Ask for a doctors note...

[Charleyann]

When talking with CRO for reservation (special room request / roll in shower). A CM told me to get a doctors note detailing my child's diagnoses for checkin and with help obtaining guest assistance card.

Also told me if I had an old guest assistance card that would be helpful. They were very nice about it....When did this come in?

Charleyann

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
I have developmentally disabled children. I believe that it is against the law to ask for a note from the doctor. You can show them a note, but they are not supposed to require one.

I'm not sure what your child's disability is, but be sure to visit us on the DisAbilities board for help! Come on over. We're a friendly bunch.

 

[Charleyann]

Hi,
I have developmentally disabled children. I believe that it is against the law to ask for a note from the doctor. You can show them a note, but they are not supposed to require one.

I'm not sure what your child's disability is, but be sure to visit us on the DisAbilities board for help! Come on over. We're a friendly bunch.

Wasn't on my reservation. I wanted to make sure it was on with Disney. I said I needed guaranteed and he ask my child diagnosis. then told me I should bring a doctors note for guest relations if I planned on getting a gusest assistance card. I was told earlier on these boards it was illegal to ask...why the change now? They told me it determine which entrance will be used for rides because wheelchairs can now go throw most regular lines.

 

[Nik's Mom]

It is against the law, I'm almost positive. You just need to be clear on what your child's needs are when requesting the GAC. If you go over the the DisAbilities board, someone will probably be able to site the law for you. It might even be on the FAQ thread over there.

We did not have a good experience when we first requested a GAC. I almost walked away crying because they just made me feel like I was terrible for asking. The next time we went, I was clear on what type of help we needed, and I had a very nice cm. If the cm gives you a problem, ask for a supervisor.

 

[Charleyann]

It is against the law, I'm almost positive. You just need to be clear on what your child's needs are when requesting the GAC. If you go over the the DisAbilities board, someone will probably be able to site the law for you. It might even be on the FAQ thread over there.

We did not have a good experience when we first requested a GAC. I almost walked away crying because they just made me feel like I was terrible for asking. The next time we went, I was clear on what type of help we needed, and I had a very nice cm. If the cm gives you a problem, ask for a supervisor.

I have a note anyway to carry medications across the boarder and what they are used for. I know people have issue wth this and I don't want this to be a war with folks. I was just asking out becasue Disney ask me this afternoon?

 

[SueM in MN]

CRO has nothing to do with issuing GACs (Guest Assistance Cards), so I would take any advice they give with a grain of salt. There are some websites that state you need a doctor's letter, but that is not true.
The ADA (American with Disabilities Act) states that no one can be forced to provide proof that they have a disability in order to get accomidation for needs that are connected to their disability. You can't even be asked what the disability is; all they can ask is what your needs are and what assistance you think is necessary to meet those needs. Some people fell more confident requesting a GAC if they have a doctor's letter, but it's not required and the letter may not be even looked at. If you do bring a doctor's letter, it should talk about the person's needs, not just a listing of the diagnosis. And, even if you have a letter, be prepared to talk about/discuss the needs. If you can't tell the CM what the needs are, they won't know what would be helpful.

A diagnosis is not important because some people with the very same diagnosis might have very different needs. Some will not be able to go on anything without having accomidations (that a GAC can provide). Some with the same diagnosis will have little problem and won't use a GAC at all.

There is information about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board. I ran the information by some WDW Guest Relations CMs before posting it here in the first place. We were just at WDW (came home a week ago) and did get a GAC with no doctor's letter.
I you do have an old GAC, it is helpful to bring that with you. It is helpful for the CMs to see it and will help you in discussing the needs of the person it was issued to. The one thing that was new on this trip (this was our third trip since October) was that the CM highlighted the part on the GAC that says it is not meant to shorten or eliminate waits in line and he verbally said there is no guarantee of a shorter wait with a GAC, just a waiting place that more fits the needs for accomidation. We were also told that there would be some attractions where our whole party might not be able to wait together because of "attraction considerations". That did happen at "It's Tough to be a Bug" where DH and DD waited in the roped off handicapped area of the large room before you go into the theater. The CM said she needed to 'hold' the area until just before going into the show in case more people came who needed it. She did allow us to join DH and DD right before entering the theater.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Were you talking to a CM through the regular reservation number or through special requests number? I ask because I would think the special requests number CM's would know better than to ask for a specific diagnosis.

My b/f has never been asked to bring a note or anything when making our reservations through the special requests number. He just tells them what he needs in the room. One time he told them he was in a motorized wheelchair and no further questions were ask.

I hope you have a wonderful time at WDW.

 

[SandrainNC]

I was just going to add that I always try to get a note from my son's asthma doctor in case they try to give me a room in the smoking section, but that is all I use it for. I have never had to use it, but it is good to have I guess.

