There are any changes going on at the Mouse House. Some that have caused great distress for families of children with disabilities. I can understand the worry because I have a child with a disability and we have used the GAC many times to lessen the stress on our son. We are keeping an open mind because we know any change like this will require tweeking on the part of Disney. It will also take some adjustments and patience on the part of visitors. If everyone works together this should be a better system and should lead to less abuse by those who don't need the pass.
Here is the latest on what we are being told. - thanks to Mousekeerz for this update
Procedures
After getting a DAS card, guests will approach the attraction they wish to visit. Each attraction will have a cast member at the entrance to assist you. (Not a kiosk as first reported)
§ If the wait is less than 10 minutes, they are admitted through an alternate entrance or Fastpass queue.
§ If the wait is more than 10 minutes, they are issued a return time on their DAS card. The return times will be based on the current posted wait time minus 10 minutes.
§ Only 1 (one) active return time can be written on a DAS card placing you in a virtual standby queue. Just like a regular guest in a standby queue, you can’t be in multiple lines at once. You are free to go stand in line for another attraction, go shopping or eat.
§ The DAS card holder (photo and name) does not need to be present to receive a return time which allows families with children with autism a chance to stay clear of the attraction while a member gets the return time to avoid potential meltdowns by not getting to ride right away.
§ Once the return time has arrived, you will arrive to the attractions alternate entrance or Fastpass line to redeem.
§ Once a return time has been redeemed it is crossed off and no longer active allowing you get a new return time.
§ Crossing off a return time also voids or cancels it to the equivalent of getting out of line.
§ Fastpass & Fastpass+ are not tied to this program and can be used in conjunction. So you can technically be standing in two lines at once.
Here is a difference between a DAS & a Fastpass
DAS Return Times have the same policy as a Fastpass when it comes to early arrivals, but they do not expire at a certain time of that day allowing those with special needs to not be restricted to returning back by a specific time if it doesn’t work for them. The catch however is that it will still remain active and additional return times can’t be gotten until it is used.
§ The DAS card holder (photo and name) must be present and experiencing the attraction in order to use the return time. If the person isn’t present or choose to sit out and let their family ride, they will be turned away and potentially have their card revoked. After all, the card is designed to assist the card holder and a few other companions or family members, but it is not designed to solely assist the family or companions when the card holder chooses not to or can’t ride.
§ If an attraction is broken, they can’t give you a return time. If you return and it’s broken, they will accommodate you by giving you a Fastpass to come back later and clearing your DAS return time to allow you to get another.
§ If all your return slots get filled, you have to return to Guest Relations for a new one. This would likely only fill up for someone that is staying on property for all 7 days.
Additional Procedures
§ Attractions that are not fully accessible through the standby queue may also have return cards. These are only for guests with wheelchairs, scooters, & strollers acting as wheelchairs who do not have a DAS card. Space Mountain is an example of a place that already does this, but additional attractions will soon be getting a similar procedure. The return times for these are just like DAS, but because they are attraction specific cards verses a global DAS card, you are able to grab multiple at once if you visit attractions that require it. Not all attractions will have this.
I promise I will be back tomorrow. I have to share my incredible experience at an advanced training at Disney World this summer. And I have to talk about my upcoming cruise on the Disney Wonder and I have to talk about the new dining changes. Oh yea, there will also be a new give away and a little bonus if you book with Destinations by Cathy and a way you can help charity by booking with us as well. WOW everyone stay tuned lots coming up!
Cathy
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