Possible Changes coming to the Guest Assistance Cards (GAC)

[AylaRanzz]

Let's use a classic one as another example ... ADHD. I had many a guest come in and request a GAC for ADHD. Now, think about it, does someone with ADHD absolutely need a GAC to skip all the lines? Probably not. Use Fastpass; get thing sto occupy you while in line, etc. But what if you say "no" to that guest and they throw an absolute fit? What if they show that they had an old expired GAC for this condition? What if they say they never had a problem until you?

I really feel bad about the whole thing because I know I've seen legitimate families that have legitimate reasons that they NEED the card, but I've also had guest who blatantly admitted their friends told them to just say a magic word like "autism" and they will never have to wait in a line at WDW. How can you legitimize this without breaking any laws?

Another scenario: Many, many, many people who "can't stand for long periods of time." Standard reply? "Get a wheelchair." You may even give them a free voucher for one. "Well I don't want to get a wheelchair." Now what? Too bad, so sad? Give them the card? Tell them to deal with it? Just trying to illustrate how difficult these situations can be.

I totally get where you're coming from about the ADHD part, because, yeah, not everyone with ADHD have the same symptoms and some can even wait for awhile. Last time I went in 2010, we did get a GAC because my friend's daughter has ADHD and waiting for more than fifteen minutes is a nightmare with her. Not even bringing something to occupy her works, but we tried not to use it for anyone less than a 20 minute wait. Both of my brothers on the other hand have ADHD and we went with them when they were 10 and had no problems waiting in lines without a GAC, partly because they were both on meds for it, which my friend's daughter is not. So, yeah, not every person with ADHD needs one, but some do.

As for the not able to stand in lines for a long time, my sister has chronic joint pain in her hips, knees and ankles and while she doesn't need a wheelchair and walks fine, even if she is in pain, waiting in long lines just isn't good on her joints. She does plan on getting a doctor's note just in case for our next visit even though we know that they can't actually ask for one. And we know that if she were to not go on a ride, we certainly wouldn't try to use it just to get through the lines because the rest of us have no problems waiting in lines.

 

[Nemo14]

I guess my family is guilty of "abusing" the GAC. Ben would never have reached 3,500 rides on SWSA before it closed if it weren't for that card. Very early on (somewhere in the first year he fell in love with the ride) we set a rule with him that he could go on the ride three times, and then he had to do something else. A typical day in the park might be 3x on SWSA, then Pooh, 3x on SWSA, then Pirates, 3x on SWSA, then TTA, etc. As the years wore on we were able to wean him more and more away from SWSA. He would still always go there first and ride it three times, but then we might do three or four other things before going back. We felt it was a good balance between rewarding him for good behavior by letting him do his favorite thing in the world, while at the same time gradually breaking him away from that obsession and getting him to expand his horizons and enjoy other experiences.

My point being: at the micro- level I can see how that appears to be abuse to the casual observer, but on the macro- level it was a very specific long-term behavioral therapy goal that played out over the course of ten years. We were in the park this afternoon (saw the preview for Story Time with Belle, it was awesome and Ben *loved* the animatronics), and we never used the GAC once although we were in the park for several hours. Ben has reached a point where more often than not he is able to wait patiently in lines without causing disruptions or having emotional breakdowns. That is a massive amount of progress from where we started, and it is something that extends to practical life skills throughout his day-to-day experiences. There is no doubt in my mind that Disney, and the GAC, has played a very large role in my son's progress, and I am thankful for all the Cast Members over the years who allowed us to "abuse" the privilege. It quite literally has made my son who he is today.

Knowing Ben's story and all that you have been through, no one here would ever accuse you of abusing the system. I still get goosebumps when I read about all his experiences there, especailly the last ride on SWSA.

 

[TP2000]

I was under the impression you were saying that Disney is legally obligated to provide such a service, not that they're just doing it to go "above and beyond."

I was under the same impression that's what Flynnibus was saying too.

I'm still struck by the fact that not a single other business or government agency does anything to lessen wait times for customers if their queue is wheelchair accesible. There's no "My child is autistic" shorter line at Target or at the airport TSA checkpoints. If the queue is wheelchair accesible and meets the ADA requirements for such, that's all anyone else in private industry or government appears to be doing for people.

Only at Disney theme parks, and only on the attractions, does Disney offer a service to reduce waits for people who say "My child is autistic" or "I have claustrophobia" or "I have a crick in my back".

The meet n' greet thing is the most obvious example of the non-GAC. Meet n' greets like Princess Fantasy Faire at Disneyland can have the longest waits of the day, but a GAC is not valid there. SImilarly, the line to get on a Toy Story bus at the end of the night can be epic, but a GAC is not valid there either.

