GAC to DAS About This Page:

[JerseyDad]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't it sound like Disney is saying, "We have always gone above and beyond but thanks to all of the abuse of our system we will now tighten the reigns and unfortunately everyone pays the price."? Basically, "We'll make sure you are accommodated and can access every ride and if that's not good enough then you don't have to ride." It's like they've gone bare bones instead of the above and beyond like they have always been known for.

.....pretty much ...yes ...that's exactly what they are saying. But it's not just abuse. And I'm sure there may be more than one reason too (the integration of FP+, crowd management, money making...etc).

....but one reason .....might be that one of their legal eagles actually read the ADA Laws ...and found that if you provide access to a "public accommodation" (ie: the attractions at WDW) to disabled persons ..... that "is not equal to that afforded to other individuals" (a.k.a. non-disabled) ...that they are in direct violation of the law.

...they were being "the good guy" ....and there have been many that have grown accustomed to the 'bend over backwards" attitude of Disney ...but it seems that in order to manage their parks in a manner that seems fair to all , and also keeps the revenue rolling in ....they are changing.

[Caldercup]

Here's another article with information on the implementation of DAS at both US parks starting October 9th:

No More Guest Assistance Cards at Disneyland/WDW | Disney Treasures

[phoebec]

Originally Posted by JerseyDad

.....pretty much ...yes ...that's exactly what they are saying. But it's not just abuse. And I'm sure there may be more than one reason too (the integration of FP+, crown management, money making...etc).

....but one reason .....might be that one of their legal eagles actually read the ADA Laws ...and found that if you provide access to a "public accommodation" (ie: the attractions at WDW) to disabled persons ..... that "is not equal to that afforded to other individuals" (a.k.a. non-disabled) ...that they are in direct violation of the law.

...they were being "the good guy" ....and there have been many that have grown accustomed to the 'bend over backwards" attitude of Disney ...but it seems that in order to manage their parks in a manner that seems fair to all , and also keeps the revenue rolling in ....they are changing.

That means that the disabled has to have access. In my opinion, if you tell an autistic child he or she has to wait more than they can handle as a a result of the disability, then that is denying equal access to the attraction. Many meltdowns would prevent access to the ride. The are not melting down due to a sense of privilege,entitlement,or faulty parenting. They are melting down due to a disability that ADA was designed to protect.

[Starclassic]

I use a GAC because I'm legally blind, and I get the stamp that tells CM's I need to sit up front for shows and on certain rides. Wait times and standing in lines aren't an issue for me. Does anyone know how they will be handling a situation like mine with the new card?

[HollyH]

Originally Posted by phoebec

That means that the disabled has to have access. In my opinion, if you tell an autistic child he or she has to wait more than they can handle as a a result of the disability, then that is denying equal access to the attraction. Many meltdowns would prevent access to the ride. The are not melting down due to a sense of privilege,entitlement,or faulty parenting. They are melting down due to a disability that ADA was designed to protect.

While I agree with you that waiting may be difficult for someone with autism, I do not see how the new system would be denying equal access to any attraction. Disney is offering a shorter wait time at the attraction. I doubt that the intent of ADA was to require that any public institution provide immediate access to anything -just equal access. Yes, the new system might require families traveling with children who have autism be to more mindful about how they tour, and perhaps change how they prepare their children for the park experience but it will not be denying equal access IMO.

[JerseyDad]

Originally Posted by phoebec

That means that the disabled has to have access. In my opinion, if you tell an autistic child he or she has to wait more than they can handle as a a result of the disability, then that is denying equal access to the attraction. Many meltdowns would prevent access to the ride. The are not melting down due to a sense of privilege,entitlement,or faulty parenting. They are melting down due to a disability that ADA was designed to protect.

....actually ....the ADA Law(s) was / were meant to provide 'access' to those that may not otherwise be able to get into a building, workplace, theater, show, amusement, etc ("a public accommodation")

......if you (not YOU personally) ....were to separate out specific afflictions as being "worse than others" ... ie: Those with autism have it harder than those with mobility issues ....or, those with ADHD have it worse than someone with cerebral palsy ....and on and on ......it's almost like saying that the provisions set forth in the ADA Laws are not enough, and there needs to be separate ADA Laws that are specifically tailored to each and every disability. Another example may be that someone with heart disease or C.O.P.D. needs to be afforded a special color handicapped parking space that's closer to a store or building entrance because it's a worse disability than someone else may have?

.....if that were to happen ...then the ADA Laws are made useless ....because it's going back to a certain level of segregation for lack of a better word. My examples may be a bit simplistic ...but at this hour of the day ...it's the best I could do ....

