Walt Disney World Extends DAS Registration Window - Here's What's Changed

Feb 02, 2025 in "Disability Access Service Card - DAS"

Posted: Sunday February 2, 2025 7:35am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World has made further updates to its Disability Access Service (DAS) policy, giving guests more time to register.

Expanded Registration Window

Guests can now determine DAS eligibility up to 60 days before their park visit, doubling the previous 30-day registration window. The updated policy now states:

"Speak with a Cast Member via live video chat to determine eligibility as soon as 60 days in advance of a park visit."

This gives guests more flexibility in planning their trips and may help reduce congestion in the video chat system, which has faced high demand when many guests tried to register close to their travel dates.

Wording Change on Eligibility

This update follows a January 28 policy change in which Disney removed the word "only" from its DAS eligibility statement. The revised wording now reads:

"DAS is intended to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time."

Previously, the phrase "only those Guests" was used, which some viewed as a stricter limitation. While Disney has not provided clarification on whether this signals a broader interpretation of eligibility, the change leaves room for more flexibility in how the policy is applied.

What Hasn't Changed?

  • DAS eligibility still applies to guests with a developmental disability like autism or similar that prevents them from waiting in a conventional queue.
  • DAS is valid for 240 days once approved.
  • The party size remains limited to the registered guest and up to three additional people (total of four).

How to Register for DAS at Walt Disney World

  • Registration is available via live video chat.
  • Speak with a Cast Member via live video chat to determine eligibility as soon as 60 days in advance of a park visit.
  • At this time, live chat is offered in English only.
  • In-person registration is no longer be available at theme park Guest Relations locations.
  • If DAS is provided after a conversation with a Cast Member to determine eligibility, the Guest with a disability (or a parent/guardian) will participate in the registration process. This requires having a photo taken of the DAS-registered Guest.
  • DAS registration maximum party size is the registered DAS Guest and up to 3 additional party members, for a total of 4 people.
  • DAS is valid for up to 240 days. Once the service has elapsed, Guests will need to re-register.

DAS FAQs

How long is DAS valid?
DAS is valid for the length of the ticket or up to 120 days, whichever is shorter. Once the service has elapsed, Guests need to re-register for the program.

Is DAS issued at the Walt Disney World Resort valid at the Disneyland Resort?
DAS is valid only throughout the Resort at which it was issued. DAS issued at Walt Disney World Resort, for example, is not valid at the Disneyland Resort, and vice versa.

What happens if any of the statements made by a Guest in the process of registering for DAS are found to be not true?
If it is determined 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.

Where do Guests utilizing DAS go to receive return times?
Guests utilizing DAS (and their party members) to make return time selections right from the My Disney Experience app during the day of their park visit. Registered Guests using DAS and members of their party will be able to book, redeem, change or cancel DAS return times using the My Disney Experience app via a smart phone or other smart device. If additional assistance is required, Guests can also obtain return times directly from a Cast Member at any Guest Relations or Guest Experience Team location.

What can Guests do during their DAS virtual wait?
Guests utilizing DAS can enjoy many other experiences throughout Walt Disney World Resort during a DAS virtual wait, such as other rides, shows, concerts, parades and Character Greetings. They can also take a rest in a break area, get something to eat or go shopping.

Does the Guest utilizing DAS have to be present to obtain a return time at a Guest Relations or Guest Experience Team location?
No. Any member of the DAS-eligible Guest’s travel party may obtain a return time, but the Guest registered for DAS must be present and experience the attraction with their party.

Does a Guest utilizing DAS have to ride the attraction at the exact return time listed?
No. DAS return times are not limited to a specific window and are valid until the park closes or an attraction closes for the day.

Can a Guest have more than one active DAS return time at one time?
No. A Guest may only have one DAS return time at a time. The Guest may obtain another return time for the same or different attraction 10 minutes after they redeem a return time.

Can a Guest with an active DAS return time receive a boarding group for one of the virtual queue attractions?
Yes. A Guest can hold one active DAS return time and one virtual queue boarding group at the same time. When a Guest utilizing DAS goes to the attraction with a virtual queue, they, along with their party, will speak to a Cast Member at the attraction about accessing the queue.

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    Splash4eva14 days ago

    Yes that didnt help either agreed but as ive said ive been there prior during supposed busy weeks and this by far was the worst. Small sample size as i know but to me it was noticeable. Asked a few people that have gone recently and they felt similar but not as crowded as my experience was. Again an extremely small sample size. Just sharing my trip.

    Chip Chipperson14 days ago

    It's also a race week, so it's a double-whammy for crowds.

    Splash4eva14 days ago

    Totally agree sadly & will purchase again whenever my next visit is lol

    DoubleSwitchback15 days ago

    Sure, I understand what you're saying. My point is that for some families, those initial 3 bookings are more than worth it... $30 to free up hours in line is great, anything additional is just a bonus. For people who really knew how to work G+, though, I'm sure it feels like a letdown!

    Splash4eva15 days ago

    Yes i was. Leaving today and started parks Wednesday…. As i said. My usual trips are during Thanksgiving a busy week. Columbus Day. I was there end of August into Labor Day. Yes a June trip but agreed kids off a reason im here but still not like past experiences have been dead weeks….

    Splash4eva15 days ago

    Listen yea i was able to get LL but nothing really worthwhile imo after my initial choices. I have to go back and double check as i like to keep a tally of Pre book/Booked and DAS along with walk ons as well

    Splash4eva15 days ago

    No. What im telling you is this. There was Nothing available worthwhile once another one opened up. Even when i booked initially the times were not ideal either. I cant see how this has any advantage to anyone. Like you are choosing a LL for a ride that has like a 15-20 minute wait or something that is available maybe 9 hours later.

    jennab5515 days ago

    Were you there this week? I believe it was very busy this week with a lot of kids being off school for break.

    TheMaxRebo15 days ago

    definitely very different than our experience - we had tons of availability and averaged 7-8 LL a day ... only ride that seemed to run out was Jungle Cruise but we wound up using an anytime we got from Space Mtn being down - but we weren't there during such a busy time so might really restrict the availability Definitely frustrating to pay for something and feel you didn't get sufficient use out of it

    DoubleSwitchback15 days ago

    Ah, now that I better understand what you were frustrated with... I think this is by design. They intentionally made it worse for the G+ experts who were masters at gobbling up all capacity with stacking etc. The hope is it's better for the average guests, but those people don't have a big history to compare it to (or spend any time posting online about Disney 😄)

    Splash4eva15 days ago

    I can honestly say in 4 days there was NOT 1 ride i was able to get after my pre books that were worth anything to speak of. The “drops” didnt work unless they have changed from what ive read and even seen. Inventory is scarce even when booking open up. My window opened and i couldnt even buy an ILL for my 1st 2 days. And when i looked to get something for the 4th day. All sold out. I would consider myself one who has had loads of success iN past but this trip. None whatsoever

    TheMaxRebo15 days ago

    One thing I have found with LLMP vs Genie+ was with the return of tiering it has spread out the crowds and added to the lines at the secondary attractions. Which in theory is good but it means a wait, even in those, at more attractions vs just longer waits at a handful, now having at least some wait at rides that you never really saw much waits at before

    Splash4eva15 days ago

    Again. Im only a small sample size. 4 days park hopped twice and like i said majority were brutal and basically ALL were worse than prior years.

    Splash4eva15 days ago

    And probably not the correct thread but this new version of LL is AWFUL… ive always had Whatever version they provide along with needing DAS and after my initial pre books which btw were not great the systems stinks.