Changes to GAC getting closer?

[Magpie]

I've just read this: http://micechat.com/42628-miceage-disneyland-update/

The high points:

...the existing Guest Assistance Card (in Disneyland California) will cease to exist on October 9th.

In its place will be an entirely new program called the Disabled Assistance System (DAS). The DAS will work similarly to the “return passes” issued at popular rides like Star Tours 2.0 and Radiator Springs Racers, where currently a GAC holder gets a Fastpass-style return time hand written on a card based on the current Standby wait time. But with DAS, that concept will be rolled out to several dozen high-wait attractions in Anaheim. Instead of going to the actual ride to get a return card, a DAS holder will report to one of several Guest Relations kiosks that will be set up around the parks, with a current plan to have four kiosks in Disneyland (Fantasyland alone gets their own kiosk) and three kiosks in DCA. The DAS holder will present their card and tell the Guest Relations CM which attraction they want to ride, the CM will look at the current wait time via the official Disney Mobile Magic app on an iPad, and will then write out a return time for that attraction and subtract 10 or 15 minutes to make up for the travel time to and from the kiosk.

Only one ride reservation on a DAS card can be made at a time, so if the current wait for Space Mountain is 90 minutes and your return time is written for 75 minutes later, a DAS holder will not get another return time printed on their DAS until the first one has expired. A person with a DAS card could go and do anything else in the park in the meantime; watch a parade, see a show, have lunch, go on low-wait time attractions, pull a regular Fastpass for any other attraction, etc. But only one ride time can be reserved at a time with DAS, unlike the existing GAC which serves as basically an open Fastpass for any Fastpass lane in the park or an access card to go up the exit on any other type of attraction. The DAS changes that quite dramatically.

In addition, DAS holders will have their picture taken and added to the card, making it difficult for them to pass the card to anyone else. They will not be allowed to sit out the ride, but will have to accompany their family.

The DAS cards will be issued only at Guest Relations offices in both parks, and the DAS kiosks are only for checking in for a specific ride. There will be no different stamps on the DAS like the current GAC with its half dozen stamp codes; you will either be issued a DAS or you will be instructed to use a wheelchair or other aid for your mobility issue. DAS will only be issued for one day at a time, although folks who can prove they are staying at a hotel for a few days could get a DAS dated for a short length of stay.

The person who is disabled and who has the DAS issued to them will also have their digital photo taken at Guest Relations, and the photo will be printed on the front of the DAS card and used by CM’s at the attractions to confirm that the DAS holder is actually going on the ride. The photos will prevent a current form of abuse, whereby one member of a party gets a GAC issued to them but then insists to the CM’s that they don’t want to ride they just want their children or friends to go in through the exit and skip the line while they wait nearby on a bench. Or worse, children or others in the party are coached into telling the CM’s that they are the person listed who was issued the GAC. To use a DAS, the person the DAS is issued to must be present at the kiosk and at the attraction and must go on the ride for the DAS privilege to work for the rest of the party.

There are more radical changes in DCA, where all queues and park facilities meet ADA requirements for wheelchair accessibility. In DCA, a person in a wheelchair or ECV won’t receive any extra courtesies or services beyond those visitors who are not in a wheelchair. People visiting DCA in wheelchairs likely won’t qualify for a DAS, and will now experience the park as everyone else does, including waiting in Standby lines and juggling Fastpass return times.

Big changes!

The next question, of course, is will this be rolling out at Walt Disney World, in addition to Disneyland? Thoughts?

 

[Bean786]

I hope not. For some it works for others it doesn't. I've stated this before, my FIL has MS ( which is draining) sometimes we only get a 3 hour window of 'normal time'. Lucky for us with his gac we can get a good amount done before we leave. I'm ok with the picture being taken and that good stuff. But having a return time and maybe only being able to hit a few rides might not be worth it.

Of course we could work on a touring style for us but, the flexibility of the gac for our 3-4 hours, makes disney so wonderful for when he goes.