Toy Story Parking Lot bus line - Disneyland Resort

You're claustrophobic and used a GAC to go through the exit on Peter Pan? Wait in line with everyone else for the bus. GACs only work on the rides, and only inside the park.

 

[flynnibus]

I was under the same impression that's what Flynnibus was saying too.

Because you only see what you want to see.

Other people provide accommodations too - they just don't have a card you go waving around. Ask a clerk and you will get access to assistance.

The law provides for accommodation - you can't seem to separate what Disney CHOOSES to do vs what they are required to do. Disney CHOOSES to go beyond the law in many cases... Largely because it simples things for them.

The Ada laws are not just the design standards for accessibility. Get that through your head - they are part of the law.

 

[Lokheed]

Knowing Ben's story and all that you have been through, no one here would ever accuse you of abusing the system. I still get goosebumps when I read about all his experiences there, especailly the last ride on SWSA.

That's very kind of you.

I guess my other point is, cries of "that's unfair, they shouldn't get to go more often than regular guests" really just disappoint me. The cynical side of me wants to say: Tell you what, I'll trade you. You get to ride Star Tours three times in an hour, and I get to have a son who will grow up, move out, get married, have kids of his own, and lead a long and fulfilling life. Because I'm here to tell you, baring a dramatic medical breakthrough my life is pretty much going to be taking care of my now-adult son day in and day out for decades to come, until the day that I get too old and frail to care for myself, let alone Ben. Some day I am going to die, and Ben is still going to be physically perfectly healthy, and he won't understand why I am gone and he has to go live with total strangers. I will never have grandchildren. Ben will never live independently. Most of his life is a minute-to-minute struggle against a world he simply cannot understand. So forgive me if I do not feel any pangs of guilt when, for a few hours every now and then, I get to see my son experience pure and unbridled joy by going on a theme park attraction. If that's abusing the system, then pardon me while I abuse the hell out of the system at every possible opportunity.

 

[PirateFrank]

@doppelv

Thank you for your thoughts. I agree...there is no disability that requires one to experience the same attraction three times within an hours time.

A "reasonable accommodation" implies equal opportunity. This is just abuse.

Absolutely! Anyone that thinks the GaC card is some right that affords them an experience above and beyond that which regular, "non-entitled" guests receive is clearly abusing the card....like it or not, that's the truth of it.

I can read about all of the stories here, one by one....but there's no way at all that I would be able ride an attraction 3500 times in 15 lifetimes, without some sort of "cut the other equally paying guests" card. How this is not considered abuse is truly beyond me.

If WDW is trying to correct the abuse of this system, the best thing they can do is prevent this card from affording anyone anything more than a split second time advantage over hard working paying customers.....anything else is just absolutely, disgustingly insulting to those that don't see the need to obtain such a card and wait in lines, no matter how long they may be.

Flame me all you want......truth hurts.

 

[alissafalco]

Absolutely! Anyone that thinks the GaC card is some right that affords them an experience above and beyond that which regular, "non-entitled" guests receive is clearly abusing the card....like it or not, that's the truth of it.

I can read about all of the stories here, one by one....but there's no way at all that I would be able ride an attraction 3500 times in 15 lifetimes, without some sort of "cut the other equally paying guests" card. How this is not considered abuse is truly beyond me.

If WDW is trying to correct the abuse of this system, the best thing they can do is prevent this card from affording anyone anything more than a split second time advantage over hard working paying customers.....anything else is just absolutely, disgustingly insulting to those that don't see the need to obtain such a card and wait in lines, no matter how long they may be.

Flame me all you want......truth hurts.

If you had a child with physical or mental disabilities I think you would be a little more sympathetic and understanding.

 

[PirateFrank]

If you had a child with physical or mental disabilities I think you would be a little more sympathetic and understanding.

This has nothing to do with being understanding... There's nothing that entitles anyone to a *greater* share of entertainment value, unless parents of children with mental or physical disabilities pay more than those without children of such need.

Is the card not designed to equalize the access to the experience and make it equally accessible to those in need? How the hell is being able to ride an attraction 3x more than a guest paying the same admission accomplish such a thing?

 

[flynnibus]

This has nothing to do with being understanding... There's nothing that entitles anyone to a *greater* share of entertainment value, unless parents of children with mental or physical disabilities pay more than those without children of such need.

Ever given out of charity or compassion in your life? Ever think Disney makes it easier for these folks out of the idea that they have plenty of struggles in life and just maybe this little bit of extra magic in this escape from the hardships of their real life may bring some happiness to what can often be a true struggle??

Compassion... Not everyone has it because they can't remove themselves from the equation and what they get out of it...

 

[natatomic]

The thing is, we all have our own crosses to bear. Like many of you who have disabilities that are not visible to the naked eye, many people have private hardships that are equally difficult and life-altering. There exist some far worse plights that simply to not come with any sort of accommodations (at Disney or anywhere in life). I do not understand why equal access (not better, which is what the GACs currently provide) would be such a bad thing.

