Considering a GAC for DD

[DVCJones]

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.

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.

I like the medical ice bag idea too. That way I can pack it with us empty and fill it with ice if she needs it.

Thank you!

 

[Sunnywho]

If April is too hot, how about going in March?

 

[DisneyWithMS]

Hi, first time poster, long time reader.

I have read all of the responses to your question, and I have also had several years of Disney experience with this particular kind of problem.

I am a DVC member, and an Annual Passholder. I also have Multiple Sclerosis, which is a permanent, degenerative neurological disease. The disease symptoms are exacerbated by heat (incidentally, before MRIs, neurologists would submerge patients in hot tubs to see if their condition worsened to help diagnose MS). Additionally, one of the most common symptoms of MS is an overall lack of energy, known as "MS lassitude" which is also worsened by heat. The longer I am out in the heat, the less time overall I will have in a particular day before I have to leave my family in the park and head back to the hotel because I'm simply too tired to go on.

It is true that Florida is hot. It is also true that you can plan your trip in cooler times (which we often do). But sometimes, you have to go when it's hot, and you have to go during the day, not just in the evening or night. Disney (as of late) has only three days of evening Extra Magic Hours, and some rides (for example, Splash Mountain) do not run during those times. I just returned from WDW yesterday, so this information is current.

It is also true that Disney provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Since my issue has to do with an overall exposure to heat, Disney provides me with a GAC specifying shade and other accommodations when available. We understand what this means in theory (this is not a substitue for fastpass; please use fastpass, etc). In practice, when your GAC is presented at the head of the line, you and your party are directed to the best place to wait to accommodate your needs.. Rides and attractions that do not have Fastpasses available require CMs to escort you to another queue inside the attraction.

We do use Fastpass on as many rides as we can, especially the most popular ones (Everest, SpaceMountain, Soarin', etc). However, I then use my GAC to allow me to wait safely for other attractions while waiting for my Fastpass time. I do NOT use my GAC to provide me with "unlimited Fastpass access;" however, since it is not a regulated procedure, it is up to the individuals to police themselves. It is up to the individuals with their names on the GACs to not ruin the privilege for others.

That said, I don't see that the GAC system is heavily abused. I DO see that the wheelchair system is VERY much abused. More wheelchair-bound people on my last trip were actually able-bodied in comparison to those who actually needed their chairs. This was exceedingly disheartening, and I really don't know how Disney can correct this. And people are so brazen about it, leaving the park and literally jumping out of their rental chairs and running to the monorail.

To answer one of the OP's other questions, you can have up to 5 people total access an attraction (one being the disabled person) using a GAC. The total number of people who can access any attraction using that particular GAC is listed on the card itself. No more than 5 can be specified.

In my opinion, I would wait at the ends of the longest lines Disney could muster every single day of my vacation if I could spend just one day not worrying whether or not my legs would work that day or whether or not I'd be able to see out of both of my eyes, or how long I'd be able to work before I had to go in and take a nap. But ultimately, it's not about me. It's a family vacation, and I'd like my family to participate in the whole thing together. The accommodations Disney affords me allow me to do just that, and so I choose to use those and have an enjoyable vacation.

Incidentally, we also spent two days at Universal during this last trip, and they do not provide the same accommodation for me as Disney does. Those two days were very difficult to coordinate, and they really were no fun at all, for any of us.

 

[DVCJones]

If April is too hot, how about going in March?

We can only travel during school vacation weeks and summer. April is way better than summer. Since we drive we won't road trip in the winter over the Christmas break either.

We visited in July once... And that was a disaster. She was only 2 then and we will never do that again!!!

 

[Schmeck]

One thing to note about the 'alternate entrances' is that they can be the exits of the attractions, and very, very crowded. You may also be held up outside this area and forced to wait in the sun because the exit area can only handle a small amount of 'extra people', as it is the exit area first and foremost.

 

[ttintagel]

That said, I don't see that the GAC system is heavily abused. I DO see that the wheelchair system is VERY much abused. More wheelchair-bound people on my last trip were actually able-bodied in comparison to those who actually needed their chairs. This was exceedingly disheartening, and I really don't know how Disney can correct this. And people are so brazen about it, leaving the park and literally jumping out of their rental chairs and running to the monorail.

There are plenty of people who have a legitimate need for a wheelchair only some of the time.

 

[asta]

I think this is a very unfair statement. You do not have first hand knowledge of why anyone else needs a wheelchair for all or just part of their day. Just as it is not my job to judge people who use a GAC to avoid the heat, it is not yours to judge the mobility assistance needed by others.

