Here is the official information regarding changes being made to the Guest Assistance Card (G.A.C.) I received this evening via e-mail from Mom Select and Leanne Jakubowski, Director, Social Media, Walt Disney World Resort. I hope this will clear up any questions that some of you have.
“In our continued efforts to keep you in the loop of Disney experiences that touch families, we would like to share an upcoming change in the Guest Assistance Card. Disney has an unwavering commitment to making our experiences accessible to all Guests. After careful consideration, we will be replacing the Guest Assistance Card with the new Disability Access Service Card on Oct. 9 to create a more consistent experience for all our Guests while providing accommodations for Guests with disabilities. Until Oct. 9, we will continue to use Guest Assistance Cards. We look forward to sharing more information about the Disability Access Service Card as we get closer to implementation.
We know that you often share news from Disney with other moms so we have prepared the following questions and answers.
We appreciate your support and look forward to sending you more details as we get closer to October 9th.
Sincerely,
Leanne Jakubowski”
Frequently Asked Questions:
How will the new Disney program work?
The Disability Access Service Card will offer Guests a return time for an attraction based on the current wait time. Guest Assistance Cards will continue to be in effect until Oct. 9. We look forward to sharing more information as we get closer to implementation.
Did Disney receive assistance in developing the Disability Access Service Card?
Yes, Disney is engaging disability groups, and Autism Speaks was instrumental in providing feedback as we developed this new process.
Why is Disney making these changes?
Given the increasing volume of requests Disney receives for special access to our attractions, we are changing our process beginning Oct. 9 so that it creates a more consistent experience for all our Guests while providing accommodations for Guests with disabilities.
Who will be eligible for a Disability Access Service Card?
Our goal is to accommodate Guests who aren’t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities).
Will Guests on wish trips also use Disability Access Service Cards?
No. Guests who are visiting through wish-granting organizations will have access through a separate program.
What should Guests do if they have concerns?
Guests should contact Guest Relations to discuss their assistance needs.
Barry DeSpirito says
October 10, 2013 at 8:05 amHaving a great system in place that was a god sent for all of us with disibilities. Instead of fixing the problem and not crucifying the innocent, you chose to go the easy route. just think for one moment. Now with the tv media, every person walking through those gates knows that he or she does not need proof of being handicap person. Now instead of having compassion for the handicap you chose to briing us down to an even playing field, with no disregard for the true handicap person. I am sorry but my wish to you is to have every person walking through your gates, march up to Guest Services and demand one of your new passes. Can you imagine the turmoil and the gridlock you would have if this came to pass. Please, Please, Please, reconsider your course of action.. A reply would be appreciated.
bjkbrady says
October 10, 2013 at 4:51 pmI appreciate that you have taken the time to comment on our post. However, if you would like a reply from Disney Parks, you would have to send your concerns to them. We are simply a blog/site reporting the changes.
Laura says
September 27, 2013 at 1:26 pmHIPPA. I blame HIPPA. Without it, Disney could request a doctor’s note/request. But as the law stands they have no right to that information nor are they allowed to request it. I love laws that protect the wrong people.
Sherry Weber says
September 29, 2013 at 1:17 amLaura…Can’t people just offer to let you see the Dr note or disability card? That’s not requesting to see it. We are basically proving our disabilities to you. That should be legal. You should have kept the same card and just had the photo of the disabled person on it. That way they would still have to be present for all attractions.
Lisa says
October 6, 2013 at 11:12 amIt’s HIPAA, not HIPPA. Why can’t Disney provide a form for guests to complete and have their physicians sign? As a wheel-chair bound adult with non-apparent disabilities, I would prefer this as a way to have a pass that’s required to be renewed every two weeks. We spoke to several Disney managers during our visit to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival over the weekend. Since the new DAS has the guest’s picture, a physician verified disabled guest should be given a DAS that is valid for the length of their pass. As a Florida resident with an Annual Pass, we visit two or three times per month. I don’t believe that their new pseudo-Fast Pass system is a great idea; I do believe that weeding out abuse by those without true disabilities is a good idea. Abuse costs everyone.
Ralph Presciutti says
September 23, 2013 at 7:29 amWell our annual trips to Disney will have to end! We have taken our son who has Cerebral palsy, epilepsy, legally blind and mental delay every year! The difficulties of maneuvering through the park, and getting him on and off of the attractions are extremely difficult however the GAP pass has allowed us to justify the cost for a day in the parks! Parents of these children with special needs go through a daily struggle and this is a VACATION from our reality! This is a blanket policy because some people have decided to take advantage of a system that was designed to equal things for the disadvantaged! “The happiest place on earth” will become just another obstacle for those of us dealing with disabilities that affect every aspect of our lives 24/7/365! You have to live it to understand it ! This was our favorite vacation spot because you seemed to understand our difficulties and made it a little easier for us! We will miss it! So Sad! You should sit down and talk with some focus groups!
bjkbrady says
September 23, 2013 at 8:02 amThank you for taking the time to comment, Ralph. I understand your concerns and hope you will give the new system a try before making any long term decision.
