You may recall my son was denied a (then called, and having just been changed from SAP) SAC in January. He is deaf and has sensory integration dysfunction. We may go again tomorrow so I came here to see if there was any news. I see it's now called a GAC. Is there a list of their "rules" regarding the GAC? According to Disney, who is eligible and who isn't? I'd like to be informed if we go tomorrow and I face the same kind of situation I did in January.

Ok, I dont' know what the policy is because I haven't seen it. I do know that the "A" word won't get you anything automatically, and there is no way to just name your son's diagnosis and get anything.

Your son's diagnosis is invisible, so IF they decide he qualifies for any assistance, you would, in theory, get a card. If a person has a "visible" challenge (cane, leg braces, arm crutches, etc,) no card and he/she would have to stop and explain his/her needs at each attraction to get a return time card.

The Guest Relations person will ask you questions about why your son can't wait in the stand-by line, so you'll have to be prepared to give an answer. And I can offer you no assurance that you will get anything for your effort.

I would ask that you share your experience when you get back, of course. If you don't feel comfortable doing so on the boards, I understand. We're still trying to figure out how the new policy works. From everything I've heard, the CMs are still trying to figure it out, too.

I'm sorry I don't have anything more helpful to tell you!

Adrienne

Yeah "good Luck" Is the word this week. I went in with my Autistic son and they asked how Autistic is he on saturday. I asked is there an Autistic scale at Disneyland now?

Just like those of us who are lucky enough to have a scooter for mobility automatically have "endurance" issues and are not allowed access to the rides through the exit (PP, for example) unless you scream at the top of your lungs what the disability is and why you cannot walk through the regular que! Talk about invasion of privacy! I finally got access, but she shure rolled her eyes!

They asked how autistic? What an outrage! Are they trying to make it as uncomfortable as possible in a room full of people who all think you're trying to cheat the system when you really aren't? What happened?

Are they trying to make it as uncomfortable as possible in a room full of people who all think you're trying to cheat the system when you really aren't? What happened?

Apparantly so :(

Unless someone has hijacked Tours account, I am surprised how they are treating you now Tours. You used to have the magic words that got you a Pass without too much difficulty.

How Autistic? Gah.

Well you have to thank that long thread for that answer, I know a bunch of people probably now say my child is autistic, then when they ask 'How' they see how you answer. If you start stammering about not standing in line then you don't get the pass.

I was sick yesterday so we didn't go. My wife took the kids today though. They are not home yet, but I called her on her cell and asked what happened. I do not have the full story so I don't know exactly what happened. She did say that she told them what he's like in line (likely to go nuts, push, kick, spit, etc) and they were issued a pass. I have no other info at this time.

Unless someone has hijacked Tours account, I am surprised how they are treating you now Tours. You used to have the magic words that got you a Pass without too much difficulty.

There is no magic words to get a pass anymore. Yes, my son received a pass that day because when they were talking to me he did a very "autistic behavior." Right now city hall is located at the exit of "The Walt Disney Story" and the exit music came on and he covered his ears ran over to me and screamed. Also my daughter gave them a piece of her mind. LOL (she is 9)
No one has Hijacked my account the policy has simply changed even more since the last time I talked. I really thought the system was going to work. I thought they were going to customize each pass to each guest with different stamps. But the end result is that the people that need the passes the most, those with Nonapparent disabilities are being denied any type of assistance. It is hard on the Guest and it is hard on the cast members working the attractions. Just today I was yelled at with very colorful language because of the new system that I had no control of. And I am one of the most understanding cast members when it comes to special needs guest because I know what it is like!!!! I still got yelled at! I use to get at least 10 special assistance passes an hour at my attraction (min) I maybe see that many a day now.

Well, I'm glad to see that you finally admit that a system like the one they put into effect has its imperfections.

Nobody wanted to admit or accept the fact that disabilities vary widely amongst the disability itself and that accomodation for disabilities is a very gray thing to begin with.

The new system did not remove abuse as it was touted to do, it only made it more difficult to abuse and for some a little bit more costly. But the extra 30 bucks to rent a ECV only amounts to 5 bucks for a party of six, not a HUGE investment in order to avoid the lines. When I first became disabled, and got the pass, I had friends want to go to DL with me so they wouldn't have to stand in line. I was absued. In other words, if you knew you had to have a wheelchair in order to get the pass, you had to rent one and plop your lazy butt in it and find someone who didn't mind hauling your butt around.

Or, you simply had to rent an ECV (which is supposed to qualify for a GAC exit assistance) or you simply had to declare autism, or MS or any of another myriad of disease catagories that "qualified" you for a GAC.

But the fact remains, as I have been saying over and over again, even being vilified for my stand, that a system that still allows abuse, yet prevents those who need the assistance from getting it, is flawed and not real progress. In fact, come summer, I predict that there will be no wheelchairs or ECVs at any time other than immediate park opening since that will be the only way to avoid the lines. And those who come in later, who really do need assistance will be denied because they are not in a wheelchair or an ECV. We will be right back where we started from. The line full of abusers in the know, guests who are upset at the FOTL priviledges we somehow enjoy and management who lumps those who really need the pass in with those who abuse the system.

