Replacement for GAC

[ArwenMarie]

What would people want other than the kiosks?

 

[buckeev]

Unfortunately, there is no "one-size..." GAC definition, at least not that I've found. I do know that most CMs at Disney, ( and US), have made our numerous trips to Orlando very special for our son. I also know the pressures some families feel when their child succumbs to all the stimulation that being in an area with tens of thousands presents. Without providing an alternate entrance, alternate waiting area or a shortened wait time, many Autistic kids will reach "critical mass", and then it becomes a tough situation for pretty much everyone within earshot. (Including other families with young children). How enjoyable will your 120 minute wait for Soarin' be with your children listening to my son scream and tell everyone how much he hates them or throwing his body over the railings in the queue? Is that what the ADA authors had in mind with "equal access". We aren't so naive as to know there is no such thing, no mattered how well-intended the law was meant to be.
Disney/Universal/Orlando get about 90% of our "disposable" income every year, so it's obviously a big part of our lives, so we'll do as we have for the past 15+ years as parents of a very special needs child and adjust as best we can.

 

[Emagine]

It's one thing to wait in a FP line; it's another to walk to a kiosk, wait in line (hopefully not long), wait for your return time (could be an hour), then go back to the ride and wait in the FP line. A lot of walking in circles and the child could have already melted down because he doesn't understand why they had to walk past the ride.

We have always had a wait with the GAC but for the most part been under a stand, in a building or something. Esp with the SD needing a certain boat or something. I also read different things about 1 kiosk to 3 in each park. I am not fond of the walk, ride, walk back, stamp, wait outside (if I got that right based on one blog) get in line, ride...repeat. Not with a Large Service Dog and 2 ASD kiddos. It seems stupid, sorry, but it does to have to check in at a kiosk at a central location before getting in line for each ride. Your allowed 1 at a time. My youngest will manage, he is high functioning and will be ok because of the goal but he will not last past 6 hours or so and will whine his head off. My oldest, he will be another story. I am sure before long non DAC users will know he is in the park

One blog also said you get a DAC for each day, which means if that is true then we have to go to GR and possibly explain the SD and kids everyday all over again.

Same blog spoke how SD could no longer be used as a switch pass. This would mean double walking to kiosk, double stamps, double the wait for double rides as my children can not ride alone and one of us has to hold the dog. That seems down right silly. This was the same blog that said one DAC per family and photo on them. I actually do not mind the photo as much as the fact that if my oldest needs to call the day quits my youngest pays the price. I just do not know if everything out there is legit.

I am just trying to get my information so I can plan for an upcoming trip. If my kids would be in stores or if my oldest was sun friendly or could eat like everyone else we could find better use.

We need more information from reliable sources. I can understand changes to curb abuse but I am not sure based on what I have read that this actually helps meet the needs of those who actually need it. Now say half of what is out there is the truth, I am not confident in it just yet. Even 3 Kiosk places in each park, plus each rider that has a DAC could still be a lot. Not sure about individual needs and crowds, esp peek times? Just seems like a possible good plan but still needs some tweaking maybe????

 

[sunshinehighway]

Unfortunately, there is no "one-size..." GAC definition, at least not that I've found. I do know that most CMs at Disney, ( and US), have made our numerous trips to Orlando very special for our son. I also know the pressures some families feel when their child succumbs to all the stimulation that being in an area with tens of thousands presents. Without providing an alternate entrance, alternate waiting area or a shortened wait time, many Autistic kids will reach "critical mass", and then it becomes a tough situation for pretty much everyone within earshot. (Including other families with young children). How enjoyable will your 120 minute wait for Soarin' be with your children listening to my son scream and tell everyone how much he hates them or throwing his body over the railings in the queue? Is that what the ADA authors had in mind with "equal access". We aren't so naive as to know there is no such thing, no mattered how well-intended the law was meant to be.
Disney/Universal/Orlando get about 90% of our "disposable" income every year, so it's obviously a big part of our lives, so we'll do as we have for the past 15+ years as parents of a very special needs child and adjust as best we can.

