Overheard and Annoyed: CM abusing GAC

[Disney Dreams]

...Possibly the CM I worked with was unaware of how Autism affects children....

I intentionally deleted the name of who I quoted because I am replying to several, but want to address this general sentiment, which is perfectly worded.

This quote is EXACTLY why it does not matter WHAT a person "has," but more so what it is that is NEEDED.

The CMs do NOT know every medical or psychological condition, nor do they know every need for each medical or psychological condition.

Do not tell them a diagnosis. (Ex: My child has autism.). The diagnosis do not matter (and quite frankly is not their business). You need to tell them the need. (Ex: Needs to stay in his/her stroller while in lines due to panic issues.)

I have never once told them what my medical conditions are. They are not doctors who can sort through what my needs are. I DO tell them every single time that I am supposed to avoid stairs due to a variety of issues. I don't give them my diagnosis, but rather my needs. That is what they need to know.

And "s/he can't wait in lines" is not the phase to use either. "S/he gets panic attacks when not in the comfort of her stroller." or whatever the reason is that you (generic) need the GAC.

Tell them your needs, not your situation.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[Autty40]

The GAC helped my husband enjoy Disneyland the last time we visited. He is in his thirties and is very healthy. However he has cysts on his spin that put pressure on his spine if he stands for long periods of time. If it wasn't for the GAC we couldn't have done as much as we were able to. We were able to wait less and rest when he needed too. Also though there were times we waited longer than the regular line but those ones had options to sit. Of course there are people that take advantage but you can't tell just by looking at them. We had to provide a doctors note as well. They didn't just take our word for it.

 

[Mama Who]

Wow, that is a cruel and insensitive thought processes. Charging someone an additional fee with special needs because they temporarily inconvenienced you?

Disney is aware that this would be illegal. The idea that a GAC is a front of the line pass is ridiculous. The waits with a GAC *can* be shorter but just as often they're longer. GAC is how Disney handles ADA accommodations.

 

[RayB]

I guess that I should at least try to defend the CM here since my son is one.
It is very possible here if you look at the original post that the CM did in fact have a need for GAC.Honestly this would be a terminal offense for the person seeking the GAC unless they have a need.I have known recently several CMs that had legitimate medical problems from say herniated disc on.I do know that they are working the CMS to the point of exhaustion for spring break.It is possible they really had a need here.Personally I am doubtful a CM would risk their job for this.They have way too many chances to ride the rides here otherwise.

I can tell you that if a CM has say medical leave their entry ID is suspended for that period.I have known CMS that are stranded in the apartments for extended periods of time with no family, no income, and no where to go since they aren't allowed in the parks.

I would just give the CM the benefit of the doubt.They work incredibly hard under very trying circumstances.Remember they hear it from everyone--no one likes waiting in line and if those with GACs are given a break then they get yelled at by the folks in the regular line.

Last weeks example --woman with stroller trying to go in the fast pass line.Couldn't understand that folks with strollers couldn't go in that line, I wish you could walk a mile in their shoes.I am not excusing them here, if they abused the GAC then thats wrong but it won't be long they will be out of a job.That kind of thing gets reported real fast.

My CM got several California howdies last week from various people in line--you know everyone thinks they should not have to wait--after all its spring break.
Thats a CM term for the middle finger.They came home to SWAT standoff next door with the red lights, cops, and noise that goes with this for a couple hours in the am.Again thats something only the CMs would know.This week they work until 1:00 am working on the ride maintenance after the park closes with college classes at 8 am. the next morning.


I would just ask for everyone to not lump one bad apple into the barrel.There are a lot of great CMs , they are amazing they come form all over the US--Hawaii, Alaska, New Jersey.The college kids some of them come with no car and one suitcase for six months.

Many of them go to work sick because they have rent to pay and they need the job.If they take off they get points and no money.

They put up with scary rides on the mass transit at one or so in the am, and a three block walk through downtown Anaheim after that.They endure long shifts for low pay.Most of them do try to put the magic into your vacation.They full well understand how much you pay to enjoy your vacation.
All I ask is to remember there are always two sides to these stories, maybe the CM really needed a GAC.

 

[sherilaine]

I think the OP got the message that has been sent here loud and clear - I looked and they have posted on other threads since they created this one but have not ventured back to comment or defend their rant - let's hope the reasonable responses have cleared things up for them, and maybe now the conversation they overheard is not as upsetting as it was originally to them.

 

[lilpooh108]

I think the OP got the message that has been sent here loud and clear - I looked and they have posted on other threads since they created this one but have not ventured back to comment or defend their rant - let's hope the reasonable responses have cleared things up for them, and maybe now the conversation they overheard is not as upsetting as it was originally to them.

Actually, I haven't been on DIS in a few days since it was the weekend and I had things to do.

I do stand by what I posted. I have absolutely no problem with the CM sharing his 35%.

My problem is he was blatantly discussing getting a GAC in order to avoid lines since it was crowded that day. The tone is lost in the print. It's hard to convey how they were discussing it.

In any event, I was just surprised that a CM would himself abuse a GAC. That's my opinion and I'm sticking by it. No need to get nasty. This is just a discussion board.

 

[lilpooh108]

And I'm soooo glad that others agreed with me about the CM

I'm not sure what there is to agree with, since you weren't there. My point is my annoyance arose from his abusing the GAC system. And yes, it does mess up their calculations for Fastpass, which means, it affects people like us who don't use GAC.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Good grief ~ stop being so PC! Yes some people do abuse the GAC, yes there are hidden disabilities but more the a few misrepresent themselves.

OP ~ I would've been frustrated overhearing that conversation.

I'm all for someone having to prove why they need this pass - HIPPA is ridiculous.

And some kids are just super hyper ~ try some discipline, consequences for bad behavior.

 

[carisa81]

I'm not sure what there is to agree with, since you weren't there. My point is my annoyance arose from his abusing the GAC system. And yes, it does mess up their calculations for Fastpass, which means, it affects people like us who don't use GAC.

I would have been annoyed, too, if I heard this conversation. Nothing against people who truly need this pass. Just the ones who abuse the system. No?

 

[lilpooh108]

I would have been annoyed, too, if I heard this conversation. Nothing against people who truly need this pass. Just the ones who abuse the system. No?

Exactly. I have absolutely nothing against people who truly need GAC.

And I should have clarified...they way that he was talking about using the GAC---he said he was only going to "bother" with it if they decided to do 2 parks that day. They were using it as a Fastpass.

At some point---if you can take it or leave it, then you might not really *need* it. And if you don't need it, don't abuse it. Save it for the people who really need the GAC.

Flame away

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Moving this to the DL Community Board - please remember to be courteous when posting on this or any thread on our boards.

Thanks

 

[sherilaine]

I'm not sure what there is to agree with, since you weren't there. My point is my annoyance arose from his abusing the GAC system. And yes, it does mess up their calculations for Fastpass, which means, it affects people like us who don't use GAC.

Being there does not make you judge and jury - you over heard people talking - you do not know with 100% certainty that this CM did not have a legitimate reason for having a GAC - you are just making an assumption based on overhearing a conversation.

I think it is fair to say that hearing part of a conversation or listening in on people talking can leave someone with far less than the whole story. From the comments made on here it appears that there are many people who "look" fine but actually need a GAC. I would hate to think they are being judged as well by others when clearly no one wants to have a reason they can not stand in line and wait like everyone else.

 

[larina]

...And yes, it does mess up their calculations for Fastpass, which means, it affects people like us who don't use GAC...

How does it do this? I'm asking honestly. I can't figure out the connection.

 

[wilkeliza]

How does it do this? I'm asking honestly. I can't figure out the connection.

If the alternate entrance feeds into the fast pass line a large jump in GACs can make the fast pass line much longer. I did hear at one time the FP wait at RSR was holding at 1+ hours because the number of GACs with FP made the wait incredibly long.

 

[pixiewings71]

Why don't they simply give you a pass saying the rime to come back based on the waiting time? This would be a fair solution.

I don't think the previous poster meant that disabled people should pay more. I think he meant that if there was an option to pay more and wait less that people would not "fake" disabilities to get a GAC. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Some rides do this, others have you enter through the FP or exit lines. It depends on the rides.

I think the OP got the message that has been sent here loud and clear - I looked and they have posted on other threads since they created this one but have not ventured back to comment or defend their rant - let's hope the reasonable responses have cleared things up for them, and maybe now the conversation they overheard is not as upsetting as it was originally to them.

Or they didn't realize it was moved so they didn't come here to check the thread.

OP I have friends who have a GAC, one can't stand for long periods of time, the other has Asperger's and Autism. Both have a GAC that is good for 2 people at a time, but both can update the GAC to be valid for up to 6 people. Both have done this at times I've been at the parks with them, not at my request but rather due to their needs. I didn't find that conversation that terrible to be honest.....

 

[cats mom]

How does it do this? I'm asking honestly. I can't figure out the connection.

If statistical models are used in determining how many FP's to distribute, and GAC use patterns and numbers are included in those calculations, then it follows that the number of available FP's is most likely reduced to allow for said GAC use.

I have no problem with 1% of people abusing it if it means the other 99% get the accommodations they need to make their day easier. CMs are not medical professionals and should not be put in a position to determine whether a customer "deserves" to have a GAC.

I'm onboard with this if 99% of the people using the GAC system truly need accomodation in order to enjoy the parks and only 1% are abusing the system.

I think the question some people are trying to raise is how those need/abuse numbers actually fall though.

 

[lilpooh108]

you do not know with 100% certainty that this CM did not have a legitimate reason for having a GAC

And you do not know that he did have a legitimate reason.

This topic aside, I don't understand the venom in your posts. You just signed up for Disboards 2 months ago. If you will notice that in this community, most people debate politely. If you can't do it, maybe you need to step away from your computer for a while and just calm down.

I looked and they have posted on other threads since they created this one but have not ventured back to comment or defend their rant

Since you've admitted to going through my post history to check up on me (which is weird), I will say this: Personally for me, I don't have the time to sort through someone's post history and speculate as to why they didn't return to a certain thread.

Lighten up, and be nice.

Some rides do this, others have you enter through the FP or exit lines. It depends on the rides.



Or they didn't realize it was moved so they didn't come here to check the thread.

OP I have friends who have a GAC, one can't stand for long periods of time, the other has Asperger's and Autism. Both have a GAC that is good for 2 people at a time, but both can update the GAC to be valid for up to 6 people. Both have done this at times I've been at the parks with them, not at my request but rather due to their needs. I didn't find that conversation that terrible to be honest.....

Thanks for disagreeing with me so politely. I really mean it.

 

[sherilaine]

In all honesty, when I read your thread and all the responses I was curious as to why you had not commented further - all I did was click on your name to see that, oh okay you had posted since you had created the thread. I was wondering how someone would stir the pot and then leave it sit as you did.

I did not read any of your other posts. This one was quite enough.

I certainly hope you just had a bad day and over reacted to someone perhaps bragging at Disneyland - I would not think people go around looking for conversations to upset them by over hearing.

Perhaps he was a jerk and was abusing the system, perhaps he had a legitimate concern - no one but he and his close friends and family know. That is all I am saying.

Oddly enough though, this was the first I had ever heard of a GAC so I guess this was educational.

 

[Mousequake]

And you do not know that he did have a legitimate reason.

This topic aside, I don't understand the venom in your posts. You just signed up for Disboards 2 months ago. If you will notice that in this community, most people debate politely. If you can't do it, maybe you need to step away from your computer for a while and just calm down.

Since you've admitted to going through my post history to check up on me (which is weird), I will say this: Personally for me, I don't have the time to sort through someone's post history and speculate as to why they didn't return to a certain thread.

Lighten up, and be nice.

Venom? Seriously? I have gone back and read every one of her posts in this thread (sorry; does that make me weird?), and I don't see anything even approaching venomous. I see her calmly and rationally disagreeing with you, but that's not nearly the same thing.

 

[larina]

How does it do this? I'm asking honestly. I can't figure out the connection.

I appreciate all the random answers on this, but I really want to hear the OPs opinions and ideas on it, as she was the one who mentioned it.