GAC for limited sun exposure illness

[PatMcDuck]

Well, here is the situation. We have a son who uses a wheelcahir at WDW, he has Downs, autism, and balance issues. We are used to dealing with that.

My daughter was VERY ill in February, recovered after a month in hospital, and seemed to be ok, but now we just found out after another week in hospital, she has a rheumotological disease, dermatomyositis. She is on ALOT of medications, and she has to stay out of the sun. We will use high SPF sunscreen of course. Trip to WDW in a few weeks, we almost cancelled. We were worried that she would need a wheelchair, too, for her painful muscles, but now we think walking will be ok for her (high dose steroids are working). (worst case, we will borrow a wheelchair from the resorts and push her around, too).

Can we get a GAC to wait on lines out of the sun? She is not just risking a sunburn, she is risking a hospital stay and alot of pain from her disease if she gets a burn. I am nervous I could miss a spot with sunscreen, and waiting in the sun for long periods would be pushing it. I am not trying to get away with anything. We will try and visit the parks at night, when we do not have this worry, as much as possible. She is really sick, and is on high doses of strong medications to combat this disease. (she will be one of those kids that "look fine" however!)

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I'm sure alternate waiting areas out of the sun are possible for most places(actually many lines are out of the sun already). Your bigger problem will just be the sun as you go from place to place, you may want to look into sun protective clothing and have her use an umbrella/parasol to protect her as you move about.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't already checked it out, there is some information about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread (near the top of the thread list on this board).

Most of the lines are pretty well shaded, so I don't think you will need to worry too much about waiting in the sun. You can request a GAC for sun exposure, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how well shaded things are.

I agree with the other poster that her bigger problem will probably be being in the sun to get from place to place. There are some past threads that include links to some companies that make sun protective clothing. There is also a product from RIT (the dye company) that allows you to wash sun protection into your own clothing.
It will also be helpful to get to the park early as possible (you can see a lot in the first few hours because it usually is not as busy). Leave for a break once it does get busy (that will also let you avoid the highest sun). And then come back later in the afternoon when the sun is lower and less intense.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Thanks! I know there were a few bad sun lines, one is Nemo show at AK.

This is a new diagnosis, so we will learn the details of what we need to do over the next few weeks.

 

[Schmeck]

Also, you can't depend on getting a wheelchair from the resorts - it's first come, first served, isn't it, just like at the parks?

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, you can't depend on getting a wheelchair from the resorts - it's first come, first served, isn't it, just like at the parks?

you are right.
There have been posts from people who had no trouble getting one, but some others have posted that they could only get a large size when they needed regular or vice versa. The Disney website actually does give advice to rent from off-site if you need to make sure you have one.

Thanks! I know there were a few bad sun lines, one is Nemo show at AK.

that one is in the sun for most of the wait.

For most attractions, once you are actually into the line, there is shade. If the line extends beyond that, you would be able to wait to join the rest of your party until they are up to the actual line. There are some like Nemo that the line is mostly in the sun, but most of those would be shows where huge numbers of people are going in and out of the attraction at the same time.
Some, like Beauty and the Beast have a line in the sun before they start letting people in, but the show has been around long enough that you can usually join that line after they start 'loading' the theater.
Here are a few others that have quite a bit of the wait in the sun without shade that I can think of:
Splash Mountain at MK does have sun, but a lot of the queue is shaded by trees.
Festival of the Lion King at AK might - I can't really remember waiting in the sun for that.

Lights, Motor, Action at the Studio might have a line outside before they open the gates for the show. We entered after the gates had been open for a while though and didn't have to wait in the sun.

Universe of Energy at Epcot might have a line outside if they have not started letting people in for the preshow. We have just waited off to the side until we could see people going in.

Mission Space at Epcot might have a line outside, although I have not really seen a line in the sun. There is some outdoor covered waiting area, and I think it's not chained into actual lines until you reach the covered area.

Maelstrom at Norway often has a line outside the doors in the sun.

The new Finding Nemo ride at the Living Seas at Epcot. We have walked by there when the line was a double line in the sun. We have never waited for it. The only time we rode was during evening EMHs when we were able to walk right on. They were actually sending some seashells out only partially filled because people were not coming fast enough.

That brings up another point - EMH (extra magic hours) can be very helpful. The morning ones could help you see a lot in one park before it starts to get busy. We found the evening EMH at Epcot was really good for seeing things. The only attraction that was busy was Test Track. We rode everything else pretty much as fast as we were able to get on. Test Track had a long wait all evening though (I suspect it might have been closed earlier in the day and people were coming back to use Fastpasses).

 

[Schmeck]

I too have to severely limit my sun exposure (melanoma) and we go in August for the late night hours! We also get up early for the EMH, etc. and then go back to the resort for the middle of the day and rest in our room. I wear long skirts to the parks, to protect my legs, and big tshirts to cover my arms as much as possible. Also, a loose hat with a wide brim comes in handy.

I've never gotten a GAC to avoid the sun in lines - as that exposure is so much shorter than the time it takes to walk around. We've also found that using Fastpass really, really helps.

 

[PatMcDuck]

The bigger problem is getting a 15 year old teen to accept her lifetime limitations on sun exposure, along with all the medications and side effects. That is our issue as parents. This kid had 8 weeks of chemo this year in Feb/March, and lost her hair. It is coming back in now. She has been through SO much, and now this 2nd hospitalization and new diagnosis.....

Thanks all!

 

[cupcake]

I take medication that gives me sun poisoning very easily (even when I am covered up appropriately and using rx sunblock), so I have to be careful about using my outside time properly and breaking it up. There is an accommodation for your family, so please ask guest services. You can definitely wait inside or in a shaded area. I have found that I only need it during Food & Wine, when I *really* need it. The only other thing I have had an issue with is Legend of the Lion King. Special events don't have the shaded queues that the regular ones do. Yes, lines are only a part of the sun exposure, but I can control how long I'm outside, break it up, and plan around it, whereas if I'm stuck in a line in the sun for a chunk of time, I am in trouble. So I am very grateful for the help with the sun issue. Also beware of DL if you are every thinking of going there, which was a huge problem for me. I hope you have a great trip, and hugs to your daughter.

Cupcake

 

[alabamabluezebra]

I just got back from Disney World today. I also have melanoma and received a GAC for sun exposure. I was able to use in on at MK for the Mt. Railroad and RRNC at MGM. I didn't know about the GAC until our third day.