Disney finally sees huge abuse of the GAC

[Suellen]

the bottom line is ....no GAC's should be given out without a doctors note period. That would get rid of alot of abuse right there.

That is just crazy talk. People would just fake those... I mean come on. How easy would it be to make a fake doctor's note? I'm guessing easier then it was to "fake sign" my report cards in school.

 

[~Tinkerella]

I don't post often but saw this and had to comment only because of an experience earlier this month when my sister and I were visiting MK.

As we were leaving a man was rolling out in a wheel chair ~ he stepped out of it at the exit gates and a CM directed him to the return area but he just kept walking out of the exit, with absolutely no obvious problem to the extent that he decided to skip away and jumped over something in front of him.

That's an abuse of the system. I thought people now had to have a prescription of some kind in order to be issued a GAC.

 

[Muddypaws]

the bottom line is ....no GAC's should be given out without a doctors note period. That would get rid of alot of abuse right there.

By law, this isn't going to happen. So you need to put your thinking cap back on and come up with a solution that can be workable and fair to everyone.

 

[stargazertechie]

the bottom line is ....no GAC's should be given out without a doctors note period. That would get rid of alot of abuse right there.

But as long as the ADA remains the way it is, it is ILLEGAL to ask for proof of a disability when providing an accommodation that allows equal access.

 

[BearcatsFan]

the bottom line is ....no GAC's should be given out without a doctors note period. That would get rid of alot of abuse right there.

I don't post often but saw this and had to comment only because of an experience earlier this month when my sister and I were visiting MK.

As we were leaving a man was rolling out in a wheel chair ~ he stepped out of it at the exit gates and a CM directed him to the return area but he just kept walking out of the exit, with absolutely no obvious problem to the extent that he decided to skip away and jumped over something in front of him.

That's an abuse of the system. I thought people now had to have a prescription of some kind in order to be issued a GAC.

WDW cannot, by ADA regulations, ask anyone to provide proof of disability.

 

[RAPstar]

I used to work at Knott’s and I think their system could make it less attractive for people to abuse. If you went to an attraction with their version of a GAC, they had a separate entrance for people wanting to use the pass/wheelchairs (usually through the line exit) you were given a return time to go back and ride, but you could only have 1 ride time at a time.

 

[stargazertechie]

I don't post often but saw this and had to comment only because of an experience earlier this month when my sister and I were visiting MK.

As we were leaving a man was rolling out in a wheel chair ~ he stepped out of it at the exit gates and a CM directed him to the return area but he just kept walking out of the exit, with absolutely no obvious problem to the extent that he decided to skip away and jumped over something in front of him.

That's an abuse of the system. I thought people now had to have a prescription of some kind in order to be issued a GAC.

No, no prescription necessary (again, refer to the ADA). And you saw one snippet of his day. You don't know if he was a "faker" (perhaps) or if he has some other health issue that makes having a wheelchair a necessity for periods of time but not others.

 

[debbie1996]

I think GAC abuse can be illustrated in this blog post:

http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2011/05/disney-diabetes-nowait/


Does the individual have a disease? Yes, but the fact that he asserted numerous times that if it was just HIM he would never have gotten the GAC, but it was just too awesome for his party of 10 to pass up.

Yet again showing that people saying that while it may say 6 people or that it isn't front of the line, the reality very different. The CMs are letting larger groups use the same GAC (in this case 10 people) and his experience was it was absolutely front of the line access not some ability to sit in the shade and wait his term.

It was done for the convenience off a group of 10 not waiting in lines and Disney and justified by "hey, I've got an illness and WDW says I can have it - so what fool would turn down the red carpet treatment."

 

[Sam81]

No, no prescription necessary (again, refer to the ADA). And you saw one snippet of his day. You don't know if he was a "faker" (perhaps) or if he has some other health issue that makes having a wheelchair a necessity for periods of time but not others.

This always come up. And sadly the answer is usually I need a wheelchair when there is a line and I do not need it when there is not a line.

 

[Sam81]

I think GAC abuse can be illustrated in this blog post:

http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2011/05/disney-diabetes-nowait/


Does the individual have a disease? Yes, but the fact that he asserted numerous times that if it was just HIM he would never have gotten the GAC, but it was just too awesome for his party of 10 to pass up.

Yet again showing that people saying that while it may say 6 people or that it isn't front of the line, the reality very different. The CMs are letting larger groups use the same GAC (in this case 10 people) and his experience was it was absolutely front of the line access not some ability to sit in the shade and wait his term.

It was done for the convenience off a group of 10 not waiting in lines and Disney and justified by "hey, I've got an illness and WDW says I can have it - so what fool would turn down the red carpet treatment."

I read an entire trip report where someone used a GAC because they had heartburn. Yup, the “stress” of waiting in the line would add to the heartburn so his party needed an alternate entrance.

 

[mousermerf]

GAC's can still be issued, they simply do not need to be "no wait" admission.

If your plane is late, you don't get to board anyways because you have a disability - you have to wait.

If there is traffic, you don't get to drive past everyone immediately because you have a disability. You have to wait.

