Another GAC ???

[luvdmouse]

I have two DB who I have taken to Disney many times, one with oxygen and a wheelchair, the other blind. We have always gotten a GAC and had no issues. We have always been so appreciative for all the little things Disney does to make our trip easier. My family of 5 is doing Disney for the first time without my siblings. Today my DH had to go for out patient surgery. He had a fistulotomy; literally he's a pain in the tush! He is on bed rest for the rest of the week and then we leave. I'm very concerned about him getting around the parks, which he is determined to do. I've offered to push him through the parks, but he won't agree to that. He is planning on staying in the parks as long as he has the stamina and no pain for. He is going back to the doctor's office on Friday and the doctor offered to write him a note. Is it reasonable to take the note and ask for a GAC?

 

[Tissa]

I'm not sure how a GAC would help your DH? If he will have stamina issues then he really needs a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

On the Disney website's page about Guests with Disabilities, it does say this about Endurance and Stamina:
Some Guests may be concerned that they do not have the stamina to wait in our queues. We strongly suggest these Guests consider using a wheelchair, personal scooter or Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV), as the distance between our attractions is much greater than the length of our queues.

That is pretty much what the CMs at Guest Relations say if someone comes and asks for a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) because of becoming tired.

As Tissa wrote, I'm not sure what his needs are or what kind of accomidation WDW could provide. If he can explain what his needs are (other than endurance), he might be able to get a GAC. If he does get a note from the doctor, it should be specific to what his needs are (not just "assist him in any way possible" or "he needs to avoid waiting in lines."

But, the other thing to think about is (as Disney puts it), 'the distance between our attractions is much greater than the length of our queues.' If he is able to get a GAC, he still will have to deal with the issue of getting from place to place. An average person walks between 3 miles (a low estimate) and 9 miles (someone doing a lot of backtracking) in each day at WDW. Much of that is not in the lines, but just getting from place to place.

If he does need to rest, he could lie down in First Aid for a rest. There is one in each park and they have cots in individual cubicles.

If you haven't already checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a section about GACs that might be helpful.

 

[luvyawdw]

(posted by Bethany, my mom is Lisa [luvyawdw])
Hi everyone, I just signed up for disboards. I am just waiting for the parent consent to go through because i am only 12. My mom just faxed it in. Anyway, I was just reading your post and wanted to reply coming from someone who is disabled. (me ) As you have probably read my moms other posts, I have vaccine associated polio which makes my muscles very weak and hard for me to get around. Our fam loves going to WDW since i was little and have had to have a GAC. It really makes a difference with how much longer i can spend in the park actually having fun going on the rides (which is the whole point of going!) I don't mean by by-passing everyone in line although that usually does help with the amount of time you spend in line. I mean since it already takes twice as long to get from place to place (because of the crowd basicly walking on top of me not really giving the wheelchair space) by the time you get to the ride you are ready to go back to the hotel to nap! It also takes us longer to transfer out of a wheelchair to go on rides etc. So it really helps if i can get through the line a little quicker. I see that some people gave you advice to just use the wheelchair but not the GAC and go rest in the first aid periodicly, but if they where in your DH's place and had to go rest in the first aid every once in a while when your at "Happiest Place On Earth" they would probably go crazy. (or at least I would ) If i where you, I would ask for a GAC becuase you guys shouldn't have to waist your time in the first aid when you could be enjoying the park as a fam like everyone else. I am pretty sure the reason why you would get the GAC is because your DH just had surgery, not just because he "gets tired." I can totaly understand that.

 

[SueM in MN]

If i where you, I would ask for a GAC becuase you guys shouldn't have to waist your time in the first aid when you could be enjoying the park as a fam like everyone else. I am pretty sure the reason why you would get the GAC is because your DH just had surgery, not just because he "gets tired." I can totaly understand that.

Thanks for posting your perspective.
We can understand that too, but if he just says he "gets tired quickly" or just says he "recently had surgery", he is unlikely to be given a GAC. (You don't necessarily get one just because you request it). The CMs will just repeat their official advice for stamina and endurance. In most cases, they will not give a GAC just because someone is using a wheelchair or ECV because most people using wheelchairs or ECVs just need an accessible entrance, which they get access to without having a GAC. People who have other invisible needs might have need for a GAC because just using an accessible line doesn't meet all their needs (which it sounds like you have, and which my daughter who uses a wheelchair has).

So, he needs to think thru what a GAC might do for him and request one based on his needs.
And, (at least I think) he still should use a wheelchair or ECV because even if he does get a GAC, the GAC won't do anything to help with getting from place to place and that will make him just as tired and in pain as being in line would.