GAC Card Question

[skram79]

I was in a horrible car accident years ago. My problem is that I can't stand very long without pretty bad pain. My doctor always gives me medicine for our yearly trip to Disney, but that just makes it tolerable. After the second day I start dealing with swelling in the left ankle which is fused, it gets as big as a softball and when touched leaves a buring sensation. I have rods and pins throughout my lower body and serious arthritis in my knees. After a couple of hours standing I really struggle with the pain. I make this trip every year and suffer through it for my children; I have two children, 7 & 3 . I can't rent a wheelchair again I have children I need to be on my feet to help my wife manage the children. What do I need to bring to get a GAC card so that we may have a place to sit while we wait are turn instead of standing? I have my appointment with my doctor and could bring my medicine, I can him to write me note. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Figmificent]

The only way to sit while waiting in line is something like a wheelchair, ecv or walker with a seat, etc. a GAC can't get you a place to sit while waiting. I suggest checking out the sticky on the main page of this forum for a more in depth answer to your question

 

[SueM in MN]

Everything you need to know about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC) is in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
You don't need a doctor's letter to get a GAC, although some people are more comfortable asking with a letter (CMs will almost always refuse to look at it).
You may find though, that a GAC really won't be as helpful as you think, so there are some things/limitations you need to be aware of for planning.

There is a GAC that allows walking guests to use the wheelchair entrances/access, which bypass stairs and allow boarding at a place where moving walkways can be slowed or stopped. Using the wheelchair entrance or a GAC in general does not shorten the distance walked.
Many lines are accessible all the way to the boarding area, so guests with wheelchairs and ECVs use the same line as everyone else. For those attractions where the boarding or unload area is not accessible, the point where guests who need the accessible entrance are pulled off is usually close to the regular boarding area.

In most cases, the only way to be assured of a place to sit while you wait is to bring a seat with you, in the form of a wheelchair, ECV or rollator (walker with a seat). Most attractions do not have a place to sit while waiting, even with a GAC. Even if they do (a few shows) there is no guarantee that the seats will be empty when you arrive and CMs will not make any guest get up so another guest can sit. Some attractions have wheelchairs at the attraction that they can lend for going in the line - the attractions that have them are usually those where the line is wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible.
There are also attractions where all guests stand for a period of time - usually during a preshow, as they 'gather' guests in one spot for the next show, or as guests are waiting in one area for the guests currently viewing the show to see it and clear the theater. Page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has a list of those attractions.

The last thing to think about is the distance walked outside of lines/attractions. The average guest walks about 6 miles per day at WDW - much of it getting from place to place or waiting in lines for other things like counter service restaurant ordering where a GAC does not apply.
These things are why Disney recommends a wheelchair or ECV for guests who are concerned about their stamina or ability to walk/stand in lines.

 

[I Love Pluto]

You can wait in line with an ECV or wheelchair. The GAC allows you to do this. If they had alternate areas for everyone who deserves them, where would they put everyone?

To my knowledge, the waiting areas that are not on some type of line are reserved for extreme cases - where a meltdown in crowds would be dangerous to others, and horrifying to the families involved. We use a GAC - we wait on line on my ECV. Sometimes I have to switch to a wheelchair, sometimes they allow me to take my ECV up to the ride car. It all depends on the crowds that day, and how many CMs are available to that particular ride.

The rules change as the crowd patterns change, so be prepared for constantly changing instructions. (Kind of like traffic on a superhighway.)

I think WDW does a great job of moving people walking, ECVs, wheelchairs, & strollers along. I really am impressed.

 

[LilyWDW]

As everyone said, the only way to guarantee somewhere to sit would be to have a wheelchair or ECV. Even the alternate wait areas do not have seating. Having your doctor write a note will not do anything as they will not read it. The accommodation for mobility or stamina issues is an ECV or wheelchair.