A vent and a reason why the new DAS ststem is there

[wdwlovin'family]

We were at our little local amusement park this afternoon. The parking lot is right next to the roller coaster and we were sitting in our van, waiting for the kids, trying to stay out of the sun a little. Anyway, we overhear this conversation, and some keywords perked my interested I realize they were talking about Disney. And then, I'm hear this loud bold man (smoking a cigarette), who didn't look like he had a thing wrong with him, say "yeah we got that handicap card. We felt a little bad using it, but you got to skip the lines somehow." They continued bragging about using the "handicap card" during this whole conversation. I'm guessing they were talking about the GAC and that they were not frequent WDW guests, because they were not referring to the names of the rides properly. You know the "railroad coaster", etc. They bragged about how those "saps" waited in the Toy Story line for over an hour but they didn't wait at all because if their "handicap card". Wow. My blood was boiling. Here I am sitting in my vehicle with my (very visibly) disabled husband who is already stressed about me having to push him in the FL heat in a wheelchair (even though I assure him that I don't care and I am just thrilled he's coming with us this time) and we know he can't get a DAS because it's mainly a mobility issue. I know that not all disabilities are able to be seen easily, but this whole conversation and the cockiness of it was just a slap in the face to people who are truly disabled. It took all I had to not jump out if my van and tell the man off. I told my husband that really if we wanted a DAS it would be easier to just tell them that our son has an auditory processing disorder and can't handle lines than to try to explain TAR syndrome (what dh has) to them. Our son does have a APD, but we've gone to the parks with him for years before he was diagnosed and he/we gave learned to deal with it without the need.

Anyway, I am sorry if this is rambling and doesn't make sense. It's funny how the DAS/GAC can make people frustrated even at a different park in a Green Bay, WI.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm sure this was frustrating, but why get upset about it? You don't know if what this guy was saying was true, or what disability this man or someone he was traveling with had.

 

[bidnow5]

Part of the problem I personally know a not smart person that said she use a handicap card in Disney and skipped all the lines the problem is she has never been to Disney she just likes to stir up trouble. Plus you don't know why they got a GAC if they did I don't look like there is anything wrong with me yet I'm 100% disabled

 

[Kellykins1218]

I know several people who absolutely qualify to use it but feel bad doing so. He could very well have had a valid reason for doing so and not knowing the exact names of an attraction doesn't automatically make him a villain. You eavesdropped on a conversation and formed an opinion without knowing the facts. You COULD be right but you also could be completely wrong. Getting angry about it is pointless.

 

[wdwlovin'family]

I completely understand that there are invisible disabilities. And, it was hard not to eavesdrop -- he was yelling and he was standing about 6 feet away from our van (this is why the smoking irritated me). His attitude just seemed all around inconsiderate and he was really bragging about using "the system" -- that's what really frustrated me. I have a husband that has to work so hard for everything that he does and when you hear someone act like that, it just kind if stings. I have many friends who have a GAC for an invisible disability and I don't begrudge them that one bit, but I can tell you they have never brazenly bragged about using the system either. I'm over it. It was just a blip in my life yesterday that I vented about here because I thought people here might understand.

 

[SirDuff]

I completely understand that there are invisible disabilities. And, it was hard not to eavesdrop -- he was yelling and he was standing about 6 feet away from our van (this is why the smoking irritated me). His attitude just seemed all around inconsiderate and he was really bragging about using "the system" -- that's what really frustrated me. I have a husband that has to work so hard for everything that he does and when you hear someone act like that, it just kind if stings. I have many friends who have a GAC for an invisible disability and I don't begrudge them that one bit, but I can tell you they have never brazenly bragged about using the system either. I'm over it. It was just a blip in my life yesterday that I vented about here because I thought people here might understand.

While I totally understand where you are coming from and your annoyance, I think that many of us here also understand the frustration of people saying that we don't look/act like we need the GAC/DAS/some other help and casting judgment. It is entirely possible that these people were jerks who were scamming the system, but many/some of us have been in positions where others have accused us of being jerks who were scamming the system (or gave looks that said that this is what they thought), so can be a bit sensitive.

 

[Gracie09]

While I totally understand where you are coming from and your annoyance, I think that many of us here also understand the frustration of people saying that we don't look/act like we need the GAC/DAS/some other help and casting judgment. It is entirely possible that these people were jerks who were scamming the system, but many/some of us have been in positions where others have accused us of being jerks who were scamming the system (or gave looks that said that this is what they thought), so can be a bit sensitive.

