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Thread: "Rich Moms Hire Disabled Tour Guides For Their Kids To Jump The Line At Disney"

  1. #51

    I've been to DW 11 times but I never heard of a GAC (let alone "GAC abuse") until I saw this posted on Facebook yesterday.

    There will always be people who scam the system and people whose morals (sometimes combined with affluence) allow them to get around rules and policies with dishonesty, half-truths, puppy dog eyes, and manipulation. This does not shock me. Saddens me, but doesn't shock me.

    I've seen people with legitimate visible disabilities go in through a handicapped entrance. Never had a problem with that. I didn't realize there was a GAC for those with legitimate invisible disabilities. Seems like a nice feature, but prone to abuse. Again, I'm not shocked, and I'm glad it's available for those who truly need it.

    What does shock me are the stories of those who confront or "call out" those with a GAC as 'lucky' or 'entitled'. Let's face it - there are many shades of grey in this. There are those who obtain it legitimately, those who lie to get it, and those in-between who perhaps stretch the truth or can't be bothered to wait in line, or need it on a day-by-day basis (some days they feel good, others they don't). But that cannot be determined at a glance. (And don't get me started on those whose only 'disability' is the inability to put down a fork.)

    I have an acquaintance who has MS and he freely admits to "playing it up" when he needs to, and I've witnessed him in action. I consider that to be immoral, which is why I don't hang out with him. But I'm not going to "call him out" or judge him publicly. That is for a higher power. I know someone else who only pulls out the handicapped tag when she's going to a big event. She's too embarrassed to use it at the grocery store, but she'll use it at the movies or a concert for sure. It was obtained legally, of course, but although she walks miles a day for exercise she can't be bothered with the inconvenience if it's a large parking lot (and she freely admits to 'gaming the system'). She'd probably use it at Disney, too, and then walk all over the parks.

    On the other hand we have friends whose son is autistic. You wouldn't know by looking at him. He's 12 and does not speak, most think he's just 'quiet'. People usually don't know until something sets him off. They go to DW every year but they have to stay in the exact same room every time, take the same schedule of visiting the parks, eat at the exact same restaurants at the same time on the same days. Otherwise he can't cope. It takes a huge effort to manage his expectations, and I'm sure they probably use a GAC, and justifiably so.

    So are people abusing the GAC? Of course they are. But I will gladly wait in line without judging those with a GAC (now that I know they exist) because of karma, that's why. In my family we plan ahead, use the Fast Pass system, bring hats for shade, and have fun talking to each other in line. All with a clear conscience.

    The onus is on Disney to crack down on this, but it is a psychological nightmare to do so. In my experience, those with legitimate disabilities will be happy to provide necessary documentation in a pleasant manner, if the requirements are well known and understood ahead of time. It's dealing with those who are offended by someone questioning their feelings of entitlement that would be the hard part. Or having to face the disappointment of someone who can't comply with documentation because they didn't know about it. I would not want that job.

    Enough with my soapbox, here is what actually shocked me in this thread:

    Quote Originally Posted by currence View Post
    I don't like people charging discounted rates for services that Disney is otherwise willing to provide.
    Seriously? So you don't like all those hotels in Kissimmee that are cheaper than Disney hotels?

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  3. #52
    Quote Originally Posted by CoosCoos View Post
    Seriously? So you don't like all those hotels in Kissimmee that are cheaper than Disney hotels?
    Those people are fine - they aren't on Disney property.

    I would seriously object (and I'm pretty sure Disney would too) if I parked an RV or two in a Disney owned parking lot (not the RV camp grounds) and tried to rent out the camper for the night. Or worse, roped off a corner of a parking lot and tried to rent out that space for tent-camping.

    We've said this before on other threads. The only people who get more-or-less front of the line access are the select few (and their families) who come to Disney Parks through the Make-A-Wish foundation. And I wouldn't trade my families current medical health to qualify for THAT access pass.

    I think this is one of those situations where the internet is a double-edged sword. It gives people with legitimate needs significantly more help in planning trips. But it also gives scammers that same help in knowing what buzz-words will work.

