Disability Access at Disney

Traveling to a Disney park with a disability can be quite daunting. Did you know that Disney has services to help with this? It is the Disability Access Service Card, often referred to as DAS. The DAS pass is there to help those who are unable or have difficulty waiting in a normal queue due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). Often many think this pass allows them to skip the line which isn’t actually factual. You will still have to wait the same wait time, however you just won’t be doing it in the line. To get a DAS pass you will want to visit Guest Relations and any of the theme parks. There you will talk to a Guest Relations cast member on what your needs are and why you need the pass. They usually ask some questions and make a call.  It is the Guest relations cast members discretion on getting the pass. Also to note- being in a wheelchair or using a scooter while you are there will not necessarily get you the pass. Most queues are ADA friendly or have a handicap access entrance for you to use. Once you are given a DAS pass they will ask to see your park ticket, they will scan your ticket and pull up your information. They will then take your photo. After they set up pass, they will scan the rest of your party (up to 6 people) to link them to your pass. The person who has the pass must be going on the attraction in order for the rest of the group to use it. This pass will be good for your entire length of stay.

Now that you have your pass you are set to go! Most of the time guest relations will set up your first return time for an attraction for you. You can only have one return time set at a time. Once you have used that time you can get another. So how do you get it after the first one? You will simply walk up to the cast members at the entrance to the attraction and ask to set up a return time. They will scan your ticket and then ask who else in your party will be riding with you. They will give you a time to come back. Typically the time is about 10 minutes less than what the wait time is. Once you go back you will head to the fast pass line and tap your ticket, it will flash blue the cast member will make sure you match your picture and then send you in, each additional member in your party will tap their ticket as well and make their way in. You will go through a shorter queue. Some queues do have stairs so if there is a mobility issue you are able to request a non-stairs option. Red TagDisney has another great aid in helping those with disabilities and many refer to it as a red tag. The red tag is what it sounds like a red tag, This tag marks and notates that the stroller it is on is to be treated as a wheelchair. This allows you to then take the stroller through the ride lines with you instead of leaving it in stroller parking.  You would still have to transfer onto the ride and then the stroller would be waiting the same as a wheelchair for you at the end of the ride. When you go to get into the line you will just need to show or make visible the red tag to the cast member letting them know it's there.  Getting a red tag for a stroller works the same as getting a DAS card. You will need to go to guest relations and talk to a cast member about what is going on and why you need it. The tag will stay on the stroller for the entirety of your trip. Do you have more questions about how you and your family can still enjoy Walt Disney World with a disability?  Reach out to your Goofy Getaways Travel Planner to learn more. Blog written by Travel Planner Kathryn Cyr-Lopez (kathryn@goofygetaways.com)