Considering a GAC for DD

[DVCJones]

We have been to WDW many times and never used a GAC. However, during our last trip, I saw my DD suffer as a result of the unusually high temperature that week. We never go during the summer for this reason.

My DD has Horner's Syndrome and one of the more annoying affects of this is that she doesn't sweat on the left side of her body. She does however sweat twice as much on her right side. Sometimes she will overheat quickly. I noticed this happening several times this past April when the temps were in the 90's with high humidity. Usually it is in the high 70's low 80's and low humidity when we go at this time of year.

Most of the time she was fine. But sometimes in some of the longer outdoor lines she became overheated, followed by a crushing headache and needed to leave the park. It is very draining for her. She did wear a cooling neck wrap and we had a fan mister which did help a bit.

I would feel funny using a GAC because otherwise she is healthy just overheats easily in extreme heat.

Should I get a GAC to use only in the event of unusually high temps?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Hi there. What accommodation are you looking for? A shaded waiting area? That is what Disney would want to know. I don't know if they can guarantee a shaded waiting area. I've heard that for Legend of the Lion King and Finding Nemo there is no shade. For those shows people either have the person with the GAC (and another person if needed) wait someplace else while the rest of the party waits in line and then they meet as the show loads, or they just try and get in to the theater at the last minute and hope for the best.

And there have been a lot of threads and posts about this, but there is no GAC stamp for not being able to wait in lines. Sometimes it works out that you don't have to wait, but the GAC itself states that it isn't a front of the line pass, and you are better off to assume that you will have a wait and be pleasantly surprised if you don't.

I've seen several people post about how they handle problems with the heat, so I am sure they will add to this post and give you some great tips.

 

[Gracie09]

What exactly are you looking for? I have a nephew who has lung issues that heat can exacerbate. They either go during colder months or go early in the morning, take a break, and then back in the evening. It keeps him out of the hottest part of the day. Florida in the spring/summer is hot. Its just the way it is. There really isn't anything Disney can do to change that. A good touring plan and taking breaks when needed may be what you need.

 

[DVCJones]

I love the idea of half of our family waiting in line while the other half sits in the shade. We actually did this for Peter Pan. My DH waited in line with our other child while I waited with DD in the shade. He called my cell when he got close to the last bend in the line so we could join him. But, some people were very rude to me when I tried to join him. ie... Not allowing me to pass or saying something rude. I have very thick skin and can take it, but I'd rather not have to put DD through that. It would be great if a CM would allow us to join at the end of the line without having to pass through the gauntlet...

 

[DVCJones]

What exactly are you looking for? I have a nephew who has lung issues that heat can exacerbate. They either go during colder months or go early in the morning, take a break, and then back in the evening. It keeps him out of the hottest part of the day. Florida in the spring/summer is hot. Its just the way it is. There really isn't anything Disney can do to change that. A good touring plan and taking breaks when needed may be what you need.

I am fully aware of the weather during this time. It has never been a problem. I was surprised this past trip when it did become a problem. We do all 'beat the heat' strategies. It always worked. It was just really really hot this year. It was Summer hot in early Spring. Like everyone else who visit WDW, we like to make the most of our park days. We were surprised that we needed to leave the park a few days because of the way the heat affected our DD.

 

[Gracie09]

I love the idea of half of our family waiting in line while the other half sits in the shade. We actually did this for Peter Pan. My DH waited in line with our other child while I waited with DD in the shade. He called my cell when he got close to the last bend in the line so we could join him. But, some people were very rude to me when I tried to join him. ie... Not allowing me to pass or saying something rude. I have very thick skin and can take it, but I'd rather not have to put DD through that. It would be great if a CM would allow us to join at the end of the line without having to pass through the gauntlet...

There really isn't a gac for what you want. Lines are not set up to easily allow people to the front- as you discovered. The best may be ask for an alternate entrance as it may be easier to come and go if you need to. Also a cover time of the year will probably help the most as there is nothing to be done to help moving around the park except a wheelchair.
The average temp in April is 83. So 90s is not that much of a stretch especially in late April.
Good luck

 

[Mama Who]

I love the idea of half of our family waiting in line while the other half sits in the shade. We actually did this for Peter Pan. My DH waited in line with our other child while I waited with DD in the shade. He called my cell when he got close to the last bend in the line so we could join him. But, some people were very rude to me when I tried to join him. ie... Not allowing me to pass or saying something rude. I have very thick skin and can take it, but I'd rather not have to put DD through that. It would be great if a CM would allow us to join at the end of the line without having to pass through the gauntlet...

FastPass would be a better solution for that one, because no, people are not going to be happy about you pushing your way to the front of the line they have been waiting in for so long.

For rides without FP, check to see if the alternate entrance (for which you need a GAC) has shade. Sometimes the wait is a little longer, but if it's a wait in a place she can be comfortable, it's worth it, right?

