Replacement for GAC

[maxiesmom]

According to everything I have read about the new system, the days of you being able to get a GAC and use it as an unlimited fastpass are over.

I am sure it is going to affect a ton of families with autistic kids who are use to being able to just walk right onto a ride. But so many able bodied ppl started faking disabilities so they could have their family also get to just walk right on rides that it has to stop.

I don't see why you would only be able to do one or two rides in a day. You will be able to pull a DAS fast pass as well as walk right up to any ride and get a regular fastpass. Then you can find a ride that has a less than 20 minute wait and ride standby.

If you have child who can absolutely NOT WAIT in any line whatsoever, then I think this new system is probably not going to work for you. But it is what it is. It is a new fair system that allows everybody equal access to all the attractions.

The GAC card was never meant to be an unlimited fastpass or front of the line pass but that is exactly what it became. And to get a benefit like that was too enticing to able bodied ppl. If YOU don't have to prove your kid is autistic, THEY don't either. All they have to do is fake it and they are given the same access as you.

Which is getting out of hand the sheer number of ppl with GAC's using the fastpass line.

I have to agree with this. GAC was never meant to eliminate all waiting in line. It was meant to provide fair and equal access to rides. And to offer an alternate place to wait for those who can't abide waiting in the queues.

I have no idea of what your struggles are on a daily basis. So maybe I'm being ignorant, but is there no way you can develop the skill of waiting for your turn? Do you honestly not go out with your child if you cannot be immediately seated for a restaurant, or for a movie, or even for the dentist? Do you not have coping skills for those instances that you could maybe use at WDW?

As far as not getting to do all of the rides you want to do, then welcome to the world of most parents.

 

[rolliev60]

I would be more than happy to provide documentation of my child's disability, as I'm sure most parents would. This new system sounds terribly unfriendly to our disabled children and I am terribly disappointed that WDW would go to these extremes to hurt children because there are cheating adults out there.

 

[Gracie09]

I have to agree with this. GAC was never meant to eliminate all waiting in line. It was meant to provide fair and equal access to rides. And to offer an alternate place to wait for those who can't abide waiting in the queues.

I have no idea of what your struggles are on a daily basis. So maybe I'm being ignorant, but is there no way you can develop the skill of waiting for your turn? Do you honestly not go out with your child if you cannot be immediately seated for a restaurant, or for a movie, or even for the dentist? Do you not have coping skills for those instances that you could maybe use at WDW?

As far as not getting to do all of the rides you want to do, then welcome to the world of most parents.

I know my daughters' school (one has mild cp and the other various delays due to neglect by her birth mother) will tailor services specifically toward trips. Whether it's social stories or practice with waiting a turn for something or general endurance training. We send them a message about what we are doing and they will come back with what they can do to help at hook and why we can do at home.

I would be more than happy to provide documentation of my child's disability, as I'm sure most parents would. This new system sounds terribly unfriendly to our disabled children and I am terribly disappointed that WDW would go to these extremes to hurt children because there are cheating adults out there.

Why? For years parents have said we don't want front of line passes we just can't wait in line. Here it is. No need to wait in line. Between bother versions of fastpass, dac and a decent touring plan you souls be able to hop from ride to ride with little to no wait.

I think everyone just wants to bash any change that Disney makes. Bog setting alcohol - omg walks rolling in his grave seeing alcohol in mk to it being te most difficult reservation to get. New magic bands and fp + omg how horrible! I can't wear a bracelet I can't plan my rides. Now people making ghost reservations and spending hundreds of dollars to take part in the test.

Maybe instead of prematurely freaking out you should see what the actual program is and give it a chance.

 

[StacyMarie]

I would be more than happy to provide documentation of my child's disability, as I'm sure most parents would. This new system sounds terribly unfriendly to our disabled children and I am terribly disappointed that WDW would go to these extremes to hurt children because there are cheating adults out there.

I don't think Disney is doing this "to hurt children." They are simply making it equal across the board, disabled or not. The system was being abused, plain and simple. The current system was never meant to be an automatic FP. People are used to using it that way now so of course there are going to be people upset with enforcement of the way the system was meant to be...equal wait times whether you are waiting in the regular line or waiting for your return DAS time.

