Guide to Disability Access Service (DAS) at Disney World

Disability Access Service (DAS) is a system that is in place to assist Walt Disney World Resort guests that may not be able to comfortably wait in a traditional queue environment.

The DAS is not a “front of the line” pass, but rather a tool to provide the maximum amount of flexibility to guests with disabilities.

Here’s how it works…

Now Available: Return Time Self-Selection & Pre-Registration

Disney has rolled out 2 new features to the DAS system:

1. The option to pre-register for Disability Access Service ahead of your visit, and
2. The ability to self-select your return times via the My Disney Experience app instead of having to request a time by speaking to a Cast Member at each attraction.

Plus, guests that pre-register will also be eligible pre-select up to two attractions per day to visit. More on that below.

How to get a Disability Access Service Pass (DAS) at Disney World Via Pre-Arrival video chat (recommended method)

Important note: This method is only available to guests visiting the parks on or after November 1, 2021. If you plan to visit the parks before November 1, you’ll need to register in person.

1. When you are between 2-30 days before your trip, you can request a Live Video Chat to pre-register for DAS. Things to know about the video chat:
   * Live chat is only available between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm Eastern Time
   * You will need a Disney account to chat, and if you don’t already have one, you’ll be prompted to register for one.
   * The guest requesting DAS OR their parent/guardian must be 18 years old to register.
   * The guest requesting to use DAS mustbe present during the video call.
   * The chat is screen reader friendly.
   * At this time, live chat is only available in English.
   
2. If the DAS is approved, the person receiving the Disability Access Pass will need to have their photo taken during the chat.
   
3. Once approved, guests can then pre-select up to 2 experiences per day as part of the complimentary DAS Advance planning option. These are in addition to the return times you can request throughout the day of your actual park visit.
   
4. After registration is complete, up to 6 additional guests can then be linked to the pass.
   
5. When in the parks, you can make your return time selections inside of the My Disney Experience app.
   
   Important note: If additional assistance is needed, you can obtain return times directly from a Cast Member at any theme park Guest Relations or Guest Experience team location. You do not need to go to the individual attraction for return times.
   
   How to Access the DAS Return Time Self-Selection:
   Once you are in the park, open up the My Disney Experience app, select the “More” option at the bottom right of the screen, then select the Disability Access Service (DAS) button. You can also access the self-selection tool from attraction detail screens.
   
   
6. Return times available will be equivalent to roughly the current standby wait minus 10-15.
   
7. While you wait, you can rest, dine, visit other attractions, etc.
   
8. When it is your return time, proceed to the Lightning Lane entrance (formerly called FastPass+ line). The person with the DAS must be the first person to scan their MagicBand or ticket, and everyone from the group – including the person with the DAS – must all enter the ride together.
   
9. After you have used that DAS pass, you are eligible to request the next one, so you’ll simply need to repeat steps 5-8.

How to get a Disability Access Service Pass (DAS) On-Site at Guest Relations

Important note: guests that register on-site at Guest Relations are not eligible for DAS Advance Selections. To receive those, you must register via video chat before your visit and make your selections at least 2 days, but no more than 30 days before your arrival.

1. Visit one of the Guest Relations locations inside the 4 main theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom). The person receiving the DAS must be present.
   
2. If the DAS is approved, the person receiving the Disability Access Pass will need to have their photo taken.
   
3. Up to 6 additional guests can then be linked to the pass.
   
4. When in the parks, you can make your return time selections inside of the My Disney Experience app.
   Important note: If additional assistance is needed, you can obtain return times directly from a Cast Member at any theme park Guest Relations or Guest Experience team location. You do not need to go to the individual attraction for return times.
   
   How to Access the DAS Return Time Self-Selection:
   Once you are in the park, open up the My Disney Experience app, select the “More” option at the bottom right of the screen, then select the Disability Access Service (DAS) button. You can also access the self-selection tool from attraction detail screens.
   
5. While you wait, you can rest, dine, visit other attractions, etc.
   
6. When it is your return time, proceed to the Lightning Lane (formerly FastPass+) Entrance. The person with the DAS must be the first person to scan their MagicBand or ticket, and everyone from the group – including the person with the DAS – must all enter the ride together.
   
7. After you have used that DAS pass, you are eligible to request the next one.

Guest Relations Locations

Although it may be possible to obtain your DAS at one of the Guest Relation locations located directly outside the entrances of the four parks, there are numerous reports of guests being told to get their pass at the Guest Relations locations inside the parks, and those are the locations officially listed on the WDW website. This is especially true if the locations outside the park are busy.

