Guest Assistance Cards ending, to be replaced with Fastpasses?

[Donnask8pro]

I happen to be one of those not entirely happy with the situation. I have a severely handicapped son with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair, our first or second trip to Disney I tried to go without the GAC. They pushed us into a room crowded with many people. I tried to explain that it was not going to work for him. They shrugged us off. My son who is cognitively 10 months old but now 19 (maybe 6 or 7 at the time) grabbed a women's hand and bite her before I could do anything about it. He was overstimulated and obviously scared being shoved in that small space in his wheelchair with all those people and the volume of the noise terrified him.

So I still feel there are cases where things just aren't the same. Am I furious that people abused this? Definitely. But some still need it and it is horrific that it has turned out the way that it has.

 

[glenn5william]

I'm on my phone so I apologize of it would be obvious otherwise! Are you going really soon? It seems to me that only dl is going live in early October.

I did try to send this privately but was not allowed, to hell, I have enough humility to let others see this
hi granny square, please read this and don't delete straight away.
I know you probably hate me by now and for that I am both terrible sorry and also quite sad, being someone who can say they do not have an enemy anywhere as far as I am aware. can I please explain that I had very little info about the changes and when I saw what was happening with the gac I was totally mortified as am visiting in a few weeks with a guy who has some major issues. I know I was pretty militant in what I said but in honesty the kind of person I described have been the extreme but I have supported them to be in Disney. I think over the yrs I have become quite at ease with the planning due to the gac and any change has been a scary monster to me due to the fact that it has taken me by surprise. I am also from another country and scared of being left stranded as it were with no way of getting home early if things do not work out.
please believe me, I am not a nasty person, could I care so much for so long if I was? but have read some scary threads, there is even talk of people being got at as they load the buses from the disabled line, I think you yourself have even mentioned it in a quote but read so many to remember that well lol.
again I am very sorry if I said anything that insulted you but please believe me that it was not my intention, just my kneejerk reaction to something I see as a result of unscrupulous people taking advantage of something put in place for those less fortunate in life, something that I am still and always will be extremely angry about.
I hope you can please see part of my thinking and realise that at no time did I ever intend to be rude to the genuine people who love Disney
regards
glenn

 

[Justin Jett]

 

[Justin Jett]

Matt Asner from Autism Speaks sets the record straight on the role Autism Speaks played in Disney's changed Guest Assistance Pass policy. Disney Theme Parks recently announced that it will be changing its current Guest Assistance Pass on Oct. 9th. In a press release Disney stated they have consulted with many groups in deciding its new policy but specifically named on Autism Speaks. A fire storm of speculation and controversy ensued. For the first time an Autism Speaks official responds to the criticism.

http://youtu.be/n6ZEauVUXqY

 

[WaltD4Me]

I love this part of the letter.........

"As with any change, there will be a period of adjustment, particularly for those families who have developed and refined their preferred ways of enjoying our parks with their loved ones over the years."

As if "those families" are just being picky because they are set in their ways.

How about "especially for those families who have challenges we can't imagine when visiting our parks, but who have, through trial and error, developed the best plan possible for their loved one."

 

[disney david]

Matt Asner from Autism Speaks sets the record straight on the role Autism Speaks played in Disney's changed Guest Assistance Pass policy. Disney Theme Parks recently announced that it will be changing its current Guest Assistance Pass on Oct. 9th. In a press release Disney stated they have consulted with many groups in deciding its new policy but specifically named on Autism Speaks. A fire storm of speculation and controversy ensued. For the first time an Autism Speaks official responds to the criticism.

http://youtu.be/n6ZEauVUXqY

He kept saying Disney land everything from Disney says Disney land wonder if they are planing in just changing Disneyland gac.

 

[Granny square]

Glen, I'm so sorry things got crazy. I too went with the knee jerk relation. I've managed to offend both sides in this debate because my hope is that Disney finds a happy medium.

There are people who need extra care and there are people like our folks who tough it out and deserve consideration too.

I don't know the answer. I'm glad I'm not Disney management.

I hope your trips are as easy as possible and fun in top of that. Take care, gs

 

[SueM in MN]

Matt Asner from Autism Speaks sets the record straight on the role Autism Speaks played in Disney's changed Guest Assistance Pass policy. Disney Theme Parks recently announced that it will be changing its current Guest Assistance Pass on Oct. 9th. In a press release Disney stated they have consulted with many groups in deciding its new policy but specifically named on Autism Speaks. A fire storm of speculation and controversy ensued. For the first time an Autism Speaks official responds to the criticism.

http://youtu.be/n6ZEauVUXqY

So, which side of Autism Speaks mouth do you listen to?
The one on their Facebook page that on Sept. 20th said this:

"Status Update
By Autism Speaks
There has been some misinformation involving Disneyland's Guest Assistance Card program. Autism Speaks has been working with Disney. Well have updates."
(I tried to post a link, but there are no links to individual Facebook posts. You can scroll down their Facebook page and find it though)

Or the side that now says, "they asked us some questions, we responded," but denies they were working with Disney, denies they even knew there were any changes coming. Basically says, "I know nothing" (reminders of Sgt. Schultz from Hogan's Heroes).