They are providing an alternate waiting area though, the entire park would be the alternate waiting area. You could go do whatever you want until the time has passed.

 

[jreed1920]

Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to attach GAC status to a magic band and have it work like the old GAC? Technology should make this a much easier solution than hike all over the park from kiosk to kiosk.

 

[Roo'sMom]

I think people will still see this as unfair, and will go get their own DAS so they can get a return time too. If people want to "cheat the system", they will.

 

[jimmysmom74]

Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to attach GAC status to a magic band and have it work like the old GAC? Technology should make this a much easier solution than hike all over the park from kiosk to kiosk.

These reports are centered around DL. They don't have MBs there, and no idea when they will be getting them, but I'm sure you are right. At some point, I bet they could tie the MB system in to the DAS, and you could essentially make a ride request on your phone, and then enter the ride at your designated time. I would think that would work better then the kiosk thing. Plus, waiting in a kiosk line and then a FP line is really making the process more difficult for those that need a less difficult process.
Since this thread seems to be staying up. I would just like to add my two cents in, it is not the truly disabled community that got us into this mess, it is the cheaters, liars, and thieves, that frankly, saw a good thing being given to the needy and decided to take it for themselves. I don't believe it was the people who the GAC was intended to help, that ruined it. I would gladly increase my wait time in line for any child with autism. I hope that everyone that is effected by these changes is still able to enjoy WDW.

 

[mare1203]

That's the thing, the GAC was never intended to shorten wait time, but to give equal access. When a guest says he/she/the child can't stand in line Disney is giving you the option to come back without standing in line. You can do whatever you want during the time you would normally be waiting in line. For example, you could do living with the land or circle of life or imagination during the time others are waiting for the 50 minute wait to ride Soarin' and then you come back with little to no wait.

If you want to ride it over and over, but the wait it 50 minutes then that's not equal access for those who also want to ride over and over, but don't have a GAC.

There are plenty of rides in the parks that have little to no wait at almost all times of year; this is obviously different for the very peak periods such as Christmas and Easter, but guests who go at that time should be aware of the crowds and the waits.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I don't understand what everyone is so concerned about. The GAC was not meant to shorten wait times. This system is set up so everyone waits the same amount of time to ride, you just don't have to stand in the line to do so. Our local amusement park has a similar system but there are no kiosks, you go to the ride, they write a time on your card equal to the wait time, you go do something else, then come back and ride. We've used it all summer and it's not been that much of an issue.

My dd has several heart conditions, cannot stand for long periods (or she will pass out), can't sit for too long (or she will pass out when she stands up), and doesn't regulate her body temperature (so she has to be in/out of the a/c so she doesn't overheat). She will have a ECV but she can't ride it all the time and will need to walk some of the time. We will have to use the time between rides to see shows, browse gift shops, have a snack or find a place in the shade to wait.

 

[starspangledgirl]

i just called WDW to confirm this rumor and they said there have been no changes to the pass. It is however, under review....

 

[Gracie09]

i just called WDW to confirm this rumor and they said there have been no changes to the pass. It is however, under review....

The cm who answer the phones know little to nothing about park operations. Some have never even been to a park.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I don't understand what everyone is so concerned about. The GAC was not meant to shorten wait times. This system is set up so everyone waits the same amount of time to ride, you just don't have to stand in the line to do so. Our local amusement park has a similar system but there are no kiosks, you go to the ride, they write a time on your card equal to the wait time, you go do something else, then come back and ride. We've used it all summer and it's not been that much of an issue.

My dd has several heart conditions, cannot stand for long periods (or she will pass out), can't sit for too long (or she will pass out when she stands up), and doesn't regulate her body temperature (so she has to be in/out of the a/c so she doesn't overheat). She will have a ECV but she can't ride it all the time and will need to walk some of the time. We will have to use the time between rides to see shows, browse gift shops, have a snack or find a place in the shade to wait.

