new blog: Guest Assistance Cards Vs. FastPass+: Let the Battle Begin

[Robbi]

I think perhaps the difference in our thinking is that the GAC is designed to help CMs see invisible disabilities (such as vision impairments), not to provide special access in any way. Those methods of equal access, such as the GAC, are protected by the ADA and a person cannot be made to "prove" they are disabled every time they turn around just to get equal access to something.

So how much money should a person expect to spend on getting a GAC? Can it be from any doctor, or would it have to be from the one treating the condition? At most of my (and any I have encountered) specialists and even my GP's office, they will not write a note or fill out a form without and addition fee. At one previous neurologist, it was $25 a page.

So now you have required a person with a disability, to pay for a doctors appointment and a paperwork fee, and this is usually a person with a fixed income. How much are you going to charge people without a disability? Or are we the only ones who get penalized financially for needing equal access to the park (I mean aside from the thousands spent out of pocket each year for durable medical equipment that insurance doesn't pay.

I get that right now you are thinking of how Disney could get around the civil liberties protections written into the ADA so as to avoid the fakers, but do you see how quickly this could snow ball into a "papers please" atmosphere. I could be required to show written proof before being allowed to sit in the accessible seats in the theatre. Or when I tried to access a bus (not Disney, I mean in my daily life) and required the ramp to be lowered. Or when I state I need the accessible check out lane in the super market (as the others are often too narrow for me and my chair)

Fiddling with the ADA has implications much broader than whether you think too many people with a GAC are in your fastpass line.

Also, if you mail the paper out what is to stop me from writing the letter myself? My doctor's office will not allow forms to be mailed to them frequently (if they are from non-medical sources, such as camps, waivers, Disney, etc)

And I could easily make up a license number for stationary, and no CM in Guest Relations would ever have a clue it was fake (especially if I made up my own and did not steal one). And even if they did know, I could turn around and sue THEM for requiring one against the law.

And what do people do who have a sudden injury or a flare up of illness while on vacation. Do these people have to go to a doctor? ER fees are quite high, and many insurances have no coverage for out of state visits except the ER. So when my mom pinched a nerve in her foot, again, we should have gone to the ER, lost a whole day in the parks, to get a special doctors note (would ERs have this special paper, or do they have their own letterhead) so they can access the parks equally to those people with two working feet? Instead, my mom just went and rented a wheelchair and spoke to Guest Relations about and ADRs we might have in an inaccessible location. It was a $10 fix that took no more than an hour, rather than costing us hundreds of dollars for a note.

And I tend not to pay attention to "unwritten rules" that make the lives of people with disabilities more difficult in violation of the ADA. I much prefer to pay attention to the actual laws which took decades to build and develop, and were written by experts.

You may have seen CMs refuse to give GACs before, but this generally happen either then the person with the disability is not physically present or when the person requesting the GAC cannot verbalize their needs and explain why the standard arrangement of the park (queues, stairs, etc) will not work for them. Often these people are requesting a GAC which will keep them from having to walk and stand as much, and there is no card in the world to make the parks smaller or distances shorter.

So, no, I'm sorry but I must reject your "unwritten rule." I do not like anything that violates my civil liberties in order to make life simpler for other people. I prefer the written laws of the ADA and their enforcement.

Thanks, guess I didn't realize the extent some people might go to in order to try to get over on Disney.

As far as the people refused the GAC, you're probably right. I only overheard a part of the conversation while waiting for the CM to give my friend her son's GAC.

 

[lovethattink]

A State-Issued Disability Parking Placard or other form ofstate-issued proof of disability would be acceptable, but Disney cannot request documentation from a doctor.

Many cast members will refuse to even look at a doctor's note for this reason.

But not everyone with a disability has a permanent one, and therefore many would not have a state-issued placard or state proof of disability. My placard is permanently attached to my car and would need to stay there in any case, and I do not have a state-issued proof I am disabled. And I travel to Disneyland weekly and have both a wheelchair and a GAC.

In the case of temporary disabilities......People may obtain a temporary disabled parking placards from their state DMV.

The ADA states

My son has hidden disabilities. He uses a wheelchair in heat and for distances and crowds. We do NOT have a placard for him though both the neurologist and pediatrician have offered to sign. His is a permanent disability. We park wherever Disney sends us to park, and speed walk pushing him to the gate since it's too bulky and heavy to fold the wheelchair to take a tram.

So requiring a placard wouldn't work for us.

And if we had a placard, we'd have to keep in it the car to park, right?

