Doctor Note

[Poohsmommi]

Hi - I have a note from my husband's doctor requesting access to an alternate entrance. The note does not give a diagnosis. It only states that my husband cannot wait in line in the sun, or be "enclosed" in a line with a lot of people (i.e. shoulder to shoulder contact), and it requests that he has access to an alternate ride entrance whenever possible. Whom do I give this to when we arrive?

Thank you,
Sheri

 

[SoonerSarah]

From my understanding, a doctors note has no bearing on anything. It can be forged, employees aren't health professionals, etc.

You will need to look into a Guest Assistance Card, and you can find all of the info on that here
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=10237514&postcount=6

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi - I have a note from my husband's doctor requesting access to an alternate entrance. The note does not give a diagnosis. It only states that my husband cannot wait in line in the sun, or be "enclosed" in a line with a lot of people (i.e. shoulder to shoulder contact), and it requests that he has access to an alternate ride entrance whenever possible. Whom do I give this to when we arrive?

Thank you,
Sheri

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Post 6 of that thread gives all the information you need to request a Guest Assistance Card.
You do not need a doctor's notes, but some people do feel more comfortable having one - just don't be surprised if the CM at Guest Relations does not want to see it.

Most attractions have lines that are well shaded, so he will not be waiting in the sun at most attractions anyway. You also will want to look into some other things to help avoid crowds, which may be more useful than a Guest Assistance Card. Not all attractions have a quieter place to wait and, evening they do, that area can also have quite a few people in it if a lot of people with special needs arrive at the same time as you do.

- use a touring plan website to figure out the park that should be less busy for the day.
www.touringplans.com has 30 days out available for free and longer in advance if you subscribe to their service.
www.undercovertourist.com has more months out for free.
Both websites give a recommended (green) park for the day and one to avoid (red). Going to the recommended park makes a big difference in crowd levels.

- use Fastpasses. These give a much more predictable access than using a Guest Assistance Card since the card is handled differently at each attraction, based on what is available and things like how many others are waiting and staffing.

- use touring plans to figure out which attractions to see with the shortest waits. You don't necessarily have to follow the plan exactly, but using a plan can mean the difference between waiting 1 hour in line and basically walking right on for more attractions. Some popular ones - www.touringplans.com , www.easywdw.com

- there are also smart phone apps that help by listing current wait times. Two popular ones are by touringplans.com and by undercovertourist.com

 

[Poohsmommi]

From my understanding, a doctors note has no bearing on anything. It can be forged, employees aren't health professionals, etc.

You will need to look into a Guest Assistance Card, and you can find all of the info on that here
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=10237514&postcount=6

Forgery is a crime ... can't imagine anyone risking that, but thanks.

 

[Poohsmommi]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Post 6 of that thread gives all the information you need to request a Guest Assistance Card.
You do not need a doctor's notes, but some people do feel more comfortable having one - just don't be surprised if the CM at Guest Relations does not want to see it.

Most attractions have lines that are well shaded, so he will not be waiting in the sun at most attractions anyway. You also will want to look into some other things to help avoid crowds, which may be more useful than a Guest Assistance Card. Not all attractions have a quieter place to wait and, evening they do, that area can also have quite a few people in it if a lot of people with special needs arrive at the same time as you do.

- use a touring plan website to figure out the park that should be less busy for the day.
www.touringplans.com has 30 days out available for free and longer in advance if you subscribe to their service.
www.undercovertourist.com has more months out for free.
Both websites give a recommended (green) park for the day and one to avoid (red). Going to the recommended park makes a big difference in crowd levels.

- use Fastpasses. These give a much more predictable access than using a Guest Assistance Card since the card is handled differently at each attraction, based on what is available and things like how many others are waiting and staffing.

- use touring plans to figure out which attractions to see with the shortest waits. You don't necessarily have to follow the plan exactly, but using a plan can mean the difference between waiting 1 hour in line and basically walking right on for more attractions. Some popular ones - www.touringplans.com , www.easywdw.com

- there are also smart phone apps that help by listing current wait times. Two popular ones are by touringplans.com and by undercovertourist.com

Thank you.

