changes to GAC with AP issued at WDW

[stitchlovestink]

Just returned last night from a 12 day trip to WDW. This was my fourth trip to WDW this year as DD is currently working there. I currently have a FL AP (I am eligible for this as a PT FL resident.) When I went to GS to renew my GAC, I was told that they are tightening up on the GACs and now are only issuing them for a maximum of 2 weeks at a time (instead of 2 months) due to abuse. The CM specifically stated the term 'abuse.' I just stated that it was a shame because it was going to cause more work for them having to reissue them so much more often for AP holders but I understood they had to do what they had to do.
Later in my trip, I accidentally forgot my GAC in my room. Another CM at GS issued one for 2 months but while chatting, I found out she didn't normally work as a 'GS CM'. So I guess your mileage may vary. But the first CM was pretty insistent that this was their new policy. Should be interesting to see what other Annual Passholders report back....

 

[Schmeck]

I'm assuming this is due to the misuses reported in the national news about people actually profiting by using a GAC and escorting others around Disney parks.

 

[SueM in MN]

It makes sense that they would do that.
Even for someone with annual passes, 2 weeks is a reasonable time frame.

 

[JeRmS]

question though, I still have a GAC that has a month left on it ... I don't need to get a new one right? they didn't change the cards or anything correct?

 

[Talking Hands]

It has gone from 6mo to 2mo and now to 2 weeks. Basically the same as any other guest visiting. Doesn't change much for me since I usually don't get up there more than every 2 months

 

[SueM in MN]

question though, I still have a GAC that has a month left on it ... I don't need to get a new one right? they didn't change the cards or anything correct?

If yours is not expired, you should be OK.
It's going forward that they are not issuing them for long periods of time.

 

[travelitis]

Just got one with a FL AP for 2 mos issued May 28. I think we will see some inconsistency on this.

 

[travelitis]

I have to respectfully disagree that 2 weeks is reasonable for AP holders. There are some AP holders whom a year long GAC would be reasonable as the disability has zero chance of changing, the impairment is significant, and they visit often. I think you can invitation such a scenario easily enough. What it will mean is longer lines for Guest Services. My friend's child is blind, autistic, and profound. None of this will materially change, and that GAC is the same every time. They can do 3 for a 6 month period or 8 - 12 depending on how her trips fall. I've gone weekly all year, so if I had a GAC, that would be 12 vs 3 passes. It's a waste of their time, AP holder's time, and trees. They used to issue GACs for longer than 2 months. Going to 2 weeks is inconvenient from the FL resident AP POV.

 

[aubriee]

I have to respectfully disagree that 2 weeks is reasonable for AP holders. There are some AP holders whom a year long GAC would be reasonable as the disability has zero chance of changing, the impairment is significant, and they visit often. I think you can invitation such a scenario easily enough. What it will mean is longer lines for Guest Services. My friend's child is blind, autistic, and profound. None of this will materially change, and that GAC is the same every time. They can do 3 for a 6 month period or 8 - 12 depending on how her trips fall. I've gone weekly all year, so if I had a GAC, that would be 12 vs 3 passes. It's a waste of their time, AP holder's time, and trees. They used to issue GACs for longer than 2 months. Going to 2 weeks is inconvenient from the FL resident AP POV.

As Schmeck said it's probably because of the stuff on the news about people hiring someone with a GAC to avoid lines. If they make someone get one every two weeks and that someone keeps coming back every two weeks to get another one, the system may be flagged to watch her. Then if she's constantly coming in and out with a different group every day or so, they'd be able to catch it.

 

[SueM in MN]

As Schmeck said it's probably because of the stuff on the news about people hiring someone with a GAC to avoid lines. If they make someone get one every two weeks and that someone keeps coming back every two weeks to get another one, the system may be flagged to watch her. Then if she's constantly coming in and out with a different group every day or so, they'd be able to catch it.

That was why I meant.

Their aim with a shorter time is to try to make it less convenient for people who are getting one 'business reasons'.
They could have made it valid only for a week or a day, which would be very inconvenient for most guests. Setting it as 2 weeks will impact and inconvenience some Annual Passholders, but not as many as if they set it to a shorter time.

