GAC, Do We Need One?

[fostrmom2mny]

I will be bringing my 78 year old mother on her first Disney vacation this September. I use an electric scooter. Besides myself, there will be mom, and my two daughters (adults with cognitive delays). When it's just me and the girls, the CMs always let them go with me in line. Here is my question, can you think of any waiting lines that I would be in that will require time in the sun?

Mom has had some skin precancerous places removed from her face, and uses special eye drops that requires her to stay out of the sun. We plan on having a large brimmed hat for her, sunglasses, and strong sunscreen, due to her sun restrictions. Should we go ahead and get her a GAC? Waiting in line (shade) will not be a problem, just we need to limit her time in the sun as much as possible. She's already telling us that she'll take a break inside one of the shops or something if she needs to, and wants us to go on and do stuff without her. I can do that, but only if we want to ride something that she may not be interested in. I know that she's going to LOVE Epcot!!

What do you guys think? Thanks for your input.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Almost every line is either indoors or shaded; the couple of exceptions I think of right off are parts of the Dumbo line and the lines for the Nemo and Lion King shows at AK. (Lion King has a shaded area for waiting avail. w/ GAC, Nemo does not). Also, the Lights, motors, action show at DHS is an outdoor show. There may be others, but not that I can think of right now. I think that the sun will be less limiting than you fear as long as you follow your precautions. How is her endurance, though? Will she be able to walk the whole time or do you think she might need an ECV or w/c part of the time? If so, would she need to be independent, or could your DD's help w/ pushing her? Just things to think about, feel free to ignore the ?'s if they don't apply.
Nicole

 

[mechurchlady]

The GAC only applies to shows and rides so she would not need one if she were to go off and do something like shopping. Since she would be with you on rides and at shows then your using an ECV would include her and the rest of your group. She could get a GAC for the lines that would deal with her situation since her needs are different that yours.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't already checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board, there is a section about GACs that would be very helpful to you.

As was mentioned, most of the lines are shaded. Although there are a few that aren't (like Festival of the Lion King, the Nemo show at AK). The queue for Light, Motors, Action is actually mostly shaded, but for the show you will be sitting in the sun.
A GAC to avoid sun exposure would only be helpful in a few cases and since she is already going to be prepared with a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, etc. I'm not sure that it would be worth it to get a GAC. Your biggest problem is going to be the sun in places the GAC won't help with, like walking from place to place and just being outside in general. That will be a much bigger portion or your time and will actually be the majority of the time she is exposed to the sun. For those few lines that are not shaded, as long as she can bring her own shade along with her, she should be fine (the wide brimmed hat and I have also seen people using parasols, which I think would be a great idea).

Normally up to 5 people can accompany the person using a wheelchair or ECV (a total of 6 people), so your party of 4 will be fine and they will all be able to come with you if your ECV needs to go in a certain entrance or seating area.

If she wants to separate from the rest of you sometimes, cell phones are great for that. With a cell phone, you can call and hook up again after you are both done with whatever the planned activity is. If you don't have cell phones, you can do the same with walkie talkies (not quite so convenient). If you plan to just meet at specific times, make sure everyone understands that sometimes rides/attractions take a little longer than you plan - so being 15 minutes late is not cause for alarm. Also make sure everyone agrees to the same 'definition' of where you are meeting. Before we started using cell phones, I wasted a lot of time waiting for DH 'in front' of Spaceship Earth, while he waited 'in front of Spaceship Earth' on the side that was 'front' for him. We also spent a lot of time on different 'left sides' of things since he was looking left as you come from Spaceship Earth and I was looking left from World Showcase. So, with no cell phones, get out your maps and be as exact as possible about the meeting location.

 

[KPeveler]

btw, if she does need a scooter, there are some off-site ones that have canopies you can rent with them. my thought was parades - you won't necessarily be able to get a spot in the shade to watch them. also, sometimes you end up waiting in sun for illuminations or fantasmic, even though they are in the evening -

does anyone know what disney's policy about umbrellas is? i know you can use them when it is raining, will they stop you from using it when it is sunny? do you think a CM will allow her to use it in a wheelchair viewing area, which tend to be less crowded? (since the OP will be using a scooter anyway)

i say get the GAC that covers sun sensitivity... so if there is a problem at a location (like CoP, sometimes that can be outside wait too), whatever the solution is (shaded line, alternative wait area, etc) can be used.

