ECV and GAC

[TPCShauna]

I have a severe knee injury that prevents me from standing and walking extensively. I was aware of the injury when I started planning this trip but both I and my doctors thought I would be able to walk by December. Unfortunately, I've had a number of setbacks and I am looking at March 2009 for earliest recovery. I have located a company and reserved an ECV through the wonderful info on this board so that I can minimize my walking in and out of the parks and around my resort as I now know that I won't be able to walk any distance during our trip.

My question is regarding a GAC. I know that I will be allowed entrance to the Wheelchair/ECV accessible lines at the parks. I am unsure, however, of whether I will need a GAC to help avoid stairs, standing, etc. I can walk very short distances with the aid of a cane but am not particularly stable so I'm worried about Omnimover rides like Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, etc. I also can't bend my knee very well and need extra time to clamor in and out of most ride vehicles, especially those low to the ground.

I am planning to list all these issues to the CM when I go to Guest Services:
Can't climb stairs
Can't stand for long periods
Must walk with cane
Difficulty bending knee
Require extra time to load and unload from ride vehicles

Seeing this list, do you feel that it is necessary for me to obtain a GAC or will I be able to avoid all of these problems simply by having an ECV?

Also, does anyone know what happens to your cane when you go on rides like BTMRR? I must have it to get to the ride but then it won't fit in most ride vehicles. Do the CMs help with this?

Thank you in advance for your assistance. These are uncharted waters for me and I appreciate the benefit of your experience.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am planning to list all these issues to the CM when I go to Guest Services:
Can't climb stairs
Can't stand for long periods
Must walk with cane
Difficulty bending knee
Require extra time to load and unload from ride vehicles

Seeing this list, do you feel that it is necessary for me to obtain a GAC or will I be able to avoid all of these problems simply by having an ECV?

If you are using an ECV or wheelchair in lines, you won't also need a GAC to get those needs met.
You will be routed to whatever is the wheelchair accessible (no stairs) path and loading area. For attractions where the exit is on the opposite side of the ride track or the exit is far from the boaring area, you will usually board at the exit. Most of the time, you will wait in the regular line until close to the boarding area, and will be routed to the exit just before getting to the boarding area.
It's the same for rides with moving walkways; they have you board there because the CM has most control there and you have more time and space to get on. Plus, it puts your ECV at the exit, so it's already there when you get off.
The moving walkway at Peter Pan, Tomorrowland Transit Authority and the exit ramp at Pirates can't be stoped or slowed. You can avoid the ramp at Pirates by using a small elevator that is the the left down a small hall compared to the exit ramp.
Most times, the CM will slow the moving walkway. That is enough for most people, but if you need it slowed more or stopped, ask the CM.
They don't know what you need unless you tell them; the GAC just tells them some general information about needs, not specifics.

Also, does anyone know what happens to your cane when you go on rides like BTMRR? I must have it to get to the ride but then it won't fit in most ride vehicles. Do the CMs help with this?

In most cases, you will be able to take it on the ride car with you. It is helpful to have the cane to help you get on and off. If it can't go on the ride car with you, you can give it to the CM as you get on.

 

[TPCShauna]

Thanks, Sue. This is just the info I needed. I just didn't want to bother the CMs getting something I don't need if I already have that covered with my ECV.

I really appreciate your experience and willingness to share. The knowledge you have shared on this board has really helped me to feel better about having to use an ECV at the parks.

 

[mmmbop]

That is one thing I've always loved about Disney, how accomodating they are.

My grandmother needs to use an ECV as well. She simply cannot do the parks without one, and feels as if it's a burden to be in a WC. She feels independent at Disney, unlike she does at home.

The CMs often ask, "Can you walk twenty feet?" "Can you walk on a moving platform?" When she states they can't, they inform us we will have to wait a few moments, until a certain vehicle number is there. They let everyone disembark, and then she will get on (or off - because she's afraid of people accidently bumping into her and knocking her over) The only problem she's had was with one CM at BTMRR, which yes, they are trying to keep things moving, but she doesn't want to be knocked over by people disembarking from BTMRR! Yeesh. Once I told him she doesn't want to be bumped by the people exiting, he made the people stop so she could cross.

My grandmother uses a cane at home, but not at the parks. At the parks, she just holds my hand. She brought a cane one year and didn't use it as much as she thought she would, so I cannot help you with anything pertaining to that. But it looks as if Sue has got it covered!

There are some rides that require WC transfers, and the one I think about most is Pirates of the Caribbean. Yikes. My advice: Stay to the left! It's flatter than the right side (but you also miss out on the chess game )

But I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter what!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are some rides that require WC transfers, and the one I think about most is Pirates of the Caribbean. Yikes. My advice: Stay to the left! It's flatter than the right side (but you also miss out on the chess game )

But I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter what!

For POC, you do need to leave ECVs at the entrance to the ride queue. They do have manual wheelchairs you can switch to.
The last 2 times we went (the last was in April), people with wheelchairs were all routed to the left and loaded on the opposite side of the boat to where most guests are boarded. That puts the wheelchairs on the side of the 'river' where the CMs can more easily get them out and taken back to the front.
DON'T get into the line without a wheelchair unless you can walk more than 200 yds. I've never measured the distance for the POC line, but it is a long walk in, even if there is no wait.