Can someone please tell me what the handicap pass is for?

[mechurchlady]

If you're trying to bypass lines and wait times it won't work! Use FastPass for that.

I am on disAbilities where Sue has worked hard to make a FAQs to help people. I regularly answer GAC questions over on disAbilities but the same info holds true at DLR. Is that above statement offensive, sort of because of the way it was worded. The information is correct but the wording was a bit harsh.

I am a neurovariant and have hypersensitivity. I make social blunders and people who care about people help me to learn how to do things right.

So why would they so harshly state a Fact? Because we on the boards and even in real life read or hear about people over and over asking for that magic pass that gets people to the head of the line. Not the one for Make a Wish but you know the special one. So many times people want to bring a doctor's note and it is not needed. So many times I read that people cannot stand in line but will not get a wheelchair or ECV so can they make the lines shorter.

I am disabled so I do not want to have a short line and enjoyed setting in the bobsled line just like everyone else and same for Toy Story Mania. It was nice going through the exit of Alice but I would rather be like others in my rental ECV or in my wheelchair.

That said now we come out like true Disney guests and fight over the last dole whip and not over the little things in life. I am hurting right now because my supposed online Disney friends are ignoring me. Disneyland and all Disney parks are about Ohana, nobody gets left behind. DLR and WDW are about making friends and getting along. We all stand/sit in the same lines and eat the same food. Walt built the parks to be havens from the ugliness that sometimes is in the outside world so let us be one happy group of guests and not fight.

Dole Whips for everyone and hugs too.
Laurie

disAbilities, food anywhere, allergies, and DLR are my specialties as well as hugs

 

[Dopey's MIL]

Really, families should be split up? How is that enjoying the park as a family, like all other families get to?

Now I agree that all should be riding the ride at least. There are rides my brother won't go on, so we will go stand in line, while someone takes him to do something else. But yes, all 5 of us will be going through the exit in a few weeks on the rides he will go on. We are there as a family to have fun. Not to be split up so that some people won't be upset because we got to go in front of them. I don't get why people are that petty, it's a ride for crying out loud.

Yes, I'm concerned about people abusing things. MAKING up disabilities is a real complaint (I've seen people trade off riding in the wheel chair), not that a family stays together in the park.

I agree...families should get to stay together. It's a family park and I do believe that is what Walt Disney himself would have wanted.

 

[cccdisney]

Really, families should be split up? How is that enjoying the park as a family, like all other families get to?

Now I agree that all should be riding the ride at least. There are rides my brother won't go on, so we will go stand in line, while someone takes him to do something else. But yes, all 5 of us will be going through the exit in a few weeks on the rides he will go on. We are there as a family to have fun. Not to be split up so that some people won't be upset because we got to go in front of them. I don't get why people are that petty, it's a ride for crying out loud.

Yes, I'm concerned about people abusing things. MAKING up disabilities is a real complaint (I've seen people trade off riding in the wheel chair), not that a family stays together in the park.

I couldn't agree with you more! We are a family of six (4 kids, one of which has autism). He is just now learning that he ENJOYS rides and we are thrilled to be able to ride things together as a family. I am glad they let us go as a group of six. And let me tell you about the looks - I have seen them all. Autism is a hidden disability and since my son looks "normal" people assume he acts normal. That is of course until he starts screaming and stimming. Or maybe someone tries to talk to him (he is non-verbal). But then that brings even more looks.

Sorry - don't mean to ramble. People can be so judgmental. And yes, if I could take away the autism and stand in a regular line, I would in a heartbeat! And we never use the GAC for rides he doesn't (or won't) ride.

 

[Lakewood]

I understand the frustration of people trying to enjoy the park that have valid issues. Unfortunately many people abuse it. Personally I believe that allowing 6 people to bypass a line because one of them is disabled is wrong. I think Disney making it so nice for wheelchair access has encouraged the abuse of the system. The most annoying thing I've seen in the parks, is a family of 6 skip the line because one elderly person in their group is in a wheelchair; then the one in the wheel chair decides not to ride and the rest of her group still gets to go right on the ride. In one trip we saw the same family do that at 3 different rides.

I personally believe, the disabled person and one other can skip the line if the whole family wants to ride, the rest should go through the line and then ride together when they get through the line. Equal access is one thing, preferred access is unfair.

I'm with you on this as well... The worst is when people are obviously faking it in order to take care of the system. As far as your take on equality, you again are correct in my eyes, equal yes, preferred no.
The genuinely disabled need to make sure that people do not take advantage of this loophole so that their own legitimate concerns do not get lumped into the same category as the fakers....
And as far as breaking up the family what about the families in line? Is their time considered expendable?