 

[buffettgirl]

I would try to manage line time with fast passes and a good touring plan. We routinely go in the summer and we never wait more than 20 minutes for anything. Usually it's more like 10 to 15.

But the problem with the heat really is the other 80% of your day when you're not in line. Walking from attraction to attraction, from parking to bus, from hotel to bus. There aren't GACs that will help that.

 

[DVCJones]

I would try to manage line time with fast passes and a good touring plan. We routinely go in the summer and we never wait more than 20 minutes for anything. Usually it's more like 10 to 15.

But the problem with the heat really is the other 80% of your day when you're not in line. Walking from attraction to attraction, from parking to bus, from hotel to bus. There aren't GACs that will help that.

I completely agree. We typically wait at most 20 minutes. It has never been a problem. It was a combination of the all the time not in line and then when we did get in line the heat combined with the humidity and close quarters in line with very little air circulation. It got really stuffy for her on several occasions. We chose not to sit for the parades because it was just too hot for her. It wasn't worth risking her overheating and getting a headache then having to leave the park.

 

[bidnow5]

I have read about cooling vests that might help I don't know much about them but several people on this board do hopefully one of them will respond

 

[DVCJones]

I have read about cooling vests that might help I don't know much about them but several people on this board do hopefully one of them will respond

Ooooh, now that might be a good idea.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree that the time outside of lines is likely to be as much or more of n issue than time pent waiting.

Most outdoor lines are shaded and/or have fans. As others pointed out, the lines are just not set up for people waiting somewhere else and then joining the ret of their party this is true even with. GAC.

I know several people have posted they used coolining vests.

I think this was one of the brands:
http://www.stacoolvest.com/child-cooling-vest.php

And this one:
http://www.amazon.com/HyperKewl-Evaporative-Cooling-Child-Sport/dp/B003MXO3WI

People have also posted they used Frogg Toggs Chilling towels.
http://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Chilly-Cooling-Towel/dp/B0049RPBWW/ref=pd_sbs_a_1

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I have to agree with what's been said here. I don't have what your daughter has, but I do have a fainting issue that is made worse by heat (and by standing still for too long). You unfortunately just have to learn what to hit and when. FP and touring will do a lot for you, and know when to just take a break and let her chill out, literally.

In preshow rooms that are large (like Monsters Inc or Universe of Energy) you can let her sit against a wall and kind of use yourself and the rest of your party to give her a little breathing room so people are right on top of her. I always head for a wall because I just can't stand in the middle of a crowd without getting lightheaded from standing still and having the wall to rest against helps me.

Having a cooling vest or Frogg Togg is a great idea, but if you don't use those you could take a small handtowel with you and wet in the bathroom and wrap that around her neck or lay it on her head for a bit. You don't say how old your daughter is, but maybe you can even make it a positive thing for her let her pick out a fan in Epcot from China or Japan and have them write her name on it. Even if she just fans herself a little bit (not that I'm saying that's going to take all her issues away) that might help with other things and give it a sense of "this is ok" rather than possibly being embarrassed about things? It's just a thought.


You can also use the First aid stations if need be. If she gets really overheated they would probably let her lay down for a bit in the ac and they might have something like ice packs or something you could bring her temp down a bit with. I think a lot of the other things like the towel or frogg toggs or cooling vest would mitigate needing First Aid, but at least you can rest assured that it's there if you need it.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Our son wears a Stacool vest in the summer and it works well for him. He has had it for several years now.

 

[DVCJones]

Just to be clear. This is not just a case of she's hot and uncomfortable. It goes well beyond that. It is that obvious even to strangers. Cool wraps and misting spray fans always did the trick. (Until this past April) We have been dealing with this for years and have already done the obvious like resting in the shade. I think she has dealt with it fantastically over the years. But I did notice that she seems to get less tolerant of people crowding her when she gets too hot.

However, if ever I find myself sitting in the first aid stations and leaving the park because she is overheating due to a medical condition, I think it is time to think of other options. I like the idea of having a cooling vest just in case it is unseasonably hot again. And I will take her medical records with me in case the need of a GAC.

Thanks for all your ideas.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

But there's not much else to do. Even if you were let into the alternative entrances it's well know around these boards that those waits can be longer or just as long as the main line. The temperature there won't be any different than what it is anywhere else. There's only a handful of outdoor lines anymore and most of them end up in an air conditioned building. If the line is that long that it's outside, you always have the option of returning later or utilizing the fastpass. The "quiet waiting area" is typically just a roped off portion of the main waiting area is usually just a roped off section of the main waiting area and those can be crowded too. If you're in line you can always make a little gap in it and let her stand there.

I don't understand what else can be done? If she has that much trouble regulating and is that uncomfortable with having people around her, what can Disney do about that? Not much.

