Photo on gac

[Gracie09]

I apologize if this is not the appropriate place for this but I was just reading the thickly dilemma post and thought what if there was a picture on the gac. My doctors office takes our picture when we start there as a precaution against fraud. Disney could take a picture on the gac. They could take a picture and print out a card add stamps (or have them as part of the print out). Then there is no question who the gac belongs to.
I'm sure it would cost $$ so that would be a barrier and I'm sure I'm missing something else. But it just popped into my head.

 

[Mama Who]

I apologize if this is not the appropriate place for this but I was just reading the thickly dilemma post and thought what if there was a picture on the gac. My doctors office takes our picture when we start there as a precaution against fraud. Disney could take a picture on the gac. They could take a picture and print out a card add stamps (or have them as part of the print out). Then there is no question who the gac belongs to.
I'm sure it would cost $$ so that would be a barrier and I'm sure I'm missing something else. But it just popped into my head.

I would not be surprised if Disney has seriously considered this. It's a good idea if that sort of fraud is rampant, but it may not be common enough to justify the extra expense and time.

 

[disney david]

I would not be surprised if Disney has seriously considered this. It's a good idea if that sort of fraud is rampant, but it may not be common enough to justify the extra expense and time.

they could do this very easy in dl you have to have a picture with their premier pass and you can go to any photo pass cm and they can take you pic. so when you enter they see you photo. so if they add something to the pass with them now have rfid reader for fast pass plus at most attractions they could scan it and see the photo. so give Disney some time as you said and it wont take that much to do it.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Just playing devil's advocate here. Personally I think something like this COULD be a great idea. Here's where I see the issue. We all know that GACs are based on need not diagnosis, and lots of people on here discuss what their needs are (skipping stairs or what have you). What's stopping someone who doesn't actually need the accommodation from still getting the card? If they can provide reasonable cause (oh I watch waaaaaaaaaaaaay too many law dramas) for getting the GAC, they're still going to be issued on because they aren't required to provide proof of an issue. In it's current incarnation, the only thing adding a picture to the GAC would prevent is letting other people use them.

 

[disney david]

Just playing devil's advocate here. Personally I think something like this COULD be a great idea. Here's where I see the issue. We all know that GACs are based on need not diagnosis, and lots of people on here discuss what their needs are (skipping stairs or what have you). What's stopping someone who doesn't actually need the accommodation from still getting the card? If they can provide reasonable cause (oh I watch waaaaaaaaaaaaay too many law dramas) for getting the GAC, they're still going to be issued on because they aren't required to provide proof of an issue. In it's current incarnation, the only thing adding a picture to the GAC would prevent is letting other people use them.

Your right but if they knew they had to get a pick and knowing you they will check at the attraction that might stop some. Just knowing you have to go trough an extra step might make people think twice. Now they using RFID and computer they could do more to stop like now if they made a RFID gac the cm could scan it and the system will pop out a time to come back based on latest line numbers. Plus Disney then could track the gac and when you get a new one they could scan the old one and be able to give you the same and get info it gathered from the old one. And issue you the best one that will fit you better.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

sounds good for passholders, but what about those with only a 3 day pass? It would not be cost effective for Disney to do that.

 

[disney david]

sounds good for passholders, but what about those with only a 3 day pass? It would not be cost effective for Disney to do that.

While your right I also think if it would help at the end of the day Disney will benefit coast wise any way and if they make them all RFID it be cheaper for Disney. Plus if they can be reused then even if you have a 3 day it still save Disney money.


Plus if their RFID then they could make sure they are being enforced properly because if they have they have to be scanned then their no way one cm can't enforce it differently. That would also cut down on abuse and catching the abuser. Plus if they make a system that you don't know wheatear a photo or your name will pop up. And you have to give the cm your name or their have to make sure the photo will match the guest. So kid someone was lieing they my catch a guest in a lie.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

While your right I also think if it would help at the end of the day Disney will benefit coast wise any way and if they make them all RFID it be cheaper for Disney. Plus if they can be reused then even if you have a 3 day it still save Disney money.

Ok I admit it doesn't take much to confuse me sometimes, and you just did how would it save Disney money if they took pic's on a 3 day GAC as opposed to just giving out the (1) cardboard paper GAC dated for 3 days? Are you saying to make them the hard plastic and have the guest return it at the end of the 3 days? if so, I don't know how many would return it

 

[disney david]

Ok I admit it doesn't take much to confuse me sometimes, and you just did how would it save Disney money if they took pic's on a 3 day GAC as opposed to just giving out the cardboard paper GAC for 3 days? Are you saying to make them the hard plastic and have the guest return it at the end of the 3 days? if so, I don't know how many would return it

Sorry my fault yes make them hard plastic and no they would keep them and they would deactivate and when you come again you go to guest services and reactive them. I also think even on three day if they could have the photo and it help cut down on the abuse it will make things easier for them. Sometimes spending money to make things better might be worth it.


