Anxious about asking for Guest Assistance Card

[bxccah]

Hi all. Last time I went to disney, my mum got me a GAC card, because of my mental illness which, due to the diagnosis, is a disability.

Next time, I'm not going to have mum there to get the card for me and I feel anxious and embarrassed about asking. I'm scared they're going to say 'no, you don't have an obvious disability.'

I mean, my arms are covered in scars from self harm so it's clear that something is 'wrong' but I'm just worried they won't give me it. I think the longest queue I managed to wait in was 15 minutes before I had a severe panic attack and a CM nearly called 911. (That's when we went to get the card.)

Do I have to show proof? Should I bring a letter from my psychiatrist proving I have a disability or will they believe me when I explain it?

 

[anonymousegirl]

The GAC is for non obvious disabilities so you shouldn't worry about that.

Cast members do not want a diagnosis, they need to know what accommodations you need.

For example, if you cannot climb stairs--tell them that instead of saying why you cannot climb stairs.

 

[rewardsinlife]

Disney will not look at a dr. Note..and they don't know about diagnosis so that won't help them. Like the PP said, you need to tell them what you are unable to do. In your case...you might say "I can not handle large crowds or being in close proximity to others in lines. Being in a space that is less crowded helps me with my anxiety." this should tip off the CM of exactly what you need.....but not necessairly or guarentteed.

Do you still have your GAC from last time ( even if it is expired)? If so, bring it with you and say You would like to renew your GAC.

You might also want to ask your mom what she said to help you get the GAC in the first place if you don't have the previous pass.

It is a little scary( I was anxious too when I got it at first ) but it will be okay. Just try to stay calm and if you need to ...you can always ask to speak to a supervisor if the CM isn't understanding your need for a GAC. ( BTW) showing them your arms isn't going to help you out in showing your disability...the CMs are not meant to gauge the disability based on looks...that is why the GAC was created...for those who might have hidden disabilities!

 

[bxccah]

I still have my old GAC- I'll keep it safe until my next trip.


Thank you all! I'll make sure I tell the CM exactly why I find it difficult to be in long queues/around too many people. Hate that I can't really watch the parades properly but never mind. Guess that's why YouTube exists...

 

[lanejudy]

PP's have given good advice. Explain your NEEDS and not your diagnosis. If it helps you to write a note that you read to the CM, you may do so but as others indicated the CMs are not likely to look at a note from your or your doctor. Bringing the old GAC can help this process as well.

However, your post mentioned that the longest queue you managed was 15 minutes. Depending on what time of year you go, lines can be much longer. The GAC is not designed to shorten wait time for ANY disability, and in fact it may increase the time waiting to ride. If you are OK waiting in a separate area not in a crowded queue, that may be alright for you.

I bring this up not to cause you undue stress now, but rather to point out what might happen and many of us have experienced so you can be prepared. I strongly recommend that you look into a good touring plan and use that as a guide to be in the less crowded park/less crowded areas of the park and avoid the long lines, that along with a GAC as back-up will likely be your best option.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[intheshadows]

As others said, explain your needs. We cannot look at Dr's notes, but an old GAC is very helpful.

Something as simple as, "I need to wait in a quieter, less crowded area" will convey the message.

Also, if talking to strangers (CMs) is difficult for you, someone else in your party can do the speaking. You just need to be present.

I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

As other posters mentioned, GACs are not meant to shorten waits. There is also no guarantee that your GAC will be handled exactly the same way at each attraction or even at the same attraction when you come back later.

Using a touring plan like www.touringplans.com or www.easywdw.com can be very helpful in avoiding wits. Even if you not follow a plan exactly, knowing which park and which parts of the park are likely to be most quiet will help a lot.

 

[Sunnywho]

I think the longest queue I managed to wait in was 15 minutes before I had a severe panic attack and a CM nearly called 911.

Tell them this.

 

[ttintagel]

I made the decision that I wasn't going to wait longer that twenty minutes to get on a ride. If the wait was longer, I went and did something else and came back later. With the use of a touring plan and FASTPASS, I've consistently been able to do that without missing anything I wanted to do.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

If you're anxious about speaking to guest services, there is always the option of utilizing fastpass.

