If anyone has any questions about GAC cards

[ToursbabeC3po]

feel free to private me I know the system really well and would love to help out anyone who has questions. I will not post detailed messages about GAC's on the board because I don't want people that don't need a pass to end up with one so you will have to tell me why you think you need a pass and I will let you know what kind you will most likely recieve when you get to the park. I can also explain what each stamp means. I also have some great tips for autistic children and children with sensory issues.
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Tours
Please give me at least 48 hours to reply.

[adriennek]

How are you going to know that their stories are valid? This makes me very uncomfortable. How are you going to decide who's "worthy" of the information? This sounds like an extension of City Hall- they decide who's worthy of GACs...

Adrienne

[AVP]

so you will have to tell me why you think you need a pass and I will let you know what kind you will most likely recieve when you get to the park.Isn't that what City Hall is for? Ideally, people should contact City Hall before their trip to determine what type of assistance is available to them.

AVP

[Malcon10t]

Isn't that what City Hall is for? Ideally, people should contact City Hall before their trip to determine what type of assistance is available to them.

AVPI contacted City Hall to find out what we could do to help my dad on this trip. Unfortunately, instead of being able to plan for his situation, I was told they could not discuss it with me, and I could get the info I wanted upon our arrival at City Hall in July. I did PM Tours because I could not get the info I wanted from Disneyland themselves. Now I know what options are available to us. Thank you for the info!

[AVP]

I did PM Tours because I could not get the info I wanted from Disneyland themselves. Now I know what options are available to us. Thank you for the info!I hope that City Hall will honor the information she gave you.

[ToursbabeC3po]

I hope that City Hall will honor the information she gave you.
Your right I don't know who will get one for sure and who won't but I know ALOT about the system and I would be more then happy to help anyone out. I think it would be unappropriate to post "what to say" or ask people to post there disabilities out here in a public forum. I don't think it is anyone's business what others disabilities are. I just want to help people enjoy there stay as much as they can while they are there. IF you feel I should not do this because you are a moderator then I will not do it I respect that. But I have to say I have received a lot of PM's asking for my help and I have offered my advise and I hope it helped :)
Just so others know you are never guaranteed a pass when you go to the park no matter what I say but I would like to help you out if you or a loved one has specials needs. I worked at the park for 10 years and I know a manger in city hall that used to be my manger so I pretty much know what conditions get the passes. Sometimes it is about what you say as well.


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Tours

[adriennek]

I worked at the park for 10 years and I know a manger in city hall that used to be my manger so I pretty much know what conditions get the passes. Sometimes it is about what you say as well.

I just don't understand. If you can't post the information here in public, and frankly, I don't think you should because it would encourage cheating, how can you be sure that just because someone contacts you in private that they're honest and that their intentions are good?

I'm sure I could write up a very convincing story about a child with special needs whose disability is invisible but real and that I desparately need help to get a GAC during my once in a lifetime trip to Disneyland and your generous heart would be moved to help me.

But that doesn't mean that I'm honest.

And it doesn't mean that I won't share it with other people looking for a front of the line pass.

I'm not speaking as a moderator, I'm speaking as Adrienne K. I think there is a lot of helpful information on this website and others for people with special needs. I get e-mails regularly from people who have read my articles about taking children with special needs to Disneyland and Walt Disney World and I'm happy to answer their questions but at the same time, if I have privileged information, if I'm not willing to post it to the public boards, I'm not going to risk giving it to people I don't know.

It does concern me that people who feel a sense of entitlement would use this information to get GACs. The whole problem with GACs is that everyone knew they were out there and the system was abused. I do think that an offer like this will encourage abuse of the new system.

Asbestos-Flame-Retardant-Suit-ON.

Adrienne Krock, MousePad Member

[MammaSilva]

Thank you AdrienneK for saying what I was thinking as I read this thread. I've yet to see a situation where a family with special needs posted a request for help here on the pad and it wasn't answered.....taking this to PM level just invites stories that can't be questioned to open the door to more abuse of the system.

[Malcon10t]

Thank you AdrienneK for saying what I was thinking as I read this thread. I've yet to see a situation where a family with special needs posted a request for help here on the pad and it wasn't answered.....taking this to PM level just invites stories that can't be questioned to open the door to more abuse of the system.