That was what I meant by saying it was reasonable. It's a short enough time for them to make it less convenient for the people trying to abuse it, but a long enough time that it won't inconvenience most guests who are using it because they need it.
In the balance between inconveniencing people seeking one to use as 'TourGuides' and needlessly inconveniencing AP holders with disabilities, I think 2 weeks is a reasonable time period to go to.

I do think they will come up iwth a way to tie the GAC to the person it was issued to once the RFID cards nd Magic bands are fully rolled out.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

As Schmeck said it's probably because of the stuff on the news about people hiring someone with a GAC to avoid lines. If they make someone get one every two weeks and that someone keeps coming back every two weeks to get another one, the system may be flagged to watch her. Then if she's constantly coming in and out with a different group every day or so, they'd be able to catch it.

Our family will not be impacted as we are not FL AP holders. We may travel a week every other year, or a few times on AP. But, if I were , it only takes the renewal a few minutes and the real abuse persons may start to be recognized and challenges or administrative options be made possible.

I am frustrated about the abuse, but sympathetic to the truly needing families.

 

[amyj1024]

We had a GAC for my son with autism. It was only valid for the dates we were registered for the parks. Also, CM's were very diligent checking dates, party size, and often asking/greeting my son by name. It's sad, but not surprising that others would abuse this accommodation. I felt bad about utilizing it at first, but it truly made our trip more enjoyable for all of us, especially my son who had fewer meltdowns even with all the translations and sensory overload at the world. We got our card at Epcot, outside the ticket gates before rope drop, took like 2 minutes!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Just got one with a FL AP for 2 mos issued May 28. I think we will see some inconsistency on this.

Agreed! as I posted in my original post, I experienced it!

I have to respectfully disagree that 2 weeks is reasonable for AP holders. There are some AP holders whom a year long GAC would be reasonable as the disability has zero chance of changing, the impairment is significant, and they visit often. I think you can invitation such a scenario easily enough. What it will mean is longer lines for Guest Services. My friend's child is blind, autistic, and profound. None of this will materially change, and that GAC is the same every time. They can do 3 for a 6 month period or 8 - 12 depending on how her trips fall. I've gone weekly all year, so if I had a GAC, that would be 12 vs 3 passes. It's a waste of their time, AP holder's time, and trees. They used to issue GACs for longer than 2 months. Going to 2 weeks is inconvenient from the FL resident AP POV.

Couldn't agree with you more!!!
I have had the same GAC for ummm..... let's see since 2005 or 2006 (effectively the wording may have changed slightly but in essence it is the same stamp) I may even have had it back in 2003 (but might be hard pressed to find that one!! even as much as I love to keep all of my paperwork!) So I really think that two weeks for a FL AP holder isn't all that reasonable as they aren't tracking them. I watched them issue both of mine. The GAC already had the stamp on it when they pulled it out of a drawer right where they were standing. They looked at my AP & ID and a photocopy of my old GAC, handed me back my AP & ID, pulled the new GAC out, used the photocopy to fill the new GAC out and then handed both the photocopy & new GAC to me together. They weren't anywhere near a computer and they didn't record any info anywhere (I was watching VERY CLOSELY) So they are not tracking them at this time for APs. Or if they are, these CMs didn't record mine.
I found the biggest difference was when I went from traditional guest to AP holder was they didn't ask me how many in my party. They automatically issued it for six. And they didn't ask me my vacation dates, they issued it for a set period of time.

As Schmeck said it's probably because of the stuff on the news about people hiring someone with a GAC to avoid lines. If they make someone get one every two weeks and that someone keeps coming back every two weeks to get another one, the system may be flagged to watch her. Then if she's constantly coming in and out with a different group every day or so, they'd be able to catch it.

as I stated above, they didn't record any info anywhere when I got mine either time. I got both of mine at MK. So I think it is being done more as an inconvenience thing than for flagging because I would find it odd that I got TWO CMs that NEITHER recorded anything if they are really tracking them??? Nah... Besides what would be so odd about an FL AP holder coming in to get one every two weeks?? It is their right.