 

[Dopey's MIL]

I'm with you on this as well... The worst is when people are obviously faking it in order to take care of the system. As far as your take on equality, you again are correct in my eyes, equal yes, preferred no.
The genuinely disabled need to make sure that people do not take advantage of this loophole so that their own legitimate concerns do not get lumped into the same category as the fakers....
And as far as breaking up the family what about the families in line? Is their time considered expendable?

Honestly, there aren't that many with disabilities in the park at any one given time to disrupt the line for any length of time. It's like the driver who speeds past you and ends up at a red light and then you get there and he's still waiting. Go figure.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I'm with you on this as well... The worst is when people are obviously faking it in order to take care of the system. As far as your take on equality, you again are correct in my eyes, equal yes, preferred no.
The genuinely disabled need to make sure that people do not take advantage of this loophole so that their own legitimate concerns do not get lumped into the same category as the fakers....
And as far as breaking up the family what about the families in line? Is their time considered expendable?

So you'd be good with going to DL and having part of your family go on a ride, while you wait in line. Then have them wait for you to get off the ride? I'm guessing no. I'm assuming when you go to DL you enjoy being there with your family, no? So what makes your family more deserving of this then mine?

Really it does not take that much time to load a family of 5 or 6 on a ride, when they have someone with a disability.

 

[mechurchlady]

To get the GAC all you do is explain the limitation and they usually do not ask any questions. Jsut say no stairs or cannot handle lines.

Disney suits, insurance companies and government agencies at times play a big part of how many disabled guests may be on a ride at one time. Many rides allow one disabled party per ride cycle. This often means waiting longer in line if you are using the disabled entrance. if the person is using a wheelchair accessible vehicle like on Toy Story Mania then they will have to wait for the ride to cycle before they can get on.

Over and over again at disAbilities people talk about how long the disabled line is. Most of the time I have to wait the same amount or longer when using my ECV. I have never gotten front of the line priveleges but on occasion have waited 3 to 5 minutes and got on before others but it was still a long wait for my sore knees. I find that the disabled lines tend to be longer than nondisabled entry methods.

 

[babnak]

I am thankful that Disney is as wonderfully patient. We would never attend the park if they did not offer such amenities. 6 people not attending, imagine how many others would not if services were not available. If I had to ride the ride with him and wait for everyone else, he would melt down because of the idle time. So many issues that people do not see. I do agree that if the person with the disability does not ride no one in the group should bypass the line. I am actually bummed I do not get to walk through the experiences.

Mechurchlady, I am completely understandable about waiting in line longer in the disability ride line. I wouldn't mind because I think they would understand my son's needs and may be more understanding if he starts stimming or touching everything. I have had people try to repremand him and think it's doing something. It is amazing how ignorant people are about disabilities.

Dopey's MIL, I'm not sure why they were so standoffish about it. To me it sounds like your son wants to walk through the line but not ride? I don't see what the problem is, they should have no problem with you walking away without riding if you want to.

 

[Lakewood]

So you'd be good with going to DL and having part of your family go on a ride, while you wait in line. Then have them wait for you to get off the ride? I'm guessing no. I'm assuming when you go to DL you enjoy being there with your family, no? So what makes your family more deserving of this then mine?

Really it does not take that much time to load a family of 5 or 6 on a ride, when they have someone with a disability.

Good point, me being me I probably would wait. I think the resentment that some feel when they see a gaggle of people getting on a ride before them is valid. One or two people with a disabled person in many eyes is fine, six or eight people and the people who have been in line for an hour probably would tend to get grumpy.

I think (and I'm not saying that is right) a lot of people have no problem with assisting the disabled but when a person and their family get to cut on all the rides for the whole day many view this as unfair since they can cover the park much faster.

Maybe they (the park) should make the disabled person and their family wait the same amount of time as the people in line, I think this would make people a little more sympathetic.

 

[Dopey's MIL]

I am thankful that Disney is as wonderfully patient. We would never attend the park if they did not offer such amenities. 6 people not attending, imagine how many others would not if services were not available. If I had to ride the ride with him and wait for everyone else, he would melt down because of the idle time. So many issues that people do not see. I do agree that if the person with the disability does not ride no one in the group should bypass the line. I am actually bummed I do not get to walk through the experiences.

Mechurchlady, I am completely understandable about waiting in line longer in the disability ride line. I wouldn't mind because I think they would understand my son's needs and may be more understanding if he starts stimming or touching everything. I have had people try to repremand him and think it's doing something. It is amazing how ignorant people are about disabilities.

Dopey's MIL, I'm not sure why they were so standoffish about it. To me it sounds like your son wants to walk through the line but not ride? I don't see what the problem is, they should have no problem with you walking away without riding if you want to.

