GAC for Anxiety

[1000HappyWishes]

I hope that those changes aren't really going into affect. I have severe anxiety and although I can manage well enough in lines, it's nice to know that I have the option if I need it.

 

[kirstenb1]

Obviously I don't know the tone she said this with but it seems like she was trying to make a legitimate suggestion for you. We have the exact same plan for my son. If people get to close to him he hits, and when I say he "hits" I mean he wallops people with all the force he can muster with a smile on his face. He has pain indifference and just doesn't know it hurts. He likes the feeling of touching things with force.

So for us, "making a bubble" would be a good suggestion. It's the only way one can reasonably keep an impending crowd away from the person with the need. Obviously there are other things to help in addition, maybe ride quieter rides, go at low crowd days, use the GAC for alternative waiting, have a good touring plan. For us it includes his deep pressure vest and wrist restraints for the times we can't catch a flying fist.

Our 8 yr old has done this for years---but only to dh, me and our other dd, thank goodness. When she was little, she'd hit my face with her forehead so hard, I'd swear my nose or cheekbone was broken. I think she just doesn't feel pain the way the rest of us do. And maybe to gain any feeling, she overdoes it. I don't know, it's kind of a mystery, like many other things with this kiddo. Hugs to you!!

 

[tinkerpea]

If they only give GACs to those with physical disability then that means a whole load of disabilities won't be considered.
For example

Mental illness
Autism, my son has autism and we won't be coming back to disney if they decide to not allow for his needs which would be a shame after I've been going for 26 years!
Anxiety
This is only a few that don't fall under physical.

 

[IntoTheLight]

Our 8 yr old has done this for years---but only to dh, me and our other dd, thank goodness. When she was little, she'd hit my face with her forehead so hard, I'd swear my nose or cheekbone was broken. I think she just doesn't feel pain the way the rest of us do. And maybe to gain any feeling, she overdoes it. I don't know, it's kind of a mystery, like many other things with this kiddo. Hugs to you!!

Thanks, back at you! I know exactly what you mean, our son is non-verbal but I've watched the scenario play out enough time to guess what he is saying. "Things just got really quiet and dark in here mom, when I touch you it's hard to feel you. I'm not scared or upset, I'm just trying to figure out where you are. I smile when I can feel you and hear you, even if you are yelping OUCH." It's rarely malicious. He does it to us first, the other kids second and only once in a while strangers, funny how they have that in common.

 

[iluvasoldier]

Been a long week so now is the first I'm getting to reply.

The comment about AP holder's getting a GAC for 3 months:
I have NEVER known this to be true. Up until May I was NOT a local/AP holder but had family. My husband is military so we thankfully are able to afford tickets a little more often and visit our families who live 30 miles from Disney. WE got married at Disney so all vacations are to Disney, so me getting a GAC a dozen or so times in a year is not strange even though we lived in KY during most of that time. I am NOW an AP holder and was on Monday and they never said anything about a prolonged GAC. Now has it happened, I wouldn't doubt it, but with all the people I know who have APs and gotten a GAC I've NEVER known someone to get one good for 3 months.

As for me needing to explain my needs, I did. I explained that it isn't about the wait time but about the amount of people in line. Many times the hallways are extremely tiny and feel much more so with 100 people in them. To be in that same hallway with 30 other people is a lot easier on my anxiety. And as someone stated, I already get anxiety just seeing a wait time outside, at least the GAC allows my brain to be tricked into thinking things will go smoother.

As for the buffer thing, that is all great when I go with more than 1 person, but it is not unusual for me to go by myself to the park or go with just 1 other person. How am I supposed to create a buffer with 1 person?

As for fast pass, yes in a sense they help, but 9 times out of 10 finding a quiet uncrowded area to wait until the FP time is impossible. I like the FP+ and use that over a GAC whenever possible but only having the option for 3 FP+ times set up makes for difficult planning of the other rides without a GAC.

No matter what new rules they implement there will always be someone who finds a way around it.

 

[livndisney]

Been a long week so now is the first I'm getting to reply.

