GAC changes - July & Aug 2013?

[jimmysmom74]

I have a strong belief that the new changes will only be beneficial. Hopefully they will minimize the abuse of the system and continue to assist the families that depend on it to make their trips manageable. Disney has always been very sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities, I do not think they would do anything to ruin that relationship. Call me an optimist.

 

[Mountain Dew]

I have a strong belief that the new changes will only be beneficial. Hopefully they will minimize the abuse of the system and continue to assist the families that depend on it to make their trips manageable. Disney has always been very sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities, I do not think they would do anything to ruin that relationship. Call me an optimist.

I fully agree. Disney will weed out the abuse and all the bullying towards cm.
It is so simple. The person needing help gets a status on the MB. The CM scans it and they get the same treatment as everyone. The computer reads the card and no more overruling the computer. A computer is fair to everyone.
No more preferred or FOL access no more taking in ten people, the same waiting time as everyone else. That was the intention of the GAC but all the perks that slowly were smuggled in made the GAC so attractive the abuse grew like fungus.
Getting back to the original idea : the same experience as other guests will mean less not intended perks so the GAC will become far more less attractive.
Those truly needing a GAC will only benefit. Les abuse so less people waiting in front off you.

Just to add.
My friend works in Disney Paris and they have always used the return time for special guests. It works wonderful and they have no complains. Simple boundaries just work.

 

[lovethattink]

I am so upset about this and all the secretness of the changes. I think it is completely unfair that they say they are making changes but won't say what those changes are.

The secretiveness could be because they are still fine tuning things?

Changes are going to be difficult at first for those with problems transitioning. Chances are it will cause some meltdowns. However, assuming they put consistent rules into place it could prove beneficial?

As it is we probably won't have a refrigerator in the room so how we will be able to give him almond milk - 75% of his calorie intake a day - since they don't sell it there at all and once opened you must refrigerate it. I guess we'll have to use a cooler, which does not stay as cold as a refrigerator and hope he doesn't get food poisoning, or the infant coming with us and needs to keep bottles cold. Part of what we counted on is already gone, now we may not be able to have any enjoyment on the trip we'll be on for two weeks because the little kids needed it. We're taking extended family and I just don't see how this is going to work. and Disney makes the kids so happy and they have so much to deal with as it is. I just wish we had never taken them in the first place, that they never would know what they were missing.

You need to contact the disability phone number about this so that something can be worked out. They are doing their best to provide refrigerators where medically necessary.

I have a resort stay booked for August. I requested a refrigerator. However, I'm sure a whole host of other people did too. So I'm bringing a large collapsible cooler that I'll fill with ice and keep my son's milk in there. Hopefully the ice machines will be able to keep up with the increased demand. Oh, and I'm also bringing freezer bags to store the ice inside the cooler.

To me the scenario seems like this: So, you must take the person with the GAC up to the ride in any event - we know that for sure. If the rumors here are true, you then scan your tickets/bands whatever and then leave. So now he is melting down, and then he is sobbing, and then his blood sugar has hit bottom, and then we are leaving the park because there is no coming back from this, and then he is freaking out because we are leaving the park now. So there isn't even fun at the resort. He's heartbroken, his 6 yr old sister is so embarrassed but spends the rest of the day not enjoying the park with her dad because she is too busy worrying about him. We miss our ADRs and I'm so glad to have spent all this money to bring a little joy into their lives. Then we try again the next day and when it works the same, we give up.

He simply can't handle the regular standby line - it's too crowded, it's too loud, it's too dark, it's too scary, mostly I don't even know what it is too much of...but then he starts to panic and have a meltdown. He is strong, he does something to his body that makes it completely impossible to grab ahold of him - seriously if he could teach other kids how to do this no kids could ever possibly be kidnapped.

I feel so hopeless about this trip now.

I do know first hand how difficult it can be on a child to go up to a ride and be turned away for a later time. As I mentioned earlier my child thought he was being punished and took it very hard.

