unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
You gotta love ignorant a**holes.
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Possible Changes coming to the Guest Assistance Cards (GAC)
- Thread starter RSoxNo1
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Dasnowz
Well-Known Member
The cards are not supposed to be valid for more then 2 months. I have not seen one valid for longer. Could you please share where you saw on for this long ? I know someone in guest services who would like to know.
midwest_mice
Well-Known Member
While I applaud Disney for being especially helpful for guest with disabilities, it seems that a few people abuse this. I recently witnessed an issue where a guest traveling by ecv wanted on a bus really bad and the driver said, the bus is full, we would have to wake up two young kids. This lady went ahead and had the kids woke up so she could take up her 3 seats for the scooter and one seat for herself along with cramming another 5 people on the bus with her. I was disgusted by this.
On the otherhand, there was a gentleman traveling by wheelchair who folded up his chair and hobbled onto the bus because it was getting full and I didn't hesitate one bit to giving up my seat for him.
On the otherhand, there was a gentleman traveling by wheelchair who folded up his chair and hobbled onto the bus because it was getting full and I didn't hesitate one bit to giving up my seat for him.
Yes, they are "supposed" to only be valid for up to 2 or 3 months, but I have seen them written out for longer. The longest was a full year. Sort of how they are only "supposed" to be written for up to 6 people. I've seen them written out for 7, 8, 9...just last week we were all informed from another park that there was one written for SEVENTEEN people that was indeed legit and that we were to accept the entire group with no questions asked.
awoogala
Well-Known Member
This is what we experienced this week. we had fp for Peter pan. Got in line behind someone who either had a fp or gac (not sure), she had used a scooter (elderly, stiff walking). No problem. Obviously, she does need a fp/gac to not wait as long as everyone else. Other gac card users with a small child were escorted through on the exit and loaded first. The woman in front of us started asking the cm why she waasn't loaded that way.. where is the line she should be in, etc. Now, I don't know if the 15 extra seconds we were in the fp line would make a difference to her condition or not, obviously. The problem is that no one knows what is going on, why or how you use a gac, and every attraction is different. Add tot hat cm who are not trained properly, or do not have set guidelines, and everyone is confused, and tempers flare.
Lucky
Well-Known Member
The Universal version of a GAC worked really well when I was there 3 weeks ago. If the standby line is long - say, a 90 minute wait - then you come back 90 minutes later and wait in the Express line.
The GAC at WDW doesn't necessarily mean you can get in FastPass lines whenever you want. No one ever tells you that's what it means, and it's not the official policy. That's just the way it seems to work in practice for whatever reason. It's easier for CMs to wave people through than it is to write down a time on your card like they do at Universal.
The GAC at WDW doesn't necessarily mean you can get in FastPass lines whenever you want. No one ever tells you that's what it means, and it's not the official policy. That's just the way it seems to work in practice for whatever reason. It's easier for CMs to wave people through than it is to write down a time on your card like they do at Universal.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
For the "use alternate entrance" stamp, the "alternate entrance" is the Fastpass entrance for every attraction that has Fastpass. That's not just a "some CM's enforce it and some don't" thing, either, its the actual policy.
Goofnut1980
Well-Known Member
You hit the nail on the head!!! Good job. It's funny how people have to defend using the card. Obviously there is some guilt if they have to give every reason why they really need it. If you need it. Use it. If you have to make excuses, you probably shouldn't..
^True. I think there are 3 types of people who use GACs.
1) People who truly, TRULY need some sort of accommodation, lest Disney would be impossible for them. I am totally for people being accommodated in an appropriate and reasonable manner. And if a GAC allows them to access the ride more quickly so they can rest in between as necessary or do whatever they need to do, good on Disney.
2) People who just don't want to wait in line and use them as unlimited fastpasses.
3) People who do, technically, have a disability but who exaggerate (consciously or unconsciously) to justify the GAC's use. For instance, I worked with a gentlemen who had "bad knees" from playing football and even had a handicap placard as prescribed by a doctor. And he had a GAC. Yet, he worked 10-12 hours days (voluntarily extending is scheduled 8 hour shifts), where he was on his feet all day, standing and walking. He was also training to run a marathon (last I heard, he was up to 10 miles per run). Do I doubt his knees are not in the best condition? No. I used to be a speed skater and I had Osgood-Schlatters disease growing up, and my knees are pretty banged up as well. But given the fact that he is able to function 5 days a week on his feet for so long and he can run many miles at a time, I highly, HIGHLY doubt 45+ minutes in a stand-by line would kill him.
Also, I once heard a guest ask a CM, "I got this [alternate entrance GAC] for my husband because he wobbles when he stands. We go through fastpass, right?" Again...it might be a disability, but is it a disability that warrants a pass that acts as an unlimited FP at a good majority of the rides? Well...
1) People who truly, TRULY need some sort of accommodation, lest Disney would be impossible for them. I am totally for people being accommodated in an appropriate and reasonable manner. And if a GAC allows them to access the ride more quickly so they can rest in between as necessary or do whatever they need to do, good on Disney.
2) People who just don't want to wait in line and use them as unlimited fastpasses.
