GAC - Does it still exist?

[JKSWonder]

A relative told us that a friend of his went to WDW two weeks ago and was denied a GAC. He claims he was told by a CM that WDW had done away with the GAC, stating only that they want people to use Fastpass.

I am skeptical. The GAC is not supposed to be a skip the line accomodation, so not sure what relation it would have to Fastpass. I think this friend likely requested something saying he needed to "jump the lines" due to a disability and was denied a GAC by Guest Services since that isn't what it is for.

My DS (4) is on the autism spectrum. We have previously gotten him a stroller as a wheelchair sticker and a GAC, so that we can use his stroller for that purpose. He needs to stay in it as much as possible, because he won't hold hands, doesn't like to be held and tends to run away. Crowds and noise overwhelm him, so we asked to wait when needed in a quieter place off of the main line. We used Fastpass when it was available to limit his waits and the handicap entrance if we needed to because of the stroller.

So, was this friend of our relative totally mistaken? I'm planning our October trip now and would take this into consideration when planning our days.

 

[lunapnp]

We were there in Dec and yes they were still giving out GAC. I hope that is still the case. It is a must in our situation with DD who has Cerebral Palsy. Maybe it was "what" he asked for? Who knows????

 

[jmartinez1895]

I assume that whoever told you this either did not explain what they needed well or got a CM that was new and did not understand the GAC. As long as you explain your childs needs then you should have no trouble getting whatever help you need.

 

[KPeveler]

A CM may deny someone a GAC if their need is based on mobility or stamina concerns. Disney's response to these needs it to rent a wheelchair or ECV. If an wc or ECV can meet their needs, then a GAC is not needed. Most lines are mainstreamed, as a wc is a reasonable answer when a person cannot stand in lines.

A GAC may also not be issued if all a person says is "I have to go in fastpass lines all the time" or "I need to go to the front of the line."

If a person has needs that cannot be met by a wc or ECV, AND it is something a GAC can help with (i.e. a GAC will not help you skip a line in a restaurant), then a GAC is given out.

Also, a GAC is not given out for someone who is not there. This means a parent cannot get a GAC for a child unless the child is in sight somewhere.

It sounds like your friend was mistaken, or the CM was. Yes, GACs are still given out

 

[roadtripper]

If an wc or ECV can meet their needs, then a GAC is not needed.

I always thought this was the case, so I never have gotten a GAC for our son since our first trip in 2002. However, last week, we were at the w/c entrance for Dumbo at 9:03 AM with our son in his custom manual w/c, and we were asked for his GAC. It was very confusing.

 

[KPeveler]

I always thought this was the case, so I never have gotten a GAC for our son since our first trip in 2002. However, last week, we were at the w/c entrance for Dumbo at 9:03 AM with our son in his custom manual w/c, and we were asked for his GAC. It was very confusing.

In this case, the CM was wrong. You do not need a GAC when a wheelchair meets all needs for the ride. But occassionally I have been asked as well. I generally just come back in a few minutes, when the CM is different and there is no problem.

I was told Peter pan last time I had to park my powerchair and WALK into the ride. Sometime they confuse a powerchair with an ECV, which does not turn in its own radius like my powerchair does. I had to explain this to the people at RnR too.

 

[SueM in MN]

The GAC is not gone and it's likely that the person asked for something that is not available (like skipping lines) or had concerns that were endurance concerns or one of the other reasons that KPeveler mentioned.
The information in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is still correct.

There are occassional CMs who don't know what they are supposed to do. On our last trip, we had gotten Fastpasses for Winnie the Pooh. When we went to enter the Fastpass line, I had the Fastpasses visible in my hand and held them up to show the CM. The CM asked if I had a GAC.
I didn't need one because we had Fastpasses.

There is a new Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities available for each park. It does list the entrances that should be used by guests with wheelchairs. You can find the maps at the park entrance map kiosk along with the other park maps or at Guest Relations. I would suggest getting one of those maps so that you know where the appropriate entrance is. I have used the Guidebook to show the CM that we are at the place where we are supposed to enter. In most cases, the CM will back down when they see the Guidemap.
If not, you can either ask for a supervisor or come back later like KPeveler suggested.

 

[christymarie]

There is a new Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities available for each park. It does list the entrances that should be used by guests with wheelchairs. You can find the maps at the park entrance map kiosk along with the other park maps or at Guest Relations. I would suggest getting one of those maps so that you know where the appropriate entrance is. I have used the Guidebook to show the CM that we are at the place where we are supposed to enter. In most cases, the CM will back down when they see the Guidemap.
If not, you can either ask for a supervisor or come back later like KPeveler suggested.

Sue, how recently did they bring out the new guidebooks?

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue, how recently did they bring out the new guidebooks?

I first saw them during our March 2009 trip; there was not one for each park then, but I can't remember which parks were missing.
We were at WDW in October 2009 and got new guidemaps for all parks. I saw them with the 'regular' maps at the entrance to each park.
I usually go to Guest Relations to pick up a new set of Guidebooks on each trip. The ones I received in October were all the Guidemaps.