He kept saying Disney land everything from Disney says Disney land wonder if they are planing in just changing Disneyland gac.

It has been confirmed that both coasts are changing at the same time on October 9.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

So, which side of Autism Speaks mouth do you listen to?
The one on their Facebook page that on Sept. 20th said this:

Status Update
By Autism Speaks
There has been some misinformation involving Disneyland's Guest Assistance Card program. Autism Speaks has been working with Disney. We’ll have updates.

Or the side that now says, "they asked us some questions, we responded," but denies they were working with Disney, denies they even knew there were any changes coming. Basically says, "I know nothing" (reminders of Sgt. Schultz from Hogan's Heroes).

It has been confirmed that both coasts are changing at the same time on October 9.

Maybe the confusion comes in because of the guides they were working on together, where they probably had more input? They really should have been clear right from the start though. I imagine they do have at least some idea where Disney is headed with this, but since it is ultimately Disney's decision, they probably cannot know for sure.

 

[Gracie09]

So, which side of Autism Speaks mouth do you listen to?
The one on their Facebook page that on Sept. 20th said this:

"Status Update
By Autism Speaks
There has been some misinformation involving Disneyland's Guest Assistance Card program. Autism Speaks has been working with Disney. Well have updates."
(I tried to post a link, but there are no links to individual Facebook posts. You can scroll down their Facebook page and find it though)

Or the side that now says, "they asked us some questions, we responded," but denies they were working with Disney, denies they even knew there were any changes coming. Basically says, "I know nothing" (reminders of Sgt. Schultz from Hogan's Heroes).

It has been confirmed that both coasts are changing at the same time on October 9.

My guess is that they did not anticipate the huge backlash and now they want to try and distance themselves from the fallout. I guess if this turns out to be a huge sucess they will take credit for it.

 

[lovethattink]

JustinJett, Thanks for posting the letter and link.

So, which side of Autism Speaks mouth do you listen to?
The one on their Facebook page that on Sept. 20th said this:

"Status Update
By Autism Speaks
There has been some misinformation involving Disneyland's Guest Assistance Card program. Autism Speaks has been working with Disney. Well have updates."
(I tried to post a link, but there are no links to individual Facebook posts. You can scroll down their Facebook page and find it though)

Or the side that now says, "they asked us some questions, we responded," but denies they were working with Disney, denies they even knew there were any changes coming. Basically says, "I know nothing" (reminders of Sgt. Schultz from Hogan's Heroes).

It has been confirmed that both coasts are changing at the same time on October 9.

The overall message was to wait and see how this all plays out. I'm thinking of heading over to a park on Oct 9th if curiosity gets the best of me.

I did send an email to guest communications about my concerns and also filled with questions. I did not get a confirmation of an email received. Doesn't one usually get a confirmation?

 

[Disneylvr]

Matt Asner from Autism Speaks sets the record straight on the role Autism Speaks played in Disney's changed Guest Assistance Pass policy. Disney Theme Parks recently announced that it will be changing its current Guest Assistance Pass on Oct. 9th. In a press release Disney stated they have consulted with many groups in deciding its new policy but specifically named on Autism Speaks. A fire storm of speculation and controversy ensued. For the first time an Autism Speaks official responds to the criticism.

http://youtu.be/n6ZEauVUXqY

VERY disappointed in Matt Asner's comments regarding the "venom" parents are using to go after Autism Speaks and Disney and they should use that kind of energy to go after better services for our kids and for adults with autism not something that he classifies as entertainment. Does he really think we don't already do that?! We go though that every day with school, the IEP team, doctors, therapists, fighting for our child's right to participate and be included in the things most people take for granted. Disney was the one place we could take our loved one without having to engage in that daily battle. A place where our family could finally feel like every other family and have that fantastic opportunity to share the Disney magic, together, without thinking about the battle zone we experience at home. At least that is how I see it from my point of view. I still hope and pray Disney's new system will work for families like ours but I have to admit my optimism has waned a bit after watching this video from Autism Speaks.

 

[lovethattink]

I don't think I've seen Autism Speaks response posted yet. Here is the link http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/autism-speaks-responds-disney-policy-change

Did anyone else notice that Autism Speaks removed THEIR response and replaced it with the response from Meg Crofton at Disney?

 

[jacquelinemc]

There are only 10 or so attractions in all of WDW (9 MK; 1 EPCOT) were the queues are not-mainstreamed and require an alternative entrance for those in wheelchairs. I would imagine that wheelchair/ECV rentals will decrease in all parks with the exception of MK because of the loss of the FOTL pass (which is exactly what the GAC was for all who used it with the exception of those wheelchair bound and couldn't transfer). I just don't see the low-life scum who abused the GAC going to the trouble to rent a wheelchair/EVC when they now have to wait similar times. I mean, who really wants to stare at peoples' butts all day? Moreover, I also think that those with borderline "invisible disabilities" who milked the system due to FOTL status will no longer see a benefit under DAS and will just tough out the lines.