 

[Disfanx4]

I have to disagree with both options offered here for the GAC and fast pass+. As the mother of 2 daughters with Autism and at total different ends of the spectrum, giving a particular return time to most if not all ASD kids just wouldn't work. The best thing that works is the option to wait in a different less crowded area giving me the option to leave if the wait time becomes to much for them or it gets to loud, returning and trying again after we have done something else. Holding ASD kids(mine anyway) to certain times to ride certain rides just won't work. I will say that I never have felt we have pulled one over on other guest or Disney, the thought never crossed my mind before reading about the abuse here. I guess thinking more about my kids enjoying themselves and me trying to accommodate that enjoyment how every I can whether its taking a break when needed is more important then trying to take advantage of what I find a very good thing (GAC). Planning their everyday lives is tricky enough without trying to plan what they will eat or do 6months in advance. My extent of planning is usually park days on low crowd days and cross my fingers and play it by ear. I have always had with me, both daughters diagnosis letters when I approached guest services and offered them and was told they were not needed.

 

[KPeveler]

Thanks, guess I didn't realize the extent some people might go to in order to try to get over on Disney.

Part of my point as well is that it is not just Disney. The laws are written to keep me from having to present a doctors note every time I turn around. I should not have to "prove" my disability. My word should be enough.

I realize people lie and trust me I hate them more than able-bodied people do. If not for the liars and the fakers, I would not have to have this battle over nad over again.

To the PP who said she does not mind a CM knowing what is her condition is... I do. I should not have to give private medical information they probably will not understand just to get equal access.

And a parking tag is different. Disabled parking spaces are something special - not everyone gets to park there. The point of a GAC (and yes, I know some people abuse the system and do not use it this way) is EQUAL access. The ADA does not allow people to collect evidence such as doctors notes for EQUAL access. For example, for a person with a hearing or vision impairment to enjoy (for example) the Indiana Jones show equally, she/he needs to sit near the front to better see/hear/read lips. The GAC, in this case, may alert the CM to the fact the person needs to sit up front. This gives everyone in the audience the best chance at an equal experience.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I have used a GAC in the past and have also used a ECV. First off let me comment here. My disability is invisible. I wanted to cry from all the comments I had heard from people under their breath when I was on the ECV. Also people do NOT move for these. Making it very frustrating because I didn't want to hurt anyone while I was on it. WIth that being said, I did stay on it and learned eventually to shrug off the negativity because I was there to enjoy the day with my DS and DH. No one but me can see the inside of my knees and feel the pain I have. But if they would like to drive with me 3 times a week for the physical therapy and doctor visits, welcome aboard.

In my honest opinion, i don't think one person wants to have a disability. Its not fun! I would much rather be waiting in long lines than to pop the meds I do, ice my knees, wear braces, and know of my upcoming surgeries and all the other fun I deal with. I am holding out for knee replacement because I am only 41. Ok I vented...

The part where you have to return at a specific time is not such an easy task for some including myself. If I am by Splash Mountain and need to be back at Space Mountain in 45 minutes depending on crowd levels not sure if that is possible....walking or riding an ECV. SOmetimes for me I need to walk so they don't stiffen up, but its the standing still in lines that are horrible. And some days its the opposite where I just need to rest them.

I always have a doctors note with me, and have it on the counter when I have asked for a GAC. I have the disability. Seeing me sitting you wouldn't know, but trust me if you are walking behind me, you will know .
It is a shame that there are people out there who abuse the system but lets face it that is life!

If to obtain a handicapped pass for parking in your own state you need a doctors note, I say Disney does the same. I know there are legal issues with that...

I just hope that Disney figures a way out to get the bad people so that the people who genuinely need it can obtain it. It has been a lifesaver for me!!!! I never NEVER would last standing in 2 lines in a row for 30 minutes. That would be the end of my day. ANd because I am a mom, I would miss out on enjoying my DS and seeing his happy face while at our happy place...

To all who are skeptical, I do understand. But be kind to others, disabilities range in varying degrees. SOme you see and some you don't...

Furthermore it would not bother me to show or let a CM what my ailment is. I don't see the CM's at the counter as people who would mock someone. I have learned to accept my disability, sure it angers me that i can't keep up, but what am i going to do. I loved my softball in high school, and in my leagues in my 20's, and loved sliding, and now at 41 i am paying the price!!! If only I knew then what I know now...