 

[123LuckyMom]

I understand your concerns, but I assure you, the CMs are very eager to help! I have chronic back issues and a young baby and toddler, and I can walk, especially leaning on the stroller, but I knew I'd never be able to manage holding my baby in lines for any length of time. Also, I can stand with much less pain if I have something to lean on, like a walker. When we go to the zoo and such, I always push the stroller, because I use it like a walker. I knew if I could have the stroller with me at all times, like in lines, I would have a way both to hold my daughter and to have the support I needed to stand.

I learned here about the GAC, but I was worried that I would get to the park and be denied this permission because I don't look like I have the terrible nerve pain that I do. Well, my fears were totally unnecessary. On the night we got to WDW I went to the guest services window outside the park, and I told the CM what I needed-- very much as I just told you, and he was incredibly helpful. He gave me everything I needed, and it took about five minutes!!! I worried soooo much about that easy five minute exchange!

Please don't worry! Save your energy for the wonderful time you will have at Disney! Go to guest services, tell them what you need, and they will help you. Also follow the great advice about using a plan (I used touringplans.com and their app, Lines) to minimize wait times. That will help immeasurably.

 

[bxccah]

I understand your concerns, but I assure you, the CMs are very eager to help! I have chronic back issues and a young baby and toddler, and I can walk, especially leaning on the stroller, but I knew I'd never be able to manage holding my baby in lines for any length of time. Also, I can stand with much less pain if I have something to lean on, like a walker. When we go to the zoo and such, I always push the stroller, because I use it like a walker. I knew if I could have the stroller with me at all times, like in lines, I would have a way both to hold my daughter and to have the support I needed to stand.

I learned here about the GAC, but I was worried that I would get to the park and be denied this permission because I don't look like I have the terrible nerve pain that I do. Well, my fears were totally unnecessary. On the night we got to WDW I went to the guest services window outside the park, and I told the CM what I needed-- very much as I just told you, and he was incredibly helpful. He gave me everything I needed, and it took about five minutes!!! I worried soooo much about that easy five minute exchange!

Please don't worry! Save your energy for the wonderful time you will have at Disney! Go to guest services, tell them what you need, and they will help you. Also follow the great advice about using a plan (I used touringplans.com and their app, Lines) to minimize wait times. That will help immeasurably.

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate this message! I'm not worried anymore- I'll definitely go there on my first morning.

Thank you ALL, you've all reassured me so much. I'm so glad I found this board!

 

[CarrieR]

I have no experience with GACs but I wanted to chime in regarding not being able to see parades etc. I too don't handle crowds well - not to your level, it sounds like, but I kind of flip out if there are too many people too close for too long. We handle it entirely through good touring (NOT suggesting you need to do this, btw,) but I consistently feel guilty that my party misses out on things like parades etc. Through trial and error we have discovered a few ways for us to experience them.

1) Wishes - our favorite viewing spot is back in Fantasyland, around where Dumbo used to be. It is sparsely populated at that hour of the night and easy to 'escape' if necessary (though I've never needed to.) We have also had success with booking the dessert party, as it gave me enough personal space to be able to "deal."

2) MSEP - if you go during a busy season, catching the second parade (usually 11pm) back in Frontierland lessens the crowd immensely. Usually we watch it near Splash, with our backs to the bridge. Once we watched it on the patio at Pecos Bills - we peered through the fence so the view was not the best but no one else was over there. The crowd there is hit or miss but generally not bad. If it is "too much," it is easy to retreat towards Big Thunder and then take the bridge/walkway around to other parts of the park.

The afternoon parades are not something we've tried and are probably harder. But the MSEP is definitely possible - July 4 week of 2011 we had tons of pavement per person. Other times it's been more crowded. We usually don't show up until maybe 1120? Just a few minutes before the parade arrives.

Definitely advocate for your GAC, and I hope the trip goes well for you!

 

[yeahitsfine]

i always get anxious about it, too. i also have invisible illnesses, and plenty of reasons why i need the GAC. i always feel like they don't believe me, which makes me feel super embarrassed! but whatever, you do what you gotta do. you'll be fine!