Quite honestly, too often people get flamed for asking. It was nice to ask and get an answer privately. My s-dad suffers from Guillian Barre (and has had 2 strokes in the last 2 years.) I have heard of GACs, never had to use one, we have a service dog. I was asking what the 5 levels are on the GAC. My step dad would not be attending Disneyland with us normally as it is very difficult for him. However, my baby brother (his only son, the Jr.) is taking my nephew (the 3rd) and the other grandparents are going and he really wants to go too. This is going to be a rough trip for him, not one I normal encourage, but as its the baby's first trip, he is adament he is going. He has no clue how packed the park will be, and he will not be able to endure the constant lines. He will end up in considerable pain. He is only coming for 3 days, and one night we will do Fantasmic. I just want him to have a decent time. We are going to try and convince him to ussse an ECV. I feel guilty because I asked my brother to join us, and it escalated to all the grandparents coming in one of the busiest weeks ever.

[AVP]

Quite honestly, too often people get flamed for asking. .Malcon10t, please let me assure you that nothing I have said is intended to be a flame. I have three issues with what's going on here, and neither of them are about you or your requests.

1) I do not like Disney's new system of not really clearly explaining what your options are ahead of time, with some CMs even pretending that there isn't a policy. I know some people have reported that they were not allowed to discuss their situation in advance of their trip. Others have been able to do so before they arrived. It seems to be hit and miss, and Disney needs to take responsibility for that and work with guests before they arrive. I can absolutely see how frustrating it would be to plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip without knowing what kind of options are available to you when you arrive.

Disney's Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities is available in advance of a trip just by asking Disney for a copy, and that book contains lots of information about wheelchair access and service animal policies. It's a start, but it's not comprehensive, and it bugs me. My husband has MS, and we deal with access issues at Disneyland all the time. Even the written policies are not applied consistantly. I completely understand your frustration.

2) This Non Policy Policy is a real problem. There is a policy. I've seen it. There is also a reason that Disney does not publish the policy (and why I have not printed it on MousePlanet), and that's because Disney has had WAY too much experience with people learning the "buzz words" to gain a certain type of access. I remember when it became widely known that children with autism would generally receive the old Special Assistance Pass, and suddenly every other kid in City Hall had autism. I remember when Multiple Sclerosis was also once of the "automatic SAP" conditions, and friends who worked in City Hall at the time told me about the people who would come in to claim that invisible condition.

Many people think that this is no reason for Disney not to publish the policy, and in some ways I agree, and in other ways I recognize that publishing the policy would result in exactly the same abuses that the new policy was designed to cut back on. (I'd say prevent, but nothing will prevent people from cheating the system) If Disney were to say that having a blue left middle toe was a qualifying condition for the new GAC, several hundred people would suddenly come down with that disease.

Unfortunately this all means that yes, there are specific conditions in which certain levels of Guest Assistance Card will be issued, but no, Disney won't publish them. You tell Disney what assistance you need, and IF your condition isn't covered by the general "rent a wheelchair" policy they use, but requires some other access, then they will give you one of the GACs with one of the 5 (I've heard there are now 6) Magic Super Secret stamps.

Cast members, especially those in attractions, have all been trained in the new policy by now, and thus know what each of the stamps are and WHY the guests might have them. Which means that cast members - or former cast members who received the training - can certainly tell you which "buzz words" you need to say to get a specific type of pass.

3) Here's my biggest concern with this thread. Someone - a former cast member - who knows the policy is offering to tell people what buzz words to use to get a GAC, based on their personal interpretation of your condition and what access you "should" get. That assumes that Disney won't give you the access you need, and so this is a way to get "better" access.

It's entirely possible that I - as a person married to someone with a disability, not as a moderator - am overly sensitive to this. (And trust me, Tours, if this became a moderator issue, you'd know) But I am uneasy about this and I'm sharing my concerns.

