Disney finally sees huge abuse of the GAC

[ttintagel]

Looks like this thread is starting to drift off topic. I don't think it's a question of whether or not kids with ASD should have a GAC, or if those with invisible disabilities should have a GAC, or if guests with disabilities should even be at WDW.

The questions are: does GAC abuse happen and is it a problem for Disney? And if it is a problem, what is the best way to handle it? . And sorry to the one or 2 posters who blithly proclaim that they don't let anything worry them when they're at WDW- living in your own private bubble doesn't mean a problem doesn't exist, and certainly doesn't help to make the problem go away.

Obviously the problem exists.

"Obviously?" It's not obvious at all to me that it's a problem for Disney.

I'm sure the number of people who misuse the system is nonzero, as it is with every other system ever devised by humans on this planet. But it doesn't seem to me like you've made your case for it being a problem for Disney. Declaring something "obvious" doesn't make it so.

WDW has put in a lot of work to become known as a destination that's welcoming for people with disabilities. I have a host of medical problems that make traveling difficult. So, I choose to spend my precious vacation dollars at WDW, where I know they're going to try to make it so I can experience what everybody else is. And I'm far from the only person in that situation. A few people on the Internet relating how they knew someone who heard someone who saw someone "obviously" cheating the system doesn't seem like it's an "obvious" problem for Disney.

 

[arcurioa]

There really is no equitable solution at this point. GAC is a life-saver to those who legitimately need it; unfortunately, once again unscrupulous people abuse the privilege knowing Disney will not or cannot enforce this. I would like to think they will arrive at a solution, but I cannot, at this point see what it will be.

 

[mousermerf]

"Obviously?" It's not obvious at all to me that it's a problem for Disney.

I'm sure the number of people who misuse the system is nonzero, as it is with every other system ever devised by humans on this planet. But it doesn't seem to me like you've made your case for it being a problem for Disney. Declaring something "obvious" doesn't make it so.

WDW has put in a lot of work to become known as a destination that's welcoming for people with disabilities. I have a host of medical problems that make traveling difficult. So, I choose to spend my precious vacation dollars at WDW, where I know they're going to try to make it so I can experience what everybody else is. And I'm far from the only person in that situation. A few people on the Internet relating how they knew someone who heard someone who saw someone "obviously" cheating the system doesn't seem like it's an "obvious" problem for Disney.

Many people on this forum have vast amounts of experience beyond your own. Projecting your own experience limitations onto someone else and then declaring their information subsequently invalid is really a poor way to consider an issue.

 

[ttintagel]

Many people on this forum have vast amounts of experience beyond your own.

I'm sure some do. I'm sure others don't. No way to know which is which.

We're all free to agree or disagree with each other, and to say so when we do or don't think another poster has supported his or her conclusion.

 

[cdrn1]

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.

This was our experience too when my sis broke a leg prior to our trip. She would have been fine waiting like everyone else; she just wouldn't fit through some lines. I don't recall any ride that they didn't put us to the front and right on. It was not what we wanted/needed, but we didn't argue.

 

[Peter Fan]

Many people on this forum have vast amounts of experience beyond your own. Projecting your own experience limitations onto someone else and then declaring their information subsequently invalid is really a poor way to consider an issue.

Says who? Them? And you believe someone on a discussion board? And I'm the Pope!

 

[floydfamily4]

This thread is the Carousel of No Progress.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Right, but it shouldn't be. People that have disabilities shouldn't have a problem, and the fakers will be caught.

My only problem with poof is.... I'm a parent of a child who has been recently diagnosed with sensory issues... And had a hard time explaining what my DD needs are.. I can explain what happens, and what causes it.. But sometimes its like a guessing game on what is bothering her..


Thankfully the boards here have helped me tremendously!!!! So I know what to pack and how to explain her needs this next trip.. And will also have a note from our doc. As proof just in case.. ( even tho I know it's not needed its better to have, then not have)

But what about those parents who were where I was?
And Even tho people with disabilities "shouldn't" be embarrassed, the fact is they are.. B/c other people have made them feel that way..
How do you make them feel less embarrassed about asking for help?

