GAC for Pregnancy for standing

[organized mommy]

We are leaving for WDW in 13 days! I am looking so forward to it as it's the first time DD8 will have a friend to do things with. We are going with friends.

But, I am 6 months pregnant. I don't mind waiting in the lines, but it's the standing that I don't know if my back and feet can take. I don't want to do the wheelchair thing, because I get motion sick from it (tried it when I was preggo with DD) I am mostly concerned with the waits to see the characters. What should I do? what will be most beneficial for me and my baby?

 

[livndisney]

We are leaving for WDW in 13 days! I am looking so forward to it as it's the first time DD8 will have a friend to do things with. We are going with friends.

But, I am 6 months pregnant. I don't mind waiting in the lines, but it's the standing that I don't know if my back and feet can take. I don't want to do the wheelchair thing, because I get motion sick from it (tried it when I was preggo with DD) I am mostly concerned with the waits to see the characters. What should I do? what will be most beneficial for me and my baby?

Disney's answer to mobility problems is to rent a wheelchair or ecv. And GAC are not usually accepted for character lines.

What you can do is have a seat off to the side and have your husband stand in line with your dd. You can also get a fastpass for the pincesses and mickey at MK now.

 

[Piper]

Disney's answer to mobility problems (walking and/or standing) is to get a WC. There is no place to sit in lines and a GAC cannot provide what doesn't exist. It also isn't a "front of the line pass" like so many people think. It states that right on the card. Sometimes children on "wish trips" get taken to the front, but that isn't always the case--sometimes they have to wait just like everyone else.


Your best bet is to make use of fastpasses and a good touring plan. I would be more concerned with the jerking motion and fast acceleration on some of the rides than standing in line. (and if you don't plan to ride those, you won't have much of a problem anyway because they are the most crowded and have the longest wait time.)

 

[cah5525]

Don't even try it. If standing is going to hurt you or your baby then...the doctor would tell you not to do it and stay home.
***a Disney GAC card is generally intended for guests with “invisible,” or non-apparent, disabilities. It is not necessary for guests with visible, or obvious, disabilities, such as those who use wheelchairs or ECVs (Electric Convenience Vehicles).
My husband is a documented disabled veteran and has never used the GAC.
I was running the required mile and a half run 3x a week...even on my due date when I was in the Navy soo...no, pregnancy is not a reason for a GAC

***A GAC is not valid for outdoor character greeting areas

 

[brymolmom]

Congrats on the trip and the pregnancy.

I agree with pp's that a GAC isn't really intended for pregnancy...It's intended for actual disabilities and any discomfort you might have will be resolved in a few months!! I'm guessing you'd feel uncomfortable doing it even if it was possbile - and then if you ran into someone who truly needs it.

Best bet is to go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY for rope drops and hit all the character lines then. You won't have a wait then. We hit EPCOT Character spot at 9:05 a few weeks ago and hit the big 5 with no wait whatsoever. And we still had time to ride TT and Soarin before lines formed. That, plus fastpasses (only a couple character greets use them but for any headliner rides you want to hit) are my best suggestions for you. No need to wait in lines if you plan it right except in the busiest times. We only waited in lines about 2 - 3 times and the longest one was for 25 minutes - and those few we waited for you likely won't be on as they were thrill rides.

OR, if you don't get a chance early in the day to see some favorite characters - rent the WC and then just sit it over to the side of the line for the character meet. You won't be actually moving (so no motion sickness) but you'll be off your feet to the side and your family can move forward in the line and inch you forward with them so not to cause sickness. Then afterward you can just walk behind it to the next location.

 

[cm8]

We are leaving for WDW in 13 days! I am looking so forward to it as it's the first time DD8 will have a friend to do things with. We are going with friends.

But, I am 6 months pregnant. I don't mind waiting in the lines, but it's the standing that I don't know if my back and feet can take. I don't want to do the wheelchair thing, because I get motion sick from it (tried it when I was preggo with DD) I am mostly concerned with the waits to see the characters. What should I do? what will be most beneficial for me and my baby?

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! Since we all know being pregnant is not a disability,I'm not sure a GAC would help for the reason you listed

As previously mentioned Disney's usual response is to rent a WC or ECV

Have a great time!!!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Take breaks when needed. You can always do a long show/ride to get off your feet for a while.

 

[prncess674]

If a WC makes you motion sick, then just push it empty and then you can sit while in line. Problem solved. You can even place your bag in the seat which will ease some of your fatigue. Pushing an empty wheelchair is practically weightless!

