Disneyland has warned disabled cheaters that if they lie about having ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety or any other disorder to get free passes to jump the Lightning Lane line, they will be kicked out for always Disney theme parks in the United States.
Disneyland Resorts and Walt Disney World on Tuesday, April 9, updated Disability Access Services programs that provide assistance to theme park guests with developmental disabilities such as autism and other neurodivergent disorders.
The changes will take effect May 20 at Walt Disney World Resort and June 18 at Disneyland Resort in an effort to limit the Disability Access Service program to only guests who need those services, according to Disneyland officials .
ALSO WATCH: First look at proposed Avatar-themed land for Disneyland
Disneyland outlines severe penalties for lying during the disability access registration process in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the updated DAS page on the theme park’s website.
If detected, DAS cheaters will be permanently banned from Disneyland and Disney World resorts and all daily tickets and annual passes will be forfeited without refund, according to both parks’ DAS websites.
How would Disneyland detect disability fraud?
Disneyland isn’t saying, but Disney cast members would likely be the first line of defense supported by the digital trail left by using the Disneyland app to access Lightning Lane. There are also security cameras covering virtually every corner of the park and security guards monitoring suspicious activity.
ALSO WATCH: Disneyland closes 4 attractions during peak spring season
In 2023, Disney World cracked down on third-party tour guides selling unauthorized services, including Genie+ and Disability Access Service, according to the Disney Tourist Blog. Unaffiliated tour guides who serve as escorts in the park have been arrested by Disney World managers, issued trespass notices by local police and banned indefinitely from the Florida theme park, according to the Disney Travel Blog.
Stories of DAS abuse and tricks to cheat the system are everywhere on social media.
Twitter user Wildest Ride has shared how friends are using false claims of irritable bowel syndrome to fraudulently acquire passes for disabled access services at Disney theme parks.
“Obviously it’s not a large sample size, but of the four people I know who have a DAS pass, 3 of them say it’s because they have IBS – which ‘They told me personally, they just don’t want to wait. double,” The craziest ride wrote on Twitter. “It seems like anything that stops abuse of the ADA is a win for everyone.”
Disabled access service has become the most requested service at the Disneyland and Disney World resorts, with guest usage volume more than tripling over the past five years, according to Disneyland officials. Disneyland and Disney World are taking steps now to preserve the DAS program, as the trend is only expected to continue.
California Daily Newspapers