Also - and this is a genuine question, not an accusatory one - I see many of you with GACs say that you would have no problem waiting in line except for your back or knees or some other mobility-related issue. If that's the case, why not rent a wheelchair and simply use whichever line with wheelchair accessible (which is sometimes FP and sometimes SB)? If you don't want to pay for it, okay I can somewhat understand; but did you know that most attractions (I'm pretty sure ALL of them, but I'll leave the qualifier there just in case) have wheelchairs that they can provide people to use while they wait in line? No charge, you just return it when you're done. Easy peasy. I know it's not something that's advertised, but it is always offered at fully accessible rides to those with "Wheelchair Entrance" -stamped GACs if the family has no wheelchair and cannot stand in a long stand-by line. Just a thought.

 

[Tigger1988]

This has nothing to do with being understanding... There's nothing that entitles anyone to a *greater* share of entertainment value, unless parents of children with mental or physical disabilities pay more than those without children of such need.

Is the card not designed to equalize the access to the experience and make it equally accessible to those in need? How the hell is being able to ride an attraction 3x more than a guest paying the same admission accomplish such a thing?

Give Kids the World children get to enjoy all sorts of privileges normal WDW park guests cannot. They pay nothing to get into the park. Does this upset you?

 

[Clever Name]

Morbid obesity is a protected disability under the ADA.

 

[AEfx]

That's very kind of you.

I guess my other point is, cries of "that's unfair, they shouldn't get to go more often than regular guests" really just disappoint me. The cynical side of me wants to say: Tell you what, I'll trade you. You get to ride Star Tours three times in an hour, and I get to have a son who will grow up, move out, get married, have kids of his own, and lead a long and fulfilling life. Because I'm here to tell you, baring a dramatic medical breakthrough my life is pretty much going to be taking care of my now-adult son day in and day out for decades to come, until the day that I get too old and frail to care for myself, let alone Ben. Some day I am going to die, and Ben is still going to be physically perfectly healthy, and he won't understand why I am gone and he has to go live with total strangers. I will never have grandchildren. Ben will never live independently. Most of his life is a minute-to-minute struggle against a world he simply cannot understand. So forgive me if I do not feel any pangs of guilt when, for a few hours every now and then, I get to see my son experience pure and unbridled joy by going on a theme park attraction. If that's abusing the system, then pardon me while I abuse the hell out of the system at every possible opportunity.

Completely agreed.

And as someone who rarely cries and was brought to tears by the last blog entries of your SWSA adventure (enough so that I had co-workers thinking I had just gotten some bad personal news), I understand exactly what you are talking about.

My niece has CP and simply cannot walk - it's not cannot walk far, cannot stand long - she cannot walk or stand, period. She is in a wheelchair her entire life, and we have the same concerns as you do with Ben for her. It's different in some ways - easier for her because she understands her disabilities in ways Ben cannot, so minute-to-minute isn't so much the problem, but on the other hand - worse, because she does know these realities very well and can comprehend them and realizes what the future brings. And she loves WDW because it's the only place in her life that truly tries to make it easier for her, not just rolling their eyes because they have to do something different/special to assist.

We also share your attitude. When we do get accommodations, which are absolutely physically necessary (because she is now a young adult and must be picked up/carried by two people onto each and every ride she cannot wheel on to, which is the vast majority of them). It takes several minutes to transfer her, and it's both physically and emotionally difficult for all parties involved. That's what the ADA covers, though, allowing us to do that. Now, if they let her stay on for an extra ride or two because they see how difficult it is for her to transfer on and off, and realize that this is something we have to do for each ride and on especially difficult ones we may only be able to do it once because it's so straining, of course we are not going to say no. When just finding a bathroom that she can use (and some obnoxious person who is choosing to use it because it's "bigger" is not blocking the one she needs) can be a feat, I don't think it's wrong. And, as you said - she would gladly trade and stand in line twice as long as everyone else if she could just...stand.

All that said, the problem is drawing that line. Something like 40%+ of kids have an ADD/ADHD diagnosis these days. And, some kids are just bratty and want to get their way. I see the issue for Disney here - because they cannot discern between the two.

I don't see a simple answer except just punishing everyone. But this is nothing new, people are talking like it's some new crisis - it's not, it's how it has been for quite some time. It will be very sad if those people who truly deserve accommodation or a little extra magic are penalized because of Disney's billion-dollar-let's-follow-you-and-micromanage-the-place initiative. But while I am usually full of suggestions, it's very difficult to see how they can do both.

