? about GAC with two painful walkers

[dimndgal1]

We're taking my in-laws to WDW this summer and will be taking the leisurely route this trip. FIL just had a partial knee replacement and will be going for a total on the second knee next month and I am going in for hip surgery in February.

We plan on renting an ECV and rotating between FIL and myself (I'd rather not try to parade with two and figure if we're both hurting it's a sign to go back to the resort for a rest). My question is about GAC -- is it worthwhile for each of us to get one? I can't see us splitting from in-laws - this is their first trip to WDW.

I know it might be a silly question -- I just want to make sure I've got everything figured out before hand so I can get all my ducks in a row! Thanks!

 

[livndisney]

We're taking my in-laws to WDW this summer and will be taking the leisurely route this trip. FIL just had a partial knee replacement and will be going for a total on the second knee next month and I am going in for hip surgery in February.

We plan on renting an ECV and rotating between FIL and myself (I'd rather not try to parade with two and figure if we're both hurting it's a sign to go back to the resort for a rest). My question is about GAC -- is it worthwhile for each of us to get one? I can't see us splitting from in-laws - this is their first trip to WDW.

I know it might be a silly question -- I just want to make sure I've got everything figured out before hand so I can get all my ducks in a row! Thanks!

A GAC is for needs that are not visible-since you will be with an ecv(and will stay together) a GAC should not be needed.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The normal and official response from Guest Relations related to mobility and/or stamina situations is the recommendation that a wheelchair or ECV be rented.

The GAC will have no effect on the distance between attractions or the length of the queue for an attraction.

 

[marielynn724]

2 trips ago my grandmother came with us (also with 2 knee replacements) and we rented a wheelchair for her because the walking was just way too much for her. our group always stayed together and the CMs at the attractions let our group to the front of the line. you should have no problems with the ECVs on their own. like someone else said, the GACs are to notify the CMS of issues that are not readily apparent.

 

[Bete]

Please bite the bullet and pay for a second scooter.

All I can say is you will enjoy the park better and last longer. If you want to walk some for exercise or you are getting stiff and want to walk you can park the scooters and then come back to them. I feel you get enough exercise in and out of scooters if you do rides, restrooms and restaurants, but if you want to do more park the scooters.

I think you have to look at this with open eyes. You pay for park tickets, you pay for the resort and you want to get the most out of it all. Sharing a scooter will shorten your park day and it could lead to pain for one or both. Why do this? Don't short change your trip. Once pain kicks in it might be hard to get rid of and it could ruin the whole trip.

We have done three scooters and this was a little rough, but two is just about the same as one. I think it's best to follow each other rather than be side by side. The leader does have to look back here and there to make sure the second scooter can follow properly. With crowds you can get separated; so, you need to be a little careful, here. At times I used the same hand signals as if I were driving and that seemed to work well. Also, we always discuss ahead of time the next destination just in case we really get separated. You can meet at the next place that way. Have maps if the person is not so familiar with the parks.

I've tried it both ways, sharing and not sharing and believe me it's much better for each to have their own scooter. Keep in mind scooters can get pretty close to the actual ride areas (mainstreamed); so, the walking is not bad in most cases to the ride. Your abled body in your group could park it for the ride for your FIL or yourself; so, it would be easier for you. In your situation, the both of you may have more trouble getting in and out of the rides; so, I would be very cautious there. How much support either one of you can get may be questionable gettting in and out of rides. You may have to skip some rides if this gets to be an issue. If others can help in your party all may be doable. When we have these difficulties there would be someone ahead of the person with the issues and someone behind to help with the rides.

 

[Piper]

marielynn724's experience isn't one I have ever experienced in 10+ trips to WDW and DL. I don't get front of the line access and I wear braces and use a forearm crutch when not in ECV--so a very visable disability (plus I am not young )

A wheelchair or ECV doesn't equal front of the line access.......neither does a GAC. I have been on many, many trips to WDW with a WC or ECV. Most of the lines now are mainstreamed and you will go in the same line as everyone else. At the Magic Kingdom, there are some lines that have their own entrance, but that doesn't equal front of the line. You may actually have to wait longer than others.

A GAC is for very specific accommodations for invisible disabilities. Since you will have the ECV, the CMs will know how to direct you. I can't see how it would help at all. Especially since there is no place to sit in lines and the only way to escape walking is a WC or ECV.

I would suggest renting for both of you also. If you were planning on renting in the parks, renting from an outside vender (see the FAQs at the top of this board) will be much cheaper and you will get better equipment that is easier to drive.

 

[SueM in MN]

2 trips ago my grandmother came with us (also with 2 knee replacements) and we rented a wheelchair for her because the walking was just way too much for her. our group always stayed together and the CMs at the attractions let our group to the front of the line. you should have no problems with the ECVs on their own. like someone else said, the GACs are to notify the CMS of issues that are not readily apparent.

marielynn724's experience isn't one I have ever experienced in 10+ trips to WDW and DL. I don't get front of the line access and I wear braces and use a forearm crutch when not in ECV--so a very visable disability (plus I am not young )

A wheelchair or ECV doesn't equal front of the line access.......neither does a GAC. I have been on many, many trips to WDW with a WC or ECV. Most of the lines now are mainstreamed and you will go in the same line as everyone else. At the Magic Kingdom, there are some lines that have their own entrance, but that doesn't equal front of the line. You may actually have to wait longer than others.

