GAC on eBay again

[dclfun]

It also bothers me that this "ebay seller" lent his GAC to someone else and that neither person had any hesitation to do this when the card is clearly supposed to be for the disabled person and their party- not to pass around to friends. I know the GS CM's don't have time or equipment, but perhaps they'll go to having a photo GAC in the future. When I first became disabled and was still ambulatory, the card was, of course in my name but was for a party of 6 since I had my husband and four kids with me. I remember using it once by myself at Peter Pan ( which I can no longer ride) and was lectured by the CM about how I shouldn't use a card that wasn't for me, that the disabled person should be with me, etc. I told him that I was the disabled person but I don't think he believed me even after I explained that my teens and husband had gone to the coasters, thus there were no longer 6 people in my party...just me, and that I should be entitled to use it just as 1 person since I had the disability. He told me he'd make an exception that one time but that I'd better not try and use my GAC again. I should have spoken to a manager but instead I rode the ride with tears running down my face. Sigh.....---Kathy

 

[Belle1997]

That is so sad. I know the cruise line requires I doctors signature to get the disable room. Other cruise lines do not. I know there is a issue of privacy and that by law they are not allowed to ask what the disability is. You just have to tell the CM's what your needs are. I would pay the money needed to get a doctors note if it meant that using a GAC would mean not having to deal with the suspicions of the CMs. And I think photo ID or room key is a great Idea. They could spot check you while waiting for rides. And if you do not have it poof out of the park you go. As for kids that might be more difficult.
Or a stamp that goes with the GAC. I different one per week. Would stop on the selling of the used ones. Or they could give you a wrist band like the one they use for extra hours if you need not have photo ID.

They are ways to cut back on the scamming. Sad that is would mean the people who actually need one would have to do more to get it. BUt it is the only way to get rid of the scammers.

 

[Nik's Mom]

That is so sad. I know the cruise line requires I doctors signature to get the disable room. Other cruise lines do not. I know there is a issue of privacy and that by law they are not allowed to ask what the disability is. You just have to tell the CM's what your needs are. I would pay the money needed to get a doctors note if it meant that using a GAC would mean not having to deal with the suspicions of the CMs. And I think photo ID or room key is a great Idea. They could spot check you while waiting for rides. And if you do not have it poof out of the park you go. As for kids that might be more difficult.
Or a stamp that goes with the GAC. I different one per week. Would stop on the selling of the used ones. Or they could give you a wrist band like the one they use for extra hours if you need not have photo ID.

They are ways to cut back on the scamming. Sad that is would mean the people who actually need one would have to do more to get it. BUt it is the only way to get rid of the scammers.

The sad thing is that I had my son's doctor complete the medical release form from the Disney Cruise website, with a note to please offer pre-boarding. We made the HUGE mistake of taking the DCL bus from the airport, and waited in line almost an hour for that, so by the time we got to the cruise terminal, I was exhausted, depressed and heart-broken at what my children were going through. I didn't have the fight in me when I got to the terminal.

 

[krismom]

I may be cold hearted but I have no sympathy for this seller trying to "pay of some medical bills". His other listings are all scams- fastpasses and rider switch tickets (free from Disney with baby-swap) that have sold for over $400- each set! He gets away with it by "selling" the white envelope and including "as a special bonus" a set of fast passes. This guy is a con artist and I hope he gets shut down entirely.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

It is disgusting when ppl try to piggyback on the needs of others, like fraudulently obtaining or using (or selling) GACs and such.

I, personally, wouldn't have a problem with a GAC with a photo on it. I know some ppl would, but, really, what's the difference between showing the current pass and showing one with a photo on it?

Instead of using stamps, the whole thing could be computerized, so that the CM enters on the computer which "stamps" need to be on each GAC and those icons get printed out, with the photo and rest of the front of the pass text/info. onto a paper (cheaper) card. The backs can be pre-printed to save time and hassle.

Paper card printers already exist, so Disney wouldn't even have to invent anything - they'd just have to write the small software program, set up the computers and ID photo cameras (which already exist), and printers at each place GACs are given out.

 

[dclfun]

I agree about the photo- this way there is no question as to which person the GAC is for. They used to take photos for annual passes- same thing. I know it would take manpower, time, space, and money but it would resolve alot of issues. The problem seems to be getting worse instead of better and there needs to be a way to at least stop something this seller is doing as I doubt he's the only one and people who are using someone else's GAC. I know the CM at Peter Pan that day thought I was using one a GAC that had been issued to one of my kids vs. me because at that time I didn't appear disabled. That incident still hurts to recall and now that's my memory of riding Peter Pan for the last time in my life vs. a joyful one. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

I remember when the APs had photos on them. It took a little longer to issue them, but not that bad. They printed them out right in Guest Services.

I had read something about Fastpasses getting bar codes on them. When you insert your park pass into the Fastpass machine, the machine already
can determine whether or not that park pass was used to get into the park and whether or not it's 'time' for a new Fastpass. I don't know what they are planning to do with the bar codes, but the idea brings up some other ideas besides what Ms_Butterfly thought of.

I wonder if that kind of technology could be used somehow with GACs. Since the GAC is issued to an actual person who had a park pass to get in, the GAC could also be 'tied' to the park pass. If the GAC had a bar code on it that was read by the attraction CM, there would be a way to know that GAC was being used on the same day and park as the 'matching' park pass was used to get into that park. When it reads the GAC and matches it to information in the computer, the bar code reader could even give the attraction CM some additional information about the type of assistance for that attraction for the type of GAC.

 

[dclfun]

At DL you must get a GAC each day which takes alot of time. At WDW they are issued for your length of stay which would thus make it impossible to link it by bar code to the person's daily ticket plus I'm not sure how the CM's at the attractions would scan it ( or how easy it would be to find the CM with a scanner). I hope WDW doesn't go to the policy that DL has as I don't like to go to GS each day, but perhaps that gives a better measurement of how many people per day are using a GAC and which "stamps" are being used. I know whatever changes would/could take place will be an extra burden on the people who need a GAC but I'd rather have that burden than to have people able to scam.---Kathy

 

[cmwade77]

Please reeport this directly to Disney through thhe link on the Disney World Site, the last time this happened I did so and they actually ccalled to thank me foor doing so. Be sure to include the Auuction Number and a link to the auction.

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

My nephew requires a GAC because he is severely autistic. It makes my sister's trips to WDW so much easier, she says it's the only place where she feels like all of her kids are typical.
I can bet you anything, she would gladly stand in the longest park line everyday if her child didn't require the GAC. Shame on the ebay seller and anyone who buys this. People should be thankful they are able to wait in line without any problems!

 

[julie.uk]

sorry guys what is a GAC,

Julie

 

[Cheshire Figment]

sorry guys what is a GAC,

A Guest Assistance Card for people with invisible disabilities. Click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including about GACs.