Disney finally sees huge abuse of the GAC

[Kaspar Houser]

What do you think?


http://www.disunplugged.com/2013/01/16/guest-assistance-cards-vs-fastpass-let-the-battle-begin/

 

[ghtx]

The first commenter on that post managed to blame it all on BTGs.

 

[bumbershoot]

who bring small groups into the parks and utilize the GAC to express the group to the front of attraction lines

But just sentences before it said that that's not how the GAC is supposed to work.

IMO, this is Disney's problem, and Disney's solution shouldn't be obvious to anyone else. If they want to keep groups from doing this, then never ever allow the GAC to work in any way like a FOTL pass. It should always work the way it's supposed to work. If it's not, then that's on the CMs.

I think it's funny...how the people around here and that I know who have bonafide reasons for a GAC almost never experience something similar to front of the line...but the tour groups mentioned in the article, and various people relating stories of acquaintances who abuse it somehow DO manage to experience "no" line. Weird how that works.



"the large amount of annual pass holders utilizing GACs created a reduction of fast passes available "

HOW?


The article says things like "blatant abuse", but doesn't give anything more than anecdotal info about it. Some CM has noticed blatant abuse; prove it, random CM. Explain how GAC use reduced the FPs available.

I know that I have never noticed anyone around me abusing a GAC or wheeled conveyance (OK wait I knew one person, but that person did have need...the person was also just really odd about it), and I wouldn't care if they did. If someone lives their life in such a way where they are comfy with the karma of telling someone there's some challenge they face that requires a card, etc when there's no such thing happening in their life, it doesn't mess with my head or life at all.

 

[minnie mum]

What tweaked my interest was the reference to the CMs at certain DL attractions issuing handwritten return times for GAC users based on the current standby time. When we were in Japan in the fall, this is how almost all attractions dealt with both GAC and wheelchair/ECV users. Everyone was issued a card. At an attraction the CM at the beginning of the line would write your return time on your card, according to the current standby time. You were still free to use whatever fastpasses you wanted.

Perhaps if this system were implemented at WDW AND WELL PUBLICIZED, GAC abusers would quickly become aware that the card was no longer a wonderful benefit, since they could only beat the standby times by getting a fastpass like everybody else. I don't see how fastpass plus would substantively change something like this, though.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I think that the GAC works as a golden FP pass more often than not. If you read TRs of people who use the GAC, they are almost always ushered through the FP line when they show the GAC.

I'm not saying people around here abuse it, I know that many of the TRs I read include family members with legitimate reasons for the GAC, but that is just the way that it works. In the literature about the GAC it states that people will be directed to an alternate area to wait, it seems like if disney actually did that, instead of sending people through the FP line there would be less abuse.

I think that what they are doing in CA is a great idea. I understand that people have issues that make it difficult to be in crowds or to stand for extended periods of time, but that doesn't mean they should get on the attraction immediately. Being able to wait away from the crowds either in a dedicated GAC lounge or out in the park somewhere would work fine.

 

[KateMW]

I think that the GAC works as a golden FP pass more often than not. If you read TRs of people who use the GAC, they are almost always ushered through the FP line when they show the GAC.

I'm not saying people around here abuse it, I know that many of the TRs I read include family members with legitimate reasons for the GAC, but that is just the way that it works. In the literature about the GAC it states that people will be directed to an alternate area to wait, it seems like if disney actually did that, instead of sending people through the FP line there would be less abuse.

I think that what they are doing in CA is a great idea. I understand that people have issues that make it difficult to be in crowds or to stand for extended periods of time, but that doesn't mean they should get on the attraction immediately. Being able to wait away from the crowds either in a dedicated GAC lounge or out in the park somewhere would work fine.

I totally agree. My mother has MS and used a scooter on our trip with her. Even without a GAC, we were more often than not routed through the FP line and sent straight to the front. My mother didn't need that per se, but does need a place to wait out of the sun/not standing the whole time. There are ways to fix these issues, such as make the standby lines scooter and wheelchair accessible. Having a waiting room type place for children/adults that need to be out of the sun/crowd. It shouldn't always mean you are rewarded with a ticket straight to the front.

 

[Muddypaws]

As the mother of a special needs kids, I say "Hoorah!" I really hope that they start doing something to cut down on the abuse. I have no problems with being asked for proof or taking the time to be questioned thoroughly before being issued with a GAC. I believe that the vast majority of those who fit the criteria for a GAC wouldn't.

Only once were we ever given a return time instead of being put in the Fastpass line - at Pteranodon Flyers at Universal. I thought it was a great idea.

 

[moorhunhe]

Reading that article, looks like there is a big difference between WDW and DLRP.

