Gac ?

[ancestry]

On our most recent trip to Disney (May 10 through May 23) we saw several different groups of people (families) using their GAC cards as they were fast passes. For example one day at Space Mountain in MK a group of people entered into the fast pass line by showing a GAC card. They did not have fast passes.

This also happened at several other rides that had a fast pass line through out the time we were there. I think maybe the other ones were Expedition Everest and Test Track but am not 100% certain on my memory on those.

I always thought that the GAC card didn't allow people to by-pass lines for the most part. I know that not all disabilities are visible but no one in any of these groups had any visible limitations.

Does anyone know what was going on in these situations? If you have a child with a sensory disorder or autism which limits their ability to stand in long lines can you use your GAC card as a fast pass?

Thanks in advance.

 

[scojos]

im sure someone with more knowledge than me will be along shortly but, no, it is not a FP, but will allow alternative queing place...ie dh would wait with my autistic son and i would wait in the reg line with other 2, dh would then join us as we got onto ride (bit like a baby swap without the swap..kwim)
hth
tracy

 

[dawnball]

"It depends".

Some attractions with some GAC stamps and some crowd levels they might send you through the fastpass line. Some attractions with the same stamp they send you through the FP line and then pull you out into a separate holding area (KS at AK does this, and we usually end up waiting about as long as the standby line, even if we have FP).

I've had them ask me to come back at a specific time, or to wait in a particular location while my family goes through whatever line (FP if we have them, or standby). Some waits are longer, and some waits are shorter. I experienced more attractions in a same-length day without the GAC than I did with, and we collected FP even though someone in the party needed accommodations.

And my entire group looks completely normal, that's sort of the point of a GAC. If limitations and needs were visible, CM could be trained to recognize them without a card.

 

[bookwormde]

Gac is not intended to be a "fastpass" just to allow for alternate waiting areas. Each attraction has a different "system" so it is hard to generalize. Fastpasses are actually the first choice for most special needs families and it they are not available then the GAC is the next best thing.

bookwormde

 

[ancestry]

Thanks everyone! The family I followed into Space Mountain did not get pulled into a separate waiting area. They went through right along with the rest of us who had fast passes.

I got excited for a bit because my cousin has a child with several disorders and they had been afraid to travel to Disney for a variety of reasons. When I saw this at Space Mountain I thought it might apply to all rides with fast passes which would so help them out and maybe would even convince them to make the trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am going to close this thread at this point because the question has been answered - what happens with a GAC depends on the attraction and the needs of the person.

It is printed right on the card that it is not meant to shorten waits or provide immediate access. It also says on yhe card that guests who wish to have a shorter wait should get and use Fastpasses.
So, no. It is not a Fastpass.
If you want more information, follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread and look in post #6.

For anyone who wants to shorten their waits, I would strongly suggest a touring plan, such as TourGuide Mike or Ridemax at WDW and Ridemax at Disneyland. That is the way to get the most reliable access with short waits.
A GAC will only help with attractions; a touring plan will help avoid busy areas of each park.