The comment about AP holder's getting a GAC for 3 months:
I have NEVER known this to be true. Up until May I was NOT a local/AP holder but had family. My husband is military so we thankfully are able to afford tickets a little more often and visit our families who live 30 miles from Disney. WE got married at Disney so all vacations are to Disney, so me getting a GAC a dozen or so times in a year is not strange even though we lived in KY during most of that time. I am NOW an AP holder and was on Monday and they never said anything about a prolonged GAC. Now has it happened, I wouldn't doubt it, but with all the people I know who have APs and gotten a GAC I've NEVER known someone to get one good for 3 months.

As for me needing to explain my needs, I did. I explained that it isn't about the wait time but about the amount of people in line. Many times the hallways are extremely tiny and feel much more so with 100 people in them. To be in that same hallway with 30 other people is a lot easier on my anxiety. And as someone stated, I already get anxiety just seeing a wait time outside, at least the GAC allows my brain to be tricked into thinking things will go smoother.

As for the buffer thing, that is all great when I go with more than 1 person, but it is not unusual for me to go by myself to the park or go with just 1 other person. How am I supposed to create a buffer with 1 person?

As for fast pass, yes in a sense they help, but 9 times out of 10 finding a quiet uncrowded area to wait until the FP time is impossible. I like the FP+ and use that over a GAC whenever possible but only having the option for 3 FP+ times set up makes for difficult planning of the other rides without a GAC.

No matter what new rules they implement there will always be someone who finds a way around it.

Local here-we have ALWAYS know it to be true that GAC was given for those with AP for as long as 2 months at a time. One recent reported change is the change to a 2 week GAC.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Been a long week so now is the first I'm getting to reply.

The comment about AP holder's getting a GAC for 3 months:
I have NEVER known this to be true. Up until May I was NOT a local/AP holder but had family. My husband is military so we thankfully are able to afford tickets a little more often and visit our families who live 30 miles from Disney. WE got married at Disney so all vacations are to Disney, so me getting a GAC a dozen or so times in a year is not strange even though we lived in KY during most of that time. I am NOW an AP holder and was on Monday and they never said anything about a prolonged GAC. Now has it happened, I wouldn't doubt it, but with all the people I know who have APs and gotten a GAC I've NEVER known someone to get one good for 3 months.

As for me needing to explain my needs, I did. I explained that it isn't about the wait time but about the amount of people in line. Many times the hallways are extremely tiny and feel much more so with 100 people in them. To be in that same hallway with 30 other people is a lot easier on my anxiety. And as someone stated, I already get anxiety just seeing a wait time outside, at least the GAC allows my brain to be tricked into thinking things will go smoother.

As for the buffer thing, that is all great when I go with more than 1 person, but it is not unusual for me to go by myself to the park or go with just 1 other person. How am I supposed to create a buffer with 1 person?

As for fast pass, yes in a sense they help, but 9 times out of 10 finding a quiet uncrowded area to wait until the FP time is impossible. I like the FP+ and use that over a GAC whenever possible but only having the option for 3 FP+ times set up makes for difficult planning of the other rides without a GAC.

No matter what new rules they implement there will always be someone who finds a way around it.

I have had an FL AP and have have several issued for TWO months! I even had one CM give me one good for 2 months when they had really cut them back to 2 weeks for FL AP holders. I still have it. I would post a pic but it would be against the rules. It is "supposed" to be a FL AP to get the longer GAC. Before when my AP was not a FL AP, I had to get a new one every trip. I was "entitled" to the extended one though when I switched to a FL AP even though I was only PT resident status. Some of it depends on how knowledgeble the CM you get at GS is though...some are much better than others.

What they could have done is issued you one good for one or two guests so that when you are alone or only have one companion and cannot create that buffer, you have the alternative. But honestly, would that have really made you happy? Knowing you could only use the GAC solo or w/ one other person but not with your entire family?

Maybe the reason they didn't make that offer is because then they would've opened the door for you (general you) to take it to another location and switch it for one to accommodate a larger number of guests....which is what a dishonest guest would do. Not saying you would do this but there are people who would... So maybe this is one of their ways of trying to prevent people from finding a way around the system. Not sure, but just a thought on their part.....

