GAC to DAS About This Page:

[notjustamom]

I just read on article that discussed the change from the current GAC system to a new "return time" type system called DAS. Anyone hear of this yet? Supposedly it's beginning 10/9 in DL and rumored to be the same for WDW. Just wondering if there is any "confirmation" beyond rumors that any PP'er knows. Traveling down on 11/4 and the thought of a new system, especially one sounding so complicated, makes me anxious. Blech

[Disney4us2]

Last week I updated my GAC and was told some changes were coming soon. The CM didn't or wouldn't give me any other information.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Here's something I read, And to me it sounds like a real PITB having to go back to a kiosk for each ride, only after you have done the previous ride.. I put in red things I think will cause issues.. What do you think?

"Disney will replace the program with a new Disabled Assistance System [DAS], the website said. Under the new scheme, visitors with disabilities that preclude their use of the traditional queues for attractions will get Fastpass-like return times for those rides, but only for one ride at a time. A guest with a qualifying disability will need to present a DAS pass, which include his or her photo, to get admitted at that return time. If a DAS user doesn't ride, no one in his or her party will be admitted to the attraction. Since DAS users can reserve only one return time at a time and won't be able to transfer that benefit to anyone, there should be no wait-time advantage to having a DASpass over using the park's stand-by queues. Visitors can get the DAS card at Guest Relations, and reserve return times at designated kiosks around the parks. The new system will go into place at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World on October 9."

[notjustamom]

What do you think?

. Personally it sets my family up for meltdown central. My autistic DS is obsessed with riding certain rides, a small number of rides that we do over and over again. This system, in MY opinion, seems like it will take us 2x as long to get through his list of must-do's. Also, we travel with my parents and my mom uses an ECV because her Parkinsons makes it difficult to walk. Now she has to go on the regular queue while we are in the DAS queue? My DS will lose his marbles thinking that "ma & paga will be lost". Like I said, for me, it seems like a whole lot of back and forth and waiting which is something my DS is getting better at through practice but no where near typical. Oy vey

[yalibrarian]

We really don't know all the details, but it sounds like you could still use Fast Pass AND get a DAS time. Entry for many of us with disabled family members is often through the Fast Pass line anyway, and I don't see that changing (having a totally separate line). My son is an adult with autism, only semi-verbal, and we have managed with just FP - no GAC - for all the years we have been visiting. The first couple of years were filled with meltdowns (his and mine) but he has learned to wait in line and that we sometimes will have to come back to an attraction later. We've taken him 13 times now and each trip is a little better for him. I am reserving judgment on the new system till we see how it shakes out. Maybe we're worried for nothing, or maybe Disney will need to hear from us if its not working. We'll be there in December, so we'll see how it goes then.

[TuffyCO]

Originally Posted by notjustamom

. Personally it sets my family up for meltdown central. My autistic DS is obsessed with riding certain rides, a small number of rides that we do over and over again. This system, in MY opinion, seems like it will take us 2x as long to get through his list of must-do's. Also, we travel with my parents and my mom uses an ECV because her Parkinsons makes it difficult to walk. Now she has to go on the regular queue while we are in the DAS queue? My DS will lose his marbles thinking that "ma & paga will be lost". Like I said, for me, it seems like a whole lot of back and forth and waiting which is something my DS is getting better at through practice but no where near typical. Oy vey

These are my feelings exactly. The only way this may work for us is if we did not have a return window and could get a second "return time" after the first one has passed. This would allow us to plan other things to do and not have to rush back because we have to be there within a certain period of time. We could then go to these attractions as they fit back into the schedule. FP doesn't work well for us in general because of the hour window. I do think FP+ will add some advantages that will work nice for our family.

I also wish there was a way to add a parent/guardians name/picture along with the child's (in the case of a child with a pass) so that I or my DH could go to the kiosk while my son was engaged in something else.

I also am not going to get all worked up over it, but it doesn't sound like a solution to what our family needs, but we will have to wait and see.

[CinderAbby]

I too am in the wait and see camp on this. The article I read only mentioned DL, not WDW and it mentioned something about having to get new passes every day unless you can prove you're staying at a hotel (I don't remember it actually saying a Disney hotel). Staying at Disney, that's easy but I too see problems with this - some Deb has already pointed out. Others - like only one stamp instead of several - I think will cause problems too. Just a warning though, don't go to the other thread on here about this - it's gotten rather unfriendly.

[Erin1213]

Theme parks in my area six flags, Bush Gardens, and King Dominion currently use this type of system for their most popular rides. However, they do not require the person with the the disability to request the return time, only that they need to be present when it comes to getting on the ride.

[notjustamom]

Just read a post on our local Autism Society boards. One of the moms called Disney to inquire about the new program. A CM told her they don't know what and when will be rolled out for WDW yet. They're waiting to see how it works first at DL. Also, the CM told her that they are "planning" to have a separate GAC for autism since the needs vary so much from most other disabilities. Take it all with a grain of salt but that's what she was told. Darlene, as per the other thread - I have bitten a hole through my tongue keeping quiet.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

I too am in the wait and see camp on this. The article I read only mentioned DL, not WDW and it mentioned something about having to get new passes every day unless you can prove you're staying at a hotel (I don't remember it actually saying a Disney hotel). Staying at Disney, that's easy but I too see problems with this - some Deb has already pointed out. Others - like only one stamp instead of several - I think will cause problems too. Just a warning though, don't go to the other thread on here about this - it's gotten rather unfriendly.

