I hope neither party is allowed back

[lost*in*cyberspace]

They are not talking about Fox News!! Just a fox affiliate.

It's still a ridiculous story which should not upset people.

 

[LisaBi]

It also includes many statements we all know are not true, including the wait times for IASW and the ability of most GAC's to be "front of the line" passes - or even the equivalent of a fastpass in many cases - especially if the "guide" in question is using the wheelchair entrance for rides like TSMM.

?

So true about TSMM! My son uses a wheelchair, and sometimes a GAC (but that is becoming more and more rare except for hearing issues!). When we were there in January AFTER the holiday crowds left, it was still moderately busy. The wheelchair line was longer (in minutes) than the entire standby line. And that wait is ON TOP of the wait to get to that point via either the Fast pass or standby line.

 

[mistysue]

Finally, the people in this article are laughable. If they wanted to take advantage of the accessible queues that ARE available, the validity of their desire aside, why not rent an ECV themselves instead of hiring someone? That's a logic fail.

That was my first thought reading that article this morning. If you are going to stoop to that point, why not just show up with one of your spoiled little kids in a wheel chair? Then you don't need a stroller when Jr. gets tired from walking and you can live through the bliss of waiting in the alternate line for your entire trip.

I saw it on facebook and commented that they may not be helping themselves by taking somebody in a W/C and of course a dozen people popped on with their story of how somebody broke a leg or took an aunt or whatever and they all skipped every line with zero wait.

 

[SteveMouse]

I'd report her doctor to the DMV.

 

[SueM in MN]

The original publication that ran this story is no better than the National Enquirer. I'm amazed that Fox picked up the story, it's embarrassing for them since there are no cited sources and the story is essentially inflammatory hearsay.

Read the original "story" and you'll see how laughable the whole thing is: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disney_world_srich_kid_outrage_zTBA0xrvZRkIVc1zItXGDP it's all laughably silly, from an "expert" calling Fastpass a Speedpass to the inflated wait times for It's a Small World.

It also includes many statements we all know are not true, including the wait times for IASW and the ability of most GAC's to be "front of the line" passes - or even the equivalent of a fastpass in many cases - especially if the "guide" in question is using the wheelchair entrance for rides like TSMM.

Anyway, why would any "One Percenter" use this "service" with Disney offering a much better service themselves with the VIP tours?

Small World is especially laughable since I've never heard of it having 2 and 1/2 hour waits. And, the handicapped access at that attraction is often longer than going in the regular line.

That was my first thought reading that article this morning. If you are going to stoop to that point, why not just show up with one of your spoiled little kids in a wheel chair? Then you don't need a stroller when Jr. gets tired from walking and you can live through the bliss of waiting in the alternate line for your entire trip.

I saw it on facebook and commented that they may not be helping themselves by taking somebody in a W/C and of course a dozen people popped on with their story of how somebody broke a leg or took an aunt or whatever and they all skipped every line with zero wait.

A lot of it is perception.

On one trip, we got in line for Mission Space with DD, who uses a wheelchair. The posted wait time for the green version was 5 minutes and we basically kept moving until we got to the area before the preshow area. Everyone has to stop there, as the preshow only holds the number of people who will go on the next ride.
As we reached tht tea, the group ahead of us included a woman using an ECV. She took a look at my DD, and got her GAC out of her purse to show us. She said, "you need to get one of these for your daughter. It will really help you avoid waits. I didn't have to wait for this ride at all. "
I thanked her, but said we had not needed to wit since the wait was short. We actually did have a GAC for DD, but did not need to use it for that attraction.

We saw the same woman a number of times at Epcot that day and at other parks that week. She commented to us a number of times - things like "see you got the card" "really helps to have that card" or giving us a thumbs up.

So, her perception was that having a GAC helped her (and us) avoid lines and waiting. The only thing was, all the times we saw her, we had not used the GAC, and in fact, most of the places we saw her had Mainstream Lines. So, our wait was in the same line and or the same time as guests without disabilities.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is already a thread on this, so I am going to combine them.

 

[Sunnywho]

I've found this story interesting because there seems to be some gray area. The article mentioned that the woman guide has an autoimmune disorder, which I also have. She is not being hauled around as dead weight as some of the articles make it sound; she is able to serve as a real tour guide. But she is selling the perks or perceived perks of the GAC that she legitimately has for her own use. If there is no mobility impairment and the ECV is used for stamina, which is a legitimate use and need for people with autoimmune diseases, then she would have the option of parking the ECV but still using the GAC which would mean that on specific rides where there is a long wait for a handicapped ride vehicle (IASW, TSMM) she wouldn't be in those lines.