 

[iluvasoldier]

Good to know about the 2 month thing. I normally show them my AP pass (recently/in the far past when I had one) So they knew how to spell my name, and the longest I was give one was 2 weeks. So good to know. I think that definitely depends on how much the CM knows.

As for a pass for 2 people, that would be fine because I'd be willing to ride twice in a row to allow all party members to ride. Not to mention, each of my family members has certain rides they don't like to/won't ride for one reason or another so it usually ends up only being two of three of us that ride anyway.

I understand the concern about having someone go and get it for a larger party, that I get and feel if they want to issue for a smaller number of people and not want you getting another one for larger group of family then but a certain stamp on the back that says you aren't eligible for a group of more than 2. I would be fine with that.
I've watched families get 2 GAC's for a family because they were traveling with 10 people and wanted everyone to be able to go through the GAC line when it was only 1 adult who was asking for the GAC. The CM wrote them two to get their entire family in. That upsets me a little, but I understand the want to keep your party together so I didn't dwell on it much.

 

[mrqster]

Maybe the best system is to follow what Knott' Berry Farms did? I think they have the fairest policy for everyone. There is less incentive to "game" the system.

 

[meggiebeth]

I am shocked if those suffering from mental illness are no longer able to have a GAC. Mental illness can be every bit as painful as physical illness. Sadly often people do stigmatize it and not take it seriously. Many times I've been told I 'just' have anxiety.

It's terrible people don't realize how debilitating mental illness can be. You wouldn't make someone with a broken leg run a race so why make someone suffering from anxiety do something they physically and mentally struggle with.

I can only imagine how scary the crowds are at WDW for sufferers, and am so grateful I do not get distressed in such scenarios. I wish all anxiety sufferers the best of luck in getting GACs.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[stitchlovestink]

Good to know about the 2 month thing. I normally show them my AP pass (recently/in the far past when I had one) So they knew how to spell my name, and the longest I was give one was 2 weeks. So good to know. I think that definitely depends on how much the CM knows.

As for a pass for 2 people, that would be fine because I'd be willing to ride twice in a row to allow all party members to ride. Not to mention, each of my family members has certain rides they don't like to/won't ride for one reason or another so it usually ends up only being two of three of us that ride anyway.

I understand the concern about having someone go and get it for a larger party, that I get and feel if they want to issue for a smaller number of people and not want you getting another one for larger group of family then but a certain stamp on the back that says you aren't eligible for a group of more than 2. I would be fine with that.
I've watched families get 2 GAC's for a family because they were traveling with 10 people and wanted everyone to be able to go through the GAC line when it was only 1 adult who was asking for the GAC. The CM wrote them two to get their entire family in. That upsets me a little, but I understand the want to keep your party together so I didn't dwell on it much.

Bolding is mine......
Hmmmm.....interesting!!!!
BUT the GAC is supposed to be for YOU. The other members of your party can riide. They can ride using FP or the standby line.
This is a CLASSIC example of why people get upset because that is called 'looping'....when people get off of a ride and get right back on. Using a GAC to 'loop' a ride is really misuse of a GAC as that is not what it was intended for. I can understand why people in the standby line get upset when they see someone with a GAC loop. It's rude and unfair. There have been reports of "WDW" taking GACs away from guests who excessively 'looped'. I believe (but am not 100% certain) that one woman was banned when she challenged her right to use her GAC to consisently loop. She took it to court and lost.

Rather than give assigned return times what I would really like to see them do is get rid of the 'loopers'!! If they attached it to your magic band, limit it to two rides on the same attraction per day on that GAC with a certain amount of time, say two hours between rides. After that you use FP or standby like everyone else. Two rides on the same attraction per day is very reasonable. I think that would cut down on A LOT of GAC abuse....eliminate it? No, but reduce it? Yes, Absolutely!!

 

[LilyWDW]

I am shocked if those suffering from mental illness are no longer able to have a GAC. Mental illness can be every bit as painful as physical illness. Sadly often people do stigmatize it and not take it seriously. Many times I've been told I 'just' have anxiety.

It's terrible people don't realize how debilitating mental illness can be. You wouldn't make someone with a broken leg run a race so why make someone suffering from anxiety do something they physically and mentally struggle with.

