New GAC system?

[emmakatbaby]

I have 2 kids that have used GAC in the past for medical reasons. Does anyone have any experience with the new system yet? I have read lots of information but would like to hear from "real" people Any insight, advice, etc would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[chartle]

I have 2 kids that have used GAC in the past for medical reasons. Does anyone have any experience with the new system yet? I have read lots of information but would like to hear from "real" people Any insight, advice, etc would be appreciated. Thanks!!

This would be best posted in the Disabilities forum.

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Have you checked disABITIES? I know they have had several people comment.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3194357

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3190721

 

[n2mm]

Not sure if this will help, but we just returned from a two week trip and we did notice alot more folks in wheel chairs and walkers in the stand by line with us. I guess when given a choice some folks are opting for doing the standby vs the return time given. We were behind an older gent with a walker with a seat on it in the TSM line. He just sat when he got tire of standing.

 

[lovethattink]

I have 2 kids that have used GAC in the past for medical reasons. Does anyone have any experience with the new system yet? I have read lots of information but would like to hear from "real" people Any insight, advice, etc would be appreciated. Thanks!!

This thread is a current thread about DAS http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3178976

My son has a DAS. Twice there were days it worked very well for him, but other days it didn't work that great. Our most recent visit was Monday, and we had a very good experience. We used DAS for Enchanted Tales with Belle (40 minute wait so we could return in 30 minutes) and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (25 minute wait so return in 15 minutes) and a FP- for Buzz Lightyear. We were at the park from 5:30pm until 9pm. So that was 3 attractions and dinner at Pecos Bill in 3 and a half hours. For us that was good. You can return after the return time, but not before. Also, FP+ line has to be open in order to use the DAS at an attraction.

There was a learning curve for ds. There is definitely more work involved for the caregiver who has to figure out what to do to pass the time away. We used a runner (me) to get the return times so that ds didn't go to the attraction and have to then walk away from it.

 

[aubriee]

Not sure if this will help, but we just returned from a two week trip and we did notice alot more folks in wheel chairs and walkers in the stand by line with us. I guess when given a choice some folks are opting for doing the standby vs the return time given. We were behind an older gent with a walker with a seat on it in the TSM line. He just sat when he got tire of standing.

Actually I don't think they are being given a choice anymore. If your disability is endurance or mobility related they are no longer giving a GAC (or DAS as it is known now). For endurance and mobility issues the standard response now is to rent an ECV or wheelchair. Actually that was always supposed to be the standard response, but it appears they are really enforcing it now. The DAS is supposedly only for invisible disabilities and appears to be harder to get than the GAC was. From the posts I've read on the Disabilities Board more people are being refused the DAS.

 

[babydoll65]

Actually I don't think they are being given a choice anymore. If your disability is endurance or mobility related they are no longer giving a GAC (or DAS as it is known now). For endurance and mobility issues the standard response now is to rent an ECV or wheelchair. Actually that was always supposed to be the standard response, but it appears they are really enforcing it now. The DAS is supposedly only for invisible disabilities and appears to be harder to get than the GAC was. From the posts I've read on the Disabilities Board more people are being refused the DAS.

This is true. My mother uses a ecv and has never needed a gac/das but if she's at an attraction like btm she will still be given a return time even without a das. As far as I know, that's the only ride the uses the exit as an entrance. All others she can use her ecv through the lines except for potc where she would need to transfer to a wheelchair.

 

[aubriee]

This is true. My mother uses a ecv and has never needed a gac/das but if she's at an attraction like btm she will still be given a return time even without a das. As far as I know, that's the only ride the uses the exit as an entrance. All others she can use her ecv through the lines except for potc where she would need to transfer to a wheelchair.

The problem is alot of people who did have endurance issues (like cancer patients who could not stay in the parks for long) used to get a GAC that allowed them to use fast pass lines and they were able to finish the parks in just a few hours. Those people are no longer able to do that. They are being told to rent an ECV or wheelchair and must stay in the lines like everybody else. Consequently they are not able to get as much done in the parks as they used to and must use more energy to do less than they used to.