This is where alternate waiting areas come in, as some cannot stand in lines. Well, FP and FP+ is a giant alternate "pick anywhere you want in the park" waiting area.

With FP+ guests should simply arrive at the FP+ entrance, scan their wristband showing their GAC assistance level, and be assigned a FP+ return time for that day equivalent to to current standby wait time. They should be encouraged to make these plans in advance via the MyMagic+ website.

No one is going to die or be discriminated against for not boarding a ride immediately when they arrive at the entrance.

Seriously, the people who make such claims.. what do you do when the ride breaks down right before you board or has a delay? Vacate the boarding area immediately because you're completely unable to "wait" for any length of time?

 

[brucerob62]

That is just crazy talk. People would just fake those... I mean come on. How easy would it be to make a fake doctor's note? I'm guessing easier then it was to "fake sign" my report cards in school.

yep thats me crazy talk...on the other hand screw it..lets all get a GAC card then..that will take care of the problem....if we all have one no one will have an advantage and we will all get to the front of the line..oh wait a minute that means no one gets to the front....now remember this is sarcasm..in case some of you go off on me

 

[stargazertechie]

This always come up. And sadly the answer is usually I need a wheelchair when there is a line and I do not need it when there is not a line.

Some people have no issues walking (as in continuously moving forward) but cannot stand still for long periods of time.

Some people have stamina issues and are encouraged by their doctor to walk as often as they are able, but tire easily and need immediate access to a seat. Or perhaps they have a heart or lung disorder that leaves them easily winded. Same situation.

Some children (and adults) with sensory processing disorders have no physical impairment, but the wheelchair provides a "safe space", which prevents meltdowns or panic attacks.

 

[BearcatsFan]

GAC's can still be issued, they simply do not need to be "no wait" admission.

If your plane is late, you don't get to board anyways because you have a disability - you have to wait.

If there is traffic, you don't get to drive past everyone immediately because you have a disability. You have to wait.

This is where alternate waiting areas come in, as some cannot stand in lines. Well, FP and FP+ is a giant alternate "pick anywhere you want in the park" waiting area.

With FP+ guests should simply arrive at the FP+ entrance, scan their wristband showing their GAC assistance level, and be assigned a FP+ return time for that day equivalent to to current standby wait time. They should be encouraged to make these plans in advance via the MyMagic+ website.

No one is going to die or be discriminated against for not boarding a ride immediately when they arrive at the entrance.

Seriously, the people who make such claims.. what do you do when the ride breaks down right before you board or has a delay? Vacate the boarding area immediately because you're completely unable to "wait" for any length of time?

They were never meant to be a no-wait admission, FOTL pass. They are meant to be used to help CMs assist those with disabilities depending upon what their particular needs are.

 

[mousermerf]

They were never meant to be a no-wait admission, FOTL pass. They are meant to be used to help CMs assist those with disabilities depending upon what their particular needs are.

And yet they currently are at many attractions and we all know it. It needs to stop.

 

[BearcatsFan]

And yet they currently are at many attractions and we all know it. It needs to stop.

I'm not denying that it happens - I'm only stating what the GAC was intended to be and how it was intended to be used.

 

[Tissa]

GAC's can still be issued, they simply do not need to be "no wait" admission.

If your plane is late, you don't get to board anyways because you have a disability - you have to wait.

If there is traffic, you don't get to drive past everyone immediately because you have a disability. You have to wait.

This is where alternate waiting areas come in, as some cannot stand in lines. Well, FP and FP+ is a giant alternate "pick anywhere you want in the park" waiting area.

With FP+ guests should simply arrive at the FP+ entrance, scan their wristband showing their GAC assistance level, and be assigned a FP+ return time for that day equivalent to to current standby wait time. They should be encouraged to make these plans in advance via the MyMagic+ website.

No one is going to die or be discriminated against for not boarding a ride immediately when they arrive at the entrance.

Seriously, the people who make such claims.. what do you do when the ride breaks down right before you board or has a delay? Vacate the boarding area immediately because you're completely unable to "wait" for any length of time?

You obviously have never dealt with a child with severe Autism. My ds can not wait. We do not fly, he screams when we are in traffic, and yes we have had to vacate a boarding area due to a break down.
You simply do not understand Autism.

I am so upset right now with the way people are posting on this thread. Walk a mile in my ds's shoes. Live in his world then you can judge all you want.

 

[delmar411]

I think it needs to be less about making it harder to obtain and more about making them less valuable to fakers.

If the CMs do NOT let them be used as front of the line passes, as they do now, it would greatly cut down on their perceived value.

The point of the GAC is to equalize the guest experience, it has now enhanced the guest experience for those that hold the GAC.

If the GAC had a return time, rather than immediate, alternate entrance, that would be a great first step.

If there was a way to tie the number of uses per day to the crowd index, that would be helpful also.

If the GAC allowed the person in need to be accompanied by one companion, while the other members of their group wait in the regular, or fast pass queue, if they hold fast passes for that ride, and the GAC user rejoins their party when they reach the front, that would help.

It the GAC had a photo on it of the GAC requiring guest, that would make a big difference.

These ideas are just off the top of my head.