 

[doctornick]

It's been touched upon in this thread, but I'll just mention something from my prospective: Been to WDW a number of times and never really noticed GACs being used that much. But when I recently went to DLR, it was unavoidable seeing them used. It was to an extend that my wife and I talked about it and wondered if there were some special "front of the line" card that CMs or their family/friends could get. I wasn't looking for it at all, nor did it bother me, but I saw it in the FP lines or at the exits pretty frequently. In fact, it wasn't until I read this thread that it even occurred to me that it was cards for disabilities -- they seemed far more frequent to be for that reason.

My only point being that I can see why this issue is being noticed at DLR first. I suspect it's a far more significant issue there than at WDW (which has a far greater number of "one every few years/once in a lifetime" guests who would not know enough about the system to abuse it).

 

[Jane Doe]

Could this all not be rectified by the guest with the need having fewer party members being attached to their card (four would seem a reasonable number) and maybe having a Fastpass for all rides but you can only experience one ride once a day with it? If you feel you need to go on a ride twice you'd have to queue with everyone else or obtain a Fastpass the regular way.

 

[unkadug]

That's very kind of you.

I guess my other point is, cries of "that's unfair, they shouldn't get to go more often than regular guests" really just disappoint me. The cynical side of me wants to say: Tell you what, I'll trade you. You get to ride Star Tours three times in an hour, and I get to have a son who will grow up, move out, get married, have kids of his own, and lead a long and fulfilling life. Because I'm here to tell you, baring a dramatic medical breakthrough my life is pretty much going to be taking care of my now-adult son day in and day out for decades to come, until the day that I get too old and frail to care for myself, let alone Ben. Some day I am going to die, and Ben is still going to be physically perfectly healthy, and he won't understand why I am gone and he has to go live with total strangers. I will never have grandchildren. Ben will never live independently. Most of his life is a minute-to-minute struggle against a world he simply cannot understand. So forgive me if I do not feel any pangs of guilt when, for a few hours every now and then, I get to see my son experience pure and unbridled joy by going on a theme park attraction. If that's abusing the system, then pardon me while I abuse the hell out of the system at every possible opportunity.

Ben's story is what drew me into this site to begin with....I had been a member for a few years until I read one of your first reports of CM's making magic for your son. I was hooked. Ben's story is inspirational and very touching...I have shed more than one tear reading your accounts.



That being said...I truly believe Ben's story would have happened anyway even without the GAC program (especially in the shape that it is in today.) CM's have the ability to make stuff like that happen even without a official program in place.

I am torn in my previous stance on this and your particular situation. Please take no personal offense in my prior statements, as I'm actually more disturbed by the abuse of the system than the system itself.

 

[TP2000]

Morbid obesity is a protected disability under the ADA.

Sweet! I'm in! Where do I go for that GAC thing again?

 

[alissafalco]

This has nothing to do with being understanding... There's nothing that entitles anyone to a *greater* share of entertainment value, unless parents of children with mental or physical disabilities pay more than those without children of such need.

Is the card not designed to equalize the access to the experience and make it equally accessible to those in need? How the hell is being able to ride an attraction 3x more than a guest paying the same admission accomplish such a thing?

I guess you must also have a problem with the children who are at Disney from Make a Wish foundation. They are at Disney for free paid for by peoples kind donations. This must bother you also. They were approved by make a wish foundation because they have a life threatening illness and most likely have been suffering most of their lives because it, and their lives might even be cut short because of it also. According to you nothing should entitle anyone to have a "greater share of entertainment value". I guess you feel that these children are entitled because they got to go to Disney for free? And to the front of the line? Seriously dude you need to watch the classic film called Scrooge. Have you ever heard of it? There have been plenty of versions for you to choose from. I suggest watching it and take the lesson learned from it.

 

[alissafalco]

Could this all not be rectified by the guest with the need having fewer party members being attached to their card (four would seem a reasonable number) and maybe having a Fastpass for all rides but you can only experience one ride once a day with it? If you feel you need to go on a ride twice you'd have to queue with everyone else or obtain a Fastpass the regular way.

I believe the number is 5 that is allowed but not 100% sure. But that is tough also because I saw a woman who had 2 sons in wheel chairs. Not 1 but 2, it was very sad and I felt so sorry for her and her husband. They also had a younger daughter who was with them that looked fine. Now in their case if you only allowed 4 at a time then someone from their family would not be able to ride. So I think its hard to limit the number to just 4.

 

[unkadug]

I believe the number is 5 that is allowed but not 100% sure. But that is tough also because I saw a woman who had 2 sons in wheel chairs. Not 1 but 2, it was very sad and I felt so sorry for her and her husband. They also had a younger daughter who was with them that looked fine. Now in their case if you only allowed 4 at a time then someone from their family would not be able to ride. So I think its hard to limit the number to just 4.

But in that case they should have two separate GAC's, thereby increasing the number of people allowed...they could bring their whole neighborhood!