Walt Disney World’s Disability Access Service: FAQ

Understanding Disney World’s Disability Access Service (DAS) can be a lot. These are many small details that aren’t covered in the policy description. We’ve got answers to some of the most common questions below! You’ll find the answers divided into a few different categories:

• Questions about DAS registration and eligibility
• Questions about making DAS return times
• Questions about who can be added to a DAS return time
• Questions about where you can use DAS
• Other questions

If you have been approved for DAS and you think something isn’t working correctly based on what you read below, visit the Guest Experience team and they can help you get it sorted out.

Questions About DAS Registration and Eligibility

If you’re not familiar with DAS already, you may want to check out one of these articles for a better understanding of the service.

What You Need to Know about Disability Access Service (DAS) at Disney World
How to Apply for Disability Access Service (DAS)

My seizure disorder is triggered by heat, do I qualify for DAS?

The DAS is designed for guests with developmental disabilities. There is a re-entry policy for guests who need to leave a queue for any reason, including restroom emergencies. Ask a Cast Member at the beginning of each attraction how to exit that queue if necessary. If you need to leave, a Cast Member will direct you back to your group.

My son broke his leg, and we leave for vacation in a week. Can he use the DAS?

The DAS is specifically for guests with developmental disabilities. Wheelchairs and ECVs can go through most lines, and therefore, mobility challenges do not qualify for the Disability Access Service.

Can I still apply for DAS even if I don’t think I qualify?

Yes. Disney’s accessibility page says “Guests can meet virtually with a Cast Member using live video chat to determine what services may be appropriate to support their visit to the theme parks, including DAS.” Although this link goes to the DAS registration process, it’s clear that they expect it to be used by guests who are simply unsure about which services will be helpful to them in navigating the parks. You can also email Disability.services@disneyparks.com, or call at (407) 560-2547.

How far in advance can I register for DAS?

You can apply up to 30 days before your trip.

Can we register for Disability Access Service at the park or Disney Springs?

The DAS team at Walt Disney World can be accessed exclusively online. You are interviewed for the DAS approval via Zoom call. I actually recommend that you apply for DAS 30 days before your first park day.

If you don’t apply before you arrive at the parks, you’ll still be able to conduct the interview and be approved (if appropriate) once you arrive. Cast Members will direct you to use your phone to apply, or if necessary can provide you with an iPad to make this work. But it’s not the in-park Cast Members that will be reviewing your application, and you’ll be spending valuable time that you could be spending touring the parks.

If I have a current DAS at Disney World and I’m visiting Disneyland soon, will I need to apply at Disneyland?

Yes, you need to be approved separately for DAS at Disney World and Disneyland.

I was approved for DAS, how long is it valid? 

Your DAS approval is valid for the length of your ticket. If you have an Annual Pass, then your DAS approval is good for 120 days or until your ticket expires without being renewed, whichever comes first.

Questions About Making DAS Return Times

Can I have more than one DAS return time at a time?

No, you need to use the return time you have before you can get another one.

I tapped into the ride and tried to make my next DAS return time, but it wouldn’t let me. Is the app not working?

You need to wait ten minutes after you have tapped in to make your next return time. This prevents you from being in the next queue before you have ridden the ride. For rides with two tapstiles in the Lightning Lane queue, the ten-minute timer starts after you reach the second tapstile.

We’re staying at a Disney World Resort. Can I use the DAS to make return times during Early Entry or Deluxe Resort Extended Hours?

Unfortunately, no. Return times are available only during regular operating hours and hard ticket events like parties or after hours.

Can I make a DAS return time before I enter the park?

No. To make a DAS return time you, and everyone you wish to have with you,  must be in the park. Caution: When you are on the monorail, in the parking lot, or on a ferry, it will look like you successfully made a return time, but as soon as you enter the park, it will be deleted.

Can I schedule a DAS return time before we go to the resort for a nap?

If you will be returning to the same park, you may schedule a return time to be ready to go when you arrive. You can only schedule a return time for the park you are in.

We’re going to park hop. Can we make a DAS return time for our second park while we are in the first one?

Unfortunately no. You have to be in the park where the attraction is to schedule a return time.

How late in the day can I make a DAS return time?

If the standby wait time extends past operating hours, you cannot schedule a return time. For example, if it’s 6:30 in the evening and Flight of Passage has a wait time of 160 minutes, adding the 160 minutes to 6:30 would give you a return time of 9:10 p.m. If closing time is at 8:00 pm the system will not allow it.

My DAS return time is at 11:20. Do I have to be there on time?

You can’t arrive early for a DAS return time, but it will stay active as long as you arrive before the park closes. You can even make a return time, leave the park for a nap or pool time, and come back later, and it will be ready for you. However, you can only have one DAS return time at a time, so you’ll need to use this one before you can get another.

