Due to the overwhelming abuse of the current Guest Assistance Card / GAC program at Walt Disney World; the company will discontinue it as of Oct. 9, 2013. This is the same news reported about Disneyland a week ago, and it appears as if it will happen at parks on both coasts.
A Disney spokeswoman said on Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, that the GAC program will end at Walt Disney World and Disneyland on Oct. 9, 2013.
“Given the increasing volume of requests we receive for special access to our attractions, we are changing our process to create a more consistent experience for all our guests while providing accommodations for guests with disabilities,” Disney spokeswoman Kathleen Prihoda said. “We engaged disability groups, such as Autism Speaks, to develop this new process, which is in line with the rest of our industry.”
As you can see, Disney has reached out to numerous groups including those dealing in the subjects of physical and mental disabilities. They are working to make this new program as beneficial for those that need it as possible. Any real issues or problems here can be blamed on those that have abused the system, not Disney.
Now, Disney has also confirmed that the new program will be called the Disabled Assistance System or DAS.
NOTE: The entire system has not been confirmed yet as to how it will work. The following is what the DAS system is expected to be like and I do know Cast Members are being trained on it over the course of the next two weeks.
If any changes are made, I’ll let you know.
Here is how it will essentially work for DAS holders:
- Go to one of several Guest Relations kiosks set up throughout the park
- Advise CM which attraction you’d like to go on
- CM will look up the current wait time on the Disney Mobile Magic app on their iPad
- CM writes out a “Return Time” on the DAS card, subtracting 10-15 minutes for travel time
- Guests can do whatever they want while waiting for return time, even get FASTPasses, but can only have one DAS return at a time. Once their DAS written-out time expires, they can get another.
- Guests show up at designated “Return Time.”
Guests of whom the DAS card is issued for must ride the attractions with their group/family if they are looking to use it.
For more information on when the DAS program was first announced, click this link.
I think it’s a shame that people who really need this card will lose it, but unfortunately this is long over due. Through the years, we’ve seen many people abuse the system. My son, who has aspergers, has learned the art of patience while on our Disney trips. Although we probably could have taken advantage of his disability, we chose to tough it out with the rest of the guests & he has become a better person from it.
Walt must be rolling over in his grave. Disney was the only place we could go on vacation and be treated like real people. We have come every 2 years for the last 15 years. Last year we were concerned because we were faced with rudeness . This new turn will make sure that we do not come again. I am wheelchair bound except for a few steps at a time. My daughter is unable to stand for more than 5 -10 min. I agree you have a problem but people who have mobility problems did not ask for this. We are. Used to showing a Dr.s note. IT IS NOT AGINST ANY ACT IF WE OFFER A NOTE. WE DO IT FOR OTHER THINGS.
We should not have to pay for1% of the people. Perhaps someday you will need help and it will not be there.
I feel very sorry that you have these disabilities in your life. I have had zero problems helping those who truly needed assistance while working at Walt Disney World. But they problem created by people who are not handicapped is enormous . I would say 50 to 70 percent. These guests ride the rides multiple times through the fast pass cue while other familys wait in long line. I worked at an attraction where we had 19000 guests in one week use GAC cards. Fair is Fair this new assistance allow access to all Disney guests.