Disney finally sees huge abuse of the GAC

[Casemily]

I'm guessing that France maybe doesn't have the ADA. When people with disabilities (seen or unseen) request help, ADA says they don't have to "prove it" to get help. I can't ask what their disability is, not that it would really help to know, just what they need help with. I don't work for Disney, but I do work for an airline so we do deal with folks with a variety of needs as well. In our area, I've noticed more emotional support animals, and even a few untrained medical needs dogs (sense seizures, etc). It's delicate, I have to ask questions, some folks understand, others assume I think "they're trying to get away with something". It's really tough.

 

[Suellen]

I would have no problem with them asking for a letter. I'm happy to provide one and I'm sure my doctor would be happy to provide one. I can't stand in one place due to a fracture (non union) in my heel and I have a lot of trouble going up and down stairs. I also have trouble standing for periods of time (like Soarin) where the queue is sort of at an angle.

I would be just as happy with a return time (I think that is how Universal handles it).

I just still want to be able to see the attractions without slowing everyone else in line down and without suffering in pain.

Whatever they decide... I do see a LOT of people with them in the FP lines now... abuse or not... I'm sure they can figure out an acceptable system.

 

[Wendimn]

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.

Wow...

 

[aprincessatlast]

HMM... If there is one thing that is the silver lining on this whole fastpass+ is the fact that this might possibly greatly reduce the crazy amount of abuse of the GAC! GAC users seem to have free reign of the park and would on average get to ride much much more than the average guest.

At DL it is funny how the GAC users show up in droves for the E attractions. The smaller ones you might see one or two. I think it would be good for the GAC user too in that they could set the appointment up in advance and it would save them time as well. Also they would be able to set up the time in accordance with their families fastpass time that way there would be less abuse of 7 people tagging along on one GAC (i.e. front of the line pass) and they would all get to ride together.

The reality is even that system would be complicated. It does seem hard to figure out a good system, but I will say right now it does not seem like a good one. (at least for people in stand by)

ETA: I have been on one trip using a GAC card and that is where you really saw how it was abused.

 

[stargazertechie]

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.

It's not a matter of if people are willing, it is ILLEGAL to ask for documentation of a disability for accommodations provided for through the Americans with Disabilities Act, and you start treading the waters of HIPPA violations when you're talking about non-essential businesses requiring medical forms.

 

[Robbi]

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.

Universal does this. If the wait for a line is more than 20 minutes, at Rip Ride Rocket, you're given a return time. I'm pretty sure it works this way for Harry Potter too. We stay onsite at Universal and these are the 2 attractions not tied to FOTL keys.

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

It surely would cut down on the abuse if we did have to show papers. We always bring them because you never know if you run into a clueless CM. It's happened to us. We had one CM tell us that they couldn't see a disability so we couldn't get the GAC. I asked for the manager and all was fine. My daughter's friend has a brain tumor and my niece has an immune disorder. Both their doctors are the ones who told them to request the alternate entrance. Their moms told me and give me the medical papers. I know CMs cannot ask to see them but it does go a long way towards making our request more legit.
Will WDW now use FP+ to replace the GAC? I read the blog but it wasn't clear. While I'm not renewing our APs because of the + system, it would help to pre schedule rides for them. Once their ride allotments for the day are used up, would they still be able to get a GAC to use for the rest of the day?

 

[moorhunhe]

I'm guessing that France maybe doesn't have the ADA. When people with disabilities (seen or unseen) request help, ADA says they don't have to "prove it" to get help. I can't ask what their disability is, not that it would really help to know, just what they need help with. I don't work for Disney, but I do work for an airline so we do deal with folks with a variety of needs as well. In our area, I've noticed more emotional support animals, and even a few untrained medical needs dogs (sense seizures, etc). It's delicate, I have to ask questions, some folks understand, others assume I think "they're trying to get away with something". It's really tough.

I don't think they have that ADA, because if you don't bring a doctor's letter, they will not grant you the GAC pass.
When you visit the Paris park, best thing you can do is bring all the proove you got, like the dissability card to put in your car etc ...

 

[Suellen]

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.

Mine was issued with a year long time frame.

 

[Stinkerbell's Mommy]

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.

So, in your world, only perfectly healthy people should be allowed to go to Disney World or anyplace else that they would require an accommodation?

 

[Sam81]

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.

And in principle I agree with a GAC. But today we have people that cannot go up stairs, cannot be in the sun, cannot sit, cannot be in a loud room, have a fear of red paint, need a peanut free zone, etc…The list is so out of control that the GAC is losing its purpose. I read a report of a person with HEARTBURN that used a GAC. That is just absurd.

 

[KateMW]

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.

I believe his point is at some point, it doesn't make sense for some people to try this. There are only so many accommodations that can be made for people. Personally, if my child was unable to wait in line/with other people, WDW would be the last place in the world I would take them. Disney isn't a right, there is no reason that a child HAS to go to Disney, if it's going to cause so much anxiety getting them there.

 

[BearcatsFan]

It surely would cut down on the abuse if we did have to show papers. We always bring them because you never know if you run into a clueless CM. It's happened to us. We had one CM tell us that they couldn't see a disability so we couldn't get the GAC. I asked for the manager and all was fine. My daughter's friend has a brain tumor and my niece has an immune disorder. Both their doctors are the ones who told them to request the alternate entrance. Their moms told me and give me the medical papers. I know CMs cannot ask to see them but it does go a long way towards making our request more legit.
Will WDW now use FP+ to replace the GAC? I read the blog but it wasn't clear. While I'm not renewing our APs because of the + system, it would help to pre schedule rides for them. Once their ride allotments for the day are used up, would they still be able to get a GAC to use for the rest of the day?