We really don't want or need any special treatment other than a rider switch pass because he does want to walk thru the que to see and experience that. His heart simply cannot take the pressure of some of the more extreme rides....what I want to avoid is having to explain that to each CM so he doesn't feel weird all day. If we had GAC when we arrived at the loading terminal (after waiting our warm turn in line) my husband and I could switch off without any mention of it.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I couldn't agree with you more! We are a family of six (4 kids, one of which has autism). He is just now learning that he ENJOYS rides and we are thrilled to be able to ride things together as a family. I am glad they let us go as a group of six. And let me tell you about the looks - I have seen them all. Autism is a hidden disability and since my son looks "normal" people assume he acts normal. That is of course until he starts screaming and stimming. Or maybe someone tries to talk to him (he is non-verbal). But then that brings even more looks.

Sorry - don't mean to ramble. People can be so judgmental. And yes, if I could take away the autism and stand in a regular line, I would in a heartbeat! And we never use the GAC for rides he doesn't (or won't) ride.

Oh I completely understand and can relate to everything you said. My brother has always looked normal (except now he's in a wheel chair), he is also non-verbal. It was bad enough when he was 8, screaming and making noises, and stimming. Imagine the looks we get now with him at age 30, doing those things? People can be so cold and harsh on something they just don't understand I guess.

My brother is like a big kid at DL, just loves it. He watches a video on DL every single day. And just like every family we enjoy being there together. It also gives my Mother a well deserved break having us there. We can push the wheel chair, we can take him on the ride so she can go with her grandson. So you just have to ignore the looks and comments, and what other people think. You can't let the selfishness of others ruin your trip.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Maybe they (the park) should make the disabled person and their family wait the same amount of time as the people in line, I think this would make people a little more sympathetic.

Depending on the disability, they often do make them wait the same amount of time as the people in line. I know when we went to WDW with my MIL, who uses an ECV, we had to wait at least as long if not longer than those standing in the regular queue line.

However, some people have issues with the actual wait time, like certain people with autism and like conditions. In those cases, depending on what their GAC says, I believe they try to get them through fairly quickly.

 

[babnak]

We really don't want or need any special treatment other than a rider switch pass because he does want to walk thru the que to see and experience that. His heart simply cannot take the pressure of some of the more extreme rides....what I want to avoid is having to explain that to each CM so he doesn't feel weird all day. If we had GAC when we arrived at the loading terminal (after waiting our warm turn in line) my husband and I could switch off without any mention of it.

That is a very sweet thoughtful mother. I think you are doing a great thing. Maybe you can print up a quick blurb to hand to the CM each ride. Would keep talking to a minimum and they would get the picture.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Good point, me being me I probably would wait. I think the resentment that some feel when they see a gaggle of people getting on a ride before them is valid. One or two people with a disabled person in many eyes is fine, six or eight people and the people who have been in line for an hour probably would tend to get grumpy.

I think (and I'm not saying that is right) a lot of people have no problem with assisting the disabled but when a person and their family get to cut on all the rides for the whole day many view this as unfair since they can cover the park much faster.

Maybe they (the park) should make the disabled person and their family wait the same amount of time as the people in line, I think this would make people a little more sympathetic.

Again that isn't going to help someone with a disability like autism, waiting is part of the problem. However it isn't always a pass right on to the ride anyway. Rides like POTC and IASW can actually be longer then stand by.

I guess I don't see this grumpiness as valid. Yippee the family gets to go on a ride before they do. But they also have to deal with this life altering disability their whole life. Which effects the whole family. Which situation would you rather have? Going on rides faster, or having a perfectly healthy family being able to stand in line? I can tell ya right now I'd much rather have my adult brother, standing line with his wife and kids with us at DL. I'd much rather be on the waiting side of things, even if it meant 2 extra minutes before I got in to let a family with a disability enjoy the park.

I think if maybe we started having a little compassion, and not being so selfish, that would help people in the future to be a little more sympathetic. The best thing families like mine can do is hope people can learn to be compassionate, but until then we simply don't care what others think. We can't let that stop us from enjoying a vacation.

 

[Dopey's MIL]

Originally Posted by Lakewood: Maybe they (the park) should make the disabled person and their family wait the same amount of time as the people in line, I think this would make people a little more sympathetic.[/quote]

Maybe you could try a disability.

 

[Lakewood]

Again that isn't going to help someone with a disability like autism, waiting is part of the problem. However it isn't always a pass right on to the ride anyway. Rides like POTC and IASW can actually be longer then stand by.

I guess I don't see this grumpiness as valid. Yippee the family gets to go on a ride before they do. But they also have to deal with this life altering disability their whole life. Which effects the whole family. Which situation would you rather have? Going on rides faster, or having a perfectly healthy family being able to stand in line? I can tell ya right now I'd much rather have my adult brother, standing line with his wife and kids with us at DL. I'd much rather be on the waiting side of things, even if it meant 2 extra minutes before I got in to let a family with a disability enjoy the park.

