Do we need a GAC?and other questions

[Zomp]

Hello everyone,

I read the first few pages of this subforum but decided to start this thread with the hopes someone could give me advice.

In October, myself and 5 relatives are travelling to WDW. It will be myself, my fiance, my brother, his girlfriend (all 27-25), my mother (53), and my aunt (60).

A couple of years ago my aunt fell and broke her femur bone. It is healed now, and thankfully she doesn't require the use of a wheelchair at all times. She cannot stand or walk for long periods of time though, and does walk with a noticeable limp (more like a shuffle). She does have a PLACARD from our home state.

Renting a wheelchair when we go to WDW is a given. We realize that. Also, through this board I've learned that we can receive free valet parking at the Boardwalk (we're we'll be staying).

Here are my questions and concerns, and if anyone could give me some advice it would be much appreciated.

1) Should we attempt to receive a GAC? As stated above, my aunt will be in a wheelchair, but can easily get up and walk out of it to get onto a ride. My concern comes in if the lines are long and she's not able to sit. I believe I'm correct in saying that you can bring a wheelchair through most queues. If not, then I think a GAC would be our best bet to make sure she is pain free.

2) If we don't pursue getting a GAC for her, are their special lines for wheel chair guests? Or do you need the GAC to access those lines? Off the top of my head I'm thinking of Space Mountain, Medway Mania, and Dinosaur as queus with stairs. Also, if we split up, I'm worried about my mother being able to push my aunt up and down the ramps for the SOARIN' queue.

3) Parking at the resort. There will be some nights my aunt and mother will stay back at the resort, and we'll go to off property (to Universal, Church St, etc...). We'll be dropping the valet car off with the PLACard, but will we get hassled about not paying? Should I remove the PLACard and just pay when my aunt is not with us?


If there is any help you guys can give I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[jdb in AZ]

As long as she has a wheelchair she won't need the GAC.

Does your aunt drive? If she rented a scooter then your mom wouldn't have to push her.

Yes, most lines are mainstreamed, meaning the wheelchair/scooter can go through the line like everyone else.

 

[wdw4rfam]

ABSOLUTELY!!! That is what they are there for. There are special wheelchair access for the rides, or you can just use the fastpass line if you are only worried about waiting a long time standing. Our son has autism and we get one because he has a really hard time waiting in line for long periods in tight spaces. Sometimes even the fast pass lines are tough, but we are greatful for what they give us. Disability has many definitions!!!
Get one, dont feel bad. It is there for things like that.

 

[Zomp]

Aunt does drive, yes. But the cost of a scooter vs a wheelchair seems rather excessive. I'm not worried about most of the days, especially ones where my brother or I will be there to push. Just given instances off the top of my head where I could see them struggling.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. The normal and official response for a person with mobility and/or stamina issues requesting a GAC is that they rent a wheelchair or ECV. Having any mobility device is an automatic indication to an attraction CM that there is a disability, so the GAC is not needed unless there is a hidden disability such as low hearing or vision.

2. Almost all queues are "mainstreamed". For those which are not, the entire party (up to six people) will be directed to an alternate entrance.

3. In all states it is illegal to park in a disabled-reserved space unless the person to whom the plate or placard is issued is in the vehicle and will be exiting the vehicle at that location. So unless your aunt is with you and you attempt to park in a disabled space and are caught, it is a $250 fine in Florida and also the placard (even from another state) can be confiscated. In other words, it is not a good idea.

Unless your aunt is over 250 pounds she could easily user a travel ECV which will fit in the trunk of a car. And rental of these, from an off-site location, is about $25 per day.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including in Post #2 where people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[Zomp]

Perfect. Thanks.

Perhaps I worded #3 wrong. While we are at our resort, we will valet park the car. I didn't know how the process is when you first drop your car off. Do you tell them you have someone who uses a placard with you? Some nights we will have my aunt, some nights we won't. Can you stay and go as you please for a one day fee (the answer looks to be yes) but do you pay at the end of every day or at the end of your stay?

 

[deegack]

ABSOLUTELY!!! That is what they are there for. There are special wheelchair access for the rides, or you can just use the fastpass line if you are only worried about waiting a long time standing. Our son has autism and we get one because he has a really hard time waiting in line for long periods in tight spaces. Sometimes even the fast pass lines are tough, but we are greatful for what they give us. Disability has many definitions!!!
Get one, dont feel bad. It is there for things like that.

Autism is a hidden disability so a gac would be needed. A wheelchair/ECv is a visible disability so no gac is needed unless there is another hidden disability ie needs to avoid direct sun.
Op get and ECv from an outside vendor. It will give you aunt freedom to do what she wants when she wants. Enjoy your trip!

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Also, through this board I've learned that we can receive free valet parking at the Boardwalk (we're we'll be staying).



3) Parking at the resort. There will be some nights my aunt and mother will stay back at the resort, and we'll go to off property (to Universal, Church St, etc...). We'll be dropping the valet car off with the PLACard, but will we get hassled about not paying? Should I remove the PLACard and just pay when my aunt is not with us?

Thanks!

Why not park in regular parking? Someone can just get the car and pick up your aunt "at the door" if the walk is too far.

 

[Piper]

Why not park in regular parking? Someone can just get the car and pick up your aunt "at the door" if the walk is too far.

