Possible Changes coming to the Guest Assistance Cards (GAC)

[Disneycoog]

I think it's brilliant, and was one of my suggestions in earlier posts regarding changes to GAC. That's what would really discourage abusers.

I am a little lost how do you use a GAC card to ride two rides at a time?? How is that physically possible?

 

[doctornick]

I am a little lost how do you use a GAC card to ride two rides at a time?? How is that physically possible?

Huh? The point is that without a "one ride at a time" limit, you can basically get unlimited Fastpasses, even with a system that makes you "wait" as long as people in the regular line. Example (using the Uni system where you get a pass for the wait time minus 15 min):

1. Go to Splash Mountain at 10am. Wait time is 45 minutes. You are given a pass to come back at 10:30am or later to enter
2. Go right to BTM at 10:05a. Wait time is 1 hour. You are given a pass to come back at 10:50am or later to ride
3. Go right to Haunted Mansion at 10:20am. Wait time is 30 minutes. You are given a pass to come back at 10:35am or later
4. Go to Peter Pan at 10:30am. Wait time is 1 hour. You are given a pass to come back at 11:15am.

You now are basically waiting in 4 lines at once. It's 10:30am and you can rapidly start going on all of them and pick up new passes along the way.

The Uni system says you can't get that second pass for BTM until after you ride Splash -- just like an able bodied person who is waiting in the Splash line could do. Without a "one ride at a time" rule, the GAC user can just keep getting new ride times while they are "waiting in line" for the first ride, something that other guests cannot do. (I'm of course ignoring FP, as the GAC user can use FP just as the able bodied person can.)

 

[luv]

The "one ride at a time" thing will cut back on abuse by losers and by all the "My son doesn't do well waiting in line" people, but will also cut back on the amount of rides that people who are truly very sick will be able to ride, which is a shame.

So the people who need it will suffer and those don't will still get small bonuses. I bet the ones who complain will be the ones who don't really and truly need it to get through a day.

 

[rob0519]

The only real problem with Universal's system is that it has back tracking. Integrating it with the Fastpass+ system could help that, but if the Fastpass+ system is changed to a day of system and GAC is changed to something similar to Universal's system it would likely eliminate the need for the GAC anyway. In many cases the GAC would be functioning the same way as Fastpass.

Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean by "back tracking". What is this?

 

[rob0519]

The "one ride at a time" thing will cut back on abuse by losers and by all the "My son doesn't do well waiting in line" people, but will also cut back on the amount of rides that people who are truly very sick will be able to ride, which is a shame.

So the people who need it will suffer and those don't will still get small bonuses. I bet the ones who complain will be the ones who don't really and truly need it to get through a day.

Exactly! Our son was unable to ride a few of his favorite attractions at Universal, because we just cannot keep in in the parks long enough with the one ride at time policy. Unless and until there is a system whereby you waive your right to privacy on medical conditions and are allowed to prove you need the special assistance, we just need to play by the rules in place.

 

[luv]

Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean by "back tracking". What is this?

Backtracking means you have to go to the ride and then go back again at a certain time to ride it...much like Disney's current FP system. It's a bit of a pain.

If you stay in a Uni hotel, you can avoid all of this by just riding what you want, when you want and never having to cross a park to pick up anything or have to get to a ride at a certain time.

At Disney, it's a little harder.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean by "back tracking". What is this?

It's probably better explained using Fastpass. If you want a Soarin' Fastpass you go into the building, go down the stairs or escalator and go to the Fastpass machines to get your pass. After this you can either do something else in the pavilion or leave and return when your Fastpass is eligible. You've spent some time acquiring the Fastpass and then you have to "back track" to actually ride the ride. Fastpass+ would theoretically solve this problem by allowing guests to make the reservations in advance, on their phone or at centralized kiosks in the parks. It's the one aspect of Fastpass+ that I think is good.

 

[rob0519]

Backtracking means you have to go to the ride and then go back again at a certain time to ride it...much like Disney's current FP system. It's a bit of a pain.

If you stay in a Uni hotel, you can avoid all of this by just riding what you want, when you want and never having to cross a park to pick up anything or have to get to a ride at a certain time.

At Disney, it's a little harder.

We discussed staying at a Universal Hotel for at least 2 days of our next trip just to get the Express Pass. Will need to look at all the costs in a few years. When we were at the parks two weeks ago, Customer Service told me it would be an additional $600 plus dollars to add the Express Option to 4-Two Day/Two Park Tickets. Obviously, we declined.

 

[rob0519]

It's probably better explained using Fastpass. If you want a Soarin' Fastpass you go into the building, go down the stairs or escalator and go to the Fastpass machines to get your pass. After this you can either do something else in the pavilion or leave and return when your Fastpass is eligible. You've spent some time acquiring the Fastpass and then you have to "back track" to actually ride the ride. Fastpass+ would theoretically solve this problem by allowing guests to make the reservations in advance, on their phone or at centralized kiosks in the parks. It's the one aspect of Fastpass+ that I think is good.