Exactly. This new system would be giving people exactly what we've seen posted here. There are so many thread where people ask about GACs and say they'd gladly wait, they just can't do it in the regular line. That's what Disney is giving people the opportunity to wait in an alternative area of their choosing. How is that not what people wanted. The kiosks even solve the problem people have with going to the line to get a return time. The complaint was usually that X wouldn't understand why we have to come back later if we go to the attraction and are given return time. Well the kiosks solve that.
It sounds like Disney is listening to what people say they need and trying to incorporate those things into the new system. With some of the complaints I've read on this and other boards, its obvious some people will be happy with nothing but unlimited fastpass access. At least the truth is coming out.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Alphabet soup...

What's GAC?

 

[TJSkinner]

I like the fact that they are limiting the number of people accompanying the pass holder to 6. I think that is a reasonable number. My husband used a scooter for our last trip, and while it was nice skipping the lines for some of the rides, it bothered me at the same time. Getting a card with an approximate wait time comparable to standing in the line with the other patrons makes this as fair as it can get.

 

[cdfendley]

I don't understand what everyone is so concerned about. The GAC was not meant to shorten wait times. This system is set up so everyone waits the same amount of time to ride, you just don't have to stand in the line to do so. Our local amusement park has a similar system but there are no kiosks, you go to the ride, they write a time on your card equal to the wait time, you go do something else, then come back and ride. We've used it all summer and it's not been that much of an issue.

My dd has several heart conditions, cannot stand for long periods (or she will pass out), can't sit for too long (or she will pass out when she stands up), and doesn't regulate her body temperature (so she has to be in/out of the a/c so she doesn't overheat). She will have a ECV but she can't ride it all the time and will need to walk some of the time. We will have to use the time between rides to see shows, browse gift shops, have a snack or find a place in the shade to wait.

WOW! My DD has almost the EXACT same problems! We went to DL summer of 2012 with a GAC and received a return time on a few things. It worked great. After I knew this would be how it worked we just planned our breaks around that time or shopped (where she often would perch herself on a low shelf if she needed to sit). She also needs frequent bathroom breaks so we didn't have to worry about waiting in an alternate area if she needed to go immediately. Honestly, it made me feel better at those rides than just walking up and bypassing people who had been waiting for 1 1/2 hours and giving us dirty looks - she didn't understand that part. She looks just like everyone -invisible except when she starts to pass out or has overdone it and her joints hurt. She does "freak out" when she feels like she is going to pass out and she has suspected mild Tourette's that is brought on by stress. She normally just has little tics all the time but put her in a long line when her heart starts racing and her BP drops...not good for her or others. She did ride in very large stroller between areas but has to walk to ease the stiffness. We got several looks when she would hop out or go play in a play area. I wanted to scream and felt like we should have gotten t-shirts made that explain. We are planning a WDW trip soon and I hope the DAS will be connected to our magic bands. My thought is perhaps those with a DAS receive 2-3 extra a day. We took documentation of her condition with us - they didn't look at it but we would gladly show if it meant she (and her brother) could have a magical vacation! We don't have as much time on the park rides as others due to it exhausting her. However, we do the deluxe dining plan so we can do lots of resting in fun restaurants!

 

[cdfendley]

I meant 2-3 extra fp+ a day. But I would like to see where people show proof - it would help those that really need it. People would be less likely to abuse it and the frustration other people feel about GAC users might lesson.....I don't know how they could get around privacy laws but I would be very happy if they looked at our paperwork!

 

[Kay1]

I think people will still see this as unfair, and will go get their own DAS so they can get a return time too. If people want to "cheat the system", they will.

But if it's an truly an advantage over what the average member of the public receives, couldn't Disney then require proof of disability? I believe that's the reason documentation is required for the handicapped parking permits, state and national park discounts, etc.

I think the need to show documented proof of ones disability plus the digital photo would greatly slash GAC misuse.

 

[Emagine]

I will bite. I am not happy because there is too many rumors floating around. I know, rumors. But we know what DL is rolling out and WDW is being compared to it. I have stated in this thread we have always waited, I have never complained about that. We have never walked on a ride. The changes I questioned was the information regarding daily needs on a personal level mixed with what is being tossed around. We are only as good as the information we are given and with an upcoming trip with a large Service Dog and 2 Special Need kids I will be the wise one to plan 3 steps ahead of my kids to make their trip more enjoyable as well as other park goers around us.


