to 3 companions. If there are more than 3 people in your immediate family, Disney may call immediate family members as a DAS guests. Please note, that a DAS pass issued at the Walt Disney World Resorts are not valid at Disneyland and vice versa. 

As of May 20, 2024 your DAS pass is good for the length of your ticket or up to 120 days, whichever is shorter. We highly recommend speaking with a cast member about 30 days prior to your Disney visit. 

Misuse of the DAS System

Disney has come under quite a bit of criticism for the DAS pass. This is a wonderful benefit to those who need it, but join any Disney Facebook group or ask around and you’ll find that misuse of this benefit runs rampant.

This benefit is often viewed as being a “free” Genie+ and you will find people exaggerating or even flat out lying about special needs in order to receive the pass. You can easily find “key words” to say in order to receive the pass – no matter if it is true or not. Because of the abuse of the system, in April of 2024 Disney has announced permanent bans to those who lie:

“If it is determined 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.”

We will have to wait and see if the new changes that are coming to the DAS program are overall positive or negative for those who need it. We are hopeful that those who are truly unable to stand in a conventional queue environment will be able to take advantage of the DAS passes.

We are also hopeful that people who have needs, either seen or unseen, that do NOT qualify for a DAS pass will be made more aware of the additional services that Disney offers. Disney is known for putting the needs of guests first, so we are hopeful that these changes are going to be positive for eligible guests of the DAS pass and also for those who are not in need. 

If you have someone in your group with mobility issues you can find information about renting wheelchairs here and a list of all the wheelchair accessible rides here.