Shorten wait times

[Freesia123]

My dad has various injuries: he's broken his neck twice and is recovering from brain cancer. We are going as a family to DL in July and with his chronic pain his stamina is limited. He will have an ECV but I was wondering if we can get a GAC to get him to the front of the line? The reason is simple, he has to lie down at least every two hours. That means that by the time we get out of the room and on site he has maybe an hour a day to enjoy the park before he's exhausted and done for the day. If he could go to the front of the line he'd get maybe three rides in a day instead of one. Is this a possibility? We don't want to budge obviously but we'd also like him to get to do more than one ride a day...

 

[clanmcculloch]

Unfortunately there is no such GAC.

A few things to consider:

• Using the information from a touring plan service (I like easywdw.com) there's no reason you should only be riding one or two rides in an hour. That's without a GAC.
• He can lie down at First Aid to rest rather than leaving the park if having a nap will normally allow him to do more in the day or even so that he can have a nap to make the trip back to the resort easier (allows him to do more in the park and then regain a bit of energy before dealing with transportation).
• Renting a car or staying at one of the deluxe resorts with non-bus transportation to the park(s) you'll go to most often (MK: Contemporary, MK & Epcot: Polynesian, DHS & Epcot: Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan or Dolphon) if either are within your budget will make travel time a lot faster.
• He might do better with his stamina if somebody pushes him in a wheelchair rather than him driving an ECV. An ECV will require him to be hyper-alert at all times to avoid the inevitable people jumping out in front of him and to maintain control. Having somebody else push him will allow him to relax and just look around. The rest of you can take turns pushing him.

 

[pbrim]

The only people who get front of the line passes are the Make-A-Wish kids. The only way to shorten the wait is to plan ahead so you can go at less active times, use fastpass, or go at rope drop whene there are fewer people.

Something else that may help is resting at the first aid centers. They have fairly comfortable cots where he can rest in a dark cool place. I have a friend who is subject to migraines and when we went, she had to go lie down for a half hour sometimes until her meds took effect, and it was a big help.

Perhaps while he is resting, others in your party can get fast passes and come get him when the window opens. Do note that you can't get fast passes on any ticket that hasn't been used to enter the park. That is, you can't have one person go to the park early and get fastpasses for the whole party. Or perhaps he can go early in the morning for an hour or so, then back to the hotel to rest, and return in the evening. Most of the lines are pretty empty if you are willing to go during parades and fireworks.

 

[Freesia123]

Thank you! Well be going with him at rope drop when there are fewer peoe and will be staying very close by (best western on harbour). I had no idea he could rest at the first aid centre, great idea! As for fast passes it won't work for us because he can't go on any fast pass rides because of his neck. We have jungle cruise, tiki room, storybook canals, and then if he's feeling good maybe pirates (he's done it in the past), haunted mansion and Peter Pan. He's just happy to be with us there, happy to be alive to see his grand kids caught up in the magic. Maybe with a little rest hell be able to make it a bit longer each day. If the lines are too long hell be happy seeing a parade, billy hill or fantastic. It's more myself who wants him to experience more!

 

[Freesia123]

Well still get a GAC though... With his balance, he need them to stop HM for him to board.

 

[gilesmt]

As suggested use first aid. Last sept we went about two weeks after my foot was out of cast from break. I was able to go to fa and lay down, get a cold drink, ice for foot, and even take a nap. It was great for me and family. I got my break and they did not feel I was dragging them down. I am blind so a w/c with my dog was out of question. Also let him go back to room mid day and rest and come back for night activities, fantasmic, woc and fireworks, no rides. Lastly remember that as far as I know DL still does not inforce fastpass times as of yet, that could change at any time. Which means, that the rest of your group can collect fast passes all day, then use them when dad is napping in FA or back at hotel, this will allow you to go slower when dad is with you but still get to go on the bigger rides.

 

[Aladora]

As suggested use first aid. Last sept we went about two weeks after my foot was out of cast from break. I was able to go to fa and lay down, get a cold drink, ice for foot, and even take a nap. It was great for me and family. I got my break and they did not feel I was dragging them down. I am blind so a w/c with my dog was out of question. Also let him go back to room mid day and rest and come back for night activities, fantasmic, woc and fireworks, no rides. Lastly remember that as far as I know DL still does not inforce fastpass times as of yet, that could change at any time. Which means, that the rest of your group can collect fast passes all day, then use them when dad is napping in FA or back at hotel, this will allow you to go slower when dad is with you but still get to go on the bigger rides.

