Anyone had trouble getting a GAC?

[TaylorsDad]

A couple of weeks ago when we arrived at Epcot my wife and I went to see about getting a GAC for DD8 who has Downs Syndrome and has had heart surgeries and suffered delays in her physical development.and is still unable to walk or even to stand for long periods. When we went to guest services the Cm tried to tell us the Gac was only for terminal children. My wife tried to explain we were told both by our AAA travel agent as well as the receptionist at All Star music that my daughter qualified due to her disability. The CM replied "I wish they would stop telling these people that, but since you were misinformed I will give you one this time but now you know better" We accepted it politely although I really wanted to tell her what she could do with it or at the very least report this rude behavior. Just wondered if anyone else has encountered such a response. Other than that our trip was great. Although we were treated well the rest of the trip at Disney, it was Universal that my daughter was treated like a princess ( Cant brag enough about how great the Universal staff treated her)

 

[tacomaranch]

I am so sorry you had a rude person. There really is no excuse. I have only gotten ours at MK and it covered all the parks. Next time ask for the supervisor as I am sure they don't want rude people working.

I hope your DD had a magical time. All the best to her.

 

[LindaBabe]

yes, I had a rude CM at Magic Kingdom, but they gave it to me in the end. Either so many people are asking for them that they're trying to make it as difficult as possible, OR the training level has slipped so much that they don't know what they're doing and make something up.

 

[Talking Hands]

The CM didn't know what she was talking about. You can get a GAC for a child in a wheelchair although the wheelchair should be enough to allow you alternate access for lines that are not mainstream access. You need to explain the specific accomodations your child needs and it can't be front of the line access. (That is only for Make-a-Wish kids) A GAC doesn't provide front of the line access just accommodations like seating in front if needed, alternative entrance or place to wait if your child cannot be in a crowded area, etc.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have always obtained a GAC at WDW and Universal without any problems, I would like to think this issue was a one-off.

 

[mamaminnie]

I had trouble at the MK once, luckily DH had saved the GAC from our previous trip and I was able to present it to the v.v. rude CM. I did take his anme and made a formal complaint.

If it's not too late and you remember the CM's name you should complain also.

 

[Schmeck]

Perhaps the CM was told that a GAC was not issued for endurance reasons (more walking/standing is done between attractions than in lines) and that a wheelchair was the best solution. You don't say in your post if your daughter uses a wheelchair or not? Telling a CM that someone in your paty can't walk or stand for long periods of time usually gets the 'rent a wheelchair' response.

As Talking Hands stated, using a wheelchair gets alternate access when mainstream lines are not accessible. A GAC is not meant to lessen a wait in line either.

 

[SueM in MN]

Perhaps the CM was told that a GAC was not issued for endurance reasons (more walking/standing is done between attractions than in lines) and that a wheelchair was the best solution. You don't say in your post if your daughter uses a wheelchair or not? Telling a CM that someone in your paty can't walk or stand for long periods of time usually gets the 'rent a wheelchair' response.

As Talking Hands stated, using a wheelchair gets alternate access when mainstream lines are not accessible. A GAC is not meant to lessen a wait in line either.

I agree with Schmeck that this is probably what happened.

This is the Disney 'wheelchair response' from the official Disney website:
Endurance or Stamina Concerns
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.
They have a lot of people who come in asking for a GAC and expect to not wait in line because they are unable to walk or even to stand for long periods. Many of them expect basically a front of the line pass. The CM was correct that those are only given to kids on Wish trips, but should not have been rude about it.

If you haven't read it already, the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board has a section about GACs.

 

[cmwade77]

I still like Universal's System (at least out here in Cali) they have a time return pass for those that can walk but can't stand for long period's of time or can't wait in the que for various other reasons, basically if the line is over 20 or 30 minutes (it's ultimately up to the person that is working the attraction in some cases they can make exceptions) the person at the attraction gives you a pass to come back after whatever the line time is, this way you still wait, but can go eat and sit down or whatever your individual needs may require. This is both fair and works really well.

 

[travelitis]

I've run into trouble getting a GAC a couple of times. I've found that I don't ask for a GAC. Playing a little stupid on this subject can get you further (don't have to go to another Guest Svc. location to get the GAC). I will do that if I get someone who is unhelpful. I had my son who takes chemo weekly for arthritis and was in a wheelchair with me and asked for a GAC. I explained his chemo and fatigue, and the CM was much more interested that I knew to ask for a GAC than helping my son. We went to another location, and I asked the CM if she had any suggestions to help us tour and explained his medical condition. Out came the GAC. She had worked for a drug company and recognized the med my son takes, so she also knew he was going to be tired and going at a slow pace. The GAC she gave us worked like a Fastpass, and if we hadn't had it, we would've set a new record for the least Disney seen in a week. One of the days we were able to be in the parks 4 hrs. Actually, we had a couple of days like that.

My advice: Play a little dumb and let them instruct you. That way they don't think you're making it all up and abusing the system.

 

[Schmeck]

Why would you need a GAC if your son was in a wheelchair? If there were other accomodations needed, as in a place to wait out of the sun, etc, or away from others, you just need to ask for that.

 

[taximomfor4]

Why would you need a GAC if your son was in a wheelchair? If there were other accomodations needed, as in a place to wait out of the sun, etc, or away from others, you just need to ask for that.

Maybe there was something besides the fatigue left out of the post. I was wondering too, actually, since the WC would accomodate the fatigue.



To the PP who mentioned those several 4-hour park days, that is our average as well! Our family has only watched Illuminations and Wishes once each, and Fantasmic NEVER! And only saw the parade at MK once, and the one at AK once. DD cannot handle the hustle and bustle at fireworks/parade time, and cannot go that far outside her normal schedule most of the time. So boy, can I commiserate! Hehe, it gives us a good excuse to lengthen our trips!!

We are very careful to get FP tickets, instead of taking our GAC to the FP entrances, because I don't want to be a part of any potential over-use which might eventually cause changes in the GAC... don't know if that will happen, of course, but I am worried about it nonetheless!! (NOT saying anyone here is abusing or over-using, I am just late-night rambling.) Gonna stop typing since I cannot remember what point I was trying to make......................................................zzzzzzzzz......................

 

[gabbysmom04]

I was given a GAC on our last trip (May) for our DS. I was told about it and just went in to ask what it was. Well, the CM took one look at my DS and gave it to us. I cannot believe how rude that CM was to you. I would make a complaint.

 

[LilyWDW]

Understanding that this is only one side of a story (though in no way do I doubt you), there could have been an reason for the responce and something you could have done in return. Apon reading this, I do wonder if perhapse there was a miss communication in what was asked and how it was asked. The CM may have actually given you the correct answer for what was asked or what he thought you were asking for. If you did not believe he understood, you should have asked for a manager of some sort. It is very possible that he had of yet had to deal with this situation, thought he had the right answer, and was simply confused. Asking for a manager would have most likely solved the situation much faster and with less frustration.

I does sound like he believed you were asking for front of the line privelages, which are only given to Make a Wish children.

 

[Juliah]

Every time I read about the issue of stamina in the use of a GAC, I get more confused! If the GAC is not supposed to be used because of stamina, what *are* the appropriate reasons for the kind of GAC that allows use of the Fastpass line without a Fastpass?

I have read people here say that if they hadn't used it for their child with autism, then their child wouldn't have been able to enjoy the park, or at least not nearly as much. I have 2 DDs who are quadriplegics, and one also has a metabolic disorder (cytochrome c-oxidase difficiency), and I can say that using that GAC as a Fastpass our last two trips has made the same difference in their ability to enjoy the park. DDs' issues are different--stamina, heat and cold intolerance, and having time-consuming, complicated lives--but the effect of this accommodation is the same: the GAC that acts as a FP has meant my DDs could enjoy the park in a way they could not without it. So, does Disney consider one of those reasons (autism) valid but not the other?