GAC are issued for length of stay so you can't index their use esp since you have no idea how that family tours. Maybe junior likes 1 ride and they ride it 3x and then they leave the park for the day. Is that a problem? Or is it a problem that a child may dare want to ride something over and over ever?

And they do have identify info on them FWIW. My YDD has one and it has her name, her age and her gender on it. And at the entrances they ask who is YDD and she has to identify herself. It can only be used for her. I would have no issue with putting her picture on it, in fact I'd prefer that instead of her name and age. It would be nice if they were a little more sturdy too like a costco card.

We work really hard not to abuse it and I would definitely be ok with being given a return time to come back to a ride. They actually do this at WDW on occasion but it can still be hard to manage times as you never know when a bunch of FP ppl will return...FP+ may eliminate that concern though.

I think DL is an entirely different structure than WDW. There are TONS of DL AP holders that visit on a very regular basis. WDW has a ton of AP holders too but many(most?) are too far away for weekly or even monthly visits. Some only visit 1x a year but for a few weeks at a time which makes the AP more logical.

I bolded part of your post because how exactly would that work? I went for a week with 3 of my younger kids ages 6, 8 & 9. I should leave the 6 & 8yr old to fend for themselves while accompanying my YDD? I think you are forgetting many of these GACs are for children. Not adults.

If WDW was serious about figuring this out, it would be really easy to do some research but it would take about a year and maybe some barcoding on the GACs. That would give them a real big picture of how they are being used and if/how they are effecting any lines/FP returns.

 

[stargazertechie]

It needs to stop.

I think that's something that we can all agree on. The ONLY exception that I can see is the one that Disney promotes- for medically fragile children on Make a Wish trips.

 

[bumbershoot]

Like many of the others who are thankful for this service, my son has autism. We've been taking him since 2009 to WDW...every year we obtain a GAC and every year we have been decreasing the actual use of the card - he continues to mature (physically and emotionally) and the need is no longer as great. Eventually we hope to discontinue having to use it, but for now, we are so grateful to have that option. It's even more amazing that we don't have to jump through hoops to obtain it - if you only knew what some have to do just to get basic services to help their children live a decent life, you would be shocked. Keep in mind, no one asks for their child to be born with a disability.

To answer those who question whether those people who have disabilities like my son should even attempt WDW, I just want you to understand how invaluable WDW is in helping our kids learn to tolerate the circumstances that may "set them off". It's a simple concept...you can desensitize someone by introducing them to their triggers, very slowly and over periods of time...and the rewards (the attractions) are fantastic motivators! WDW has helped our son to enjoy life, and what he learns there definitely translates into being able to handle his issues better in other locations. It's therapy!

I just loved your whole post, and I'm so glad your son is doing better with every trip.

the bottom line is ....no GAC's should be given out without a doctors note period. That would get rid of alot of abuse right there.

Of course it would, when Disney was shut down by the blatant disregard for the law.

If you want special treatment places, I believe you should have to prove why you can have it.

The system wasn't designed to be SPECIAL treatment, though. It is supposed to help people have a more typical park experience, not a special one.

It's the CMs, IMO, who are allowing it to be more special than it's supposed to be. And they are where the changes should start. Make the GAC "act" like it's supposed to act.

Having a special parking space is *special*, which is why you need a doctor involved to get a placard or license plate. Having somewhere *else* to wait the normal amount of time for a ride isn't *special*. So no doctor's note is needed.

I read a report of a person with HEARTBURN that used a GAC. That is just absurd.

Link please?

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 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.

That article *vaguely* mentioned that some CMs, at some undefined time in RSR's life, were giving times to come back. It also said that they issued GACs. That's two separate, different, things being done at the same ride. So they aren't doing any ONE thing at all. The article was pretty bad, IMO.

And I disagree that the GAC works like a "golden ticket" more often than not. We're seeing a very distinct subset, by reading trip reports.

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. Different countries, different laws.

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

Exactly.

I don't post often but saw this and had to comment only because of an experience earlier this month when my sister and I were visiting MK.

As we were leaving a man was rolling out in a wheel chair ~ he stepped out of it at the exit gates and a CM directed him to the return area but he just kept walking out of the exit, with absolutely no obvious problem to the extent that he decided to skip away and jumped over something in front of him.

That's an abuse of the system. I thought people now had to have a prescription of some kind in order to be issued a GAC.

So then you followed him and interviewed him thoroughly where he confessed that he was indeed abusing the privilege?

Or maybe that was one little part of his day, and right then he didn't need the wheelchair, but maybe earlier he did.

That's what I'm saying; there's just no way, other than interviewing everyone you see, to KNOW what's going on. That's why the article is so bad; all he does is say that some CMs say there's abuse. There's no proof at all. And all anyone of us can give is anecdotal evidence. MY anecdotal evidence is from Disneyland, accompanying a friend of mine, and being sent through a door that LOOKED like it was going to put us right onto Buzz, but in fact we had to wait more time than it would have taken to get through the rest of the line. I'm 100% sure that people thought we were getting right on, but we were not. And I've talked with others who have experienced the expected wait with a GAC *most* of the time, and who occasionally got that extra near-FOTL experience.