Although I have a placard and own and use an ECV at home, that is what I ask most of my family and friends to do for me. The only time we use my placard is if we are grocery shopping. When i was still able to drive, I did use it more frequently. Now that I no longer drive, it only takes a minute or so more to be dropped off and picked up.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hello everyone,

I read the first few pages of this subforum but decided to start this thread with the hopes someone could give me advice.

In October, myself and 5 relatives are travelling to WDW. It will be myself, my fiance, my brother, his girlfriend (all 27-25), my mother (53), and my aunt (60).

A couple of years ago my aunt fell and broke her femur bone. It is healed now, and thankfully she doesn't require the use of a wheelchair at all times. She cannot stand or walk for long periods of time though, and does walk with a noticeable limp (more like a shuffle). She does have a PLACARD from our home state.

Renting a wheelchair when we go to WDW is a given. We realize that. Also, through this board I've learned that we can receive free valet parking at the Boardwalk (we're we'll be staying).

Here are my questions and concerns, and if anyone could give me some advice it would be much appreciated.

1) Should we attempt to receive a GAC? As stated above, my aunt will be in a wheelchair, but can easily get up and walk out of it to get onto a ride. My concern comes in if the lines are long and she's not able to sit. I believe I'm correct in saying that you can bring a wheelchair through most queues. If not, then I think a GAC would be our best bet to make sure she is pain free.

Just to add a little to what the other posters wrote - ALL lines are wheelchair accessible except for a couple where the guest must be able to walk for the attraction.
The 3 which are not wheelchair accessible are:
Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse, which is an attraction involving climbing up and down in a treehouse.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority, which is a very mild ride, but the station/boarding area is on a second with only access is by a very steep moving ramp (kind of like an escalator without steps).
Tom Sawyer's Island. The raft going over is accessible, but the island itself is not - it has stairs, narrow winding paths and is just not meant for anyone with mobility challenges.

2) If we don't pursue getting a GAC for her, are their special lines for wheel chair guests? Or do you need the GAC to access those lines? Off the top of my head I'm thinking of Space Mountain, Medway Mania, and Dinosaur as queus with stairs. Also, if we split up, I'm worried about my mother being able to push my aunt up and down the ramps for the SOARIN' queue.

You don't need a GAC to take a wheelchair in lines.
GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) are meant to give a CM information about what guests with invisible disabilies need. Since they can see the wheelchair, they know you need an accessible access.
As was already posted, almost all lines are wheelchair accessible through the regular (Mainstream) line. For those with stairs, there will be a wheelchair pull off point before the stairs.
For example, in Dinosauer, there is a small elevator to the left just after finishing the preshow. Guests with wheelchairs and special needs that make stairs difficult will use the elevator.
At Toy Story Midway Mania, the pull off point is just after guests have gotten their 3D glasses (at the Fastpass merge point).
At Space Mountain, you will be directed which line to get into.
For Soarin', the biggest ramp is just getting into the building and there is no entrance that avoids that. The ride queue is a series of ramps and there is no bypass for them. Even though they are not flat, they do meet guidelines for wheelchair accessibility. The hardest part is standing still on places where the ramp is going down - just set the brakes.

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. That thread is near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature.
Post one of that thread is an index to the thread so you can see what information is in which post. You will also want to look at the post on page 1 with access information - it has information where to get special park maps with disability information.

3) Parking at the resort. There will be some nights my aunt and mother will stay back at the resort, and we'll go to off property (to Universal, Church St, etc...). We'll be dropping the valet car off with the PLACard, but will we get hassled about not paying? Should I remove the PLACard and just pay when my aunt is not with us?

I agree with the other poster who suggested just dropping her off and then parking in regular parking. When she is coming with you, go get the car and drive up to pick her up.
That would be the easiest, especially since she is not going to be with you all the time.
It would also be faster much of the time - especially when picking up the car, there can sometimes be a long wait for a valet to be available to get the car for you.

Aunt does drive, yes. But the cost of a scooter vs a wheelchair seems rather excessive. I'm not worried about most of the days, especially ones where my brother or I will be there to push. Just given instances off the top of my head where I could see them struggling.

If you have not looked already, post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about renting wheelchairs and ECVs.
To get an ECV or not is a personal and a budget decision.
An ECV is more expensive and if you are traveling by car, someone who is able to take it apart and lift it into the car is necessary.
It does give more freedom than having someone push you in a wheelchair. To some people, the greater independence is very important. Some people are content being pushed.
Driving an ECV is like driving a car, but with no lanes and people coming from all directions. So, the driver does need to be alert and ready to react to what others are doing if someone stays into their path, ect. Some people are fine with that, but others prefer to be in a wheelchair and not have to deal with that.
So, very personal decision.

Another possibility would be to use a wheelchair, but rent an ECV at the park for certain days. As long as you arrive at the park fairly early in the day, you should be able to get one. If you are thinking you would need An ECV only a few days during your stay, it would be less expensive to rent one or 2 days at the park than the minimum for an off site rental.

Be aware that some lines/attractions are wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible and ECV users usually park their ECV in the stroller parking for those and walk in line. If she's not able to walk in the line, she needs to be clear to the CMs that she needs to borrow a wheelchair for use in the line. She may need to wait if there is not a wheelchair available. There is a post about ECV accessibility for each park on page 2 of he disABILITIES FAQs thread.