 

[crashbb]

Wow, I'm surprised by the responses. While I agree that there isn't likely a GAC that would help and that pregnancy isn't a disability as covered by the ADA, we (people on the DIS) do not get to judge who is worthy of getting a GAC and who isn't.

Just because you were able to run a mile the day you gave birth, doesn't mean that another woman doesn't have problems caused by the pregnancy. Just because it will end in a few months, also doesn't mean that it isn't GAC worthy (would you tell someone with two broken legs not to get a wheelchair, because their legs will heal)?

No one on here would want others to tell them that their child was not autistic enough to get a GAC (or not "whatever" enough), so let's not start judging whether others are worthy of a GAC or not.

Luckily, there are some actually helpful responses:
1) Use a touring plan
2) Make good use of fast passes (including the new ones for characters)
3) Use a wheelchair (if not riding it, using it for support and an easily accessible seat).
4) Go early (rope drop) and take breaks

 

[dclfun]

Wow, I'm surprised by the responses. While I agree that there isn't likely a GAC that would help and that pregnancy isn't a disability as covered by the ADA, we (people on the DIS) do not get to judge who is worthy of getting a GAC and who isn't.

Just because you were able to run a mile the day you gave birth, doesn't mean that another woman doesn't have problems caused by the pregnancy. Just because it will end in a few months, also doesn't mean that it isn't GAC worthy (would you tell someone with two broken legs not to get a wheelchair, because their legs will heal)?

No one on here would want others to tell them that their child was not autistic enough to get a GAC (or not "whatever" enough), so let's not start judging whether others are worthy of a GAC or not.

Luckily, there are some actually helpful responses:
1) Use a touring plan
2) Make good use of fast passes (including the new ones for characters)
3) Use a wheelchair (if not riding it, using it for support and an easily accessible seat).
4) Go early (rope drop) and take breaks

I think what most are referring to is that there is no GAC for standing issues, whether the underlying challenge is due to pregnancy or a disability. Whenever anyone asks about a GAC for standing/walking/waiting in lines they are told Disney's standard reply which is to rent a wheelchair or ECV.

OP- would you do better with an ECV or a walker vs. a wheelchair? There are walkers with seats that you can take into queue lines if you don't want to sit in a w/c. You can always try out an ECV in some of the big box stores to see if you can drive it and if it works ( does not make you motion sick).

You can also rest in First Aid if you start to get tired- they have cots and air conditioning. I would take the advice to use a good touring plan and utilize fastpasses. As someone else mentioned there is no GAC for character lines, but there are fastpasses for some of the meet/greet areas. You can always approach the character handler and ask if there's a place you can sit while another member of your party waits in line and then you can join them. This is not always possible though depending on where the characters are doing their meetings. You may want to book some character meals and then not wait in those lines if budget is not a constraint.

OP- congratulations on your pregnancy! I remember being pregnant with #4 and holding #3 in those lines who was 18 months at the time. He sat on top of his brother for quite some time in those queues. Ouch. I was much younger then, lol.

 

[crashbb]

I think what most are referring to is that there is no GAC for standing issues, whether the underlying challenge is due to pregnancy or a disability. Whenever anyone asks about a GAC for standing/walking/waiting in lines they are told Disney's standard reply which is to rent a wheelchair or ECV.

I was referring to comments like these below, which are clearly telling the OP that isn't really disabled (or disabled enough for a GAC). The comments about using a wheelchair/ECV totally make sense (and, as you say, are a fairly standard answer in this forum).

My husband is a documented disabled veteran and has never used the GAC.
I was running the required mile and a half run 3x a week...even on my due date when I was in the Navy soo...no, pregnancy is not a reason for a GAC

***A GAC is not valid for outdoor character greeting areas

I agree with pp's that a GAC isn't really intended for pregnancy...It's intended for actual disabilities and any discomfort you might have will be resolved in a few months!! I'm guessing you'd feel uncomfortable doing it even if it was possbile - and then if you ran into someone who truly needs it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! Since we all know being pregnant is not a disability,I'm not sure a GAC would help for the reason you listed

 

[deegack]

I was referring to comments like these below, which are clearly telling the OP that isn't really disabled (or disabled enough for a GAC). The comments about using a wheelchair/ECV totally make sense (and, as you say, are a fairly standard answer in this forum).

Because a healthy pregnancy is not a disability. If it were millions of women would be disabled each year. Pregnancy can lead to disabilities. I had pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome and was considered disabled because I had to lay on my left side 23 and 1/2 hours a day. (I had 15 minutes to shower and another 15 to do other personal items.)

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I suppose I'm one of those that thinks if standing is going to be that big of an issue, perhaps it's not a wise decision to go. I'm a fainter, and asked on this very board how I should handle it. I got the very same advice, wheelchair/ecv, go at off times, fastpasses and touring plan.

