GAC to Become DAS

[khale1970]

Not at all, again you didn't read my post but that's fine.

In fact, the point is the same. How is expecting your violent/anxious/nervous/shut down/wander off 18 year old to sit in a car or an airplane on the trip to Orlando any different than expecting your violent/anxious/nervous/shut down/wander off 18 year old to eat/potty/rest/people watch/shop while the rest of stand on line? And how does it diminish your WDW experience compared to what the rest of the population has to endure? For better or worse, Haunted Mansion along with pretty much every other ride now has Fast Pass+. The only real change is you don't get to go back over and over again, you have to renew your DAS at the kiosk and wait around people watching.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I just can't wait to see the immediate change in wait times this isn't going to create.

Yeah, from an outsider that is not aware of the extent of the abuse, a category which I assume you fall under, it might seem like that.

But in reality, GACs are so abundant that they increase the Fastpass queue demand by 30-50% at any given time. The more people entering the Fastpass queue, the slower the standby line will move.

You won't notice a change in wait times because you don't know what is "normal." CMs will.

This, combined with Fastpass+ eventually limiting everyone's Fastpass use will mean less artificially inflated standby lines all around.

 

[khale1970]

Yeah, from an outsider that is not aware of the extent of the abuse, a category which I assume you fall under, it might seem like that.

But in reality, GACs are so abundant that they increase the Fastpass queue demand by 30-50% at any given time. The more people entering the Fastpass queue, the slower the standby line will move.

Would it help the abuse to restrict a GAC/DAS to once every 3 years or so? If someone truly has a hard time handling WDW, it seems a once every 3 year trip would be more than enough. And if you go more than that, it stands to reason you could skip a few things in any given year so you could hit the can't miss rides for the special needs person in your group.

 

[Sped2424]

Yeah, from an outsider that is not aware of the extent of the abuse, a category which I assume you fall under, it might seem like that.

But in reality, GACs are so abundant that they increase the Fastpass queue demand by 30-50% at any given time. The more people entering the Fastpass queue, the slower the standby line will move.

You won't notice a change in wait times because you don't know what is "normal." CMs will.

This, combined with Fastpass+ eventually limiting everyone's Fastpass use will mean less artificially inflated standby lines all around.

nope I'm someone who goes to the parks quite frequently, being an Orlando native. Lets play the waiting game, if the standby lines really see a difference in wait time I will openly admit I was wrong and that this has made some change, if not well then.

 

[Sped2424]

In fact, the point is the same. How is expecting your violent/anxious/nervous/shut down/wander off 18 year old to sit in a car or an airplane on the trip to Orlando any different than expecting your violent/anxious/nervous/shut down/wander off 18 year old to eat/potty/rest/people watch/shop while the rest of stand on line? And how does it diminish your WDW experience compared to what the rest of the population has to endure? For better or worse, Haunted Mansion along with pretty much every other ride now has Fast Pass+. The only real change is you don't get to go back over and over again, you have to renew your DAS at the kiosk and wait around people watching.

A car ride, they are locals my friend they go to the parks about 1 or 2 a year and when they do they stay on property, please stop referring to him as a violent child, Micheal is anything but. being in a car ride with his family isn't so bad as its just them. Honestly you keep missing my initial argument. He can do all of those things, the issue here is that the rides aren't as accessible to him as they were before. He is gonna wanna ride haunted mansion or space mountain in those 40 minute waits, and he will fixate on that. Im not his parent so of course I don't know what they do to keep him from fixating to hard, but he is a well behaved kid. long lines happen to freak him out and shows aren't his thing cause he doesn't get distracted by them.

 

[arko]

Yeah, from an outsider that is not aware of the extent of the abuse, a category which I assume you fall under, it might seem like that.

But in reality, GACs are so abundant that they increase the Fastpass queue demand by 30-50% at any given time. The more people entering the Fastpass queue, the slower the standby line will move.

It will be interesting to see just how much standby lines get better, because FP+ should decrease the number of people in FP lines just by virtue of limiting people to 3. This will push more people to standby lines. The question remains is will lines be moving so much faster that the increased number of people in standby don't slow the lines down. For fast loading omnimover rides this might be fine, but for rides like TSMM and Soarin that usually have 60 minute plus waits, I don't see much of an improvement.

With FP+ limiting guests to 3 FP's this system will be abused just like the old one, as families will use it to get a few more fastpasses, and this system works in their favor because a family without need for a GAC/DAS is unlikely to pass up even having to wait a bit, for 3 to 4 extra fastpasses

 

[cmybliss]

Thats who I was responding to.
and there are plenty of people with other disabilities that make it hard for them to wait in line. Every person is different, we are talking about people who come to the park, sometimes they can't plan to come in the off season even though it would benefit their child. I think the old system worked great for those that needed, again I mentioned that many abused it. This new system I don't have that many issues with but like I said it still sucks because things were just that much easier for those that actually needed it. Also this isn't about putting other families first, its about giving families with disabled members a chance to experience the same attraction that you get too. Once again if you think this means they are better/outweighing your family's needs because they have a family member who is seriously disabled and cannot wait in a line then you should re evaluate visiting the parks.

I say again, as a parent of a child who has used a GAC in the past, I know first hand what it's like. I also know my child well enough to know when to take a break and refocus and more importantly, when to avoid a situation all together. For years we couldn't take trips that would keep us away from our house for more that two hours because my daughter was mortally afraid of any restroom not in our house. We couldn't go out to dinner because she was terrified of the seats in restaurants. We couldn't fly for the same reason. We made the conscious decision to put her needs first. If you know a situation is going to be too much for your child, you don't put them in that situation! I don't care how much you want your child to experience Disney, if it's going to cause them stress, don't go! Again, speaking with the voice of experience. With the new system in place, I can see that wait times for the DAS will probably be shorter than they are under the current system, thereby alleviating some of the stress on kids/adults with these disabilities and allow everyone to gain a little more enjoyment out of their vacations. (The wait for GAC at the Alice in wonderland ride in DL was particularly brutal! I'd say worse that the stand-by line.)

I certainly don't think anyone's needs outweigh anyone else's. Which, if you re-read my post, you'll see.

 

[khale1970]

A car ride, they are locals my friend they go to the parks about 1 or 2 a year and when they do they stay on property, please stop referring to him as a violent child, Micheal is anything but. being in a car ride with his family isn't so bad as its just them. Honestly you keep missing my initial argument. He can do all of those things, the issue here is that the rides aren't as accessible to him as they were before. He is gonna wanna ride haunted mansion or space mountain in those 40 minute waits, and he will fixate on that. Im not his parent so of course I don't know what they do to keep him from fixating to hard, but he is a well behaved kid. long lines happen to freak him out and shows aren't his thing cause he doesn't get distracted by them.

The violent reference is general and points to an earlier poster in this thread, but whatever the result of the wait, if waiting in lines "freaks out" someone and shows (or eating/shopping/people watching, etc) don't appeal to them, then it seems that WDW is a bridge to far for them. The good news is that as locals, your friends should be able to go at times where waits are short enough that GAC/DAS aren't even necessary. It still seems the real issue is that some want exceptional treatment, and I'd argue that even with a real disability this isn't the purpose of GAC/DAS.

 

[Sped2424]

The violent reference is general and points to an earlier poster in this thread, but whatever the result of the wait, if waiting in lines "freaks out" someone and shows (or eating/shopping/people watching, etc) don't appeal to them, then it seems that WDW is a bridge to far for them. The good news is that as locals, your friends should be able to go at times where waits are short enough that GAC/DAS aren't even necessary. It still seems the real issue is that some want exceptional treatment, and I'd argue that even with a real disability this isn't the purpose of GAC/DAS.

