The Walt Disney Company is tightening regulations and increasing oversight of individuals who claim disabilities in its parks, as a surge in fraudulent claims attempting to abuse the service.
The company announced Tuesday that any guest found to have made a false declaration to receive disability access services will be permanently banned from the park.
“If any statements made by a guest during the process of obtaining a DAS are determined to be untrue, the guest will be permanently barred from entering Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort,” Disney said. website is now warning.
It added that “previously purchased annual passes, MagicKey passes, tickets, and other park products and services” owned by customers found to have lied about their disability “will be confiscated and will not be refunded.”
DAS is free and allows people with disabilities to get return time for attractions without having to wait in regular lines.
Previously, DAS was indicated for “guests who have difficulty enduring long wait times in a traditional queuing environment due to a disability.”
Currently, the Disneyland and Walt Disney Resort websites state, “DAS is intended to accommodate a small number of guests who are unable to wait in traditional lines for long periods of time due to developmental disabilities such as autism. .”It has been described as.
The new changes will go into effect on May 20th at Walt Disney World in Florida and June 18th at Disneyland in California, the company said. Until then, the existing “DAS” procedure will continue.
In addition to the specifications for those eligible for DAS, Disney has also changed the process for requesting service.
Walt Disney World states that as of May 20, all DAS registrations must be done via virtual video chat, and that “in-person registration will not be available at theme park Guest Relations locations beginning May 20, 2024.” ” states the Walt Disney World website.
At Disneyland, starting June 18, guests applying for DAS will be able to use virtual chat or a dedicated “Accessibility Services” desk for same-day applications.
Those who currently own DAS will need to reapply for service, the company said.
DAS is currently limited to guests’ “immediate family members,” meaning groups of no more than four unrelated people, according to the website.
In recent years, Disney has struggled to reduce wait times and better organize access to park attractions as ever-increasing attendance numbers and group procurement abuses put park planners at risk. I’m thinking about it.
Fox Business’ Christine Rousselle contributed to this report.
