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GAC and doctor's note

alli817

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
87
Hi All! :)


So my daughter is autistic, during our visit back in October 2010 we had the GAC and OMG what a difference it made during our visit. During our visit we had no issues getting the card, we just approached, explained the situation and was issued the card.

Now from reading on the boards it seems it's a bit difficult to obtain the card, seeing we need a doctor's note. Now there is my issue. My dd was officially diagnosed in September 2009 and that assessment was re-***** in November 2011 when we moved provinces (for our provincial funding) Getting into doctors is very difficult in my city, we do not have a family doctor (it's a huge issue in my city) so my question is a letter from our behaviour therapists work? Or from a Occupational Therapist? Or would our original assessment work? ARG! getting into a doctor for a letter probably won't be an option as last time it took us 3months to get into a PED for our re-assessment. :mad:

HELP! I do also have our previous GAC card, would it help to bring that along?
 
They will not look at a note from the doctor. Just take your old card to GS and explain how it will help you again and you should no trouble getting a new one.
 
Im not sure where you read about a need to have a doctor's note, but that is not true.

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, then go to post #6. That is all about Guest Assistance Cards. It is factual information and has been verified by various sources who do work for Disney. Since WDW does not actually publish anything, the FAQs thread will be the most you will find written anywhere.

You will need to have your child with you and then explain what needs your child has (not just that she is autistic, since one person with autism may have very different needs than another person with autism).
 
Maybe you've seen the posts saying some people who have gotten them before have had issues? If so, it's not because they didn't have a note.

You just need to clearly explain what your child needs and why.
 

They will not look at a note from the doctor. Just take your old card to GS and explain how it will help you again and you should no trouble getting a new one.

We had trouble with showing our old GAC and explaining my son's needs. The CM was so rude to us and made us feel like we were liars and ripped the old one up(with attitude) in front of us. I was so upset that he thought we were trying to get away with something in front of my child. I think people do abuse it. Just do your best explaining your child's needs and specifically how it helped you get through the parks. Enjoy your trip!
 
We have annual passes, so my son's GAC is good for two months. When the old one expires they take it, dispose of it, and give us the new one. This last time we did have a cm who found it an inconvenience to add the stamp of stroller as wheel chair because she had to walk across to the other side of the counters to get the stamper. She asked for the annual pass, but had problems with the date. First she wrote 10/24/12, then put 11 or the 10, then she said, "what am I doing, it's 2 months." and wrote a 2 over the 1, and wrote 12 under the whole thing. Each cm who saw it at attractions was confused by it (we only went on 3 that day). Looks like the next time we go, I have to go back to guest services.
 
Out of curiousity, in the cases of people who have taken old ones and had trouble getting new ones... have you explained the need for them again or just asked for a new one.
 
Out of curiousity, in the cases of people who have taken old ones and had trouble getting new ones... have you explained the need for them again or just asked for a new one.

For me it seemed a matter of laziness and the fact that the cm felt everyone should know the Convaid Cruiser is a wheel chair. But it's a size 14 and we are always told to park it until they see the red sticker, but the sticker is dated.
 
Thankfully we have not had a hard time getting our reissued. We try to go every other year and each time I take my son, in his stroller, to GS hand them the old GAC and tell them that we need a new one for this trip. Before they can even ask I start telling them what his needs are and ask if they think that the stamps on the card are still what he needs.
 
I always bring my old GAC and over the years have had a problem a few times. Almost every time I had a hard time I got a lecture about how they have changed and they are not a front of the line pass twice I had to asked for a supervisor but I always got a new one. I need one and I don't really care if the CM doesn't like it I fight for my rights
 
I always bring my old GAC and over the years have had a problem a few times. Almost every time I had a hard time I got a lecture about how they have changed and they are not a front of the line pass twice I had to asked for a supervisor but I always got a new one. I need one and I don't really care if the CM doesn't like it I fight for my rights

Well, since they are not front of the line passes, and they have changed a bit over the years, I'm not sure what you consider a lecture? A GAC is not a protected right, BTW, it is just something Disney uses to help CMs understand the invisible needs that some guests have. Disney could decide to cancel the GAC program and do something else tomorrow if they wanted to. They only have to meet a reasonable level set by the ADA, they do not have to have 100% access for 100% of their attractions. That would be unreasonable, because there is no way to make everything accessible to everyone.
 