The article does make it sound as if driving up in an ECV got her special treatment. I have to assume that she drove up in an ECV with a prominently displayed GAC card that informed the cast members on what to do. Just driving up in an ECV will get you sent to the mainstreamed regular line in most situations.

 

[disney david]

Here a follow up and just as bad reporting but Disney say they are investigating it but this one almost as bad as the other article I wonder where they find these people to give interviews. Their making it worse one person said he got a 3 day gac father showing a dr note Disney can't accept or ask for a dr note to get a gac.


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/disney_probes_sleazy_riders_BsFgeKjl2ugf7PvqQAAiaO

 

[Piper]

Here a follow up and just as bad reporting but Disney say they are investigating it but this one almost as bad as the other article I wonder where they find these people to give interviews. Their making it worse one person said he got a 3 day gac father showing a dr note Disney can't accept or ask for a dr note to get a gac.


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/disney_probes_sleazy_riders_BsFgeKjl2ugf7PvqQAAiaO

I also find it odd that Disney doesn't dispute the idea that fastpasses can cost up to $3000 a day since there is no charge for them.

 

[disney david]

I also find it odd that Disney doesn't dispute the idea that fastpasses can cost up to $3000 a day since there is no charge for them.

Your right but I don't think Disney really wants to get into it with the post because their some many things they can correct I think they would rather focus their time on investigating to see if it true.

 

[FortForever]

I also find it odd that Disney doesn't dispute the idea that fastpasses can cost up to $3000 a day since there is no charge for them.

I think they're referring to the VIP tour guide costing that much. Just bad writing.

 

[olive]

I agree that it was probably poor writing and a reference to the VIP cost, but who knows with the Post.

I saw this article on CNN this morning, as well. My first thought was whether this would lead to more restrictrions on GACs or eliminating them altogether. The abuse is really unfortunate. And the bit in the Post article about parents asking how to fake illnesses in their children to gain a benefit over others, real or perceived, is just so sad.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Disney needs to find a way to ensure that nobody--not on a scooter, not a child with autism (and yes I am mom of a child with autism), not an adult with panic disorder, nobody--gets on any ride significantly faster or slower than a non-disabled person. Is this possible? I think it could be, and they should find a way.

 

[FortForever]

Disney needs to find a way to ensure that nobody--not on a scooter, not a child with autism (and yes I am mom of a child with autism), not an adult with panic disorder, nobody--gets on any ride significantly faster or slower than a non-disabled person. Is this possible? I think it could be, and they should find a way.

I agree. There already is a way, they just don't use it.

Have CMs at ride entrances issue passes to come back consistent with the current wait time. They would still have to wait their turn, but could do it sitting down or in a more quiet area if needed.

ETA: One of my sons is paraplegic and one of my sons has Aspergers. I am also on full permanent disability myself. I do transcription work from home as an independent contractor and only get a partial disability check - I could quit and get a full check anytime I wanted. The reason being is I have days when I can work but sometimes can go a month or more without being able to, which is why I was awarded disability to begin with.

I look very healthy. On the inside, I have Lupus, severe asthma, and advanced arthritis. I've never used a GAC, but I may need to one day. I added this information so I wouldn't be accused of discriminating against any visible or invisible disabilities. I have plenty of experience with both.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Disney needs to find a way to ensure that nobody--not on a scooter, not a child with autism (and yes I am mom of a child with autism), not an adult with panic disorder, nobody--gets on any ride significantly faster or slower than a non-disabled person. Is this possible? I think it could be, and they should find a way.

They were testing out a new way at Disneyland when we went last September.. The way it worked was they write down standby wait time and you are to return at that time..
At which time you are sent through the fast pass or the exit, if the line is not wheelchair accessible..

It may not work for all, but with a child that can't handle being touch.. Being able to wait somewhere out of the line was a blessing..

 

[KPeveler]

I agree. There already is a way, they just don't use it.

Have CMs at ride entrances issue passes to come back consistent with the current wait time. They would still have to wait their turn, but could do it sitting down or in a more quiet area if needed.

ETA: One of my sons is paraplegic and one of my sons has Aspergers. I am also on full permanent disability myself. I do transcription work from home as an independent contractor and only get a partial disability check - I could quit and get a full check anytime I wanted. The reason being is I have days when I can work but sometimes can go a month or more without being able to, which is why I was awarded disability to begin with.

I look very healthy. On the inside, I have Lupus, severe asthma, and advanced arthritis. I've never used a GAC, but I may need to one day. I added this information so I wouldn't be accused of discriminating against any visible or invisible disabilities. I have plenty of experience with both.