also, i do not know if you need GACs for your daughters, but you will need a sep. one for each person who needs accommodations - you can't combine them.

a scooter with a canopy may be the best solution for your mother, so if she wants to watch a parade or a street performance like the ones in DHS (which are not going to have special needs viewing areas), she can sit (which may be welcome at age 78 - i know it is welcome at age 23 for me!) and be in the shade with no concern

 

[livndisney]

i.

a scooter with a canopy may be the best solution for your mother, so if she wants to watch a parade or a street performance like the ones in DHS (which are not going to have special needs viewing areas), she can sit (which may be welcome at age 78 - i know it is welcome at age 23 for me!) and be in the shade with no concern

Actually there are special needs viewing areas at DHS. For the parade there is one near the theater with all the steps. (I don't know what it is called anymore). Also for the High School Musical show there is a small special needs viewing area to the right of the hat as you are walking up the main road. Neither is shaded.

 

[KPeveler]

sorry, i meant the "streetmosphere" actors, who just kinda wander down sunset blvd. i didn't know there was a viewing area for the HSM rally - i will have to remember that - i like HSM, but didnt want to stare at dancing pre-teen tushes for half an hour in my wc!

 

[SueM in MN]

does anyone know what disney's policy about umbrellas is? i know you can use them when it is raining, will they stop you from using it when it is sunny? do you think a CM will allow her to use it in a wheelchair viewing area, which tend to be less crowded? (since the OP will be using a scooter anyway)

I have seen quite a few people using parasols at WDW, which was why I mentioned it.
I don't think they would have a problem with it in the wheelchair viewing area, as long as it did not affect anyone else.
For AK's parade, all of the parade viewing areas are shaded.
For Disney Studios and MK, check out the viewing areas ahead of time (they are marked on the park maps). Some of them are in full sun, facing the sun. We have often seen the wheelchair viewing area empty and a spot out of the sun very close by where people with wheelchairs are all sort of congregated together, outside of the wheelchair viewing area.
Depending on how many other people with wheelchairs/ECV are there, the wheelchair viewing areas can be very crowded.
One nice place for the MK afternoon parade that is shaded is the porch on the second level of the train station. You do need to get there early to get a spot, but there are chairs that can be moved along the rail and no one can get in front of you. There is a ramp on the right side of the train station (facing the park entrance).

also, i do not know if you need GACs for your daughters, but you will need a sep. one for each person who needs accommodations - you can't combine them.

If you do get a GAC, they are not likely to give more than one GAC for a party of 4. Besides, if people have different GACs that allow different things, which GAC would you use if both would be appropriate. If you are planning to split up at times and go on different attractions, then more than one GAC might help. But, chances still are that they won't give more than one GAC to your party.
So, figure out what needs the different people in your party have and request a GAC for the person who shares the most needs with other people in your party.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually there are special needs viewing areas at DHS. For the parade there is one near the theater with all the steps. (I don't know what it is called anymore). Also for the High School Musical show there is a small special needs viewing area to the right of the hat as you are walking up the main road. Neither is shaded.

I was typing while you were posting (taking some time out to chase our puppy who is stealing things from DD).
One viewing area is in front of the hat sort of by Sounds Dangerous (there is a theater closer that is closed) and Echo Lake.
The other viewing area is also in front of the hat and in front of the shops across Hollywood Boulevard from The Brown Derby.
Not very good descriptions, but you will find them on the park maps.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

My daughters have never used a GAC. My EVC will be shared with mom from time to time. I can do some walking, but I don't have as much endurance to stand for very long. BUT that said, if mom needs to ride and take a break, it's hers. I've done WDW without the use of an EVC on several occasions, I can't tell you how much more I was able to enjoy it with an EVC. Mom will be hesitant to use it though. She'll try to tough it out and that's NOT what I will want for her. Thanks for all your input.

 

[BamaFan121s]

To answer the OP's actual question (pertaining to lines)--
we will be traveling to the World in a few days and my DD7 and on this particular trip she too will have VERY strict limitations regarding sun exposure. I have racked my brain trying to think of every possible situation where the sun may pose a problem.

Rides I can think of w/ unshaded lines are:
Expedition Everest
Space Mountain (the line often extends outside the building)
Goofy's Barnstormer
Splash Mt (outdoor queue, but well shaded)
Thunder Mountain
Test Track (line often extends outside the building, considerably)
Maelstrom (again, line occasionally outside of building)
The Great Movie Ride (line extends outside of the building, but not often it seems)

Now, I'm not sure how many of those she'd be interested in riding....

