GAC Card??

[Mel6197]

First off I LOVE THIS BOARD!!!

Okay now to the question.. I have an Autistic Daughter, While at Disney in Dec we got the GAC card and it was a LIFESAVER!! I even went so far to Email Disney and Thank them for all the help from all the CM's.. Now here is my question...
My sisiter is going down to Disney with her Mother in law. She is older and has athritis and can not walk\ stand for long amounts of time. I told her to get a wheel chair. But she wants to try to get the GAC card (instead of a wheelchair since the MIL has issues about using a wheelchair) (For the shorter lines because of the use of FassPass Entrance etc) Here is my question. Now please if I word this wrong dont take offence, Im really trying to figure what the "deal" is with the Gac..
My daughter does not have the Mental Copasaty to wait in long lines, with lots of people squishing together etc. So we get the GAC.. Now for people that use Wheelchairs for stamina, backprobems, not being able to use there legs etc...I know you use the handicapp entrance..but do you also get a GAC card?
Because the problem being you can not walk\ stand for long times, your in the wheelchair so that you dont have too.. Am I making sence?
This is not meant to be a debate, or insult anyone..This is just an honest question about who recives the GAC cards, and what Disney bases there decion on..

 

[Poohnatic]

Disney bases it on what you state your needs to be.

However, if she is using the chair, then you usually don't need a GAC. She will be allowed access at the wheelchair entrances and the cast members at the entrances to each attraction can direct you to the wheelchair entrance if it is not readily marked.

I would strongly suggest getting the wheelchair instead of the GAC on the basis of your description. If she's got arthritis that affects her mobility, she is going to be very sore with all the walking that even the slowest day at WDW entails. Heck, I have arthritis in my knees (managed pretty well) and I start to suffer after a couple of days.

Good luck. Hope my .02 helped

Suzanne

 

[Mel6197]

Okay,..Good I didnt put my foot in my mouth.. Thats what I thought...Thanks a bunch..

 

[SueM in MN]

Just writing to agree with Poohnatic.
Right on the GAC, it says it is not meant to shorten or eliminate the wait in line. Someone with mobility problems who does not want to use a wheelchair will probably not be given a GAC that allows use of the fastpass return line. It would likely be recommended that she use a wheelchair and/or get/use fastpasses in the usual way.
The Guidebook for Guests with Disabiliteis addresses this. I don't have one here, so I'm paraphrasing, but it says something like this: Many guests with mobility concerns are concerned about their stamina or ability to stand in lines. The amount of time spent in lines is very short compared to the amount of time you will be walking between attractions, so guest with mobility concerns are advised to use a wheelchair or ecv.

Most of the lines are now "Mainstream" which means they are wide enough for a wheelchair or ecv. Unless there are other problems with waiting in line, someone with a wheelchair or ecv does not need and will not be given a GAC. Just having a wheelchair or ecv allows access to the wheelchair entrance. My DD has lots of other issues besides a wheelchair (heat/sun intolerance, seizures, ADD, impulsive behavior which includes hitting people if they touch or get to close to her wheelchair). In the past, we have sometimes had a hard time getting a GAC because she uses a wheelchair.

 

[Mel6197]

My Daughter also does have Behavior issues, Like Screaming at the top of her lungs is she gets upset, Like If I was to tell her to wait, She would start with the WAIT WAIT WAIT..Scream. It lasts 5 seconds, But still. Kira doesnt Hit people aggressivly, For Example at Walmart Yesterday, She was carring two peices of Broken rubber band, maybe 2 inches long each, She was making shapes out of the 2 broken pieces when all of a sudden she Walked up to some lady and made the rubberband hit her wrist, Again not aggressive of to hurt. If looks could kill, This lady was about to loose her head, I apoligized, Made Kira say sorry and walked away. THe whole time she was staring at us.

 

[21disney]

Maybe Walt Disney World is different than the Disneyland Resort regarding GAC cards. I wear a prosthetic leg and can't do a lot of standing in line so I usually get a GAC card whenever I go to the Disneyland Resort. I 've yet to have any problems getting one without a wheelchair but I guess Walt Disney World is a little bit tougher on this issue. I am still going to try to get one even though I am not using a wheelchair. Hopefully they will give me one.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are ambulatory posters to this board who have gotten GAC cards at WDW to use the wheelchair entrance to rides/attractions so that they can avoid things like stairs and to board at the exit where the moving walkway can be slowed or stopped. Those would be good reasons for you to request and be given a GAC, 21disney.

Someone who requests a GAC because they feel like they can't stand or walk in line really needs a wheelchair or ecv at WDW. That might not be the case at Disneyland because the park is smaller, the distances between things is smaller and because of that, there is not a lot of space for wheelchairs/ecvs. So, DL might be more likely to give out GACs.

WDW is much larger and the distances between things are huge. For example, it's a mile around the Epcot WS waterway. Someone who is worrying about walking in the lines (which will somtimes only involve walking 100 yards) is going to have problems walking around the park. IMHO, that's why WDW encourages the use of wheelchairs and ecvs.