It's sad when what had been a very illuminating thread degenerates into name calling.
I agree. There is no reason for it.
There was already a warning by one of the Moderators of this board.
If poster don't play nice, this thread will end up closed like the ones on other boards have.
I'll preface this by saying that I haven't used the GAC system, although we had been planning on it for our 2014 trip. I'm traveling with two adults with mobility issues as well as one with severe COPD (will probably be on oxygen by our trip).
In some ways I don't feel like I have a horse currently in this race, as we're going off-peak and shouldn't really face long lines and mobility issues (ie being able to use wheelchairs entrances on the attractions that don't use the main queues) are not affected by what I can tell. So in the grand scheme this change is not going to really affect our party's trip/WDW experience.
But what I can say is that I despise the idea of "special kiosks" just for those with disabilities.
What a complete lack of privacy and discretion that creates. If they want to incorporate the DAS into the FastPass+ kiosks then fine, but to single folks out at "special" kiosks isn't right.
What's going to be interesting to watch unfold in all this is whether or not the number of people/families with disabilities screaming and complaining about the new system outnumber the non-disabled people screaming about the old GAC abuse. I think it's going to come down to dollars and cents - if Disney starts losing revenue because of the new system (ie families choosing to go elsewhere on vacation where they don't have the hassle) then I think we'll see a pretty quick return to the old system.
I do not know for sure, but think the eventual plan is to incorporate the DAS information into Magicbands. That possibility is a long way out though (especially for DL where Fastpass Plus and RFID are not started yet).
Most theme parks are using a similar system, so not going to WDW won't necessarily mean people can find what they think is a more 'friendly' spot to go.
The news media has been playing up the abuse, but Disney has been working on this for a long time.
When we first started going to WDW with someone using a wheelchair in the mid 1980s, we could sometimes go a whole day (or even 2) without seeing anyone else using a wheelchair. That has changed - the US is aging and many people who can manage the short distances of their regular day can't walk the 5-9 miles that a WDW trip involves.
There are people with disabilities who would have never considered a trip to WDW who go now. So - more people who need assistance. From what people read on the Internet, many of them expected to use a GAC means no wait, but it was not designed to do that and often did not.
All that leads to situations like shown on video of this line at Toy Story Mania
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q464fj...top_uri=/watch?v=q464fj2r-YI&feature=youtu.be
These are not fakers or scammers. These are people who, for one reason or another can't do the stairs in the regular line ( the stairs are past the point where Fastpass and regular line join).
There is one ride car loaded at that accessible loading area per ride cycle, so once a line builds up, it takes a long time to handle all those people. (Sometimes, they are running 2 cars there, but that only means loading 2 per cycle, still leaving a long wait).
If they keep the GAC like it currently is or if they decided to require proof, it would not change the situations like shown in the video. There is no way for the attraction to handle that many people who show up randomly. The new system will help to even out flows like that.
Unfortunately FW is one of the last going live, on October 21st.
The reports are that it is supposed to take effect at both resorts on the 9th, but it is a little vague.
Disney has publicly said the new DAS program will start on both coasts on October 9, so that is confirmed.
Why would they start the new system in the middle of the week?
I'm guessing there are a couple of reasons.
1) middle of the week is less busy and there are more staff not working in the middle of the week that they can schedule for the roll out
2) at WDW, Food and Wine at Epcot makes weekends there very busy.
3) at DL, weekends are busier with AP holders.
We have participated in the local Autism Speaks walks to raise funds for the organization in the past. However we have never seen any local benefit from those funds. I wish Disney would have also consulted with the Autism Society of America an organization that has arranged many regular social experiences throughout the USA for those on the autism spectrum, the sensory friendly movie Saturdays for example. But I am happy that Disney did consult with someone.
I have on good authority that Disney is/did work with both Autism Speaks and Autism Society of America.
Autism Speaks in a more vocal organization in general; I know people who have gone to sensory friendly movies, but had no idea Autism Society of America was even involved in setting those up.
But seeing the outcry against Autism Speaks about the DAS, I would not blame any organization that decides not to talk about their involvement.
