Differences in GAC WDW vs Disneyland

[jennynoel]

I'm sure this has been explained but I can't find it.

How is GAC access different at WDW from at Disneyland?

My Husband and I are AP holders at Disneyland, and going to WDW in early December. I need to know what to expect so that I can plan accordingly. DH doesn't use an ECV/wheelchair but can't wait in lines longer than about 20 mins.

We can use fastpass lines, like at Disneyland, correct? Which attractions lines tend to be the most problematic for GAC people?

DH is a night owl and I have always done rope drop touring At WDW to avoid lines. I am trying to gather enough information so I can decide if I need to motivate him to get there early or if I can plan for the attractions that will be problematic and go with the flow on the others.

Thanks everyone!

Jenny

 

[Piper]

I have only been to DL once--many times to WDW. There are fewer mainstreamed lines at DL. Use of fastpass and a really good touring plan are essential at WDW. Going early is one of the best ways to get on those crowded rides. I can get much more done by getting there early vs later.

 

[jennynoel]

I have only been to DL once--many times to WDW. There are fewer mainstreamed lines at DL. Use of fastpass and a really good touring plan are essential at WDW. Going early is one of the best ways to get on those crowded rides. I can get much more done by getting there early vs later.

Thank you Piper! I think my DH understands. We are so spoiled at Dlr. With GAC we can expect less than 20 min waits on practically any ride.

He says "if there is a reason to get up early then I'm there." So I'm hopefull we won't have too many problems.

Jenny

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have only been to DL once--many times to WDW. There are fewer mainstreamed lines at DL. Use of fastpass and a really good touring plan are essential at WDW. Going early is one of the best ways to get on those crowded rides. I can get much more done by getting there early vs later.

Well I have no experience with DL, but I like the OP am a nightowl and MUCH prefer going into the parks later and into the nighttime EMH when there are 'almost always' less children. Morning rope drops are a nightmare for me and I don't use a touring plan or FP and do just fine.
OP, I think you will be just fine with your GAC and touring later in the day. I don't have a problem touring that way and can't think of any rides that were issues for me but there are some things I can't ride. If your DH prefers to tour later, I would let him tour later and enjoy it more rather than get up/out early if that's not 'comfortable/enjoyable' for him. I hope you enjoy WDW!!



Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I'm curious if you have a plan for what to do about the fact that WDW is so much larger than DL? A good touring plan and using fastpasses can help if it's purely waiting in line for longer than 20 minutes that is a problem.

Officially, if your DH can't stand in a line for longer than 20 minutes because of a mobility or stamina reason, they're going to suggest he get a wheelchair or ECV. You don't specify what the issue is, but if any of it has to do with how far he can walk/stand comfortably, you really may want to reconsider and rent a wheelchair or ECV. WDW is much bigger than DL and most of the walking distance you'll have to worry about is between attractions, not in queues. As well, there really are many more mainstreamed queues at WDW so there are fewer places where an alternate entrance is even available and some places that do have them can end up with longer waits, rather than shorter.

 

[ttintagel]

You may find this helpful or not.

Even when I was perfectly able-bodied, I had a personal policy of not waiting more than 20 minutes for a ride. The advent of FASTPASS made it even more doable. And I never missed out an anything I wanted to do because of it.

So, even if there were no accommodations in place for your DH, be reassured that it would still be possible to have a full WDW experience. There is SO much to do that if you decide not to wait for something, there's always something else to do close by until the wait gets shorter.

 

[Love Tink]

I've used GAC at both DL and WDW multiple times. I would say that you will find the GAC (depending on the specifics of the one your husband gets) is slightly less helpful in Florida.

There are more FP rides in Florida, so that is nice because (again, depending on the specific stamp) the GAC can allow access through the FP line. However, the attractions overall tend to have more modern queues, so there are far fewer attractions that allow disabled access through the exit.

The GAC is very helpful, but I agree with the other posters that the best advice (as for anyone - GAC or not) is getting there early.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I have toured at both WDW and DL with someone with GAC.

DL's queues are very narrow and cannot accommodate many mobility devices such as wheelchairs and ECVs (including strollers and strollers as wheelchair). For this reason GACs are more prevalent in DL.

DL is also much smaller in scale. All of Disneyland can fit in the parking lot of Magic Kingdom and have room for 3000 cars as well.

That means a ton of walking at WDW just to get from one attraction to another. A GAC doesn't help with that.

WDW is primarily mainstreamed with queues wide enough for mobility devices. So there are fewer GAC issued for guests using those devices unless they have other needs separate from mobility.


I agree that rope drop will be a huge advantage as will a good touring plan. I went in July 2008; even at that busy time, we never waited more than 20 minutes for anything except Kilimanjaro Safari (40 mins).

I hope you and your husband have a great trip!

 

[KPeveler]

Something to consider is that you will be walking MUCH MUCH more in WDW than DL, regardless of line wait time. Even just to get into Animal Kingdom, you are walking about a mile from the bus through the turnstiles and through the "oasis." That is a mile before you even get to an attraction!

Also, the lines themselves are much longer in terms of distance.

In DL I go about 4 miles in a day to do the park - In WDW, I go about 12 miles a day! (I have an odometer on my wheelchair, so I know).g

How are you going to handle all the walking and the attractions that require standing - like all the "Circle Vision" shows?

I think renting an ECV may be necessary in addition to the GAC, because the GAC will NOT be shortening how far you have to go to get to the ride, regardless of wait times.

You can also count on GACs being handled differently, due to accessibility being better in Florida, as well as an increased number of Fastpasses.

Also, in FL, there are many many many people with a GAC or wheelchair, so it is not uncommon for an alternate waiting area to have lines just as long.

If you cannot wait in line longer than 20 minutes, you need a good tourning plan, use Fastpasses, and rent an ECV or WC. Disney has stopped giving out GACs for people with stamina issues that can be resolved by using a wheelchair.