The first year of Fastpass, we didn't get a GAC, and we trekked back and forth getting passes. It was exhausting for the girls to crisscross the park in their power chairs, and making it back to the right ride at the right time was a logistical nightmare when combined with backtracking to find companion restrooms, going to the first aid station to stretch out when leg cramps or fatigue set in, avoiding the heat as much as possible, taking twice as long to eat meals (because one DD cannot feed herself), finding a place to set up and take meds, feeding the one with the metabolic disorder a meal, snack, or constarch about every two hours, respositioning in wheelchairs, and so on. We tried sending just my DH out to get the Fastpasses for everyone, but it's too much for me to manage both the girls for even a short time, especially in a crowded park where their needs are accelerated by heat and other stresses. Talk about a trip when we didn't do much! And, like others, we can only stay a few hours under the best of circumstances.

It's not like using the FP line means front of line access. At attractions like Buzz or the Safari, by the time we wait for the wheelchair vehicle, I don't think we usually gain time. If we got in the regular line, we would wait our turn like everyone else and *then* wait again for the special vehicle. So using the FP line is more or less an equalizer. For us, using the FP line is not so much about cutting down on time as it is about cutting down on wear and tear on the girls. It's also just more feasible to use the FP at the time we approach an attraction than to try to fit the return times in around all of the girls' physical and medical needs.

I'm not at all discounting the need for people who have autism to have a GAC. Our three kids all have varying degrees of SI issues, and we know a number of kids with autism, including our nephew, so I understand the situation well enough to get it. But, without a GAC, stamina--along with other issues related to their disabilities--keeps our DDs from enjoying the park in the way a non-disabled person does, so why is endurance not a valid reason for accommodation? We can't solve their endurance issues by renting wheelchairs.

Or am I just not understanding the whole stamina issue?

 

[SueM in MN]

But, without a GAC, stamina--along with other issues related to their disabilities--keeps our DDs from enjoying the park in the way a non-disabled person does, so why is endurance not a valid reason for accommodation? We can't solve their endurance issues by renting wheelchairs.

Or am I just not understanding the whole stamina issue?

I think the stamina thing comes in mostly with people who don't use a wheelchair or ECV.

Someone who comes walking in and says, "I can't wait in lines" or "I can't stand/walk in the lines" is going to get the 'stamina' speech. For many people, renting/using a wheelchair or ECV will be all they need in lines. And, since there is a lot of walking and waiting at WDW that doesn't occur in lines, it makes sense to suggest a wheelchair for those people. They are going to be doing a whole lot more walking just getting around the parks than they are being in lines.

For someone with multiple disabilities (like your DDs and like mine), just having a wheelchair doesn't help all that much with their needs - yes, they absolutely need the wheelchair, but having the wheelchair doesn't help with some of their other needs, aside from mobility.
That's where it becomes important to be able to explain the needs. If the CM sees someone in a wheelchair, they will tend to think the lines are accessible, the fastpasses are available and the problem is solved. Unless we are able to explain to a CM what our needs are, they don't know. For some things, like autism, the CMs have a pretty good idea what the needs might be. For other things, like rare metabolic disorders, they won't have a clue. If someone is not able to articulate what their needs are, they are likley to not get a GAC at all.

There are not supposed to be any conditions/diseases that get an automatic GAC because everyones' needs are different and the GAC is based on needs, not diagnosis. Even kids with autism - some people have posted that they seldom or never use a GAC for their child. Others say that they could not make a trip without one.