 

[mefordis]

I want to add to this that I expect there to still people who think the fastpass at the kiosk is a good deal and therefore will take advantage of it, even if they don't really need it. I don't see how that will stop. However, at least they can factor in wait times better.

According to everything I have read about the new system, the days of you being able to get a GAC and use it as an unlimited fastpass are over.

I am sure it is going to affect a ton of families with autistic kids who are use to being able to just walk right onto a ride. But so many able bodied ppl started faking disabilities so they could have their family also get to just walk right on rides that it has to stop.

I don't see why you would only be able to do one or two rides in a day. You will be able to pull a DAS fast pass as well as walk right up to any ride and get a regular fastpass. Then you can find a ride that has a less than 20 minute wait and ride standby.

If you have child who can absolutely NOT WAIT in any line whatsoever, then I think this new system is probably not going to work for you. But it is what it is. It is a new fair system that allows everybody equal access to all the attractions.

The GAC card was never meant to be an unlimited fastpass or front of the line pass but that is exactly what it became. And to get a benefit like that was too enticing to able bodied ppl. If YOU don't have to prove your kid is autistic, THEY don't either. All they have to do is fake it and they are given the same access as you.

Which is getting out of hand the sheer number of ppl with GAC's using the fastpass line.

 

[jimmysmom74]

I really wish everyone would read SueM thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151785 It is very informative.

Also, I truly believe if Disney consulted AUTISM SPEAKS, these issues have been acknowledged and addressed. I hope families of autistic children will not cancel their trips. I know how much some of you, your special children, and their siblings look forward to them. I believe the magic is still their for you all. You fight a battle most of us can never imagine on a day to day basis.

I wish posters would consider this fact when typing. Until you walk a day in the shoes of these parents, judgement should be held to yourself. Save the lectures for the cheaters, losers, and fraudulent criminals who ruined this system for those that need it. This thread has been a civil and kind discussion, can we keep it that way please.

 

[Hopediamant]

I wish posters would consider this fact when typing. Until you walk a day in the shoes of these parents, judgement should be held to yourself. Save the lectures for the cheaters, losers, and fraudulent criminals who ruined this system for those that need it. This thread has been a civil and kind discussion, can we keep it that way please.

The biggest cheaters are here on this board.
I am more than stunned over the 10000% turn the whole GAC attitude has taken.
For years and years in a row the hymn here was :”the GAC has no advantage, we even wait longer etc .etc”.
If you had another experience and told this here you had to walk "The Green Mile". Now all at a sudden I see people complain about the rule change and they openly and whiteout any shame admit they always used the GAC to get FOTL access.

 

[DOREEN1779]

I really wish everyone would read SueM thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151785 It is very informative.

Also, I truly believe if Disney consulted AUTISM SPEAKS, these issues have been acknowledged and addressed. I hope families of autistic children will not cancel their trips. I know how much some of you, your special children, and their siblings look forward to them. I believe the magic is still their for you all. You fight a battle most of us can never imagine on a day to day basis.

I wish posters would consider this fact when typing. Until you walk a day in the shoes of these parents, judgement should be held to yourself. Save the lectures for the cheaters, losers, and fraudulent criminals who ruined this system for those that need it. This thread has been a civil and kind discussion, can we keep it that way please.

I agree.

 

[Kay1]

We aren't lucky enough to be able to stay on property. I'm not even sure how to respond to this. I shouldn't have to explain my child to anyone. Every child with ASD is different from the next. So basically we won't be going again because we can only do 1-2 rides in the time we are there because he is focused on one thing and one thing only. I have no problems with a good part of this change, I don't mind providing proof, I don't mind having my childs pic taken, I would be happy to get a printed disability card from the dr if that's what it came down to, I don't mind having to wait (within reason for him) but to have to trek back and forth and maybe get 1-2 rides seems like a waste for us to even spend money. I'm sure I'm going to get flamed but it is what it is.

I hope no one flames you. Btw, posters keep telling us the GAC - formerly the SAP- was not created to be used as a FP. Well, that's true as it was created before FP! Also, he word "fair" is way overused in these threads. No, some things are just not fair and changing a method or policy will not make it so.

