PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
I just posted a photo on Instagram of 2 dogs wearing mouse ears in DHS.
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Today show does a follow up on the "Rich Manhattan Moms"
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I just posted a photo on Instagram of 2 dogs wearing mouse ears in DHS.
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
Service dogs?
rct247
Well-Known Member
Disney will do something about this, but it will ultimately come down to the enforcement of the front-line cast members. I posted the huge GAC card thread about the committee that is in place to discuss GAC card use, abuse, and possible changes that can be made to still provide such amazing services for guests with disabilities, but cut down on the abuse and the "instant unlimited Fastpass" idea that is associated with it.
One issue is the current black market selling, trading, and transfering of GAC cards. You can find these for sale on the black market. Some are in great condition, others have been altered to be valid. Disney is working on legal wording to be added to the cards that is not currently in place to state that they are non-transferable and not for sale. This is more of a legal deterrent than anything so if someone is caught, the person in question can't use the loop hole that there was nothing saying they couldn't. In addition, GAC cards may also be changing in style, color, etc to also prevent fakes.
This segues into the next problem that people know what they look like and know what to ask for. By changing colors and styles, guests can't simply ask for a "red card" anymore. The current stamp set may not be getting changed, but proper training of Guest Relations cast look for specific keywords may also help in the long run. Right now, from my basic understand (so I could be wrong), anyone that comes in speaking of autism, anxiety attacks, claustrophobia, physical outbursts in confined settings, and physical conditions that resulted in limited amounts of standing and even sitting, will result in the coveted "Alternative Entrance" which is where the abuse primarily is. Many of these conditions and disabilities should be accommodated, but the current method is result in a similar experience that a Fastpass ticket provides which isn't always immediate boarding, but does result in a minimal wait. Many of these conditions could have alternate wait times provided instead with return times specific to a Fastpass return time. The virtual wait time would be there, the same rules as a Fastpass would be there, and the level of accommodation would still be there.
Another issue that is comes up with abuse spans across both proper usage of the GAC card and those who abuse it. Currently, GAC cards allow for repeat rides. So if group A could technically ride Space Mountain over and over and over again. While they may or may not have a real disability for which the card was issued, it still wouldn't stop them from doing this if they wanted. One change being discussed is placing a limit on repeat visits. My best guess is that it will be limited to repeat visits in a short period of time similar to how entering the park with your ticket works. (For those not aware, if you enter the park, leave and attempt to enter again, the system will know and block you from entering for a certain time period. This prevents people from passing tickets across the gate... or lack of one now.) How I envision this working is each card having an RFID in it that would register if the card was used within a certain amount of minutes of riding the same attraction. This would still allow guests to experience the same attraction multiple times a day similar to any regular guest, but cut down on the abuse of the system.
Last but not least and one of the major issues with abuse is the front-line cast members are not enforcing current procedures either because of lack of knowledge or care, large influx of crowds don't allow for cast to check each card throughly, and exceptions being made by those that issue and those that grant access. Enforcing the number of people the card is issued for is one big problem. The cards are designed to help the person with the special need and up to 5 guests, however Guest Relations is known for putting numbers greater than 6 on cards. Sometimes two cards are issued to the same group due to multiple special needs guests or because parties do exceed the amount the card is designed for. Front-line attraction cast members also send some stamps that are required to wait in regular lines through an alternate entrance or Fastpass queue. In the video from the Today Show, the GAC card that is shown shows the stamp of a "wheelchair". Many attractions have wheelchair accessible queues such as Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Soarin', and Rock n' Roller Coaster. An alternative entrance or access to the Fastpass line is not needed but sometimes cast members will incorrectly send them through because they either forgot or don't care. Other attractions that do not have wheelchair accessible stand-by lines do have different procedures. Lines like Toy Story Midway Mania, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain all have stairs in their primary queues. Depending on the attraction, specific wheelchair queues, return time cards, or alternate boarding procedures take place. Sometimes what looks like "skipping the line" results in a longer boarding process than the line would take based on specific ride vehicle capcity or specific loading procedures. Finally, there are some attractions that do not have fair systems in place due to their design, age, or boarding process. At Disneyland, many attractions where built prior to ADA laws and have little or no room to make physical accommodations resulting in similar backdoor or exit gate entrances. So proper enforcement of the stamps, dates, party size, and who the card is issued to are major problems on Disney's side that need to be addressed.
Disney does know the abuse is happening and knew about it prior to these undercover investigations and news reports. Since the Fastpass enforcement times in Spring 2012, leaders and Fastpass+ number crunchers started to become very interested on what traffic is using the Fastpass Return Lines. They cut out the return time abuse immediately, but still see large numbers of GAC cards arrive through these Fastpass queues that do throw off the carefully calculated ratios of Fastpass to Standby guests. At some locations, data on how many GAC cards coming through has been monitored.