A GAC is for very specific accommodations for invisible disabilities. Since you will have the ECV, the CMs will know how to direct you. I can't see how it would help at all. Especially since there is no place to sit in lines and the only way to escape walking is a WC or ECV.

I would suggest renting for both of you also. If you were planning on renting in the parks, renting from an outside vender (see the FAQs at the top of this board) will be much cheaper and you will get better equipment that is easier to drive.

It may have seemed to marielynn724 that they got front of the line access, but the experience that Piper wrote about is the actual usual.

Most lines/attractions are Mainstreamed so that everyone waits together in one line. There are a few that are not; most of those are in Magic Kingdom and a few are at Epcot. Because attractions at those 2 parks are the oldest, some were not able to be made accessible. So, the only way to get into them with a wheelchair or ECV is to use a different entrance than other guests.
This does not mean a shorter wait, but some people who have not been to WDW before with a wheelchair or ECV may think they have a shorter wait because they were separated out from the rest of the guests.

For shows, they typically do separate out guests with wheelchairs and ECVs; they often enter the theater before other guests. But, this is not a ‘perk’ and does not give a shorter wait. Those guests will get into the same show that they would have if they had walked in. The reason they were separated out was there are limited numbers of wheelchair/ECV spaces in the theater and they need to make sure they only let in the number who will fit.

There is more information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, including the “Mobility Entrances” for WDW attractions.

 

[dimndgal1]

I am grateful for all the input and experiences from everyone!

I do understand GAC and ECVs are not related, however both FIL and I have trouble standing for extended periods, as well as walking (I also cannot do stairs in any expedient manner), so I was advised that it would be beneficial to rent the ECV for 'distance' and have a GAC to try to minimize time standing.

We went to Universal in October and I had a rollator which worked for me then but only because the GAC I got there allowed me to avoid standing by writing a return time for most rides so that I could sit and 'wait out' the line somewhere. I was hoping for something similar at Disney, but I know each ride is different, each CM is different, and don't expect anything more than HOPEFULLY helping to increase my day.

I am definitely okay with mainstreaming the lines -- DH and I are Fastpass pros and I have no qualms with teaching DD about waiting patiently. I just wasn't sure how things worked: I took my sister to Disney in a wheelchair in '03 and some rides had mainstreaming, some had back access (Test Track) and others had us at the mercy of the CMs. I just cannot stand for extended periods without support but if I can take an ECV or a rollator into the line, that would help immensely.

The only reason I am hesitant to have two ECVs is because we will have a stroller for DD and I am very nervous about our group of 5 juggling a stroller and 2 ECVs. That said, I am definitely open to whatever might need to be done and I think I'll have a better idea of my limitations after surgery as we get closer.

 

[Piper]

I am not sure who told you to get a "GAC to minimize the time standing," but they were not correct. There is no way a GAC can do that! As has been said, WDW's answer to standing is to rent a WC or ECV.

I am sorry that a GAC won't be able to help. I know first hand how difficult it is to plan for a trip when you have limitations. With 3 extra adults, they should be able to manage the stroller (and strollers don't typically go in the ride lines anyway.) I think you would be fine with 2 ECVs if you have 2 people who need them.

 

[Bete]

Universal and Disney are NOT the same in regards to a GAC for mobility issues (including standing). If a GAC at Universal allowed you a come back time to minimize standing and enabled you to sit until it was your turn then that's how Universal handled it.

With mobility issues (including standing) Disney's answer and what they expect from you is for you to wheelchair/scooter and mainstream in most cases for rides and this means you go all the way to the front line of the ride and then park your wheelchair/scooter and then board the ride all in one shot. There's no reason to do it any other way the way Disney does it. Their answer is for you to stay on your scooter; so, you are sitting and not standing; until, you reach the ride.

If you can get a different accommodation with Disney then we are not up to speed on this count and we will love to hear from you if it's different from how we are stating it. I think we are all just trying to prepare you that what Universal did is not necessarily what Disney does.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Call me stupid, but what standing is involved when using an ECV? Those are meant to be used while sitting down. Or said otherwise; use the ECV in the mainstreamed line and there is no time spent waiting standing.

As Piper already rightfully pointed out, the combination of stroller + 2 ECV's is no biggie in this scenario. There are 3 sets of adult hands that can manage the stroller. Even if they weren't there, there are solutions out there where one can navigate needing to use a mobility aid and getting out "solo" with a youngster that can't (be trusted to) make do with walking and holding a hand.

 

[JoyMouse]

I went to WDW last January 5 weeks after total knee replacement. My DD uses a wheelchair, I rented an ECV, my great neice was in her stroller...there were 9 of us in our group. We were a sight to see, but the CMs were a great help and we did and saw everything! It looked like a parade everytime we moved, but we didn't let anything slow us down. I know I couldn't have managed without the ECV, I would have been a total party pooper! All this is to say, go ahead and rent one for each of you, it will be fine and you will both appreciate it at the end of the day! Have fun, I am sending some pixie dust your way!!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are NOT using a wheelchairor ECV at WDW, a GAC can help by allowing you to avoid stairs and board in areas where moving walkways can be slowed or stopped. But, if you are using a wheelchair or ECV, you will be routed that way anyway without having a GAC.
Bringing the wheelchairor ECV into lines doesn't require a GAC. either.

GACs will not shorten the distance walked and there are attractions where everyone stands unless they have a wheelchair or ECV to sit in. Those attractions are listed in post 22. On page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.