If this new policy is making Disney non-accessible for your children, that's not okay. That's not fair for you and your family. It's great that you and others are willing to submit proof of disability as it may come to that. In the meantime, know that you can always ask to speak to the attraction manager at any ride should you need extra help.

 

[Objectivity]

I really wish everyone would read SueM thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151785 It is very informative.

Also, I truly believe if Disney consulted AUTISM SPEAKS, these issues have been acknowledged and addressed. I hope families of autistic children will not cancel their trips. I know how much some of you, your special children, and their siblings look forward to them. I believe the magic is still their for you all. You fight a battle most of us can never imagine on a day to day basis.

I wish posters would consider this fact when typing. Until you walk a day in the shoes of these parents, judgement should be held to yourself. Save the lectures for the cheaters, losers, and fraudulent criminals who ruined this system for those that need it. This thread has been a civil and kind discussion, can we keep it that way please.

Based on what we know so far, it sounds like the revised guidelines are a well thought out accommodation for those with autistic children or with children with other similar disabilities. The consultations are probably a large part of that. However, I'll be nervous until the full guidelines are formally released because it sounds like the system has been built to meet those needs and not the needs of those with non-visible physical disabilities.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

The biggest cheaters are here on this board.
I am more than stunned over the 10000% turn the whole GAC attitude has taken.
For years and years in a row the hymn here was :”the GAC has no advantage, we even wait longer etc .etc”.
If you had another experience and told this here you had to walk "The Green Mile". Now all at a sudden I see people complain about the rule change and they openly and whiteout any shame admit they always used the GAC to get FOTL access.

I agree with this. The very ppl who now claim this change will make it to where their kids will have to WAIT are the very ones who have always claimed, even when we all knew better, that the GAC doesn't work like a fastpass and didn't save any time. They even said sometimes the wait was longer. That may have been true for some stamps but not for the alternate entry stamp. Which is what they put on a GAC for the autistic kids. If you all ALWAYS HAD TO WAIT then what is the problem now? You can still use the alternate entry. You just have to wait to use it like the rest of us.

 

[wiscbugs]

Unless you have a child (or other loved one) with a disability and know what its like, you are just being an ignorant troll by posting on any threads that have to deal with GAC or DAS or any disability issue. By doing so, you are just showing the type of person you are. Go post on your own thread somewhere else!

 

[crashbb]

Unless you have a child (or other loved one) with a disability and know what its like, you are just being an ignorant troll by posting on any threads that have to deal with GAC or DAS or any disability issue. By doing so, you are just showing the type of person you are. Go post on your own thread somewhere else!

I do have a loved one with a disability and I agree with them. It used to bother a lot when people would say that the GAC didn't act as a FP and led to a longer wait - when we used it, it essentially worked at an unlimited fast pass and I fully acknowledge that it was a "perk" rather than something that evened the playing field.

I think that the new system will work well (though, of course, we lose the unlimited fast pass) as it will allow us to wait somewhere other than the crowded line (which is what the GAC was intended to do in the first place). As long as they have enough kiosks that we don't have to do a huge amount of backtracking (with the kiosks, there will definitely be less backtracking that using the normal FP or having the ride CMs give the time stamp), I definitely think that this will work. We are still getting an "extra" fast pass.

I do think that needing to get a new GAC every day is annoying, but hopefully that will change once the change is actually made.

 

[Gracie09]

Unless you have a child (or other loved one) with a disability and know what its like, you are just being an ignorant troll by posting on any threads that have to deal with GAC or DAS or any disability issue. By doing so, you are just showing the type of person you are. Go post on your own thread somewhere else!

I have a child with CP, another child with assorted physical, psychological and developmental issues due to neglect (from her birth mother) as a baby, a nephew with a genetic disorder that means his cilia do not work and results in lung issues and developmental delays as a start, a husband with a genetic disorder that he controls with major medication and a bad back, several other nephews with adhd and anxiety issues am I "qualified" enough for you??

