does a GAC work only at the parks? how about buses?

[newholidayx2]

If I show a bus driver I have a GAC does he let me sit down quicker?
what about restaurants, etc?

 

[Lilogirl]

If I show a bus driver I have a GAC does he let me sit down quicker?
what about restaurants, etc?

No, a GAC does not work for buses or in restaurants. There is a sticky at the top of this thread with lots of information.

WDW's suggestion for mobility issues is rent a wheelchair or ECV. There are several offsite companies that rent ECV's. If you rent inthe park-the ECV has to stay in the park. If you rent from an offsite company- the ECV goes to the bus with you.

Something to consider, most bus stops at the parks do not have benches to sit on while waiting for a bus. There are benches off to the side at the resorts.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The GAC is not intended to speed access or bypass lines. And the GAC is marked for the needs. However, if the need is related to mobility and/or stamina the recommendation is rental of a wheelchair or ECV.

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. Post #6 deals extrensively with the GAC.

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

 

[Disbug]

Everyone's experience is different with the GAC, but we actually had to SHOW ours in order to get our DD's wheelchair on board. (The driver wanted us to pick her up and fold it.) When we explained that it was a wheelchair not a stroller, the bus driver insisted on seeing our GAC. After producing it, her whole attitude changed... very nice and maybe a little embarassed?

So while that is not the norm, apparently it can be requested by Disney Transportation.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

That makes no sense to me. I can't imagine the bus drivers are allowed to ask for it, I would think they would have to take your word for it. Maybe Cranbiz can enlighten us.

You can't get a GAC at the resorts, it has to be done at the guest relations in the park, so what are you suposed tod o if you haven't been to the parks yet? I have never heard of that happening.

Take it from a former attractions and entertainment CM, the GAC is only meant to be used on attractions. At one point we would allow them to be used in character lines (or look the other way) but not anymore. They are not intended to bypass lines. One sure way to get my dander up was to argue with me when I pointed you to the standby line in accordance with what was on the GAC and insist that you don't have to wait. If your mobility issues are such that you cannot stand for any length of time, please rent a wheelchair or an ECV, you will be grateful at the end of the day.

And as others have mentioned, the GAC does not work restaurants, busses, parades, etc. It can be used for shows in order to utilize the accessible seating areas.

 

[SueM in MN]

Some people have used the sticker and/or GAC that says "May use stroller as wheelchair" to show the bus driver that their stroller is really needed for mobility, even though it looks like a regular stroller.
Even with a stroller being used as a wheelchair, the child needs to get out of the stroller and the stroller needs to be folded unless it is a special needs stroller that has been designed for transport.

For table service restaurants, a GAC would not do any good. When you check in for your reservation, you can let the CM at the desk know any special needs you have related to where you are seated, but you won't get seated any faster because of special needs. Most of the table service restaurants are using beepers so you would be able to wait without standing right near the desk. Most have at least some seating (although if you are concerned about being able to find a seat, it would be best to have a wheelchair or ECV so you can sit without finding a bench).

For counter service restaurants, there is a line at the order/check out counter where you will wait to put in your order and pay. A GAC would have no use their either. The seating is open for you to find your own table. If you need assistance with carrying your tray, you can ask the CM at the counter - no need for a GAC to do that. Just explain your needs.

 

[stitchlovestink]

And as others have mentioned, the GAC does not work restaurants, busses, parades, etc. It can be used for shows in order to utilize the accessible seating areas.

I beg to differ w/ you on that one. A GAC (depending on the stamp) can be used to access the HC reserved seating areas for parades even w/o a wheel chair or ECV.

 

[merryweather20]

That makes no sense to me. I can't imagine the bus drivers are allowed to ask for it, I would think they would have to take your word for it. Maybe Cranbiz can enlighten us.

You can't get a GAC at the resorts, it has to be done at the guest relations in the park, so what are you suposed tod o if you haven't been to the parks yet? I have never heard of that happening.

Not only that, but also one doesn't need a GAC simply to use a wheel-chair at the parks. So not only would they not have one on their firs day, they might not have one at all.

I've heard a couple stories on the Dis where people mistake even standard childrens wheel-chairs for strollers, so it must be along the lines of what Sue was suggesting.

 

[SueM in MN]

I beg to differ w/ you on that one. A GAC (depending on the stamp) can be used to access the HC reserved seating areas for parades even w/o a wheel chair or ECV.

That is true (as you mentioned, it depends on the stamp on the GAC, so not all GACs can be used for that purpose).
It is good to keep in mind that there will often not be any seating in the handicapped area for parades and that there usually are spots that are just as good (or better) outside of that area.
Also, depending on how crowded it is, they may limit the area to one person plus the person with the disability. And, the wheelchairs and ECVs are usually lined up almost touching each other at the front of the area.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not only that, but also one doesn't need a GAC simply to use a wheel-chair at the parks. So not only would they not have one on their firs day, they might not have one at all.

