Rich Manhattan moms hire handicapped tour guides so kids can cut lines at Disney World

[Lord_Vader]

The simple soultion to the problem is make guest with disabilities wait the same amount of time as the stand by guests. This is easy to do by just issuing a return time.

I have been actively calling on Disney to do just this, hoping with FP+/MM+ they implement a system that is fair to guests with disabilities but not provide an advantage, even a percieved one and end the entire issue of GAC abuse.

 

[Lord_Vader]

A person who was abusing the system and profiting off of that dishonesty will be out of a job.

Just as so we are clear here....

That is an assumption, the employee may have been against VIP Tours abusing their situation but needed the income as most of us do.

 

[PhotoDave219]

It was on WAAF Tuesday for about an hour too.

Which Host? I like Mistress Carrie whne I listen from time to time....

 

[PhotoDave219]

That is an assumption, the employee may have been against VIP Tours abusing their situation but needed the income as most of us do.

Yeah, I need money too but you dont see me slingin on the corner....

 

[captainkidd]

Which Host? I like Mistress Carrie whne I listen from time to time....

I don't know. My friend called me and told me about it.

 

[raymusiccity]

I have been actively calling on Disney to do just this, hoping with FP+/MM+ they implement a system that is fair to guests with disabilities but not provide an advantage, even a percieved one and end the entire issue of GAC abuse.

Exactly. GAC should be linked to NextGen and limited to one each hour, similar to fast pass.

 

[71jason]

That is an assumption, the employee may have been against VIP Tours abusing their situation but needed the income as most of us do.

It was the owner's girlfriend. Apparently they live together, because he wouldn't put her on the phone with the reporter. And if she was truly reputable (and good at her job), she'd have quit and taken a job with one of the reputable VIP tour companies around town.

 

[PhotoDave219]

It was the owner's girlfriend. Apparently they live together, because he wouldn't put her on the phone with the reporter. And if she was truly reputable (and good at her job), she'd have quit and taken a job with one of the reputable VIP tour companies around town.

Any lifestyler with a website, right?

 

[Bolna]

I wonder whether this might make Disney finally look into the tour operator business going on. I do find it strange that Disney allows independent companies to offer a service that Disney offers itself on their own property.

 

[devoy1701]

I didn't feel like reading through all 23 pages, but I went to the link that @MasterYoda offered and now found this:

Also. Is it actually illegal for Disney to ask for a Doctor's note before offering a GAC? The people utilizing these cards aren't employees, and they parks are private property/restricted access. Just asking an honest question here.

​

VIP TOURS​

​

Due to inaccurate press and slander, Dream Tours is not offering VIP tours at this time. Our focus has primarily always been providing magical vacations for adults with special needs and helping their dreams to come true.​

​

​

​

 

[ExtinctJenn]

As a husband of a handicapped person, I find this disgusting and I would spit in those rich people faces if I ever heard them talking about it. When we go to Disney with friends we express to them that my wife ISN'T a fast-pass for the whole group and we will have no problem waiting for them when we get split up. I would give anything to have my wife be able to walk freely, and wait in line for "2 1/2 hours" for the Haunted Mansion (never for It's A Small World). I have expressed to Disney in the past that they really need to think about reducing the number of guests allowed with handicapped people and I have a feeling now with this dark secret coming to light it will finally happen.

I wish more people had your point of view. I'm sure your wife would so much rather experience the queues, especially the more interactive and themed ones they keep adding. It is indeed disgusting. That said however, what's really sad is, this article shows there are unfortunately many folks out there that don't think like you and your wife and were fine with being paid to be someone's FP. Sometimes I like to sit back and pretend this isn't the world we live in but alas these days, money really can buy you anything, no matter how unethical it is.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Also. Is it actually illegal for Disney to ask for a Doctor's note before offering a GAC? The people utilizing these cards aren't employees, and they parks are private property/restricted access. Just asking an honest question here.

Honestly, I'd bet there is some sort of repercussion, especially with the recent HIPPA legislation, though I don't know specifically what that would be. Either way I'd be Disney doesn't want to chance it.