All 4 theme parks have Guest Relations locations both inside and directly outside their entrances:

Magic Kingdom

• Inside the park (recommended): As you go under the train station, Guest Relations is inside the City Hall building to your left.
• Outside the park: As you are facing the train station, Guest Relations will be to your right.

Epcot

• Inside the park (recommended): Across from Spaceship Earth to your left as you are walking into the park.
• Outside the park (International Gateway): As you are walking towards Epcot, Guest Relations is off to your left near the bathrooms.
• Outside the park (front): As you are walking towards Epcot at the front of the park, Guest Relations is to your right.

Hollywood Studios

• Inside the park (recommended): As you enter the park, Guest Relations is directly to your left.
• Outside the park: As you face the entrance, Guest Relations is to your left.

Animal Kingdom

• Inside the park (recommended): As you enter the park, Guest Relations is directly to your left.
• Outside the park: As you face the entrance, Guest Relations is to your left.

DAS Overview

Eligibility for a DAS pass is based upon a guest’s need, not their diagnosis

Cast Members will not ask for proof of a disability, but will inquire about the type of accommodations you are requesting because of your disability or condition.

The person with the disability must be present to obtain the pass and will have their picture taken. This is true whether you are pre-registering from home via video chat or registering at Guest Relations.

The DAS will be added to your My Disney Experience account, and you will be able to access it through the same app you use for Mobile Order and dinner reservations.

You will only need to do this process once as it’s good across parks for the length of your stay, up to 60 days. 60 days of eligibility is also the length for Annual Passholders.

It’s important to note that you can have family members and others traveling with you on the pass as well (up to 6 people total). As long as your party is 6 or less, and you are linked together as “Friends and Family” in My Disney Experience, not everyone must be present in person when the pass is obtained.

If you have more than 6 people, you will need to visit Guest Relations to inquire about adding additional people to the pass. This is at the discretion of a supervisor and is not guaranteed.

What happens if you lie?

Disney doesn’t mess around with people that try to game the system by lying about their need for a DAS.

According to Disney:

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.

Once you have your pass, until the new changes take effect, you can send a family member to the entrance of the ride you’d like to visit and let the Cast Member know you need a return time using your DAS pass. The person issuing return times will typically be holding an iPad.

Any member of your party can obtain the ride pass; the person with a disability does not have to be present.

The Cast Member will determine the current standby wait time and usually give you a return time for that attraction based on the current wait, minus 10 or 15 minutes (this is at the CM’s discretion and the return times can sometimes vary).

For instance, if it’s noon and you’d like to ride Space Mountain and the current wait is 50 minutes, they will give you a return pass for 12:40. You can get a snack or visit another ride during the wait time to keep busy.

Traveling after the changes go into effect this fall?

You’ll be able to request your return times inside the My Disney Expeience app. No need to go to the attraction until your return time has been called.

Continuing our example from above, at your 12:40 return time, go to Space Mountain and enter through the Lightning Lane (formerly FastPass+) line. The person with the disability must be with you; you may not use the DAS pass to ride without them.

Your MagicBand or ticket will be scanned when you enter the line.

You will need to wait with other riders in the shortened Lightning Lane (formerly FastPass+) line.

Once you are done riding, you may go to other attractions as many times as you wish throughout the day and repeat the procedure.

FAQ

Can I get my Disability Access Service Pass ahead of time?

Yes you can!

While this didn’t use to be the case, you can now pre-register before leaving home.

What is DAS Advance & Advance Selections?

Guests that pre-register get the added bonus of being able to pre-select up to 2 attractions to visit for each day of their trip.

Here’s how it works:

• When you pre-select an attraction, you’ll be provided a 1-hour return window to ride that attraction.
• When your return time opens up, you’ll proceed to the attraction and the person with the DAS will scan their ticket or MagicBand first.
• These selections are valid only on the date and time period chosen. They will expire if not used.

These pre-selected attractions are in addition to the same day attractions they can select.

Important note: Guests who do not pre-register for DAS will not be eligible to receive the DAS Advance selections. In addition, only guests that were included in the Pre-Selection attractions will be allowed to join the DAS recipient. You can’t add somebody later to those attractions, so make sure your guest list is complete when making your DAS Advance Selections.

Returning guest?

If you are a returning guest that with a valid DAS (meaning, you are planning to visit within that 60-day window that DAS is valid for), you can make your Advanced Selection by chatting with a Cast Member.

What experiences are available for DAS Advance Selections?