I think if maybe we started having a little compassion, and not being so selfish, that would help people in the future to be a little more sympathetic. The best thing families like mine can do is hope people can learn to be compassionate, but until then we simply don't care what others think. We can't let that stop us from enjoying a vacation.

No doubt about it I would opt for the healthy family. And as far as the compassion bit, I do think we as a society are becoming more accepting/accommodating but people tend to get frustrated when they perceive someone getting a free ride (I'm not saying they do). I can understand both side of the coin...

 

[Lakewood]

Maybe they (the park) should make the disabled person and their family wait the same amount of time as the people in line, I think this would make people a little more sympathetic.

Maybe you could try a disability. [/QUOTE]

 

[bumbershoot]

We really don't want or need any special treatment other than a rider switch pass because he does want to walk thru the que to see and experience that. His heart simply cannot take the pressure of some of the more extreme rides....what I want to avoid is having to explain that to each CM so he doesn't feel weird all day. If we had GAC when we arrived at the loading terminal (after waiting our warm turn in line) my husband and I could switch off without any mention of it.

That's an interesting need, and I can sort of understand why the random CM who answered your call wanted to make sure the right people gave you info.

Since I assume your son is big enough to go on the rides, he wouldn't normally get the rider switch pass...so if you all go in the line and see the queue, but then he and one parent go out the exit instead of riding, there's no easy way for the other parent to ride. Definitely an interesting one!

As a big BIG "if", I wonder, IF they can't provide a switch pass like that...I wonder if (IF!) getting FPs so that the second parent could do *that* line might work? And since it's just one parent riding second, that means you have three tickets to get various FPs...so you all go through, then your son and a parent leave, the other parent rides, then the waiting parent uses the FP to ride it.

But that's only IF they can't help out with this. Regardless, you want the RIGHT people helping you with this, not just the CM that answered the phone.

And, since people do abuse the system, and since even the DisAbilities forum people like to protect the GAC info from random people reading who might get ideas when they have no special needs, I can understand why they wouldn't just tell you what they will do. They want to protect the system and protect those with needs (like your son, but until you're right there, you're just a person on the phone).



And no, for anyone wondering, they won't, they CANNOT, ask for documentation. It would be against the ADA to ask for proof. Just tell them what is needed and they will see if it can be done.


(I also think it is VERY important for the knowledge that it's not a "front of line" pass to be stated, especially with a vague question like the OP's...there are SO many people who think it is, and there are many people who go on wonderful sparkly days where it DOES end up acting like a front of line pass, that it is VITAL for those with special needs to really know what the passes will do. Not what they CAN do on very perfect days, but that your wait might be longer than the regular line so that you *expect* that, so that the one with the needs can expect that. So too-blunt or not, it's very important information!)

 

[Dopey's MIL]

Maybe you could try a disability.

[/quote]

I hope that wasn't making fun of us because we already do have one...have you tried one lately?

 

[LuvBaloo]

Really, families should be split up? How is that enjoying the park as a family, like all other families get to?

Now I agree that all should be riding the ride at least. There are rides my brother won't go on, so we will go stand in line, while someone takes him to do something else. But yes, all 5 of us will be going through the exit in a few weeks on the rides he will go on. We are there as a family to have fun. Not to be split up so that some people won't be upset because we got to go in front of them. I don't get why people are that petty, it's a ride for crying out loud.

Yes, I'm concerned about people abusing things. MAKING up disabilities is a real complaint (I've seen people trade off riding in the wheel chair), not that a family stays together in the park.

I was only suggesting they split up for the waiting in line, and when they reach the front of the line they ride together. In my opinion, allowing 6 people to ride has created the problem with abuse. When its busy those with a wheelchair have been able to get on more rides because of bypassing lines. Friends who go with a relative in a wheelchair much prefer going with uncle joe in the wheelchair because those days are faster than when he doesn't go. That has created the amount of people that abuse the system, because there are some perks to it. Yes, those small perks are not much compared to dealing with a wheelchair at all times, but its enough to encourage abuse of system. Once again, my thoughts are equal access not preferred access.

So you'd be good with going to DL and having part of your family go on a ride, while you wait in line. Then have them wait for you to get off the ride? I'm guessing no. I'm assuming when you go to DL you enjoy being there with your family, no? So what makes your family more deserving of this then mine?

Really it does not take that much time to load a family of 5 or 6 on a ride, when they have someone with a disability.

And yes I don't see a problem with splitting up. When DD7 really wants to do Screaming and DD4 just isn't big enough, then DH or I will let DD7 have her ride and amuse DD4 while we're waiting.