Planning a Disneyland day with disabilities in the mix can feel overwhelming at first—but one of the things I truly love about Disneyland is how hard they work to make the magic accessible. For our family, that includes using DAS (Disability Access Service) for one child, while using a wheelchair for another and seeing firsthand how different tools meet different needs.
Here’s how that looks for us, and what I wish more people understood about who DAS is really for.
What Is DAS and Why Does It Exist?
DAS stands for Disability Access Service. It’s Disneyland’s way of helping guests who cannot tolerate traditional standby lines because of a developmental disability or similar condition (like Autism).
It does not skip the line or offer “front of the line” status. Instead, DAS lets you request a return time for an attraction through the app, equal to the current standby wait, so you can wait somewhere more comfortable or manageable and then come back through a different entrance when it’s your turn.
DAS exists to support guests who:
- Have developmental disabilities (like autism) or similar conditions
- Cannot safely or reasonably remain in a conventional queue, even with help from a parent, caregiver, or wheelchair
- Need flexibility to wait in a calmer, quieter, or more controlled environment
It’s about access, not perks. It doesn’t make the waits disappear—it just changes where and how you wait so the experience is actually possible and less overwhelming.
Our Autistic Son and Why DAS Helps Him
We use DAS for our autistic son. For him, traditional lines are incredibly hard. It’s not just boredom—it’s:
- Sensory overload from noise, crowds, and visual chaos
- Difficulty with unexpected delays or changes
- Trouble with personal space and being “stuck” in a tight queue
- Anxiety that can build and spiral if he can’t step away
For him, DAS is the difference between:
- A meltdown 25 minutes into a 60-minute line
vs. - Waiting in a quieter space, taking breaks, walking around, or using coping tools until it’s time to ride
With DAS, we can:
- Get a return time for an attraction
- Wait somewhere calmer (shade, a quieter walkway, a sensory break area, a snack spot)
- Bring him back when it’s closer to our turn
He still waits. We still plan around posted wait times. But the way he waits is now doable and kinder to his nervous system.
Our Son With a Brain Injury – Why He Doesn’t Qualify for DAS
We also have another son with a brain injury. You might assume that means he’d automatically qualify for DAS—but he doesn’t. And that’s actually a good example of how DAS is meant to work.
His main challenges at Disneyland are:
- Fatigue
- Balance and stamina
- Needing to sit and rest frequently to avoid migraines
For him, the solution isn’t changing how he waits in line—it’s supporting how he moves through the park. His needs are met with a wheelchair, not DAS.
Because:
- He can physically and emotionally wait in most lines if he is sitting
- The wheelchair solves the safety and stamina issues
- The queues at Disneyland are, in most cases, designed to be wheelchair accessible
So even though he does have a serious medical condition, his challenges at Disneyland are addressed by mobility support, not a special access pass.
Why Mobility Needs (Usually) Don’t Qualify for DAS
This part can be confusing for a lot of families, so I like to say it clearly:
If your needs can be fully met with a wheelchair, ECV, cane, or scooter, you typically won’t qualify for DAS.
That’s because Disneyland has spent years redesigning their attraction queues to be mobility accessible. The default is:
- You stay in the same line as everyone else
- You use the queue in your wheelchair or ECV
- Only in certain situations do you use an alternate entrance (for example, if there are stairs or very tight spaces)
DAS is reserved for guests whose barriers are not solved by mobility devices—think cognitive, sensory, or developmental reasons why the environment of a line is the issue, not just the physical act of standing.
How Disneyland Treats Wheelchair Users (And Why I Love Them for It)
One of my favorite things about Disneyland is how normal they make mobility devices feel. You’re not “othered” or made to feel like a problem to work around. Instead:
- Most lines are fully wheelchair accessible
- Cast Members are typically kind, patient, and used to working with all kinds of needs
- You’re rarely singled out—your wheelchair or scooter just comes along with you like any other part of your day
With our son in a wheelchair, we’ve noticed:
- He’s treated like any other guest, not like an inconvenience
- The accommodations (like alternate entrances where needed) feel thoughtful, not awkward
- The design of the park clearly shows they’ve thought about wheelchair users from the ground up
It feels less like, “Here’s a special exception for you,” and more like, “Of course you’re welcome here—this space was built with you in mind.”
As a parent, that matters so much.
DAS Isn’t “Better” Than a Wheelchair – It’s Just Different
From the outside, DAS can sometimes get misunderstood as a magic “front of the line pass”. It’s not. And it’s not “better” than the accessibility that already exists for wheelchairs or other mobility devices—it’s just serving different needs.
In our family:
- Our autistic son needs DAS because his disability makes traditional waiting extremely difficult
- Our son with a brain injury needs a wheelchair, because his biggest challenge is stamina and mobility
- Both are valid disabilities
- Both are supported
- The tools are just different
And truthfully, I’m grateful Disneyland doesn’t treat disability like a one size fits all situation. They look at what problem needs solving and then match you to the right support.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind if You’re Considering DAS
If you’re wondering whether DAS is right for your family, a few general thoughts:
- Think about why lines are hard:
- Is it primarily physical (standing, walking, stamina)?
- Or is it sensory, cognitive, or emotional (overwhelm, meltdown risk, inability to cope with the environment)?
- Be ready to describe specific challenges, not just diagnoses.
- “My child is autistic” is helpful, but
- “My child becomes overwhelmed in crowds, can’t tolerate being confined in tight spaces, and may have severe meltdowns if they’re unable to leave the queue” is even more helpful.
- Remember that wheelchairs and mobility devices are absolutely valid and welcomed solutions.
- Using a wheelchair doesn’t “disqualify” you from anything important—it’s often exactly what unlocks the day.
Why I’m So Grateful for Disneyland’s Approach
As a mom of kids with very different needs, I can honestly say: Disneyland makes me feel seen.
- They recognize that one child needs flexible waiting and supports that with DAS.
- They recognize that another needs wheels under him and supports that with accessible queues.
- They treat both as normal, expected parts of their guest experience—not as burdens.
Is it perfect? No system ever is. But the heart behind it, the desire to make the magic reachable for as many people as possible, is something I am deeply grateful for.
If you’re heading to Disneyland with disabilities in your family, know this:
You’re not alone.
You’re not a bother.
And there are tools available; DAS, wheelchairs, accessible queues, and kind Cast Members all ready to help your family make magical memories, in the way that works best for you.