AVP

[Malcon10t]

1) I do not like Disney's new system of not really clearly explaining what your options are ahead of time, with some CMs even pretending that there isn't a policy. I know some people have reported that they were not allowed to discuss their situation in advance of their trip. Others have been able to do so before they arrived. It seems to be hit and miss, and Disney needs to take responsibility for that and work with guests before they arrive. I can absolutely see how frustrating it would be to plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip without knowing what kind of options are available to you when you arrive.
Just to clarify, we are APs (the nice kind) and we are arriving almost a week before the rest of the group (myself and my kids.) We travel with a service dog, who has been to Disneyland numerous times. We have never asked for or needed a GAC. We know where the CMs want us on most rides, and it isn't an issue. What is frustrating me is I have been attempting to get info from DLR themselves to find out what I should bring if they want documentation, and all I hear is "Stop at City Hall when you arrive." When my teenage daughter needed a wheelchair last trip (spiral fractures of bones in her foot), I brought documentation from her ortho because I didn't want her to be accused of renting a chair to crash the lines. I just want to be prepared. This trip is becoming less fun by the minute (well the first part will be easy!) I'm not looking for buzz words. I'm just trying to make this trip more enjoyable than his very unenjoyable trip to Hawaii last month.

[Malcon10t]

Disney's Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities is available in advance of a trip just by asking Disney for a copy, and that book contains lots of information about wheelchair access and service animal policies. It's a start, but it's not comprehensive, and it bugs me. My husband has MS, and we deal with access issues at Disneyland all the time. Even the written policies are not applied consistantly. I completely understand your frustration.
One more gripe and I will stop. I have the Guide. I prefered when they let us download it. Problem is, even the guides I pick up the day we arrive are always out of date (with regards to service animals.) They change policy every 2-3 months and the last guide I received (a month ago) is dated June 2004.

[AVP]

I'm just trying to make this trip more enjoyable than his very unenjoyable trip to Hawaii last month.Please, believe me when I tell you that my concerns about this thread have nothing to do with you, your request, your trip, your access needs or anything else related to you. If you had never posted to this thread I'd still feel the way I do. I COMPLETELY understand why you are frustrated, and in your shoes I would do whatever I needed to to try to address the situation in advance.

I am ticked off that Disney won't discuss this with you in advance. That has not been my experience, but it has been reported by other people - if it isn't "policy" not to talk to guests before they arrive, it sure seems to be practice in some cases.

I am ticked off that there is such a mystery surrounding this new policy, and that there *are* buzz words and levels of access depending on what you say and who you say it to. The policy should be based on real need, not "what you say" and how you work the system. (And I'm using "you" in the general sense, not YOU)

Most of all, I'm ticked off that someone is offering to give those buzz words or tell people "what to say" based on their PERSONAL determination of merit. Because I've personally seen from that people who appear to "know" the system sometimes don't get what they ask for, because the CMs feel the person has been coached.

But I'm not even remotely upset with you at all. AT ALL. I wish you the best possible trip, and I hope that you get what you need from Disney to make it a fantastic experience.

AVP

[adriennek]

I am ticked off that there is such a mystery surrounding this new policy, and that there *are* buzz words and levels of access depending on what you say and who you say it to. The policy should be based on real need, not "what you say" and how you work the system. (And I'm using "you" in the general sense, not YOU)

Most of all, I'm ticked off that someone is offering to give those buzz words or tell people "what to say" based on their PERSONAL determination of merit. Because I've personally seen from that people who appear to "know" the system sometimes don't get what they ask for, because the CMs feel the person has been coached.

But I'm not even remotely upset with you at all. AT ALL. I wish you the best possible trip, and I hope that you get what you need from Disney to make it a fantastic experience.


What AVP said.

The system is broken. How did it get broken? OTHER people abused the system. Not you, Malcon10t!

And what is going to happen when people get the new buzz words? It's going to once again make it harder on people who legitimately need the system to work.

So when I see offers like this, it scares me greatly that someone is on the internet offering opportunities to people to work the system based on nothing more than a message via e-mail. It's a scam waiting to happen.

Like I said, I could write a very convincing message. It doesn't mean I'm being honest. I'm NOT NOT NOT suggesting that you are doing that Malcon10t. But I can guarantee you that it WILL happen and it WILL make life harder for the people who need it.