Sorry to say I have seen the other thread (one of the pitfalls of being a guide)
I am glad we can talk about it here in a friendly manner.. We will not know how it really works until it happens, then we will have the real facts. I am sure Disney will adjust any bugs in the system as needed too..

[oldmom]

Disney knows the system they had wasn't working very well and a change had to be made. Hopefully this will work better and they will twek it as needed.

[CinderAbby]

Sorry to say I have seen the other thread (one of the pitfalls of being a guide)

I don't evny your job Deb, it's got to be tough at times (like with that other thread).

I am glad we can talk about it here in a friendly manner.. We will not know how it really works until it happens, then we will have the real facts. I am sure Disney will adjust any bugs in the system as needed too..

I too am glad for a thread where it remains friendly - and yes, that's the thing no one knows exactly how it will work until it's officially released. We can speculate all we want and anticipate the worst but Disney is Disney. When they see something doesn't work, they do change it. It just takes time and that leaves us speculating again (what a vicious cycle they have us in )

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I also think after we have tried the new system we should give feedback about it & what works & doesn't to Disney

[MsPeggySue911]

This type of return time thing is what Universal and Island of Adventure already does and has always done.

Although most ppl who used the previous version of the GAC says it doesn't work as a front of the line pass or fast pass... it actually did. I know exactly how it worked and you were automatically sent through the fastpass line every time. Now maybe some ppl with certain stamps didn't get sent through the fast pass but I do know if you had alternate entry stamped it was basically an unlimited fast pass. And at some point enough ppl bragged about it or talked to the wrong people about it and when ppl who didn't even really need a GAC started faking it to get one it spread like a wild fire.

They really did need to do something to stop the abuse because it was getting where the fast pass line was sometimes longer than the stand by line because of the sheer number of ppl with GAC's. I have seen the abuse first hand and have known of ppl who lied and pretended thier kid was autistic so they could get a GAC. One family I knew of was a family of 7 and since the GAC only let 5 family members through they told guest services that 2 of their 5 kids were autistic so they could get 2 GAC's and get them both so all the family could go through the fast pass line.

I have even heard of ppl (2 different times) tell someone in line they got their fast pass disability card because they were diabetic. *SMH*

I was in line at guest services several times when I heard ppl trying to get GAC's for things like high blood pressure and diabetes. I am not sure how a GAC would even help ppl like that and not sure if they were actually given one or not.

But from what the DL thread said is about to be rolled out and it is rumored to be the same type of system rolled out at WDW it seems more fair. It is going to stop most of the abuse. If ppl have to actually wait to ride things, like everyone else, there is no benefit to lie to get a GAC.

It will dramatically change things for ppl who used it as an unlimited fast pass. I even forsee that some families might not be able to really do WDW if they can't use the GAC as a fast pass. If the kids don't understand waiting. But from what the other thread explained you will still be sent through the fast pass line once your return time comes you will just have to go do other things while you wait. I am not sure if you will be able to pull regular fast passes while you are waiting on your DAS pass return time.

I read the other thread but I am not sure it even addressed that part of it.

It is rumored also that Disney is going to be beefing up security in the early days when it is rolled out at guest services to handle any ppl that cause a scene or get verbally abusive when they are told they can no longer have the old fashioned GAC.

I will be there in November so hopefully all of the initial drama will have died down by then if they plan on rolling it out in October.

[mamaloya]

I am not sure how I feel about this. Glad I don't have a trip planned for a while so all the kinks are worked out.

I think they should keep the GAC as is but require proof, like a doctor's note on prescription pad, to get it. I know that angers some, but I doubt those that really need it would be that angry knowing it is keeping GAC from being abused. I know some have said that it is illegal to ask for proof but my kiddos' school requires proof to get special accommodations. My daughter is gluten free and the doc had to fill out a form before they would do a special menu for her. You also need a doctor's note to be allowed unlimited access to the bathroom. My daughter had a doctor's note so she would be allowed to get a snack whenever she needed it due to her issues. ANYWHERE that I want special accommodations, I need a doctor's form or letter. At the college I attend, if you want special services for hearing impairment, you need a doctor's form not just your word. Why is it that people claim that it is illegal for Disney to ask for proof? It is not like it is access to a ramp or elevator that is being blocked. It is special accommodations that are above and beyond.

Autistic children at school are required to have proof to get accommodations. I have one in my class that is prone to meltdowns if we are doing a noisy activity. He will growl or perch on his chair. I would not allow another student to do that and would not just take a parent's word for it. I have files on all special needs students and what accommodations they require. Without that evaluation and "proof", no accommodations are given.

I for one don't think any parent or person with real needs would have an issue bringing a letter. I personally wouldn't mind if it means the abuse is stopped or decreased.

Please don't take offense to my post. No offense was intended, just worried about what all this means and not happy that the fakers have ruined it for those of us with real needs.