The suit alleges that Disney’s Disability Access Service, which began in 2013, discriminates against autistic children because it no longer allows them to skip lines. Disney started the DAS program after
ending its previous program, the Guest Assistance Card, because the older program was abused by wealthy people who hired guests with disabilities to help them skip lines.
The DAS program is used at Disneyland in California and at Walt Disney World in Orlando, but Disney argued the case should be heard in Florida because people who developed the new program are based here.
“The DAS card program was designed primarily by Disney employees at Walt Disney World in Florida. Additionally, implementation, including employee training, of the DAS card program at Walt Disney World theme parks took place in Florida,” Alison Armor, director of park operations and lodging for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a declaration filed with the court.
Andy Dogali, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said he may file a new lawsuit in California now that the first suit was moved to Orlando. “It changes the complexity a little bit. There will be two cases going on,” Dogali said.
The suit transferred to Orlando had more than 20 plaintiffs who are only identified by their initials. Attorneys for the plaintiffs said in August they were planning to add up to 70 more plaintiffs.
The Disability Access Service gives guests with disabilities a return time for attractions based on the attractions’ current wait times. The system is used in addition to Disney’s FastPass and FastPass Plus options.
Read the whole story at Orlando Sentinel