 

[livndisney]

Hi - I have a note from my husband's doctor requesting access to an alternate entrance. The note does not give a diagnosis. It only states that my husband cannot wait in line in the sun, or be "enclosed" in a line with a lot of people (i.e. shoulder to shoulder contact), and it requests that he has access to an alternate ride entrance whenever possible. Whom do I give this to when we arrive?

Thank you,
Sheri

You don't. A note is not required, nor will it be read. Your husband will need to go to Guest Services at one of the 4 parks and explain his needs to a cast member.

You may want to read the stickys at the start of this thread for more helpful advice. Most lines are mainstreamed so there is not always going to be a different entrance.

You may also want to consider a plan for bus lines. Most are in the sun and involve waiting with other people. A GAC card is not used for buses/monorails or boats.

If he can't be in the sun for long periods of time, you are also going to want to think about outdoor rides and time spent walking from attractions to attractions.

 

[Poohsmommi]

You don't. A note is not required, nor will it be read. Your husband will need to go to Guest Services at one of the 4 parks and explain his needs to a cast member.

You may want to read the stickys at the start of this thread for more helpful advice. Most lines are mainstreamed so there is not always going to be a different entrance.

You may also want to consider a plan for bus lines. Most are in the sun and involve waiting with other people. A GAC card is not used for buses/monorails or boats.

If he can't be in the sun for long periods of time, you are also going to want to think about outdoor rides and time spent walking from attractions to attractions.

I called disney. The note can be turned in right at guest relations, although its not necessary. All we need to tell them is we need an alternate entrance for medical reasons. Such a friendly group here! Thanks for all of the help!

 

[SueM in MN]

I called disney. The note can be turned in right at guest relations, although its not necessary. All we need to tell them is we need an alternate entrance for medical reasons. Such a friendly group here! Thanks for all of the help!

It's a bit more complicated than that - you do need to be prepared to explain his needs. Not just that he needs an alternate entrance, but what the needs are/problems are that you think an alternate entrance will help with.

You can find out more in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. People who have posted here so far have lots of experience with Guest Assistance Cards and with Guest Relations.

 

[livndisney]

I called disney. The note can be turned in right at guest relations, although its not necessary. All we need to tell them is we need an alternate entrance for medical reasons. Such a friendly group here! Thanks for all of the help!

You may have spoken with a someone at a call center.

Simple facts are:

No note is required (CMs are NOT doctors and a Doctor cannot "prescribe" how WDW handles needs.)

Alternate entrances are NOT available in all locations.

Good luck!

 

[jmartinez1895]

Forgery is a crime ... can't imagine anyone risking that, but thanks.

People do it all the time. There are some who think that handicap people get front of line access at Disney, but they don't. We took a doctors note on our first trip because the call center told us we would need one, but when we got there the Guest relations CM told us they are not allowed to look at them.
Your husband will have to tell the person at Guest Services what he needs and what his limitations are. I noticed that you had asked who you needed to give the note to so I wanted to make sure you knew that he has to be the one to ask for the GAC. If he is unable to communicate then you can talk for him, but he will have to be with you.

 

[Piper]

Unfortunately, the people in the call centers usually don't have a clue. In some cases they have never even been to WDW! A doctor's note is useless (unfortunately.)

Be prepared to tell the people at guest services what you need, but be prepared that it may not be available at every attraction! Also, don't go thinking you will get front of the line access. That isn't what the GAC is for (it says so right on the card.) Sometimes children on wish trips may get this if a CM at a ride decides to give them "pixie dust," but even that isn't guaranteed. If you read some of their trip reports, you will see how disappointed some of them were because they thought that is what they would get.

Alternate entrances are usually fastpass lines and they can be crowded, too. Since fastpasses are free, that is something you can do on your own without a GAC most of the time!