Can you get a gac that will allow the new fast pass time extension

[k3mommy]

You're wasting your breath. Apparently, most people on this thread think we walk around totally unprepared to handle our child's illness and as long as we have appropriate snacks T1D shouldn't get in the way. If we even ask for a small accommodation we are somehow exaggerating or being dramatic. My daughter is only 3½ and has been T1D for almost half her little life. It takes a lot more effort than most people realize but unless it is their child they don't really care to even try to understand. It's really hurtful to me as well that people would rather my child, WITH A LEGITIMATE ISSUE, miss a ride than give a little leeway in the fastpass window. I hope you and your family have a fabulous time at Disney with few D issues, but I hope Disney will be accommodating if the need arises. We will be taking our first trip in November and totally understand!

[/B][/B]

My DS8 is T1D and I think I might ask about this during our Oct trip. I don't think it will happen over and over and over again but it is very likely to happen a few times during our vacation.

Every day of our lives, my DS's diabetes is on our minds. We plan for and around it. We check our son often. We have snacks, water and fast sugar on hand at all times. We're even more diligent while out and about at a park, zoo, pool, etc.. Going to a place like Disney takes planning and diligence to the extreme. It's just how it is.

But even if we do everything right and plan to arrive at the beginning of the FP window, things in the World do not always follow my carefully thought out and typed out touring plans. A ride that I think or read would take about 30 minutes ends up taking 45 so now we're approaching the halfway mark of our fastpass return time. Then I might notice my son putting his hand to his head and I ask him if he feels low. He says he's just hot but he's starting to walk slower and looking mad. That tells me he's low but fighting it. So, we look for some shade to sit down and test his blood sugar. He's low but insists he isn't and gets annoyed because he wants to ride XYZ and we're making him rest and drink/eat something he doesn't want to drink/eat. He's not exactly cooperative when he's low. Not his fault...he can't think straight. We have to wait 20 minutes before checking him again to see if his blood sugar is up. 15 minutes isn't enough for him....we end up over compensating if we test too soon.

So, we check him again and he might be fine and ready to go but we still might not make it on time.

Or, we check him again and he's still not high enough so we have to wait longer and definitely miss the FP window.

In this very realistic scenario, we weren't pushing things to the last minute and expecting to be allowed to ignore the FP rules....but trying to manage a disease like T1D while at a place like Disney can be very unpredictable and difficult. With a child, it could happen more than once a day because of the heat and the activity. It would be nice to have a small accommodation like a slightly extended FP time so that my son doesn't feel like he's also punished for having this disease.

It makes me a little sad that I get the feeling from some of the posts here that people think we should just plan better.

All that said....I plan to go about our business first and IF we find that his diabetes makes it difficult for us to benefit from the FP system, only then will I ask about a GAC.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

You're wasting your breath. Apparently, most people on this thread think we walk around totally unprepared to handle our child's illness and as long as we have appropriate snacks T1D shouldn't get in the way. If we even ask for a small accommodation we are somehow exaggerating or being dramatic. My daughter is only 3½ and has been T1D for almost half her little life. It takes a lot more effort than most people realize but unless it is their child they don't really care to even try to understand. It's really hurtful to me as well that people would rather my child, WITH A LEGITIMATE ISSUE, miss a ride than give a little leeway in the fastpass window. I hope you and your family have a fabulous time at Disney with few D issues, but I hope Disney will be accommodating if the need arises. We will be taking our first trip in November and totally understand!

[/B][/B]

People lie. It sucks and it happens. The way the laws are written and the way Disney is allowed to institute its own policies regarding services they provide, it's a moot point. They can't require proof that it's a legitimate issue and whenever people think they can cheat the system, they'll try it. There is no way for Disney to regulate what is and isn't a legitimate reason to extend FP return times that won't result in people jumping on that bandwagon.

 

[littlbugmom]

People lie. It sucks and it happens. The way the laws are written and the way Disney is allowed to institute its own policies regarding services they provide, it's a moot point. They can't require proof that it's a legitimate issue and whenever people think they can cheat the system, they'll try it. There is no way for Disney to regulate what is and isn't a legitimate reason to extend FP return times that won't result in people jumping on that bandwagon.

Yes, people will lie and take advantage of the system....as I'm sure they do that now for more than a few "invisible" conditions. It's a shame. But do you think that is reason enough to deny a GAC for this issue? Yes, it could be difficult for Disney to regulate but I really think they could come up with conditions that warrant the GAC for extended FP windows.

 

[littlbugmom]

You're wasting your breath. Apparently, most people on this thread think we walk around totally unprepared to handle our child's illness and as long as we have appropriate snacks T1D shouldn't get in the way. If we even ask for a small accommodation we are somehow exaggerating or being dramatic. My daughter is only 3½ and has been T1D for almost half her little life. It takes a lot more effort than most people realize but unless it is their child they don't really care to even try to understand. It's really hurtful to me as well that people would rather my child, WITH A LEGITIMATE ISSUE, miss a ride than give a little leeway in the fastpass window. I hope you and your family have a fabulous time at Disney with few D issues, but I hope Disney will be accommodating if the need arises. We will be taking our first trip in November and totally understand!

[/B][/B]

Thank you, I hope the same for your vacation!
I can only imagine how difficult it is to manage type1 with a baby or toddler.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

There's been plenty of talk that the GACs will change or Disney's handling of them will change because it's gotten too out of hand, and people have reported (at times) that GACs have been more difficult to get unless you can very clearly explain your needs. So yes, I do think that if Disney wanted to, they could deny a GAC here.

Think of it this way, a FastPass is just like the Dining plan (and that big ol argument thread). You don't HAVE to use Fastpasses. Because of that very reason, Disney can decide how they want to handle them.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am closing this thread at this time.

Disney does not publish anything official about GACs, so I would refer people o post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
The information there has been verified for me by Guest Services CMs and is as close to official as you will find anywhere.

We do not post specific information on this board - one reason is that Disney can change how they do things at any point. The information in the FAQs thread is general enough that it is not likely to change..
The other point is that we can't promise anything - guests who have specil needs have to go to Guest Relations and explain their needs.
The last point is that the needs one person has related to xxxxx condition are not going to be the same as another person has related to xxxxx condition, so the accommodations needed, if my, might be very different.