Removing accomodations for guests with mental disabilities

[mousermerf]

So - you deny the fact that DLR did remove the GAC program for a period due to abuse?

I never said that people detracted from other's enjoyment, rather that perhaps there needed to be another way to handle the situation because the current facilities were unable to handle the demands. You said "no more than 15 seconds" which is untrue.

I never said anyone caused a breakdown, i said breakdowns occur and cause long backups in FP queues, so they'd not be a quick alternative always for immediate access.

 

[PotteryGal]

I agree that Disney is a haven that should be open to all. My cousin's 5 year old son is autistic and I know that they recently took a trip to Disney and that the GAC was a life saver for them. Disney should be a place where the guest with special needs and his/her family can really come to enjoy themselves. I know that an autistic person who has a "meltdown" can cause hours of distress for themselves and cause them not to be able to enjoy their day at all.

I would gladly wait an extra minute or two to allow a guest with special needs to board in front of me.

I am simply curious though, does anyone know the criteria to obtain a GAC? Do you need a doctor's note or an application? I am just curious about the process.

To obtain a GAC you must present a letter with the doctor's letterhead at the top, written and signed by the doctor as to what this person's disability is, what potential problems there might be, and to make appropriate allowances for that person. It is recommended that you take this person with you to Guest Relations, so they can verify that no fraud is taking place. A good sample letter is found in the Unofficial Guide under Visitors with Special Needs section. Allearsnet.com also addresses this issue.
Hope this answer helps.

 

[mousermerf]

Quick skinny for those not putting 2 and 2 together...

Test Track breaks down.

FP line builds.

FP line adds GACs.

FP gets even longer = even longer wait for those with GAC. That's not good.

If family member is sent ahead, claims FP, then needing assistance joins FP line (even after breakdown) they are part of the "counted" FP return. The line will physically be shorter. Maybe not by much, but it will be shorter.

The example of wheelchairs at the exit of SSE was the illustrate that guests with various disabilities do exist in theme parks and do sometimes (actually fairly often) come in fairly signifigant numbers.

I use wheelchairs not to insult anyone, but because it's something you can easily see and relate to. Do you have any idea how many wheelchair accesible rooms there are in a hotel? Not all hotels, but Disney hotels, especially the newer ones. It's a signifigantly high percentage.

It's not that I don't want people riding things, it's just that you can't operate a ride or show but just putting people on ride immediately when they walk up - no matter what. It will never work. You say that people look to avoid meltdowns, well that seems like a simple way to avoid them. Disney cannot put anyone right on a ride. Not even VIPs or anyone. It never happens.

I don't think asking to send a party member ahead to claim a FP is unreasonable.

 

[SteveUK]

I think it is a real shame that we have to have this conversation about the GAC system because it has been abused at times. I understand that such a system is open to abuse, and this is very unfortunate as I believe the people that lie or misuse the system are 'not very nice' people.

But I would still rather see the system stay in place, albeit abused sometimes. I am extremely lucky that I do not have any family members with the difficulties that we are discussing. I have enormous respect and admiration for people who have friends and family with such difficulties, and frankly I don't care if 50% of people with GAC are abusing the system. If one family with an autistic child is able to have some enjoyment and through this system help an autistic child in some way - then I will stand in line for an extra hour.

I am an adult, and am thankful that I am able to derive enjoyment in many ways, and cope with many situations that others cannot. I will gladly allow five people in front of me even if only one of them has a genuine condition, than see the system disappear and that one genuine person have their experience taken away.

 

[mousermerf]

I am an adult, and am thankful that I am able to derive enjoyment in many ways, and cope with many situations that others cannot. I will gladly allow five people in front of me even if only one of them has a genuine condition, than see the system disappear and that one genuine person have their experience taken away.

I think anyone willing to sit and debate and say "No, i wont send a member of my party ahead to claim a FP to avoid a meltdown so we can return later and enjoy the ride because i want my family to ride now" is not a genuine person.

 

[JimboJones123]

I think anyone willing to sit and debate and say "No, i wont send a member of my party ahead to claim a FP to avoid a meltdown so we can return later and enjoy the ride because i want my family to ride now" is not a genuine person.

Oh no. The Robots are invading WDW again?

 

[SteveUK]

I think anyone willing to sit and debate and say "No, i wont send a member of my party ahead to claim a FP to avoid a meltdown so we can return later and enjoy the ride because i want my family to ride now" is not a genuine person.

I agree, and that is the problem we face - there is a great and helpful system designed to help people - but there are people who seek to abuse such facilties, and that is why problems are caused for everybody.

 

[Lucky]

So - you deny the fact that DLR did remove the GAC program for a period due to abuse?