We had a GAC for my son with autism. It was only valid for the dates we were registered for the parks. Also, CM's were very diligent checking dates, party size, and often asking/greeting my son by name. It's sad, but not surprising that others would abuse this accommodation. I felt bad about utilizing it at first, but it truly made our trip more enjoyable for all of us, especially my son who had fewer meltdowns even with all the translations and sensory overload at the world. We got our card at Epcot, outside the ticket gates before rope drop, took like 2 minutes!

I had mixed experiences about them checking mine.... some were very diligent about checking details and asking how many in my party which varied from one to four. Some barely glanced at it. Some asked me what MY name was. I still found a great disparity in the CMs checking them.

 

[spiritsim]

going to the world for the first time my husband will be using an electric scooter. He has had a stroke ,2 back surgery's and has diabetes. My daughter, her hubby and my 2 granddaughters will be with us. //so what is a gac and how is it used?

 

[shortfieldno1]

I went as well for 2 weeks from June 8th - June 21st. I got my GAC at HS from Guest Services by the tiny bag check. The CM stated that 2 weeks was the max and they also entered my name in a computer.
When I was at MK City Hall for a special meet and greet, we walked behind the counter. I saw the computer system where they were entering the names of everyone that was issued one.
I was thinking if they want to cut down on "abuse" they should have a picture that prints out. That way it is only being used by the person that needs it.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I went as well for 2 weeks from June 8th - June 21st. I got my GAC at HS from Guest Services by the tiny bag check. The CM stated that 2 weeks was the max and they also entered my name in a computer.
When I was at MK City Hall for a special meet and greet, we walked behind the counter. I saw the computer system where they were entering the names of everyone that was issued one.
I was thinking if they want to cut down on "abuse" they should have a picture that prints out. That way it is only being used by the person that needs it.

I have no problem with them tracking them...but as I previously stated when *I* got mine at MK they were not entering any info into a computer because there was NO computer anywhere close to this CM nor was she writing any info onto any kind of 'list' EITHER time I got one. So apparently there is inconsistency there as well.

 

[lovethattink]

Two weeks is the same as what Sea World/Busch Gardens and Universal/IOA give. I don't have a problem going every two weeks as opposed to every 2 months. It may make the lines longer at guest services, but other than that I don't see anything wrong with 2 weeks.

 

[SueM in MN]

going to the world for the first time my husband will be using an electric scooter. He has had a stroke ,2 back surgery's and has diabetes. My daughter, her hubby and my 2 granddaughters will be with us. //so what is a gac and how is it used?

GAC stands for Guest Assistance Card and it is basically a communication card to help CMs (Cast Members) at attraction know what assistance someone needs because of their disability. It is based on needs, not diagnosis. So, just having had a stroke, back surgery or diabetes is not really pertinent to requesting a GAC- why matters is whether someone has needs that are not visible that are not met by using a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility device.

Guests don't need a GAC to use an ECV (scooter) in lines or attractions. Most people using mobility devices don't need a GAC because the mobility device mets their needs.

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Post 6 of that thread is everything you might want to know about GACs.

 

[HopperFan]

DS who is disabled and I have APs. I have no problem at all going back to them lasting for 2 weeks. If it helps the program keep a better watch on who gets them that is fine with me. A few minutes in line each time is nothing. I do think the new ticket system will make it easier for them to embed it into the ticket and therefore track if someone is there several times a week. Years ago we had APs to Universal a few years and his assistance card was always printed right there on his ticket with his name.

We were just in WDW in May and our first park day was DHS. The only thing we experienced that was different is that they asked for his ID card. He is an adult but clearly disabled, does not really speak and I don't think it was to question the validity but rather to document who is getting it and I assume it went into the system. He does not drive but I did obtain a state ID card for him years ago because the first time we flew with him as an adult he almost didn't get on the plane because he had no ID. Luckily my DH enters airport security in a "fastpass" line and was able to talk them into letting him through. I now keep with my ID.

 

[OKWMom]

Wow, thanks for the advice on the ID. I have a state issued ID card for DD who is 15 because I had to get one for her for state Medicaid reasons. But I have never brought it with me to WDW. I guess I'd better start.