    I live in the grey areas of life. My sister taught me a trick with my medical provider to get in the same day, even if no other appointments are available. If my mommy-senses told me that my kid NEEDED to be seen today, I would do whatever I needed to do to get the kid in the same day (though in our area, urgent care is pretty lax with letting you schedule a same-day appointment). In many ways, this is just another group of people taking advantage of the grey area.

    I would much prefer that someone pay $ to "rent" a disabled friend than simply lie and pretend to be disabled themselves. But I would prefer that they pay Disney the money for a legitimate tour guide, especially if they are claiming to be part of the 1%.

  4. #53
    Full 24 Hour All-Nighter Survivor ManaByte's Avatar
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    At Disneyland, the GAC abuse is so bad and so widespread that locals know how to abuse the system now. If they don't know, they'll go to other Disney forums and ASK people what they need to say in order to get a GAC card.

    People see it as an infinite Fast Pass these days.


  5. #54

    I was under the impression Disney cracked down on disabled access pass abuse simply by making most attractions accessable to disabled guests. I've seen posts here on MP where people asked for such a pass and were told to get a wheelchair. So, I'm confused as to how having a disabled person in your party would let you "skip the line". (I also recall reading many posts about kids going to DL guest services and saying, "I got asma. Gimme a pass", then celebrating that they didn't have to wait in lines. It was this abuse which I thought Disney mostly eliminated.)

    I find all the outrage about class priviledge interesting. It's not like any of this is new. I'm thinking the constant expansion of online information is simply making more people aware of class priviledge. Thus, it only seems like it's something new.

    On the subject of non-Disney tour guides, I recall it was Jim Hill who was given the boot from Disney parks. The problem with his tours was he was acting as a Disney expert and providing commentary about Disney history and such. Disney saw this as a direct competitor to their expert guides tours and gave him the boot. In contrast, the tour groups we see following the flag in parks are merely vacation guides. They arrange transportation, meals and other activities. They are not trying to be Disney experts providing history or commentary about the company.

    FYI, Disney parks are private property with limited public access. Management can ask anyone to leave their property at any time for any reason. You have to be breaking a law to be asked to leave a park. Anyone in the parks asked to leave who refused to do so is immedately tresspassing and can indeed be arrested and removed by the police. This is what Disney did to Jim Hill. He was breaking any law. They just didn't like what he was doing, asked him leave, then banned him. It's their property. They can do that.


  6. #55
    Full 24 Hour All-Nighter Survivor ManaByte's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klutch View Post
    I was under the impression Disney cracked down on disabled access pass abuse simply by making most attractions accessable to disabled guests. I've seen posts here on MP where people asked for such a pass and were told to get a wheelchair. So, I'm confused as to how having a disabled person in your party would let you "skip the line". (I also recall reading many posts about kids going to DL guest services and saying, "I got asma. Gimme a pass", then celebrating that they didn't have to wait in lines. It was this abuse which I thought Disney mostly eliminated.)

    I find all the outrage about class priviledge interesting. It's not like any of this is new. I'm thinking the constant expansion of online information is simply making more people aware of class priviledge. Thus, it only seems like it's something new.
    As far as I know they haven't cracked down at Disneyland at all, and if anything it's getting worse with people exchanging tips online on what to say to City Hall to get a pass. Disney isn't allowed to ask for proof, so they have to take the guest on their lies as if it's the truth.

  7. #56

    So most of the attractions are still not disabled accessable at Disneyland? I visited the parks last November and didn't see any evidence of abuse. Of course, I really wasn't looking for it.


  8. #57
    Happiness is that smile MammaSilva's Avatar
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    As someone who in fact uses a G.A.C. for my daughter I can say with experience that Disneyland CM's have indeed cracked down on the abuse, can they stop it all, of course not, they are not allowed to require documentation of need to rent the wheelchairs or ECV's which eliminate the 'need' for the actual pass for those attractions that aren't HCA accessible, ALL of the queues in DCA are accessible so renting the equipment doesn't give anyone an edge in that park. There is no way that the Cast Members can eliminate all abuse with out being able to ask for documentation but even that won't stop it because as we all know with very little computer skills someone could create false documents needed. If someone is determined to try and cheat there's not a lot that can be done to prevent it. The CM's are allowed to discuss how they can assist a guest to have the best experience and yes there are people who lie and have found out the 'trigger' words to get a pass when they don't honestly qualify but the alternative is to stop the program completely and that would negatively impact so many needing the accommodation to be able to enjoy the parks with their family.

