Does Disney have accomodations for getting out of line/attraction quickly?

[fairy8i8]

I have read through the GAC sticky, and it was very reassuring, but I am not sure that CMs can accomodate my dad's needs at attractions. He cannot be in areas for more than 30 seconds that are more than about 75 degrees (we would obviously go in the winter with him, and not even attempt the summer), but temperatures can fluctuate so much in an area depending on crowds, heating and air conditioning, sun.

Is it possible to get a GAC that will allow him to quickly leave or be escorted out of a line or attraction (like a theater, obviously not a ride where he would be stuck on it until the end) if it got too warm? Being too warm even for 30 seconds can make him sick for an entire month.

I guess I was just wondering if others had experiences where they needed to leave lines or attractions quickly and what sort of assistance, if any, was offered.

We usually go to Orlando every few years for Christmas but haven't been to a theme park in over 8 years with my dad. Now that he has grandchildren, I know he is going to want to experience the joy of the kids' excitement in the parks. It's very busy, though, so I am not sure it is a good idea. I just have hope that it would be possible, because he would love it.

 

[buffettgirl]

I have read through the GAC sticky, and it was very reassuring, but I am not sure that CMs can accomodate my dad's needs at attractions. He cannot be in areas for more than 30 seconds that are more than about 75 degrees (we would obviously go in the winter with him, and not even attempt the summer), but temperatures can fluctuate so much in an area depending on crowds, heating and air conditioning, sun.

Is it possible to get a GAC that will allow him to quickly leave or be escorted out of a line or attraction (like a theater, obviously not a ride where he would be stuck on it until the end) if it got too warm? Being too warm even for 30 seconds can make him sick for an entire month.

I guess I was just wondering if others had experiences where they needed to leave lines or attractions quickly and what sort of assistance, if any, was offered.

We usually go to Orlando every few years for Christmas but haven't been to a theme park in over 8 years with my dad. Now that he has grandchildren, I know he is going to want to experience the joy of the kids' excitement in the parks. It's very busy, though, so I am not sure it is a good idea. I just have hope that it would be possible, because he would love it.

I can't see how they'd know that he had to be removed from a ride first. I can't see that happening - plus - many times during the end of the ride the ride stops to remove other people first. There's just no way that in 30 seconds he could get out of the ride.

Plus, what will he do the rest of the time? It is often over 75 degrees in Orlando at Christmas.

 

[Piper]

I'm sorry. I just don't see how that would be possible. Leaving a line would be like swimming upstream. He would have to go "against the flow" and it would take several minutes.

As a matter of fact, I just don't see how everyday life is possible with that restriction (unless he keeps his air conditioner cranked down and never leaves his house.)

 

[deegack]

The only thing I can think of is an alternate waiting area. It might be easier for him to leave because less swimming up stream. I would use a good touring plan and fastpasses to try and avoid waiting anywhere a long time.

 

[lanejudy]

I think leaving ride/attraction lines is possibly the least of your worries. As Buffettgirl indicated, daytime temps can easily be in the 70s in Orlando even mid-winter. Walking the parks, he's likely to be in the sun quite often which will feel warmer than actual temperature, too. If he were to leave a ride line that got warm, where would he go that quickly? Yes, he could duck into a shop or possibly shade, but it might be more than 30 seconds. Outside the parks you could have trouble as well -- walking from your resort room to restaurants, bus stops, parking lots, etc. Walking from bus stops, parking lots to parks - lots of outdoor time without necessarily shade or a/c available. A wheelchair might help him conserve engery, but if he truly gets very ill in the heat it would be a big challenge just moving around.

To answer the original question, it is possible to leave a line if needed but it would need to be up to your father or whoever is in line with him. A GAC is not needed, and I can't really think how a GAC might even be useful. The CMs will help if they are aware, but they won't be monitoring temperatures and keeping an eye on one guest.

I suggest you and your father do some serious thinking/discussing if a trip to Orlando would even be healthy for him.

 

[fairy8i8]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the thoughts! He lives in a very cool area of the country, and yes, he does careful regulation of his home temperature, and his work temperature is an office, which is regulated like most good large buildings. He only has to worry about heat a few weeks of the year at home.

Like I said, we have gone to Florida a lot over Christmas, and it hasn't been much a a problem outside, because even when it is slightly warmer, there is a cool breeze. We usually go back to the hotel to relax in the middle of the day anyway, so it's not like we will be subjecting him to midday heat.

 

[livndisney]

The only thing I can think of is an alternate waiting area. It might be easier for him to leave because less swimming up stream. I would use a good touring plan and fastpasses to try and avoid waiting anywhere a long time.

I don't see how that would help. For example, Monsters inc- the other waiting area is a narrow chained off area in the main room. If there are wheelchairs behind you in line-it will be very hard to leave.


OP, has your Dad tried a personal cooling device? That may help.

It is impossible to keep the temp below 75 in a theme park in Florida. Even when it is cool outside, the attraction itself may have the heat on. You can be packed into a waiting room or theater and some are really hard to get out of. And most attractions are not easy to get out of. COP is 45 minutes. If 15 minutes into the show your Dad is getting warm-there is no out. Same with Ellen, TT(There is a room on the ride designed to heat up), POC, IASW-the list just goes on.