Even kids with autism who qualify for a DAS must wait like other kids (just in a different, quieter place--getting a return time that is the length of the standby line, minus ten minutes). They are no longer able to go directly through the fast pass lines (unless the standby wait is like ten minutes) and can no longer loop rides or finish the parks in half a day. Many are upset about the changes, saying their kids can't wait, need to get on immediately, and must be able to loop rides over and over or they will have a melt down.

 

[babydoll65]

The problem is alot of people who did have endurance issues (like cancer patients who could not stay in the parks for long) used to get a GAC that allowed them to use fast pass lines and they were able to finish the parks in just a few hours. Those people are no longer able to do that. They are being told to rent an ECV or wheelchair and must stay in the lines like everybody else. Even kids with autism who qualify for a DAS must wait like other kids (just in a different, quieter place--getting a return time that is the length of the standby line, minus ten minutes). They are no longer able to go directly through the fast pass lines (unless the standby wait is like ten minutes) and can no longer loop rides or finish the parks in half a day. Many are upset about the changes, saying their kids can't wait and must be able to loop rides over and over.

The way it was told to me by sue was anyone with stamina issues should rent a scooter or wheelchair but do not qualify for a DAS because a cm can visually see the problem. If we approach a ride that has a long stand by time then she would get a return time just like anyone else using a DAS. I don't remember saying that she would go straight through the fast pass line. She will be given a return time or wait in the stand by line. (Or get a fp)

 

[emmakatbaby]

This thread is a current thread about DAS http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3178976

My son has a DAS. Twice there were days it worked very well for him, but other days it didn't work that great. Our most recent visit was Monday, and we had a very good experience. We used DAS for Enchanted Tales with Belle (40 minute wait so we could return in 30 minutes) and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (25 minute wait so return in 15 minutes) and a FP- for Buzz Lightyear. We were at the park from 5:30pm until 9pm. So that was 3 attractions and dinner at Pecos Bill in 3 and a half hours. For us that was good. You can return after the return time, but not before. Also, FP+ line has to be open in order to use the DAS at an attraction.

There was a learning curve for ds. There is definitely more work involved for the caregiver who has to figure out what to do to pass the time away. We used a runner (me) to get the return times so that ds didn't go to the attraction and have to then walk away from it.

This is exactly what I am afraid of. It is comforting to know that someone can go to the attraction to get the return time. I thought the child with the disability HAD to be there because of the picture. Walking up to the attraction and then walking away would not be good Thanks so much for responding.

 

[Cyrano]

Moving this to the disAbilities board as there is a great FAQ on this topic

 

[lovethattink]

This is exactly what I am afraid of. It is comforting to know that someone can go to the attraction to get the return time. I thought the child with the disability HAD to be there because of the picture. Walking up to the attraction and then walking away would not be good Thanks so much for responding.

The child would have to be present to get the DAS and to ride the attraction. Anybody can get the return time.

 

[WantToGoNow]

The person who's picture is on the card just needs to be there when you return for the ride. You are unable to use the DAS for rides that the person it is issued to can't or don't want to ride.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually I don't think they are being given a choice anymore. If your disability is endurance or mobility related they are no longer giving a GAC (or DAS as it is known now). For endurance and mobility issues the standard response now is to rent an ECV or wheelchair. Actually that was always supposed to be the standard response, but it appears they are really enforcing it now. The DAS is supposedly only for invisible disabilities and appears to be harder to get than the GAC was. From the posts I've read on the Disabilities Board more people are being refused the DAS.

People whose ONLY need is mobility are being told to use a wheelchair or ECV.

This is exactly what I am afraid of. It is comforting to know that someone can go to the attraction to get the return time. I thought the child with the disability HAD to be there because of the picture. Walking up to the attraction and then walking away would not be good Thanks so much for responding.

That is not correct.
The person with a disability needs to be present at Guest Relations to request a DAS card. A picture of the person will be taken and a DAS (Disability Access System) card will be printed up.
Anyone in the group can take the disabled person's DAS card, go to attraction and get a Return Time.
The Return Time will be 10 minutes less than the currently posted wait time.
After the Return Time has come, the group can go back to the attraction to ride/see the show.
The person with a disability MUST be there to go on the attraction AND must ride.

There is a thread about the DAS at Disneyland and a separate post about WDW. Both are located near the top of this board. You can post on whichever thread fits the park you are going to.