The gac disney has now is a big reason why we chose disney over universal (who uses the return time)

 

[kayemgi]

Well, I've never had any need for a GAC card, so I can't comment on whether or not these changes will be good or bad for people who do need them. But it sounds like Disney is definitely trying to address the abuse of the GAC cards. I guess they kind of had to when those people hiring GAC holders made major headlines awhile back. It will be interesting to see what happens and if people figure out how to work around the new system.

 

[Bean786]

Well, I've never had any need for a GAC card, so I can't comment on whether or not these changes will be good or bad for people who do need them. But it sounds like Disney is definitely trying to address the abuse of the GAC cards. I guess they kind of had to when those people hiring GAC holders made major headlines awhile back. It will be interesting to see what happens and if people figure out how to work around the new system.

And now people like my FIL are paying the price. Of course we'll make it work but it is a bummer

 

[BayouMickey]

I think it's a good move.. This way my daughter gets a return time and we can wander around and soak up the ambiance. We're not trying to get front of the line, we're just trying to make the waits more easy for her. hope wdw does it.

 

[TDC Nala]

Most likely, just based on the reports of widespread abuse of the GAC that resulted in persons with no disability using it as a "front of the line" pass.

 

[ses1230]

I think it is a good move to cut down on abuse. I know that in theory the GAC does not allow for fotl privileges with the mainstreamed queues, but in practice that was not always the case.

 

[Rowdymom81]

According to that article:

The real day to watch will be Friday, October 11th, two days after DAS begins and the first day when 25,000+ Annual Passholders show up in the evening. This is going to be ugly for at least a few weeks, everyone agrees on that. It helps that the exact same program is being rolled out at WDW at the same time, and that finally there are several senior executives supporting the program. It will be interesting to see how strong the executives stand behind the DAS program when the inevitable ugly media stories begin showing up on the local news and online, or heaven forbid if the CM’s in the parks really start taking serious verbal or physical abuse.

 

[SueM in MN]

They are not getting rid of assistance to guests with disabilities. They are changing the program and exactly how it works.

 

[Cyrano]

I am going to close this thread as there is a great thread on the disabilities forum http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151785

 

[winboo213]

I had a lengthy chat with a cm today about the new system... here's what she said:

The new system requires a photo on the card
Max length is 7 days
Disabled person must sign a contract
All access routes currently allowed now will be available (such as alternate entrance, shaded waiting)
Guest services will determine what kind of access you are eligible for

She said it was already going into effect. Has anyone had their picture taken?

What are the chances this is accurate?

 

[BayouMickey]

Your thread is going to be locked.. DIS mods have been requesting no new threads on DAS
See here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151785

 

[Emagine]

As a mom with 2 Special Need kiddos and a Service Dog this information is of importance to me for our trip that is upcoming. It is the reason we bought into the DVC and the changes are key to us. We are only as good as the information given and I appreciate threads and information coming out. I am quite worried and scared for our trip to be honest.

 

[JanaDee]

Your thread is going to be locked.. DIS mods have been requesting no new threads on DAS
See here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151785

I doubt many people that frequent this forum read the disabilities board. I know I don't.

 

[BayouMickey]

I doubt many people that frequent this forum read the disabilities board. I know I don't.

ok then read what Cyrano wrote on a thread in this forum:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3173975

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

Thanks for the link to that. I am glad to see such strict changes being made because too many ppl have been basically given unlimited fast passes with the GAC card. So much so that now ppl FAKE medical issues to get one.

 

[mattsdragon]

Not trying to stir the pot, but it's inevitable with this one. . .

http://www.doctordisney.com/2013/09...abled-assistance-system-das-could-wdw-follow/

My personal feeling. . .probably time for a change, and when you are inconvenienced, be sure to think of all those people who got doctors to write bogus notes for them to "skip the lines".

Why do I always spell inconvenienced wrong?

 

[BayouMickey]

Mods are asking us not to start new GAC threads and are refering us to the post on disabilities forums. just FYI

 

[mattsdragon]

I'm aware, but this is breaking and people frequently come here for catch alls.

 

[BayouMickey]

I'm just letting you know, don't be surprised if it gets locked quickly