Your case along with other unseen disabilities is why disney needs to find a better way to deal with the abuse..
However I feel if disney makes it harder to get a GAC, that people who REALLY need to GAC will not be able get it..

I also believe that no matter what rules disney comes up with, there are ALWAYS going to be people who will find a way to abuse to..
So Disney may only end up punishing those who need it..

But i do have one question..
According to the laws you don't have a prove with a doctors note a disability, then why does the state demand one, when applying for a handicap parking card?

 

[mytripsandraces]

Your case along with other unseen disabilities is why disney needs to find a better way to deal with the abuse..
However I feel if disney makes it harder to get a GAC, that people who REALLY need to GAC will not be able get it..

I also believe that no matter what rules disney comes up with, there are ALWAYS going to be people who will find a way to abuse to..
So Disney may only end up punishing those who need it..

But i do have one question..
According to the laws you don't have a prove with a doctors note a disability, then why does the state demand one, when applying for a handicap parking card?

I think (based on Katy's post above) it's because with the handicap parking card, you're not getting equal access, you're getting better access (though you wouldn't think so based on where some of the handicap parking areas are that I've experienced).

 

[Disney Enabler]

I have seen some comments that they have disabled plates or that if they park their car their placard needs to be in their parked cars. These are good points. I don't know about other states but in California when I was issued my Disabled Person Placard the DMV also sends an identification card/receipt for the placard. It is something I keep in my wallet as it can be requested by a peace officer. This receipt is provided by DMV to identify who is the rightful owner of the placard. This could be used for those who have disabled plates and for those whose placards are hanging in their parked cars.

My Public Service Announcement: As an ECV rider please be advised that we have no brakes on an ECV. If you happen to stop directly in front of me the only control I have over my ECV is to quickly remove my hand from the power in the hope that my forward progress will stop prior to colliding with you. I know when we are all in a crowd (think after fireworks or a parade) that you are only stopping in front of me because the person in front of you is stopping but please remember I am not trying to mow you over just because I am a fat lady who decided I didn't want to walk through the park.

Carol
It's a great day to be alive!!!

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I was at Disney World in December and was questioned when I requested a GAC. The cast member thoroughly questioned me and even after I explained why I needed one, she questioned me further. However, once I informed her that my condition could lead to emergency surgery if triggered, she immediately realized that the card was necessary and stopped her questioning. In case anyone is wondering, I have no ligament in my ankle. I tore it twice and therefore it is useless. My ankle is very sensitive as a result and swells up like a baseball when I walk, stand, etc. too much. If I tear it further, I will require emergency surgery. And in case anyone wants to know how painful it is to tear a ligament, I will compare it to childbirth except there is no gift of a precious baby at the end. So I would rather give birth than go through that again Anyway, my injury occurred 20 years ago and I was recommended to have surgery then or wait until it was an emergency situation. So of course I chose not to unless it was an emergency as the surgery is not 100% guaranteed to be successful and the recovery process is quite lengthy. I have been lucky that I haven't had to have surgery yet and I would hate to have to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery during a trip to Disney World because my children wanted to ride It's a Small World lol. I hope that individuals who abuse the GAC card think twice before they take away from persons who actually need it.

 

[DrMomof3]

I always worry that people assume that my family is "abusing" the GAC system. Not because we are but because my youngest child isn't "obviously" disabled. He has mild cerebral palsy which manifests as low muscle tone (except in his hamstrings and achilles which are very tight) and mild left sided weakness. His disabilities are mild enough that the parents of his preschool classmates are unaware of his diagnosis. His Occupational Therapist said that he is one of the most mild cases of CP that she's ever seen. He can walk, run, and jump - for short periods of time. And then he gets muscle fatigue (sadly this doesn't translate into sleepiness - he's a terrible sleeper at night!).
We have learned that he cannot walk for the length of the queue lines for most rides at Disney. For our first few trips with him, I carried him (he's a very, very tall 4 year old who weighs well over 40lbs and I'm a petite 5'2" woman!). When we learned about stroller = wheelchair, it made Disney such an enjoyable destination for our family. He can sit in his stroller through the queue lines and my back doesn't hurt at the end of the day.
As many have said the GAC is rarely an advantage in terms of length of wait but sometimes it is. And other guests may see my child running one minute and seated in his stroller while waiting in line the next. We hope that with continued Physical Therapy, he may outgrow the need to sit while waiting in line but, until that time, I'm grateful for the accomodations that Disney allows.
I always worry about accusing people of gaming the system because I hope to never be judged for requesting help for my child.

Amanda