Down syndrome isn't a real disability? And thankfully for my friends they are, others may not be so fortunate. Exceptional treatment for people who actually have children with actual disabilities got it, I am talking about my friends family not my self, I go in standby lines all the time and honestly only been to the parks with them 2wice both times in the summer (Disney aint cheap) on both occasion's the parents and micheal use the GAC while me and his brother scout the rest of the park.BUT I NEED MY EXCEPTIONAL TREATMENT DISNEY

 

[PirateFrank]

Except he isn't the size of a child he is 18, therefore he is harder to control, the only thing I can say is until you have had that experience its very easy to just write it off. If you honestly feel that its unfair that disabled people get a sense of entitlement over you for getting to go to the front of the line then you may need to re evaluate some things. Once people abused this thing which is wrong yes, but like I said for those that actually need it, its a completely different issue and maybe one of the only ways they can experience their vacation. There is a reason they cannot wait in a line which is why they have the GAC, to call that an advantage is sick this isn't a race to an attraction this is the only way some families can honestly even get to experience it.

A few things here. Managing your child should not be my responsibility nor should it be disney's. if you've got a child that can't handle waiting while being distracted with another attraction or distraction (something us non-GAC/DAS folk wont get to do, btw), that shouldnt be anyone elses problem. having a child that is physically difficult to control - I question whether going to disney or any theme park is the right vacation for you. Regardless, if you chose to do that, the responsibility to manage the expectations of the child is not anyone's but yours. Complaining about an assistance system that forces you to give up an advantage and accept equality (or close to it) is ludicrous.

And it *is* an advantage. One that literally has a financial benefit derived from it. If I can experience 20 attractions in the Mk without the GAC, but 30-40 with, your park ticket with the GAC has at least a 50% greater value than mine. The fact that people were actually paying disabled GAC/AP holders to escort them throughout the park proves a financial advantage. You claim it's a race, like I'm trying to beat you to something. No sir. It's not a race. But its abuse is tantamount to theft. Theft from both disney and theft from those that don't abuse a GAC...because for each realized abuse, the derived and realized value of my park admission goes down. Moreover, By you trying to minimize the importance of this by flippantly saying "it's not a race" suggests you realize exactly what I am talking about but just don't care.

I also take serious exception with the "you don't know my burden like I do". At best, it speaks of selfish entitlement (I have to deal with my special needs child all year, so therefore, you have to let me cut you on line during my week vacation while disney takes care of my child). At worst, downright ignorance, as you don't know what burdens other people on lines deal with but chose *not* to use a GAC. *PLENTY* of families have individual challenges. Holding a GAC card shouldn't be the definition of whose challenges are more important.

I, for one, applaud disney for shifting to a system that encourages equality without encouraging advantage....and I'm glad you will now have to approach the theme parks without your advantage.

 

[WDWFan_Boston]

Dear @wdwmagic,

Can we just shut this thread down and call it a night?

Sincerely,
Everyone except four or five people

 

[xstech25]

Has anyone else noticed that Disney has coddled disabled people so much that it has become the place where all disabled people go? Kind of like the episode in Family Guy where Joe takes all of his friends to Peters restaurant. I swear go to WDW for a day and you will see more disabled people than you have everyday for the past 5 years combined.

 

[Sped2424]

Dear @wdwmagic,

Can we just shut this thread down and call it a night?

Sincerely,
Everyone except four or five people

I vote on this one^

 

[khale1970]

Down syndrome isn't a real disability? And thankfully for my friends they are, others may not be so fortunate. Exceptional treatment for people who actually have children with actual disabilities got it, I am talking about my friends family not my self, I go in standby lines all the time and honestly only been to the parks with them 2wice on both occasion's the parents and micheal use the GAC while me and his brother scout the rest of the park.BUT I NEED MY EXCEPTIONAL TREATMENT DISNEY

Of course Down Syndrome is a real disability although it wouldn't in every case require a GAC/DAS. If it does, not having to stand in the queue and instead being able to shop/eat/rest/potty seems like a reasonable accommodation. What more than that you would want for your friends? I realize that the benefit of a GAC has been reduced with DAS, but other than losing some of the benefits, why is it unfair or unreasonable to your friends? Perhaps I'm just too dense to see it, but it seems to me that the old system was an incredible benefit and the new system is simply a very good benefit. If you are willing to concede that the status quo ante was unsustainable, what would you suggest instead of the DAS?

