A week ago, there was a lot of information released regarding the new Disability Access Service or DAS that will be replacing the Guest Assistance Card or GAC as of Oct. 9, 2013. Disney has now released an official statement regarding the change, and a FAQ has been released as well so that any questions you may have, are answered.
Here is the official statement from Disney regarding the change from GAC to DAS
Here is a Frequently Asked Questions or FAQ page about the new Disability Access Service – PLEASE READ THIS
Full message from the Disney Parks Blog:
You may have heard or read about some changes coming on Oct. 9 to one of our programs to assist guests with disabilities at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.
We are modifying our current Guest Assistance Card program, which provides access to attractions for guests with disabilities, so we can continue to serve the guests who truly need it. Our new program is designed to provide the special experience our guests have come to expect from Disney. We also hope it will enable us to help control abuse with the current program that was, unfortunately, widespread and growing at an alarming rate.
The new Disability Access Service (DAS) Card will replace the Guest Assistance Card. Guests will be able to request a Disability Access Service Card at Guest Relations, and they will receive a return time for attractions based on the current wait time.
With that said, we have long recognized and accommodated people with different needs. Guests can visit Guest Relations to discuss their individual situation, and we will continue to provide assistance that is responsive to their unique circumstances.
Meg Crofton, president Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France, recently shared a letter of reassurance and continuing commitment to organizations representing the autism and disabled communities. We wanted to share her words with our Blog readers, as well.
As a Disney Cast Member I want to tell everyone that my coworkers and I are thrilled about the system change! We have seen the GAC system abuse for far too long. We want the Guests who need the assistance to get it, but it infuriates us when we see people who don’t need a GAC that have it. I remember earlier this year when we had the marathon and so many people came to me with GACs that were wearing a marathon or 1/2 marathon medal. If these people can run a marathon, then they can sure as hell wait in a 40 minute line. I have also caught a ton of fake GACs in my time in attractions. We also have had a big problem with Guests passing off their GACs to family or friends.
The system abuse is the reason the lines get so long and we are tired of it. The Fastpass line is usually about 40-50% GACs and most of them were re-rides with the same Guests riding 3, 4 or 5 times. We hate the GAC abuse more than the Guests waiting in stand-by line yelling at us. It’s not our fault the system is/was greatly flawed. There was nothing we could do about it. We, Cast Members, know it’s going to be a rough start, but we believe that it will make things better for all Guests in the end.