Diabetes and GAC?

[katml14]

Just wondering if anyone travelling with a diabetic in their party has utilized the GAC? What was your experience? We are leaving on the 12th for WDW and my two year old daughter is T1.

 

[mousermerf]

GAC's have nothing to do with a condition but rather what you can/cannot do. You goto guest relations, explain what you can/cannot do as it pertains to Disney's operation and they give you a GAC with any appropriate stamps/notes/etc.

 

[KPeveler]

A lot of people have reported the GAC not very helpful with diabetes. What you need to figure out is what you need to be able to tour the parks like everyone else. Does she need to be kept out of the sun? (best for this is a stroller with a shade) Does she need to keep her stroller at all times? If you can explain your needs to the CM, then they will give you the best GAC to help you.

If you are not sure, you can tour the parks for a few hours and then go back to get the GAC. No rule saying you have to get it on the first day!

 

[katml14]

GAC's have nothing to do with a condition but rather what you can/cannot do. You goto guest relations, explain what you can/cannot do as it pertains to Disney's operation and they give you a GAC with any appropriate stamps/notes/etc.

Right, I realize that. I am just reaching out to other folks who might have been in the same position as myself to see what their experience might/might not have been.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you feel there are needs based on a medical condition go to Guest Relations and discuss what these needs are. They will then work with you to give a GAC that will cover those needs. If you find later that it did not cover the needs you can go back to that (or another park) Guest Relations and discuss the matter further.

And, as a diabetic, I do not feel that I have any special needs caused by my diabetes.

 

[clanmcculloch]

With the age of your daughter, I'm assuming you'll have a stroller. I'd suggest bringing a soft sided cooler with water and juice so she can stay hydrated and you can give her a quick sip of juice on the spot if you suddenly find her blood sugar to be low. Check her blood sugar more often than you would at home since the head and activity level of WDW can affect even the most stable diabetics.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

My 3yo DS is diabetic, and we first brought him to WDW when he was 2 1/2. We did not get a GAC, as we couldn't really see any situation in which we might need it. I think if he was a bit older, we might have gotten one to be able to use the stroller as a wheelchair in lines. We figured if he was low and we were treating it, he's still little enough we could carry him without a problem. We went in December, so keeping him out of the heat wasn't a huge problem.

Jen

 

[daneenm]

If your toddler is like my son was, the heat of a summer trip might cause her BGs to run low. We wound up planning around the heat of the day and did not wind up getting a GAC (thank you Tour Guide Mike!). However, if we had not been able to do that, i would have picked one up to allow him to wait in the shade or a cooler area with an adult while the rest of us waited in line.

As I am sure you know well, toddlers' BGs can swing quite unexpectedly and widely. So you may need a different accommodation for your daughter than someone older might need.

Above all else, test, test and test some more. Have a great trip!