Crohn's Disease

[summabreeze]

I have suffered with Crohn's and IBS-D since 2005. I take 100 students every March to Walt Disney World. This is the first year I am going to try to get a GAC. I have a letter from my gastroenterologist, is this all I need? Should I get something from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America as well? I have researched this a bit and noticed there are different levels to GACs assigned. Anyone want to share their experience with what "level" was assigned to them with Crohn's and a GAC? I am particularly interested in what the GAC helps with in regards to long lines for attractions and almost hourly need to use the restroom.
thanks for any help

 

[livndisney]

I have suffered with Crohn's and IBS-D since 2005. I take 100 students every March to Walt Disney World. This is the first year I am going to try to get a GAC. I have a letter from my gastroenterologist, is this all I need? Should I get something from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America as well? I have researched this a bit and noticed there are different levels to GACs assigned. Anyone want to share their experience with what "level" was assigned to them with Crohn's and a GAC? I am particularly interested in what the GAC helps with in regards to long lines for attractions and almost hourly need to use the restroom.
thanks for any help

GAC are not given based on diagnosis, they are based on need. You need to be able to explain what you need. A letter is not needed and will not be read.

Level's of assistance are not something that is allowed to be discussed here.

There is not a GAC for needing to use the bathroom. What may suit you better is a good touring plan-to keep you out of crowded areas (crowded lines often mean crowds in the bathroom) and use of Fastpass. Since the FP is not collected until right before you get on a ride-if you need to leave to use the restroom, you can get right back in the FP line. For the lines that do not have FP, you can speak to a cm when you leave the line-they will do what they can to get you back in line.

 

[summabreeze]

Thanks. I will explain my needs to the Customer Relations. Hopefully they will feel I qualify for a GAC since I have been having a flare and we are leaving next week. I am up to 16 times a day in the restroom. Thank you for replying. I wasn't trying to pry to much info, I just have never had to consider this before because I have never had a major flare this close to my annual trip.

 

[mom23kids]

Thanks. I will explain my needs to the Customer Relations. Hopefully they will feel I qualify for a GAC since I have been having a flare and we are leaving next week. I am up to 16 times a day in the restroom. Thank you for replying. I wasn't trying to pry to much info, I just have never had to consider this before because I have never had a major flare this close to my annual trip.

No you won't need a doctor's note. Just tell them what you said here. My 14 year old son has CD, and I just told them what his symptons were. I have no clue about "different" types of GAC, but the CS guy was so friendly and just asked how many were in my party and how long we were there for. Sorry you have this horrible disease and are flaring right before your trippeople don't understand how bad it can get if they have no clue about this disease

 

[clanmcculloch]

I think a bigger problem you need to account for is that you've got a large group of students who you're supervising when you need to be in the bathroom so often. Are the other adults who are supervising aware of this? You are aware that even if you do get a GAC (which frankly I can't imagine a GAC that would actually be helpful for your situation), how does this help if it's only good for you and up to 5 other guests? You're still going to have to be with the other 95 students if you bring 5 students with you. I'm really thinking that you haven't considered the logistics of the overall trip as a chaperone who will have to spend so much time away from the kids you're supervising.

I'm not saying this to be harsh. I've got my own GI problems and can sympathize. I just (1) can't think of a GAC that can help you since there isn't a GAC to shorten wait times or attraction durations (we use a GAC for my 14yo autistic DD who also has GI issues) and sometimes our waits are longer using the GAC but at least she can cope with the waits because of the accomodations and (2) I am picturing what I'd do if I was having a flare when on an out of town trip with my Girl Scout troop which consists of only 10 girls with us 2 leaders and frankly I know I couldn't properly supervise them if I was in the bathroom that often and I'd need to have a parent step in and at a minimum join us as an extra set of eyes to watch them and keep them safe. It's just the reality of my life.

Honestly, with a good touring plan and good use of fastpasses, you can get away with wait times even for headliners that will never exceed 20 minutes even during peak travel periods and generally you won't exceed 10 minute waits.

