Disney finally sees huge abuse of the GAC

[moorhunhe]

Everyone is talking about this while waiting for a ride.

Does this also happen when waiting in line for a character?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I don't care about the day to day. I care only about experiencing more attractions. And as countless others have stated and blogs have pointed out it usually does cut down on wait time. And if it doesn't I complain, bc my disability is waiting in lines causes stress and makes me unhappy. Sorry I deserve a GAC just like everyone else.

I'm not sure whether I hope that you never have a child with a disability OR that one day you will have one and it will really make you realise the reality of families who have someone with Special Needs.

Again, since you ignore the the fact that without a GAC card, these families could never experience WDW, I can only assume that that is what you would prefer. If that's the case, I feel very sorry for you. You haven't lived until you've gotten a personal smile from someone who disabled, whether they are a child or adult. To see the joy in their faces, at Disney World or otherwise, is a feeling like nothing else in the world.

If you choose to use and abuse the GAC card, you can do that. Knowing that for every 1 case of "abuse" there is probably 10 or more people who genuinely need the card, it's worth it so that these families can experience some Disney Magic.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Everyone is talking about this while waiting for a ride.

Does this also happen when waiting in line for a character?

For characters that are outside, people with GAC don't have to wait "in" the line, they can wait to the side and usually one member of their family waits in the line. I've seen characters walk out of the designated spot to see the person who requires the GAC card.

For characters that are indoors, there they often use a separate entrance. They still have to wait. The only people who get "front of the line access" to characters are Make A Wish Foundation guests ect

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

But how can we say which children are able to cope? And the law states Disney cannot ask for proof. Also, so many people think Autism isn't even a "real" disability.

For many people with intellectual disabilities, it isn't about learning to cope, they never will. They cannot ever cope in those situations, so putting them in those situations without assistance is actually cruel to the individual with disabilities. For some people with disabilities, it's pure torture to be in those situations because it often ends in sensory overload. This is very real, it's not an excuse, it's not a reason to get "more" for their money.

I think you are missing what disabilities I am talking about. I am not referring to children with Autism, MR, or even some who are MMD but children with ADHD and minor SPD. These children can and should be taught coping skills in fact for many that is a big part of their IEP’s and Behavior Modification plans because intellectually they are off the charts but their behaviors are what is usually causing them to have issues with learning and in the school setting. Honestly I have many students that have these two disabilities who have gone to Disney and their families have no idea of the GAC and they do just fine but it takes maybe a little more work on the part of the parent .Only here on the DIS I have seen parents discussing getting these cards for kids with these two disabilities and lots of times because it is easier for them.

 

[Sam81]

I'm not sure whether I hope that you never have a child with a disability OR that one day you will have one and it will really make you realise the reality of families who have someone with Special Needs.

Again, since you ignore the the fact that without a GAC card, these families could never experience WDW, I can only assume that that is what you would prefer. If that's the case, I feel very sorry for you. You haven't lived until you've gotten a personal smile from someone who disabled, whether they are a child or adult. To see the joy in their faces, at Disney World or otherwise, is a feeling like nothing else in the world.

If you choose to use and abuse the GAC card, you can do that. Knowing that for every 1 case of "abuse" there is probably 10 or more people who genuinely need the card, it's worth it so that these families can experience some Disney Magic.

I think you are missing the crux of my argument. Disney is NOT A RIGHT! It is not a God-given birth right. It is a vacation destination. I would love to climb Everest and spend a month surfing in Maui. Physically and financially I can’t do it.
You would have a valid point if Disney was FREE. But they charge admission, which is pretty expensive. And to further my point, under the current system:

Family A and Family B both have FP for Peter Pan. Both use their FP at the same time. Both kids LOVE the ride and want to go again. Family A does not have a GAC. Their options are get another FP and come back or wait in the stand-by line. Family B does have a GAC. They have the same options with one exception – they can enter the FP line with their GAC. Family B uses the GAC and rides Peter Pan again with little to no wait. That is what is unfair and needs to be eliminated.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I think you are missing the crux of my argument. Disney is NOT A RIGHT! It is not a God-given birth right. It is a vacation destination. I would love to climb Everest and spend a month surfing in Maui. Physically and financially I can’t do it.
You would have a valid point if Disney was FREE. But they charge admission, which is pretty expensive. And to further my point, under the current system:

Family A and Family B both have FP for Peter Pan. Both use their FP at the same time. Both kids LOVE the ride and want to go again. Family A does not have a GAC. Their options are get another FP and come back or wait in the stand-by line. Family B does have a GAC. They have the same options with one exception – they can enter the FP line with their GAC. Family B uses the GAC and rides Peter Pan again with little to no wait. That is what is unfair and needs to be eliminated.