 

[FortForever]

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 agree 100%

I have an autistic son who stands in line like everyone else. Life isn't fair, people need to get used to it and quit expecting special treatment. The world doesn't work like that and the sooner they get used to it, the better. Our society is breeding a bunch of whiners.

Standing in line is painful for me as well, but I do it. Both of my knees need replaced and standing for long periods is very uncomfortable. I CHOOSE to go to Disney, they don't make me visit. I know there are lines. That's life, get over it!

 

[Peter Fan]

I agree 100%

I have an autistic son who stands in line like everyone else. Life isn't fair, people need to get used to it and quit expecting special treatment. The world doesn't work like that and the sooner they get used to it, the better. Our society is breeding a bunch of whiners.

Standing in line is painful for me as well, but I do it. Both of my knees need replaced and standing for long periods is very uncomfortable. I CHOOSE to go to Disney, they don't make me visit. I know there are lines. That's life, get over it!

So you're saying because someone chose to go to Disney they should just suffer through it. That women with cancer, that man with leukemia should just deal with it cuz it was their choice?

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I agree 100%

I have an autistic son who stands in line like everyone else. Life isn't fair, people need to get used to it and quit expecting special treatment. The world doesn't work like that and the sooner they get used to it, the better. Our society is breeding a bunch of whiners.

Standing in line is painful for me as well, but I do it. Both of my knees need replaced and standing for long periods is very uncomfortable. I CHOOSE to go to Disney, they don't make me visit. I know there are lines. That's life, get over it!

However.. Every child is different.. Where one child has ADHD maybe able to deal with the line.. I know of another child who starts hitting people when he becomes upset..

Would you rather this child stand inline? Where he could end up hurting him self and others?
Or wait the same amount of time as stand by, somewhere that won't upset him.. And then be lead up the exit?

The facts are, some people NEED the GAC, and some just abuse it..

 

[doggydoc]

Could someone provide a link to text in the ADA where it states you can not ask for proof of disability. I have read the section concerning service dogs and the restriction on asking for proof of need but can not find ANY reference to general accommodations other than for purchase of tickets to accessible seating. The ADA specifically defines a disability as:

"To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered."

That kind of blows the whole "hidden disability" out of the water. I have both a nephew and a niece with autism so I am sensitive to families dealing with this. I have been on vacations with them and have seen what my brother and sister go through. I am not advocating that children with such disorders be excluded from Disney and I think the GAC is a great idea in theory. However all those on here so vociferously complaining about efforts to limit abuse should realize that if something is not done to curtail abuse then the GAC could very well be replaced by something far less desirable. As mentioned a FP+ like system could be put in place. This would require those with disabilities that make standing in line difficult required to schedule ride times in advance. Those with, or with family that have, disabilities should be the ones making the most noise about abuse.

 

[FortForever]

However.. Every child is different.. Where one child has ADHD maybe able to deal with the line.. I know of another child who starts hitting people when he becomes upset..

That's because parents refuse to make their "disabled" kids accountable for their behavior. They're not doing them any favors and not preparing them to live in the real world.

And, yes, if people make the choice to visit Disney they should deal with it. Disney is not mandatory. If your kid doesn't like crowds or being near people and/or can't deal with the stimulation ... PICK ANOTHER VACATION. Quit expecting the world to change for you!! Children need to learn to adapt to the real world.

 

[FortForever]

So you're saying because someone chose to go to Disney they should just suffer through it. That women with cancer, that man with leukemia should just deal with it cuz it was their choice?

Yes, because Disney is a stupid choice for people who can't handle it.

The ONLY people who should get any special treatment are Wish kids and their families.

 

[Princess Olivia]

I agree 100%

I have an autistic son who stands in line like everyone else. Life isn't fair, people need to get used to it and quit expecting special treatment. The world doesn't work like that and the sooner they get used to it, the better. Our society is breeding a bunch of whiners.