Ralph Presciutti says
September 24, 2013 at 7:21 amI would gladly change places with someone and stand in line if they would like to take over a lifetime of being a caregiver for a person with multiple disabilities! We used to go to Canada’s Wonderland all the time until they changed their policy to this same type of system. Our last trip was very difficult ! Universal Studios has also changed but they allow you to purchase an access pass!
Sherry Weber says
September 23, 2013 at 4:01 pmRalph, I am going through the same thing right now and left a message for Leanne Jakubowski to call me back. When i spoke to Guest Relations they knew nothing about this. I’m waiting for that woman to return my call. I will post after she calls.
bjkbrady says
September 23, 2013 at 4:25 pmHi Sherry! Here are two newspaper articles (they don’t identified the Disney spokesperson). One is from Florida, The Orlando Sentinal and the other is from a newspaper local to Disneyland.
Article 1 from Orlando
Article 2 from California
Sherry Weber says
September 24, 2013 at 4:03 amI’m not sure what you are trying to say. I got her name from a facebook post and also at the top of this post. She is the director of social media in Walt Disney World. I contacted guest servies today and the woman I was talking to put me through to her voice mail. I’m not sure what your talking about.
bjkbrady says
September 24, 2013 at 6:12 amSherry – I’m not trying to say anything – I just offered some additional posts on the subject.
Danielle moll says
September 23, 2013 at 8:31 pmI so agree, but I guess those who are trying to find a fair medium really don’t understand our battle :(. It also shows that they haven’t talked to any of us, meaning the parents who have children with disabilities who HAD one place they could go and actually enjoy themselves. I am so upset and disappointed with this change, even if it is temporary. Maybe they should give those of us who don’t have a problem bringing a Dr.s note the old rules for the guest assistance and those who refuse to bring a note, bc they obviously are abiding the system have the new rules apply to them?
Shannon says
September 22, 2013 at 6:21 pmThanks for sharing!
vinma says
September 22, 2013 at 12:11 pmgood to know about this! They are making so many changes that it is hard to keep up. Thanks for providing this info!
Barry says
September 22, 2013 at 9:57 amI have had 4 back operations and have a hard time standing or sitting for long periods of time. Once in the park I can only stand sit or walk not more than 4 hours total….. before I have to leave. I am handicap and have a disability card. I can’t be walking back and forth to get passes for each ride.. Having to do this is unjust and unfair to the handicap person. A healthy person would get tired of running back and forth.
Please rethink your strategy.
Why not keep things like they are and have the person show their disability card.
karen says
September 22, 2013 at 8:29 amYears ago when traveling with wheelchair bound family members part of your group went through the line and met up with the disabled and other members at the ride loading area.This seems like a fair option for many.Temporary conditions such as broken lbones that are not technically a disability should be required to do this.Other disabilities like neurological conditions that would not allow people to be in any waiting area for a long period should have other considerations
Marika says
September 22, 2013 at 6:21 amI’m not quite sure about all this, I guess I’m kind of ambivalent about the topic and I also think now it’s double work to be done, right?
lalalapatricia says
September 22, 2013 at 5:58 amIt seems that it’s a hassle to everyone! I hope everyone could cooperate even it’s too hard for them. For safety purposes
Tarra says
September 21, 2013 at 9:24 pmYea I don’t know if this is that great of an idea. Why not mandate doctors notes? Now we have to do double work, it doesn’t seem fair.
Danielle moll says
September 21, 2013 at 8:43 pmIs Disney also going to issue someone to help me to push my daughter in her wheelchair, considering basically that you are also telling me that I will have to push my daughter back and forth double the amount…..when I return at my chosen time?? Is anyone considering this?? Seems again like the good have to suffer for the bad, this change is obviously a horrible idea. I guess we will be postponing our trips for a while until someone realizes how much work and energy is already involved in taking a disabled child on a vacation where you already walk(pushing a wheelchair, more than your own weight). So many miles in a day. This is really not good news for those of us with children with a disability! 🙁
Kuleen @ TheDisneyKids.com says
September 21, 2013 at 9:21 pmI don’t see anything in the FAQ that says that you will have to go to the attraction to pick up a FB and then come back. There are many upcoming changing to the FP system that include the ability to schedule FP times in advance for use with the new Magic Bands.
I will wait until ALL the details have been released on the program before I pass judgement.
Holly Craig says
September 21, 2013 at 9:42 pmTotally agree with the basics of your statement. It is a feat when a vacationing with a special needs child. I have to bring an extra person with me just for ADLS. Planning a vacation witht these kids take months of planning on its own, but now we have to quickly plan around return times. A real inconvenience for special need families. Manipulating the wheelchair through crowds, and having people sign and gasp if you merely tap them on accident. I understand Disney has to do something as some people have abused this service over the years. But, having truly disabled people pay the price! Surely they can come up with something else, heck I would pay for the convenience! PLEASE DISNEY RETHINK THIS ISSUE.