In Paris you NEED a letter from your doctor / phisicion / therapist, saying you have a certain illness / can't leave wheelchair / can't stand in crowds, etc ...
Without that letter they will refuse to give you a pass.

Looking at the comments below that article, WDW doesn't need a letter like that to know if this person really has an illness?

 

[ttintagel]

Well, they THINK they see abuse. They have no way to know.

 

[kamik86]

I know when I went with my mom on the Jungle cruise and she was in a wheelchair I was immediately ushered into a line that bypassed most of the line. I even said she could transfer and walk the line (She was having knee surgery a few months later so she couldn't walk all the time but could do short distances, the line was only 20 min or so which was something she could easily do with a handrail). I originally had only walked up to the CM to ask where to park the wheel chair.

 

[atp]

I think that the GAC works as a golden FP pass more often than not. If you read TRs of people who use the GAC, they are almost always ushered through the FP line when they show the GAC.

I'm not saying people around here abuse it, I know that many of the TRs I read include family members with legitimate reasons for the GAC, but that is just the way that it works. In the literature about the GAC it states that people will be directed to an alternate area to wait, it seems like if disney actually did that, instead of sending people through the FP line there would be less abuse.

I think that what they are doing in CA is a great idea. I understand that people have issues that make it difficult to be in crowds or to stand for extended periods of time, but that doesn't mean they should get on the attraction immediately. Being able to wait away from the crowds either in a dedicated GAC lounge or out in the park somewhere would work fine.

I agree. I hear many reports from people saying they use it as a front of the line pass. Like you, I don't mean they are abusing it, the people I mention have real disabilities, asked for a card and got one.

One person in particular said he loved it, because he and his whole family didn't have to wait at all in any of the rides they went to. And he has a real disability, he is visually impaired.

Every time someone says they go straight to the front of the line people always reply noooooo, that's impossible, it's not how it works. But clearly it works that way for many.

I don't how much of an impact this really has on actual wait times, but I don't see a way for Disney to do anything about it. Either they offer it or they don't. They can't really ask for proof of disability and not all disabillities prevent you from being able to wait anyway, so that wouldn't help much. It would still be abused IMO. I have anxiety, so I could easily get a doctor's note stating I have anxiety. But my anxiety does not prevent me from waiting in line like everyone else, so I would be lying if I said I needed a GAC. Since I have a conscience and I like to sleep at night, I just do what most other people do. Wait in line or get a FP.

If it's really being abused that much, maybe they will start only offering this front of the line thing for children on make a wish trips or people who really are medically fragile and truly can't wait.

Or maybe everything will stay the same.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Reading that article, looks like there is a big difference between WDW and DLRP.

In Paris you NEED a letter from your doctor / phisicion / therapist, saying you have a certain illness / can't leave wheelchair / can't stand in crowds, etc ...
Without that letter they will refuse to give you a pass.

Looking at the comments below that article, WDW doesn't need a letter like that to know if this person really has an illness?

No, and they can't ask for one. It's against ADA regulations.

 

[jenben8426]

My son has autism. He does not do well in crowds and he does not do well standing right next to people. We found out about the GAC and thought this will be perfect. We are perfectly content to wait for the ride, we just needed a separate area to wait so that my son didn't whack someone. Every ride when asked where we needed to go to wait in a separate area--they sent us right to the front, usually via the wheelchair entrance or exit. Only a few were we told to go directly through the fast pass line. I did not want to abuse the system at all. We did what the CM's told us to do. There are many books that I have since read for autistic parents taking their children to Disney World to ask for the card that bypasses the line. I know many here say that the GAC does not do that at all, but we are living proof that it does indeed happen.

I think the note to return in such and such time is a fabulous idea for those that have not figured out how to do Fast pass, or FP+, or whatever. Now that I have learned when to do things, how to work crowds, etc we don't need to worry about a GAC because I can make sure my son isn't in a crowded line for 2 hours.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I think that one of the main abuses of the GAC’s or people who get them for ridiculous reasons. I mean come on making a child who has ADD, ADHD, or SPD type issues stand in line is not going to kill them and standing in line may be a great learning experience for them. My students with these difficulties are not exempt from standing in lines at school or anywhere else so why should it be at Disney.I could care less if the GAC was a front of the line pass because the majority of people need them for serious physical reasons and if this makes them more comfortable or they get to see more then so be it. Disney really needs to stop handing these things out like candy and make sure that there is a real need for them.

 

[KateMW]

As the mother of a special needs kids, I say "Hoorah!" I really hope that they start doing something to cut down on the abuse. I have no problems with being asked for proof or taking the time to be questioned thoroughly before being issued with a GAC. I believe that the vast majority of those who fit the criteria for a GAC wouldn't.

