GAC to Become DAS

[Gomer]

It's always a convenient argument that 'there are a lot of people who don't post that agree with me'.

As far as the autism only policy, I'll believe it when WDW literature leaks out stating that's the policy. A civil rights attorney would have a field day if that were 'truly' the case. It's only been annecdotal so far.

And there is no 'broad brush' being used here. But the simple logic is 'either DAS works or it doesn't'. You can think one disability trumps another with access and handling, but the reality (and only valid argument to be made) is that either DAS works or doesn't, as that is the instituted and active policy by which people will be handled with going forward.

There are plenty of people who have agreed with me in this thread that just don't post on an ongoing basis as they have grown tired of this back and forth and being held up against the straw man that is Autism Hippie. If you go back and look you will find them. But regardless, I am here, and I don't conform to the people you are describing. So, even if it is just me, then I still disprove your theory that all of us want FOTL passes.

I'll choose to disagree with your assessment that DAS either works or it doesn't. In my experience absolutes are only useful for winning arguments and have no basis in reality. I think DAS works, but I also think it can be tweaked to better meet the needs of all, including the non-disabled. Its a policy, and Disney can and will likely change it at some point in the future. I don't see any harm in suggesting ways to tweak park policy, just as we might debate tweaks to the Dining plan, or EMHs to increase our enjoyment of the parks. For some reason this topic can have no middle ground with people. If we were discussing FP+ or the Fantasyland expansion, then nuanced views that take into account both sides are allowed, but for some reason here, you are either in favor of the system exactly as it is, or you are essentially asking for the parks to be handed over to the disabled without any restrictions. That leaves no room for debate, reason, or compromise.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I said this before many pages back but no one is entitled to a Disney vacation and if you don't like the policy's Disney has in place then don't visit. I am sorry but a huge part of the Disney internet community who have an Autistic/ SPD\ADH ect child have been more then vocal about how their child is entitled to a FOLT pass and not only that but a Disney vacation!

Have you ever lived with a child with autism? It may be more difficult, but some of them can handle Disney quite well with proper accommodations. They may go Disney trip as long as their parents are willing and able to pay for it. Having some sort of pass, like GAC or DAS, is a reasonable accommodation, especially since they'll probably spend less time in the parks than the average visitor anyway. Would you say then that someone with food allergies should not eat out because calling the chef to the table slows down service for everyone?

Sorry but they have no more of a right to a Disney trip then the underprivileged kid born to a meth head mother.

By that logic no child should be allowed to go to WDW ever.

 

[minninedaisy74]

Have you ever lived with a child with autism? It may be more difficult, but some of them can handle Disney quite well with proper accommodations. They may go Disney trip as long as their parents are willing and able to pay for it. Having some sort of pass, like GAC or DAS, is a reasonable accommodation, especially since they'll probably spend less time in the parks than the average visitor anyway. Would you say then that someone with food allergies should not eat out because calling the chef to the table slows down service for everyone?

By that logic no child should be allowed to go to WDW ever.

That is absolutely not what I am saying! I am saying no child is "entitled " to a Disney vacation just like people with food allergies or the money to pay aren't entitled to eat out. If parents of a special needs child wants to take their child on vacation they should not be expecting any extra modifications then what is included under the ADA. If a buisness wants to provide more then that then that is awesome but to try and play the victim when they don't is absurd. That might be your clue to move on and take your money else where instead of showing up at Disney and showing you butt when you don't get what you want.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

That is absolutely not what I am saying! I am saying no child is "entitled " to a Disney vacation just like people with food allergies or the money to pay aren't entitled to eat out. If parents of a special needs child wants to take their child on vacation they should not be expecting any extra modifications then what is included under the ADA. If a buisness wants to provide more then that then that is awesome but to try and play the victim when they don't is absurd. That might be your clue to move on and take your money else where instead of showing up at Disney and showing you butt when you don't get what you want.

Here's the thing: it was never a front of the line pass to begin with. It may work for some families and not for others. For my family, it may work, but for others, it might not. I know there are families who choose not to take their child to Disney because of the overwhelming stimuli, but for many, it can be beneficial, and reasonable accommodations mean that they may have an enjoyable time like everyone else. What some families are finding is that this has not been an equal replacement to GAC.

 

[minninedaisy74]

Here's the thing: it was never a front of the line pass to begin with. It may work for some families and not for others. For my family, it may work, but for others, it might not. I know there are families who choose not to take their child to Disney because of the overwhelming stimuli, but for many, it can be beneficial, and reasonable accommodations mean that they may have an enjoyable time like everyone else. What some families are finding is that this has not been an equal replacement to GAC.

But Disney doesn't have to offer a reasonable replacement or any replacement for that matter. You know I have no problem with offering FOTL access to those who need it but when you feel like your kid should ride several times in a row with out a wait then I think you are taking advantage of the situation and being inconsiderate to the other guest. There is no way you can convience me that just because your child has autisim, ADHD , or whatever else they should be entitled to ride the same ride numerous times with out having to wait and if you think they are then I question your parenting skills! Oh and by "you" I mean people in general not you by any means.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

But Disney doesn't have to offer a reasonable replacement or any replacement for that matter. You know I have no problem with offering FOTL access to those who need it but when you feel like your kid should ride several times in a row with out a wait then I think you are taking advantage of the situation and being inconsiderate to the other guest. There is no way you can convience me that just because your child has autisim, ADHD , or whatever else they should be entitled to ride the same ride numerous times with out having to wait and if you think they are then I question your parenting skills! Oh and by "you" I mean people in general not you by any means.

