Do we bother bringing old GAC?

[LillersMom]

On our last trip the CM who issued my DH his GAC told hiim to hang on to it for our next trip and it would make issuing him a new one easier and quicker. Is that what others have found or should we not bother? I actually know where it is! Thanks!

 

[pumpkinboy]

I would recommend bringing the old GAC. You still have to get a new GAC, but having the old one helps the CM determine the proper stamps without having to get a full explanation of everything they way you had to last time. In short, having the old one is a big time-saver for getting the new one.

Good luck!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Yes, bring the old GAC. It explains everything so that you don't have to go through all of the issues again.

 

[Selket]

We were just there over Easter/Spring Break and the CM told me he absolutely did not want to see my old GAC. He was quite nasty about it (bringing up that since people can buy them on Ebay that it was useless to show the old one. I thought that was not exactly nice to suggest I got it on Ebay.). He got rather animated about it saying he had to act like it didn't exist (and on and on and on). I think he would have passed out had I gotten it out.

He was EXTREMELY annoying and rude this fellow - this was in Epcot. I usually go to the MK if we request a GAC so I'd suggest going there. I have usually brought the old one and it cannot hurt but be prepared to explain your (or your child's, etc) needs. I think it would actually be helpful to write it down yourself in a letter before you go and hand that to them so you don't have to entertain the entire guest services area. Though I'm sure the CM I spoke to at Epcot would have pulled out a paper bag and started breathing into it for hyperventilating if he thought I was giving him a Dr.'s note rather than something I wrote myself.

I've never had a good experience at Epcot Guest Services for anything though - maybe they are just better trained at the MK? But the point is you can bring the old GAC but be prepared to have them start backing away if you mention it. It was like hinting to a vampire that you had some garlic and a wooden stake in your pocket....

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I am sorry for your experience at Epcot. We go to the guest services outside of MK for our GAC. I did bring the previous issued one but did explain to the CM that with DS autism we don't know what kind of day, hour or minute we will have and that the GAC is the insurance to trying to have a good day.

Not having him in line touching women's bumms really does make for a better day. Not having the chain swinging, not having people stare. The GAC does make for a better day.

I thought it would be easier for the CM to see what was offered before and then explain that we still need the same stamps.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am sorry for your experience at Epcot. We go to the guest services outside of MK for our GAC.

I'm sorry about your experience too. Our DD's last GAC was obtained at Epcot with no problem. We have gotten a GAC at MK and Epcot and had good experiences at both, but we have also had some 'indifferent' CMs (not rude, just not too interested looking) at both parks.

I thought it would be easier for the CM to see what was offered before and then explain that we still need the same stamps.

We used to show the GAC and say that DD's problems/needs had not changed and that the stamps that were on her GAC were still appropriate. That would seem to be easier for everyone, but it is a little too easy, given what was happening recently.

Unfortunatly, there were people selling GACs on ebay late last year as 'never expiring' - "just take it back to Guest Relations and say you need a new one". One person had 4 of them in different sales - her pictures showed that she had gotten one at each park. Since the GAC issued in one park is valid to use in all parks, she apparently had gotten so many planning to sell them.

So, given what some unscrupulous people are doing, I'm glad that the CMs in Guest Relations are being more careful, but they can do it without being rude.

 

[Selket]

I think it is fine for the CM's to ask the needs, etc. rather than relying on the old GAC - I just want to make sure that is clear. It is sad that people would sell them on ebay.

I think it is good for people to know that if they have a GAC in the past and even if the needs have not changed they should be prepared to go into that again. I know some people do not like to do so publicly (out loud) with their kid standing right there and others within earshot...so they can prepare for that possibility ahead of time and not be surprised by it.

 

[AG CASWELL]

Quite unusual for someone in Disney's guest services to be rude. They get alot of training on being polite. We are just back and got ours at hollywood and they were great.

 

[LillersMom]

DH is a high functioning quad but his disability is fairly obvious. No problem explaining. Never thought to bring an old GAC before instructed by CM on last trip to save it a bring it back next time.

 

[mechurchlady]

Quite unusual for someone in Disney's guest services to be rude. They get alot of training on being polite. We are just back and got ours at hollywood and they were great.

Guest service CMs cna have really bad days like guests screaming at them, guests who ask where Magic Mountain is located (Bobsleds), demanding guests, and guests who have no manners. There are some that barely made the job and some who are sick or tired. It is extremely rare for any CM to be rude.

As for the GAC it is easier for a CM to see what was used last time but not necessary. In fact it might be easier to explain things anew to the current CM so they might help you with things that have changed. Telling a CM that your kid is a chain swinger might cause the CM to recommend a play area or attraction that your kid will have fun in that just opened up. "Cannot climb stairs GAC" is not the same as a CM who hears a guest say they cannot bend their knee or have fatigue related problems.

 

[SARMTY]

We started our last trip on 3/24/08 (Monday) at Epcot. I took the GAC from last summer to Guest Relations, told him I needed to renew it for our current trip. He asked me how long we were staying, handed me a new pass and we were on our way.

 

[5dwarves]

I am sorry for your experience at Epcot. We go to the guest services outside of MK for our GAC. I did bring the previous issued one but did explain to the CM that with DS autism we don't know what kind of day, hour or minute we will have and that the GAC is the insurance to trying to have a good day.

Not having him in line touching women's bumms really does make for a better day. Not having the chain swinging, not having people stare. The GAC does make for a better day.

I thought it would be easier for the CM to see what was offered before and then explain that we still need the same stamps.

I had to chuckle when I read your post...boy oh boy does that sound familiar. My son has several challenges, high functioning autism being one of them. I don't know how we would have survived without the GAC.

 

[DaisyD]

My mom has always brought her old GAC back to make it easier to issue her a new one. Last October she was given a GAC that had a 2 year date on it! Now she has her GAC til October 2009! LOL!

 

[MisMikiNikiLynne]

I did not know that they would issue a GAC good that long... (Oct ober 2009). My cards have always been dated for length of stay (ie: 7 days, 10 days etc.).
Ya learn something new everyday!

 

[5dwarves]

My mom has always brought her old GAC back to make it easier to issue her a new one. Last October she was given a GAC that had a 2 year date on it! Now she has her GAC til October 2009! LOL!

Hmmmm...I'll have to check ours from our summer trip last year...I don't remember what it said....

 

[loadsapixiedust]

I always take our GAC from the last trip, it saves time and the embarrassment for my son of having to hear me explain in front of others what his challenges are. We are asked how long we are staying and it is dated accordingly.