Possible Changes coming to the Guest Assistance Cards (GAC)

[Tom Morrow]

I've been thinking about this statement all day, and I don't agree with it. I think it tiers GACs based on ability, which is counterproductive to the point, and encourages more people to scam the system.

Currently, we follow the recommendations we've gotten from CMs - you ride with the GAC, then don't get back in line with it until the standby line has passed. We ride first instead of waiting first because the standby lines build pretty quickly, and this ensures that (barring a very bad day) we always do at least one thing.

I'm not sure I follow you. With the current cards, there are no limits in place whatsoever on how many times/how frequently you can use it. If you're saying that your party personally chooses not to ride again until at least the posted standby time has passed, that is very honorable of you, but you would be in the vast minority in that case.

For the rest of your post, at this point there is nothing concrete, just some rumors and whisperings that when Fastpass+ has been rolled out, the cards will no longer be used, it will be done electronically, and tighter controlled. Everything else is just speculation; I don't think we should jump to conclusions until we hear the official new procedures. However, if they were to place limits on how many times you can ride an attraction with the pass, I doubt some groups would receive more passes than others.

 

[joanna71985]

Looking back on it I probably shouldn't of said that but in was in the heat of the moment I guess. I just wish he would've pulled her aside and basically let her off with a warning and tell her not to pull a stunt like that again. Would've suspected that he went/report to a higher level cm about what happend there to tell his side of the story and not get in trouble. Relax man all is good/cool here.

CMs can't do that

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

CMs can't do that

Not trying to argue or cause problems with you (forgive my ignorance), but who can? Just so I know how to handle situations like the one I encountered in the future.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Not trying to argue or cause problems with you (forgive my ignorance), but who can? Just so I know how to handle situations like the one I encountered in the future.

The way the system is now, no one can do anything about people suspected of abusing the GAC.

 

[BrightImagine]

My child has anxiety and sensory issues, and although she loves WDW, the great majority of attractions are just not fun for her. She will go on them as kind of "a favor" to us when we are encouraging her to try new things, but the Fastpass eligible rides are just not of interest to her. We have never asked for or even discussed a GAC because 1) the involved issues are mild and manageable, and 2) it wouldn't help her because she doesn't like many attractions. She would much prefer to spend about 80% of her time meeting characters and going to character dining.

What would help us - greatly - is a way to Fastpass character experiences (and I mean in addition to those added to Town Hall). The only time I have wished for a GAC-type privilege is when waiting 45 minutes in the sun for Merida, or waiting 60 minutes multiple times for the Fairies... and GAC doesn't even apply to character lines. My child also has low tone and ends up sitting down or squatting down in character and attraction queues. People may look at us but it's what gets us through, and I don't feel justified trying to bypass the line. There is also the problem of characters like Tiana or on the World Showcase having standby lines that are so long that the line is cut before the character even starts their set.

I have read the many potential problems with Fastpass+, but if it would allow us to book a particular time for character meet and greets, then that would be a godsend and would actually help us far more than the current GAC ever would. I am sure there must be other families like us who only really need to find time for those character experiences and the current queues can be grueling.

I just wanted to add... while my child doesn't like rides, my husband and I do. It's challenging for us to get to do what we want to do. We recently made our first trip as a family to Universal and IOA. I found the child swap experiences there often far superior to Disney. Getting to wait in a special room that is climate controlled where my child can sit and watch a movie... that was such a treat. Those kind of facilities would be much more useful to me than any GAC.

 

[Sunnywho]

I do have an honest question for GAC users. Do you face issues when it comes to receiving similar assistance at restaurants, gift shops, transportation, meet and greets, or other areas where lines and crowds form? Do you feel that there should be ways to accommodate you at these locations, is it even needed, or do you think its a fair balance? I do ask this with all good intentions so I hope no one feels like they are under attack. I very curious to hear how families live through the rest of their vacation at a busy theme park resort.

I get a GAC because of multiple sclerosis. You wouldn't know it to look at me. Yes, the restaurants can be very difficult. Counter service is ok because it is fast. But once we had the regular dining plan and it took up way too much of my time and energy. Character buffets are out because of the need to stand in line and gather food. I miss out on the meet and greets if they are out in the sun, because waiting in the sun makes MS symptoms worse. The buses are difficult because my issues are invisible but I'm in trouble if I end up standing (poor balance and easily exhausted). Waiting in line for the bus in the hot sun can make my symptoms flare up. I'm very used to it and do my best to find better ways so that I'm not in the situations that are too much for me. Accommodations would be great but who expects that? What Disney offers with the GAC is remarkable and it makes the parks more possible.

 

[jencor]

My wife has MS also and we need and do use a wheelchair for her. She can walk short distances, such as out of the wheel chair to the ride. If she walked down mainstreet, our day and week would be over as she would have an attack or on the brink of one. She use to feel guilty about it, but does not anymore. We go to the parks about every other year and spend about 2 weeks. We got a GAC two trips ago when we had a problem and sent Disney a letter explaining. The folks at disney said we should get a GAC, so we did. The person who gave us one wrote on it that it was to be used on rides that the lines could not accomodate a wheel chair. It did not change anything for us. It is obvious we cannot go in those lines and never had a problem with that. We utilized fastpass (which i am a bit nervous about with the new system and we will wait and see how it works). We go in less busy times of the year and if there was a big line, such as Soaring, TSMM and such, we would use the fastpass. It worked for us. We were a bit worried on the last trip (mid December) when they said we had to use the fastpass in the hour it is given, as we have to leave the parks for her to take a nap and never know how long we will be gone cause every day is different. If she does not lay down and nap, it wears her out and we are on the edge of an attack. It worked ok and we planned it with the fastpasses. We have come up with some hassles because of wheelchair, but are very happy with what we have been able do and accomplish. I will say with all the changes coming, we are in a wait and see and booked a disney cruise for 2014. One that will be reading and trying to understand how all these changes will work.

 

[Lord_Vader]

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.

You should not feel guilty if she needs it, the only guests that should feel guilty are ones that don't need it but also seem to have no conscience.

 

[Lord_Vader]

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?

My wife has several fused vertabrae and suffers from disc degeneration but has never been asked for documentation. You would not know she had any issues except that she cannot walk for more than about 200ft and if she does her legs swell due to compression in her lower back making further walking extremely difficult.

 

[alissafalco]

This forum has turned into a meeting place for misfit and lazy parents.

If you guys ate healthy and exercised regularly, you and your children won't be ridden with disabilities. Stop being lazy and think about it.

I know you are being a troll but my daughter was born with congenital heart disease and has had 5 heart surgeries by the time she was 21 months old. She also spent 6 days on life support after her 3rd open heart surgery. This has absolutely nothing to do with the way my husband and I take care of ourselves. We are both very healthy and fit people. Her heart defect happens at random and is also nothing that my husband or I passed on through genetics. If you'd like to speak to her Dr's at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC (which are the best in the world) just let me know. They can clarify some things for you.

 

[s&k'smom]

alissafalco you said it right, I was quite taken aback by that post. If anyone has a cure for autism let me know.

 

[Figgy1]

alissafalco you said it right, I was quite taken aback by that post. If anyone has a cure for autism let me know.

What she said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PotteryGal]

As much as I know it was a statement made by a troll, what's truly worrisome is the people that actually do believe it! We have used the GAC in the past with our son, but he has truly made improvements these last few years with verbal communication and is more able to tell us if there is a problem. We are going to attempt our upcoming trip without procuring one.

 

[Goofyernmost]

As much as I know it was a statement made by a troll, what's truly worrisome is the people that actually do believe it!

Heck, ask anyone that subscribes to a Carb free diet. They will happily tell you that EVERYTHING, including afternoon and evening thunder showers, are caused by the consumption of carb's.

Judging from the amount of protein and fats that they consume I certainly hope, for their sake, that carbs are also responsible for arterial blockage too. Otherwise, they are in deep doo doo! I know one that is forever telling me about the health benefits of going carb free, yet, there isn't two weeks in a row that she doesn't have a cold and every third day either herself or her husband has to lie down because there stomach is upset or they have a headache. They blame that on there extraordinarily busy schedule. Could be, I guess!

 

[RSoxNo1]

This forum has turned into a meeting place for misfit and lazy parents.

If you guys ate healthy and exercised regularly, you and your children won't be ridden with disabilities. Stop being lazy and think about it.

alissafalco you said it right, I was quite taken aback by that post. If anyone has a cure for autism let me know.

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy have a cure, but they're not sharing it.

I assume stella is trolling, or at least didn't mean autism. No doubt their is GAC abuse, but it's not being done by autistic people.

 

[PotteryGal]

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy have a cure, but they're not sharing it.

I assume stella is trolling, or at least didn't mean autism. No doubt their is GAC abuse, but it's not being done by autistic people.

