GAC for a Hip Replacement

[MNGaspar]

Hi Everyone!

My parents will be travelling to WDW with us (DW, DD (2) and me) in December and I would like to ask a question about the GAC (Guest Assistance Card). My dad will be having his hip replaced this July and will be fully recovered from the surgery by the time we travel, but his mobility will not be what it used to be.

I had thought about getting him a GAC, but I also don't want to take advantage of the privilege. That said, what benefits does the GAC offer and what criteria is used by Disney in issuing one?

Thanks!

 

[dizneechic]

This is probably a perfect question for the disABILITIES board:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20
There is loads of info already in the 4 stickied threads.

That noted, my MiL joined us for a day in Feb, 2 months after knee replacement. It was REALLY hard on her, but she made it through. She picked up a GAC allowing her not to have to do stairs, it was the only modification we asked for since it was the one thing she couldn't handle at all. Since we were in HS the only time we used it was to enter TSM via the handicap ramp (we had FPs anyhow) and for Lights Motor to sit in the handicap rows.

Disney was great about giving it to her and didn't question it at all. I also needed one for my ds8 who had recently had a cardio procedure (wanted to use the stroller as a wheelchair if needed) and they had no problem issuing one to us as well, but we never needed to use it.

 

[emh1129]

There is a great thread on the disABILITIES board about the GAC, lots of great info

 

[MNGaspar]

Thanks for the info. I apologize for posting to the wrong forum, I'm still getting used to the boards! Thanks again!

 

[brymolmom]

You probably won't need a GAC. My mother has MS, so can't be mobile for long distances,etc. - we just rent a wheelchair for her and that's enough. That way she has a place to sit in most lines, and the ones where there is no wheelchair access, they just bring her in the handicapped line. Sometimes we leave it outside of lines like our stroller because she CAN walk - just not too long and too far at a time.

 

[Schmeck]

GACs are not issued for any diagnosis, btw. A GAC is issued to allow the CMs at each attraction to try to best meet the needs of someone who needs a certain accommodation to access that attraction. For example, not every child diagnosed as being on the austism spectrum needs a GAC, nor would they get the same stamps on a GAC.

 

[SueM in MN]

I see you already got pointed toward the disABILITIES FAQs thread - there is a link to that thread in my signature and the specific post in the thread about GACs is post #6.

If you are worried about walking/distances walked, it’s important to know that using a GAC will not shorten the distance waislked at attractions. There is a lot of walking involved in a day at WDW, and not all of it is in lines. Posters have estimated they walk anywhere from 3-9 miles per day at WDW. To give some perspective, it is 1/4 mile from the entrance to the queue at Soarin’ until you get to the loading area and it is the same distance back out again. The distance around World Showcase in Epcot is over 1 mile - and that’s just walking around the main path, not going into shops or looking around.
Most people who are worried about walking find they need a wheelchair or ECV - there is information about renting in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. If you have an ECV or wheelchair, you probably won’t need a GAC - the wheelchair or ECV will let the CMs know that you need to use an accessible entrance.