So far, things on blogs/forums...
* first trip of the morning, each morning is said to be a visit to GR to repeat the events of the morning before. New Dac, new photo, etc. We would normally go to GR and do this at the beginning of our trip and get it for the week we are there. Now if this is true, the first thing we do is now GR every morning. Haul the kids in, go through the same process as the day before. I think that is silly. Some ppl are outraged at the photo idea. I actually do not mind the photo. Now if somehow we could do that to help lost kids great. Don't know if my oldest will be willing but I would not oppose at this point. I just think doing this every single morning is a bit over kill. First day of the trip should be enough.

*My kids both are on different ends of the spectrum. My oldest carries a bag of diagnosis and is the carrier of the Service Dog and Meds. While my youngest I could take in a store, stare at birds, eat a snack...after day 2-3 that would get old fast. My oldest, strict eating schedule and restrictions, melts in a store, etc. He would not be as easy to entertain. It was easier to get in line or put in a designated sitting area, wait the extra with the SD knowing we usually had to wait extra because he had to have a handicapped boat or larger seating and most rides had 1 or few. How was this easier? My oldest has a visual mind. Forget the maps and fp, he has no concept. Walks through the park, sees the sign, raises hands for a yes and we get in line or space till time. Less transitions. He does not transition well at all. If it is a short wait we wait in the main line if allowed with dog. If it is long or if the SD has to use a different entrance we use that. We always ask because of the dog. So for us, "making Disney our playground" as someone referred too would work for one kid and make the other linger outside the gate of a ride confused and possibly leading to a melt.

Now that I have sort of painted our picture, because you know no two kids are alike and comparing any disability or child to another is stupid. Here is where I want to know more about the DAC. I want to educate myself as much as I do want to bring awareness that it is not always easy to do X.

*Kiosk, the lovely kiosk idea. I have been on mice chat, been on autism forums for WDW and DL and such. All have bounced around with each park having 1 to 4 in each park. Lets shoot high and say 4. MK has 4 Kiosk areas in the park. Based on my boys, we have to trek to said Kiosk before each ride with their dog, back again, wait, entertain somehow, enter, ride, exit, back to kiosk, repeat. We do this for each ride. I think it is silly to have to make anyone able, disable, mentally handicapped to have to check in at a central location for each ride. Heck even at a fair you get a roll of tickets and take off. Except for us were SLOW..... lolol. My poor SD will look at me like human have you lost your ever loving mind because we have done this a million times. I try to make light of it, but realistically dragging two kids and the 80 pounder to and from seems silly. I get it. I just think there could be a better way. Just like a better way than every morning GR check in.

Now excuse our family out of the picture all together. Put in a person with juvenile arthritis, or a person with a colostomy bag on their leg, a war vet no older than 30 with PTSD or severe Anxiety, someone with Fatigue, ...each need is different in their own way and carries it own bag of luggage to put it bluntly. With out sounding harsh on each need, I can not see how making anyone with a disability trek back and forth, back and forth from GR in the morning, to kiosk to ride, to kiosk to ride over and over make the parks magical or fun.

Would it curb abuse, IMO no. I think it once this is figured out it would sky rocket again. Take a group of teens. What group of teens would not want to fake something. Wait at a kiosk for a return time for Soarin knowing it could be long enough to go shopping, eat a dinner or ride a few fun rides. They would have a field day with it. While the disable would be taking on the extra steps depending on their independent needs and could lesson their day or trip.

Many ppl think this will curb abuse. All this does is make it harder with all the extra steps we have to go through. And until you walk a mile in our shoes you can not fully grasp that. We do not do parades, we sometimes do fireworks with headphones. We do not see characters unless we luck up.