So what you're saying is that it's better people with a disability and their families never go to Disney World? Clearly this is your argument and that in itself is incredibly sad that you feel that way. Sadly you can't see that using a GAC actually provides no actual benefit because in a day, a family with a member with Special Needs won't be able to tour the park in anyway that you would. They will more than likely experience 2 attractions to your 12.

Again, you refuse to acknowledge this simple fact without a GAC card, people with Special Needs and their families could NEVER experience Disney World. So you argument is that they shouldn't be allowed to experience Disney World because they need a little extra assistance.

 

[Sam81]

But how can we say which children are able to cope? And the law states Disney cannot ask for proof. Also, so many people think Autism isn't even a "real" disability.

For many people with intellectual disabilities, it isn't about learning to cope, they never will. They cannot ever cope in those situations, so putting them in those situations without assistance is actually cruel to the individual with disabilities. For some people with disabilities, it's pure torture to be in those situations because it often ends in sensory overload. This is very real, it's not an excuse, it's not a reason to get "more" for their money.

Let me put it another way. I use food examples, since I am a restaurant owner. You and I both sit down to a nice steak dinner. We both choose the $30 8 oz Filet. But since I am really hungry and will have a meltdown with only 8 oz, I get another 6oz. But I still only have to pay $30. Seem like a good deal to you?

 

[infopurposesonly]

A few posts back a Mom recalled how the GAC allowed her child to bypass the line and re-ride Nemo multiple times. That's unfortunately one of the unfair advantages of the GAC. I plan to use the GAC to my advantage. I may look healthy but the waiting is causing me stress.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3046784&page=17 Post #255 you state you have never waited in line for more than 10 minutes. So what are you complaining about?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Let me put it another way. I use food examples, since I am a restaurant owner. You and I both sit down to a nice steak dinner. We both choose the $30 8 oz Filet. But since I am really hungry and will have a meltdown with only 8 oz, I get another 6oz. But I still only have to pay $30. Seem like a good deal to you?

If you want to use your example it would actually be this:

"You and I sit down to a nice steak dinner. We both choose the $30 8 oz Filet. Since you are "really hungry" and will have a meltdown with only 8 oz, I get another 6oz. But I still only have to pay $30. However without that extra "6oz", you will spend your entire life never going to ANY restaurant because you simply can't due to your disability. "

Does THAT sound like a good deal to you? That's seems to be the point you want to ignore (perhaps because you don't want to admit it or you don't have an answer for) Without that GAC card, the person with Special Needs and their families may never be able to go to Disney World? What right do you have to want to stop people from attending a vacation destination that millions of people every year visit?

 

[Sam81]

So what you're saying is that it's better people with a disability and their families never go to Disney World? Clearly this is your argument and that in itself is incredibly sad that you feel that way. Sadly you can't see that using a GAC actually provides no actual benefit because in a day, a family with a member with Special Needs won't be able to tour the park in anyway that you would. They will more than likely experience 2 attractions to your 12.

Again, you refuse to acknowledge this simple fact without a GAC card, people with Special Needs and their families could NEVER experience Disney World. So you argument is that they shouldn't be allowed to experience Disney World because they need a little extra assistance.

Please take away the day to day. Just focus on the loading of an attraction. The use of a GAC provides a clear advantage.

And they could experience Disney. I took my kids to Disney when they were young and even before FP existed. They had meltdowns, I had meltdowns. We waited HOURS for Ninja Turtle autographs. I fully believe in the use of a GAC, I just don't think it should give you FOTL access to ANYTHING.

If your child wants to ride Peter Pan again, they should be forced to wait just like everyone else or get another FP.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Good quote!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3046784&page=17 Post #255 you state you have never waited in line for more than 10 minutes. So what are you complaining about?

 

[Sam81]

If you want to use your example it would actually be this:

"You and I sit down to a nice steak dinner. We both choose the $30 8 oz Filet. Since you are "really hungry" and will have a meltdown with only 8 oz, I get another 6oz. But I still only have to pay $30. However without that extra "6oz", you will spend your entire life never going to ANY restaurant because you simply can't due to your disability. "

Does THAT sound like a good deal to you? That's seems to be the point you want to ignore (perhaps because you don't want to admit it or you don't have an answer for) Without that GAC card, the person with Special Needs and their families may never be able to go to Disney World? What right do you have to want to stop people from attending a vacation destination that millions of people every year visit?

DISNEY WORLD IS NOT A RIGHT! Literally BILLIONS of people have not and will not listen to the sweet melodies of The Country Bears. Right now MILLIONS of underprivileged, but deserving children will not ride Dumbo.

Right now I have a strong hankering to play some blackjack. But my kids are not 21 yet, so no Vegas for me. Sure I could bring them, but it's too much hassle for all of us. So I make the choice to wait until they are old enough to enjoy it.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Please take away the day to day. Just focus on the loading of an attraction. The use of a GAC provides a clear advantage.