Re-phrasing what I saw when we approach a ride at Universal has helped. Instead of saying, "lets go ride Minion Mayhem", I'll say, "let's go find out what time we will be allowed to go ride Minion Mayhem."

Where I foresee problems for my family is where to stay until ride time. Last week we were at the MK and we decided to cool off at Gaston's and get a LeFou's Brew. However there were no seats inside, so we set off for Pinocchio's. We were denied entrance because it was busy and the were only allowing people to sit once they had their food from the Pinocchio Haus to sit. So we ended up walking never finding indoor seating. Once we passed by Casey's Corner and that was filled we kept waking through the stores and onto the monorail, and out of the park. On a not busy day, I'm not sure what the added number of people waiting for a return time will do?

I have a strong belief that the new changes will only be beneficial. Hopefully they will minimize the abuse of the system and continue to assist the families that depend on it to make their trips manageable. Disney has always been very sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities, I do not think they would do anything to ruin that relationship. Call me an optimist.

Hopefully.

All the other Central Florida amusement parks have something in place. So I'm sure it won't vary too far from the rest of them. Our only issue with LEGOLAND and Universal was finding a cool place to wait. And I just recently learned that Universal has a waiting room that's air conditioned!

 

[Schmeck]

Where I foresee problems for my family is where to stay until ride time. Last week we were at the MK and we decided to cool off at Gaston's and get a LeFou's Brew. However there were no seats inside, so we set off for Pinocchio's. We were denied entrance because it was busy and the were only allowing people to sit once they had their food from the Pinocchio Haus to sit. So we ended up walking never finding indoor seating. Once we passed by Casey's Corner and that was filled we kept waking through the stores and onto the monorail, and out of the park. On a not busy day, I'm not sure what the added number of people waiting for a return time will do?

You do what everyone else is doing - wander about, go on other attractions that do not have an extended wait (if there are any), browse the stores, play SotMK, or the new Pirates one, look for characters doing random meet and greets. Go to one of the play places or water play areas. Look for Hidden Mickeys. Make your own scavenger checklist and have a prize for the end of it.

 

[Mom2six]

I do know first hand how difficult it can be on a child to go up to a ride and be turned away for a later time. As I mentioned earlier my child thought he was being punished and took it very hard.

Re-phrasing what I saw when we approach a ride at Universal has helped. Instead of saying, "lets go ride Minion Mayhem", I'll say, "let's go find out what time we will be allowed to go ride Minion Mayhem."

I think in many cases rephrasing will work great! That won't work with my son for a number of reasons - he has no concept of time. He doesn't know anything about the GAC or understand that we are asking if he can on the ride. He just isn't there yet in understanding of abstract things. If we go to the ride, we are going on the ride in his mind...if we leave, we are simply being mean and not letting him go on the ride.

 

[lovethattink]

You do what everyone else is doing - wander about, go on other attractions that do not have an extended wait (if there are any), browse the stores, play SotMK, or the new Pirates one, look for characters doing random meet and greets. Go to one of the play places or water play areas. Look for Hidden Mickeys. Make your own scavenger checklist and have a prize for the end of it.

Depending on the temperature, we can do some of that.

The only problems I foresee for my family as I mentioned above, is finding air conditioned things to do. As long as we can sit down inside and have a drink or snack, that's fine. But when it's busy that isn't always possible. As I mentioned above, we tried to find a place to sit inside with our LeFou's Brew and ended up having to keep walking through stores with it.

I didn't mention this above, but at Epcot there was a family sitting along a wall at MouseGears the other day and they were asked to not sit along the wall.

We limit our son's play of SotMK, the pirates adventure, etc. so that his body temp doesn't rise too much. He loves those things though. And if we allowed him he'd play them all day.

We can't do a play place, even a water place because he'd overheat too much. This winter there were a few days where he did get to play outside and he was in heaven. Didn't even use his w/c several of the days we went to parks because it was cool enough! His outdoor play is limited to early morning and evening typically.