 

[toasty]

I wonder whether this might make Disney finally look into the tour operator business going on. I do find it strange that Disney allows independent companies to offer a service that Disney offers itself on their own property.

I do recall that they've shut down some tour operators in the past. Here, though, this operation isn't really offering the same service. Disney offers a legitimate, sanctioned service. This Dreams place offers the ability to skip lines if you're willing to feel like a complete heel. I don't see them as equivalent.

Moreover, I doubt that these folks are in the parks broadcasting that they are purporting to be on a VIP tour. They probably just walk around the parks purporting to be a normal family.

 

[toasty]

Also. Is it actually illegal for Disney to ask for a Doctor's note before offering a GAC? The people utilizing these cards aren't employees, and they parks are private property/restricted access. Just asking an honest question here.

I'm not entirely sure, but it's most analogous to event tickets, and in that circumstance the vendor isn't allowed to ask for formal proof of disability, either, for a person to buy a ticket in an area reserved for accessible seating. They can, however, ask the person to verify that they or someone for whom they are purchasing the tickets needs accessible seating, and they are allowed to investigate if they think there is cause to do so.

Of course, I don't think that would have helped here, because I don't think there's any question that the people leading the "tours" were, in fact, disabled.

 

[ddbowdoin]

It was on WAAF Tuesday for about an hour too.

I never thought I'd here it on that station...

You could tell one of the hosts was really, really into Disney... he had some nice lingo going.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Also. Is it actually illegal for Disney to ask for a Doctor's note before offering a GAC? The people utilizing these cards aren't employees, and they parks are private property/restricted access. Just asking an honest question here.

​

​

​

It may be private property but it is used as a public theme park. It offers services in return for money. Being thus, it falls under the ADA rules of requiring access to all non-grandfathered attractions, grounds and transportation. Along with that, there are other rules that govern the privacy of the disabled. It isn't a HIPPA situation, because you don't have too, at any point, tell them anything, however if you agree to then HIPPA would not apply. It wouldn't behoove Disney to not keep that information in confidence. All that requires a lot of money and people to keep track and protect it so it is much simpler for them to just ask what special considerations they require then to attempt to argue the point.

This whole theory was to protect and insure the disabled as equal an opportunity as non-disabled people. Like anything else that is meant for good things, it will be exploited by people with no concern about anyone other then themselves. Hence the problem that seems to be coming to a head here. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, is done about this situation. I'm guessing nothing will change.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I wish more people had your point of view. I'm sure your wife would so much rather experience the queues, especially the more interactive and themed ones they keep adding. It is indeed disgusting. That said however, what's really sad is, this article shows there are unfortunately many folks out there that don't think like you and your wife and were fine with being paid to be someone's FP. Sometimes I like to sit back and pretend this isn't the world we live in but alas these days, money really can buy you anything, no matter how unethical it is.

THIS IS THE PROBLEM

THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM

People can say whatever they want about me, but people... lets start with talking about the REAL issues and stop with all of our societal excuses.

 

[71jason]

Any lifestyler with a website, right?

The ones I'm talking about aren't "lifestylers" at all, as I understand the term. Heck, most of the guides I know don't set foot in the parks unless it's work-related (a blond friend of ours being the exception that proves the rule). These companies provide a useful service to people with money who don't have the time or inclination to learn the in-and-outs of ADRs, FastPass, which princess lives where, etc.

Certain lifestylers also offer tours, but those seem more about self-promotion. That's not what I'm talking about.

 

[Timekeeper]

Exactly. GAC should be linked to NextGen and limited to one each hour, similar to fast pass.

But then that would give the appearance of equality. And you don't think that advocates for equality actually want equality, do you? (sarcasm)

 

[71jason]

I wonder whether this might make Disney finally look into the tour operator business going on. I do find it strange that Disney allows independent companies to offer a service that Disney offers itself on their own property.

The people on a private tour still drop more coin at WDW than your average tourist, and I'm sure the Mouse knows that. Also, the services aren't exactly equivalent--a bow-tied College Program kid with a golden FastPass is not at the same level of service the private guides are providing.