Thanks to you and Luv for your explanations. Yeah, we did have to get signed in and then go somewhere for the waiting period and come back. For our son, it's still easier on him than having to be in the line. While it was different than previous years, we were still grateful for the accommodation.

 

[jaklgreen]

Exactly! Our son was unable to ride a few of his favorite attractions at Universal, because we just cannot keep in in the parks long enough with the one ride at time policy. Unless and until there is a system whereby you waive your right to privacy on medical conditions and are allowed to prove you need the special assistance, we just need to play by the rules in place.

I am sorry but isn't what you are doing, "waiting your turn" the same thing as what everyone else is? You still are waiting like you would if you did not have special needs, in fact you are waiting 15 min less. So how is this "unfair" to you. Unless they perfect cloning most people can only ride one ride at a time.

 

[AEfx]

We discussed staying at a Universal Hotel for at least 2 days of our next trip just to get the Express Pass. Will need to look at all the costs in a few years. When we were at the parks two weeks ago, Customer Service told me it would be an additional $600 plus dollars to add the Express Option to 4-Two Day/Two Park Tickets. Obviously, we declined.

Just to let you know a little "trick" that is completely on the up and up - you get Express Pass if you stay at a hotel from the time you check in until the end of the day you check out. And although your room may not be ready, you can check in as early as you want.

So by just spending one night there, you can get two days worth of Express Pass usage - check in early, leave your luggage, go to the park, spend the night at the hotel, and then after you check out you still have the whole full next day to use it.

 

[flynnibus]

So by just spending one night there, you can get two days worth of Express Pass usage - check in early, leave your luggage, go to the park, spend the night at the hotel, and then after you check out you still have the whole full next day to use it.

Yup.. what we did. Load your stuff in your car.. keep the car on the lot (good till midnight) and enjoy the parks till close

 

[rob0519]

I am sorry but isn't what you are doing, "waiting your turn" the same thing as what everyone else is? You still are waiting like you would if you did not have special needs, in fact you are waiting 15 min less. So how is this "unfair" to you. Unless they perfect cloning most people can only ride one ride at a time.

Looking at my post, there is nothing there about "two rides at a time". Hopefully, you nor any member of your family will ever have a debilitating neurological or physical condition and need any type of accommodation to which "everyone else" is not entitled.

 

[unkadug]

Those people that TRULY need special perks should be able to get as many as needed...but they should also be willing to PROVE that they need them.

If they feel that the need is there why should they feel that their privacy was being invaded since they are in a PUBLIC place and expect special treatment?

It may not be comfortable explaining the disability, but wouldn't the outcome overshadow the need for privacy?

There has to be a solution, because those abusing the system are also hurting those that truly need the system.

 

[TP2000]

Looking at my post, there is nothing there about "two rides at a time". Hopefully, you nor any member of your family will ever have a debilitating neurological or physical condition and need any type of accommodation to which "everyone else" is not entitled.

Almost everyone on the planet has challenges in life, from physical to emotional to financial to psychological to interpersonal; very few of us waltz through life on a carpet of roses and I would wager that everyone on this board considers a Disney theme park visit an escape from those real life headaches.

We'd all love to be able to not have to plan a day out based on wait times and Fastpass availability and dinner reservations and Fastpass return windows and fireworks times and an Info Board full of 60+ minute Standby waits. I get that having a physical disability makes it harder to visit a theme park, and some folks are stuck planning around medications and medical equipment battery life and muscle stamina, and I don't think anyone has ever argued to prevent the disabled from enjoying whatever ride they want to enjoy.

But what's so wrong about Disney creating a system that allows the disabled to enjoy whatever ride they want, but only one at a time? If I have to wait 60 minutes in Standby to get on Space Mountain, why wouldn't you have to wait 45 minutes at a Tomorrowland Terrace table with a GAC card (or go on any rides or theaters with short waits in those 45 minutes) before returning to Space Mt. and going through the 10 minute Fastpass line? I honestly can't figure out why that would be upsetting for a disabled person.

 

[AEfx]

Those people that TRULY need special perks should be able to get as many as needed...but they should also be willing to PROVE that they need them.

If they feel that the need is there why should they feel that their privacy was being invaded since they are in a PUBLIC place and expect special treatment?

It may not be comfortable explaining the disability, but wouldn't the outcome overshadow the need for privacy?

There has to be a solution, because those abusing the system are also hurting those that truly need the system.

That's the fallacy here.

It's not because disabled people would complain - hell, most would WILLINGLY have a doctors note with them. Most already have them written out for one reason or another.

It's because it's the law.