From reading these boards I can see that many, many people have needs or wants to avoid heat and the long lines at WDW. Disney has already addressed wheelchair abuse by mainstreaming most ques. I suspect that with all of the recent negative publicity over misuse of GACs, that Disney will be coming up with procedures to take up some of the line advantages that encourage GAC abuse.

By the way, I think Universal's line policies are better than Disney's. They are fairer to all.

 

[FortForever]

I DO see that the wheelchair system is VERY much abused. More wheelchair-bound people on my last trip were actually able-bodied in comparison to those who actually needed their chairs. This was exceedingly disheartening, and I really don't know how Disney can correct this. And people are so brazen about it, leaving the park and literally jumping out of their rental chairs and running to the monorail.

Oh, please! And how many times have you personally witnessed this?

I can't imagine anyone would want to use a wheelchair if they didn't need to. Many, many people that can walk perfectly fine under normal circumstances, can't do all the walking and standing that Disney requires.

I had to rent an ECV once because of a foot problem that was still healing from my previous visit. It sucked. It was an expense and a general PITA. Seriously inconvenient. I always parked it in the stroller parking along with LOTS of other ECVs and wheelchairs so not like anyone was getting any "line" benefit from them. Clearly they all belonged to people, like myself, that had some physical reason for needing them at the time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

Her medical records, her diagnosis - will mean nothing. As several posters have indicated, what will matter is her needs, what you expect the GAC will do for her to make her park touring equal to most other guests. If you reread some of the responses, you'll see there's no way to meet up with your party as they approach a loading area; that there are few if any shaded waiting areas; that much of the sun/heat is experienced between attractions (because most standard waiting areas are, if not indoors, at least shaded)... Anyway, your daughter or you (with her with you at guest services) explaining her needs will be enough to get a GAC if her needs, not diagnosis/medical records, can be accommodated.

 

[KPeveler]

That said, I don't see that the GAC system is heavily abused. I DO see that the wheelchair system is VERY much abused. More wheelchair-bound people on my last trip were actually able-bodied in comparison to those who actually needed their chairs. This was exceedingly disheartening, and I really don't know how Disney can correct this. And people are so brazen about it, leaving the park and literally jumping out of their rental chairs and running to the monorail.

As I know you are aware, as you have one, there are many many invisible disabilities which may be somewhat relieved by wheelchair use. This does not mean that the person is a full time wheelchair user ("wheelchair bound just sounds so negative). Many people use it who have heart conditions, autism, sensory difficulties, etc, who are quite able to get up and walk normally and even run. That does not mean that the wheelchair use was "abuse." And yes, they probably consider themselves able-bodied, but that does not necessarily mean that they can walk 10 miles a day for a week in WDW. I know many children (and a few adults) who have to use a wheelchair for long distances or to accommodate secondary conditions who are quite able to run and jump and play.

I myself am a full time wheelchair user, but some people with my condition can walk or even run sometimes. I probably could run (for a few feet before falling down).

As you likely know, most queues are mainstreamed, so even if a person with no need got a wheelchair, there is no real benefit in it.

I see my aunt with MS get up out of her wheelchair and walk normally sometimes, but I do not think she is abusing the use of a wheelchair. However, a person who did not know her may think she did not need the wheelchair at all.

Please be careful about judging who needs an accommodation based on looks alone, especially if you do not know the person.

 

[KPeveler]

One thing to note about the 'alternate entrances' is that they can be the exits of the attractions, and very, very crowded. You may also be held up outside this area and forced to wait in the sun because the exit area can only handle a small amount of 'extra people', as it is the exit area first and foremost.

Yep, happens to me all the time. In fact, there are some attractions I know I can only visit after dark, like BTMRR, and others, depending on the line.

 

[infopurposesonly]

I'm sure people think my daughter abuses the use of a wheelchair. Last year we attended one of the Halloween parties. She wanted to get up and dance with the characters. She did, for no more than five minutes. Then it was back in her chair and out of the park because her medical condition causes her to become severely exhausted. Anyone who judged her for getting up and dancing couldn't see what effect that had on her that evening and for several days afterward.

 

[tobikaye]

I'm sure people think my daughter abuses the use of a wheelchair. Last year we attended one of the Halloween parties. She wanted to get up and dance with the characters. She did, for no more than five minutes. Then it was back in her chair and out of the park because her medical condition causes her to become severely exhausted. Anyone who judged her for getting up and dancing couldn't see what effect that had on her that evening and for several days afterward.