We don't use the GAC, so I am no help with that.

Sandra

 

[Charleyann]

Were you talking to a CM through the regular reservation number or through special requests number? I ask because I would think the special requests number CM's would know better than to ask for a specific diagnosis.

My b/f has never been asked to bring a note or anything when making our reservations through the special requests number. He just tells them what he needs in the room. One time he told them he was in a motorized wheelchair and no further questions were ask.

I hope you have a wonderful time at WDW.

I called the 1-800 number. I called because I just received my reservation via snail mail. It didn't mention my request. The CM ask me what my son's condition was...I had to spell it out for him! I at the same time advised me to bring a doctors note if I planned on getting a GAC....

Charleyann

 

[SueM in MN]

I called the 1-800 number. I called because I just received my reservation via snail mail. It didn't mention my request. The CM ask me what my son's condition was...I had to spell it out for him! I at the same time advised me to bring a doctors note if I planned on getting a GAC....

Charleyann

That was just a regular reservation CM. He should not have asked you what your son's condition was.
Also, the people who issue GACs are the Guest Relations people in/at the parks (not even the Guest Relations people in the resorts), so the guy at reservations should not have mentioned anything about GACs - it's not part of his job to deal with GACs at all.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I called the 1-800 number. I called because I just received my reservation via snail mail. It didn't mention my request. The CM ask me what my son's condition was...I had to spell it out for him! I at the same time advised me to bring a doctors note if I planned on getting a GAC....

Charleyann

Your reservation confirmation wouldn't have any indication of the need or request for a Guest Assistance Card. Your reservation is for your room, not for accessing the rides/attractions in the park.

 

[Houseof Mouse 10]

I completed my first trip with 2 children with Autism. I got my GAC's at MK. She did not ask for my dr's notes but I gave them to her anyway and she did read them. My trip was wonderful.

I'm already planning a trip back sometime in 09.

Wilderness Lodge April 14-22

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I, too, have a child with disabilities (PDDNOS). In previous years I always obtained a note from our Pediatrician. This past February, we were at Disney and I was discussing with a CM how we usually get a note and that this trip we forgot to get one. She told me that we didn't need a note. So we went to Guest Services in the MK...told them we needed a pass....and they didn't even blink an eye!! No problem at all!!

 

[mamacate]

I was there week before last, and I did bring a doctor's note. When I asked for the GAC at City Hall, saying I had a doctor's note, the CM immediately wanted to see it, read it very carefully, and didn't ask any questions after that. I made sure the doc wrote the specific accommodations into the letter, but it was just handwritten. Anyway, my very general impression was that it would not have been anywhere near as easy if I hadn't had the doctor's note, but I didn't test it. I will say that I'll be sure to bring a doctor's note next time too. I was so glad to have access to the GAC.

 

[caseylouandtyler2]

Interesting. We were asked this past vacation what our daughters diagnosis was when we requested a Non-smoking room for medical reasons. This is the first time we were ever questioned about the medical reason. And it did state right on our reservation the reason.

Maybe this is something new.

A GAC was never mentioned though.

 

[KPeveler]

they cannot ask for the diagnosis technically, but sometimes telling them anyway works.

i am not getting a drs note for the next time i go to wdw, but i just found out that my new meds make me much more sensitive to sunlight, so i may need to have out-of-the-sun waiting places, depending on when i go, etc. if they ask, usually if i say "i have a very rare genetic degenerative collagen deficiency that causes my body to literally tear itself apart with everyday activities" that will work!

also, if you have something that is not considered polite conversation normally (such as IBS), when people ask nosy questions when it is none of their business (and illegal) i like to give a detailed explanation. Usually when you get to the phrase "explosive diarrhea" they are ready to give you anything you may need!

 

[Charleyann]

Interesting. We were asked this past vacation what our daughters diagnosis was when we requested a Non-smoking room for medical reasons. This is the first time we were ever questioned about the medical reason. And it did state right on our reservation the reason.

Maybe this is something new.

A GAC was never mentioned though.

I was ask for my child diagnoses for a guaranteed non-smoking room. When I gave him the diagnoses. He told me that I should bring a Dr's letter if was going to ask for a GAC....

Charleyann

 

[KPeveler]

sometimes a dr may be able to explain what would be helpful to your child medically speaking, but it is not required. some parents feel more justified in asking for a GAC with a drs note, or a CM may be confused but a drs note helps. however, it is not required, so if you dont want to bring on, legally they cannot make you

 

[LisaBi]

Could they maybe require doctor's info/note for diagnosis or need to support requests like non-smoking room?

 

[Michigan]

Could they maybe require doctor's info/note for diagnosis or need to support requests like non-smoking room?

No, under the ADA you don't have to prove disability