I bet if you took a vote, the people who are truly disabled would gladly provide any documentation, if that meant that somehow people would stop abusing the system and giving a bad name to anyone who does truly need it.

Disney does nothing but encourage it by making Wheelchair and ECV rental as big a business as strollers. In my opinion, if you are truly disabled, you will provide your own wheelchair or at least secure one for the length of your stay if you need one each day. Sure, Disney should have a few wheelchairs around for people that have unexpected emergencies and can't make it, but they have the things lined up at the freakin' ticket booth.

And the ECV's are truly egregious - again, if you truly are disabled, you know that the walking around the park isn't nearly as much as the walking you do to the parking lot, buses, etc. At least in the park there are benches and seating areas everywhere to take breaks. And if you stay on property and especially if you take buses, forget about it - that's way more lengthy walking than from attraction to attraction.

I'm sure some would say "well, so and so gets tired by the end of the day" - and that's a just a fact of life, and if your body can't handle it, no theme park is worth putting you in the place you need a wheelchair at the end of the day. Your body is saying rest - you need better planning in most cases.

There are plenty of services that will deliver wheelchairs and ECV's to your resort for your length of stay, and most end up being cheaper than renting every day at Disney. Yet Disney makes so much money over so little investment - those ECV's likely pay for themselves in a matter of weeks or maybe a few months, and they are in service for many, many years. It's pure profit.

That's the true issue - because ECV's and Wheelchairs are "automatic GAC". So most of the people who supposedly abuse GAC don't actually have a GAC! It's the people that abuse them and treat them the same as Universal's up-charge Express Pass.

Truly disabled people have their own equipment, or at least can provide for it themselves - my guess is only the worst offenders would go to the step of having them delivered to their resort rooms vs. the people that just pick one up like a stroller because it's right there. Like most things, you will never stop the hard-core cheaters (they will just get a fake cast, etc., anything they can), it's deterring the casual nature of it all and how Disney does everything but outright encourage you to do it if you are even remotely of the mind to.

But what's so wrong about Disney creating a system that allows the disabled to enjoy whatever ride they want, but only one at a time? If I have to wait 60 minutes in Standby to get on Space Mountain, why wouldn't you have to wait 45 minutes at a Tomorrowland Terrace table with a GAC card (or go on any rides or theaters with short waits in those 45 minutes) before returning to Space Mt. and going through the 10 minute Fastpass line? I honestly can't figure out why that would be upsetting for a disabled person.

You guys are taking a certain phrasing and making it into rhetoric. It's not about riding rides "more than one at a time".

And it also shows a lack of understanding about what the actually disabled want and need, and Disney's part in this.

The essential issue is this: instead of truly making all queues accessible to wheelchairs, Disney chose to take the easy route and just have alternate entrances for the vast majority of rides. Because of the technical limitations set up (either by the queue itself or the ride system) if you have a wheelchair (and cannot get out and walk at all, as is the case with my niece who has CP - she has never taken a step in her life on her own) you MUST take the alternate entrance, which is usually either the FastPass lane, or the attraction exit. If the has FastPass, it's almost always the FastPass line so it's your only option. MUST.

So if the wait time is an hour or two, we can't do anything. Well, you say, I'm waiting in line, it's the same - I see where your thoughts are leading you there, but it doesn't take into account the practical nature of it all for the truly disabled, not those who are abusing this system that Disney has encouraged and had a large part of creating.

We can't go on "any rides or theaters with short waits in those 45 minutes" if they truly are not going to let people use an accommodation at only one ride should this system restrict that. We are stuck waiting and sitting doing nothing for half the day. And what's ironic is that on the rides with no wait we often wait longer because we have to wait for a wheel-chair accessible vehicle, or a cast member to escort us when those rides and shows often have less attendants, etc. And each park really has only one or two real bathrooms where someone who needs assistance can have someone there with them, so while a trip to the bathroom for the average family is probably five minutes, it takes us more like 45.

So, essentially, with the current system, we were able to experience a typical day. We weren't getting on twice as many rides as everyone else, it actually all just about evened out with all the extra waiting and backtracking we already had to do. Not to mention the planning - having to know the load procedures at each and every ride and how we are going to get a 20-something disabled person into the ride vehicle which usually takes two of us to do. You have no idea how much it requires out of everyone. I remember the first time going back after taking my niece, and I almost felt guilty because I couldn't believe what a relief it was to just walk into a ride entrance, stand in line, and get on the ride without having to worry about someone falling, dropping them, or the looks and attitude we get from people because it takes us a few minutes to board. Finally being relieved once we got on the ride, only to realize that as soon as the ride is over we have to repeat the situation, in reverse (getting out is often harder than getting in and more dangerous), again delay things for everyone and the same risks. Just to ride one ride. And to have to do that for every single attraction we experience over and over our entire stay.