You couldn't mean me personally as I am not the parent

You see, it's not really FOTL access. I've had to wait 20-30 minutes with GAC in both DL and WDW. I assume it will be similar with DAS. The thing is that there is no way to prevent that kind of abuse. And the other thing is that a "normal" child may spend 8-10 hours in the park whereas a child with autism may only be able to handle 6. The amount of rides, then, would be the same for both children.

 

[unkadug]

You couldn't mean me personally as I am not the parent

You see, it's not really FOTL access. I've had to wait 20-30 minutes with GAC in both DL and WDW. I assume it will be similar with DAS. The thing is that there is no way to prevent that kind of abuse. And the other thing is that a "normal" child may spend 8-10 hours in the park whereas a child with autism may only be able to handle 6. The amount of rides, then, would be the same for both children.

The keyword here is "MAY". As others have stated every child is different and some may stay the full 10 hours. And some "normal" children have to leave early for other reasons. Should they have shorter wait times as well to make all things equal ?

 

[minninedaisy74]

You couldn't mean me personally as I am not the parent

You see, it's not really FOTL access. I've had to wait 20-30 minutes with GAC in both DL and WDW. I assume it will be similar with DAS. The thing is that there is no way to prevent that kind of abuse. And the other thing is that a "normal" child may spend 8-10 hours in the park whereas a child with autism may only be able to handle 6. The amount of rides, then, would be the same for both children.

I guess I have not made myself clear I really could careless about people going to FOTL once or twice per ride with no wait it is the excess some insist on and the fact that they feel entitled to all accommodations and whine and complain when the don't get their way!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

The keyword here is "MAY". As others have stated every child is different and some may stay the full 10 hours. And some "normal" children have to leave early for other reasons. Should they have shorter wait times as well to make all things equal ?

True, my brother can handle ten hours in the park, but other children can handle the disappointment of not being able to ride something whereas children with autism will have a meltdown that can be scary. And unless you have tried to calm a child with autism having a tantrum, don't pretend to understand it. I have no problem with DAS as it combined with FP and some standard waits work for our family, but I can see where other parents might have issues with it

 

[minninedaisy74]

True, my brother can handle ten hours in the park, but other children can handle the disappointment of not being able to ride something whereas children with autism will have a meltdown that can be scary. And unless you have tried to calm a child with autism having a tantrum, don't pretend to understand it. I have no problem with DAS as it combined with FP and some standard waits work for our family, but I can see where other parents might have issues with it

Then they need to take their business elsewhere if they have such a problem with it and no laws are being broken!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Then they need to take their businesses elsewhere if they have such a problem with it and no laws are being broken!

^^And that right there is why Disney will continue to accommodate them!

 

[unkadug]

^^And that right there is why Disney will continue to accommodate them!

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the other parents that you mentioned.

... I have no problem with DAS as it combined with FP and some standard waits work for our family, but I can see where other parents might have issues with it

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the other parents that you mentioned.

Yes I was aware.

Anyway, I'm done beating the dead horse. Got finals to study for

 

[raymusiccity]

I guess I have not made myself clear I really could careless about people going to FOTL once or twice per ride with no wait it is the excess some insist on and the fact that they feel entitled to all accommodations and whine and complain when the don't get their way!

...but, there's the rub. They've learned by dogged determination, that whining and complaining does get them their way. That's why the system is exasperating to people who aren't trying to game the system. Why waiting your turn is unfair is just the way the entitled parents see the world. It's sort of like trying to find handicap parking on a rainy day! All of the handicap placards come out of the glovebox when there's inclement weather.

 

[luv]

Now that autism is the only way to get the preferential treatment, Disney is going to a huge increase in the amount of people with autistic children, siblings, cousins and uncles/aunts.

 

[minninedaisy74]

Now that autism is the only way to get the preferential treatment, Disney is going to a huge increase in the amount of people with autistic children, siblings, cousins and uncles/aunts.

I guess parents of children with other disabilities should start whining and crying so their children get preferential treatment too! You know the ones who have children with serious physical disabilities ! I have to say I am really disgusted with a large portion of those parents for acting like such brats about all of this !

 

[unkadug]

Now that autism is the only way to get the preferential treatment, Disney is going to a huge increase in the amount of people with autistic children, siblings, cousins and uncles/aunts.

What's interesting to me is that 30 years ago there was a 1 in 2,500 diagnosis of autism...now the rate is more like 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with it.

 

[RandomPrincess]

What's interesting to me is that 30 years ago there was a 1 in 2,500 diagnosis of autism...now the rate is more like 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with it.

They changed the definition of autism to include a wider range of people. Their are many different types of autism now. For example the singer Susan Boyle was diagnosed as an adult with Asperger's syndrome a form of autism. She was told all her life she had brain damage .

 

[sedati]

What if I said I had a brain cloud?

I hear if you can find a can of "Jump" brand orange soda it will clear that condition right up.

 

[raymusiccity]

What's interesting to me is that 30 years ago there was a 1 in 2,500 diagnosis of autism...now the rate is more like 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with it.

Chalk up the increase to the 'what's in it for us' syndrome. It's mostly anecdotal, but, there are plenty of articles that nail the underlying issue:

"
The World Today -
Reporter: Petria Wallace
ELEANOR HALL: Now to what could be a frightening statistic for parents. There's been a 200 per cent jump in the diagnosis of autism in Australia over the past decade. Queensland is the state with the sharpest increase, and a new study out today may hold the key to understanding why.

A paediatrician from the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane surveyed the work practices of the state's paediatricians and paediatric psychiatrists.

A study released today shows that 58 per cent of the doctors admit they've been exaggerating the diagnosis of autism in children, to help families get access to assistance at home and in schools."