I also think that once they get magic band out they would out it on that. Then they be able to reuse that and that would save them money and make it they could out you photo on it. Plus with room keys and ticket have RFID already they could out them on their if you don't want a magic band. So with a little work they could just make you park ticket organic band a gac so that would save them money and make 3 day or longer or shorter not to expensive.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Sorry my fault yes make them hard plastic and no they would keep them and they would deactivate and when you come again you go to guest services and reactive them. I also think even on three day if they could have the photo and it help cut down on the abuse it will make things easier for them. Sometimes spending money to make things better might be worth it.


I also think that once they get magic band out they would out it on that. Then they be able to reuse that and that would save them money and make it they could out you photo on it.

yes, it would save on those that plan on returning, but someone who never plans, no it won't. Usually one that gets a GAC is one that is going to return, so you are probably right. In the long run it would save and make life easier for all involved.. I know I wish they would make those that are passholders have theirs run with their pass and with their picture on it.. I know when I went to renew mine the CM wanted to know who gave me a 3 month instead of a 2 month. I told her I didn't know, I alway come here (to City Hall in MK) and usually get 3 month dates on it) She insisted it was always 2 months & gave me 2 months. I really don't care because I will only go in to renew a month earlier then but life would be easier if it ran with my pass since my disability is perm and will never get better or go away.

 

[crashbb]

Just playing devil's advocate here. Personally I think something like this COULD be a great idea. Here's where I see the issue. We all know that GACs are based on need not diagnosis, and lots of people on here discuss what their needs are (skipping stairs or what have you). What's stopping someone who doesn't actually need the accommodation from still getting the card? If they can provide reasonable cause (oh I watch waaaaaaaaaaaaay too many law dramas) for getting the GAC, they're still going to be issued on because they aren't required to provide proof of an issue. In it's current incarnation, the only thing adding a picture to the GAC would prevent is letting other people use them.

I'm pretty sure that the OP was referencing the current thread about exactly that - other people using the GAC - and was providing a means to prevent that. I agree that the picture wouldn't prevent anyone from getting a GAC despite not needing it.

NOTE - I figured that autocorrect changed "ethical" to "thickly".

 

[disney david]

yes, it would save on those that plan on returning, but someone who never plans, no it won't. Usually one that gets a GAC is one that is going to return, so you are probably right. In the long run it would save and make life easier for all involved.. I know I wish they would make those that are passholders have theirs run with their pass and with their picture on it.. I know when I went to renew mine the CM wanted to know who gave me a 3 month instead of a 2 month. I told her I didn't know, I alway come here (to City Hall in MK) and usually get 3 month dates on it) She insisted it was always 2 months & gave me 2 months. I really don't care because I will only go in to renew a month earlier then but life would be easier if it ran with my pass since my disability is perm and will never get better or go away.

i think give disney sometime i know their looking into it and once magic band goes into effect they my make changes to it. i think the reason they don't is to cut down on someone having it for a year and letting other guest use it.

 

[Gracie09]

I'm pretty sure that the OP was referencing the current thread about exactly that - other people using the GAC - and was providing a means to prevent that. I agree that the picture wouldn't prevent anyone from getting a GAC despite not needing it.

NOTE - I figured that autocorrect changed "ethical" to "thickly".

Yes , darn autocorrect.

I was just thinking when I read the other post that putting a photo on the card would work to stop people using other people's cards , or getting one for grandmas and using it on rides she won't ride. That type of thing.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Well then OP would be correct that it would solve one of the issues that comes with the GAC but the problem of people getting them that just know how to describe things the right way still stands. I guess I just think people giving their GACs to other people or misusing them in that way is less of a problem than people being granted them when they don't really need them.

 

[akcire]

I think a bigger problem would be that Disney would then essentially be creating a database of the disabled. I would hate to see a database breech on such a list. Nor would Disney want the publicity associated.

Start up costs would also be tremendous.

People that misuse the system will continue to do so. Some people just suck that way.