Overall, Disney will do something about it, but it will ultimately fall in the hands of your lower paid, basic trained front-line cast member. The abuse is terrible especially for those who do need this service to better enjoy their day. Unfortunately, news stories like this can make the matter worse. Guests will be quick to judge non-apparent conditions like autism that may result in special needs groups feeling looked down upon. Guests may also end up looking into ways to take advantage of this problem opening it up for more abuse. Unfortunately, the moral values of society as a whole have deteriorated quite a bit over the years. I can only hope that these cheaters, abusers, low-lifes will get what's coming to them sooner rather than later.
One issue is the current black market selling, trading, and transfering of GAC cards. You can find these for sale on the black market. Some are in great condition, others have been altered to be valid. Disney is working on legal wording to be added to the cards that is not currently in place to state that they are non-transferable and not for sale. This is more of a legal deterrent than anything so if someone is caught, the person in question can't use the loop hole that there was nothing saying they couldn't. In addition, GAC cards may also be changing in style, color, etc to also prevent fakes.
This segues into the next problem that people know what they look like and know what to ask for. By changing colors and styles, guests can't simply ask for a "red card" anymore. The current stamp set may not be getting changed, but proper training of Guest Relations cast look for specific keywords may also help in the long run. Right now, from my basic understand (so I could be wrong), anyone that comes in speaking of autism, anxiety attacks, claustrophobia, physical outbursts in confined settings, and physical conditions that resulted in limited amounts of standing and even sitting, will result in the coveted "Alternative Entrance" which is where the abuse primarily is. Many of these conditions and disabilities should be accommodated, but the current method is result in a similar experience that a Fastpass ticket provides which isn't always immediate boarding, but does result in a minimal wait. Many of these conditions could have alternate wait times provided instead with return times specific to a Fastpass return time. The virtual wait time would be there, the same rules as a Fastpass would be there, and the level of accommodation would still be there.
Another issue that is comes up with abuse spans across both proper usage of the GAC card and those who abuse it. Currently, GAC cards allow for repeat rides. So if group A could technically ride Space Mountain over and over and over again. While they may or may not have a real disability for which the card was issued, it still wouldn't stop them from doing this if they wanted. One change being discussed is placing a limit on repeat visits. My best guess is that it will be limited to repeat visits in a short period of time similar to how entering the park with your ticket works. (For those not aware, if you enter the park, leave and attempt to enter again, the system will know and block you from entering for a certain time period. This prevents people from passing tickets across the gate... or lack of one now.) How I envision this working is each card having an RFID in it that would register if the card was used within a certain amount of minutes of riding the same attraction. This would still allow guests to experience the same attraction multiple times a day similar to any regular guest, but cut down on the abuse of the system.
Last but not least and one of the major issues with abuse is the front-line cast members are not enforcing current procedures either because of lack of knowledge or care, large influx of crowds don't allow for cast to check each card throughly, and exceptions being made by those that issue and those that grant access. Enforcing the number of people the card is issued for is one big problem. The cards are designed to help the person with the special need and up to 5 guests, however Guest Relations is known for putting numbers greater than 6 on cards. Sometimes two cards are issued to the same group due to multiple special needs guests or because parties do exceed the amount the card is designed for. Front-line attraction cast members also send some stamps that are required to wait in regular lines through an alternate entrance or Fastpass queue. In the video from the Today Show, the GAC card that is shown shows the stamp of a "wheelchair". Many attractions have wheelchair accessible queues such as Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Soarin', and Rock n' Roller Coaster. An alternative entrance or access to the Fastpass line is not needed but sometimes cast members will incorrectly send them through because they either forgot or don't care. Other attractions that do not have wheelchair accessible stand-by lines do have different procedures. Lines like Toy Story Midway Mania, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain all have stairs in their primary queues. Depending on the attraction, specific wheelchair queues, return time cards, or alternate boarding procedures take place. Sometimes what looks like "skipping the line" results in a longer boarding process than the line would take based on specific ride vehicle capcity or specific loading procedures. Finally, there are some attractions that do not have fair systems in place due to their design, age, or boarding process. At Disneyland, many attractions where built prior to ADA laws and have little or no room to make physical accommodations resulting in similar backdoor or exit gate entrances. So proper enforcement of the stamps, dates, party size, and who the card is issued to are major problems on Disney's side that need to be addressed.
Disney does know the abuse is happening and knew about it prior to these undercover investigations and news reports. Since the Fastpass enforcement times in Spring 2012, leaders and Fastpass+ number crunchers started to become very interested on what traffic is using the Fastpass Return Lines. They cut out the return time abuse immediately, but still see large numbers of GAC cards arrive through these Fastpass queues that do throw off the carefully calculated ratios of Fastpass to Standby guests. At some locations, data on how many GAC cards coming through has been monitored.