 

[Mom2six]

Just breath. In the event the changes happen with out 45 days notice you would have a good case to call and speak about canceling. Disney will listen to your case and may allow you to cancel with out fees.

This is all in hopes to ensure all guests have the ability to enjoy themselves.

Good to hear that if the system won't work for us we will be able to cancel the trip, maybe. It would break my kids hearts though, so I don't know what to do if he can't handle the new system. I don't see how having to cancel and give up our Disney trips will ensure all guests have the ability to enjoy themselves, so I just hope that "all guests" include the disabled.

 

[lovethattink]

I think in many cases rephrasing will work great! That won't work with my son for a number of reasons - he has no concept of time. He doesn't know anything about the GAC or understand that we are asking if he can on the ride. He just isn't there yet in understanding of abstract things. If we go to the ride, we are going on the ride in his mind...if we leave, we are simply being mean and not letting him go on the ride.

That's where we were with ds last year at Universal. He still has no concept of time. But the routine of going up towards the ride and turning around and going elsewhere (usually the Lucy attraction) is becoming habit. And he adjusted to it after a year of it because it's the routine there.

One thing we did that helped was not take him all the way to the entrance. Just close enough that the ride attendant could see him to write the time on the card. And either dh or I would go up to the attendant alone.That's one thing nice about Universal, they are very helpful and seem to understand when something works. Nobody there has every said you need to bring him over here. They fill out his card and I go back over to them and we walk away.

 

[crashbb]

That's where we were with ds last year at Universal. He still has no concept of time. But the routine of going up towards the ride and turning around and going elsewhere (usually the Lucy attraction) is becoming habit. And he adjusted to it after a year of it because it's the routine there.

One thing we did that helped was not take him all the way to the entrance. Just close enough that the ride attendant could see him to write the time on the card. And either dh or I would go up to the attendant alone.That's one thing nice about Universal, they are very helpful and seem to understand when something works. Nobody there has every said you need to bring him over here. They fill out his card and I go back over to them and we walk away.

Also, if the PP's "educated guess" is correct, it wouldn't be a matter of having to walk away and come back. The system (as imagined by the PP) would be that you'd ride that ride right away (or, rather, enter the line - whatever that is - right away), but that you'd not be able to use the GAC at another ride for a set amount of time (based on the stand-by wait time of the first ride). So, there'd be no going up to the ride and being told to come back. Seems like a solution that would work well for kids/adults who wouldn't understand being told to come back. There'd have to be some jigging on the exact length of the blackout time, but seems like a good solution.

 

[Mom2six]

Also, if the PP's "educated guess" is correct, it wouldn't be a matter of having to walk away and come back. The system (as imagined by the PP) would be that you'd ride that ride right away (or, rather, enter the line - whatever that is - right away), but that you'd not be able to use the GAC at another ride for a set amount of time (based on the stand-by wait time of the first ride). So, there'd be no going up to the ride and being told to come back. Seems like a solution that would work well for kids/adults who wouldn't understand being told to come back. There'd have to be some jigging on the exact length of the blackout time, but seems like a good solution.

They would work better. Then no one could complain about kids with little Another pp suggested that while waiting you might go on rides/attractions that don't have much wait...but I wonder if the GAC would be necessary at all the attractions for us because he uses the stroller as a wheelchair.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Also, if the PP's "educated guess" is correct, it wouldn't be a matter of having to walk away and come back. The system (as imagined by the PP) would be that you'd ride that ride right away (or, rather, enter the line - whatever that is - right away), but that you'd not be able to use the GAC at another ride for a set amount of time (based on the stand-by wait time of the first ride). So, there'd be no going up to the ride and being told to come back. Seems like a solution that would work well for kids/adults who wouldn't understand being told to come back. There'd have to be some jigging on the exact length of the blackout time, but seems like a good solution.

As a GAC user this makes sense. I wonder what would happen though if say I used my GAC and then I wait 50 mins to use again because that was the wait time at TSM ( fair enough I think ) but what if I had a FP+ time booked in 20 mins? Would the system melt lol.