3) People who do, technically, have a disability but who exaggerate (consciously or unconsciously) to justify the GAC's use. For instance, I worked with a gentlemen who had "bad knees" from playing football and even had a handicap placard as prescribed by a doctor. And he had a GAC. Yet, he worked 10-12 hours days (voluntarily extending is scheduled 8 hour shifts), where he was on his feet all day, standing and walking. He was also training to run a marathon (last I heard, he was up to 10 miles per run). Do I doubt his knees are not in the best condition? No. I used to be a speed skater and I had Osgood-Schlatters disease growing up, and my knees are pretty banged up as well. But given the fact that he is able to function 5 days a week on his feet for so long and he can run many miles at a time, I highly, HIGHLY doubt 45+ minutes in a stand-by line would kill him.
Also, I once heard a guest ask a CM, "I got this [alternate entrance GAC] for my husband because he wobbles when he stands. We go through fastpass, right?" Again...it might be a disability, but is it a disability that warrants a pass that acts as an unlimited FP at a good majority of the rides? Well...
awoogala
Well-Known Member
and maybe ...
(since we just went with someone who fits this)
4) someone who has a sketchy or intermittent disability (autoimmune, joint pain, etc), that gets the GAC "in case", and barely, if ever, uses it. We were there 7 days, and my friend got one "in case". Never used it, since she took breaks at the hotel, sat down and rested, and just didn't go on some rides. She got it to be sure if it got bad enough, she could still be sure her kids hit the rides, but never took advantage of it. This was her 8th trip, and first gac, and still, fp was good enough for the whole trip.
It is good to remember that not everyone automatically takes every advantage when they know it isn't needed.
(of course, if she didn't validly need it, I am sure her moral objections to abusing it would not have been that great)
and maybe ...
(since we just went with someone who fits this)
4) someone who has a sketchy or intermittent disability (autoimmune, joint pain, etc), that gets the GAC "in case", and barely, if ever, uses it. We were there 7 days, and my friend got one "in case". Never used it, since she took breaks at the hotel, sat down and rested, and just didn't go on some rides. She got it to be sure if it got bad enough, she could still be sure her kids hit the rides, but never took advantage of it. This was her 8th trip, and first gac, and still, fp was good enough for the whole trip.
It is good to remember that not everyone automatically takes every advantage when they know it isn't needed.
(of course, if she didn't validly need it, I am sure her moral objections to abusing it would not have been that great)
I would probably include these people in the first group, because one doesn't need to have a chronic disability to need assistance. And since she uses the GAC only when absolutely necessary, she is using it honestly and for its true intended purpose. I applaud her.
Interesting story from going to mk today. Don't want to cause controversy or stir the pot over gac card use just something strange that happened today. My bf uses a gac card for some of his health issues. One I which, is that he is not able to stand still for lengths of time in addition to other health problems. Went up to pirates and usually you show it to the greeter and they direct you around a corner backstage to the front of the queue. The stand by line had a posted wait time of 30 mins which isn't really doable for my bf because of his condition. The cm told us "The line is only 30 mins. You can stand and wait in the standby line," even after showing her his gac card. In all honesty the line wasn't a 30 min wait at all but, what if it had been? My bf wouldn't have been able to stand still for that long of a time period.
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
If the line is moving then he isn't standing still.
Though if the line is standing still due to a down time, it could be difficult for him. Having said that, all attractions have wheelchairs to offer for guests who can't stand for long times. So the GAC card may not be necessary for those who "can't stand." (Please note the operative word "MAY." If he is alone, disney wheelchairs aren't easy to wheel yourself around in.)
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
PoTC is also one of those rides where the designated "alternate entrance" wait time may be just as long or longer than the regular queue. Its very possible that this was the case, though the cast member seems to have explained it poorly.
The "alternate entrance" GAC cards have the biggest negative impact on Fastpass attractions.
The "alternate entrance" GAC cards have the biggest negative impact on Fastpass attractions.
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
This thread makes me feel awfully guilty for considering getting a GAC for my mom who has severe Crohn's and has had two major intestinal operations... and is only going to Disney because of me. She can't ride the vast majority of rides, and there's a chance that she will need an emergency bathroom run midway through a line.
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Never feel guilty for something that cannot be helped.
Aging_Goth_Mom
New Member
I had spinal surgery in May 2012 and I sometimes walk with a cane (depending on the day, weather, how many errands I had to run that day, housework, etc.). I am considering a GAC because standing or sitting for long periods of time is tough. With walking, I can take breaks here and there but I am really just kind of worried all around since we go to Disney every year and this year will be the first time since the surgery.
I've read some awful stories about people being harassed for using the GAC because their "disability" is not visible and now I'm second guessing whether I should get one or not. Should I bring my medical records to show?
I've read some awful stories about people being harassed for using the GAC because their "disability" is not visible and now I'm second guessing whether I should get one or not. Should I bring my medical records to show?
What we did with my father on our recent trip is tried him without the GAC first, and then he felt he needed it. If you feel guilty about using it, try getting through the day without it - if you can, don't bother, otherwise go for it.
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