Overall, Disney will do something about it, but it will ultimately fall in the hands of your lower paid, basic trained front-line cast member. The abuse is terrible especially for those who do need this service to better enjoy their day. Unfortunately, news stories like this can make the matter worse. Guests will be quick to judge non-apparent conditions like autism that may result in special needs groups feeling looked down upon. Guests may also end up looking into ways to take advantage of this problem opening it up for more abuse. Unfortunately, the moral values of society as a whole have deteriorated quite a bit over the years. I can only hope that these cheaters, abusers, low-lifes will get what's coming to them sooner rather than later.
The only problem with this idea is what about the guest who really is legitimately disabled and maybe has an annual pass and just happens to visit the park frequently? Should that person be limited to only being able to visit with a certain number of friends and relatives over a specified period of time, or face being treated with suspicion like they've done something wrong?
alissafalco
Well-Known Member
Disgusting. I truly believe what goes around comes around, and if you are using this service when not truly needed the day will come when you will truly need this service.
Darth Tater
Well-Known Member
Then nothing will be done about this.
Don't get me wrong. I think the CM's do a tremendous job treating guests like royalty while going above & beyond. But let's face it... they fear any sort of confrontation like the plague. There's an unspoken rule that you "can get away with anything while at Disney." This reputation has spawned from CM's lack of ability to rebuke bad behavior when needed. Just like other forms of rule breaking which go unattended (line jumping, flash photography), this too will be treated with the other cheek turned, and allowed to carry on if left in the control of front-line CM's.
alissafalco
Well-Known Member
Well if they had management that backed them up then things would be different.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Yes, but they don't back them up. Management is more afraid of confrontation then the front line people who have to deal with this crap everyday.
Universal TM's have hand held computers that register each pass when it is used. That's how they are able to let resort people have unlimited access and day users only able to use it at once per ride. It all just seems more fair to me to enforce the rules then to let them run whatever direction the public decides to take it.
zero creativity
Active Member
Maybe I missed it, but who pays for these guides to get into the park. Does the family paying for their services pay for an extra ticket or do they have annual passes?
smk
Well-Known Member
I have a daughtrer with Lupus, so I totally understand the sun/pushing too hard thing. I don't think the photo thing would get in the way of the occasional visitor. Someone who goes twice a year or always appears in the same photos with the same people. IF the photos shows the person with the GAC card always with different people frequently then that would signal a problem. I have no idea if that would even work, I just know the system is being taken advantage of by selfish fouls who think they can buy their way around everything. I would like to see them have this privledge cut off from their use, that is all!
Tinkerbell 8
Well-Known Member
Its amazing how a small group of people can ruin things for everyone else. I've been to Disney in a wheel chair and I waited in lines, as well as when I took my aunt who had to use an electric one because of her knee problems. The only time I've ever asked for a GAC was on our last trip because my b/f has had 3 back operations and cannot stand for extended periods of time so I wanted to have one just incase one day was really bad for him. We ended up only using it on our last day and for only one ride, he didn't mind waiting in line with everyone else even though most of the trip he was doubled over in pain or on a large dose of pain medicine. I will be asking for another GAC on our trip in November, again just incase.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Stellajack
Well-Known Member
When we went last month, the crowd levels were so low that we were able to ride RnRC, exit, and go straight through the queue again without stopping and waiting (same with ToT, BTMRR, POTC, et al.) When an attraction is posting the 'wait time' as the same time it takes to get from entrance to boarding, then the GAC guest & party presents no problems to other guests who are queued; but, when the queue is stop and go, then the guest&party with the GAC should be limited as to how often the card can be used in one hour. In this way, the legitimate GAC users are on the same par as non-GAC guests (in which we are all waiting our turn to experience the attraction), AND the incentive for abusing the GAC is curtailed, if not eliminated. I'm sure there is something wrong with my thinking here, or this would have been tried.
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Same goes for education. Teachers tread on thin ice when it comes to so many situations. If the administration would just back us up there would be less problems.
pixargal
Well-Known Member
Those dogs do not look happy, if fact, they look embarrassed. Poor things, no dignity!
Victor Kelly
Well-Known Member
Easy GAC cardholder and 1 escort. If they want to wait for the rest of the party that is line, then fine. This is fair and will cut out the issues.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, this is really a road block for those with a legitimate disability and want to spend their Disney Vacation with their family. It seems like a severe punishment for those that don't deserve it. It's the abusers that need to be punished not the disabled.
Victor Kelly
Well-Known Member
Then suggest something better. How is it not fair? They can wait just as long as the rest of us, but comfortably at the load point. This way you are not technically going to the front of the line, just a standby location to wait for those companions that are able to stand in line. There is nothing unfair about this. It is called wait your turn. Remember it is what people used to do before the me me me now now now phase of our society.