I was in Disneyland when I was 7+ months hugely pregnant. I had walked all day and spent a good part of the day on various benches (while others in my party rode things I couldn't). I wanted to see world of color. I got to the show 45 minutes early and a manager seated me on a bench in the wheelchair area. The rest of my party stood. For the next 40 minutes I watched many people traveling with wheelchair and gac parties take seats. At 5 minutes til show time a man in a wheelchair showed up and was screaming to the cast member that he had to have a bench seat. Finally sick of his ranting I offered him my seat. He stood up and walked just fine to the bench (know at this point I want to point out I fully understand hidden disabilities but can't figure out how a hard bench was better than a wheelchair), more about him later. A grandmotherly type who had entered the wheelchair area with a large family, upon seeing me stand threw her 20 something grandson off her bench and offered me his seat. Thank you granny!

So as promised more about the last minute wheelchair guy screamer. The reason for my trip to California was work I was looking to hire someone for a very physical engineering job that requires a minimum of one masters degree and various other professional licenses. Yep you guessed it "the screamer" was one of my interviews. The look on his face was priceless. Without me saying a word (cause legally I'd have all sorts of problems if I asked) he admitted that the wheelchair use was a ruse and he had no limitations. He further went on to tell me that he and his friends always toured the parks that way and even offered to lend me his wheelchair (purchased at the goodwill) if I wanted to go back to the parks. Needless to say it was a very short interview and he is not in my employ. I do see him occasionally at professional conferences.

 

[buffettgirl]

I think a bigger problem would be that Disney would then essentially be creating a database of the disabled. I would hate to see a database breech on such a list. Nor would Disney want the publicity associated.

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I'm not sure they would need to keep your photo on file in some sort of database. They could easily photograph you and the next photo overwrites the last. And those photo printers can print onto paper - many companies use them as temporary badges for visitors. It's not really expensive technology.

What I think the real issue is that it would overwhelm any guest service area to do this. Then again, maybe that would also dissuade people from getting a GAC if they knew they'd have to wait in line for it.

I just read a stat http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al091812a.htm - jump to the section called "The line king". These numbers are astronomical. On one day, 25% of riders were using a GAC.

Some quick studies were commissioned by the Guest Relations team this summer, and it was determined that upwards of 5,000 people per day, almost all of whom were tracked as Annual Passholders, were going through the Fastpass line at Radiator Springs Racers with a GAC. At an attraction like Racers that was carrying an average of 20,000 riders per day, 5,000 of them boarding the ride with a GAC is a huge impact. After all, a GAC is valid for the disabled person, and up to five of their friends or family, so while there were often 1,500 or more valid GACs in the park at any one time that meant there were thousands more people joining the GAC card holder at an attraction.

After the GAC abuse issue came to light, I don't think anyone can ever claim again that there aren't some benefits to getting a GAC to get FOTL access by some individuals. It hurts everyone who actually needs a GAC and who otherwise would not get to disney.

 

[CuppieCake04]

I think there should be proof given. My son has ODD AHDH and Aspergers. This card saved our trip. Our pediatrician told us about the program. And just wrote out a note on perscription paper and signed it. If you are in a serious enough condition to need the GAC then you should also be under a doctors care.

Our local library has software that deletes everything, that was done on the pc daily,every night. Why couldn't disney do something similar with the information.

They could even use black and white images to cut down on cost.

 

[Sunnywho]

If they could ask for proof and be less concerned about abuse, then they could also be a little more vocal in getting information out there about the gac. I didn't have any idea accommodations could be possible until reading about it here. There's nothing about it on the disney website.

 

[KPeveler]

If they could ask for proof and be less concerned about abuse, then they could also be a little more vocal in getting information out there about the gac. I didn't have any idea accommodations could be possible until reading about it here. There's nothing about it on the disney website.

The problem is that there is no legal way to require proof. Disney may change the handlings of certain GAC stamps, but they cannot require proof of disability without breaking the ADA...

 

[WheeledTraveler]

The problem is that there is no legal way to require proof. Disney may change the handlings of certain GAC stamps, but they cannot require proof of disability without breaking the ADA...

There is also absolutely no way for CMs to look at letters and know that they are actually from a doctor. Anyone can create letterhead and claim it's from a doctor and fake a signature. Even if you ask for licensing info, is WDW going to be able to get licensing info for every single doctor in the world?

As a side note, in most states there is absolutely nothing that says you need to hand over your photo ID to be copied or let them take your photo for your chart. My mother went and checked this with the states of both CT and MA (we live right by the border so see doctors in both states) and in neither state do they have any legal standing to make it required that they have any photo of you in your records. Both my parents no longer let doctors copy their photo ID or take any photos. They'll show their photo ID (I think that part is the part that is most likely to be a legal requirement), but they do not even hand it to the office people. They do, of course, let the office copy their insurance cards.