Replacement for GAC

[maxiesmom]

You said, "Maybe a wheelchair might be a better answer if tripping, falling, or other injuries are eminent."

And it would be right? Better to put someone unstable in a wheelchair, rather than risking them falling and injuring themselves? I'm truly hopeful that if someone needs a wheelchair to keep themselves safe they don't skip using one because of pride or some other reason.

 

[Robbi]

People are so dramatic here, it's as if they are acting like it's the end of the world but it isn't. People were abusing the system, and now they are fixing the system. And the system sounds just fine.

Do you have an autistic child? If not, then please don't accuse those who do of being dramatic. It's a "walk a mile in their shoes" type of situation. It may not be the end of the world but it may be the end of WDW trips depending upon how the autism is handled under the new system. It's very hard to know from one minute to the next how an autistic child will react. The GAC allowed for a very nice vacation because if there was a meltdown and the family had to leave the parks or go to a quiet place for a while, they knew they could return once the storm was over and continue with their vacation. There's no way we can plan for say a 1 pm TSM ride reservation.

 

[englishrose47]

Just spoke to Special Needs at WDW, yes the new system will tart on October 9th. She id not know what exactly they would be calling it , or how it would work, it will not effect special seating, loading etc .I am to call her back after it states and before we leave for the full details . So as far as I am concerned it is confirmed to start October 9th.

 

[Kay1]

We go to WDW and have a child with multiple disabilities, using a wheelchair. As much as possible, we used regular lines and got Fastpasses. We reserved using her GAC for situations where she could not tolerate the rpeoplecould also go in the regular line, which for some attractions can be short.
My personal opinion is that the experience will be more consistent. People will have more information - if you have a smartphone or go one of the update boards in the park, you will be able to see the current wait time and decide what to do.[/QUOTE

If the child has to spend every single morning waiting to have her/his picture taken, it's going to make avoiding the GAC harder. As you know, a whole lot can be done in the first hour or so.

And, I'll just say here that some - not you - seem to confuse FOTL (what VIPs and some others receive) with the FP line.

 

[fajina]

People were abusing the system, and now they are fixing the system. And the system sounds just fine.

So the fact that those who are truly physically disabled and wheelchair bound will now have to wait longer to enjoy the same ride "seems just fine"? Again, those who are wheelchair bound and can't transfer are now going to have to wait the same time as a non-disabled person and then even longer for one of the few wheelchair accessible ride vehicles.

However, even though we will have to wait longer than normal to enjoy a ride, it will be a much more enjoyable vacation because we won't become as infuriated from witnessing all the abuse. Now, if they could just stop the abuse of the handicapped parking placards because that is another scam that we encountered over and over.

 

[StacyMarie]

The current system was NEVER meant to be a FOTL access or a FP access where if you have a GAC, you get instant access. It somehow evolved into that and now that Disney is trying to make the system fair across the board, people are upset. With all the people using GAC, it has caused a back up in the flow of how the original FP system should happening which then causes a back up in flow of the regular lines. This is Disney's way of working it out so that their projected return times for FP and projected wait times for regular lines are accurate and not put off by the multiple people using GAC, whether they need it or not. It clearly states on the current GAC card that the pass is not intended to give instant access onto the attraction. The old system is broken ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. It is a trickle down effect. Disney doesn't have to provide a BETTER experience for the disabled, it just has to provide a fair and equal experience, and that is what they are trying to do, fair and equal across the board - plain and simple.

 

[sunshinehighway]

We go to WDW and have a child with multiple disabilities, using a wheelchair. As much as possible, we used regular lines and got Fastpasses. We reserved using her GAC for situations where she could not tolerate the rpeoplecould also go in the regular line, which for some attractions can be short.
My personal opinion is that the experience will be more consistent. People will have more information - if you have a smartphone or go one of the update boards in the park, you will be able to see the current wait time and decide what to do.[/QUOTE

If the child has to spend every single morning waiting to have her/his picture taken, it's going to make avoiding the GAC harder. As you know, a whole lot can be done in the first hour or so.

And, I'll just say here that some - not you - seem to confuse FOTL (what VIPs and some others receive) with the FP line.

I don't think people are confusing the two but just have a differing opinion on what fotl means. For me, it doesn't mean immediately getting on the very next ride car. If there's a 40 minute line and someone has a card to get them on in 5 minutes, that's fotl to me.

 

[Hyonlyf]

Nothing she said was offensive. You are obviously very touchy about the subject and putting words in her mouth. Nobody sees anything offensive but you.

And if tripping, falling and injuries ARE eminent than a wheelchair is a great idea.

She said nothing offensive, it was merely a suggestion on how you may prevent injuries while touring the parks. My 72 y/o blind MIL went with us one year and although perfectly mobile, chose to rent a wheelchair to stay safe while moving around the park and onto rides.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

Do you have an autistic child? If not, then please don't accuse those who do of being dramatic. It's a "walk a mile in their shoes" type of situation. It may not be the end of the world but it may be the end of WDW trips depending upon how the autism is handled under the new system. It's very hard to know from one minute to the next how an autistic child will react. The GAC allowed for a very nice vacation because if there was a meltdown and the family had to leave the parks or go to a quiet place for a while, they knew they could return once the storm was over and continue with their vacation. There's no way we can plan for say a 1 pm TSM ride reservation.