Also as others have mentioned, remember to plan accordingly if planning on taking in any daytime parades or shows. (Nemo, LMA Stunt Show)

 

[SueM in MN]

To answer the OP's actual question (pertaining to lines)--
we will be traveling to the World in a few days and my DD7 and on this particular trip she too will have VERY strict limitations regarding sun exposure. I have racked my brain trying to think of every possible situation where the sun may pose a problem.

Rides I can think of w/ unshaded lines are:
Expedition Everest
Space Mountain (the line often extends outside the building)
Goofy's Barnstormer
Splash Mt (outdoor queue, but well shaded)
Thunder Mountain
Test Track (line often extends outside the building, considerably)
Maelstrom (again, line occasionally outside of building)
The Great Movie Ride (line extends outside of the building, but not often it seems)

Now, I'm not sure how many of those she'd be interested in riding....

Also as others have mentioned, remember to plan accordingly if planning on taking in any daytime parades or shows. (Nemo, LMA Stunt Show)

For the attractions where the line extends past the building, you can wait off to the side with her in the shade until the rest of your party actually gets to where the actual line area starts.

Also, for the attractions with Fastpass, you can usually avoid being in the sun by using Fastpasses.

 

[BamaFan121s]

For the attractions where the line extends past the building, you can wait off to the side with her in the shade until the rest of your party actually gets to where the actual line area starts.

Also, for the attractions with Fastpass, you can usually avoid being in the sun by using Fastpasses.

I actually planned on avoiding being in the sun by NOT being in the park when it is going to be a factor...lol...thus eliminating the issue altogether.

Glad to hear they will let her (and someone else) wait for the rest of the party in the shade. That would be a perfect solution for us.. (I assume that is what the GAC indicates to the CM in that situation...) Now, if only I could get her school to understand the concept...

 

[SueM in MN]

I actually planned on avoiding being in the sun by NOT being in the park when it is going to be a factor...lol...thus eliminating the issue altogether.

Glad to hear they will let her (and someone else) wait for the rest of the party in the shade. That would be a perfect solution for us.. (I assume that is what the GAC indicates to the CM in that situation...) Now, if only I could get her school to understand the concept...

Planning on not being there when the sun is out would be a plan.....
and that does remind me of something I meant to post.
The 'worst' time for sun exposure is between 10 and 2 because that's when the sun rays are the straightest 'shot' at you. So, going to the parks early in the morning gives you quieter parks with shorter waits and also avoids the worst of the sun. Some of the lines are out of the sun then, but in the sun later on because the sun angle changes.
Leave during the middle of the day and then come back after 4, when you will have the 'better' sun and shorter lines because many of the people who were in the park all day will have left. Also, some lines will be out of the sun again because of the way they face.

Unless they have changed the wording for sun exposure, it says something like "a place to wait out of the sun when the queue is in the sun for a prolonged period of time." That leaves it a bit uncertain.
For those lines that extend beyond the actual 'marked' line, the easiest way to deal with it might be just to let the people who get in line right behind the rest of your party know that the 2 of you need to wait out of the sun and will be joining the rest of your party once the queue is out of the sun. That way, the people right after you will be expecting you and should have no problem with it. Until you get into the marked line, it's very easy to enter the line. After that point, it usually means squeezing past people.

Also, planning tools like TourGuide Mike help a lot with knowing what will be busy and when, so you can avoid those and go to the quiet ones.
For example, Spaceship Earth usually is very busy in the morning - people get in line as they enter the park and the wait may be one hour. If you show up there in the mid-afternoon, the wait is much shorter - it may be basically as fast as you can walk in.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Thank you everyone. We do plan on early morning starts, with mid day breaks, and back later in the afternoon. A daytime parade will really just depend. We are going in Sept. and everyone says the parks aren't too bad, just the dinning. I know that the parks close a bit earlier than in August. Several of the mentioned rides will not be on the agenda. My girls aren't too adventurous, and mom will enjoy whatever we decide. Splash is a must, and the Great Movie Ride for me and mom. We also plan on doing some resort hopping, so will not be in the sun at those times either.
Mom has already started "training" and has been walking two miles a day for a while now, and is planning on increasing that up to three miles soon. Heck, she'll be in better shape than me and my girls