Today Show Story About GAC Abuse

[lost*in*cyberspace]

http://t.today.com/news/undercover-disney-deplorable-scheme-skip-lines-6C10131266

 

[cynzilla]

I just watched it and I was DISGUSTED!

That kind of abuse doesn't help us truly disabled who really need it and use it properly.

I hope Disney punishes those criminals and not turn around and punish the disabled who use it legitimately!!!!

 

[Bete]

This discussion has been here before. Actually, the Today show may have helped to stop this abuse from continuing. Disney states they are reviewing the process.

I will say there are times the GAC doesn't work to your advantage as seen in this video. The waits can actually be longer than the regular queues.

We will have to see how this pans out in the future.

 

[BeveMom]

Isn't anyone wondering why the policy at DLR and WDW seem so different that this allowed those people to go to the front of the line? I was under the impression that the GAC didn't do that... I wonder if it's going to come out that some employees were padding their pockets a little bit to let these groups skip lines?

 

[klmorg]

I just watched it too. Highly disappointed in our society but not surprised. We are visiting WDW in November and planning on using a GAC for the first time with my 8 year old that has EDS.

 

[bedogged]

I watched it today and I was surprised to see the party sent to a special entrance that included a set of steep stairs. Did anyone else see that? I wondered if that scene was some kind of setup rather than one provided by "undercover" cameras? It made me doubt the whole piece. Also, isn't Today Show owned by Disney?

 

[JenDett]

I just watched it and am very distressed. I am taking my ADS 7 year old to WDW for the 1st time in October. I was planning on asking for a GAC for him. Now I am worried it will be denied.

 

[TheShea's]

I watched it today and I was surprised to see the party sent to a special entrance that included a set of steep stairs. Did anyone else see that? I wondered if that scene was some kind of setup rather than one provided by "undercover" cameras? It made me doubt the whole piece. Also, isn't Today Show owned by Disney?

Disney is ABC and Today show is NBC.

 

[lanejudy]

Isn't anyone wondering why the policy at DLR and WDW seem so different that this allowed those people to go to the front of the line? I was under the impression that the GAC didn't do that... I wonder if it's going to come out that some employees were padding their pockets a little bit to let these groups skip lines?

I don't think it's as much a different policy, as handling of the needs at a different attraction. Most queues at WDW are "mainstreamed" allowing mobility devices through the regular line. As a much older park, DLR queues were not built to the more modern specifications and are not as accessible; however, DCA has very few alternate entrances as their queues are mainstreamed because it's a newer park.

 

[BillSears]

I don't think it's as much a different policy, as handling of the needs at a different attraction. Most queues at WDW are "mainstreamed" allowing mobility devices through the regular line. As a much older park, DLR queues were not built to the more modern specifications and are not as accessible; however, DCA has very few alternate entrances as their queues are mainstreamed because it's a newer park.

Also keep in mind that both tour guides had a GAC and not a mobility device. A GAC is treated differently then just an ECV/Wheelchair.

 

[bedogged]

Disney is ABC and Today show is NBC.

Thank you. So Disney owns Good Morning America. I knew they owned one of the morning shows.

 

[asta]

I posted this question on the theme park board but it disappeared. It is probably better answered here anyway. I have seen it often stated that Disney is not allowed by law to ask for proof of disability. With that law being in place, why do I have to have a signed form from my doctor to get a handicap parking pass? My surgeon has given me one because of my knee replacement so I am familiar with that process. And honestly the handicap parking permit is much more critical to my life than a FOL pass at WDW.

I am asking this respectfully. I just don't understand why it is legal to require proof in one instance but not the other.

 

[kadorseyusa]

I noticed that they chose Disney Land and not Disney World, due to the fact that most of the rides are older they had to make special arrangements for this.

I just wish they had not painted us all with the same brush, I am traveling to WDW in August and I will have an ECV can only walk short distances an do not want to run into any trouble.

 

[lanejudy]

Also keep in mind that both tour guides had a GAC and not a mobility device. A GAC is treated differently then just an ECV/Wheelchair.

I was really more commenting about the question of "policy" between DLR and WDW than this particular news item. And yes, a GAC accomodates more than mobility needs. My point was that parks on the different coasts are built considerably different and accomodations for any needs are specific to the physical attributes available (or not available) at an attraction, not necessarily a policy.

