LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A class-action lawsuit is challenging Disneyland’s Disability Access Service (DAS), alleging that the resort disproportionately excluded guests with physical disabilities from using the service.
Disneyland’s DAS program allows eligible guests to skip attraction lines. It does not provide immediate access to attractions; guests must book a return time.
The suit, filed on Monday in Orange County Superior Court, focuses on the changes Disneyland made to its DAS program last summer to curb the misuse riddled in the widely used program.
According to Disney officials, before the changes, DAS usage tripled over the past five years,
The new guidelines aim to limit the DAS program primarily to guests with developmental disabilities, such as autism and other neurodivergent conditions. Guests must also complete in-person conversations to determine eligibility for the program.
The lawsuit asks a judge to require Disney to modify its DAS policies to include all people with disabilities. It seeks statutory damages of no less than $4,000 per violation and attorneys’ fees.
“Disney’s screening process effectively excluded and tended to screen out individuals with physical disabilities whose conditions also prevented them from tolerating long waits. By focusing exclusively on developmental disabilities, such as autism, Disney’s criteria unlawfully denied accommodations to physically disabled guests, perpetuating systemic barriers to equal access in violation of the Unruh Act and its incorporation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” the lawsuit alleges.
The class action suit is against Walt Disney Parks, which owns and operates the Anaheim theme park resort, and Inspire Health Alliance, a California-based healthcare provider “contracted by Disney to conduct medical screenings and assess the eligibility of guests seeking DAS accommodations.”
The suit was filed by McCune Law Group on behalf of Trisha Malone, a San Diego resident, who is physically disabled and denied DAS accommodations.
In a statement to KTLA, Disneyland officials said claims made in the complaint are without merit.
“Disney is committed to providing a great experience for all who visit our theme parks, particularly our guests with disabilities who may require special accommodations,” Disney officials said in a statement. “Disney offers a broad range of effective disability accommodations and has worked extensively with experts to ensure that our guests’ individual needs are properly matched with the accommodation they require, and we believe the claims in this complaint are without merit.”
According to the park’s website, DAS isn’t the only option for guests with disabilities to enjoy the theme park. Other accessibility options include a sensory experience guide, sign language interpreters, wheelchair and scooter rentals, and video-closed captioning on some rides.
Guests with disabilities can also exit and re-enter an attraction queue as needed and rejoin their party before they board the ride or utilize the ride switch option.
Disney officials also said that only some visitors require DAS, while other guests with disabilities can be accommodated with their other services.
This isn’t the first time guests have complained about the park’s updated DAS policy.
Last April, a group representing guests with disabilities, known as DAS Defenders, wrote a letter to Walt Disney Co. executives, including CEO Bob Iger, and started a petition urging the company to reverse recent updates to the program.
