Showing old GAC

[Jonell]

We are leaving Saturday night for our 17 day trip. I have heard of guests having a hard time getting or being denied a DAS. In the past trips I would take my DH's old GAC and they would issue him a new one. Should I take it along to get a DAS? I know that we will still probably need to explain why he needs the DAS, but would taking the old card help with getting a new one? He has used the GAC now for 5 years and he can't do the parks if he gets denied a DAS. Thanks

 

[sonofanarchy]

I don't understand why they would deny a DAS if you have a valid reason.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . would taking the old card help with getting a new one? . . .

. . . Taking the old GAC does no good.
. . . You still need to speak with Guest Services for a new DAS.
. . . The GAS may have been issued for a non-DAS-accepted reason.
. . . The ground rules have changed, so based upon his malady, he may or may not qualify

I don't understand why they would deny a DAS if you have a valid reason.

. . . The DAS might not apply to the reason given for the GAC
. . . For one example: lack of "mobility" used to qualify for a card, but no longer does
. . . In such an example: they would say no card because he could get a wheelchair or ECV

 

[Jonell]

Thanks guys..I don't see any reason why he would be denied a DAS, but there is always that one grumpy CM that sometimes gives you a hard time. Over the past 5 years I have encountered 2 at GR that gave us a really hard time with the GAC. Just hoping that this new process with the DAS goes smoothly.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thanks guys..I don't see any reason why he would be denied a DAS, but there is always that one grumpy CM that sometimes gives you a hard time. Over the past 5 years I have encountered 2 at GR that gave us a really hard time with the GAC. Just hoping that this new process with the DAS goes smoothly.

I don't know which park you are planning to visit first, but from the posts I've read, Epcot seems to be the GS location with the grumpiest CMs when it comes to the DAS and the MK seems to get the most positive reports.

We were planning on going to the MK first and had a great experience with the CMs at City Hall. Later in the week, we stopped by GS in Epcot for a non-DAS related question and got a CM that definitely could audition for the role of Grumpy.

 

[shoes99]

In my experience, Epcot are the grumpiest. DH & I each had a GAC for different reasons. We were both denied, and I brought our old red GAC cards with me. DH has mobility issues and he was in his rental scooter. No DAS for him.
I have eyesight issues, and my need would be close to stage, help with dark places. No DAS for me either. Sister has an internal pump with alarm. They denied her too at Epcot until her husband spoke up and said, we don't want a front of the line, we just want to wait in a quiet place so if her pump alarm goes off it won't scare guests in line with her. She got one.
We found that if we use FP+ and plan 1/2 day visits only it works better for us.
When in Disneyland we used their GAC system and it worked well. We just had our card stamped with a return time, and waited in a shaded area.
It still depends on the Cm who is interviewing you.

 

[Aristomommy]

If you have to go to Epcot, try the International Gateway. We had a great experience there and returned there later that day for another question and it was great too. AK was rude and MK was a great experience.

 

[Michigan]

If you have to go to Epcot, try the International Gateway. We had a great experience there and returned there later that day for another question and it was great too. AK was rude and MK was a great experience.

We couldn't get a renewal of a DAS at the International Gateway so I don't think they do them there all the time.

 

[Aristomommy]

We couldn't get a renewal of a DAS at the International Gateway so I don't think they do them there all the time.

Ours was a first time DAS so it might have been different. He did have stroller tags and an iPad there to issue a DAS.

 

[SueM in MN]

In my experience, Epcot are the grumpiest. DH & I each had a GAC for different reasons. We were both denied, and I brought our old red GAC cards with me. DH has mobility issues and he was in his rental scooter. No DAS for him.
I have eyesight issues, and my need would be close to stage, help with dark places. No DAS for me either. Sister has an internal pump with alarm. They denied her too at Epcot until her husband spoke up and said, we don't want a front of the line, we just want to wait in a quiet place so if her pump alarm goes off it won't scare guests in line with her. She got one.
We found that if we use FP+ and plan 1/2 day visits only it works better for us.
When in Disneyland we used their GAC system and it worked well. We just had our card stamped with a return time, and waited in a shaded area.
It still depends on the Cm who is interviewing you.

The old GAC (Guest Assistance Cards) had different stamps on them that were meant to tell the CMs a little bit about the guests' needs.
Most guests with mobility devices did not actually need a GAC because their need was to bring the ECV, wheelchair, etc into the line and use it in the attraction. Some did get a GAC with a stamp that allowed thrm to use the handicapped entrances, but they could have done that without the GAC.

DAS only is for one thing- getting a wait time and allowing you to wait outside of the line. Things like closer seating and avoiding stairs are not part of DAS; Disney's information says to ask CMs for those accommodations at the attraction.

They are very different programs, so having had a GAC doesn't mean you will necessarily get DAS.

To go back to the OP's question -
Bringing your Son's old GAC will not necessarily make the process any quicker or smoother. You will need to explain his disability related needs/issues as they relate to waiting in line. Since the process is line related, the issues he would have with waiting in the actual line is important.

There have been reports of the greatest and the worst CMs at every park, so I would not avoid sny particular park. We had very good experiences at Epcot (first time card and 3 renewals).

As for outside the park Guest Relations, DAS may or may not be available there. Some people reported they were not able to get DAS at International Gateway because the printer/iPad were not available at the time.
Disney's written information on their website says inside the park Guest Relations, so that is all that is guaranteed.

 

[Coonhound]

The GAC program is not the same as the DAS program. There are a LOT of people who qualified for a GAC that do NOT qualify for a DAS.