Although refurbishments and seasonal closures may affect availability, these are the typical attractions that are available for DAS Advance Selections. Please note that attractions that are eligible for Lightning Lane Individual Selections are NOT eligible for DAS Advance Selections.

Magic Kingdom

• The Barnstormer
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• 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
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Splash Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

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 & Dance!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
• Toy Story Mania!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
• DINOSAUR
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• Festival of the Lion King
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Na’vi River Journey

Can I use both Genie+ and DAS?

Yes, you can!

Disney has confirmed that families that wish to pay for the new Genie+ system and the individual paid attractions will be allowed to pair that with DAS.

But, don’t forget, DAS participants that pre-register can also pre-select up to 2 attractions per day.

The combination of those complimentary pre-selections and DAS may be enough to keep the pace of your trip moving for people that struggle with waits, all without having to shell out the extra cash for Genie+.

But, if you know you are in a situation where you are trying to get as much done as possible in the shortest amount of time, it may help to combine DAS with Genie+ and/or with an additional 1-2 paid attractions so that you can visit more attractions in less time.

This would be especially useful for those families that might tire more easily and need a shortened day at the parks.

Keep in mind, that while DAS and the DAS Advance selections are totally free, if you choose to add them, Genie + and additional Lightning Lane selections *will* cost extra.

What about attractions with a Virtual Queue?

If you are interested in riding an attraction like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, you must join the virtual queue. Once your boarding group is called, you will need to see a Cast Member at the attraction for DAS assistance.

Note: Rise of the Resistance is another attraction that sometimes utilizes a virtual queue. The process is the same there: you must first obtain a boarding group and then once that boarding group is called, see a Cast Member for additional assistance.

Important: At this time, there aren’t any available virtual queues at Walt Disney World. But, the boarding group process can always be implemented again when Disney feels like it’s needed.

What happens if I miss my DAS return time?

Although you can’t be early, your DAS return time does not expire. It will remain active until you use it or until the park closes. However, keep in mind that as long as you have an unused DAS pass on your account you won’t be able to get a new one.

If you decide that you no longer wish to ride, you will need to ask a Cast Member at an attraction to cancel it for you.

What happened to the old system of going to the front of the line?

There was quite a bit of press in the last few years about abuse of the system so Disney consulted with many different advocacy groups to come up with a new system to continue to assist guests with disabilities and reduce abuse.

Will I be able to use the DAS pass for character meet & greets or for reserved seating for fireworks?

You can definitely use the pass for character meet & greets if they offer a Lightning Lane (formerly FastPass+ line) option. However, the DAS pass can not be used for attractions, entertainment and character meet and greets that do not offer both a standby line AND a Lightning Lane.

There are limited handicap areas to view the parades that are available on a first come, first served basis for those using wheelchairs or scooters.

Who can use the DAS pass?

Anyone who has a disability or condition that necessitates waiting outside a traditional line environment may be eligible to use the DAS pass. This includes disabilities that are both seen and unseen.

If your family member needs a scooter or wheelchair or has needs that can be met by using a mobility device, and they do not have any other disability that might hinder them waiting, they are NOT eligible for a DAS pass as the ride lines are handicapped accessible.

So if grandma just had knee surgery or Johnny just broke his arm in a baseball game, the DAS pass is not for you.

Tips for using DAS

Try these to get the most of your DAS pass:

• Make sure you pre-register. Doing that gets you the 2 DAS Advance selections. You won’t get those if you register at the parks.
• Get a pass as soon as you enter the park for the ride with the longest wait. You can then fill the time with rides with shorter waits or use your DAS Advance selection (or Genie+ selection) during that time. Get another one for a ride with a long wait time right before you break for lunch or dinner so meal time will fill up the wait.
• Remember that there will be at least a short wait even in Lightning Lane line. Be prepared with snacks, or diversions like an iPad. Waits are typically 5-10 minutes, but can be up to 20 minutes.
• Until the changes go into effect, send someone from your party who is on the DAS pass to the ride to get the return time and have someone else remain with the person with the disability. Going up to the ride with the person with a disability to get the return pass and then having to walk away to wait can be really tough, particularly for a child with autism.

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The Disability Access Service isn’t without its critics, but many find that it works well for them.

Have additional thoughts or comments? Feel free to share in the comments.

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Shannon Albert

Shannon started this site in May of 2012 to help people plan Disney World trips. Since then, she's visited monthly and stayed in every resort several times. You can find her on social media as well as her weekly podcast, WDW Prep To Go. Email Shannon

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