Absolutely. Because Disney is not at liberty to do the one thing that would stem the abuse (require medical documentation) they made the new system so undesirable and ineffective that would-be abusers won't bother. Those of us that actually need it are stuck with a second-rate system.

 

[SueM in MN]

The information I have says that anyone using a wheelchair or ECV without a DAS will use the Mainstream Lines.
That's the way it was supposed to be - Disney even put out special park maps for people with disabilities that list the 'Mobility entrances'.
But, I have still seen people arguing and yelling at CMs that they need to be allowed to use the 'handicapped entrance'.

At WDW, it's not as much of an issue. MK has the most lines that are not Mainstream. Epcot (except for Spaceship Earth) is Mainstream lines and both AK and the Studio are pretty much all Mainstream.

DL is another story though. Disneyland has a lot of attractions that are not Mainstream because of age and space constraints. Disney's California Adventure is all Mainstream and I've heard people complain there because they have to use the Mainstream lines (they expect it to be like Disneyland).

The information I have heard is that people with ONLY need for a mobility device will not get a DAS. They will be directed to the Mainstream line for attractions that have one.
For ones that don't, they will get a return time without having a DAS card.

 

[doconeill]

At WDW, it's not as much of an issue. MK has the most lines that are not Mainstream. Epcot (except for Spaceship Earth) is Mainstream lines and both AK and the Studio are pretty much all Mainstream.

Is TSM considered mainstream? Because when we approached with an ECV, we were directed to the Fastpass line and then bypassed the stairs to the accessible area, without even showing our GAC.

I forget what they do at Star Tours...

 

[disney david]

So, which side of Autism Speaks mouth do you listen to?
The one on their Facebook page that on Sept. 20th said this:

"Status Update
By Autism Speaks
There has been some misinformation involving Disneyland's Guest Assistance Card program. Autism Speaks has been working with Disney. Well have updates."
(I tried to post a link, but there are no links to individual Facebook posts. You can scroll down their Facebook page and find it though)

Or the side that now says, "they asked us some questions, we responded," but denies they were working with Disney, denies they even knew there were any changes coming. Basically says, "I know nothing" (reminders of Sgt. Schultz from Hogan's Heroes).

It has been confirmed that both coasts are changing at the same time on October 9.

I know just funny that every one who speaking about it just mentions Disneyland. Sue I think he is lying on the video or just trying to save face and back paddle. I think if Disney wanted they could prove him wrong but it wouldn't look good for Disney to go after them. I also don't see how it helps Disney to say they worked with them he. For them to say this they didn't really name any organization they worked with. So I guess Disney will not be listening to them any more and will use other organizations to help. I understand they wanted to take the heat off but don't lie be honest and say we helped but he final decision is still up to Disney. I also like to see some proof about the other thing he said they was helping with. It on heir web site that hey helped so he just contradicted him self.

 

[disney david]

JustinJett, Thanks for posting the letter and link.

The overall message was to wait and see how this all plays out. I'm thinking of heading over to a park on Oct 9th if curiosity gets the best of me.

I did send an email to guest communications about my concerns and also filled with questions. I did not get a confirmation of an email received. Doesn't one usually get a confirmation?

Sometimes I guessing they getting alot of emails so it maybe sometime before they respond but they are listening it just so many emails they can replay to. Sometime I get a confirmation and sometimes I don't so your letter might have gone through.

 

[disney david]

Did anyone else notice that Autism Speaks removed THEIR response and replaced it with the response from Meg Crofton at Disney?

Thanks for pointing that out I wonder if everyone was happy about this would they go so far out of their way to distance them selves. Or would they be ging out of their way to let people know they helped what happens if every one true it and it works and people are some what happy. Will they change their stance again and try to make us think it was hem who got it perfect.

 

[SueM in MN]

Is TSM considered mainstream? Because when we approached with an ECV, we were directed to the Fastpass line and then bypassed the stairs to the accessible area, without even showing our GAC.

I forget what they do at Star Tours...

This is what is on the disability park map for Toy Story Mania
Mobility Access: Obtain a FASTPASS OR use Stand-By queue. If FASTPASS is not available, enter through standard queue

This is what Star Tours says:
Mobility Access: Obtain a FASTPASS OR see a host for options.
If FASTPASS is not available, enter through standard queue. See a host for Transfer Access Seat.

We have seen people turned away who came with a wheelchair or ECV without a GAC. Individual CMs might not have always done what they were supposed to do according to the attraction procedure.
There are also situations where they might make an exception - like a large ECV will be easier to drive thru the Fastpass line.

There are also times at Buzz Lightyear when the standby line was less than 10 minutes posted time. We went to enter that line, but the CM sent us to the Fastpass line because our wait would be the same and us bring in the standby line would slow that line down.

Thanks for pointing that out I wonder if everyone was happy about this would they go so far out of their way to distance them selves. Or would they be ging out of their way to let people know they helped what happens if every one true it and it works and people are some what happy. Will they change their stance again and try to make us think it was hem who got it perfect.

I agree.