I know what you mean. My sister's stamina varies so she always has a rollator or wheelchair for most activities. She likes to get up and dance or move when she has the chance, but then she may be wiped for a bit. Most people only remember the dancing and not the look of exhaustion or pain after she is done, but her smile while dancing and then telling others later is worth it.

 

[dawnball]

That said, I don't see that the GAC system is heavily abused. I DO see that the wheelchair system is VERY much abused. More wheelchair-bound people on my last trip were actually able-bodied in comparison to those who actually needed their chairs. This was exceedingly disheartening, and I really don't know how Disney can correct this. And people are so brazen about it, leaving the park and literally jumping out of their rental chairs and running to the monorail.

I wrote a long post, expressing my disgust with this judgmental attitude. But the reality is, some people do use wheelchairs when they don't need them. The same way people people misuse every other accommodation. "Oh, I parked in the handicapped spot because I had someone's hangtag, even though she wasn't with me." People misuse the GAC too.

When you start drawing lines that say "this physical condition is ok to use a wheelchair, and this one isn't" - you marginalize a lot of people. People who need a wheelchair to have a good day at the parks. Or could manage one day, but not a whole vacation.

Clearly, you don't need your GAC for every attraction - what you've said about wheelchairs is the equivalent of "DisneyWithMS is abusing their GAC, because they used it for Goofy's Barnstormer, then I saw them waiting for the parade at night! People with a GAC shouldn't even be capable of waiting for the parade!" Those statements hurt. They particularly hurt people who need accommodations, but are still swallowing their pride and admitting to their friends and family that they aren't as capable as they used to be.

I think we can have a conversation about accommodation abuse without being hurtful about it. If we can't - it's not like you can change Disney's policy, so you'll just have to get over being disheartened.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm sure people think my daughter abuses the use of a wheelchair. Last year we attended one of the Halloween parties. She wanted to get up and dance with the characters. She did, for no more than five minutes. Then it was back in her chair and out of the park because her medical condition causes her to become severely exhausted. Anyone who judged her for getting up and dancing couldn't see what effect that had on her that evening and for several days afterward.

I'm sure I'm going to encounter this with my DD12. She can walk but not long distances because of problems she's having with her right leg and both ankles. You can't see her problems though I guess this summer in shorts you'll be able to see the supports she wears on her ankles but I'm guessing people won't notice those and will just see a kid who gets up and stands, walks and dances whenever she wants. Her physical therapist actually has her doing some dance type moved to strengthen her ankles so a bit of that is good for her but I'm sure people will likely see a child who's abusing the system somehow.

You know what? I don't care. I'm sure we've gotten dirty looks and/or comments for using DD15's GAC in the past but I've never noticed. I'm too busy focussing on my family and soaking up the atmosphere to notice these kinds of things. I do people watch and possibly would notice when we're just relaxing somewhere but we're not going to an attraction at those times so there's no reason others would even take notice of us or care what we're doing.

I wrote a long post, expressing my disgust with this judgmental attitude. But the reality is, some people do use wheelchairs when they don't need them. The same way people people misuse every other accommodation. "Oh, I parked in the handicapped spot because I had someone's hangtag, even though she wasn't with me." People misuse the GAC too.

When you start drawing lines that say "this physical condition is ok to use a wheelchair, and this one isn't" - you marginalize a lot of people. People who need a wheelchair to have a good day at the parks. Or could manage one day, but not a whole vacation.

Clearly, you don't need your GAC for every attraction - what you've said about wheelchairs is the equivalent of "DisneyWithMS is abusing their GAC, because they used it for Goofy's Barnstormer, then I saw them waiting for the parade at night! People with a GAC shouldn't even be capable of waiting for the parade!" Those statements hurt. They particularly hurt people who need accommodations, but are still swallowing their pride and admitting to their friends and family that they aren't as capable as they used to be.

I think we can have a conversation about accommodation abuse without being hurtful about it. If we can't - it's not like you can change Disney's policy, so you'll just have to get over being disheartened.

So well said!!

 

[LisaBi]

I'm sure people think my daughter abuses the use of a wheelchair. Last year we attended one of the Halloween parties. She wanted to get up and dance with the characters. She did, for no more than five minutes. Then it was back in her chair and out of the park because her medical condition causes her to become severely exhausted. Anyone who judged her for getting up and dancing couldn't see what effect that had on her that evening and for several days afterward.