That sounds good in theory, but doesn't always work in reality.

Let me start by giving a quick view of my needs in the park.
I use a wheelchair full time, have ADHD, severe anxiety and PTSD that manifests and social phobias, an inability to regulate body temp, heart rate, or blood pressure, and a whole host of other problems. I obviously tour the parks when they are not crowded, etc (I live 6 miles away from DL, so I have some flexibility).

This is MY AVERAGE experience with Radiator Springs Racers in DCA. It does not apply to any other ride or mean that the same thing will happen to you.

My particular GAC allows me to get a "return pass" for Radiator Springs Racers that is roughly equal to the posted wait time (give or take 15 minutes). I then go somewhere close to wait for the ride. Despite what people (not you, but people in general) think, I am not riding lots of other rides while waiting for my "return pass" for Racers. I am usually resting nearby. I use a manual wheelchair I push myself, so I am not going far while waiting - I just do not have the energy to push myself too far...

So I wait the 90-120 minute average wait time for my "return pass." This has been in lieu of my waiting in the standby line, which I cannot handle. Now I enter the Fastpass line. This line, depending on how many FP people actually return and how many "return passes" were issues for people with certain GAC/needs (those are not limited in number), this line can be anywhere from 5 to 35 minutes. On average, it is about 15-20 minutes. I have already waited the length of the stand-by time, and now add on the 15-20 minutes for the Fastpass line (the ride breaks down often, so getting stuck here is not uncommon).

Once I hit the merge of the FP and standby lines (which I have essentially waited the length of both), I now am directed to the wheelchair line. This line generally is at least 20 minutes long, and I have once waited 45 minutes in this line. So now I am in line #3 for Racers.

So I get to wait #1 Standby Time, #2 Fastpass Time, #3 Wheelchair Line

I really do not mind getting a "return pass" as I would have no hope of making it through the mainstream queue. And since I use a wheelchair, I know that there will almost always be an extra line for me.

I just wanted to point out that at least at the major attractions, there will almost always be a wheelchair line AFTER the mainstream/standby time. Not that the current system makes it perfect at all, but I will say that the "return pass" system currently at Racers does not provide an equal wait time - it requires a longer wait time, though one that usually meets my needs...

I wish I had a magic answer, but I think perhaps a balance of the current system and the "return pass" system would result in an equal experience (when you averaged the times all out)

 

[Aliceacc]

I agree that the NY Post is pretty much known as the "Gentleman's National Enquirer."

I've also got to wonder: why would the member of the "1%" admit to this??? SHe had to realize that it would cause more scrutiny, that it was likely that, once Disney got wind of the story, her private tours would be put into jeopardy.

I don't know, I'm curious to see how this plays out.

 

[KPeveler]

I agree that the NY Post is pretty much known as the "Gentleman's National Enquirer."

I've also got to wonder: why would the member of the "1%" admit to this??? SHe had to realize that it would cause more scrutiny, that it was likely that, once Disney got wind of the story, her private tours would be put into jeopardy.

I don't know, I'm curious to see how this plays out.

I worry it will make thinfs

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree that the NY Post is pretty much known as the "Gentleman's National Enquirer."

I've also got to wonder: why would the member of the "1%" admit to this??? SHe had to realize that it would cause more scrutiny, that it was likely that, once Disney got wind of the story, her private tours would be put into jeopardy.

I don't know, I'm curious to see how this plays out.

Plus, if she was really part of the 1%, why not pay Disney for one of their VIP guides and not skulk around trying to hide hat you are doing.

And, as I posted pictures of earlier, the quote about Small World is bogus, or at least highly exaggerated, because of the way the handicapped access is set up (plus a 2 and 1/2 hour wait for Small World just doesn't happen).

 

[KPeveler]

I agree that the NY Post is pretty much known as the "Gentleman's National Enquirer."

I've also got to wonder: why would the member of the "1%" admit to this??? SHe had to realize that it would cause more scrutiny, that it was likely that, once Disney got wind of the story, her private tours would be put into jeopardy.

I don't know, I'm curious to see how this plays out.

I worry it will make things harder for those with disabilities just because one guy is a ... jerk.

I really don't care about the rich family. If they had wanted to they could have hired a VIP tour person and cut even the wheelchair lines...

I am mad at a person with a disability who had so little regard for what repercussions this may have for others .

I am hopng Disney treats this like people who sold GACs on eBay. They went after the seller but did not make life harder for the rest of us.