I also agree that the GAC is really not intended for pregnancy. I'm not saying that I am amazing and know what the OPs issues are, but all she said was pregnancy, no underlying issues. The OP is particularly concerned with character lines and it's been stated the the GAC is not applicable to these lines. We've given her all the proper advice.

 

[jmartinez1895]

The only type of GAC that they will accept at most of the character meets is the one to use a stroller as a wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

I was having some problems with getting a page loaded to reply.

While some of the posters might have been a bit short in their comments, pregnancy is not a disability and most pregnant women don't need any special assistance.

It is true to WDW recommends a wheelchair or ECV for guests who are concerned about their ability to stand in lines. The reason for this recommendation is that the time spent walking or standing in line is just a small portion of the day at WDW. Someone who is concerned about the lines is going to have problems in many other places to.
A GAC does not really help with issues with standing that much because there are very few attractions that have any place to sit. So, if you need a place to sit in line, the only way to guarantee to have one is to bring it with you by using a wheelchair or ECV.
(there is a post on page 2 of thedisABILITIES FAQs thread that lists attractions that involve stAnding for all guests unless they have a wheelchair or ECV.

If sitting in a wheelchair made the OP motion sick, she may want to try an ECV. Motion sickness can result from looking in a different direction than a wheelchair is going. Since the driver of an ECV needs to look where they are going, motion sickness is much less likely.

GACs are also not used for most character greetings. You may be able to get some assistance from the CM at the greeting entrance, but lot depends on what is available (there are often no seats nearby) and it also depends on staffing (there are usually very few CMs at the character greetings)
As several posters mentioned, character meals are one way to avoid waiting in line. The characters in the Town Square Theater at MK DO have Fastpasses. The characters there include the Princesses and Mickey Mouse (sometimes joined by Minnie).

If you have a smartphone, there are many helpful apps that include estimates of waiting times for each attraction. If you have Verizon cell service, you can get Mobil Magic, which is the official Disney app and is actually tied in to the WDW system. It's not available, at least now, or iPhones.
Other popular apps are from undercover tourist and touring plans.com
Both of those companies also have helpful information on their websites. Just knowing which park is their 'recommended park' for the y will help ou a lot with avoiding waits.

 

[Debbie Jean]

If a WC makes you motion sick, then just push it empty and then you can sit while in line. Problem solved. You can even place your bag in the seat which will ease some of your fatigue. Pushing an empty wheelchair is practically weightless!

That was my first thought exactly It gives you someplace to put your stuff so you don't have to carry it and you'll have a seat whenever you do need it... parades, lines, etc.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and have a wonderful trip

 

[KiKi Mouse]

I went to WDW at six months pregnant. I was having trouble with my feet and legs swelling before we went.

While in the world I sat when I could and put my legs up on the bench.
At night I elevated my feet. I asked housekeeping for two extra pillows for this purpose.
On one of the days my legs were quite bad so I stopped into the first aid center and had my blood pressure checked.

Factor in some extra time for resting.
If you have a husband travelling with you then get him to stand in the lines while you sit and rest.
Keep hydrated.
Wear pressure stockings if circulation is an issue. Talk to your doctor.

 

[bopper]

If sitting in a wheelchair made the OP motion sick, she may want to try an ECV. Motion sickness can result from looking in a different direction than a wheelchair is going. Since the driver of an ECV needs to look where they are going, motion sickness is much less likely.

I was going to suggest this too. Motion Sickness usually occurs when what your eyes are seeing (like reading a map) and what your inner ear is feeling (motion) are in conflict. If the OP is "driving" the ECV, what she sees and what she senses will be the same thing.

Like others say, minimize standing by using fast passes, going early in the day and not staying all day.

 

[NotUrsula]

As we don't know what the OP's back/feet issues really are, it's hard to say if the level of impairment she is dealing with is "normal" or not. I had to use a cane starting at 20 weeks with both of my ft pregnancies because I had joint problems, and my doctor did consider it "odd" enough to give me paperwork for a temporary disability tag for my car. (She was concerned about falls.) So, yes, sometimes a pregnancy can bring on an unusual condition that would qualify as a temporary disability.

That said, the remedy in this case isn't a GAC, but wheels. If it isn't bad enough to merit wheels, then the remedy is probably making an effort to avoid long lines that do not move quickly.

Use your phone, and use crowd apps if the phone can run them. Even if it is not a smart phone, use the texting capacity to keep track of where your companions are when you need to be away from them to take a needed break, and take those breaks often. