Disney Denies Double Amputee DAS Pass, Backtracks After Public Shaming

For years, the Disability Access Service (DAS) pass at World Disney World has been abused by guests faking disabilities to cut the line. From people faking irritable bowel syndrome to parents claiming their children had ADHD and couldn’t wait in line, the system is ripe with fraud.

In response to this abuse, Disney World began cracking down on the DAS pass system, requiring significantly more proof of a disability before issuing someone a pass. But that crackdown by Disney may have gone too far, as a Georgia mother found out.

Related: Guests Complain About Fraud With Disney’s DAS Pass System

Chrissy O’Neal held a video conference with a Disney guest representative to request a DAS pass. However, after the conference call, her original request was denied by representatives from Walt Disney World. She was told that a rented wheelchair or electric conveyance vehicle (ECV) would be her best option for getting around a Disney Park.

Walt Disney World communications said in a letter to O’Neal:

Although we realize your condition may not ordinarily require the use of a wheelchair or scooter. Rental wheelchairs, and Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs) are actually the best option for Guests with limited walking ability. Considering the size of our Theme Parks, as well as the potential length of our Attraction queues, using a wheelchair is really the only way to avoid long periods of walking or standing.

O’Neal took her story to Facebook, posting a video in which she removed her prosthetics, revealing that she is a double amputee. Her left leg is amputated below the knee, and all five toes on are amputated on her right foot.

She told Click Orlando:

I just thought if I told them I’m a double amputee that would be enough. I can walk fine, I just cannot stand still for long periods of time. I don’t know how I’m lumped into a group just like somebody who might have a sprained ankle. They said they can fix mobility issues by allowing me to rest.

Despite the backlash on social media, O’Neal still wasn’t granted a disability access service pass when she arrived at Walt Disney World. On her first day at the theme park, she spoke with a cast member in guest services, who could visibly see that she was a double amputee. However, her request was denied a second time.

Finally, O’Neal spoke with a supervisor at guest relations, who clearly saw she was not faking. He eventually granted her request for a Disney DAS pass for the entire time she was at the parks.

O’Neal said she could walk through the Disney Parks, but according to her doctor, standing still for long periods puts too much pressure on her remaining limbs.

Disney World Disability Access Services

According to the Disney World website, the Disney DAS passes it on to guests who cannot have extended waits in lines. The DAS pass does not offer immediate access to the ride or attractions but provides the guests with a specific time to return for the attraction.

Guests can access their return time through the My Disney Experience App and can plan their day around the attraction return times. Guests are required to pre-register for the Disney DAS pass via a video conference call or in person at guest relations.

Guests with a DAS pass receive a one-hour return time for the ride or attraction and can book the return time in advance, which makes planning their day much more accessible.

What do you think about Chrissy O’Neal’s difficulties in receiving her DAS pass? Let us know in the comments.

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