Standing in line is painful for me as well, but I do it. Both of my knees need replaced and standing for long periods is very uncomfortable. I CHOOSE to go to Disney, they don't make me visit. I know there are lines. That's life, get over it!

Sorry FortForever, since you are the last post I"ll address you but you are certainly not the most offensive poster of the day. Honestly a couple of pages back I truly thought maybe I was being punked and Ashton Kutcher was going to come running in!! Are you people for real?

Yes, the GAC is abused. It's shameful and reprehesible. Many of you have had very intelligent, insightful thoughts on how to curb this poor behavior making this a thread worth reading. To you I am thankful.

As for the "not fairs" and "get over it's" I have a problem. You are SO spot on with life's not fair. If life were fair I wouldn't have two autistic children; one of whom can't tell me what he wants because he can't speak which makes it obvious that he has never said my name or told me he loves me. Sometimes life is so overwhelming I can't breath. My husband and I need a vacation and our boys need to be with us. The GAC is a life saver and I mean that almost literally. I have accepted that this our life and I love my children with every fiber of my being but I don't think I'll ever "get used to it". The judgement coming off of these pages is making my skin crawl. To quote my favorite princess "Find your humanity".

 

[Peter Fan]

Yes, because Disney is a stupid choice for people who can't handle it.

The ONLY people who should get any special treatment are Wish kids and their families.

Well good thing it's not left up to you to decide.

 

[Peter Fan]

That's because parents refuse to make their "disabled" kids accountable for their behavior. They're not doing them any favors and not preparing them to live in the real world.

And, yes, if people make the choice to visit Disney they should deal with it. Disney is not mandatory. If your kid doesn't like crowds or being near people and/or can't deal with the stimulation ... PICK ANOTHER VACATION. Quit expecting the world to change for you!! Children need to learn to adapt to the real world.

Well alot of them won't be able to live in the real world.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

QUOTE="doggydoc". As mentioned a FP+ like system could be put in place. This would require those with disabilities that make standing in line difficult required to schedule ride times in advance. Those with, or with family that have, disabilities should be the ones making the most noise about abuse

And I'm sure people try,
But yet again people with disabilities have this shame about it.. B/c somewhere in their lives people have made them feel like that..
I have what would be seen to most as a "visible" disability and although it does not impair my ability to think, talk, or walk.. And am VERY thankful I did not need a GAC growing up.. I was still made to feel ashamed.. So when I really needed help, I was scared to ask for it..
I also had parents who wouldn't let me use my disability as an excuse... when they knew I could do what was asked of me...

This is now no longer the case..

There as been a shift in our society.. Not so long ago if a child got a bad grade, you blame the child for not doing the work... Now I can't tell you how many times I hear parents blaming the teacher for giving their child a bad grade..
And if you asked them.. Why the child homework was not done, or why the child didn't study harder for the test.. They blame the teacher for making the test to hard or not offering extra credit!!!!!

However if I person NEEDS extra help, it should be there.. Shame FREE for them to use..
But that's in my perfect world

 

[FortForever]

As for the "not fairs" and "get over it's" I have a problem. You are SO spot on with life's not fair. If life were fair I wouldn't have two autistic children; one of whom can't tell me what he wants because he can't speak which makes it obvious that he has never said my name or told me he loves me. Sometimes life is so overwhelming I can't breath. .

Guess what? I KNOW exactly how it feels! I HAVE an autistic son. Life is HARD. I don't have the support of my husband. I never have. Consider yourself lucky that you are at least going through life sharing with someone else. It is overwhelming, I would give my life for my children to all be normal. It doesn't work like that.

I also have a paraplegic son.

If life was fair, my sons would be healthy and whole. I don't expect special treatment for myself or my children. I raised my disabled sons just like I raised my other three ... with personal accountability. I would never have tolerated them hitting people when they are upset. Society doesn't allow it and neither did I. It makes me sick that people expect the world to kiss their butts because their life is hard.

 

[FortForever]

Well alot of them won't be able to live in the real world.

They don't have a choice. The real world is the only world there is.