And they could experience Disney. I took my kids to Disney when they were young and even before FP existed. They had meltdowns, I had meltdowns. We waited HOURS for Ninja Turtle autographs. I fully believe in the use of a GAC, I just don't think it should give you FOTL access to ANYTHING.

If your child wants to ride Peter Pan again, they should be forced to wait just like everyone else or get another FP.

Sorry but you can't take away the day to day argument because they go hand in hand. Your meltdown might have been that of a fully functioning adult who would verbalize their distress and discomfort, have the ability to leave the area of something that was making you feel uncomfortable, you were able to process exactly what was going on around you and take control over yourself and your family. Do you actually know anything about intellectual disabilities? If you don't believe a GAC card should help with lines, what exactly do you think a GAC card should be for?

 

[Sam81]

Good quote!

I'm not complaining. I am using the GAC to cut 10 down to 5. I have a waiting in line disability. You cant see it, but believe I do not like waiting.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

DISNEY WORLD IS NOT A RIGHT! Literally BILLIONS of people have not and will not listen to the sweet melodies of The Country Bears. Right now MILLIONS of underprivileged, but deserving children will not ride Dumbo.

Right now I have a strong hankering to play some blackjack. But my kids are not 21 yet, so no Vegas for me. Sure I could bring them, but it's too much hassle for all of us. So I make the choice to wait until they are old enough to enjoy it.

No, Disney World is not a right. But what right do you have to say what people should and shouldn't experience. Clearly you thought Disney World was an ideal place to vacation with your family. Don't you think people with Special Needs should have that option?

The difference with your Vegas analogy is that you can wait to go to Vegas when your children grow up. You realise that with certain intellectual disabilities, that they never actually change? They don't magically grow out of it, they don't change when they become 18, 21 or 30.

 

[Sam81]

Sorry but you can't take away the day to day argument because they go hand in hand. Your meltdown might have been that of a fully functioning adult who would verbalize their distress and discomfort, have the ability to leave the area of something that was making you feel uncomfortable, you were able to process exactly what was going on around you and take control over yourself and your family. Do you actually know anything about intellectual disabilities? If you don't believe a GAC card should help with lines, what exactly do you think a GAC card should be for?

Well #1 the GAC card states that it is not to be used to shorten wait times. But we all know that is load of bs.

I believe the MAW children should go to the front of every single line. EVERY LINE. I believe that if you want to experience an attraction and don't have a FP that you should wait in the line. That's all. What are you advocating? That a child who cannot cope with waiting in lines should always be put to the front? That's no longer equal.

 

[Sunny37]

As I said this woman went up to a bunch of strangers at the end of the line and got them in with her on the gac card. I didn't say anything because it wasn't going to change my day but that is not what the card is for is it?

One day at AK, I overheard a man saying that someone had offered him and his party FOTL access with his "disability card". The man said that he told the guy no thanks...I just don't get how people can do such things. Like someone else said, KARMA!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I'm not complaining. I am using the GAC to cut 10 down to 5. I have a waiting in line disability. You cant see it, but believe I do not like waiting.

You do actually realise what a disability is, don't you? Reading these posts, I think you actually don't understand what an intellectual disability is. Maybe you need to do some research first

 

[Sam81]

You do actually realise what a disability is, don't you? Reading these posts, I think you actually don't understand what an intellectual disability is. Maybe you need to do some research first

No I get it. But let me break it down. You and I both pay the same price to get in. Disney has a card available that in operation shortens wait times considerably. You choose to obtain and use said card. Am I missing something?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Well #1 the GAC card states that it is not to be used to shorten wait times. But we all know that is load of bs.

I believe the MAW children should go to the front of every single line. EVERY LINE. I believe that if you want to experience an attraction and don't have a FP that you should wait in the line. That's all. What are you advocating? That a child who cannot cope with waiting in lines should always be put to the front? That's no longer equal.

Of course it's not equal because these children aren't actually equal to you and your family. They actually cannot wait in line because of their disability. It isn't because they're spoiled brats, it isn't because they don't want to wait in line, it is due to their intellectual disability. Have you ever tried to wait in a line with someone on the Autism Spectrum? See the sheer terror of someone you know and love being terrified because they are experiencing a Sensory Overload and you just might be able to understand. Until you have, I'm sorry but you don't know what you're talking about.

I'm advocating that if we were equal, these adults and children wouldn't be disabled. But they are and for that, they and their families should get the assistance that they need. It is no different to Make A Wish kids. Without that special assistance, they couldn't come to the park. Neither can someone who has Autism or countless other intellectual disabilities. And yet you think it's fair for Make A Wish children but not those who are disabled.