[JerseyDad]

Originally Posted by Starclassic

I use a GAC because I'm legally blind, and I get the stamp that tells CM's I need to sit up front for shows and on certain rides. Wait times and standing in lines aren't an issue for me. Does anyone know how they will be handling a situation like mine with the new card?

....I'm kinda' guessing that ...with regards to shows ...that somehow they will set aside some up-front seats for anyone with a visual impairment. It may be as easy as having floor markings / seat marking with a sign that's similar to what's on their buses (in the first few seats up front) that say the seats are reserved for / or will have to be surrendered to someone with impaired vision? That's an easy fix that I suppose even they can think of ...because, heck ...even I figured it out.

[Starclassic]

Originally Posted by JerseyDad

....I'm kinda' guessing that ...with regards to shows ...that somehow they will set aside some up-front seats for anyone with a visual impairment. It may be as easy as having floor markings / seat marking with a sign that's similar to what's on their buses (in the first few seats up front) that say the seats are reserved for / or will have to be surrendered to someone with impaired vision? That's an easy fix that I suppose even they can think of ...because, heck ...even I figured it out.

That's what I'm figuring. I just wasn't sure if I would need to show anything (like I've had to do with the current GAC) or if I'll have to verbally explain to every CM and hope they trust and accommodate my needs.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I am also sure they will have something in place for those that can't walk up flights of stairs like splash mountain & other rides, Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

Speaking of kiosks, I don't see why they just can't turn one of the fastpass machines at every ride into a disability fp distributor? and add ones to the rest of the rides.

Add a readable magnetic strip to that DAS, and you might be on to something, there. Plus, for traffic-control purposes, those DAS fastpasses would be accounted for in the system; Disney could reduce availability of non-DAS FPs on the fly, to keep the FP lines short.

[OneLittleSpark]

Excellent points Dana and Pax. You wrote my sentiments exactly Dana. As long as Disney is ADA compliant, whether their system works for you or doesn't...is your problem not Disney's. Just like Dana said, there are times my DD (without a GAC) couldn't ride something she wanted to bc of wait times, ADR's, or refurbs...that is my problem to deal with, not Disney's.

[JerseyDad]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

I'd be willing to bet that visual and hearing impairments would have their own thing, kind of like the evc wheelchair thing. I can't see that you would have to go to the kiosks everytime. Speaking of kiosks, I don't see why they just can't turn one of the fastpass machines at every ride into a disability fp distributor? and add ones to the rest of the rides. I mean with technology today it seems like you could go to guest services to tell them what you need for your card to say and slide in your card to get the appropriate time or service to hand to the CM. I can see where the back and forth of going to the few kiosks would be a pain and maybe that is why they are doing it that way....to minimize the convenience to thwart the abuse, but it just seems so random. I'm eager to see how this goes or if it will be a mess. When you think about it from a fairness standpoint, even with the FP there are always rides that we decide to skip because A. either the fp's are falling during an ADR or they have ran out. Or B. we're just not willing to stand in the standby line because it's too long. So disabled people shouldn't expect to be able to do every single thing on every single trip. It just doesn't work that way. That's rational thinking right? So none of us can really stomp our foot and say, "but my kid really loves this ride and we didn't get to do it!" I mean, it happens....to able bodied folks and non able. I mean what do you do when you go and a ride is down and you can't ride? Whether or not your child can comprehend that or not is not Disney's problem. That is something that each individual family will have to figure out how to cope with. One thing I know is that this is Disney, they aren't going to have a big clusterflub of a system. We're talking some of the greatest thinkers out there are working on this. I seriously don't think it's going to be as bad as everyone is thinking. It seems like all of the people that are complaining don't realize that they are trying to fix the system so it works BETTER for you. They are trying to better accommodate not punish. Come on, when has Disney ever done something and it NOT be better than the next guy? Have faith! They know what they're doing.

.....I'm sure they have the ability / technology to eliminate the kiosks .....but in my opinion it seems the real reason to have them (kiosks) is for the "personal interaction" (ie: I want a CM to SEE who it is that is getting the DAS ) ...and to have the digital photo added to said document / card every time. From the media reports that 'may' have precipitated the rapid rise of this system (although I feel it was inevitably going to be integrated into the FP / FP+ sooner than later) ..the whole issue of GAC fraud, from the standpoint of, "Are YOU the actual holder of this GAC"? ...may be the biggest concern?

....and ...perhaps their parks 'operations' people have crunched some heavy duty numbers, and also see that the "down time" that someone encounters going to the kiosks ...waiting for the entry time to roll around ...and then return to said ride or attraction ...is needed to make the crowd management aspect of the system to function properly? There have been some reports that the stand-by wait times on the more popular attractions have risen to almost an added 30 minutes due to the combined impact of FP and GAC users. So ...if that's valid ...then perhaps they are trying to fix that too?