 

[DVCJones]

But there's not much else to do. Even if you were let into the alternative entrances it's well know around these boards that those waits can be longer or just as long as the main line. The temperature there won't be any different than what it is anywhere else. There's only a handful of outdoor lines anymore and most of them end up in an air conditioned building. If the line is that long that it's outside, you always have the option of returning later or utilizing the fastpass. The "quiet waiting area" is typically just a roped off portion of the main waiting area is usually just a roped off section of the main waiting area and those can be crowded too. If you're in line you can always make a little gap in it and let her stand there.

I don't understand what else can be done? If she has that much trouble regulating and is that uncomfortable with having people around her, what can Disney do about that? Not much.

True. We only found it to be a real problem at MK and AK. Epcot and DHS have many air conditioned queues.

 

[dawnball]

. I think she has dealt with it fantastically over the years. But I did notice that she seems to get less tolerant of people crowding her when she gets too hot.

One type of stress (overheating) tends to make you less able to cope with another type of stress (crowds and unmoving air). Also, controlling one kind of stress can help with another. We run "guard" in our group. Leave a gap in front of her, then the rest of your party can leave a gap and stand behind her. It gives a little breathing room and more space for her misting fan to work. You may do this already, since you're pretty experienced.

I suspect that your issue was less the few degrees of heat and more the increased humidity. Mister fans and cooling neckcloths (and cooling vests) work through evaporative cooling - the same way natural sweat works, without having to generate the sweat. In high humidity - you just end up feeling swampy and not much cooler.

A better option might be a medical ice bag. They come in a variety of shapes, with and without velcro or ties to hold them in place. The advantage over a ziplock of ice is that they have some insulation value (so you won't freeze the skin) and they tend not to cover you so much in condensation. I've had good luck getting ice to refill it anywhere that has loose ice (so anywhere with fountain drinks, and in a pinch - even the carts that put bottled drinks on ice). The ice bag can be run across whatever parts of her are overheating, or along blood vessels near the surface (inside of the wrists, the neck, under the arms, etc) to cool her quickly.

However, if ever I find myself sitting in the first aid stations and leaving the park because she is overheating due to a medical condition, I think it is time to think of other options. I like the idea of having a cooling vest just in case it is unseasonably hot again. And I will take her medical records with me in case the need of a GAC.

IME, First aid is air conditioned, but not really a pleasant place to hang around. Air conditioned shows, or even air conditioned preshow areas like Hall of Presidents are my first choice when I'm overheated or overwhelmed. If it isn't peak dining time, sitting in a CS restaurant and sipping an iced drink works well, too.

Everyone draws the line in their own place when they decide to ask for a GAC or not, and when they should use it. If you decide you need one, you won't need her medical records. Just go in and talk to them about what's going on. A shaded waiting option may extend the amount of time she can be in the parks before she gets hot.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (or look near the top of this board). Post 6 is about Guest Assistnce Cards.

As was already mentioned, alternate waiting areas can be just a roped off area of the regular line and/or can be as long and crowded as the regular lines.

Regarding cooling vests - there are different technologies involved with different cooling vests. Some work by evaporation - those areusually less expensive and don't work very well in areas of high humidity.
This article talks about cooling vests with comparison and reviews of some.
http://www.activemsers.org/tipstricks/choosingacoolingvest.html

If you want a vest for preventative cooling, the ones you have to prepare for using ahead of time (like the Stacool) are good, but if you just need something occassionally and in a hurry, I agree with the poster who wrote about ice bags.
You can get ice from my counter service restaurant.

 

[camper06]

We have been to WDW many times and never used a GAC. However, during our last trip, I saw my DD suffer as a result of the unusually high temperature that week. We never go during the summer for this reason.

My DD has Horner's Syndrome and one of the more annoying affects of this is that she doesn't sweat on the left side of her body. She does however sweat twice as much on her right side. Sometimes she will overheat quickly. I noticed this happening several times this past April when the temps were in the 90's with high humidity. Usually it is in the high 70's low 80's and low humidity when we go at this time of year.

Most of the time she was fine. But sometimes in some of the longer outdoor lines she became overheated, followed by a crushing headache and needed to leave the park. It is very draining for her. She did wear a cooling neck wrap and we had a fan mister which did help a bit.

I would feel funny using a GAC because otherwise she is healthy just overheats easily in extreme heat.

Should I get a GAC to use only in the event of unusually high temps?

I would definitely go to Guest Relations and explain the situation. It doesn't hurt to ask and they may be able to provide some accomodations that will help. I would probably take the cooling vest advice as well.

If you don't go into it with the expectation of it solving ALL the waiting problems, you may be pleasantly surprised how much it could help.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I would definitely give it a try. If it doesn't help at all, at least you gave it a shot. And if it makes things easier for your DD, that is great!

Good Luck with your next trip!