? about Guest Assistance Card and walking

[M2DD's]

I need some advise on what I should do.Heres the story:
I have some medical issues that make walking or being active for long periods of time painful for me.At the end of a long day I end up lying in bed in tears from much pain. The DR. has given me several pain medication but I only take them when needed.I don't like the way they make me feel. Vicodine is the one I can tolerate the most. I'm really scared about how all this will affect me at the parks and walking around all day for 11 days. I try to sit whenever I can. I have 2 small girls and my wonderful DH pushes them in the stroller the entire time so that makes a huge difference. This yr is different than when we went last yr because I was getting monthly shots that have help with the pain. I just went to the dr yesterday and she said I had to wait a couple more mnths before I can start a second round of injections(provided that my bone density test come back with good results)
Heres my problem, What options do I have at the parks and resort. I won't use an electric cart .Its just to hard with my kids and getting around. My UG book talks breifly about a guest a assistance card does anyone know how it works? I will be calling disney later today to see what my options are. My Dr wrote a note yeaterday for them. The book also had recommended that.Any advise would be helpfu in figuring out my options. We are also staying at OKW and was worried about getting put in a building without an elevator or being far away from the main building. Hopefully they will be able to honnor our request.
M2DD's

 

[Hook's Girl]

You might want to reconsider using a wheelchair or electronic cart. A GAC will not help you with transportation or getting from attraction to attraction. The length between our attractions is far greater than the length of the queue lines. So it would definately be to your advantage. The official Disney stance is that for any mobility issues, a wheelchair or ECV is strongly reccommended.

 

[BillSears]

I'm not sure what can really be done in your situation other then getting an ECV or a wheelchair. Per the FAQ above it looks like a GAC really isn't an option:

For people who are concerned about stamina or endurance, Disney suggests a wheelchair renting a motorized scooter (also called ecv; for over 18 yrs and up). The distance and time spent going around the parks is much greater than the time and distance spent in line. With an ecv or wheelchair, you will always have a place to sit and can conserve energy for fun, instead of just getting around. There is information about ecvs/wheelchairs farther up in this disABILITIES FAQs. Most lines are wheelchair/ecv accessible.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

You'll be walking a very long distance between rides, getting to and from the parks, and just walking around the parks. Even if there was a GAC that would let you wait in an alternate area with seating for each ride you'll still be in pain from the much larger amount of normal walking you'll be doing at WDW.

I believe you don't want to rent an ECV because it would make it harder for you to get around with your children. But since your husband will be pushing the stroller I think it would be just best to bite the bullet and rent the ECV. My Mom used an ECV on her last trip to WDW and it was a lifesaver for her. She can walk short distances but couldn't manage the full WDW trip without an ECV. She usually parked the ECV with the strollers before entering the ride queue and it worked out great. Remember just because you use an ECV to get around WDW doesn't mean you need to use it everywhere, you can usually park it and walk when the situation requires it.

I understand how tough it is being a parent while handling your own disability but it's just part of life. We have to rise to the occasion and do all we can to make our life and our children's lives better.

 

[bopper]

So maybe you are not sure about the whole ECV (Electric Convenience Vehicle) thing...

Here are top 5 Reasons that people think they shouldn't get one when they should.

I can't drive one. Go to your local Costco/Walmart/Target or other large store. They probably have an electric cart type thing that you could use while shopping. Try it out. I bet you can drive it.

People might think I don't really need it because I can walk. Are these people going to share the pain with you at the end of the day? Do you care what they think? Save your walking energy between rides and use it for lines or getting on the rides. Enjoy your family and your vacation.

It will slow my family down. No, actually it will speed your family up. No more rests because mom is tired. No more going back to the hotel because mom is in pain. No more cranky mommy because she tried to walk miles and miles in Disney instead of renting an ECV. You are completely mobile on your own (nobody pushing you in a wheelchair) and your DH is pushing a double stroller. What's the slow down here? You can go where ever a double stroller can go.

It's expensive. Um, how much are you spending on this vacation? Don't you want to enjoy it? If money is that tight, take a day off of your trip and spend that money on the ECV so you can enjoy it!

I don't want my kids/family to think I am disabled. You are either temporarily or permantly disabled in some way if you are even asking about this issue...once again, why not make it a better vacation by saving yourself from pain? Nobody is saying you have to confine yourself to a wheelchair permanently or you should not stop trying to get better. If somebody told you to go walk 4 miles, you would think they are crazy. But you are paying for the privilige when you go to Disney to do just that...why not use an ECV to make your family's vacation better?

 

[dawnball]

I'd suggest that you look at the benefits of an ECV (I'm assuming an offsite ECV rental because over a trip that long it will be significantly cheaper)

Besides the mobility benefits, I'd encourage you to consider:

A giant basket gives you somewhere other than the stroller to tote all the stuff kids seem to require. The basket doesn't need to be emptied when you load onto a bus, which makes transportation easier.

You can zip off ahead to pick up fastpasses.

Portable shade.

For non-mainstreamed lines the wheelchair entrance is usually much less crowded than the regular line. (Not faster, but more pleasant)

It comes with a horn.

There's usually ECV parking right near stroller parking, so collecting them both should be fairly easy.


Well, those were the benefits I came up with when I was trying to convince myself at least.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I may as well chime in with my list. However, as Bill quoted, the official Disney Policy is that for mobility and/or stamina problems that the Guest Relations Staff will recommend use of a wheelchair or ECV.

A doctor's note generally has no real meaning as far as Guest Services is concerned. Based on the ADA they cannot ask for a note. A GAC (and, by the way, If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs as well as information about Guest Assistance Cards.) is based on needs, and one "need" that is not allowed is a Front-Of-The_Line pass.

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[seashoreCM]

Remember, if you get a wheelchair (or ECV), you can still walk a little of the time, some of the time, much of the time, most of the time, or even all of the time.

If you do not get a wheelchair, you must walk all of the time.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I, too, recommend you get an ECV. Do note, however, that you are not allowed to have anyone else - a child included - on the ECV with you (i.e. in your lap). But ppl have used them before and had children with them, so you won't be the first or the last with that issue.

Your children want to have a good time at Disney, so think about how good a time you could really give them if you limited yourself to walking with your medical condition. An ECV will allow you to do all or most all of everything you and your kids want to do at Disney.

 

[zzammmi]

We rented an ECV before (hubby had some temporary physical problems) and were able to hold hands with my 4 y.o. just like when we are walking. And they are good fun too! We didn't have difficulty in stores as they arrange the interiors with ECV's in mind. Enjoy yourself! :