Also, with the DAC, there would be no Switch Pass with the Dog. So say for BTMR, which both my boys love. Neither rides alone. So one kid would sit out, possibly making one of us looking like the worst parent of Disney. We would have to trek back to silly kiosk, repeat. wait, ride so left out child two can have a turn leaving out brother number 2. How do you decide that? Always pick the one who has the worst DX to go first because he wont understand but yet he wont understand why brother leaves the other time?

As a mom, with an upcoming trip.. it is not about the head of the line or making Disney my playground. I just want to know how to make that in between time fit us and our lifestyle not yours, Sally or Joes... but our needs. I do not dispute the changes, I do dispute the need to change, I do not dispute the abuse. I think there is too much out there too soon to cause worry and concern and with an upcoming trip this mom has a reason for cause.

Making our trip half way doable and enjoyable means some of the folks around us do not know were DAC users.

I sincerely hth. It is not about someone else, or another Park your lucky to go to that does X. It is about how some ppl try to navigate the best they can with what they are given but they know their limits. We have waited, we will wait. I just prefer to have somewhere close by X ride to do so because I know that will the target of my sons mind. There will be no B, C or target D.

I am just hoping this helps to explain a different side of view. I am not complaining. Just seeing it through another window. Was the GAC a one shoe fits all, no. Do I think this is, no. Do I know what is, no. I think Disney sadly is screwed till they are allowed to ask for Dr notes or something.

I continue as a DVC owner to love my Disney but pray they do not make our trips harder on us. I want to keep what magic we do have.

 

[StacyMarie]

WOW! My DD has almost the EXACT same problems! We went to DL summer of 2012 with a GAC and received a return time on a few things. It worked great. After I knew this would be how it worked we just planned our breaks around that time or shopped (where she often would perch herself on a low shelf if she needed to sit). She also needs frequent bathroom breaks so we didn't have to worry about waiting in an alternate area if she needed to go immediately. Honestly, it made me feel better at those rides than just walking up and bypassing people who had been waiting for 1 1/2 hours and giving us dirty looks - she didn't understand that part. She looks just like everyone -invisible except when she starts to pass out or has overdone it and her joints hurt. She does "freak out" when she feels like she is going to pass out and she has suspected mild Tourette's that is brought on by stress. She normally just has little tics all the time but put her in a long line when her heart starts racing and her BP drops...not good for her or others. She did ride in very large stroller between areas but has to walk to ease the stiffness. We got several looks when she would hop out or go play in a play area. I wanted to scream and felt like we should have gotten t-shirts made that explain. We are planning a WDW trip soon and I hope the DAS will be connected to our magic bands. My thought is perhaps those with a DAS receive 2-3 extra a day. We took documentation of her condition with us - they didn't look at it but we would gladly show if it meant she (and her brother) could have a magical vacation! We don't have as much time on the park rides as others due to it exhausting her. However, we do the deluxe dining plan so we can do lots of resting in fun restaurants!

The whole point is re-vamping the system so it is far FOR ALL, equal waiting time, etc. Giving extra FP+ to DAS will once again make it tempting for people to somehow find a way to abuse the system for the extra FP. IMO, extra FP is not a good idea. I do think that connecting the DAS system to the Magic bands at some point will happen eliminating the need for the kiosk scenario but that will probably take a while before we see that.

 

[Emagine]

The whole point is re-vamping the system so it is far FOR ALL, equal waiting time, etc. Giving extra FP+ to DAS will once again make it tempting for people to somehow find a way to abuse the system for the extra FP. IMO, extra FP is not a good idea. I do think that connecting the DAS system to the Magic bands at some point will happen eliminating the need for the kiosk scenario but that will probably take a while before we see that.

Oh see I like that idea, though I need to try the magic bands and get a feel for them. That would make an even playing field and take out the middle man, IE Kiosk and over head of hiring or putting CM at Kiosk locations. That would be a neat idea to toy with. That could, if I understand the bands right, take out the temptation of walking by visual stimuli and setting up on an as need basis then saying Hey Joey look what we can do? Sorta sounds cruel but it would work. If you get what I am saying. However, I do not want to speak for everyone but I do like taking away the silly middle step of rinse and repeat.