 

[Allison]

Unless you have a child (or other loved one) with a disability and know what its like, you are just being an ignorant troll by posting on any threads that have to deal with GAC or DAS or any disability issue. By doing so, you are just showing the type of person you are. Go post on your own thread somewhere else!

Sorry but threads aren't owned by anybody and responses aren't limited to a certain group. Such is the way of the Internet.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I do have a loved one with a disability and I agree with them. It used to bother a lot when people would say that the GAC didn't act as a FP and led to a longer wait - when we used it, it essentially worked at an unlimited fast pass and I fully acknowledge that it was a "perk" rather than something that evened the playing field.

I've used an alternate entrance GAC too, with someone who legitimately had it. It was without a doubt an unlimited Fastpass on the days we used it. We would just walk into the Fastpass entrance and wait however long there, and then right on through.

I was always confused when people with legit issues would come on here asking about it, and some people would tell them that the GAC doesn't shorten wait times.

 

[fajina]

The very ppl who now claim this change will make it to where their kids will have to WAIT are the very ones who have always claimed, even when we all knew better, that the GAC doesn't work like a fastpass and didn't save any time. They even said sometimes the wait was longer.

Trust me, as a parent of a physically disabled child who can't walk and/or transfer, it is a much longer interval if you have to wait for a wheelchair accessible ride vehicle. What really irked us was the "so called" disabled who had GACs and they would waltz right on past everyone (including us) and then easily transfer onto a ride vehicle in less than 5 minutes time. I would say that probably 70% of GAC holders are either obese or spoiled brats who are just too lazy to stand in line.

Because of your abuse of this system, my truly disabled child will now have to wait double what the average person does. I hope that when you low-life scumbags get to the Pearly Gates, God makes you wait a good long time before he allows you to enter.

 

[smidgy]

Could this create a loophole for those who are visually impaired/legally blind but with vision?

If I understand correctly, those with wheelchairs didn't need GAC cards because their impairment was visible and the ADA requires integration with the non-impaired whenever possible.

The ADA provides those legally blind (or with a variety of other physical disabilities) with the same expectation of integration. If a system is created that makes different types of waits based on type of physical disability, that could create a window for non-compliance complaints.

It's not going to be easy to create a system that is fair and unabused and treats all physical disabilities in a uniform manner.

I have reread your post many times. I still don't understand what you mean/ ie, what is your point?

my husband has early onset macular degeneration. it is getting worse and worse. he can't see in the dark (or the "dim") the lines have gotten worse every trip for him.
oops, I made a pun there... cause "trip" is what he does through the entire queue.. it's dark it' winds aback and forth... but not always in a predictable pattern.

the impatient people behind us step on our heels. he bumps into things and gets hurt and bruised. and he used to LOVE manyof the quese, feels like we miss a lot by bypassing the standby line.. we often would rather do the regular line than get a fast pass if the wait isn't too long, so we don't miss the "story line, etc."
but. what is.. is. it is a danger, not safe, for him to try to navigate through many of the queues.

so what is the "loophole" you are speaking of?

 

[Cobern]

I have reread your post many times. I still don't understand what you mean/ ie, what is your point?

my husband has early onset macular degeneration. it is getting worse and worse. he can't see in the dark (or the "dim") the lines have gotten worse every trip for him.
oops, I made a pun there... cause "trip" is what he does through the entire queue.. it's dark it' winds aback and forth... but not always in a predictable pattern.

the impatient people behind us step on our heels. he bumps into things and gets hurt and bruised. and he used to LOVE manyof the quese, feels like we miss a lot by bypassing the standby line.. we often would rather do the regular line than get a fast pass if the wait isn't too long, so we don't miss the "story line, etc."
but. what is.. is. it is a danger, not safe, for him to try to navigate through many of the queues.

so what is the "loophole" you are speaking of?

I am wondering the same thing. We are taking my mom in January. She has very limited vision and no depth perception. We just need light on for some of the rides and sidewalks to stop so she can load/unload. How does this work for vision impaired?

 

[BigAlsGal]

I am glad they're finally making changes. I think it will have a huge impact. I think the line times will be more precise. I think the lines will run more smoothly. And personally I am so glad these scum bags who claim disabilities to get to the front are CUT OFF! Haha! Wait your turn!