If you cannot plan for a 1 pm TSM ride, then how do you handle your restaurant meals? Those need to be planned as well.

 

[Robbi]

If you cannot plan for a 1 pm TSM ride, then how do you handle your restaurant meals? Those need to be planned as well.

He never has a problem with sitting down to eat. There is space around us and he's not crowded. We schedule ADRs at off times to minimize his upsets.
There are certain restaurants, like Whispering Canyon, he doesn't tolerate well and we avoid those.

 

[maxiesmom]

So the fact that those who are truly physically disabled and wheelchair bound will now have to wait longer to enjoy the same ride "seems just fine"? Again, those who are wheelchair bound and can't transfer are now going to have to wait the same time as a non-disabled person and then even longer for one of the few wheelchair accessible ride vehicles.

However, even though we will have to wait longer than normal to enjoy a ride, it will be a much more enjoyable vacation because we won't become as infuriated from witnessing all the abuse. Now, if they could just stop the abuse of the handicapped parking placards because that is another scam that we encountered over and over.

If by waiting longer you mean you will not immediately board any ride? Yes. But that is not what GAC was meant to do anyway. As already noted, the new system will take into account the fast pass time and subtract 15 minutes from that. So you will still be able to enjoy rides faster than most of the park guests.

 

[Objectivity]

There is nothing wrong with what she said. All she did was make a suggestion of using a wheelchair so someone isn't injured. You seem to be taking it for more than it was intended.

Would you tell a parent with an Autistic child displaying less than typical behavior, "Have you thought about trying to better control your child?"

Or to take it out of the disability arena, would you tell someone who is obese, "Have you thought about trying to eat less food?"

If those aren't acceptable, why should it be acceptable to tell someone who is visually impaired, "Have you thought about using a wheelchair?"

The truth is that any person at Disney (or anywhere) with a disability has obstacles to overcome that an able-bodied person doesn't face. It's easy for the able-bodied to offer a suggestion with the best of intentions without realizing how ignorant they sound.

And also, you may not like to admit it but in many cases the second, unspoken, part of each of those statements is "...rather than inconvenience me."

 

[Objectivity]

And it would be right? Better to put someone unstable in a wheelchair, rather than risking them falling and injuring themselves? I'm truly hopeful that if someone needs a wheelchair to keep themselves safe they don't skip using one because of pride or some other reason.

If someone needs a wheelchair, they should be in a wheelchair. To suggest that someone who doesn't need a wheelchair should use one is a little rude and a lot inappropriate.

Why should someone who is handicapped be forced to adapt to what someone else think their limitations are?

 

[AndreaA]

If by waiting longer you mean you will not immediately board any ride? Yes. But that is not what GAC was meant to do anyway. As already noted, the new system will take into account the fast pass time and subtract 15 minutes from that. So you will still be able to enjoy rides faster than most of the park guests.

Not really. Do you honestly think it will take less than fifteen minutes to walk to a kiosk, wait in a line there and then walk back to the original line? I can easily see the kiosks being backed up (yippee, another line my son won't handle well!) and then we will effectively be waiting LONGER than the standby time.

I would really like to know how many rides people are doing when they are in the parks 8-12 hrs. I seriously doubt that it is fewer than what people with a GAC are doing during their often limited-time visits. Many people don't have the option to come back for nighttime entertainment either - once their kid's done, he's done - so why should they be paying full price for a half day in the parks and fewer rides?

Some people are saying "Well we can only handle half-day in the park with our little kids, too!" Yes, that may be true, but that will eventually CHANGE for you and you'll be able to enjoy the wonders of the park for the entire day. If you don't like that you will only be able to stay half the day then you can wait until your kids are older. Some people will never be able to visit for more than a few hours at a time.

 

[Objectivity]

If by waiting longer you mean you will not immediately board any ride? Yes. But that is not what GAC was meant to do anyway. As already noted, the new system will take into account the fast pass time and subtract 15 minutes from that. So you will still be able to enjoy rides faster than most of the park guests.

It's not about enjoying rides faster than other people at the park. If you think people with disabilities have it so much better because sometimes a line a bit shorter, then you don't understand the obstacles they face every day.

I'm not opposed to the new policy. I think it will work well in most cases. I just want to see whether it's flexible based on disability and need. Based on Disney's record, I have no reason to think it won't be.

 

[WishesQueen]

Hey Everyone!!

New to this thread, just heard of the rumored change to the GAC card.

I have a teenage daughter with Albinism. I have no problem with discussing her problems and needs to guest services, especially that its obvious. My family has NEVER abused the system, but we have been extremely grateful that it existed for her.

