By When using DAS, the first thing you need to know is that you can book your first “return time” when you’re at the park. You obviously must be registered first.
Previously, DAS allowed guests to choose an attraction before arriving at the park. Please be aware that this is no longer the case.
Also, Disney uses “return time” as DAS language for when DAS participants can enter the shorter attraction queue known as the Lightning Lane.
We’re about to provide details about the process, but we should mention a few other tips first. For starters, Disney encourages parties using DAS to spread out a bit in lines.
The thought process here is that you can create space for someone with a disability, thereby reducing concerns of feeling constrained.
Similarly, Disney recommends that parents of children participating in DAS bring “a sensory toy or a calming item—such as a stress ball, favorite device or activity like a tablet, video game, comic book or another item that may be calming or distracting while waiting in a queue.”
The park guide also suggests that you bring a snack and maybe a beverage into the line queue. You must consume them and throw them away before the ride.
Eating and drinking may settle someone in danger of disruption. Similarly, earplugs or headphones are a must to drown out the dull throbbing noise of the parks.
The thought process here is that even at Disney, you can create a comfortable environment reminiscent of home. Here’s where we’ll be a bit anecdotal.
Our family member is an adult who has been visiting Disney World since he was a small child. His parents quickly learned they felt safer with him at Disney than virtually anywhere else.
We’re happy to say that he never required oversight while at the parks. Admittedly, that may be an outlier case, but that’s our Disney experience.
Our history with DAS explains why we’re so passionate about the program. However, we’ve never personally used it, as we’ve never been attached to their DAS pass.
We’re merely relaying what they’ve stated about previous and more recent visits. Obviously, every instance will be different, and we wish Disney were a bit less stringent.
In November 2024, we watched in helpless frustration as Disney refused to let a large family, parents with four children, all ride Frozen Ever After together.
The family had to split into two groups, one of which waited in the regular line. Meanwhile, the group with the impacted child eventually had to leave the line.
Why? The child hated being separated from a sibling and started crying inconsolably. Situations like this are brutally challenging for all involved, including the Cast Members on duty.
So, we’re relaying our personal experiences traveling with a family using DAS. However, we also want to recount instances where we knew Disney could have done a better job.
We want you to have all possible information about a Disney vacation involving the use of DAS. It’s an excellent solution overall, yet also an imperfect one. Disney is constantly evolving with its DAS practices.
That brings us to Disney’s final tip, one our family considers crucial. “Break up the day with other offerings at the Resort that don’t require waiting in a queue, such as entertainment, and check the tip board in the My Disney Experience to visit attractions with lower wait times.”
You can quickly leave the parks and arrive at nearby resorts via monorail or Disney Skyliner. These two forms of transportation may prove unique enough not to be disruptive.
While shuttling back and forth from the park isn’t ideal, it’s also not particularly difficult to do. For instance, you can ride the Skyliner to Disney’s Riviera Resort or Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
At Magic Kingdom, the monorail will take your party to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village & Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
All of them offer dynamic, distracting amenities. Plus, you’ll be able to find a spot to sit down in the hotel lobby or the hotel grounds. There, you can settle and recuperate. Our family does this often.
Now that we’ve mentioned that piece, let’s discuss booking Return Times. They work similarly to Lightning Lanes in that you schedule them via My Disney Experience.
The difference is that you’ll select the DAS menu in the app. Here’s the relevant information:
Any member of a DAS party can obtain a return time for the whole party, but the Guest registered for DAS must be present and experience the attraction when the DAS return time is redeemed. DAS return times are valid until the park closes or an attraction closes for the day. A party can only hold one DAS return time at once.
Disney will only allow you to schedule one Return Time at a maximum. They say, “The Guest may obtain another return time for the same or different attraction 10 minutes after they redeem a return time.”
DAS participants traveling without mobile devices may speak with a Cast Member at Guest Services or a Guest Experience team kiosk. You can find these on the map.
While you wait for your return time, you can go about your park visit as you normally would. You don’t really need to do anything, but you should be secure in the knowledge that you’ll know exactly when you can first experience your chosen attraction.
Once you reach your Return Time, you’ll head to the attraction. The only other thing you need to know is that Disney (technically) requires the DAS recipient to check in first.
Don’t worry if you forget! The Cast Member will remind you if you have any issues.
Please keep in mind that guests with Disney World DAS must also obtain separate DAS approval for Disneyland or other parks. Disney wants ALL guests to enjoy the parks, and if you prepare for DAS properly, you and your family will have a FABULOUS time.