Walt Disney World Resort has officially changed how you’ll be waiting in line moving forward for your favorite attractions.
However, anyone who has visited Magic Kingdom or any of its sister Disney World parks, including Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, knows that part of the Disney experience often includes waiting in line.
The long waits have become a rite of passage, something visitors accept as part of their magical journey.
Recently, though, Disney World has come under intense pressure over its decision to restrict those eligible for the new Disability Access Service (DAS) system. This restriction was implemented due to widespread abuse of the system, which was initially designed to help those with disabilities enjoy the Disney World park without enduring long waits inside a traditional queue.
Now, Disney World has introduced a new system, detailed on their website, prompting many to wonder how this will impact the traditional waiting experience in the parks. According to Disney’s official site, the new system is designed to accommodate guests who need to leave the standby line temporarily due to a disability but wish to rejoin their party later.
This will be in place for all guests and all attractions moving forward, according to Disney.
The introduction of this new system aims to balance the needs of Disney park guests with disabilities while maintaining the integrity of the queue process. Here’s a closer look at what this means for Disney World visitors and how it might change the traditional waiting experience.
How Disney World’s new queue system works
The DAS system was initially a groundbreaking initiative by Disney to ensure that guests with disabilities could enjoy the parks without facing the hardship of long waits.
Unfortunately, the system was prone to abuse, with some guests taking advantage of the system to bypass lines unfairly. The recent restrictions on DAS eligibility were a direct response to these issues, ensuring that only those who truly need the service could access it.
The new re-entry system appears to be a compromise, allowing those who need to temporarily step out of line to do so without losing their place. This addresses concerns from both sides—ensuring that those with genuine needs are accommodated while also preventing abuse that affects the overall guest experience.
The process is designed to be straightforward and guest-friendly. When a guest needs to leave the line, they can approach a cast member at the attraction. The cast member will provide instructions on how to exit and re-enter the queue, ensuring the guest knows how to find their way back to their party. This method keeps the rest of the group in line, maintaining the flow and preventing any significant disruption.
Here’s what Disney’s official site says:
Attraction Queue Re-Entry
“There may be times when a Guest must briefly step out of the standby line and then rejoin their party in the line. Every location has a defined process to support this option based on a person’s disability while the rest of the party remains in line.”
How to Use Queue Re-Entry
- Speak to a Cast Member at the location for directions on how to re-enter the queue.
- A Cast Member will provide details about how to exit the queue and how to navigate back to your party.
- While the Guest who must leave the line is briefly away, the rest of the party will remain in line.
- The Guest reunites with their party to ride the attraction.
Note: Guests must meet boarding requirements to ride.
By keeping the majority of the party in line, Disney aims to prevent queue-jumping and maintain fairness. Guests who leave and re-enter must still meet all boarding requirements, ensuring that safety protocols are upheld.
Impact on Disney World Guests
For guests with disabilities, this new system hopes to provide flexibility and peace of mind. Knowing that they can leave the line if needed without losing their spot allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. It’s a practical solution that acknowledges the diverse needs of park visitors.
Of course, it’s not without its flaws.
For other guests, the system represents a fair compromise. It maintains the integrity of the standby lines while providing necessary accommodations. This balanced approach aims to enhance the overall guest experience, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the magic of Disney World.
In the future, we can expect to see more enhancements and adjustments as Disney World responds to guest feedback and technological advancements. The park’s ability to innovate and adapt is part of what makes it such a beloved destination, but it will be interesting to see how these are received by guests as the new implementations continue to roll out.
What do you think of this new line system at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
This post originally appeared on Inside the Magic.
My daughter and i go to Disney together. She needs a wheelchair, which I push. So there is no “party” to rejoin the line. What do we do?
My husband has had a Das pass for several years for a health issue. He also uses a scooter. I am a little concerned about having to leave the line with the scooter and because of his other health issues I don’t feel secure with him leave the line by himself. It is only the two of us. We would both have to leave the line. We don’t ride the roller coasters type rides usually only mild non jarring rides and shows. We spend most of our time at Epcot.
I can’t believe this will work. By changing their policy to basically only include autism as a reason for DAS, a lot of people with various disabilities are being denied accommodations. What are those in line going to think as they watch others who left the line return to their previous spot? How are wheelchairs and scooters going to maneuver out of the line and back in again? This is, unfortunately, just a money grab by Disney to have people with disability purchase Genie+.
Agreed! Also on our last visit. There was myself(wheelchair) a child and a senior with dementia. We are unable to separate!!
I am disappointed in this new system. I have Crohns and need frequent, emergent bathroom trips. I also have a hip problem and I bring or rent a mobility device to keep up with my family, including two energetic grand kids. With the DAS pass as it is now I have been able to enjoy all the attractions with my family without stress. If I need to leave the line, go to the bathroom and then come back in line, I’m not sure I can walk all that way. I have not been using the mobility device in the line so not sure if I’ll be adle to do a U Turn in one of those long narrow lines. We have been coming to Disney almost every year for over 40 years. The last several years the only way it has been enjoyable for me is because of your wonderful DAS process, which has been a miracle for me. my family has Plans for a September trip this year for the food and wine festival. Not sure if I’ll be able to join them this year. I would like to discuss this with you further to see if there can be an exception for people with multiple handicaps. Thanks
Agreed. This is why we choose Disney as our yearly family vacation. Takes away, stress, insecurities and worries the way if worked for the family of those with disabilities