The system is broken and this offer is not going to repair the system but is going to cause more harm.

Adrienne

[Malcon10t]

Most of all, I'm ticked off that someone is offering to give those buzz words or tell people "what to say" based on their PERSONAL determination of merit. Because I've personally seen from that people who appear to "know" the system sometimes don't get what they ask for, because the CMs feel the person has been coached.
One more clarification, Tours has not offered or given me any "buzz words". Basically, she just explained the GAC to me. I think I am the cause of al this because I PMed her before she posted and asked her if she could explain the GAC, and she probably thought there were more like me.

One question I posed to her (unanswered so far) and I will pose to you, if you should know, since Disneyland keeps saying "Come to City Hall...", if we get a GAC for my dad, will it be good for all 3 days he is there, or will we have to go to CH each day and repeat everything?

[adriennek]

One question I posed to her (unanswered so far) and I will pose to you, if you should know, since Disneyland keeps saying "Come to City Hall...", if we get a GAC for my dad, will it be good for all 3 days he is there, or will we have to go to CH each day and repeat everything?

It should be good for your entire trip. Let them know when you get it the first day how long you'll be at the resort and they'll date it.

Adrienne

[teri]

I am ticked off that there is such a mystery surrounding this new policy, and that there *are* buzz words and levels of access depending on what you say and who you say it to. The policy should be based on real need, not "what you say" and how you work the system.
It has always been that way, at least all the way back to our first respite trip to WDW in 1996. It is wacky that they continue to operate this way, but when you see people lying to get a pass, you understand their frustration. The backlash really stinks.

[ToursbabeC3po]

Wow! I did not know this was going to be such a problem! First of all, I refuse to give ANYONE ANY BUZZ WORDS, all I have ever done or all I am ever going to do if anyone PM's me is explain things too them. I agree, The new polocy sucks! I understand what your husband goes through I have MS as well as many other health issues but I refuse to make people post there conditions on this forum if they don't want to and I am always going to help someone if they ask for my help. I think I have explained in the past that I have recieved a pass before but it depends "who I get that day." If I get a pass and I don't think that is right at all. They told me last weekend to keep my old pass for my next visit and bring it in to city hall so I never have a problem again which was very helpful information.
The main things that people have PMed me about are attractions assesablity and what each stamp means. I only know about 5 so if there is a 6th I am behind :-) I know the abuse of the system first hand I worked atttractions for 10 years and that is why I refuse to post any information about the passes in an open forum. Malcon thankyou for sticking up for me but it is okay. I just really hope you and your father enjoy your visit:-)

[AVP]

First of all, I refuse to give ANYONE ANY BUZZ WORDSPerhaps I misunderstood what you meant when you said


Sometimes it is about what you say as well. If all you're trying to do is explain the Magical Mystical Stamps, then that information is already posted on MousePad. In fact, you posted quite a bit of it yourself (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showpost.php?p=370717&postcount=25) (including the 6th stamp).


#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.However, I will add that the arrow stamp is NOT given to children with autism simply because they have that condition. There needs to be another reason why the child can not wait in a regular queue before they will be issued that pass.

AVP

[ToursbabeC3po]

Perhaps I misunderstood what you meant when you said

If all you're trying to do is explain the Magical Mystical Stamps, then that information is already posted on MousePad. In fact, you posted quite a bit of it yourself (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showpost.php?p=370717&postcount=25) (including the 6th stamp).
However, I will add that the arrow stamp is NOT given to children with autism simply because they have that condition. There needs to be another reason why the child can not wait in a regular queue before they will be issued that pass.

AVP

I forgot about the stroller wheelschair stamp :eek:
And you are right about the Autism. No condition or disease gets you any type of pass it is the assistance that you need. They can care less what you have.

[adriennek]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, Toursbabe. You posted:


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

And then last week you posted: (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?p=650880&#post650880)


We are now using the stamp with arrows which allows us to wait in fastpass. We used to have the stop sign one that got us right in but I am trying the arrows out for a change to teach them how to wait a bit.

How did you get a pass that's supposed to only be available to Make A Wish children???