I don't think they can replace the GAC with FP+, not if I have straight in my head everything I've been reading about it. What if the person with the disability was staying offsite and not on WDW property? If the FP+ system is tiered, or priority given to those staying onsite, that would be discriminatory against those with disabilities staying offsite ... and that's a whole new can of worms WDW does not want to open.

Of course, with the myriad of FP+ threads, I may be interpreting the way it will be used completely wrong, so take what I've said FWIW.

 

[stargazertechie]

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.

You really need to learn some compassion. WDW is known as one of the most accessible vacation destinations in the world.

My father needed an ECV. He couldn't stand for more than 2.7 minutes on his last trip. He did actually collapse when we were transferring from his wheelchair to a ride vehicle.

But you know what, our first family vacation was to Disney, and his dying wish was to go back one more time as a family. And that week was the BEST week that he had in the last 6 months of his life. He was able to do more, see more, and experience more BECAUSE they design so many things with disabilities in mind.

We were able to go go shows. We were able to wait in the shade for rides that queue up outside. We were able to take him all the way to the boarding area in his wheelchair on the days he was strong enough to transfer. We were able to take his ECV or wheelchair straight ONTO some of the rides so that he could relax and enjoy.

We were able to get to and from our resort without having to hire special vehicles.

My father was dying, and for ONE week, we were able to be a normal family. We didn't have to worry about doctors appointments, throwing up from chemo, or funeral planning. And that was worth every penny and every dirty look we got as we "cut the line" as some accused us.

 

[Sam81]

So, in your world, only perfectly healthy people should be allowed to go to Disney World or anyplace else that they would require an accommodation?

I just read a thread where people blasted a poster about leaving a child in the car to drop something off. There was a laundry list of “what ifs” and “why take a chance.” I’m saying the same exact thing. If standing in a line will literally kill you, then it is not worth riding Peter Pan. If being in the sun burns your skin, then it’s not worth the autograph from Belle.

 

[KateMW]

It's not a matter of if people are willing, it is ILLEGAL to ask for documentation of a disability for accommodations provided for through the Americans with Disabilities Act, and you start treading the waters of HIPPA violations when you're talking about non-essential businesses requiring medical forms.

Oh I know. I'm married to a lawyer. I know it's illegal, though I don't agree with the law. It became a law to prevent people from being fired, not hired, etc. because of a disability...not so they can scam Disney for a GAC. If you want special treatment places, I believe you should have to prove why you can have it.

 

[KateMW]

You really need to learn some compassion. WDW is known as one of the most accessible vacation destinations in the world.

My father needed an ECV. He couldn't stand for more than 2.7 minutes on his last trip. He did actually collapse when we were transferring from his wheelchair to a ride vehicle.

But you know what, our first family vacation was to Disney, and his dying wish was to go back one more time as a family. And that week was the BEST week that he had in the last 6 months of his life. He was able to do more, see more, and experience more BECAUSE they design so many things with disabilities in mind.

We were able to go go shows. We were able to wait in the shade for rides that queue up outside. We were able to take him all the way to the boarding area in his wheelchair on the days he was strong enough to transfer. We were able to take his ECV or wheelchair straight ONTO some of the rides so that he could relax and enjoy.

We were able to get to and from our resort without having to hire special vehicles.

My father was dying, and for ONE week, we were able to be a normal family. We didn't have to worry about doctors appointments, throwing up from chemo, or funeral planning. And that was worth every penny and every dirty look we got as we "cut the line" as some accused us.

I'm glad you had a great trip with your father. I'm glad you could make it work. I personally would have never tried, so I commend you for your effort!

 

[starjazz]

Gracious. Here comes another...

 

[aprincessatlast]

.

 

[aleksandr]

Mine was issued with a year long time frame.

Are you an AP holder? That seems like a long time for one.

I have an autistic child and we've had a GAC the past two trips, but they were never issued for more than the length of the stay (4-7 days).

The way the GAC gets used should really be dictated by the CM at each particular ride. I can say that we've never requested front of the line access using the GAC, but that does seem to be the end result more often than not. I will approach the CM on duty and show them the GAC and ask them where we can wait in a quiet area and invariably they will just send you right in.

 

[Sam81]

You really need to learn some compassion. WDW is known as one of the most accessible vacation destinations in the world.

My father needed an ECV. He couldn't stand for more than 2.7 minutes on his last trip. He did actually collapse when we were transferring from his wheelchair to a ride vehicle.

But you know what, our first family vacation was to Disney, and his dying wish was to go back one more time as a family. And that week was the BEST week that he had in the last 6 months of his life. He was able to do more, see more, and experience more BECAUSE they design so many things with disabilities in mind.

We were able to go go shows. We were able to wait in the shade for rides that queue up outside. We were able to take him all the way to the boarding area in his wheelchair on the days he was strong enough to transfer. We were able to take his ECV or wheelchair straight ONTO some of the rides so that he could relax and enjoy.

We were able to get to and from our resort without having to hire special vehicles.

My father was dying, and for ONE week, we were able to be a normal family. We didn't have to worry about doctors appointments, throwing up from chemo, or funeral planning. And that was worth every penny and every dirty look we got as we "cut the line" as some accused us.

And that’s great for your family. But it is not a risk I would want to take nor would I put others in the situation to mitigate. My father passed away at 55. His dying wish was to run a marathon with me. He had heart disease and that was ultimately what did him in. He made it to the end of the driveway during our first practice run. I stopped the training after that. It was too big of a risk and we ended up getting another year with him.