I would so love into be there with you! I deal with the same thing...DS rides around all day, then gets up to dance for a few minutes. What the others don't know is that his total "moving" time is about 15 minutes tops at once and about 2 hours a day total.

 

[stitchlovestink]

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.

it's been *MY* experience that the quiet roped off area at attractions such at Mickey's Philharmagic & Laugh Floor Comedy are NEVER nearly as crowded as the general area. Trying to think of the others in MK right now, but it's SO late, LOL! And even if they were crowded I think people in those areas understand people in that area are there for a special reason and therefore are more understanding about giving others the buffer of 'personal' space. In the 'general' area even if you are trying to do this, it can be tough as people may not realize what you are trying to do and think you are 'being rude' or 'difficult' by not following the instructions to fill in 'all available spaces' so they may try to do it for you. Sometimes people are just being difficult and sometimes people are doing it for a reason but when the cast members are asking people to move forward and you don't...people can only assume you are being difficult. It would make better sense for everyone to be in the other area if you need a buffer, IMO. That way it doesn't hinder the other guests from following the directions given. I mean seriously think about it, if a bunch of guests started decided they needed to put buffers around their family members it would start to create backups in the queues. JMHO

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sure people think my daughter abuses the use of a wheelchair. Last year we attended one of the Halloween parties. She wanted to get up and dance with the characters. She did, for no more than five minutes. Then it was back in her chair and out of the park because her medical condition causes her to become severely exhausted. Anyone who judged her for getting up and dancing couldn't see what effect that had on her that evening and for several days afterward.

We have experienced 'judging' of our DD.
She was sitting on a bench in Germany with her wheelchair parked next to her, waiting for my husband to bring her a pretzel.
She had one leg crossed over the other and was swinging her top leg.

Two guys stood for a whole behind us and one of them said to the other , "Look at that! I hate it when people rent a wheelchair just to get ahead in line and then you see them out of their wheelchair."

First, DD's wheelchair wasn't rented. It is her own and cost more than my first car. Just the special, pressure reducing seat cushion on her wheelchair cost more than a rental wheelchair.

Second, he was basing his opinion on the fact that he saw her out of the wheelchair.
The part he didn't see was how she GOT onto the bench. Since she can't walk or even stand without support, she didn't get there by herself.
Someone has to lift her from the wheelchair and place her there. She didn't even cross her own leg - she let us know which leg she wanted on top and we place it for her.

So people do make TOTALLY WRONG assessments based on a few snippets of people's lives.
You can't do that with visible disabilities and certainly can't with invisible ones.

 

[KPeveler]

it's been *MY* experience that the quiet roped off area at attractions such at Mickey's Philharmagic & Laugh Floor Comedy are NEVER nearly as crowded as the general area. Trying to think of the others in MK right now, but it's SO late, LOL! And even if they were crowded I think people in those areas understand people in that area are there for a special reason and therefore are more understanding about giving others the buffer of 'personal' space. In the 'general' area even if you are trying to do this, it can be tough as people may not realize what you are trying to do and think you are 'being rude' or 'difficult' by not following the instructions to fill in 'all available spaces' so they may try to do it for you. Sometimes people are just being difficult and sometimes people are doing it for a reason but when the cast members are asking people to move forward and you don't...people can only assume you are being difficult. It would make better sense for everyone to be in the other area if you need a buffer, IMO. That way it doesn't hinder the other guests from following the directions given. I mean seriously think about it, if a bunch of guests started decided they needed to put buffers around their family members it would start to create backups in the queues. JMHO

I find it depends entirely on what time of day you go, and what time of year. When I went in early May, sometimes I was the only one in this area.

When I went in July once, it was so crowded that I needed my family to ask people to make room so I could get through the gate at all. They only let as many wheelchairs into that area in Philharmagic as there are spots in the theatre. There were so many people (whether they were with a wheelchair party or not) that I literally could not even fit into that area. My guess was the CM was new or new to that attraction and was letting large numbers of people into the area with a single wheelchair - they are supposed to (in my experience) separate the large parties, because there are only 3-4 seats max next to each wheelchair spot. If parties do not decide how to divide up (especially with kids) before entering the theatre, it is madness.

So while these areas can be helpful sometimes, I would not count on that as your only strategy for waiting for the show.

What I started doing, if I saw there were people backed all the way up to the back and forth part of the line at Philharmagic, was just wait for the next show. We would go to the stop, bathroom, or just wait. As soon as the show in front of us loaded, we would go into the line. This let us pick our own place in the "holding area" (hard to call it pre-show with no show), and my family basically creates a human fence to protect me from being squished.