Disneyland rids of special needs pass

[Atreyu]

I found this on a website I visit every so often. It explains how Disneyland has stopped special needs passes. There's more information on there and an online petition. I don't know if this has been posted but if not, here it is.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/linejump.asp

 

[Firefly777]

That's actually not true. They got rid of the Special Assistance Pass (SAP) because it was abused so much. They now have a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) which is supposed to be similar to WDW. I don't know too much about it, but I'm sure someone else knows.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Its very close to WDWs system which is a much better system because it doesnt pigion hole all the people who need assistance but tailors the system to that person.

The DL system was very badly abused and this hopefully will give assistance to those who need it not those who think they need it


-em

 

[disneydenisel]

We're planning a trip to DL next week with our two autistic children. Back in November I called Disneyland and asked about the Special Assistance Pass. I was told that we needed to get the pass after we entered the park, and that we didn't need a doctor's note.

Can anyone tell me if the new Guest Assistance Card covers Autism, and if so, whether we now need to bring the doctor's diagnoses or anything else? If it doesn't cover Autism anymore, we will be extremely distressed.

 

[year2late]

This subject has gotten very heated on several boards, but the one thing that keeps coming out is that families with autistic kids have been treated fairly.

 

[disneydenisel]

Originally posted by year2late
This subject has gotten very heated on several boards, but the one thing that keeps coming out is that families with autistic kids have been treated fairly.

Thanks for the reply. Can you point me to some other boards where the discussion is going on? I need to figure out if we'll need doctor's notes or not, thanks!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

To air on the side of caution Id bring the note- I know there was a huge nasty debate on Laughingplace.com-http://laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-44324-P-1&Refresh=0324160641

Basically what the new system intails is that instead of giving an all access pass to everyone who wants one (yes wants one not needs one) It divides and conquers- Ie those who just need a place to sit and wait out of the sun will be given that, those with wheelchairs will have access to wheelchair access, etc

I have yet to experiance the system in action but most people Ive talked to that it has affected say that its a positive change and cut down on abuse a lot-

-em

 

[Disneyland_emily]

http://laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-44324-P-1&Refresh=0324160641


Okay its works now Ya better cancel all appointments and order dinner in before reading- its a doozy of a topic

 

[disneydenisel]

Thanks for the information and link. I called Disneyland today and asked Guest Services. I was told to explain our situation once we get there and see what can be done. I guess it is determined on a case by case basis what kind of assistance is given.

 

[ivanova]

Okay, I'm a DLR AP holder ... I was mortified once to find out my daughter & her friends got an SAP when she "stubbed her toe" (they just wanted head of the line passes because the park was busy). I was livid to say the least that they'd abuse the system that way. So I'm glad they are trying to change the system so that those that truly need the assistance are the only ones that get it. They don't have the system perfected yet, but I hope they do soon.

 

[Amberle3]

Unfortunately it still doesn't really prevent abuse of the system.

I was there recently with the new rules in place, and was witness to some very unruly teenagers that had rented a wheelchair so they could bypass the lines. I ended up in the same boat as them on Pirates where I was treated to a long, loud conversation about genitalia. After the ride they argued about who was going to ride in the wheelchair.

Earlier that day I had been a Guest Services to ask about the SAP for my mother, who wasn't with us but will be next time we're there. She has arthritis in her back and can't stand for long periods of time. I was told that she would NOT be allowed a SAP (although she was before) and was advised that she should rent a wheelchair instead so she could bypass lines.

While I was there another CM told a family that the SAP had been discontinued and hadn't been replaced with anything else.

I emailed Disney about the situation when I returned home, only to get the canned response about the new system and how much better it is.

 

[Firefly777]

When were you there, Amberle3? They did have another system right after the SAP called SAC. Which sort of sounds like what you are talking about, where you just rent a wheelchair and you get an SAC.

 

[ivanova]

fortunately many ride queues will be redone eventually to accomodate wheelchairs ... so spending $7 to rent a wheelchair won't get 'em to the front of the line (some day) ... when Matterhorn is taken down for rehab in the Fall, that queue will be reworked to be wheelchair friendly so no more "front of the line" there.

And I don't think unruly teens will want to spend the "big bucks" to rent ECVs (or so we can hope).

 

[Amberle3]

I was there at the end of February. It was very discouraging not only trying to get information from the CMs about the new policy, but also listening to them explain it to people. I was at guest services a total of 3 times (once to ask about the new policy, and twice for stickers for kids) and each time there was someone there asking about the pass. Now first of all this tells me that the pass was used way too much by people who probably didn't need it. But every time someone asked they were given a different answer by a CM. It ranged from having to have a visible disability, the person would have to come in so they could be physically seen by the CM, nope don't have them rent a wheelchair to don't have them, nothing we can do sorry.

My mother, being a typical senior, will not go into a wheelchair unless she can't walk at all. There's no way she'll rent a wheelchair, she'll just spend less time at the park and thereby cost Disney revenues that they would have earned. She's one of those people that a) loves Disney and b) wouldn't dream of not playing by the rules. When we were there in 2003 we got a SAP pass for her because even standing 20 minutes can leave her in terrible pain. It was an absolute wonder for her, and she was able to spend much more time in the park than on previous visits.

As for kids hopefully not wanting to spend the $$ for an ECV, I dunno. There were 5 or 6 kids in the group with the wheelchair, so when you have that many it cuts the cost down dramatically.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that they're changing the rules because it was (and still is) far too easy to abuse. I just think that they need to find a way to accommodate people who's disabilities aren't visible without having them resort to a wheelchair.

 

[Carrieberry]

I have a 5 year old that is deaf and autistic. He can't wait in a line longer than 10-15 minutes without seriously freaking out (dropping to the floor crying- kicking and screaming etc.) He also has sensory issues similar to severe claustrophobia which is why he reacts that way. The SAP was wonderful because we would be directed to the Fast Pass line which was tolerable for him (usually just under 20 minutes)- we NEVER were allowed to go right to the front of the line for any ride. Is the new system going to allow us to get a pass for him? We do not need a wheelchair for mobility issues since he can walk and we ususally bring the stroller or rent one for when he gets tired. I also always bring his school paperwork that lists all of his diagnoses.