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  9. #58
    Full 24 Hour All-Nighter Survivor ManaByte's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klutch View Post
    So most of the attractions are still not disabled accessable at Disneyland? I visited the parks last November and didn't see any evidence of abuse. Of course, I really wasn't looking for it.
    Oh no, just about every attraction is (California would kill Disney if they weren't).

    But the abuse is there. The GAC card basically just lets anyone with them through the accessible line.

  10. #59
    Full 24 Hour All-Nighter Survivor ManaByte's Avatar
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    The people who think they're saving time really need to watch the episode of South Park where Catman gets a ECV and goes to Disneyland thinking he won't have to wait in line.

    Most likes, such as Pirates, are much longer waits if you're in a chair or ECV or have a GAC.


  11. #60

    It's hard to see abuse, especially if you aren't looking for it. We used a re-admission card (similar to fastpasses, given to you when a ride breaks down) for Peter Pan recently. It took around 20 minutes in that line, and honestly about 1/2 of the people in line didn't "look" like they needed the special access. But then, our group of 5 shouldn't have looked like we needed the access - because we didn't. Disney allowed us to use that line to save time as part of their way of apologizing that a different ride broke down. We were not abusing the system, but it certainly could have looked that way to others.

    The lines for handicapped access are a lot longer than I recall as a kid - but I think the parks overall are also a lot more crowded so if the total percentage of disabled travelers stayed the same then the overall numbers would increase. And the percentage of disabled travelers has probably increased for a variety of factors including Disney's reputation for being so accessible.

    When I went to Disneyland with a girl scout troop as a kid, one of the leaders was in a wheelchair. We were a larger group so I remember for most rides the bulk of the girls would wait in line and when we got to the front, the leader and whomever was waiting with her would get to load at the same time from the handicapped area. This was totally fair since they waited the same length as we did - but would be all but impossible to implement now since there are so many others waiting in those lines.

    I do like that the newer rides/attractions are build with wheelchair accessible lines and that very popular rides such as Radiator Springs Racers limit GAC access to once per day. Hopefully that does cut down on abuse. But as long as Disney is handicapped friendly there will always be scammers seeking to take advantage (and, apparently, rich people willing to pay).


  12. #61
    Sweet Spot - we miss you! shna's Avatar
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    I read the cached copy of the travel company website -- and they sounded legit for the most part. I didn't see anything about hiring a disabled guide to escort you around the parks. Instead, it appeared to be offering to help park visitors who have disabilities.

    I also read the New York Post article -- but now I'm wondering. Did the obnoxious rich folks hire a differently-abled companion and THEN book a "tour" with the company, or was the person in the ECV part of the tour group's offerings?

    As for general GAC abuse at DLR, I simply don't believe that it's a big huge problem threatening to destroy the vacations of everyone who visits. Will there be a few people every day abusing the system? Probably. Are the people who do abuse the system in the vast minority? Probably. Just like any other group of troublemakers, the bad apples get the majority of the press. I'd be interested to learn how many GACs are given on the average day, and how many of those are actually given to people who "need" no assistance whatsoever (though that's not the kind of information Disney would hand out, I'm sure). I would think rental wheelchairs would be abused far more often than GACs. I've seen groups abusing the wheelchair rental thing -- but I'm not going to let them get to me. If I wait in line five minutes longer for something because they're there, I'll likely never even know about it. I just kind of figure lines as being part of the day & don't let them stress me out.

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  13. #62
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    I want to know what the rich dads are doing while the rich moms are doing this.

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  14. #63
    Quote Originally Posted by cstephens View Post
    I want to know what the rich dads are doing while the rich moms are doing this.
    Eating a turkey leg.....