It seems that there is a certain percentage of the able-bodied population who resents any accommodation given to people with disabilities, or imagine they see "fakers" behind every bush (if the Cold War was still on, they'd be the same people who thought all their neighbors were Communist spies). It only stands to reason that a certain percentage of CM's would have the same prejudices, since they're drawn from the general population.
 
We were given a hard time at Hollywood Studios. My step-dad has Parkinson's and we went without a GAC last time he went for a few days and my mom broke down in tears. We got a GAC and everything went much better. So this trip (2 days) we decided to get one the first day the got there. So we went into Guest Services with him and asked for one and the lady just glared at us and said there was nothing they could do to help us. My mom just looked at the ground sadly and started to walk out but I said I knew they could. She reluctantly admitted they could and got us one and then lectured us on it, she was very rude so it was a lecture not just telling us the rules.

He only went on one ride and it was TSM. We had fastpasses but he can't go up the stairs. At MK we used it a few times, he was happy and so was my mom. Everyone was great but that rude lady at Guest Service. She made us feel bad and like we were doing something wrong even though his disability is very obvious. At first she even told us if there were stairs that was too bad. I was very nice to her but she never even smiled at us.
 
I have never had trouble getting a GAC. I am one of those with invisible difficulties--I look fine. I start by telling them some of the problems I have and tell them I have my old GAC if that would help. I don't go in with an entitled attitude. I have always been given the accommodations I need. My favorite place to get one is Hollywood Studios right outside the gate. I've always had great and cheerful service.

I say--I have trouble walking any distance over 20 feet due to JRA and tumors on my spine due to Neurofibromatosis, type I. I need to avoid the sun because of Lupus and the medications I take. I also have a very compromised immune system because of some of the wonderful medications I take along with my wacky immune system! I can only stay a couple of hours at a time before I need to rest. Can you help make my time in the parks easier?
 
I can only stay a couple of hours at a time before I need to rest.

Don't take it the wrong way, but I would definately take this out. First of all; that is not something they can, nor should IMHO, address with anything other than FOTL and we all know that is not an option. But even more important; it is one of the very much used "poor me, I have a hard time, therefor I deserve to be seen and treated as a special human being and given whatever I desire, never mind having a need for it or not". It can very easily end up in a situation where you might get misunderstood. It doesn't add anything you need to explain, but it can be taken as something to disproof a real need.

Just adding; I mean don't use it in this particular moment when asking about needs being met for rides, shows etc. like the GAC is for, as that can be misunderstood. It obviously is a very good subject to seperately discuss when wondering about options within the parks to rest (like we know the first aids are, but not every newbe might know yet)


Personal experience? Nothing but great, but then again I don't go in expecting huge things. When I go in for some very specific info, I don't expect them to always know it, let alone know it about each and every ride, show and inch of the park. If they do have the info; bonus, since it does safe me time finding it out per location (which can easily result in finding out "too" late). I accept a answer that does come down to "we can't make it fit your needs" when asking about a specific ride or when talking about the park in general that answer being "that would only leave you 2 rides". I could very easily see how not everyone would take that for what it is but post it as a negative or unwilling experience with a GS CM.

I used to find it a bit odd that CM's would tend to act surprised or taken aback when I'ld simply accept and answer and go on my merry way with that, but nowadays I understand why. I am ashamed to see how much..... well...... let's just say not acceptable interactions they face on a constant base. I have seen way too many beyond shamefull behaviour going on at times I would be at GS.

Yes, I have seen more "cracking down". I applaud any and all taking the time to do so. I've seen and overheard many a times how CM's would take time out to explain, ask more questions or not just repeat a GAC because it is being asked but go itno it a bit deeper before deciding on anything. I've seen many trying to go out of their way to help out the guest, but doing it in a way that does still respects what a GAC is and isn't about. Seen them get way too much slack about it. Is everything and all perfect? No, I'ld never be that blind. But for me personally that balance doesn't come down to always believing what I read or see, sorry.

