A story of fast pass abuse

[HMANSION LOVER]

So, there I was at a camping trip last week with my son's Boy Scout troop. Throughout the week, I hung out with another dad, who seemed like a great guy. He was having a blast, doing everything the kids were doing -- sleeping outdoors, climbing the rock wall, etc.

Then the conversation turned to his upcoming trip to Hershey Park, which has its own version of Fast Pass, from what I have been told. He was all excited because his "type 2 diabetes" would enable him to get what he called the "front of the line pass."

As the father of a boy with type 1 diabetes (who never uses it to get to the front of a line), I am familiar with the disease and know how it can affect someone. So, with that in mind, I questioned him about the status of his disease. Apparently it is very mild for him, and he doesn't have to do much to control it. From all the time we spent buzzing around camp and doing things like climbing the rock wall, it was pretty clear to me that it wasn't much of a hindrance to him and his life. Yet when the conversation turned to Hershey Park, suddenly his face turned grim and he told me that waiting on lines is very difficult for him.

This came a year after a neighbor's brother told me that he tells Disney that he has Crohns Disease so that he can get the guest assistance card.

People like this make me very mad.

(Please Note: I have nothing against anyone with type 2 diabetes. As I said, I have a young child with type 1, and my son's type 1 is much harder to control than this man's type 2, yet we don't use the guest assistance card.)

I agree with all the posters who have spoken out on this thread and I have a few things to say,

To Rutger 1: I AGREE COMPLETELY

To brymolmom: I admire you. You are teaching your son that life does not come with a GAC.

To joshsmom: It is apparent your mom is a proud, strong, and independant woman. Good for her. My mom was the same way.

To Sigmasal: I can really appreciate what you are doing for your children. Life is not easy and you are doing everthing you can to teach them how to deal with that fact rather than rely on a "crutch" so to speak.

To Mkoerner: No need to get off your soap box, you speak volumes of truth.

To Vicky3306: "if they can live with themselves, then I'll stay out of it". I wish I could take the high road like you, I let it infuriate me. With that attitude you will probably live longer and more happily than I will


To Kristine316: Unfortunately Disney has no way to crack down on the "cheats". Anyone can go to guest relations and request a GAC card and they can lie as much as they want. According to federal law, as it pertains to the disability act, Disney as well as any other business or organization cannot in any way shape or form ask for proof the the disability that the person is claiming to suffer from. A large corporation like Disney will not take the chance of a lawsuit due to barring someone with a ligitimate disability from obtaining a GAC. I know it isn't right but it is just the cost of doing business.

 

[ttintagel]

Amazing. When my sons Neurologist heard we were going to Disney over the summer, she left the room and came back 5 minutes later and handed me a letter. It was a letter to give to Disney to get a GAC. He has absolutely no need for a GAC. He has been to Disney every year since the time he was an infant and does not have a problem waiting in lines. He has innatentive type ADD. I do not understand why anybody would abuse this system and cannot believe a Doctor would encourage us to do so. To abuse it and then brag about it is unreal.

It's especially troubling that a doctor doesn't know enough about the ADA to know that they can't ask for a doctor's note.

 

[JMNE]

As far as I know Hershey Park does NOT offer any kind of "front of the line" pass unless it was new this year. I used to be an AP holder and literally lived across the street from the park. So he may be in for some disappointment.

 

[lodge]

Meh. There will always be someone who works the system.

I agree. Anyone doing it willfully wrong, showing their kids this as an example, will have consequences for it later in life when those kids reflect those same values right back on them. It's interesting to watch it come full circle....have faith that it will.

 

[hgeisler]

IEP's are used for a lot of things. MY oldest DS (29) had IEP due to hearing loss, but that wasn't a reason for anything other than special accomodation with seating near the front of the class, which he didnt' need. Insane.