Also keep in mind that some attractions do not have exit strategies. If you get on Ellen's Energy Adventure for instance, it's a 40 minute ride where if anybody tries to get out they have to shut down the entire ride and escort out every single guest inside the attraction in order to reset the entire thing. You need to do your homework which is part of the planning involved with touring plans to figure out which attractions are just too long with no exit strategy for you to be able to comfortably do knowing that you may have to bolt to the bathroom at a moment's notice.

If you've had this for 7 years and done this trip annually, what have you done in the past? I understand you've been in treatment and may have had it under control for the past few years but what about the first few years?

 

[dclfun]

I also can't imagine that a GAC will be helpful and it would certainly not cover all of the students in your party. If you are concerned about having to leave the line quickly and of course want to return to join your party, BEFORE getting in line I'd scope out the closest restroom and then speak to an attractions host/hostess at the entrance in case you do have to leave, to ask for instructions- you don't have to explain your condition as to the need for this. Most of the queue lines are long and snaking, even those in the FP area, but if you use FP's for your group at least the line is usually a bit shorter and on one side, making a getaway a little easier. For the FP's one of the chaperones can go and collect them. They now have to be used within the printed time window but it will help your group tour more efficiently. Also if you've just eaten it might be prudent to wait for your group if there are enough chaperones so that you can sit close to a restroom and not have to worry about a fast bolt out of the line. I feel for you- I have a colostomy now and never know when it plans to act up. At least I am not in pain. Have you spoken with your GI doc about your trip? Are there any meds that can slow motility while you're there to give you a better chance to enjoy yourself? Would renting a w/c or ECV be helpful so you aren't doing as much physical exercise which would stimulate your intestines? Just thinking....and wishing I had better ideas to help you!

 

[ccgirl]

Personally, I have never had an issue telling the CM as I exited the line that I needed a bathroom break. They have always given me an immediate fast pass to return to the line. Granted, I have not done that a lot. Maybe 2 - 3 times in my 10+ trips.

As others have said; the GAC would not be good for you and the 100+ students.

 

[Mama Who]

Thanks. I will explain my needs to the Customer Relations. Hopefully they will feel I qualify for a GAC since I have been having a flare and we are leaving next week. I am up to 16 times a day in the restroom. Thank you for replying. I wasn't trying to pry to much info, I just have never had to consider this before because I have never had a major flare this close to my annual trip.

I don't think it is so much a matter of whether you "qualify" as whether there is a GAC stamp that can be of use to you.

GAC won't let you skip lines. GAC won't give you better access to bathrooms. I am only familiar with Crohn's in a limited way but I can't think of a way Disney could ease your difficulties with a GAC. What do *you* envision GAC doing for you? Maybe someone can tell you if it's even something they offer.

 

[SueM in MN]

Personally, I have never had an issue telling the CM as I exited the line that I needed a bathroom break. They have always given me an immediate fast pass to return to the line. Granted, I have not done that a lot. Maybe 2 - 3 times in my 10+ trips.

As others have said; the GAC would not be good for you and the 100+ students.

This is actually what a lot of people with Crohns have said they do.

 

[SDSorority]

OP- have you tried eliminating gluten from your diet to control your IBS and Crohn's? I found this website with good recipes: http://www.ccccibs.com/

Back to your original question- I have a friend with UC and he has never had a problem at WDW. If he needs to go, he tells the nearest CM, gets out of line, tells the nearest CM when he returns, and meets back up with his party. I think a GAC would be good to have for your peace of mind, and you don't need a doc's note for it.

Also, check this out: http://www.cassworld.ca/bathrooms.htm

It shows all of the bathrooms in the parks. MORE THAN LIKELY you will not need to get out of line to use the restroom unless you are in a long line like Soarin' and TSM can have... in which case you might want to opt for FP's for these (and honestly, who wouldn't do that anyway?)