I can only imagine how scary the crowds are at WDW for sufferers, and am so grateful I do not get distressed in such scenarios. I wish all anxiety sufferers the best of luck in getting GACs.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

It can be pretty bad. As I said before, I have anxiety (especially social), depression, OCD, and I am claustrophobic on top of it. So the crowds can really get to me. However, I have never felt the need to have a GAC and just do not see how it could help me. I use a touring plan, make rope drop, go during slower times of year, and make use of FP. I also make sure I have something else to focus on. I won't go on rides where the line is too long or into a show that is full.

The ONLY time I have ever had a full on panic attack at Disney was in a restaurant. The dang kid behind me apparently thought it was okay to push his chair as far back as possible, we were against a wall, and the tables around us were FULL. I could not enjoy my meal and ended up having to leave while my mom paid the bill. A GAC would not have helped in that situation.

I am a bit worried about my trip next year because I will be solo. So I won't have a "safe" person to help if I need it and I won't have a buffer.

 

[Granny square]

Disney cannot offer 'people with autism' extra consideration (if that means services not offered to the public) without violating part of sec 12182 of the ADA. So I'm not sure what they have planned, but it can't be a special service. It just has to offer an opportunity of equal access.

Actually they can choose to. It wouldn't be a piece of compliance with the Ada legislation but they can offer whatever they want.

 

[SueM in MN]

Good to know about the 2 month thing. I normally show them my AP pass (recently/in the far past when I had one) So they knew how to spell my name, and the longest I was give one was 2 weeks. So good to know. I think that definitely depends on how much the CM knows.......

They were sometimes issuing GACs for 2 months to Annual Passholders in the past.
There are changes coming to GACs, reportedly in October 2013.
In order to make the change, they were decreasing the time GACs were issued for. The longest time period was 2 weeks and I have heard that as they get closer to the date for making the change, the amount of time GACs are issued for will be shorter until they make he change.
This will allow them to start have a start date for their new program with no valid 'old GACs'.

I am shocked if those suffering from mental illness are no longer able to have a GAC. Mental illness can be every bit as painful as physical illness. Sadly often people do stigmatize it and not take it seriously. Many times I've been told I 'just' have anxiety.

It's terrible people don't realize how debilitating mental illness can be. You wouldn't make someone with a broken leg run a race so why make someone suffering from anxiety do something they physically and mentally struggle with.

I can only imagine how scary the crowds are at WDW for sufferers, and am so grateful I do not get distressed in such scenarios. I wish all anxiety sufferers the best of luck in getting GACs.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

GACs are not issued for a specific diagnosis, like anxiety/mental illness; but are issued for NEEDS related to a disability.
As other posters mentioned, there are a lot of things people can do themselves to help alleviate their stress/anxiety without needing a GAC. So, just having anxiety or mental illness does not necessarily mean needing a GAC.

Bolding is mine......
Hmmmm.....interesting!!!!
BUT the GAC is supposed to be for YOU. The other members of your party can riide. They can ride using FP or the standby line.
This is a CLASSIC example of why people get upset because that is called 'looping'....when people get off of a ride and get right back on. Using a GAC to 'loop' a ride is really misuse of a GAC as that is not what it was intended for. I can understand why people in the standby line get upset when they see someone with a GAC loop. It's rude and unfair. There have been reports of "WDW" taking GACs away from guests who excessively 'looped'. I believe (but am not 100% certain) that one woman was banned when she challenged her right to use her GAC to consisently loop. She took it to court and lost.

Rather than give assigned return times what I would really like to see them do is get rid of the 'loopers'!! If they attached it to your magic band, limit it to two rides on the same attraction per day on that GAC with a certain amount of time, say two hours between rides. After that you use FP or standby like everyone else. Two rides on the same attraction per day is very reasonable. I think that would cut down on A LOT of GAC abuse....eliminate it? No, but reduce it? Yes, Absolutely!!

The part I bolded is true.
She tried to claim that she needed to ride Tower of Terror repeatedly 'treat' a medical condition.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Disney_sued_for_denial_of_medical_needs.htm