As a genuine disabled person I have witnessed some shocking abuse of the GAC card. Parties of 10 ... It's just me and DW and it enables me to use the slope inside TSM instead of steps and the disabled car that's been adapted. I am very happy to then wait the standby time to ride again. That's only fair. I hope the changes weed out the abuse and so people stop looking daggers at us we aren't there to cheat the system just enjoy the park as best we can with what we have been landed!

 

[wilkeliza]

They would work better. Then no one could complain about kids with little Another pp suggested that while waiting you might go on rides/attractions that don't have much wait...but I wonder if the GAC would be necessary at all the attractions for us because he uses the stroller as a wheelchair.

Stroller as Wheelchair is only for certain attractions. Almost every attraction is ADA compliant now in its line. I've 1st hand seen this fight though with CMs. A woman had the S/W stamp and was set through the normal line for Soarin and she had a fit. She got out of line and went back to yell at the CM.

The only line I can think of that isn't compliant is Peter Pans Flight and People mover.

 

[Mom2six]

As a GAC user this makes sense. I wonder what would happen though if say I used my GAC and then I wait 50 mins to use again because that was the wait time at TSM ( fair enough I think ) but what if I had a FP+ time booked in 20 mins? Would the system melt lol.

As a genuine disabled person I have witnessed some shocking abuse of the GAC card. Parties of 10 ... It's just me and DW and it enables me to use the slope inside TSM instead of steps and the disabled car that's been adapted. I am very happy to then wait the standby time to ride again. That's only fair. I hope the changes weed out the abuse and so people stop looking daggers at us we aren't there to cheat the system just enjoy the park as best we can with what we have been landed!

Many of the times that we go through the "disabled" line we end up waiting longer than the regular standby line, or even if not longer, it is certainly not a FOTL pass. So then would we have to add the regular standby line time to our wait, in essence waiting twice for each ride? Or would the system only work that way for some disabilities - like having a tier system. If you are in a wheelchair you wait the time for that line, if you have autism you wait the time for that line plus the standby line because you need the Guest Assistance Card to go into that line.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Many of the times that we go through the "disabled" line we end up waiting longer than the regular standby line, or even if not longer, it is certainly not a FOTL pass. So then would we have to add the regular standby line time to our wait, in essence waiting twice for each ride? Or would the system only work that way for some disabilities - like having a tier system. If you are in a wheelchair you wait the time for that line, if you have autism you wait the time for that line plus the standby line because you need the Guest Assistance Card to go into that line.

Omg that's true hadn't thought of that. We have waited a long time in wheelchair line for right car. So then I would end up waiting for the standby line on top of this? That would seem unfair? You are right.

 

[wilkeliza]

Many of the times that we go through the "disabled" line we end up waiting longer than the regular standby line, or even if not longer, it is certainly not a FOTL pass. So then would we have to add the regular standby line time to our wait, in essence waiting twice for each ride? Or would the system only work that way for some disabilities - like having a tier system. If you are in a wheelchair you wait the time for that line, if you have autism you wait the time for that line plus the standby line because you need the Guest Assistance Card to go into that line.

If you ended up waiting twice as long as standby then by the time you finished the ride the time would be up and you could go somewhere else immediately. For example you go to BTMRR and the stand by is 30 minutes but the alternate entrance takes 45 minutes then your 30 minute would be up.

 

[crashbb]

Omg that's true hadn't thought of that. We have waited a long time in wheelchair line for right car. So then I would end up waiting for the standby line on top of this? That would seem unfair? You are right.

That's a good point (though I thought that most lines were now mainstreamed?). Maybe something like the "block" being for the difference in time between the stand-by and the time you waited? It could be easily done by starting the timer when you enter the line (rather than when you exit).

So, if the stand-by time is 100 minutes (as per an earlier example) and you wait 20 minutes, you'd be blocked for 80 minutes. If you wait 120 minutes, you'd not be blocked at all. That doesn't factor in ride time, but I'm just making up ideas, really (based on the proposal by a PP).