  15. #64
    Sweet Spot - we miss you! shna's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cstephens View Post
    I want to know what the rich dads are doing while the rich moms are doing this.
    Exploiting the masses to make more money?
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  16. #65
    It was a good day! Malcon10t's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ManaByte View Post
    Oh no, just about every attraction is (California would kill Disney if they weren't).
    I think it should be clarified. The majority of attractions in Disneyland are NOT accessible through the regular queue. Because of this, there are accessible queues. The queues in DCA are accessible. Also, California has nothing to do with this, this is completely under the DOJ, a federal agency. And even the DOJ doesn't say they have to be able to accessed, they say "reasonable accommodation". BIG difference.

    Now, the accessible queues can cause a problem because people in the regular queues don't always get to see the line for the HA, and assume people are getting "front of the line access". MammaSilva will agree with me I think when I say most accessible queues are as long or longer than the standby lines. There are a few that are shorter. To me, they simply balance out. If only this myth would cease, but it won't due to people feeling someone is getting something they aren't.

    But the abuse is there. The GAC card basically just lets anyone with them through the accessible line.
    The abuse endures because the myth continues that a GAC gives front of the line access. Let them get a GAC, and wait in the longer line. Believe me, I have met a few of the fakers. They seriously get upset after paying for a wheelchair, and they try skip the line at some place like Matterhorn or Buzz and get told "No, the line is accessible, and it is back there..."
    Planning 3 trips at once...

  17. #66
    At home in the hills candles71's Avatar
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    I have seen a few of those upset people at Matterhorn especially.


  18. #67
    Happiness is that smile MammaSilva's Avatar
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    Both Mal and I giggle every time we see the obvious cheaters with their rented chairs and storming off when they are told oh the line starts BACK there! I can't speak for Mal but I would say that we see at least one group each trip, they spend the money to rent a wheelchair put their smallest person in it and off they go, only to find as Mal has said, the HCA line is as long or longer than the standby line. Space Mt. and Pirates are two of the worst! Missy has to use the special rocket on space because of her vision and loading issues so I collect fast passes and we go when they are mature, a lot of folks don't realize that is how the G.A.C. is supposed to work on attractions that offer Fast Pass, otherwise the wait for that attraction is almost always much longer than the standby line. Each attraction has a load capacity for HCA vehicles and the wait is rarely ever shorter than the standby wait and is more often longer. I know that we've waited up to five times as long at Pirates loading from the HCA side vs what we would have done had we been able to use the standby line.

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  19. #68
    Quote Originally Posted by Malcon10t View Post
    The abuse endures because the myth continues that a GAC gives front of the line access. Let them get a GAC, and wait in the longer line. Believe me, I have met a few of the fakers. They seriously get upset after paying for a wheelchair, and they try skip the line at some place like Matterhorn or Buzz and get told "No, the line is accessible, and it is back there..."
    We don't normally use the alternative queues because we don't normally have a reason to do so. But it was interesting going to Disneyland with someone who is a novice and discussing with her where to use the readmission pass. Her first choice was Pirates, because that was the ride they obtained it from. I had to explain that since Pirates doesn't have a fastpass line, we would use the handicapped entrance and Pirates was a ride that we DID NOT want to have to wait in the handicapped entrance. Having recently been evacuated herself, she understood the merits of limiting the number of disabled guests on the ride at any given time, but I think she was still surprised at how forcefully I refused to even consider using the readmission pass for that ride.

  20. #69
    Quote Originally Posted by shna View Post
    I read the cached copy of the travel company website -- and they sounded legit for the most part. I didn't see anything about hiring a disabled guide to escort you around the parks. Instead, it appeared to be offering to help park visitors who have disabilities.
    It's not surprising that there are no direct references to hiring a disabled guide to help you get through lines faster, since that's pretty shady. But there is a definite emphasis on reduced wait times and the cached page even includes the phrase "special entrance to fast pass lines." Since no such thing exists, I assume this is code for access to the HCA lines.

  21. #70
    At home in the hills candles71's Avatar
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    The article also said they asked who referred him before offering the tour.


  22. #71

    I think we're failing to consider that rich New Yorkers may have money to burn, but most likely don't have a clue about Disney parks. Thus, they likely do the proverbial, "Hey, let's take the kids to see Mickey this Christmas" thing. After a three hour preparedness ritual in their Grand Floridian suite and a leisurely, upscale breakfast, they stroll into Magic Kingdom around 10:30 AM and are shocked to find throngs of people jamming the walkways and ride queues.

