? about GAC renewal changes

[Daydreamer64]

We have had a GAC pre-issued due to extenuating circumstances for our prior two trips- they gave us a number to give at Guest Relations and they gave us the GAC with little discussion about our issues. The first time ( 2002 )WDW GR called us at our home to offer the pass in response to an inquiry and last year ( 2004 ), I just emailed GR and they gave me the number to turn in.

When I emailed GR yesterday to get the heads up on renewing, they responded that they no longer preassign numbers for GAC's. If we take our GAC to GR they would issue a new one for us. While I have no problem going to GR to explain our needs, I do not discuss my sons health problems in front of him as it scares him. He knows that he is very ill and that most kids with his health issues die at a young age as we have lost three kids in our support group since Christmas .

My question is: Do I have to go into detail again or do they just look at the old GAC and assign a new one with the same stamps?

AND has anyone had any problems trading the old one in for a new one?

TIA for all your help.

 

[Selket]

I've read that some folks who didn't want to discuss their child's health issues in front of their child have written a letter and asked the CM at GR to read that. Perhaps after that point if the CM wishes to talk with you more your child could wait outside if another adult is along?

Sorry to hear about your support group friends. I Hope your family has a wonderful trip.

 

[riu girl]

I was the person who typed up a short letter explaining our situation (12/2004). I did not want to discuss the issues with DD7 standing right there (at this point in time, she doesn't know she has any issues and I 'didn't want her to find out in WDW that she is "special"). Also, I thought I would be nervous to get the information across properly to the CM. At first the CM didn't want to read the letter (but was extremely pleasant and simply asked me to explain the situation). I very nicely asked her to read the letter and then we could discuss thinigs further if required. At that point she read it and did not need to discuss things. Within two minutes of so from this point I had the GAC. It was very easy. At one point she asked me if I had a previous GAC and I said no. I think that if I had said yes, she would have simply took it and updated it so she wouldn't have to read the rest of the letter.
Needless to say, the whole thing took maybe 5 minutes total and the cm was very pleasant.
Believe me, it was much easier then I had ever imagined.

I'm sure it will be fine for you. If you don't want your child beside you, perhaps he could be just out of earshot (with another adult) and you could talk without him hearing you. You could simply point him out to the cm.

Good luck.
Suzy V.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have the old GAC, take it along. For the last few years, we have just handed the old GAC to the CM, said we needed a new one and that nothing had changed regarding our daughter. We have not had any problem and not needed a lot of discussion or explanation.
The note idea would also work well.
Also, keep in mind that you don't need to go into a discussion of your child's condition or health problems. What the CMs need to know is what he needs - which should be a lot less distressing to him than discussing his condition.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I will definitely do the letter. My DS knows when I am talking to his teacher about his ASD issues, and I can tell he doesn't like it.

 

[Daydreamer64]

Thanks for the information. I am happy to know that I can just hand the card over and state that there have been no changes. Just in case, I will compose a short list of our needs and why. It can't hurt and I will feel better about discussing the situation with GR.

The last thing I want my son to think about on vacation, on our first day at the parks, is the kids that we lost . While it is the adults that hurt because we fear for our own childs life, the kids pick up on it too, especially at 11 years old.

I get very tongue tied and as hard as I try, at times, I get emotional having to explain over and over why and what we need. I have to fight the school system, some of our speciality doctors haven't a clue as to how to treat this condition in relation to the other health problems that they are treating him for -so I have to "educate" them too. Thank goodness that the specialty doctor that treats CGD kids is my support wall. All I have to do is have her call whomever needs educating and she will do the rest!

Again, thanks for answering me - I feel much more relaxed knowing what to do.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Last time we went we brought the GAC up to the window, handed it to the CM who took it , asked if there were any changes...we replied no. she smiled and we had a new GAC in less than a minute. No problems. I think she asked if there were any changes to see if anything new had to be ADDED not taken off. WE have never had any problems getting the GAC for DS we have not had to use it much....thank goodness but it is so nice to know it is there if we need it.