I've heard a couple stories on the Dis where people mistake even standard childrens wheel-chairs for strollers, so it must be along the lines of what Sue was suggesting.

Good point - most people with wheelchairs and ECVs don't have a GAC.

And, yes, I was meaning some of the children's special needs strollers. When my kids were little, strollers were made for children up to maybe age 3, if they were small. That was one reason my youngest DD got her first wheelchair when she was not quite 3 - she was outgrowing her stroller and they didn't make bigger strollers. Now, you can find strollers (regular ones, not special needs) that are made to hold children up to 50-65 pounds). Along with that, many of the special needs strollers are made to look more like 'regular' strollers. That makes it even harder for people like attraction CMs and bus drivers to know what is a stroller used for special needs and a 'regular' stroller.

 

[Disbug]

That makes no sense to me. I can't imagine the bus drivers are allowed to ask for it, I would think they would have to take your word for it.

You can't get a GAC at the resorts, it has to be done at the guest relations in the park, so what are you suposed tod o if you haven't been to the parks yet? I have never heard of that happening.

ITA! I only mentioned it because although not the norm, it happened to us. The bus driver called for the GAC (by name) as proof, so I wonder if she had previously worked as a CM on a ride attraction? Or maybe she'd had a rash of riders who did not want to remove their children from strollers? I did not find it unexpected that the wheelchair would initially be mistaken for a stroller. We chose the design with that purpose, but it doesn't fold up even a little . It never occured to me that would be an issue.

 

[SueM in MN]

Or maybe she'd had a rash of riders who did not want to remove their children from strollers? I did not find it unexpected that the wheelchair would initially be mistaken for a stroller. We chose the design with that purpose, but it doesn't fold up even a little . It never occured to me that would be an issue.

I know there have been posts from guests who did not want to remove their child from their stroller and told the bus driver their stroller did not fold. They posted they didn't want to fold it because the child was sleeping or because they had all their 'stuff' on the stroller. This was when their children had no special needs (I'm not making a judgment, the person who posted was the parent, who gave as a 'hint' to tell the driver the stroller did not fold).

So, if that had happened to the driver a number of times, he/she may have known about the GAC and asked you. Even though the GAC is only meant for a small number of uses, that don't include buses, I'm sure many drivers have seen the 'stroller as wheelchair' stickers or had guests show a GAC without needing to.

 

[busykate]

JUst one comment, on my trip last week I used the GAC for the character meets, not to bypass the line but to be able to wait somewhere in view. When we went to see Woody and Buzz at DHS I asked if my neice could go on the line and then we meet her when she got to the characters, the cm said no until I should her the GAC and explained what Dd's problems were. She then allowed us to wait separatly. It still was an over 30 minute wait but waiting off to the side enabled Dd to see two of her favorites.

 

[Nanajo1]

I know there have been posts from guests who did not want to remove their child from their stroller and told the bus driver their stroller did not fold. They posted they didn't want to fold it because the child was sleeping or because they had all their 'stuff' on the stroller. This was when their children had no special needs (I'm not making a judgment, the person who posted was the parent, who gave as a 'hint' to tell the driver the stroller did not fold).

Wouldn't these non folding strollers need to be tied down? I bet one time of having to have the stroller tied down and the child removed anyway would discourage this practice.
I'm talking about the scofflaws who think the rules are for everyone else.

 

[mechurchlady]

Wouldn't these non folding strollers need to be tied down? I bet one time of having to have the stroller tied down and the child removed anyway would discourage this practice.
I'm talking about the scofflaws who think the rules are for everyone else.

Only special disabled strollers are allowed to stay unfolded and have a child in them. They are specially designed for withstanding the perils of bus travel and would have to be tied down.

It would be nice to torture a scofflaw by making them wait a long time or strapping the chair down. The problem is that ALL strollers must be folded if possible and ALL children removed from strollers. The exception being transportation ready strollers. I used to see them on the tram with a stroller graoning under camera cases, backpacks, items they bought, and um was there a kid in there? Strollers left with a child up in the front of a tram car could go flying and I did see one go flying right off the tram but with no kid in it thankfully.

There is no solution and transportation will grind to a halt as the scofflaws beg, whine and threaten the CM to let them not remove the kid. The scofllaws will even say "But they dont have to do that" despite the fact that the kid they are pointing to has a special strollers. omg, I wonder if the kid will wake up as the 2-headed, purple people eater and that is why the parents do not want to wake the kid, lol.