Do NOT get me started on Jenny McCarthy - that is a HUGE can of worms in the autism community LOL. I'm sure there's abuse in every program that tries to help people, WDW or not, but when it's such a thing as an 'invisible' disability, there are always people that don't walk that path that make it their business to act like they have all the answers. Such is humanity, I guess. But it gets on my nerves at times...

and since Stella has now been banned (wow, that didn't take long), moving on now?

 

[Brett Plyler]

It's unfortunate to hear there are those that abuse the GAC passes. On our trip to disney last may my father and mother went with our family. My father who is 70 is a fully disabled army veteran with to many health problems to list. We weren't aware of this program until one night at DHS a gentleman with MS that had one came up to us outside of TSMM and told us about the program as we were walking away after seeing the wait time. I can say that the GAC was a god send as having the pass made our trip much more enjoyable allowing my father to actually do things instead of just sitting on his scooter in the shade like he did the first few days of our trip.

 

[luv]

GAC abuse is out of control. Disney has to put an end to this. They have to come up with something that helps people who TRULY need help, but isn't taken advantage of by everyone under the sun.

 

[Tom Morrow]

The problem is how do you know who is abusing it. My daughter got her cast off a few weekso before our trip and her boot only 1 week. She thinks she is tough and refused to do a wheelchair, so if we hadn't had a GAC we would have been screwed. She looked fine on the outside, but even with the GAC she cried every night because her leg hurt. We also had a script with us stating her limitations. I am sure to a cast member we looked like we were cheating, but we weren't.

You are correct that there is no way to know who is faking and who isn't (though sometimes, like when a group of cheerleaders in uniform whips out three separate cards, it is obvious), but in this thread there have been several ways brought up that can still accommodate the person with a disability while removing the perks that make such a staggering number of people decide to use/abuse the card.

Even in your case, hiptwinmama, I'm sorry to say this, but what about your situation entitles you to unlimited use of the Fastpass lines? I'm not suggesting that you abused the card, just using it as an example as the flaw with the system, as the opportunity did present itself.

GAC abuse is out of control. Disney has to put an end to this. They have to come up with something that helps people who TRULY need help, but isn't taken advantage of by everyone under the sun.

It absolutely is. I encourage you guys to just hang out and observe a popular attraction's Fastpass Return line on a busy day. You might be shocked.

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

alissafalco you said it right, I was quite taken aback by that post. If anyone has a cure for autism let me know.

I know that they are still researching/experimenting in terms of finding a cure for Autism but they are having their fair shares of obstacles right now. My dad and the rest of my family (including me) do volunteer work every 3-4 weeks of the year with Autism Speaks-Greater Pittsburgh Chapter (the largest or 2nd largest behind LA and the original/first chapter that came to be). We always participate in the volunteer walks every year at Heniz Field for the last 14 years and counting. So that's a really great time for us (well at least me and my older sister while my parents work in the accounting office they set up calculating all the money orders brought that day usually ranging from $525,000-$750,000 plus online donations as well as setting up the registration booths). Anyhow, every year I always find a family that does have a autistic kid. I've met some that have kid(s)who have a form of Autism such as Asperger's and I have met some family's who have kid(s) that have such a severe form of Autism such as Rett's Syndrome and they literally go to bed crying every night wondering what the next day will bring forth of their child(s). It's my favorite thing to do when I go down their and I love meeting people like that to get a good perspective on how exactly they deal with this lifetime disease and how they fight/stay strong. Know, back to finding a cure, I know the person who runs the Greater Pittsburgh Autism Speaks chapter very well, and she has told me face to face that the money that our Pittsburgh walk and the other walks througout the USA go to this Swedish research firm where AS gather the brought in money and have those research scientists conduct experiments to try and find answers as to how Autism can be cured. Now, there's no question that it won't be an easy answer nor will it happen overnight/be a quick fix, but day by day, those researchers are finding more info about curing Autism and preventing it from reaching every 1/10 children and in doing so damaging their lives. I found this article two years ago from Autism Speaks talking about how different forms of Autism share striking brain similarites:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/science...orms-autism-share-striking-brain-similarities
http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2013/03/autism talks about misregulated proteins having a big role in the development of Autism

So again, no answer for you, but I'll be glad to share one when it comes available to me. And it is Autism Awareness month btw. Anyhow, I'm sorry this doesn't pertain to GAC's, I just wanted people here to know a cool thing/personal life fact from me that involves doing some great community/volunteer work for AS. And I'll try calling her soon so I can get an update on this for you as well.