I never said that people detracted from other's enjoyment, rather that perhaps there needed to be another way to handle the situation because the current facilities were unable to handle the demands. You said "no more than 15 seconds" which is untrue.

I never said anyone caused a breakdown, i said breakdowns occur and cause long backups in FP queues, so they'd not be a quick alternative always for immediate access.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "situation." The percentage of people in the FastPass line who use the red Guest Assistance Cards (issued for autism and other mental disabilities) is very, very small.

Perhaps on some rides there are hordes of people in wheelchairs at alternative entrances that I don't see. That's a different issue - the original poster in this thread asked about mental disabilities - and they use a different card.

The Guest Assistance Cards specifically state they are not intended to provide immediate access. We all know FastPass lines are faster than stand-by lines, and that they are often much faster. We all know there are no guarantees: if Test Track breaks down, no one gets to ride it, autistic or not. We all take our chances when we get in line. Thanks for your concern, but I think we're capable of deciding for ourselves whether we're better off with a Guest Assistance Card than without it.

 

[sbkline]

All Mousemurf is saying is that he isn't convinced that the current system is the best way to ensure that autistic people (or anyone else with disabilities) are accomodated. He's not saying that it is wrong to try to accomodate them. He's not saying "screw 'em", or anything else of the sort. He's just suggesting what he believes would be a better way to address the issue. So I don't think we need to jump all over him as if he's some kind of a bigot or something.

 

[Nemo14]

I think it is a real shame that we have to have this conversation about the GAC system because it has been abused at times. I understand that such a system is open to abuse, and this is very unfortunate as I believe the people that lie or misuse the system are 'not very nice' people.

But I would still rather see the system stay in place, albeit abused sometimes. I am extremely lucky that I do not have any family members with the difficulties that we are discussing. I have enormous respect and admiration for people who have friends and family with such difficulties, and frankly I don't care if 50% of people with GAC are abusing the system. If one family with an autistic child is able to have some enjoyment and through this system help an autistic child in some way - then I will stand in line for an extra hour.

I am an adult, and am thankful that I am able to derive enjoyment in many ways, and cope with many situations that others cannot. I will gladly allow five people in front of me even if only one of them has a genuine condition, than see the system disappear and that one genuine person have their experience taken away.

Well put!!! :sohappy:

 

[mousermerf]

I'm not sure what you mean by the "situation." The percentage of people in the FastPass line who use the red Guest Assistance Cards (issued for autism and other mental disabilities) is very, very small.

How do you know that?

 

[Enderikari]

Reprinted from the back of an official Walt Disney World Guest Assistance Card, the verbiage of which hasn't changed in 5 years....
---------------------------------------------------------
This card is valid only at attraction locations in the MAGIC KINGDOM park, Epcot, Disney-MGM studios, and DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM Theme Park.

Additional waits may be incurred at certain attractions due to the need for a special vehicle or other operational concerns.

Some attractions have alternate entrances for Guests with disabilities. These are intended to offer guests in wheelchairs or with service animals a more convenient entrance to the attraction. Alternate entrances are not intended to provide immediate access. Guests with disabilities and up to five members of their party may enter through these entrances. For operational considerations, additional party members are required to use the standard queue.

At attractions offering Disney's FASTPASS service, Guests should obtain a Disney's FASTPASS return ticket.

--------------------------------------------------

Bold added for emphasis, should add a bit of both direction and perspective to this conversation.

 

[PotteryGal]

The POINT is, the GAC is used in PLACE of FP for a family that is fully aware of what their child can and cannot take. This whole discussion is irrelevant because Disney's policy didn't change.

Why is this thread still open?

 

[slappy magoo]

The POINT is, the GAC is used in PLACE of FP for a family that is fully aware of what their child can and cannot take. This whole discussion is irrelevant because Disney's policy didn't change.

Why is this thread still open?

Because the OP was told something else by a Disney Customer Service Rep? I'm guessing? And the more people that confirm the program hasn't changed, perhaps the better the OP will feel?

Besides, most of the "people with severs emotional problems shouldn't get cutsies" crowd seems to have been properly silenced, so it's no sweat off my keister if this thread remains open. Nor should it be yours. When people feel like the topic has run its course, it'll go away.

 

[Lucky]

All Mousemurf is saying is that he isn't convinced that the current system is the best way to ensure that autistic people (or anyone else with disabilities) are accomodated. He's not saying that it is wrong to try to accomodate them. He's not saying "screw 'em", or anything else of the sort. He's just suggesting what he believes would be a better way to address the issue. So I don't think we need to jump all over him as if he's some kind of a bigot or something.

OK, perhaps mousermerf was looking out for the interests of disabled people all along. But you can understand our confusion about his motives, given he started out by complaining that "Taking things away from other people outright isn't fair" and then advocated taking away disabled people's right to a Guest Assistance Card.