So yeah, that's why it matters. I hate the people who abuse the system even more than you do - trust me, TRUST ME. To see people who don't truly need assistance getting it, it's all I can do not to spit on them. All I can do is hope karma is real. The bottom line is - my niece would love NOTHING more in the world than to stand in line for hours like everyone else. But she can't, and never will. Ever. So the accommodations at Disney really are something that made a difference for us. But depending on how this is actually implemented, it could make the whole lot more complicated.

And, in the end, although I still call her a "kid" even though she is now in her 20's - big freakin' whoop if she did, as some are putting it "riding two rides at once". She's in a wheel chair and can't walk - and never will - so people should have a lot more concerns than her supposedly getting an "unfair" extra ride, even though, as I said, essentially it all just washes out in the end and the extra time it takes in many attractions, time to find a bathroom, and even just the time it takes us to get between attractions.

This has nothing to do with the message board griping that has been going on for years, it's because of one incident that involved a small number of people that got huge publicity, taking advantage of a system that Disney has actively encouraged through rentals of egregiously unnecessary numbers of wheelchairs/ECV's, and taking the lazy route to ADA compliance by double-billing the FastPass entrances as the compliant entrance for so many attractions. Yet, let me tell you who is going to suffer for it - kids like my niece, and the jerks of the world who take advantage of it will start hiring people who wear fake casts and rent wheelchairs instead. If ever there were a case of punishing the whole class because of a few idiotic misbehaving students, this would be it.

 

[jencor]

We use a wheel chair through the parks and have to leave the parks for a long nap for my wife as she fatigues very fast. I think that the one ride at a time is very fair and actually would get us more time for other things. We are not looking for advantages, just for the best time we can have. A little fun in the park is better then nothing. We know we have a handicap and plan around it by going at less busy times and due to health problems stay away from the Summer. We do not know get a GAC card, cause I find that by just going to the ride, if there is a reason to not get in line because of wheel chair they direct us to the line and entrance we are to use, otherwise we get in line with everyone else and if the line is too long we got a FP or came back at another time, just like we would of done with or without wheelchair.

 

[Monty]

Different disabilities need different accommodations to meet their needs. Not everyone is in a wheelchair. Not everyone is autistic. Not everyone has a problem readily discernible to the general public. And more importantly, none of the CMs giving out GACs to guests have any formal medical training to be in a position to accurately identify a guest who is trying to take advantage.

For the system to work, there must be honour and trust. Sadly, honour seems to be in short supply in Theme Park America...

I have a hidden disability. I have a skin graft that covers my entire heel on one foot and scar tissue on both feet from having toes and portions of toes amputated. Combined, these issues result in every step I take being painful and at any given time the skin graft can blister or crack and render me unable to walk at all. I have orthotic insoles specially crafted to mitigate the pain and correct my gait so I walk without a perceivable limp. There is no way a twenty-something CM could possibly be in a position to comprehend a medical certificate presented to them, let alone assess independently what my actual limitations are or what reasonable accommodations I would require as a result.

And on those occasions when I have requested a GAC, people in most cases don't question my having one because I also am missing all the fingers on both hands [with some of the aforementioned amputated toes on my left hand in their place] and people seeing my hands accept that I rightly "deserve" a GAC... Note to those that do: The condition of my hands has absolutely no impact on my ability to access and enjoy any of Disney's many attractions, although sometimes I'll need a little help fastening or unfastening restraints.

I would suggest that people walk a mile in my shoes, but they would likely hurt you more than the pain they mitigate for me.

 

[nc_disneyfreak]

man I never thought it was this bad....weve been to WDW twice (10' and 12') and I have something called "glycogen storage disease type 5" also called "Mcardles Disease". Its a metabolic condition where my muscles cannot turn glycogen into glucose to give my muscles the energy needed to do aerobic type exercise (i.e. walking long distances, standing for too long) I never really inquired about the GAC mainly because at home while walking in wal mart, target etc...when my legs get weak, I just sit for awhile....if I keep using muscles while they are getting weak, then muscle damage will occur, my CK levels in my liver skyrocket and the muscle waste will get backed up in my liver and my pee will be red. (no joke...called rhabdomyolsis) at that point, I need a IV put in usually for about 3-4 days to flush out my kidneys. Now, I know my limits so I don't use a wheelchair and otherwise I look normal. I don't like asking for things like GAC cause I know it can be a lot worse. however, at Disneyworld, its a lot of walking and standing etc, if you wanna try and see everything its hard. I may try and get one for our next trip in april...I just know ill feel bad using it with the 6 other people in my party getting to go past others waiting....ill gladly provide doctors note etc...

 

[neoshinok]

On this, the 1000th post, I'd like to disregard the arguments this topic creates. Instead, I'd like to express my thankfulness for being able-bodied, and sorrow for those who have disabilities that make everyday life more difficult.