[mamaloya]

Thinking about it, I would rather the kiosk than the ride. Assuming I know in advance that I have to go to the kiosk, I can go straight to the kiosk and get the return ticket rather than go to the ride, get my ticket then go elsewhere and then back to the ride. If the kiosk is central, I can get my ticket, go do something, then the ride, then stop at the kiosk on the way to somewhere else and then to the ride I got the ticket for. It will take a little more planning but I hate having to backtrack and the kiosk will eliminate some of that. Also, if you don't know about the kiosk and go to the ride, it will only happen once and you will then know about the kiosk. Soooo, we are being at least a little more accommodated because everyone else has to go to the ride to get a fast pass while we have a central location.

That said, this helps with my sun allergy. When I am having bad days for standing but don't want an ECV, can I get a wheelchair at each ride to get through the line. I don't have anyone to push me through the parks and can normally handle walking but the standing gets to me. Lots of people say this and get a GAC. If there is a wheelchair, then no standing issue, can just wheel through the line and then walk through the park. That would help me greatly. No renting an ECV or wheelchair but have one for the lines. Also, even on a good day, can't handle stairs so need to avoid those.

Now, not sure how it will work when I am on my meds and my immune system is suppressed. Fastpass line is usually less crowded but I would have preferred to be given a ticket to wait for a set time in an empty area and then ushered in through a backdoor or something. They have that at SE but I time that towards the end of the day so there is no line anyway. I still don't like the way they handle it at HM. I can't be crammed in the stretch room with that many people due to suppressed immune system and my dd with her anxiety would flip. It seems you have to beg to avoid the stretch room.

So, will the DAS still show what your specific accommodation is? I didn't like my alternative entrance stamp because they sent me through FP and that isn't what I needed, mine wasn't a time thing but a crowd thing. Will the DAS say "avoid crowds" instead of alternate entrance? Or will the ticket say that? Even with the GAC, alternate entrance was too broad. The shady waiting was clear. Which leads me to, how will shady waiting be handled. Some FP lines are in the sun. I never did really experience proper accommodations for that. Will my ticket have a longer return time for rides that have full sun for FP and standby? Then I wait longer elsewhere and then am brought through a different entrance to avoid sun? I have gotten quite adept at walking on certain sides of the walk to be in the shade of buildings or cutting through shops, avoiding being out at noon when shade is harder to find. But still have gotten trapped in certain lines not knowing there was sun the entire way (particularly AK).

I guess what I am trying to say or ask is if the DAS will be more individualized. Since I will be talking to a CM that is trained for this about each ride ticket I get without feeling rushed (I hope), does this mean I won't be lumped into the generic "alternate entrance" group when I am immunosuppressed or have CM's mishandle my sun allergy? I am hoping that will be the case. CMs at rides are clueless. Hopefully, the kiosk CMs will have more knowledge about the variety of needs and can answer questions and tailor the tickets accordingly. THIS would be great. My dd and I have very different needs but had the same "alternate entrance" stamp and I had the shady wait stamp added. While for her less crowds and less time helped her anxiety, I didn't care about time at all just needed to wait away from people.

I am excited to see how this works out, and a little anxious. I am hoping that this is a good thing and they know what they are doing. This may turn out to be a good thing.

[mamaloya]

OK, just though about something else. People who whine about not being able to do things because this is inconvenient. I can't ride Dinosaur because it is too bumpy and messes with my neck and triggers a migraine. Should I make them change it so I can ride? I am not the only one who can't. Anyone with a neck injury just can't. No accommodations. I can't ride Everest due to my heart. I am sad that I have never and will never get to ride. That is life with a heart condition. Same with RnRC. I can do BTMR and SpM but not SM. I can do TT but only recently realized I can do green on MS. They cannot accommodate me. That is life. I focus on what I CAN do. I would love to get to do RnRC or EE just once as they opened after my condition. Did try SM once trip and it ended my day because it triggered palpitations and I won't try it again. When you have special needs, it is so nice when people go above and beyond, but there is only so much they can do. Do I want everyone to have to miss roller coasters so I am not left out? No. I have several "issues" that I have to deal with. No more long days at the beach or hanging out poolside. No more nice tanned skin for me. BUT, I am more than that. I learn to live with it and am grateful for what I CAN do. Nice moonlit strolls on the beach. Shady umbrella poolside. POR has the jacuzzi in the shade (yay!). Life changes. Yes, it stinks sometimes. But we deal.