 

[cygnusx1jg]

Two things:

Never been to D-Land in Cali, but it looks like most of their queues are outside whereas WDW in Florida has a lot of indoor queues. Found that interesting.

I was taken aback by the two people on the Today Show expose that didn't feel any remorse or had a moral problem with what they are doing. I thought about it further and I think their point, although still kinda messed up, is that Disney offers VIP tours for anywhere between $315 to $380 per hour and the tour also gets you on certain popular rides without waiting in line.

They probably feel that they are providing the same thing a VIP tour provides, but at a much lower cost (one was $50 per hour and the other $100, I think) and someone that needs that extra income is getting it rather than a multi-billion dollar corporation.

What they are missing is the point that they are mis-using something that Disney happily provides to the people that should have it, the GAC. If the reason you got the GAC to begin with was for a temporary condition (hurt/broke your leg or ankle a week before your vacation) then you should have to return it at the end of your stay--or it's only valid for the length of your stay.

 

[clanmcculloch]

What I want to know is why it doesn't work this way for me. Granted I only have WDW and not DL experience but seriously, at WDW it NEVER works that way for me. Then again, the regular lines are never like that when I'm heading into an attraction because we have really strong touring plans that keep us away from crowds and lines even without a GAC.

I guess I'll find out soon enough first hand what it's like at DL. We'll get DD15's typical GAC plus DD12 will be in a wheelchair (probably; she's at a pain level of 8 out of 10 today after a day at a museum yesterday with her class so I can't imagine that in a mere 5 weeks she'll be up to walking through parks for almost 2 straight weeks even with as many break days as we take). Like I do for WDW though, I'm working on touring plans that should make a huge difference even without the GAC and wheelchair entrances. I can't actually imagine going up to an attraction with a GAC and/or wheelchair when the regular line is like what they're showing. I just wouldn't even try. The area getting to the attraction would be too overwhelming so it's just not something we could even try.

I really hope people like these don't end up making things more difficult for people like us.

 

[lanejudy]

I posted this question on the theme park board but it disappeared. It is probably better answered here anyway. I have seen it often stated that Disney is not allowed by law to ask for proof of disability. With that law being in place, why do I have to have a signed form from my doctor to get a handicap parking pass? My surgeon has given me one because of my knee replacement so I am familiar with that process. And honestly the handicap parking permit is much more critical to my life than a FOL pass at WDW.

I am asking this respectfully. I just don't understand why it is legal to require proof in one instance but not the other.

asta, to answer your question about proof...a handicapped parking placard is considered "greater" accommodation - meaning the handicapped person is getting something better (closer parking) than what's available to others. The GAC is only considered to be providing an "equivalent" experience and therefore ADA rules apply that proof of disability cannot be required. Proof can only be required to receive a benefit "greater" than what's available to the general population.

 

[asta]

asta, to answer your question about proof...a handicapped parking placard is considered "greater" accommodation - meaning the handicapped person is getting something better (closer parking) than what's available to others. The GAC is only considered to be providing an "equivalent" experience and therefore ADA rules apply that proof of disability cannot be required. Proof can only be required to receive a benefit "greater" than what's available to the general population.

Thanks, I couldn't figure out the difference but I knew there had to bea reason.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

asta, to answer your question about proof...a handicapped parking placard is considered "greater" accommodation - meaning the handicapped person is getting something better (closer parking) than what's available to others. The GAC is only considered to be providing an "equivalent" experience and therefore ADA rules apply that proof of disability cannot be required. Proof can only be required to receive a benefit "greater" than what's available to the general population.

Great answer I was wondering the same thing.

I just read through the GAC faqs stickie, because we're going to DLR in September. My mom has MS, and is mildly disabled. She has troubles standing or walking for long periods. Which she'll rent an ECV. Also is heat intolerant due to her disease. And like PPs have said the lines at DLR are mostly outdoors and in full sun. That's my Mom's primary issue, and what I would think she should get a GAC for. So on to my question... How do they accommodate heat intolerance at DLR, anyone with experience? Bearing in mind that I know each ride/show is set up differently. TIA

 

[Mama Who]

then you should have to return it at the end of your stay--or it's only valid for the length of your stay.

It is only valid for the length of your stay. A local with an AP could still get one every visit or declare their "Stay" to be a week or two at a time. You don't have to return it (hard to enforce) because it expires.