Yup. Gifted students have IEP's as well.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My son has Asperger's and I can't believe the number of people who have told me to get him a GAC. I explain to those people that he simply doesn't need one. He is perfectly capable of waiting in line. Does he get frustrated or restless sometimes? Sure. But, then again, so do I! We use Fastpass as much as we can. If a posted wait time is too long, sometimes we skip it and go back later to see if it's shorter. I would never consider getting him a GAC simply because he has a diagnosed condition. It's all about whether there's an actual need. In our case, there isn't. Simple as that.

 

[Liberty Belle]

^^ must be common... I sell thirty one and while set up at a craft fair a family came looking for a good bag for wdw. The person set up by me said you came to the right place she's a disney freak.

As we talked a little I was telling them about fp and fp+ and the gma waves her hand and says oh we won't need that. Our boy has an IEP and the travel agent has us all set up to get some front of the line pass.

Mmmhmmm was all I could muster.

Granted the boy seems very fidgety and all. I'm guessing its a lack of parenting so hard to deal with in a structured situation type of IEP. On medicine for being active because we drug our kids now instead of teaching them how to behave.

Granted I do not know this kid but was in education and that is the sense I got.

He wasn't out of control what boy wouldn't be fidgety at a craft show! But considering the boring environment he was great and I doubt he needed gac for a successful trip!

Whoa. ADHD is a very real disorder in which the frontal lobe of the brain is underdeveloped. It has nothing to do with bad parenting. The medication not only helps with the symptoms (impulse control, organizational skills, etc), but it helps the brain develop more quickly to catch up to where it should be.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My son has ADHD, pretty severe Sensory Processing Disorder, and Anxiety with panic attacks.

Last time we went we tried to get a GAC for him just in case. We only would have used it if absolutely necessary. The CM would not give it to us, saying "it wouldn't get you to the front of the line, I don't know what you expect us to do." Um, we never even mentioned anything about lines.

We were in line at the great movie ride and DS started having a panic attack. When we realized he wasn't going to be able to stop it where we were, we asked a CM how we could get out of line, that our son had anxiety and was having a panic attack and she looked at us and told us we couldn't leave. We were in line, not on the ride. We told her we were leaving and if she didn't show us the way, we would find it ourselves. She rolled her eyes and showed us where to go.

I wonder if it would have gone more smoothly if we had a GAC.

Those were the only two rude CMs we have ever encountered at WDW. Usually everyone is great.

 

[bocaj1431]

^^ must be common... I sell thirty one and while set up at a craft fair a family came looking for a good bag for wdw. The person set up by me said you came to the right place she's a disney freak.

As we talked a little I was telling them about fp and fp+ and the gma waves her hand and says oh we won't need that. Our boy has an IEP and the travel agent has us all set up to get some front of the line pass.


Mmmhmmm was all I could muster.

Granted the boy seems very fidgety and all. I'm guessing its a lack of parenting so hard to deal with in a structured situation type of IEP. On medicine for being active because we drug our kids now instead of teaching them how to behave.

Granted I do not know this kid but was in education and that is the sense I got.

He wasn't out of control what boy wouldn't be fidgety at a craft show! But considering the boring environment he was great and I doubt he needed gac for a successful trip!

I fully agree that taking advantage of the GAC is really disturbing. But some of the comments you made seemed to be generalizations that I hoped I might be able to change how you view people with special needs.

I have a child diagnosed with autism, tourettes and an anxiety disorder. My son is on medication and without that medication my son would not be able to function.
Also, There are many neurological, psychological, and medical illnesses which can lead to behaviors that are not as easy to control as it would be for another without those conditions. So when you see a child fidgetting or out of control behaviorally it does not always follow that it is due to lack of parenting.

While that parent seems to be taking advantage of the GAC, It is a separate issue from whether a child needs medicine or whether a child's behavior is directly related to a parents inability to parent their child.

I know it is hard not to make assumptions, believe me I do it myself; but, I have seen far too many children with special needs be hurt by peoples assumptions. I know that is not your intention. I just wanted to shed some light on the topics of medication and behaviors.

 

[ratlenhum]

Its sad when people abuse the system and even worse that Disney may be forced at some point to really crack down on the cheats, in turn making it more difficult for those who truly need the service.