I just wanted to jump in here and say that DL is now enforcing FP return times, they started in Feb I believe.

 

[clanmcculloch]

D'Oh! I missed that you're talking DL and not WDW. Ignore my resort recommendations.

 

[gilesmt]

I just wanted to jump in here and say that DL is now enforcing FP return times, they started in Feb I believe.

Thanks since I'm going wdw this trip, I guess I missed that. Well it was fun while it lasted.

 

[KPeveler]

I, too, need to lay down every couple hours due to complex medical problems. The First Aid centers are wonderful - the nurses are darlings and will help as much as possible.

Does he use a wheelchair? There are reclining wheelchairs out there - I wonder if your insurance would pay for one (even temporarily) since he needs to recline so often. Just a thought!

 

[dawnball]

I have no particular experience with this vendor, but they seem to do a lot of DL rentals, and offer a 10% discount for Disney rentals.

https://www.shermanoaksmedical.com/Manual_Wheelchair_Rentals_s/2121.htm

Reclining chairs are $85/week, which seems pretty reasonable.

 

[KPeveler]

As others have said there is no GAC made to shorten waits. A doctors note will not be read by CMs in Guest Relations, so there is no need to bring one.

There are a couple of lines in dL which do not allow ECVs. Those attractions should have manual wheelchairs available for free to use in that line. Unless you have a very small ECV model I would not try to take it into Peter Pan but to wait while sitting in the chair and' walking the last 20In@ feet if possible. You can bring an ecv in there, its just really tight.


A GAC is of limited help when he uses an ECV. For example they will automatically stop all moving walkways or offer to move them. For a GAC you must think of what needs your father has beyond mobility and stamina. For those needs it is Disney policy to suggest you rent a wc or ECV, which you are already doing. Are there needs beyond these. For instance, due to a combination of factors, it is dangerous for me to be trapped in a mob in those back and forth lines. I communicate why I cannot do those lines, I.e. what my needs are, and Disney gives me a GAC appropriate to my needs. This is in addition to my full time wheelchair use.

Planning is your best bet. Has he driven ab ECV before? They are actually VERY tiring to drive. You must have good hand/wrist/finger control and have good peripheral vision. You must also have very good reflexes. Generally if a person can handle a car they can handle an ecv.

Hope this helps!

 

[Freesia123]

He has one at home that he uses sporadically. It'seasier for us to rent one down there instead if dealing with it on the plane. He has major balance problems so standing in a line (however short) isn't a great idea. He's also prone to fainting as well. Ill just go to guest services explain it all and they'll tell me if he needs one or not. I really appreciate all the help and info! I get major crowd panic attacks and having an alterate place to wait is the only way to keep me from major meltdown. We make quite the pair!

 

[KPeveler]

He has one at home that he uses sporadically. It'seasier for us to rent one down there instead if dealing with it on the plane. He has major balance problems so standing in a line (however short) isn't a great idea. He's also prone to fainting as well. Ill just go to guest services explain it all and they'll tell me if he needs one or not. I really appreciate all the help and info! I get major crowd panic attacks and having an alterate place to wait is the only way to keep me from major meltdown. We make quite the pair!

If he has major balance problems, then he MUST have a wheelchair. If he has fainting problems, I worry about him in an ECV.

Most lines in WDW are mainstreamed, so from what I have heard about him, you will definitely need a wheelchair or ECV for him. There is no GAC to shorten wait time, and there definitely is no GAC to shorten the amount of distance covered.

Something to consider is what the GAC (no matter what stamp you get) does NOT work for:
Character Meet and Greets
Parades (there are wheelchair viewing areas, but no guaranteed benches)
Fireworks (there are not even wheelchair viewing areas)
Restaurants
Stores
Buses - waiting for them, boarding them, etc
Anything at the resort
Street Shows (Dapper Dans, Flag Retreat)
Fantasmic (though there have been varied reports)
Illuminations (you may access a wc viewing area but there are no benches)
Parking
Monorail
Transportation Boats

So basically unless you are on a ride or in certain shows, the GAC is not going to help at all. If you plan on riding the bus, you will REALLY want to have a wheelchair for him - otherwise he could end up standing!

This is not to say not to ask at Guest Relations about a GAC for one or both of you, but you do need to know that the places a GAC is accepted is limited, and in no way would guarantee a shorter wait, shorter distance (just the line into Soarin alone is 1/4 mile - and that does not include the 3/4-1 mile to get into the Land Pavilion and up the hill!), or a place to sit.