Adrienne

[ToursbabeC3po]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, Toursbabe. You posted:



And then last week you posted: (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?p=650880&#post650880)



How did you get a pass that's supposed to only be available to Make A Wish children???

Adrienne
They gave us the stop light stamp for a reason when we got it. They rarely ever give this out and it normally is only for make a wish kids or extreme cases. My daughter was in line (I believe about a year ago maybe two) at autopia where they have the animation in that tunnel part of the que. She completely freaked out because of her sensory issues. She fell to the ground and screamed I believe for an hour. It was a nightmare. I Tired to pick her up and carry her out but I have some medical issues and she was kicking and I could not move her. Management came. (which was very embarassing I worked there then) and she was kicking other guest out of they way. She really is a very sweet child this is not a spoiled thing at all but the noise from all of the people in that area and the noise of the preshow was overwhelming for her. Once I got her out of there she just wanted to leave she was so embarassed with herself. She told me she felt like people where touching her and it hurt her which I did not understand because no one came near her. Managment went with us to city hall and they changed our stamp to the stop sign stamp so she did not have to wait in the fast pass anymore because they felt she was a danger to other guest in any que. This last trip I thought we would try the arrows stamp to see how she would do becuase I don't want my kids to think they can just get everything they want right away I am trying to teach them how to cope in real life with having to wait for things sometimes and at the end you get a reward (a ride) She is older now so that can help sometimes. lets just say it was a long day but we will work on it a little bit each trip. It is hard because she looks so normal but she does scream alot and covers her ears and people look at me like she is just a spoiled brat.
What is difficult is that right now I feel as if I am being attacked and my only intention was to help people. passes are not a one size fits all but they do have a general guideline they go by. Yes the stop sign pass is mainly used for make a wish kids. But they gave one to my daughter becuase of a personal issue that everyone knows now.
tours

[Malcon10t]

What is difficult is that right now I feel as if I am being attacked and my only intention was to help people. passes are not a one size fits all but they do have a general guideline they go by. Yes the stop sign pass is mainly used for make a wish kids. But they gave one to my daughter becuase of a personal issue that everyone knows now.
tours

I appreciate your help. My daughter is an Aspie, so I can relate. Service dogs help tremendously with both defining space and calming. I'm sorry you had to disclose such personal info. I can understand how hard it is for Disney because of people abusing the system, making it harder for those who do need it. I can see how it makes other people doubt each other. Its really too bad. I'm sorry she got embarressed. It sounds like she got the assistance she needed from Disneyland.

[ToursbabeC3po]

I appreciate your help. My daughter is an Aspie, so I can relate. Service dogs help tremendously with both defining space and calming. I'm sorry you had to disclose such personal info. I can understand how hard it is for Disney because of people abusing the system, making it harder for those who do need it. I can see how it makes other people doubt each other. Its really too bad. I'm sorry she got embarressed. It sounds like she got the assistance she needed from Disneyland.
Well I know you are a busy parent!!! A lot of work but very worth it :)

[ToursbabeC3po]

I just wanted to post a little side note for everyone with special needs that feels they or someone they love can benefit from a pass. It never hurts to go to City hall and ask questions about there services. It is true not everyone gets a pass and not everyone needs one. Most of the time the people in city hall are very helpful and very friendly. There are a few that are not but that does not mean that they are all that way. There is never going to be a "perfect system" and there will never be a time when Disney makes every guest happy. If you go to city hall thinking you are going to get a front of the line pass don't even bother because there is no such thing. But if you have a specific need that you feel requires some extra assistance then most likely you will be helped. If you feel that you are not being helped then ask for assistance from a manager. And as I said before I will always help anyone that PM's me that will never change. I have since I started coming here and I will to the day I leave or I am unwelcome here :)
Malcon don't ever feel that you are the reason that I got attacked in here. I was thinking of posting something like this a few months back but I thought about it for a while. I do receive ALOT of e mails and PM's about this subject and I realized there was a need so I wanted to ease anyone's anxiety over the new system. It is not the best system BUT I do have to say I prefer it over the old one (what a nightmare) I do believe that they should never ever say they no longer have passes. It is dishonest and isn't dishonesty what they are trying to correct with the new system? Hmmmmm?
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Toursbabe