 

[v4albums]

I have two sons with autism (age 10 and 7). We live near Anaheim and go to Disneyland at least once a month. We typically present the used GAC from the previous visit at the Guest Relations and have no problem getting a new one. Plus, I suppose my children's disability is so evident that the CM would not question the necessity of the GAC for us. Reading the previous posts to this thread, I notice somewhat a "controversey" regarding the use of GAC vs wheelchair. I could be wrong, but I thought in Disneyland people in wheelchairs go to the alternate entrance (often thru the exit) for various rides. I don't recall seeing visitors in wheelchairs actually wait in any Fast-Pass or regular lines. So in Disney World visitors in wheelchairs still wait in Fast-Pass or regular lines for attractions?

While my older son started on medication a couple of years ago, his energy level was so low we ended up renting a wheelchair for him once in Disneyland. However, we didn't do it again because we didn't want him to start associating the use of wheelchair with Disneyland. A couple of times while waiting in line for GAC, I overheard the CM suggesting other people (who did know the "buzz words") get a wheelchair. Well, what if you don't have a strong person in the party to push the wheelchair around? Or if someone is trying to maintain as much "normalcy" as possible by not using a wheelchair? I especially felt bad when the child or adult who needed assistance "obviously" needed assistance and came with older parent(s) or grandparent(s). On the other hand (okay, I am not trying to flame anyone, but I feel I have to say it), I have seen many times people abuse GAC or the use of wheelchairs. I have seen young adults giving each other high five's and jumping up and down after they successfully obtaining GAC. I have seen the use of GAC for a party of 10+ (isn't the limit 6?), and the person with the GAC actually does not get on the ride. I also have seen people taking turn using the wheelchair and the person on the wheelchair before was "running" while pushing the wheelchair. In those cases, I really wish Disneyland would tighten the use of GAC and wheelchairs.

 

[tiggerUK]

hi,

can i ask you what special request you ask for when obtaining a GAC for your autistic children? i care for a child with autism who is 9. we are thinking of taking him to WDW as he loved our 2 visits to disneyland resort paris. at DLRP they don't have special considerations for each person, all people with a card, including those with wheelchairs and without, get to use a special entrance or the exit.

joe doesn't tolerate people too close to him, and gets very stressed if someone touches him, even if it is by accident. he also just doesn't do waiting very well, he gets very stressed and very loud - which doesn't bother us too much as we're used to it but others in the queue line get quite funny about it as he really is quite loud!!

i guess i'm asking what disney can provide for our difficulties?

 

[SueM in MN]

Reading the previous posts to this thread, I notice somewhat a "controversey" regarding the use of GAC vs wheelchair. I could be wrong, but I thought in Disneyland people in wheelchairs go to the alternate entrance (often thru the exit) for various rides. I don't recall seeing visitors in wheelchairs actually wait in any Fast-Pass or regular lines. So in Disney World visitors in wheelchairs still wait in Fast-Pass or regular lines for attractions?

In Disneyland, the attractions are much less wheelchair accessible, so the only way people with wheelchairs can get in for some attractions is thru an alternative entrance. Also, DL is much more compact than WDW. Because WDW is so much bigger, someone who is worried about their stamina for walking or waiting in lines is going to have trouble in general getting around.

At WDW, all of the attractions at AK and at MGM Studio were built to be wheelchair accessible. Those lines are called "Mainstream Access" and people using wheelchairs usually will be waiting in them with everyone else. Some of the lines at MK and Epcot were able to be renovated to Mainstream access and all of the Fastpass lines in all parks are Mainstream. For many people with wheelchairs, their needs are met by being able to wait in a wheelchair accessible line.
The GACs at WDW are for people who have invisible disabilities or have invisible disabilities in addition to needing a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

joe doesn't tolerate people too close to him, and gets very stressed if someone touches him, even if it is by accident. he also just doesn't do waiting very well, he gets very stressed and very loud - which doesn't bother us too much as we're used to it but others in the queue line get quite funny about it as he really is quite loud!!

i guess i'm asking what disney can provide for our difficulties?

I you haven't already, look at the GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
I don't want to get into too many specifics, but if you can explain his needs the way you did here, you should get appropriate assistance.