Now that's progress!

Those of us on the board who are handicapped have made many suggestions including a SAP/GAC centrally located unlimited FP system that is guest controlled in that they enter the rides they want to go on, the number of people in their party, the length of their stay and then calculates that information with ride capacity and current wait times and then issues a batch of SAP/GAC FP tickets and a schedule. They will still have to use the exit for the most part, but they will have a specific ride time based on standby line factors and the number of fast passes issued for able bodied guests.

Sure, there are still going to be guests who will abuse the system, but the illusion of FOTL priviledge will be gone and they will still have to wait, just like regular FPs.

Well, everybody thinks I'm a complaining, whining shrew for my stand, no wonder nobody listens to good ideas.

Listen, Tours, I'm sorry this had to happen to you, its not a pleasant experience being turned down for something you really need, but as Forbin (I think) and others repeatedly have told me, the management must surely have spent hours with their lawyers and hours with disabled advocates to come up with the perfect plan. Interesting!

Yesterday, Saturday, I had my first experience with the new program. At least at Disneyland I can say it did make my trip much more enjoyable.

Due to a condition I have, I cannot stand in line. I was given a card at DCA with a stamp, and the stamp allowed me to sit to the side outside of the line. I saw Alladin and then left for Disneyland. Because I was able to sit down (and having a good day) I was able to go half the day without my wheelchair.

When I did use my wheelchair I never needed to pull out my card. When I was not in the chair, the CMs saw the card (which is very distinctive), often reconizing it from just the corner of the card, and let me through. Never was I questioned about my chair or my card. The CMs were helpful as well. I was simply given a place to wait and it was never long.

There were a lot less people using the new system, but I did see a number of different disabilities represented -- from "hidden" disabilities like mine to wheelchairs. I did see one 'cheater' (wheelchair user later pushing someone else)...it seems like yesterday the lines were full of people like this. I did see a total of one person on crutches without a GAC, and a man with a cane with a GAC.

The only problem I see in the future is that on all Disneyland attractions I was treated as if I had a 'front of the line' pass. I was nearly immediately boarded, even with the wheelchair when I did not show my card. I hope this won't lead to abuse.

DCA was a different story. I don't go to often as I find the park layout is not conductive to a wheelchair, but I wanted to see Aladdin I picked up my GAC there. They seemed really nice, and I was not excessively questioned. I told them my disorder, and was asked "what type of assistance", told them I needed to avoid being in lines, and was given the pass to sit down for length of line stamp, but did not use it. The Guest Service fellow even told me its his job to make my trip as pleasant as possible. Regardless of his attitude, I felt there was a 'ruleset' behind what got a GAC...not leaving room for CMs to 'make the call'.

I was impressed as in front of me was a woman with a child who wanted a GAC for herself-she had been denied and was raising hell. From what I could gather she was used to 'abusing' the old system. But for the CM to go from that guest to a very understanding attitude towards me was a pleasant surprise.

If my future experiences are anything like Saturday I'll congrat Matt Ouimet big time with a personal letter for fixing a very broken program.

Since I haven't been to the parks since my car accident in Nov. I was wondering how the new system works for someone in a wheelchair? I have heard two different stories. One that if you are in a wheelchair, you don't need one of these GAC's. But then from someone else, I heard I did. Or are they still trying to figure out what works best?
Is there a new handicapped guide book out yet? To let us know where we need to go. Or are most of the lines in the same place as they were with the other system? I am hoping to renew my pass within the next few months. Maybe pushing myself around the park will help get the strength back in my wrist and I have missed everyone and the parks so much. Thanks for any info you can help me with.

I was not given a GAC for my wheelchair. I was given one for my other condition, if that helps.

Edited to add: there is a new booklet and I like it a lot better because, among other things, it now covers both parks in the booklet.

You can read it here in pdf, (http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr/content/eng/guestServices/disabilitiesListing/GuestsWithDisabilitiesSept03.pdf), or pick it up at Guest Services/City Hall.

Sorry, but this is not a new booklet. Check the date on the back 6/03. It's a very helpful resource but it doesn't address anything specific about the new GAC policy.

No, the book does not cover the GAC, but the old book did not address the SAP either. They both address the endurance issue, recommending that the guest rent a wheelchair or EVC.

Although the new book is dated last year, it was not given out online or in the parks until the new program.

So, if you have an endurance issue, they suggest that you rent an ECV or a Wheelchair which automatically gets you exit entrance priviledges, whether you need it or not, yet they make you jump through hoop after hoop to get a GAC???? :confused:

I don't see much difference except that now to abuse the system you have to rent a wheelchair and if your condition precludes use of a wheelchair or is difficult for you to navigate with a wheelchair, you can be denied a GAC... :confused:

Okay, dokay- but glad to hear that it went well for you. By the way, did you have any trouble with PP, a ride that I seem to get stuck with poor attitude :eek:

No problem with PP at all. Loaded within 15 minutes when the regular line had a 60 minute line. CMs were really nice.