Questions About Who Can Be Added to a DAS Return Time

How many guests can join me with my DAS return time? 

The DAS user can bring three guests with them on the ride for a total of four. The only exceptions are when there is immediate family under the age of 18. For example, if the DAS user is touring with two grown-up parents and three siblings who are all minors, then you will be given five guests on the pass.

We’re planning a family vacation, can we all ride together with DAS? 

The DAS user is allowed to have 3 guests with them. There are exceptions made for immediate family members under the age of 18. For example, a family with three or more children and two grown-ups would get to ride together.

If you have a larger family group than is allowed for the DAS return time, you can enter all of your guests on your DAS and shake up who rides together so that everyone gets a turn. If your family uses Lightning Lane Passes, then you may be able to arrange your timing so that some are entering the Lightning Lane using a Lightning Lane reservation at the same time as others are using the DAS return time.

My teenager slept in, can I include them in the DAS return time for later? 

No. Any guest joining the DAS return time must be in the park when the return time is made, including the DAS user.

My husband will be joining us a little later today. Can I add him to our DAS return time when he arrives?

No. All of the guests you want to ride with need to be in the park when you make the return time.

My friend will be at the park on the same day as me, can I add them to a DAS return time?

This is an area where Guest Relations cast members can assist. Typically the blue umbrellas are the easiest option, but make sure all of you go together with the ticket you used to enter the park.

Questions About Where You Can Use DAS

Which attractions are eligible for DAS return times?

Almost every ride, show, or attraction that has a queue qualifies for DAS. This includes attractions that use Virtual Queues, although you’ll still need to get a Boarding Group. One notable exception is some kinds of Meet & Greets (see below).

Can you use DAS for character Meet & Greets?

This one is a little complicated. You can use DAS to make return times for any character Meet & Greet that has a Lightning Lane. You may also see options to make DAS return times for characters that meet using a traditional queue but do not offer Lightning Lane, such as Red Carpet Dreams in Hollywood Studios. Some Meet & Greets that use traditional queues do not offer DAS because they do not routinely have long waits.

If a character has a non-traditional queue, like for instance when Snow White meets at set times in Germany, or Moana in EPCOT, then you cannot make a DAS return time. However, these meeting times are available in My Disney Experience, lines are typically not long.

Can you use DAS at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Yes, you can make DAS return times at MNSSHP. You can also use DAS at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and Disney After Hours events.

Which characters offer DAS during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Disability Access Service can be used with some Meet & Greets during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and other hard ticket events. The setup is similar, but not exactly the same, as what you’ll find with Meet & Greets during regular park hours.

If a character is meeting at a location that has a Lightning Lane then you will be able to make a DAS return time in the app during MNSSHP, MVMCP etc. For example, Jack Skellington & Sally meet at Town Square Theater, which has a Lightning Lane, so you will see the option appear in the DAS attraction list in My Disney Experience.

Some areas that have traditional queues offer DAS only during parties, and you may need to go to the location to make a return time. For instance, Minnie, and Friends in the Storybook Circus area, including the Seven Dwarves, are all available for DAS return times during parties, even though Storybook Circus does not offer DAS during regular park hours.

Characters that are meeting in areas without technology that can support DAS, such as Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Stitch, and Aladdin, only have a standby wait and do not offer DAS return times.

I see an area for handicapped viewing for parades and fireworks, is that included in the Disability Access Service?

The space reserved for handicapped viewing of parades and fireworks is only for guests with wheelchairs and their families. You can’t access this area just by having a DAS.

Other Questions

Does DAS allow us to bring a wagon into the parks? 

No, the Disability Access Service is separate from the accommodations for using a stroller as a wheelchair and the wagon accommodations. A Guest Services team member will assist you directly with that. See: What to Know When You Need Wheels at Walt Disney World. The wagon policy is very strict, please plan on a backup in case you are not approved.

Can I combine DAS with Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass?

Yes, and I highly recommend it. These programs all fit together easily on the app. The Single Pass is especially helpful if you don’t have a Virtual Queue for the attractions that use them. (Currently, that is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot and Tron: Lightcycle Run in Magic Kingdom.)

If I am approved for DAS, will I still need to get a Virtual Queue for Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?

Yes, unless you are purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass. HOWEVER, if you have a Boarding Group, when your return time is called, visit a cast member near the attraction’s entrance. They will convert your Virtual Queue Boarding Group to a Lightning Lane; that line will be easier for you to manage. You can convert your Boarding Group this way even if you are holding a DAS return time for another attraction when your Boarding Group is called.

Did I answer all of your questions? If you’re wondering about something, I’m sure others are too. I’m happy to answer questions in the comments.

(Originally published September 11, 2023. Last updated June 13, 2024.)