Just to add, just because someone has a disability (invisible or not) doesn't mean they aren't also a jerk. This man could have been a disabled jerk or had a child who was disabled and he was still a jerk.

 

[Hannathy]

OP I believe you! I would bet he didn't have an invisible disability and was just gaming the system. This is the only place (the Dis) where everyone has an invisible disability and no one takes advantage!) Sorry but even on here people were talking about getting far more accommodations than they really needed when there was the GAC and even now with the DAS.

If there wasn't a gross over use of the GAC then Disney wouldn't have went to the trouble and bad press of changing it. It was used as a FOL pass by far to many people, many who needed it and many who didn't. Look at the uproar when it was taken away.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Just to add, just because someone has a disability (invisible or not) doesn't mean they aren't also a jerk. This man could have been a disabled jerk or had a child who was disabled and he was still a jerk.

I was going to say exactly the same thing! We are constantly surrounded by other parents of special needs kids at school, therapy, respite, etc. and I know
of at least one who would brag about being able to "use the system" at Disney. He's the same guy that thinks it's great that his daughter qualifies for free camp, family resource money from the County Board to buy toys, lots of things like that. Honestly, I agree with the facts. It IS great that there are resources available but his "presentation" of those facts is the problem. His kid qualifies and using the DAS is what is best for her, but DAD sees "using the system" as a perk for himself. Yes, he's kind of a jerk, but that doesn't change the fact that his daughter needs the accommodations.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I agree that would be frustrating, but I'm confused as to why him smoking a cigarette had any bearing on whether or not he had been abusing the GAC.

I only ask because the OP made a point of noting he was smoking a cigarette, seemingly implying that anyone that would smoke a cigarette would most certainly have no problem abusing the GAC.

 

[OurBigTrip]

OP I believe you! I would bet he didn't have an invisible disability and was just gaming the system. This is the only place (the Dis) where everyone has an invisible disability and no one takes advantage!) Sorry but even on here people were talking about getting far more accommodations than they really needed when there was the GAC and even now with the DAS.

If there wasn't a gross over use of the GAC then Disney wouldn't have went to the trouble and bad press of changing it. It was used as a FOL pass by far to many people, many who needed it and many who didn't. Look at the uproar when it was taken away.

(Bolding mine) Exactly.

 

[SirDuff]

Just to add, just because someone has a disability (invisible or not) doesn't mean they aren't also a jerk. This man could have been a disabled jerk or had a child who was disabled and he was still a jerk.

Absolutely! Sorry if my post implied that the two things were mutually exclusive.

 

[mamabear927]

its stories like this that make me hesitant to get a DAS card for my ASD/Anxiety disorder DS...he cannot not stand in long lines as he gets too anxious and has issues with with self soothing...this usually results in a meltdown...but back on topic...I am now afraid if I get the DAS pass I will see some post on here about how my 7 y/o has no visible disability...we must be cheating the system...seriously thinking about making autism awareness shirts

 

[OurBigTrip]

its stories like this that make me hesitant to get a DAS card for my ASD/Anxiety disorder DS...he cannot not stand in long lines as he gets too anxious and has issues with with self soothing...this usually results in a meltdown...but back on topic...I am now afraid if I get the DAS pass I will see some post on here about how my 7 y/o has no visible disability...we must be cheating the system...seriously thinking about making autism awareness shirts

If your son needs the accommodations that the DAS provides, you shouldn't hesitate to ask for one.

 

[aaarcher86]

its stories like this that make me hesitant to get a DAS card for my ASD/Anxiety disorder DS...he cannot not stand in long lines as he gets too anxious and has issues with with self soothing...this usually results in a meltdown...but back on topic...I am now afraid if I get the DAS pass I will see some post on here about how my 7 y/o has no visible disability...we must be cheating the system...seriously thinking about making autism awareness shirts

Anyone who is going to judge a child on appearance probably won't be taking the time to read or care about your shirt.

Get the card if you need it and don't worry about what everyone else thinks.

 

[mamabear927]

If your son needs the accommodations that the DAS provides, you shouldn't hesitate to ask for one.

Anyone who is going to judge a child on appearance probably won't be taking the time to read or care about your shirt.

Get the card if you need it and don't worry about what everyone else thinks.

