Disney to Issue Lifetime Bans on Guests Who Will Lie About Having Disabilities for Park Perks
Disney tightens disability access rules amid surge in fraudulent claims. The company vows to permanently ban guests found making false statements to obtain Disability Access Services at its parks, announced on Tuesday. Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images

The Walt Disney Company has announced stringent measures to address fraudulent claims related to Disability Access Services (DAS) at its parks.

This decision comes amid a surge in false statements by individuals seeking to exploit the service, the New York Post reports.

Effective May 20 at Walt Disney World in Florida and June 18 at Disneyland in California, guests found to have misrepresented disabilities to obtain DAS will face permanent bans from the parks.

Disney's Disability Access Service, which allows guests with disabilities to obtain return times for attractions instead of waiting in standard lines, has witnessed a significant increase in demand over the past five years.

"If it is determined that any of the statements a Guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the Guest will be permanently barred from entering the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort," the Disney website currently cautions.

In response to this surge and growing misuse, Disney has updated its policies to define eligibility criteria more precisely.

The service is now intended specifically for guests with developmental disabilities, such as autism, who are unable to tolerate conventional queue environments for extended periods.

Response from Disney Fans and Experts

The new policies have elicited mixed reactions from Disney enthusiasts.

While some, like Dennis Speigel, founder of International Theme Park Services, view the changes as beneficial, others express concerns about potential challenges in navigating the parks, particularly for individuals with health conditions not covered under the revised criteria.

"I have used it wonderfully, and I have seen the abuse that has occurred at different parks and at Disney through the years as the program has grown," Speigel stated.

Additionally, the crackdown on fraudulent DAS claims aligns with Disney's broader efforts to maintain integrity and fairness within its parks, Business Insider noted.

Under the revised policies, eligible guests can book one DAS return time at a time, with up to three accompanying individuals.

However, any abuse of the DAS system will result in a lifetime ban for Disney parks.

Disney emphasizes that individuals found to have provided false information during the DAS application process will forfeit previously purchased park products and services, with no refunds provided.

Furthermore, there is no grandfathering policy for existing DAS guests, necessitating re-enrollment under the new guidelines.

Impact on Disneyland Guests and Theme Park Practices

The crackdown on fraudulent DAS claims is expected to alleviate concerns among Disneyland guests, particularly considering widespread abuses observed during the pandemic, according to SF Gate.

Social media platforms have allowed deceptive practices to proliferate, leading Disney to enforce stricter measures.

This initiative reflects Disney's ongoing commitment to upholding park policies and preserving the guest experience.

Moreover, this initiative builds upon prior endeavors to tackle contentious guest behaviors like pin trading, demonstrating Disney's commitment to upholding a secure and pleasant environment for all visitors.

READ MORE: Florida: Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Gov. Ron DeSantis in Disney Lawsuit

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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