As for the endurance policy I checked the old disability booklet and the words are exactly the same as they were in the new booklet. Rent a chair or EVC.

Also, they have a GAC stamp for people who need to sit down while waiting. Since I can't stand in line, that was the stamp I received.

No problem with PP at all. Loaded within 15 minutes when the regular line had a 60 minute line. CMs were really nice.

As for the endurance policy I checked the old disability booklet and the words are exactly the same as they were in the new booklet. Rent a chair or EVC.

Also, they have a GAC stamp for people who need to sit down while waiting. Since I can't stand in line, that was the stamp I received.

But I am guessing that this if for a "covered condition" correct? If you have a wheelchair then you get this stamp, correct?

Although the new book is dated last year, it was not given out online or in the parks until the new program.
I have one in my possession that I received at the park in July 2003.

But I am guessing that this if for a "covered condition" correct? If you have a wheelchair then you get this stamp, correct?

If by "covered conditions" you mean a condition that automatically gets a GAC- there are no covered conditions anymore. For example, under a previous version, there was a list of 5 to 10 conditions that automatically got a GAC, including Autism. That list is not part of the current policy. There is no list anymore.

Adrienne

I personally am disabled and I have my medicare card and my handicapped placard to prove it. There are three primary problems I suffer from, nerve damage to my feet and legs, herniated disks in my back and panic attacks in which I take prozac for. I can't sit or stand for prolonged periods of time I need to be able to freely move around and I walk with a cane to stabileze myself when my legs get wobbly and weak. I don't know if I appear disabled because I'm 37yrs old and overweight. What do you think should I even try for the Gac?

Ed. :)

From what I understand without a wheelchair, they won't give you anything anymore.

I walk with a cane to stabileze myself when my legs get wobbly and weak. I don't know if I appear disabled because I'm 37yrs old and overweight. What do you think should I even try for the Gac?

They might not give you a GAC because you have a cane. The theory would be that with a cane, you don't need a GAC, you need to show your cane at the attractions and the specfic attraction would tell you what to do: stand in the standby line, get a fast pass, wait on a bench and come back later, etc.

You could always stop and ask for clarification at City Hall and pick up a copy of the guide for guests with disabilities.

And actually I don't think having a wheelchair would get a person a GAC anymore because you'd be instructed to follow instructions for the individual attractions for wheelchair accessibility. That was an earlier version of the GAC.

Adrienne

Sorry about the book, last December I still was given the purple one. They probably ran out of the new ones due to the Christmas crowd. Thanks for correcting me!

I did not receive a GAC with a wheelchair. The chair was my GAC.

Another condition unrelated to being in a wheelchair causes me to be unable to wait in lines. The condition is 'hidden'. For that, not the chair, I was given the card with the stamp on it. This condition does not require a chair, crutches, or cane, but I did see all three in the GAC line on attractions.

This decision was made at guest relations, not at the attraction. The day I went, I was even told by Guest Relations cast member that the card tells the CM you can sit down, at the first attraction CM, ask them where that bench is. Guest Relations made it clear it the card is the final say.

The stamp allows me to sit the length of time of the attraction queue and then board...or so that is how it is supposed to work. I am supposed to wait the entire time of the line.

One point I'd like to make again, from what I could see the people who needed the GAC had access to it, and the people who did not need it were denied it. This goes from crutches to 'hidden' disabilities to an elderly man with a cane who did not want one until he saw the Saturday lines:)

It appears to me that since they have gone to the stamp system Guest Relations seem more comfortable giving the cards out, and again--I see more hidden disabilities in line..thank goodness!

I'm sure there are many people who have been denied that deserve it under this new system with the cards. I'm pretty sure I will be at least once as they get the kinks out. But so far, it seems to be working much better than the old 'SAP line is longer than real line' or 'SAC is being denied to all but the nearly dead' programs.

This decision was made at guest relations, not at the attraction. The day I went, I was even told by Guest Relations cast member that the card tells the CM you can sit down, at the first attraction CM, ask them where that bench is. Guest Relations made it clear it the card is the final say.

What stamp is this? I am an attractions cast member and there is no stamp that tells us that a guest needs to sit the length of the line. The reason I am asking is because I want to know for the future. These are the stamps we have been trained on.

#1 Is a front row stamp and that is for a visually impaired guest so they can sit in the front row of any attraction.

#2 Is a stroller as a wheelchair stamp which allows a guest to use a stroller as a wheelchair.

#3 Is a stairs stamp which allows a guest to avoid the part of the line that has stairs.

#4 Is a Wheelchair stamp Which is for those guest that have endurance issuse but for some medical reason can not sit in a wheelchair. (you would go through fastpass)

#5 Is a arrow stamp which stands for alternate entrance. This is the pass given to children with Autism.

#6 is a stop light stamp. This pass is only given to make a wish children.