    Now, these are people who fly on private jets, ride in chauffered cars and dine in private clubs. They're not used to waiting for anything. Imagine the horror when they're presented with holiday queues for Disney rides. Oh, the humanity! Word starts getting around the socialite circle about such atrocities and, inevitably, some free market capitalists figures out how to profit from this situation. They spread the word about eliminating all the drudgery of waiting in line at Disney World and wealthy parents can't pay up fast enough for such express service. And, when you're visiting a Disney park when it's especially crowded, using the disabled access lines probably does save a lot of time. The blue-bloods who ponied up big bucks for this "priviledge" likely have no idea those lines are almost non-existent the week after Thanksgiving. So, they're smitten with the great treatment their money is buying.

    The remaining mystery for me is why these fat cats don't simply call Disney and book a VIP tour. I doubt cost is the issue. Contrary to popular belief, rich people don't get rich by being misers. They get rich by making lots of money. And they typically spend lots of money. I'm thinking they just don't know such a service exists. That or there are some limitations which aren't particularly convenient. I don't know. I've never done the VIP tour thing. Other ideas?


  23. #72
    Full 24 Hour All-Nighter Survivor ManaByte's Avatar
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    "Rich Moms Hire Disabled Tour Guides For Their Kids To Jump The Line At Disney"

    So the company doing these tours has now deleted both their Facebook and Twitter accounts.


  24. #73
    Registered User Teddi's Avatar
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    So, I'm really curious about the private touring guides being illegal. I know I've read about a site called TourGuideMike (I think?) Is that illegal? And what about other tour guide companies (esp those who might want a specific language guide)? Are these truly "against the rules"? If so I had no idea.

    I find the idea ludicrous of course, we were in the concierge room watching local FL news when this story splashed on last week and I just laughed and shook my head because it's so ridiculous. But limiting the GAC or WC to them + 1 is a horrible idea. Having no cap on it was also horrible (like the time I saw groups of 13 or 14, no joke stamped on a GAC- which didn't last long). In fact I think it's Cedar Fair Parks that DO have this as their policy. GUESS how well that works when you're a mom like me who takes her three kids including one who uses an adaptive stroller? Uh huh, guess who's rules don't work? Theirs, that's right because sometimes the logistics don't work out so well. Luckily they recognized it and hand wrote a little note on their Access paperwork. And sometimes it takes a stronger adult and that can really limit the interaction and overall experience when only say "Dad" can be strong enough to help their disabled family member transfer/etc. Disney's policies work pretty well overall.

    If private tours are illegal then that's one thing- they are all illegal. If they aren't, and you say a disabled guide can't be a tour guide- well I think I take issue with that and the law doesn't really allow for discrimination of that kind. Now, does the tour guide need to actually ride the rides? MOST of the time the Disney plaids don't- unless they do a ride-along (Incidentally I had some nice Disney CMs do that, not plaids but regular CMs), which sometimes they do but just to accompany kids. Sometimes the plaids take the kids off one way while the adults may sit and rest or do something else. In that case- what if the Disney plaid themselves were disabled??? And would it be ok if Disney discriminated against someone in a wheelchair from being a plaid? I've seen normal CMS in a wheelchair.

    I'm not sure I find that all so crystal clear even though it doesn't sit well with me. And really, it irks, but big whoop. I mean the "1%"ers already get to pay $340 vs the $140 for front of the line access anyway- so it's not really that the concept of buying front of the line access even bothers Disney, just as long as they get the profit.

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  25. #74

    "Rich Moms Hire Disabled Tour Guides For Their Kids To Jump The Line At Disney"

    I and my family took a private tour at WDW last year conducted by a well-known podcaster. He makes no secret of them and openly advertises online. I had never heard of private tours being illegal before.


  26. #75
    Quote Originally Posted by Disneyphile View Post
    I totally understand if they want to offer tours to assist the disabled in having a great time, if Disney doesn't already offer that.
    I inquired for myself and apparently they do offer that. I would be going to the parks solo in a wheelchair and would very much appreciate assistance.
    Siggy aka Jill

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