New GAC/"disabled policy: Please Read :)

[Terra]

....I've not seen the "system" that is employed at LegoLand ...but I do know that the disabled assistance systems at Universal, and Sea World are basically the same as the new DAS at Disney. I'm kinda' wondering if Disney used those systems as a model for the DAS ...and 'tweaked" it a bit so that it's not exactly alike?

Legoland is basically the same as the DAS. We live 20 minutes from there and rarely ever go. You get times written in to come back. When the park is crowded it's generally an hour to hour an half until your return time. When crowds are low, typically they let you go then.

[JerseyDad]

Legoland is basically the same as the DAS. We live 20 minutes from there and rarely ever go. You get times written in to come back. When the park is crowded it's generally an hour to hour an half until your return time. When crowds are low, typically they let you go then.

....I feel like an idiot ...I've 'heard' of Legoland ...but am clueless to where it is?

[Disney4us2]

....I feel like an idiot ...I've 'heard' of Legoland ...but am clueless to where it is?

It is about 36 miles south of WDW, in Winter Haven. It is about 5 miles from where I live. Still haven't been there.

[Terra]

It is about 36 miles south of WDW, in Winter Haven. It is about 5 miles from where I live. Still haven't been there.

You aren't missing much [Just my opinion].

[Terra]

....I feel like an idiot ...I've 'heard' of Legoland ...but am clueless to where it is?

Don't feel like an idiot I know quite a few people make a day trip over when doing WDW. It's nice having some local to us, but it's small and can get boring really easy.
I think personally it's a big far for all the tourists who do traveling to come to Orlando and then have to travel about an hour to go see it. I do think maybe they should have built closer to all the other attractions.

[Disney_pups2]

....I've not seen the "system" that is employed at LegoLand ...but I do know that the disabled assistance systems at Universal, and Sea World are basically the same as the new DAS at Disney. I'm kinda' wondering if Disney used those systems as a model for the DAS ...and 'tweaked" it a bit so that it's not exactly alike?

Actually, I called Universal and they immediately told my family that there was a chance that due to our extensive needs and several handicap that we might be given the express pass for free. You can also stay on grounds at one of their deluxe resorts and receive Express passes that allows unlimited express uses for each ride for each person for everyone in your party for every day you have a ticket and lastly you can purchase a slightly downgraded pass that allows 1 express entry per ride per day per person. So, NOTHING like Disney which told me "We have the DAS and we may be able to help a little more once you are in line here after you have paid to get in". Universal is actually willing to work with you which is not the answers I have been getting from Disney CM's nor from the families that gave this DAS a chance.

[JerseyDad]

Actually, I called Universal and they immediately told my family that there was a chance that due to our extensive needs and several handicap that we might be given the express pass for free. You can also stay on grounds at one of their deluxe resorts and receive Express passes that allows unlimited express uses for each ride for each person for everyone in your party for every day you have a ticket and lastly you can purchase a slightly downgraded pass that allows 1 express entry per ride per day per person. So, NOTHING like Disney which told me "We have the DAS and we may be able to help a little more once you are in line here after you have paid to get in". Universal is actually willing to work with you which is not the answers I have been getting from Disney CM's nor from the families that gave this DAS a chance.

....I was aware of the Express Pass at Universal ...because a few yrs back ...we, and another family did an off-site day to Universal, and purchased the Express Pass (this was about 2008 or 2007). It was a decent sized up-charge for each person ....but worth it since we were there only one day. But, I'm guessing that Universal isn't just handing over the same type pass for free to everyone that claims a disability.

[Disney_pups2]

....I was aware of the Express Pass at Universal ...because a few yrs back ...we, and another family did an off-site day to Universal, and purchased the Express Pass (this was about 2008 or 2007). It was a decent sized up-charge for each person ....but worth it since we were there only one day. But, I'm guessing that Universal isn't just handing over the same type pass for free to everyone that claims a disability.

At least Universal is trying to accommodate in a more adequate way than Disney and their "DAS" or nothing.

[cer]

At least Universal is trying to accommodate in a more adequate way than Disney and their "DAS" or nothing.

I am sorry you are having a hard time, but is Universal ACTUALLY going to help you? From your previous post….

Actually, I called Universal and they immediately told my family that there was a chance that due to our extensive needs and several handicap that we might be given the express pass for free.

Or is just having the option to purchase an express pass what you mean by them being more accommodating?

[Disney_pups2]

Well, let's see.. I called Disney 6 times, mentioned that my child is traveling on a wish from a wish granting site and to find out if his wish org will be recognized as stated (I like to be thorough), their own site says ALL wish granting org travelers will be given different system access but yet they only acknowledge 2 orgs and half their employees don't even know this information. When you read online they still say "case by case", yet most the stories I hear were DAS or nothing and when I call it is DAS or nothing.
Universal first call and they are at least discussing other possibilities and they have other possibilities
to offer. I think I believe Universal. Not only that but at least if I stay at Universal I get express for free and insure my son's wish isn't ruined. Disney simply doesn't care.

[EditReject]

Hi all,

I have not been on the boards in forever so I apologize that I am late to the game on this one. I am a grown adult and my mom recently alerted me to this (gotta love moms!) change as we have a family trip happening on Dec 12th.

I have Spina Bifida and use a manual wheelchair full time for mobility. I have never used a GAC card in past visits as I wait in the regular lines or use the WC accessible queues where needed (mostly the older rides nowadays). In looking at the other related posts on here, it sounds like that would not change for me, correct? It appears to be status quo.

To those who relied on the GAC cards in the past, best of luck to you with the new DAS system. Based on many posts on the forum, it definitely seems like it will affect some families and folks who relied on its convenience and assistance in making park visits manageable for those with special needs.

[dnickels]

I have Spina Bifida and use a manual wheelchair full time for mobility. I have never used a GAC card in past visits as I wait in the regular lines or use the WC accessible queues where needed (mostly the older rides nowadays). In looking at the other related posts on here, it sounds like that would not change for me, correct? It appears to be status quo.

Yeah basically no change. I use either a wheelchair or a walker due to my legs being mostly paralyzed and there's almost nothing different for those of us with an obvious physical disability with the new system.

The only difference is that at places where you used to go to a separate handicap accessible entrance and get right on (like Big Thunder Mtn Railroad), you instead go to the main entrance first and get a card that you can then use at the handicap entrance after the appropriate wait time is up (i.e. if the wait time for BTMRR is 45 minutes when you show up you'll get a card saying you can enter the handicap entrance in 45 minutes).

[WDWdriver]

Well, let's see.. I called Disney 6 times, mentioned that my child is traveling on a wish from a wish granting site and to find out if his wish org will be recognized as stated (I like to be thorough), their own site says ALL wish granting org travelers will be given different system access but yet they only acknowledge 2 orgs and half their employees don't even know this information. When you read online they still say "case by case", yet most the stories I hear were DAS or nothing and when I call it is DAS or nothing.
Universal first call and they are at least discussing other possibilities and they have other possibilities
to offer. I think I believe Universal. Not only that but at least if I stay at Universal I get express for free and insure my son's wish isn't ruined. Disney simply doesn't care.

Sorry that you are unhappy with Disney's phone response to your concerns. I must say though that I see the purple genie lanyards in our park every day, and those guests are being given expedited and courteous access to the attractions. I assume that most of them are from Make-A-Wish, but not all.

[Disney_pups2]

Thank you WDWDriver. I appreciate that. I have left message after Message for Mark and he hasn't called me back. We are still trying to get my son's wish changed over to Make A Wish. All I know is that my organization said that they were told their organization would not be recognized. :-(