So, if you have an autistic child, start the discussion NOW. Shape it in a positive light slowly. Tell him/her that Disney has made a special place just for them where they get a special ticket that gets them in. Maybe have stickers or something that they get each time they go to the kiosk. (Maybe Disney can have some things like this for autistic kids to make the kiosk a fun thing.) And then play up the ticket. If they see a ride they want to go on that has a long wait. Say, "Oh remember your magic kiosk has your magic ticket for you. Let's go see what they have for you." You know your kiddos and what will work. Autistic kiddos are smart and understanding if you word it right. My autistic kiddo in one of my classes has his magic apple (squishy apple) that is just for him. When he gets frustrated with the noise or other students, he is allowed to go in my cabinet (where no other students are allowed) and can get his apple. It helps. I also rub his back and agree with him about how noisy and aggravating the others can be. He gets it. Does he still lose it sometimes? Yes. He is getting better. ( I am the only inclusion class he has.) We talk. I listen. We discuss expectations and alternatives. He gives input and I offer ideas. Now, nonverbal is a little different but doable. If you have an autistic child, you know what they need to learn to cope with these changes. Don't wait until your trip. Start playing up the kiosk NOW. Talk to other parents for ideas. It will be hard but will get easier. Change is not a good thing for autistic kiddos but you can make it a little smoother. Don't let them hear you complain about it or mention your concerns to them. Keep it positive for them. Gripe here and build it up to them. Maybe Disney will see an issue and fix it. We don't know how it will be until it is fully rolled out. Until then just keep the faith.

[OneLittleSpark]

Originally Posted by mamaloya

Thinking about it, I would rather the kiosk than the ride. Assuming I know in advance that I have to go to the kiosk, I can go straight to the kiosk and get the return ticket rather than go to the ride, get my ticket then go elsewhere and then back to the ride. If the kiosk is central, I can get my ticket, go do something, then the ride, then stop at the kiosk on the way to somewhere else and then to the ride I got the ticket for. It will take a little more planning but I hate having to backtrack and the kiosk will eliminate some of that. Also, if you don't know about the kiosk and go to the ride, it will only happen once and you will then know about the kiosk. Soooo, we are being at least a little more accommodated because everyone else has to go to the ride to get a fast pass while we have a central location.

That said, this helps with my sun allergy. When I am having bad days for standing but don't want an ECV, can I get a wheelchair at each ride to get through the line. I don't have anyone to push me through the parks and can normally handle walking but the standing gets to me. Lots of people say this and get a GAC. If there is a wheelchair, then no standing issue, can just wheel through the line and then walk through the park. That would help me greatly. No renting an ECV or wheelchair but have one for the lines. Also, even on a good day, can't handle stairs so need to avoid those.

Now, not sure how it will work when I am on my meds and my immune system is suppressed. Fastpass line is usually less crowded but I would have preferred to be given a ticket to wait for a set time in an empty area and then ushered in through a backdoor or something. They have that at SE but I time that towards the end of the day so there is no line anyway. I still don't like the way they handle it at HM. I can't be crammed in the stretch room with that many people due to suppressed immune system and my dd with her anxiety would flip. It seems you have to beg to avoid the stretch room.

So, will the DAS still show what your specific accommodation is? I didn't like my alternative entrance stamp because they sent me through FP and that isn't what I needed, mine wasn't a time thing but a crowd thing. Will the DAS say "avoid crowds" instead of alternate entrance? Or will the ticket say that? Even with the GAC, alternate entrance was too broad. The shady waiting was clear. Which leads me to, how will shady waiting be handled. Some FP lines are in the sun. I never did really experience proper accommodations for that. Will my ticket have a longer return time for rides that have full sun for FP and standby? Then I wait longer elsewhere and then am brought through a different entrance to avoid sun? I have gotten quite adept at walking on certain sides of the walk to be in the shade of buildings or cutting through shops, avoiding being out at noon when shade is harder to find. But still have gotten trapped in certain lines not knowing there was sun the entire way (particularly AK).

I guess what I am trying to say or ask is if the DAS will be more individualized. Since I will be talking to a CM that is trained for this about each ride ticket I get without feeling rushed (I hope), does this mean I won't be lumped into the generic "alternate entrance" group when I am immunosuppressed or have CM's mishandle my sun allergy? I am hoping that will be the case. CMs at rides are clueless. Hopefully, the kiosk CMs will have more knowledge about the variety of needs and can answer questions and tailor the tickets accordingly. THIS would be great. My dd and I have very different needs but had the same "alternate entrance" stamp and I had the shady wait stamp added. While for her less crowds and less time helped her anxiety, I didn't care about time at all just needed to wait away from people.

I am excited to see how this works out, and a little anxious. I am hoping that this is a good thing and they know what they are doing. This may turn out to be a good thing.

Of course we never know how it will work once it is implemented. However, so far the articles that have been circulating have all said there will be no individuality with the DAS. Either you get one or you don't, period. I don't know yet, as they haven't said anything whether that will mean that any person with a DAS can use an alternate entrance no matter what their condition is or whether only the FP line will be available and no alternate entrances.