Changes are in the works and should be in effect by October according to my contact in Guest Experiences.

The abusers screwed it up for those of use that need it. We have yet to do Disney without it, not sure if we can. With two paid for trips in October and December I'm very concerned about the changes.

 

[tinkerbell2528]

Wow as a parent of a child who was truly disabled with cerebral palsy and had to be fed through his Gtube n unfortunately passed away at the age of 4 back in 06 we never used his illness for any benefits. We always treated him like a normal child n found ways to comfort n accommodate his needs. It makes me ill to hear of ppl taking advantage of these types of passes or anything else they can gain from their mild or moderate illnesses. I have a friend who has a daughter with mild autism who always uses these passes at the theme parks n my husband and I feel it's not right because that child knows how to wait her turn but the mom doesn't want to sacrifice her time waiting in line.

Why is it that people that really have a REAL disability abstains themselves from taking advantage of this n accommodates their disability n the ones who shouldn't and don't really need it always can't help themselves from needing it. They should feel ASHAME.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Cadyrose]

Maybe it is just late at night but I'm throwing my two cents in...

I appreciate the OP's story cause I think everyone can agree that there are people who hear about the GAC and falsify info to obtain what they believe is a fast pass...those who fake any disabilty should be ashamed but they are the ones who have to live with it...

But not only does this thread seem more appropriate for the disabilities board but I'm kind of hoping the moderators close it...between comments about fidgety kids/bad parenting/over medication and now "real" disabilities....both come off as offensive and not what I believe the OP intended. I'm not judging those who posted that..just asking if those responses are really necessary?

I am a mom to two children with autism and ADHD...I also work in a public school and in homes as an ABA therapist and SpEd 1:1 aide. I have worked with children and teens with all different needs...Autism, Down's Syndrome, Angelman's syndrome, ADHD, cerebal palsy, hydroencephaly, mutism, and various processing and mood/behavioral disorders....trust me when I say that everyone of those children have a very real disability...I could never begin to compare them. Each child's needs are theirs alone and can't be put into a line of who has it worse.

This is a board about Disney.. and I very much appreciate that there are threads to help those access a GAC if they fill that is right for a guest in their party. But no one should be made to feel like they have to justify it and that is what has happened here.

I get that in a forum like this everyone has different opinions, it's what can make forums great. That being said do we really need to pass judgement on others when we don't even know what the situation truly is outside a few sentences in a post?

 

[geek+nerd]

As far as I know Hershey Park does NOT offer any kind of "front of the line" pass unless it was new this year. I used to be an AP holder and literally lived across the street from the park. So he may be in for some disappointment.

I live in PA and we go to Hershey several times a year. They have a ride accessibility program which I use because I use a wheelchair. You get a wristband as well as a printout of the rides that you can go on based on height. Many of the lines are not accessible, lots of stairs and narrow paths, so the accessible entrances are the ride exits. For most of the coasters, they have a dedicated row or two for people using the program. Unless you want to ride front row, they usually let you on within a train or two. If you have a specific row request, they will issue you a return time on the list of rides you have.

 

[aubriee]

Amazing. When my sons Neurologist heard we were going to Disney over the summer, she left the room and came back 5 minutes later and handed me a letter. It was a letter to give to Disney to get a GAC. He has absolutely no need for a GAC. He has been to Disney every year since the time he was an infant and does not have a problem waiting in lines. He has innatentive type ADD. I do not understand why anybody would abuse this system and cannot believe a Doctor would encourage us to do so. To abuse it and then brag about it is unreal.