Only once were we ever given a return time instead of being put in the Fastpass line - at Pteranodon Flyers at Universal. I thought it was a great idea.

I think this is the issue...nobody who truly qualifies for a GAC would have an issue simply providing some sort of documentation saying they were eligible. But it's the people who aren't that throw the fits. My mother was ready and willing to show her note, but turned out she didn't even need a card, just simply rode around on her scooter. IMO that's ridiculous and allows for all the abuse.

 

[Miss Peach]

Just to give a point of reference, for the last year and a half I have been going to Disneyland two to three times a month. Prior to that I went two to three times per WEEK. For more than thirty years. Disneyland is my town square!

I don't ride a lot of rides, I mostly go to stroll around, enjoy the parks, and take photos and people watch.

I lead with this information so there is an understanding that I see a lot.

The GAC "abuse" is really out of control in Disneyland and DCA. I know all the arguments about hidden disabilities, and I respect that there are people with hidden disabilities, I, myself, have a chronic medical issue that requires management and will ultimately lead to a permanent impairment. Although, by looking at me, I look healthy and fit!

But if one is not hurrying from attraction to attraction, and really observing and being privy to the conversations of those sitting next to you on a bench, you would know what I know... GAC abuse is out of control!

There needs to be an overhaul of the system, the sooner the better.

What always amazes me, when these forums start discussing GAC abuse, so many people, the people that benefit from the GAC, seem to not want any change. An overhaul would help those who really need the service, one would think everybody would be on board with fixing the problem!

Really, this is a current problem that needs to be addressed. Waiting for Karmic backlash to deal with those without ethics seems a bit silly when reworking the system, and retraining the CMs would make a big difference right now!

JMHO!

 

[matheke]

I wish the article would have stated more on "HOW" the GAC cards are being abused.

Not being familiar with all the ins and outs of the GAC are they given to guest and then held onto forever, or are they for a specific timeframe?

It's a shame that Disney has a good program and it may all come to an end due to those who chose to abuse the system.

Where my friend works, they were looking to build a new parking facility because they did not have enough handicapped parking spaces. After some checking, 70% of the people parking there were abusing the system. Many had expired placards, or were using a placard from a family member or even a neighbor.

 

[stargazertechie]

I've been on two trips with a GAC card. The members of my party had various physical disabilities that necessitated a wheelchair, and in one case also a shaded, less congested waiting area (photosensitive and a couple of other medical needs).

Neither time did the wheelchair or GAC serve as a front of the line pass. Yes, we were routed through the fastpass line for wheelchair access. Yes, it was nice not having to creep a scooter two inches every 45 seconds.

But despite the fact that we were routed through the FP line, our waits were still comparable to the posted wait time, normally give or take 5 minutes. And yes, sometimes it was a "give" situation where our wait was LONGER than the posted wait time due to the need of an accessible ride vehicle.

I'm sure for some people with certain accommodation needs, it does "shorten" the wait, but I honestly believe in most cases it is a perceived benefit, and not an actual shorter wait. The standby line might be posted at 40 minutes. You think "aha, look, I just blasted through the line!" and you're loaded 15 minutes later. What you might not realize is that the standby wait was actually only 10 minutes and the ride board hadn't been updated lately.

And on several e-ticket attractions at WDW (space mountain sticks out in my mind) we were issued return tickets to come back at a time that closely approximated the standby wait time... so it does happen.

 

[Sam81]

WDW is not a “right.” And I really question those that have real disabilities risking their health to ride Dumbo. Let’s take the rose colored glasses off for a second - WDW is a big, usually hot, very crowded theme park. It requires lots of walking, lots of standing and being in close proximity of thousands of other people. Yet constantly on here people post my mom needs O2 how can we transfer her to Space Mountain or My son has a fear of crowds where can he wait with no one around.

Seriously, if you need an ECV, O2, cannot be in the sun, cannot sit/stand/kneel for more than 2.7 minutes, and have a social anxiety WDW isn’t for you. Sorry.

 

[BearcatsFan]

WDW is not a “right.” And I really question those that have real disabilities risking their health to ride Dumbo. Let’s take the rose colored glasses off for a second - WDW is a big, usually hot, very crowded theme park. It requires lots of walking, lots of standing and being in close proximity of thousands of other people. Yet constantly on here people post my mom needs O2 how can we transfer her to Space Mountain or My son has a fear of crowds where can he wait with no one around.

Seriously, if you need an ECV, O2, cannot be in the sun, cannot sit/stand/kneel for more than 2.7 minutes, and have a social anxiety WDW isn’t for you. Sorry.

But Disney IS for everyone. That's what the GAC is for - to provide accommodations for those who have disabilities that prevent them from being able to experience the park any other way.