I've never had any problem at all. Did I get told about what the GAC is for and what it is not? Yes, and rightfully so. Got asked questions? If the CM didn't know me already; many times. Did I ever flat out ask for a GAC or any other things to be put in place? No. If the GAC ends up the way they can best deal with my needs; fine by me. If not but in another way; fine by me. If not possible; so be it. I have flat out stated not to give me stamp suchandsuch when a CM was about to stamp it, knowing it would not be beneficial for me at that moment. I just wanted some info, no need for the stamp. Within the possibilities of what can be done and what can be considered reasonable, my needs have always been met accordingly. I find it very sad to say in a way, but I have been thrown more than my fair share of pixiedust: , with the explanation that it was because I handle this subject the way I do.

All I can say is nothing is perfect, this is no exception. But going blindly on whatever you read on internet? Very, very bad decision. If not more, 98% of what we find on the internet is not the truth. Many people on internet are not just on there to be peachy, helpfull and honest. When going to the parks and GS; don't go in there expecting a fight, a negative experience or whatever. That can become a self-fullfilling thing very easily, even just from the energy such an expectation can radiate being picked up the wrong way. The CM's in there are in there to help and just like us just human beings. A bit of communication, respect and taking time can go a long way. If you are worried; by all means be open about it. Voice it! that way the energy of you worrying can't be misunderstood and the CM has a proper chance to take away your worry. They've seen it all, it's nothing weird but it can be very important that you do voice it. If you don't understand something being said or done; ask about it and explain you don't understand.

Yes, sometimes there is a bad apple in the bunch. Yet, that should not stop you from enjoying that 99% very tasty apples. Just like when eating an apple and you run into one with a bad taste; stop and take up another apple. Nothing personal against them or yourselfs, just move on.

If nothing else; always remember that internet paints a bad picture. People will always be more willing to take the energy out to publicly complain (whether rightfully so or not) than post about those positive experiences. Combine that with the possibility that said complaint might also be from somebody that does not need what they were looking for (after all; they will also tend to very loadly complain whenever where ever they can). For every negative you find only, there are much more positives you do not read. After all; the large amounts of those with needs that go to WDW or DL don't go there because they are forced. They go there for pretty clear reasons, amongst others being a destination that does fit their needs better.
 
I do not get nor have I ever asked for FOTL access. I do however need and receive accommodations that are appropriate for my situation. I did not "put that in" (that I can only stay a few hours at a time) in order to "get anything" but to let people know that they can have an enjoyable time with planning and a few appropriate accommodations. I cannot ride the "big rides" either because of issues, but I still enjoy those I can ride and love the shows and people watching!
 
I have never had trouble getting a GAC. I am one of those with invisible difficulties--I look fine. I start by telling them some of the problems I have and tell them I have my old GAC if that would help. I don't go in with an entitled attitude. I have always been given the accommodations I need. My favorite place to get one is Hollywood Studios right outside the gate. I've always had great and cheerful service.

I say--I have trouble walking any distance over 20 feet due to JRA and tumors on my spine due to Neurofibromatosis, type I. I need to avoid the sun because of Lupus and the medications I take. I also have a very compromised immune system because of some of the wonderful medications I take along with my wacky immune system! I can only stay a couple of hours at a time before I need to rest. Can you help make my time in the parks easier?

From reading these boards for quite some time now, I'm having trouble understanding how the things you say could possibly be accommodated with a GAC. Isn't the answer for stamina/mobility issues to rent a wheelchair? And how could they accommodate a weak immune system?

Two of my children have significant special needs and we've always just muddled through at the parks (no GAC--we use touring plan, travel at off times if possible, split up when necessary, etc.) so I read these boards for the tips but this GAC business gets confusing.
 
From reading these boards for quite some time now, I'm having trouble understanding how the things you say could possibly be accommodated with a GAC. Isn't the answer for stamina/mobility issues to rent a wheelchair? And how could they accommodate a weak immune system?

I was kind of wondering that myself. How can a GAC keep someone out of the sun, or shorten the distance between attractions?

I take Methotrexate and Humira for RA, and I honestly can't imagine what the park could possibly to do minimize risk of infection.
 


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