 

[Sped2424]

A few things here. Managing your child should not be my responsibility nor should it be disney's. if you've got a child that can't handle waiting while being distracted with another attraction or distraction (something us non-GAC/DAS folk wont get to do, btw), that shouldnt be anyone elses problem. having a child that is physically difficult to control - I question whether going to disney or any theme park is the right vacation for you. Regardless, if you chose to do that, the responsibility to manage the expectations of the child is not anyone's but yours. Complaining about an assistance system that forces you to give up an advantage and accept equality (or close to it) is ludicrous.

And it *is* an advantage. One that literally has a financial benefit derived from it. If I can experience 20 attractions in the Mk without the GAC, but 30-40 with, your park ticket with the GAC has at least a 50% greater value than mine. The fact that people were actually paying disabled GAC/AP holders to escort them throughout the park proves a financial advantage. You claim it's a race, like I'm trying to beat you to something. No sir. It's not a race. But its abuse is tantamount to theft. Theft from both disney and theft from those that don't abuse a GAC...because for each realized abuse, the derived and realized value of my park admission goes down. Moreover, By you trying to minimize the importance of this by flippantly saying "it's not a race" suggests you realize exactly what I am talking about but just don't care.

I also take serious exception with the "you don't know my burden like I do". At best, it speaks of selfish entitlement (I have to deal with my special needs child all year, so therefore, you have to let me cut you on line during my week vacation while disney takes care of my child). At worst, downright ignorance, as you don't know what burdens other people on lines deal with but chose *not* to use a GAC. *PLENTY* of families have individual challenges. Holding a GAC card shouldn't be the definition of whose challenges are more important.

I, for one, applaud disney for shifting to a system that encourages equality without encouraging advantage....and I'm glad you will now have to approach the theme parks without your advantage.

lol I don't have any advantage, this isn't my family, this isn't my brother, once again read before you rant. I am speaking on behalf of my friends family who will be affected. All I got from this is that you are a man child who gets peeved that an actual disabled person gets to go to the front of a line. I realize that you are someone that takes people with actual disabilities and warp it into wah they get to cut me, well they have cerebal palsy, down syndrome, handicapped etc etc. Yet you wanna complain that it isn't fair that they can reach the front of the line? Do me a favor and get over yourself. Thats the last I am going to respond to this thread.

 

[cmybliss]

Has anyone else noticed that Disney has coddled disabled people so much that it has become the place where all disabled people go? Kind of like the episode in Family Guy where Joe takes all of his friends to Peters restaurant. I swear go to WDW for a day and you will see more disabled people than you have everyday for the past 5 years combined.

Not cool man. Not cool.

 

[Tom Morrow]

@PirateFrank 's post times a million! Well said.

Dear @wdwmagic,

Can we just shut this thread down and call it a night?

Sincerely,
Everyone except four or five people

Actually, I'd wager that the majority of the board is in favor of these changes, and this is news that needs to get "out there."

 

[Sped2424]

Not cool man. Not cool.

I really hope he is being sarcastic, thats what I got out of that.

 

[khale1970]

Dear @wdwmagic,

Can we just shut this thread down and call it a night?

Sincerely,
Everyone except four or five people

This is an important change at WDW and is worthy of discussion. Why would people having differing opinions and discussing and advocating for those opinions bother anyone? Despite the fact that this is an uncomfortable topic to some, I've not seen anyone say anything that was out of bounds. Why should it be shut down because a few would rather ignore the issue than discuss and debate it?

 

[cmybliss]

Of course Down Syndrome is a real disability although it wouldn't in every case require a GAC/DAS. If it does, not having to stand in the queue and instead being able to shop/eat/rest/potty seems like a reasonable accommodation. What more than that you would want for your friends? I realize that the benefit of a GAC has been reduced with DAS, but other than losing some of the benefits, why is it unfair or unreasonable to your friends? Perhaps I'm just too dense to see it, but it seems to me that the old system was an incredible benefit and the new system is simply very good benefit. If you are willing to concede that the status quo ante was unsustainable, what would you suggest instead of the DAS?

It's basically Disney taking the IEP (Individual Education Plan) policy for it's GAC program. It's not important what is "best" of "fair". What's important is what is most "appropriate" for an individual. I think this new program fits that bill.