If you have previously used DAS, then you will find that very little has changed for the guest. The card carried by the DAS guest, which was annotated by hand by the CMs, has been done away with. Instead, all DAS information (including the photo) is now attached electronically to the guest's magic band or park admission card. CMs will now assign return times by using a handheld device, and DAS guests will return to the attraction and scan their wristband or card as if they had a Fast Pass.

If you have never used DAS, and think you may need to, then here is what you need to know:

1) First of all, Disney's Disability Access service is not a "go to the front of the line" service. If you have a disability that would preclude your waiting in a long standby queue, then you MAY be able to use DAS, which will permit you to enter an attraction via the Fast Pass entrance (and experience a minimal wait time). But you will not enter the Fast Pass entrance immediately. Instead you will be given a "return time" based on the length of time that others are waiting in the standby queue. This could be as short as 10 minutes or more than an hour. It is expected that you will use this time to experience other areas of the park.

2) For those wishing to use DAS, everything starts at Guest Relations near the park entrance. The guest with the disability must go there in person to request the service. You will be asked to explain your disability in general terms. You are not required to show a doctor's note. It is important to understand that a mobility issue by itself (i.e. walking, standing) is not a reason to use DAS. Most attraction entrances and queues are accessible by wheelchairs and ECVs (scooters), and you will be expected to use standby lines or regular Fast Pass for entry if your disability is due to a mobility issue.

3) At guest relations, once you have been approved for the DAS, you will present your magic band or park admission card. A CM will take a digital photo of you, which will be electronically attached to your admission media (NOTE - you can opt out of the photo if you wish). Next, you will be asked to identify by name all of the guests in your party (maximum of six) who will be experiencing the attractions with you. Each of those guests must present their magic bands or cards so that they can be electronically included in your DAS information.

4) So now you are ready to use DAS. Select an attraction that you want to experience with your party. Go to that attraction entrance (or send a member of your party - the DAS holder does not have to physically be there at this time). The CM at the attraction entrance will use a handheld device to scan the DAS information on the magic band or card. The CM will ask who, by name, will be accompanying the DAS holder on the attraction. The system will automatically assign a return time, which will be assigned to the DAS holder and each named member of the party.

5) Return to the attraction at any time after your "return time" (NOTE: the five minute early grace period for Fast Pass does not apply). Go to the attraction and enter through the Fast Pass entrance by scanning your bracelet or card at the scanning post. IMPORTANT: the DAS holder must be the first of your party to enter. The "mickey" on the scanning post will light up blue, which will alert the CM to check your photo and authorize your entrance. The other members of your party will enter behind you, and the scanner will light up green for them.That's it. You continue through the Fast Pass queue and experience the attraction with your party.

6) Others things to know.

You can have only one DAS entrance on your wristband/card at a time. You cannot get another until that one is used or cancelled. It does not otherwise expire. You can use it from your "return time" until park close.

The DAS guest MUST enter the attraction with his/her party. Members of the party attempting to enter without the DAS guest will not be admitted into the Fast Pass queue.

Using DAS does not prevent you from using Fast Pass. You can still hold up to three Fast Pass return times in addition to your DAS time.

If you wish to cancel a DAS return, change attractions, or change which members of your party will ride, you should go to one of the Fast Pass Plus kiosks in the park for assistance. Note: any such change will cancel your previous return time and a new one will be assigned.

Finally, yes, Disney understands that all this is complicated. And it is an additional burden on the attraction entrance CMs. But it eliminates previous abuses of the disability admission procedure, and it is as fair as possible. Hopefully, after using DAS a time or two you will find it to be helpful, and a convenient way to avoid long lines when you truly need the shorter wait time.