Hiya, Tara!
Welcome, welcome to planDisney! Oh, how I LOVE this question. Disney’s
support for families like ours is what fuels my love for all Disney experiences — from the parks to cruising. I’ll be delighted to provide a quick guide on the services available for your little Knight!
The
Disability Access Service (DAS) program was made specifically to accommodate Guests with developmental disabilities who are unable to wait in line for extended time periods. DAS does not allow you immediate access to an attraction, but you can request a return time that is the equivalent of the traditional wait time. If approved for DAS, you will have the ability to select a return time for an attraction.
There are
two ways to register:
- Live video chat
- On-site at the Accessibility Services Kiosk (located in the Esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure)
To minimize stress, I recommend that you register for DAS before you arrive at the parks. You can register with a Cast Member via live video chat 60 days before your park visit.
If you forget to register beforehand,
Hakuna Matata! That means no worries! During one of our visits, I forgot to register ahead of time, and the line at the Accessibility Services Kiosk was pretty long. I was able to join a live video chat while in the Esplanade to speak with a Cast Member who assisted us in getting registered.
DAS is typically valid for the length of the park ticket or up to one year, whichever is shorter. Therefore, you must re-register each time you visit the park.
Bonus Tip: Check out the resources available for planning a visit with neurodivergent Guests. These are my go-to guides to ensuring a smooth experience in the parks:
- Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations: This resource provides helpful information across various topics, such as frequently asked questions, trip planning strategies, and even “need a break” locations.
- Sensory Experience Details: This resource provides you with information to assess experiences and prepare coping strategies, if needed. There are details about any sensory elements of almost anything throughout the parks — from attractions to performances, and other experiences! This will allow you to be able to plan which experiences align with your child’s needs and which ones you may need to try out later.
Tara, I truly hope this information was helpful! If you have ANY questions as you continue to plan your vacation, such as character experience recommendations, please
come back and see me. You all are going to have the most magical vacation!
P.S. Be warned! You will be convinced to make a line item in your monthly budget for future Disney vacations after this visit. It happened to me, haha!
Sending you faith, trust, and pixie dust,
Karmeen