I have a coworker who made her first trip to WDW in July 2011 with her sister, niece, the nieces's husband, and their six kids. I warned her that the crowds and heat would be really bad that week, but she told me her niece's family go that week every year and always get a pass that gives them front of the line priviledges. I told her the only FOTL pass I knew of was for Make a Wish Kids and the niece was probably talking about a GAC. I then asked her which of the kids were handicapped and she told me none of them. That their pediatrician is a big Disney fan and when he heard they were going, told them about the GAC pass and even asked her which kid did she want to make handicapped and he'd write a note. He said he gets one every time his family goes down there and nothing is wrong with his kids either. When I told my coworker what the GAC was for, that it says right on it that is not meant to shorten lines, that Disney would not even look at a doctor's note, and a GAC could only be for six people anyway, she went and talked to the niece. She came back later and told me the niece got very defensive and said they got one every year because their doctor said having to stand in line with six kids was enough of a handicap for anybody and then laughed about it and said it would be stupid for them to do so when he could get them a pass to cut the lines. She did not feel one bit guilty about it, because according to him not only does he get one for his perfectly healthy kids, but everyone else does too. According to her it is stupid to stand in line when you don't have to and not fair for just the handicapped kids to be able to skip to the front of the lines. She feels if they can, then everyone should be able to that's smart enough to just ask for a GAC. Oh yeah, when my friend got back from the trip she said all ten of them were able to skip to the front of the lines with no problem. She said she felt sort of funny doing it, but was assured by her niece that most people using the GAC were not actually handicapped either and were doing the same thing they were. As a nurse it really irritates me that not only is doctor abusing the GAC for his own family, but that he is writing notes and encouraging his patients families to do so.

 

[jba2]

I'm so disgusted by people who abuse the system. Shame on them. I'm really disturbed to hear some doctors do this with their own families and suggest it to some of their patients who do not have a need. What poor moral fibre.

 

[pepe of ohio]

There should be a machine there to actually break the legs of abusers.... Too bad the people abusing the GAC couldn't be addicted once they play the scam....

I've heard it before many years ago from a group of college students.... Get a wheel chair, front of the line access ( many years ago) and tour the parks quickly without wearing out your legs... That's electric wheel chairs....

 

[MissHippy]

This makes me soooooo mad
My teenager DD is legally blind. She can walk during daylight unassisted, but needs a cane for night time and crowds. Having said that, we have never asked for special treatment for her. In fact, it's only in the last couple of years I have found out that we are eligible for parking permits etc, but I still haven't applied for one.
I have also heard people brag about how they got to the front of the line by pretending things. I try not to let it upset me, but boy, it's hard.

We are going back to Disneyland in December and I will tell my daughter to have her cane out at all times, not to get special treatment, but so people know to give her space...

 

[Bellabully]

The stories of the people that abuse the GAC is literally making me sick to my stomach. They are vile human beings. Oh, and by their abuse, make the people who actually need the GAC, probably wait a little longer in line than they would have to otherwise. Sad!!!

 

[ollyg]

My 7 year old fractured her foot last month, and was non weight bearing until last week. She is still in a walking boot, but when I asked her ortho Dr about our upcoming trip, he said it was ok, but she would need a wheelchair due to the amount of walking. Then he said, you will go to the front of the line for everything.

I am taking the wheelchair, but the only arrangements I have requested is a ground floor room since POR preferred rooms do not have elevators. I was very specific in telling them I did not need a handicap room, as she is now weight bearing and mobile. I did not want to occupy a room, that somebody truly needed. I plan on collapsing the wheelchair to board the bus and stand in line with everybody else, as well as park the wheelchair and wait in line for the attractions.

Hopefully she really won't need it. She is very excited because everybody keeps telling her how she will go to the front of the lines. I am the grinch because I keep telling her that is reserved for people who truly disabled, which she is not and she should be thankful for that.

The only benefit I see, is I now have a place to keep a small cooler for water, and can plop her in at closing and head for the busses without worrying about her.

 

[seashoreCM]

I think it is the CMs at the rides who are abusing the system. Letting guests with Guest Assistance Cards on the ride without the appropriate waiting time is improper. Once this is corrected, people won't be getting GACs frivolously, saving the Guest Relations CMs time and effort. It will take education and diligence on the part of ride CMs to get this problem fixed. Maybe also slips of paper with time stamps to hand out so GAC guests come back at appropriate times.

That said, occasionally the bus driver (on the Boston MBTA) waves people aboard without paying fares to make things easier on himself or rather so the bus can get moving and more quickly and closer to schedule.