My daughter needs to be out of the sun as much as possible and she is legally blind, so going through the lines are extremely difficult and she usually gets pretty banged up because of her struggling independence.

WDW has been a vacation that we have been going on since she is 2 years old yearly. You would think that Florida and the sun are not the right place for her, but with all the help that Disney offers its an amazing time for us.

I understand everyones concerns that have healthy family members that love WDW just the same. I have no problem with changes if it stops the cheaters and abusive people. But I truly hope and pray that Disney figures out a way that still allows everyone with children and family members that aren't as lucky as everyone else (no matter how many there are now a days) to still enjoy Disney as much as they always have.

Disney isn't like everywhere else....thats what we all love about it. Disney has always had a way to make everyone feel special. So hopefully they figure this all out and I truly hope that we are ALL happy with the change.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Not really. Do you honestly think it will take less than fifteen minutes to walk to a kiosk, wait in a line there and then walk back to the original line? I can easily see the kiosks being backed up (yippee, another line my son won't handle well!) and then we will effectively be waiting LONGER than the standby time.

I would really like to know how many rides people are doing when they are in the parks 8-12 hrs. I seriously doubt that it is fewer than what people with a GAC are doing during their often limited-time visits. Many people don't have the option to come back for nighttime entertainment either - once their kid's done, he's done - so why should they be paying full price for a half day in the parks and fewer rides?

Some people are saying "Well we can only handle half-day in the park with our little kids, too!" Yes, that may be true, but that will eventually CHANGE for you and you'll be able to enjoy the wonders of the park for the entire day. If you don't like that you will only be able to stay half the day then you can wait until your kids are older. Some people will never be able to visit for more than a few hours at a time.

Why would you be going to the kiosk and then back to the original line?
I don't understand why you think you have to go to the ride line, then to the kiosk and then go wait at the ride line. The point of the kiosk is to give you a time to go to the ride and get in the fp line.

Some people seem upset with the idea of the kiosk but one of the big issues with giving a return time has always been some people cannot understand going to the ride to get a return time and then not riding right away. It's an issue that has been brought up many times on these boards. The kiosk solves that problem.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Would you tell a parent with an Autistic child displaying less than typical behavior, "Have you thought about trying to better control your child?"

Or to take it out of the disability arena, would you tell someone who is obese, "Have you thought about trying to eat less food?"

If those aren't acceptable, why should it be acceptable to tell someone who is visually impaired, "Have you thought about using a wheelchair?"

The truth is that any person at Disney (or anywhere) with a disability has obstacles to overcome that an able-bodied person doesn't face. It's easy for the able-bodied to offer a suggestion with the best of intentions without realizing how ignorant they sound.

And also, you may not like to admit it but in many cases the second, unspoken, part of each of those statements is "...rather than inconvenience me."

Nobody has said that. If that's what you believe people think, that's all on you.

 

[Objectivity]

Why would you be going to the kiosk and then back to the original line?
I don't understand why you think you have to go to the ride line, then to the kiosk and then go wait at the ride line. The point of the kiosk is to give you a time to go to the ride and get in the fp line.

Some people seem upset with the idea of the kiosk but one of the big issues with giving a return time has always been some people cannot understand going to the ride to get a return time and then not riding right away. It's an issue that has been brought up many times on these boards. The kiosk solves that problem.

You're going to love Disney's new line management system. EVERY customer now has to wait in line at a kiosk to get a ride time, then they wait for the time and wait in line for that ride. Then, after they're finished they can go back to that kiosk and wait in line again for another ride time and repeat the process.

Obviously, I'm being factitious. But, if you wouldn't want to do that yourself for every ride, why would you think it should be acceptable to those who are disabled.

Right now, we don't know what the kiosk system will be. It could be that you go one time and set up times for the rest of the day. It could be that you can do it from your phone and a virtual kiosk. Until we know for sure, it's all speculation.

 

[AndreaA]

Why would you be going to the kiosk and then back to the original line?
I don't understand why you think you have to go to the ride line, then to the kiosk and then go wait at the ride line. The point of the kiosk is to give you a time to go to the ride and get in the fp line.

Some people seem upset with the idea of the kiosk but one of the big issues with giving a return time has always been some people cannot understand going to the ride to get a return time and then not riding right away. It's an issue that has been brought up many times on these boards. The kiosk solves that problem.

I don't think that people will be walking from the ride to the kiosk and back again. What I do think is that unless kiosks are located every fifty feet, then people WILL be criss-crossing the area to get back to them. Say you're at Dumbo. Great, no line, you go right through. Now you want to ride Barnstormer but it has a 30min wait. You have to go to the kiosk and the kiosk is located back in front of the carousel. There's a 5-10minute wait at the kiosk because other people with similar needs are also queued up. So now you're walking back and forth much more than a normal guest would need to, AND waiting in more lines, and most likely taking more time to do it. The rumor is that there will be four kiosks in Magic Kingdom. That's only one per area - not even, if you count Liberty Square as well - so that is a lot of opportunities for bottlenecking to occur.