The Amazing Healing Powers of ToT

[Syndrome]

Seems to me that if she approaches this from an ADA standpoint she has no leg to stand on. The ADA provides equal access, not superior access. Let's say that it's a busy day and the wait for ToT is 60 minutes. In an eight hour period, that means that a non-disabled guest could conceivable ride it eight times. However, she wants to be allowed to ride it 20 times or whatever obnoxious amount...seems to me that putting a limit that brings it in line with what any other guest could expect to do is an equal accommodation, not the superior access she is demanding. But really, it sounds like this isn't even about a disability anyway...it's about a BS reason to ride that I doubt could ever be scientifically proven to help and someone who got pissed off because they were called out on their scam when they got so unreasonable that Disney got sick of 'em.

Or maybe I should support her and join the lawsuit...because the fireworks scene at the end of Soarin' helps alleviate the anxiety I am caused by loud noises because the pain of my hyperacusis has conditioned the fear. So if I ride Soarin' 100 times a day then it will desensitize me so I know I can find a doc. who will back that up. Wait...what am I thinking...I AM a doctor!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

And there you go!!!!!


hehehehehehe


wonder ifnn I can gets me a sawbones ta recommend tat I be allowed ta drinks me RUM inna park, as it helps me overcome me shyness!!!


hehehehehehehehehe

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Not a big deeal!!


I just re-read her story....

I guess you can say she has a mooty point!!!


hehehehehehehehehe

[Big Wallaby]

I was at work waiting to clock in when I first saw this story. There's nothing here that I didn't think.

I understand allowing the use of a GAC as a FastPass using the "Bypass" stamp, but then I expect that when you show that you will have waited between your last attraction and the one for which I am taking FastPasses. I understand Autism being something where you can't wait in a long line, so you use the "Bypass". I also understand if, because of said Autism (or similar situation) your child or dependent adult can't be in the park more than a few hours before suffering an overload so you are getting as much as you can in that precious little time you have. But then I don't expect you to return using that GAC during the time I am at the station. If you can reride with the GAC, you might be capable of waiting in the Stand-By line.

I think that not only should Disney stand their ground, but a counter-suit might be appropriate for using this to attempt to drag Disney's name through the mud.

[mechurchlady]

For children with SID, ADD, Autism, Auspergers, etc. they cannot wait in line. There are many reasons why those kids cannot be in line. Some kids will go up to a stranger and hug them or otherwise touch them. Some re jittery and bouncy so that they disturb others. Some are nonstop noisemakers who will disturb others with their talking, humming, singing etc. Some get frightened by crowds and/or tight places like lines.

Over and over you hear these parents worrying about how their kids are going to ruin the vacations of others. They take notes of what we on the boards advise like practicing in the mall, having the kid in the middle of the group, little treats like cereal to keep them busy, and busy time things like ipod, gameboy, and toys and bead. They use that GAC so they can have a fun vacation while not hurting the vacation of others.

Maybe that disabled kid want to ride Dumbo 20 times on vacation but he will not ride 90% of the other rides. While he is repeatedly riding Dumbo you can go ride Peter Pan. Who gets his GAC turn on Peter Pan since he will not ride it? Who will get his GAC turn on the Carroussel? I would rather let a disabled kid be happy riding Dumbo 20 times on a GAC than have him ride once then have the whole family dealing with the consequences. Your choice is a happy kid or a family who cannot ride because they cannot or will not leave the disabled kid out of it.

That person with a GAC my only be able to ride a few rides before going home to die in a few months. That person on the GAC may do 4 rides a day before collapsing with fatigue and that is their joy. Overall people can only do so much a day and those on one ride all day are not on the others.

The number of people riding 3 or more times on a GAC is rare enough to not warrent Disney action. Also keeping track of GAC guest usage is impossible because GAC does not apply to people in chairs and scooters. So how do you keep track of all the wheelchairs and scooter users who are repeat riders who use the disabled lines like the GAC users. The GAC is for anyone not in a chair or Scooter but scooter and chair users do get them in case the meet a rogue CM.

[DisneyMom]

Although Churchy makes valid points, I hesitate at the concept of having "The Right" to ride an attraction repeatedly. If for some reason that would be the ONLY attraction someone could enjoy, I would think that some prior arrangements could be made rather than showing up and demanding to ride 20 times in a row while the CM is trying to be fair to EVERYONE.
When my son was young we waited in line during our yearly trip to Disneyland. I don't know when the GAC thing even started, never have used it for him. Although the long lines were a bit challenging for ANY kid, it was a good opportunity to teach my kids manners. Jamie used to like to go up to people and look up at them without saying a word, so to try to avoid misunderstandings, I would smile and say something like, "You look just like his favorite Uncle/cousin/friend/whoever" if anyone seemed uncomfortable. No one even heard about Autism back in those days it was often an ordeal just to explain.
I realize that was just MY experience, others' may vary.

[Syndrome]

There are other theme parks that already have equal access policies in place (e.g. Cedar Point) by giving a type of GAC that gives people who cannot wait in line a return time equal to the standby. Then they can sit or do something else or whatever they want/need to before returning for immediate access. Apparently it must pass muster under the law because CP has literally been doing it for years and I'm sure it must have been challenged at some point by someone like ToT Entitlement Woman. If people like her keep it up, I can see WDW going to a Cedar Point-like system. Sadly, people like her cause more barriers to be put up for people with true needs.

[Big Wallaby]

In the cases Churchy states, they would likely not make a fuss by reriding an attraction, because likely they are not in town several times a week. In the case of this lady, it's not a mental or psychological issue, it's not something where she'll get her 20 times in and be gone for a few months.

In the case of a child who is going to go do Dumbo 30 times before they go home to die, I would hope that MaW and GKTW is going to help them out by providing that green light GAC. That, however, is not a GAC that we can provide on property, the only place to get that is at the Village... but the bypass could be used in much the same way, especially if I am at the FastPass return and know what is going on.

This always brings back memories of someone on another board who was taking his wife and daughters out to Disney World one last time. After talking with them, I made sure I was in the right place at the right time to be their Safari guide. Needless to say, we stopped right next to Rory for just a second (I did it in such way to not bother the truck behind me) and had a wonderful time helping this family make a wonderful memory. I got to be a part of a memory that they will cherish. Wow. Where else?

...

...

Getting back on topic, I've never seen that family doing Dumbo 20 times, but I won't say it hasn't happened. With the right people in control of the situation, I won't even say a manager didn't help make it happen. I have a couple who would be all over it... Some who I would have to fight to blackout to get them to agree (and I don't ask them for anything), but a couple who would make it happen... A couple who are Cast Members at heart.

[Christine43]

The only way we'll ride something repeatedly is if we can do it w/o the GAC. I've told my boys it's not fair and you have to give other people a chance. The only exception to this is Mickey's Philharmagic which is my autie son's passion at WDW and even then we only watch it twice (we leave and get back in line). You've heard of the autistic boy riding Snow White repeatedly? Same thing essentially but we've haven't seen it as many times as we live farther away.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

But in the instances that BW and Christine talk about. Nobody Sues if they can't do it!!

I don't think anyone here is saying that the MAW are not an exception, nor other types of situations where they are exiting and standing in line again. That is just being a good guest by not abusing the system.

This "lady" obviously believes that rules (and courtsey for that matter) are for others, and do not apply to her.