This month on Dispodopolis we discuss our experiences with the Disability Access Service (DAS) system at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Ryan and I have extensive knowledge with using the DAS system at Disneyland and I have been using the DAS system at Walt Disney World for years. My experience is with my daughter, Fiona, and Ryan with his mother, Lynette.
We started using the DAS system for Fiona around 2010 when they started to tighten up their Fast Pass system and their Rider Switch Service. It became difficult to navigate the park or even be able to enjoy the park with Fiona. At the park, Fiona was taking twenty minute breaks, about 4-6 times a day. Even before that, we had a few meltdowns, which had brought us to our tipping point.
It was a pretty loose system in the beginning, with no clear process. I welcomed the change to the system, because it was clearly outlined and was easy to follow. I wasn’t a fan of the original paper version and having to carry it around all day. You really stood out when you presented it to a Cast Member. We even forgot to bring it with us one day and we had to stand in the Guest Relations line again. I heard rumors of people getting two passes to double up on their rides. They even began asking you when you registered, if you already had a card and to make sure you didn’t do that.
The system in place today is one of the most practical and easy to use systems that any theme park has developed. I know there are many people upset when they changed the system in 2013 from the Guest Assistance Card to the DAS system. The main reason being that you now needed to wait to get on an attraction and you didn’t have immediate access to an attraction. I heard one individual tell the cast member that this was of no use to him and left. I differed with his opinion and thought it was great to have an exact time when we could return, we weren’t rushed to return, and we could go do other things while we were waiting.
Is it a perfect system? No, but it is a much better system that circumvents a lot of the abuse that was happening. Do we get to go on every ride we want? No, but we do get to experience the park because of the DAS system. There are many rides we don’t ride even with the system, because the wait is still too long. We would not be able to go to Disney with out it.
Before we jump into our discussion of the DAS system, we ask ourselves the question, “Which Pooh character would we like to dress up as for Halloween?” We all go in the same direction of characters that all share one quality. Can you guess what that is?
Next we discuss the new Winnie-the-Pooh movie, Disney’s Christopher Robin. We all immensely enjoyed the movie and appreciated the adult view point and family aspect of the movie. There hasn’t been this type of family movie in a while and the genre has been greatly missed.
We would love to hear from you and your family. If you have any comments, questions or fun and fancy free thoughts for us, email us at comments@dispodopolis.com. Please enjoy our latest podcast, Dispodopolis.