 

[Mom2six]

I fully agree. Disney will weed out the abuse and all the bullying towards cm.
It is so simple. The person needing help gets a status on the MB. The CM scans it and they get the same treatment as everyone. The computer reads the card and no more overruling the computer. A computer is fair to everyone.
No more preferred or FOL access no more taking in ten people, the same waiting time as everyone else. That was the intention of the GAC but all the perks that slowly were smuggled in made the GAC so attractive the abuse grew like fungus.
Getting back to the original idea : the same experience as other guests will mean less not intended perks so the GAC will become far more less attractive.
Those truly needing a GAC will only benefit. Les abuse so less people waiting in front off you.

Just to add.
My friend works in Disney Paris and they have always used the return time for special guests. It works wonderful and they have no complains. Simple boundaries just work.

My son can't experience Disney World the same as other guests. What most people don't get is that children with special needs are often only in the park for a couple of hours (except for cheaters.)

The first time we went to Disney World we did not take my son because we did not know if he could handle it with his autism. We did have my then 5 year old daughter who has very bad ADHD! I don't ever use a GAC for ADHD but I assure you I know what it is like to wait in line with an antsy child. We did not do all the research before that trip that we did for the ones with him and went to MK on Sunday night for EMH, went to MK on Monday, etc without using park recommendations. But we were able to get three times as much done as we do when we take my son with the GAC and go at rope drop in September to recommended parks.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

That's a good point (though I thought that most lines were now mainstreamed?). Maybe something like the "block" being for the difference in time between the stand-by and the time you waited? It could be easily done by starting the timer when you enter the line (rather than when you exit).

So, if the stand-by time is 100 minutes (as per an earlier example) and you wait 20 minutes, you'd be blocked for 40 minutes. If you wait 120 minutes, you'd not be blocked at all. That doesn't factor in ride time, but I'm just making up ideas, really (based on the proposal by a PP).

Yes that would seem fair . Most of the rides I use the GAC for have different entrances and use a different line because I need an adapted car or have steps in the line. For example TSM has steps so there is a different line with a ramp. There is a set if accessible cars that take wheelchairs and bo beep ( lol I know the name of the car ) that has buttons instead of the string pull for the trigger.

 

[Vidia2]

My son can't experience Disney World the same as other guests. What most people don't get is that children with special needs are often only in the park for a couple of hours (except for cheaters.)

I'm finding that unless someone has a child with autism, they don't really understand the problems that the current GAC system prevents.

Kids with autism have meltdowns that are different than those of typically developing kids. They can become a safety issue. I don't think WDW is going to change the system in a way that results in autistic kids suffering more than they already do.

On another note, Universal Orlando has an Express Pass that we plan to purchase on our next trip there. It does cost extra and is not associated with the disability card. There are no times associated with the EP so it's usable for us, where a fastpass is not. I don't like having to pay more to accommodate my son's disability but it's a fact of life in many other ways so...

If Disney had such a pass, we'd pay extra just to avoid the dirty looks associated with the GAC. Hopefully, the new system will help to make it more "invisible".

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I'm finding that unless someone has a child with autism, they don't really understand the problems that the current GAC system prevents.

Kids with autism have meltdowns that are different than those of typically developing kids. They can become a safety issue. I don't think WDW is going to change the system in a way that results in autistic kids suffering more than they already do.

On another note, Universal Orlando has an Express Pass that we plan to purchase on our next trip there. It does cost extra and is not associated with the disability card. There are no times associated with the EP so it's usable for us, where a fastpass is not. I don't like having to pay more to accommodate my son's disability but it's a fact of life in many other ways so...

If Disney had such a pass, we'd pay extra just to avoid the dirty looks associated with the GAC. Hopefully, the new system will help to make it more "invisible".

That's my issue with FP & FP+ the time associated with it. For me it just doesn't work like your DW. I cannot predict how I will feel in an hours time let alone 60 days! Didn't know that re Universal will check that out!