 

[Karens]

Hi Daydreamer,

Just wanted to say that I feel for you - my 5 year old nephew has CGD and we are still trying to come to terms with the implications of this condition. It makes me so so sad to hear about the children from your support group who have been lost.

Don't worry about getting your GAC renewed. I had one for MY DD11 last year and have been advised just to hand it over at GR and it should be renewed no problem.

Have a fantastic holiday.

Karen

 

[Daydreamer64]

Karens,

Thanks for the support. We were devistated when we first found out. All the worries and negative information got in the way of our life. We decided that God had brought him to 7 years old and hadn't taken him yet and that he was the one that needed to decide how long Chris would live, that all our worring didn't change a thing so we let it be. Of course we live by strict rules and many, many precautions but we live and do not isolate him ( like lots of other CGD families do to their kids ) to protect him. He almost died from a serious long term infection in his body and that is how we found out that he had CGD. Our DS #2 is a carrier but doesn't have the full blown disease. AND we just found out yesterday that I'm expecting another babe to be born in Dec. 05, with me at the ripe old age of 41 so I guess we'll wait to see if this blessing has CGD too.

We have found great support in this link. I'm not sure if there are any rules about posting links but I'll try anyways. There are many posts and guidelines about CGD kids and their care. I hope your family is able to work through the diagnosis, relax and enjoy their life again.
http://www.magicbydesign.com/cgdcafe/index.php

 

[SueM in MN]

We have found great support in this link. I'm not sure if there are any rules about posting links but I'll try anyways. There are many posts and guidelines about CGD kids and their care. I hope your family is able to work through the diagnosis, relax and enjoy their life again.
http://www.magicbydesign.com/cgdcafe/index.php

We've got a lot more leeway on this board about posting things that are not directly Disney related. Since we have a large number of posters who have chronic conditions (some sort or rare like your child's), any information site that someone thinks would be helpful to others is pretty much OK to post.

 

[Daydreamer64]

Thanks Sue - I wasn't sure but since I wasn't "advertising" and only trying to comfort I thought it might be alright.

 

[JudithM]

Last week I showed a CM at Guest Relations my GAC from the last trip & had no problems getting a new GAC with the same stamp. We usually go to the Studios our first day, but this time it was EPCOT (for the AP/DVC Soarin' preview!). I hope it works as smoothly for you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[riu girl]

Judith,
If you don't mind me asking, when renewing the GAC, did you have to explain the reasons why you need the GAC (similar to what you had to tell the cm first time you were issued a GAC) or did they simply update it for you, little or no questions asked ?
The reason I'm asking I need to know if there will be a discussion with the guest relations cm which is something I want to avoid with DD standing right beside me.

Any info. would be greatly appreciated.
Suzy V.

 

[JudithM]

Suzy, I don't mind you asking at all ! I just showed the CM at EPCOT's Guest Services my GAC from my last trip. I didn't have to explain anything about how or why I previously got the stamp on my GAC. I've done this twice now on recent trips without any problems.

Do you still have the previous GAC? If so, I might just let the CM know I would appreciate a GAC with the same info, but I really don't want to discuss much (& sort of nod or make eye motions toward your daughter).

 

[riu girl]

Judith,
Thanks for the info. I do have the GAC from our first trip so I will be sure to bring it with me next time and do as you suggest.
Thanks again
Suzy V.

 

[riu girl]

The last time I posted on this thread was in April and was wondering if anyone could provide an update since there seems to be some GAC related difficulties currently.

Question: I have a GAC for DD from previous trip (12/04) and was just wondering if anyone in the past few months has had any difficulties getting an existing GAC renewed at WDW?
Please share good and poor GAC renewal experiences. I am travelling to WDW next time on my own (12/05) with my two children and am just trying to be prepared as possible.
Thank you
Suzy V.