Disney is reportedly doubling down on its restrictions to the Disability Access Service (DAS) program after some disabled fans sued the company earlier in 2025.
The federal lawsuit argues that the restrictions on who qualifies for the program at Disney’s California and Florida theme parks are too strict, The Associated Press (AP) reported. It was filed in February, according to the Disability Scoop.
A Disney shareholder proposal backed by DAS Defenders, a group of Disney park-hoppers against the DAS program alterations, was reportedly submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It called for an independent review of the DAS as a whole, arguing that Disney’s changes have resulted in lower park attendance in Florida and California.
Disney’s lawyers informed the SEC in November that it plans on blocking the proposal, claiming it was misleading and false about the reasons for declining park attendance, the AP reported. Disney claimed the decline was because of hurricanes, and the company also asserted that the proposal seeks to micromanage daily park operations.
The DAS permits certain disabled people, including select family members, to book online reservations for rides and take advantage of an “expedited line” with an average wait time of 10 minutes, according to the AP.
The program was rolled out in 2013 to address previous alleged abuses by disabled park “tour guides” who charged able-bodied guests a fee to skip the lines, the AP reported.
Disney has since updated the rules and regulations regarding who qualifies for a DAS pass to curtail further abuses. Individuals who qualify are those who cannot wait in a long line because of a “developmental disability,” including autism, the outlet reported.
Park visitors seeking a DAS pass must be vetted by a Disney cast member on a video interview, in addition to a contracted medical professional who will evaluate the person’s eligibility. (RELATED: Disney Disses Its Own Fictional Character For Being ‘Offensive’ To Alcoholics)
Visitors who are caught lying to secure a DAS pass can be banned from the parks.
Due to widespread misuse, Disneyland says it will permanently ban people who lie to use the park’s Disability Access Service program. #8NNhttps://t.co/2KIIx5UKuD
— 8 News Now (@8NewsNow) April 10, 2024
Some fans contend that Disney cannot decide who qualifies as legally disabled when offering disability accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
“This isn’t right. This isn’t what Walt and Roy would have wanted,” said Shannon Bonadurer, who claims she is unable to wait in long lines due the fact that she relies on an ileostomy bag. She was allegedly denied a DAS pass, the AP reported.
Bonadurer alleges that her 25-year-old son, who has autism, cerebral palsy and is also blind, was similarly denied a pass. (RELATED: REPORT: Individual Dies By ‘Apparent Suicide’ At Disney World)
“They are making a determination about whether you’re disabled enough,” Bonadurer said, according to the outlet. “I would love to wait in line with everyone else, and so would my son, since that would mean he has a normal life. But we don’t, and unfortunately for us, we need adaptations to how we wait.”
Disney maintains that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not force companies to maintain equal treatment of people with different disabilities, the AP reported, citing court filings.
“For example, in a crowded movie theater, a person using a wheelchair may be entitled to priority seating even if they arrive shortly before the movie starts, while a deaf person may only be entitled to a seat with closed captioning,” Disney stated.
The Daily Caller reached out to Disney but has not heard back as of publication.