ORLANDO, Fla. — At 3:13 p.m., guests at Walt Disney World Resort were shocked to witness Queen Elsa of Arendelle forcefully confiscating a disability access service (DAS) pass from a crying disabled girl waiting in line for Space Mountain. As she wrestled the pass from the child, Elsa shouted repeatedly, “Let it go!”
Nine-year-old Cassidy McGowan, who has moderate spastic cerebral palsy, has been to Disney World with her family the past two summers. She has always had a DAS pass, which allows her to hold a place in line, but a rule change this year meant her pass was no longer valid.
The DAS system was recently updated to apply only to guests who have a developmental disability that makes it difficult for them to stay in line. Having a mobility device or physical disability alone will not qualify one for the service.
“Let it go!” repeated Elsa as frost began to cover the edges of the pass. McGowan’s grasp on the paper slipped, but she managed to hold on.
Walt Disney World Resort claims people have been abusing the access system, even though there is a lengthy and arduous process for obtaining a pass. The policy change is intended to combat this supposed problem.
Elsa reportedly asked McGowan to let the pass go several times before successfully seizing it and tossing it away Into the Unknown.