If you or someone you are traveling with has a disability that makes it hard to wait in queue lines then planning a Disney World trip can be a little stressful. The thought of waiting in long lines can become a dark cloud over your vacation.
Disney understands this and that is why they off the Disability Access Service (DAS) Card. This is a service that allows guests to avoid the long lines and works kind of like a FastPass, but you can only get one at a time.
Who is Eligible?
Anyone with a disability (apparent or not) that would make waiting in the long queue lines difficult is eligible. Guests who are wondering if they are eligible can visit Guest Relations at the entrance of any park and speak to a cast member.
Does Disney Require Proof of Disability?
No, they don’t. They take guests at their word and there are legal restrictions about asking for proof.
If I am Using a Wheelchair or Scooter do I Need a DAS Card?
No, guests using wheelchairs or scooters do not need the card. You will either wait in the queue line or, like a DAS Cardholder, you will get a return time based on the current wait time.
How Does it Work?
When guests visit Guest Relations they will register for the card and have their picture taken. The cast member will then issue the DAS card to the guest (which is actually scanned onto their MagicBand) and scan the MagicBands of everyone in the party. Once the guest is registered they will be able to go to any attraction and get a return time for them and the rest of their party. Also, once the guest is registered it is good for all theme parks on the same property. No need to visit each Guest Relations at each park.
It works like a FastPass in that you get a return time to come back and go through the FastPass line. However, this is not something you can do ahead of time, you need to be in the park to visit the attractions and get the return time from a cast member. An example of how it works is if you visit Frozen Ever After and there is a 90 minute wait. You would go to the attraction, speak to a cast member at the attraction, they give you a return time of 90 minutes, and you return in 90 minutes to ride the attraction. Once you have experienced the attraction you can repeat this with another ride. You cannot do this for more than one attraction at the same time.
Is This Another FastPass?
No, this is not a FastPass, though it works in a similar way. It can be used in addition to your FastPasses. The difference between the two is that the DAS Card doesn’t have a return window like FastPasses have.
For FastPasses you have an hour window to use them, but that is not the case for the DAS Card. You have from your return time until the park closes to use it.
Other Helpful Info
- The DAS Cardholder does not have to be present to obtain a return time. Guest Relations will scan all the MagicBands of everyone in the party, so another person in the party will be able to get a return time.
- While the DAS Cardholder does not have to be present for a return time, they must be there to board the attraction with their party.
- The DAS Card will be valid for up to 14 days.
Main Street Wishes reader Astin has used this service and said,
“Something else we have experienced with our son and DAS…you HAVE TO have the person present when you register, and you have to do this at town hall or wherever guest services is. Also, we have never gotten a card, they just activated our bands. Lastly, which has been nice, we go every year or more and they just renew him in the system each time “
Thanks for the info, Astin! It’s always helpful to hear from people who have used the service before.
Hopefully, this information helps anyone who is concerned about traveling with someone who has a disability having to wait in long lines. Disney is really good about working with those with disabilities and minimizing stress that the long queue lines may cause.
I have recommended this card to clients who have traveled with someone who is eligible and it has always helped. It takes the weight off their shoulders and they can concentrate on enjoying their vacation.
Thanks for reading!
*Liz*
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Liz
I love all things Disney, but my main love is for Disney World and I'm always planning for the next trip. Before becoming a Disney blogger, I was a radio DJ, so I guess I'm just continuing in the communication industry, just in a different form. I love talking Disney and I could talk about Disney all day. That's why I started blogging and created the Facebook group. The Disney community is full of friendly, helpful, and happy people...and I love being a part of it! If there is any Disney subject you would like to see covered just let me know! Need help planning your Disney vacation. Feel free to contact myself or Melissa at Never Stop Dreaming Travel Co. We love helping people plan their trips! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to check out our Countdown to Disney app! Feel free to email me with suggestions of things you would like to see in the app :-)
Hey Liz! I love reading your stuff from my app, it always keeps me closer to the magic so thank you for that! Something else we have experienced with our son and DAS…you HAVE TO have the person present when you register, and you have to do this at town hall or wherever guest services is. Also, we have never gotten a card, they just activated our bands. Lastly, which has been nice, we go every year or more and they just renew him in the system each time, which makes me feel better somehow, like we aren’t playing the system because this is something we have always used. Thanks again for your awesome posts and pics!
Hi Astin!
Thank you so much for the kind words about the app! The feedback is appreciated 🙂
Thanks for the additional info on the DAS Card! It’s always helpful to hear from people who have actually used the service. I’ll add these to the post and credit you for the info 🙂
We have a person who is disabled going with a family group. The question is: 3 in our party have season passes but for this trip we are all going together. Would the (DAS) card also apply to them?
Hi Norma!
It should apply to everyone in your party. The cast member at Guest Services will scan everyone’s MagicBand so that the DAS is on everyone’s band and connected with each other. I don’t think it matters that some have season passes (unless there is a blackout date for the passes).
Hi Liz,
Does this also apply to children with autism. Does Disney work with families with that type of disability? Especially long lines, it will be very hard keeping him active while waiting.
Thanking you in advance
Kelly from NJ
Hi Kelly!
Yes, it applies to kids who have autism. Disney knows it can be hard for kids who have autism to wait in long lines, so they offer this service to help with that.
I hope you have a magical vacation!