 

[Enderikari]

disabled people's right to a Guest Assistance Card.

????

 

[mousermerf]

OK, perhaps mousermerf was looking out for the interests of disabled people all along. But you can understand our confusion about his motives, given he started out by complaining that "Taking things away from other people outright isn't fair" and then advocated taking away disabled people's right to a Guest Assistance Card.

I don't think anyone has a right to a GAC. I think it's a courtesy extended by Disney which they can revoke at their discretion.

Hopefully, they wont fully revoke it, but they may have to if it becomes too far abused at some point. It did happen at DLR. If it was a right, it wouldn't have happened.

Now - noting Endari's post above - what is the actual policy?

 

[slappy magoo]

I think anyone willing to sit and debate and say "No, i wont send a member of my party ahead to claim a FP to avoid a meltdown so we can return later and enjoy the ride because i want my family to ride now" is not a genuine person.

You are, of course, assuming that every party HAS an individual that can run ahead and obtain FPs. That's not necessarily the case every time. And even if there IS a person who can perform this task, there's the very real possibility that the special needs person might freak out if someone in the party is suddenly gone in a place that's unfamiliar to him or her. The SN person might need everyone around to feel secure, the way a baby might be upset if mommy or daddy leaves the room. Even though one parent is still there, if they currently have it in their mindset that mommy AND daddy are always there, a baby might still freak out. The flip side to this is, the average baby won't ever have an adrenaline rush that could cripple a stranger. But someone with autism might.

However, mousemerf, you're right to call out "lucky" on the idea that the families of SN peoplehave a "right" to a GAC card. Those cards are a courtesy extended to people who need them. It is no more a "right" than people have the "right" to drive.

 

[AEfx]

The POINT is, the GAC is used in PLACE of FP for a family that is fully aware of what their child can and cannot take. This whole discussion is irrelevant because Disney's policy didn't change.

You are only half right.

Disney's policy has not changed, BUT SOME PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT. It is NOT meant to "be used in PLACE of an FP".

Read Enderikari's post above. The GAC card is not meant to get you to instant admission to the attraction.

The reason the OP got the response they did is because they asked for "instant access!" "fast pass at my whim!" which is a red-flag for Disney. They make it clear that a GAC is not a fastpass-substitute, even though some times the attraction host may treat it as one. If your question is, "Will you let me in all the rides without waiting at all?" the answer is no. If the question is, "Can you help accomodate my family who has a member who cannot tolerate long waits in a line?" then you will get a different answer. Still not the one you want (for instance, you may be asked to use an alternate waiting area while the rest of the party waits in the regular line; it will depend on your party size), but not as dire a picture as the OP paints it.

As someone who travels to WDW with a member of my party who is disabled I can tell you Disney does an AMAZING job for people with disabilities of all types; but you will never satisfy everyone. Autism is a mental disorder and Disney can provide alternate entrances or alternate waiting areas, and often times that is the FP entrance; however, they will not just give you a "Fastpass stamp" on your card unless it's a terminally-ill "Make-A-Wish" trip or some other extreme circumstances. The OP's brother has a chronic illness, not terminal.

I'm not going to get further into this discussion because tempers seem high and so many people seem to have misconceptions as to how the GAC works, so I'll just recommend you contact Disney and get their guidebooks for disabilities and speak to them on the phone. When you travel with someone disabled, as my family does, Disney is absolutely wonderful; however, you have to expect to make a few concessions yourself because that's life. Never waiting in any lines for an entire vacation is just not something you can expect Disney to do, but you can expect as much accomodation as possible within reasonable expectations.

AEfx

 

[Lucky]

I don't think anyone has a right to a GAC. I think it's a courtesy extended by Disney which they can revoke at their discretion.

Hopefully, they wont fully revoke it, but they may have to if it becomes too far abused at some point. It did happen at DLR. If it was a right, it wouldn't have happened.

Now - noting Endari's post above - what is the actual policy?

This is purely a semantic point: according to current Disney policy, disabled people have a right (call it what you want) to a guest assistance card that grants them different treatment depending on their needs.

I agree that if a large percentage of park guests suddenly became dishonest enough to abuse the system, it would have to be changed somehow.

I have no idea what happened in California, and I don't claim any special knowledge about people in wheelchairs at WDW and why they're in wheelchairs. I do know from repeated and careful observation that very, very few of the people in the FastPass lines show the CM a red Guest Assistance Card of the type issued to people with mental disabilities. Virtually everyone (definitely in excess of 95%) hands the CM a paper FastPass.

It would be easy to cheat, but very few people do. Why? Primarily because most people are either ethical, or go to the park with someone else who is ethical. Someone who wants to scam a GAC by lying has to think about the reaction of others in his party to that sort of behavior.