Thank you very much...I am new to using different services for my son and some of them make me a bit nervous...Hoping to make this the best trip he has ever had---we have had a rough year

 

[wdwlovin'family]

I agree that would be frustrating, but I'm confused as to why him smoking a cigarette had any bearing on whether or not he had been abusing the GAC. I only ask because the OP made a point of noting he was smoking a cigarette, seemingly implying that anyone that would smoke a cigarette would most certainly have no problem abusing the GAC.

The smoking had more to do to quantify that the man was being rude. I'm sorry I didn't type all the nitty gritty details and I suppose when I put a statement like that, I should have. We were sitting in our van before the man walked up. We were parked in the handicap parking and he was not. I know this because all if the spaces beside us and around us were empty. The smoking was rude because we were obviously there first -- all of the doors of our van were open to let some breeze in -- and he stood there carrying on like he did. He furthermore irritated me by throwing his cigarette on the ground and walking away when he was done . Frankly, it was the combination of everything that got me upset. I understand there are invisible disabilities and that people smoke. I get that. Truly I do. And, others are correct, there are disabled jerks out there and this was truly how this man was appearing. I probably should have never shared this. It was more if a you-had-to-had-been-there moment.

 

[OurBigTrip]

The smoking had more to do to quantify that the man was being rude. I'm sorry I didn't type all the nitty gritty details and I suppose when I put a statement like that, I should have. We were sitting in our van before the man walked up. We were parked in the handicap parking and he was not. I know this because all if the spaces beside us and around us were empty. The smoking was rude because we were obviously there first -- all of the doors of our van were open to let some breeze in -- and he stood there carrying on like he did. He furthermore irritated me by throwing his cigarette on the ground and walking away when he was done . Frankly, it was the combination of everything that got me upset. I understand there are invisible disabilities and that people smoke. I get that. Truly I do. And, others are correct, there are disabled jerks out there and this was truly how this man was appearing. I probably should have never shared this. It was more if a you-had-to-had-been-there moment.

I agree, throwing the cigarette on ground is not only rude, it's littering,and in most places, illegal.

As for him smoking even though you were there first, sorry, but unless it was posted as "No Smoking", he did absolutely nothing wrong by smoking there.

He may well have been a GAC abuser, but I'm of the opinion that the changes were due not so much due to the non-disabled that lied to get the GAC, but due to the number of disabled that overused it, in the form of getting more accommodations than they actually needed to access the parks.

 

[lunapnp]

I completely understand that there are invisible disabilities. And, it was hard not to eavesdrop -- he was yelling and he was standing about 6 feet away from our van (this is why the smoking irritated me). His attitude just seemed all around inconsiderate and he was really bragging about using "the system" -- that's what really frustrated me. I have a husband that has to work so hard for everything that he does and when you hear someone act like that, it just kind if stings. I have many friends who have a GAC for an invisible disability and I don't begrudge them that one bit, but I can tell you they have never brazenly bragged about using the system either. I'm over it. It was just a blip in my life yesterday that I vented about here because I thought people here might understand.

**I** understand 100% what you are saying. I think *most* (not all!) people who truly need the GAC don't refer to it as a "front of the line pass." Its sad that families/individuals have to go through so much struggle to get assistance. I can see where these comments by this person seemed as a slap in the face to you and your husband. Been there...and will be there again one day I'm sure. I am entitled to my opinion...as everyone else on here is too...but I don't think the system needed to be revamped because of the system being overwhelmed by the truly disabled population. I think the system was overwhelmed by people who *thought* the GAC was a front of the line pass. Either way...it is what it is. And regardless of what system is in place, people will figure out ways to bypass the system.

 

[OurBigTrip]

**I** understand 100% what you are saying. I think *most* (not all!) people who truly need the GAC don't refer to it as a "front of the line pass." Its sad that families/individuals have to go through so much struggle to get assistance. I can see where these comments by this person seemed as a slap in the face to you and your husband. Been there...and will be there again one day I'm sure. I am entitled to my opinion...as everyone else on here is too...but I don't think the system needed to be revamped because of the system being overwhelmed by the truly disabled population. I think the system was overwhelmed by people who *thought* the GAC was a front of the line pass. Either way...it is what it is. And regardless of what system is in place, people will figure out ways to bypass the system.

Some people will still try to get one when they shouldn't, but the bottom line is that the incentives to do so (unlimited, unrestricted, immediate FP access or FOTL access via the exit) are now gone. For most abusers, having to wait the same amount of time to ride means that the DAS doesn't really have the "value" of the GAC.