 

[momto2greatgirls]

Has he tried using a cooling vest? There are many types, search for "phase change cooling vest" and "Personal Microclimate Body Cooling Vest". Something like that might enable him to go to the parks, in winter, without much trouble.

 

[fairy8i8]

Has he tried using a cooling vest? There are many types, search for "phase change cooling vest" and "Personal Microclimate Body Cooling Vest". Something like that might enable him to go to the parks, in winter, without much trouble.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into it.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I too would suggest a cooling vest. Having one will keep his core temp down and they are not very bulky or heavy ( or at least the ones we have used). My son can not regulate his oidy temp well and we took our trip this past Nov. I was not going to take our vest because the weather predictions said the temps would stay in the mid 60's. Last minutes I thew it in the luggage and I am happy that I did. A storm came in the day we landed and the clouds formed a blanket effect and the temp stayed in the uppers 80's.

 

[Bete]

First, I agree about the cooling vest. There are neck coolers that are used with cold water and they help the temperature of the body, too.

It sounds like a scooter would benefit your dad. If he doesn't over exert he will probably stay cooler through the day.

Also, I would make sure you carry ice in a mug to suck on as you wait in lines for him. Make sure he stays well hydrated through the day. Drink, drink and drink again....

Alternate your activities between air conditioned places and less cool places. Use eating a meal as a rest and cooling down time.

 

[disney david]

First, I agree about the cooling vest. There are neck coolers that are used with cold water and they help the temperature of the body, too.

It sounds like a scooter would benefit your dad. If he doesn't over exert he will probably stay cooler through the day.

Also, I would make sure you carry ice in a mug to suck on as you wait in lines for him. Make sure he stays well hydrated through the day. Drink, drink and drink again....

Alternate your activities between air conditioned places and less cool places. Use eating a meal as a rest and cooling down time.

good tips if you need ice you can always stop at any quick service and they can refill your ice cube and give you ice water for free.

 

[Poohforyou]

I don't mean to be nosy but I've never heard of an illness like this. Does it have a name? I know my own DH doesn't do well in heat but once he cools down he's fine.

I just can't imagine someone trying to ensure that they are never somewhere above 75 degrees. Heck, I work in a huge office building and there is so much temp fluctuation all over the place. I freeze in my office but on the other side of my floor it's warm.

 

[JennyDrake]

Just FYI, I have been to WDW in December when the high was 50 and I have been when the high was 88.....

I don't see how he could get out of a narrow queue such as Nemo, Country Bears, Philahrmagic quickly at all.

 

[MSSANDRA]

As much as i know he would love to go...I see a lot of potential risk. We were on Space Ship earth a few months ago and the temperature inside for some reason was really off. It was VERY warm the entire time we were on the ride. If he was unaware of this problem before boarding (we were), there would be no way to get off or escape the problem. This could happen in any ride or show and some are not possible to exit. We too have taken 50 degree winter trips and 85 degree winter trips.You never know in Florida.

 

[SDSorority]

Op- I would avoid the following attractions without a FP unless it's VERY cool outside, because these queue's can get pretty warm.

BTMRR
Jungle Cruise
Peter Pan
TT (the old queue, not sure what the new one will look like, but there was a very HOT room where the soundproofing was)
EE
Spaceship Earth (queue is outside, though mostly in the shade)
Tomorrowland Speedway
Backlot Tour if it's hot out
Lights Motors Action and Indiana Jones if it's hot out
It's tough to be a bug (inside is fine, so if the line is short go for it)


Be careful about Animal Kingdom- lots of open sunny spaces and it can get really warm.


Some cooler queues that should be fine:

Pirates
CoP (if no line- queue is outside)
HoP
American Adventure
All Epcot movies
Three Caballeros
Maelstrom
Soarin'
Ellen
Splash Mountain (as long as the line is moving- the inside part is freezing most of the time)
LWTL
HM (skip the "fun queue")
Mickey's Philharmagic
Space Mtn
ToT
RnRC (ask to skip the pre-show room, that can get warm)
Disney Animation and One Man's Dream are cool, though if it's really hot, Animation queues in the shade outside, so it can get a little warm

I would go to Guest Relations and tell them the situation. They'll advise as to if a GAC will be appropriate. There may be some rides in which he can wait out of the queue line in a cooler area, but he might have to wait a little longer, depending on the ride. My best advice would be to skip the briefing rooms if at all possible- sometimes they can get pretty warm with all of the people in there. Go early in the morning, get out by lunch time, and come back to the parks in the evening. The rides themselves are rarely warm- I always bring a jacket, even in the summer. I don't know if this helps you at all- just thinking off the top of my head. I get really warm, which causes anxiety. When I got into the CoP last trip, I had major anxiety during the intro part because it was a little warm with the doors being open and letting guests in (this was in September- HOT!) but as soon as the scene changed it was cool as a cucumber and I was fine.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Perhaps you would consider Disneyland out here in California? The weather is almost always cooler than Florida during that time of year and the new Carsland at California Adventure just opened. It is a smaller park, (but Fantasyland has 30% more rides) so less walking.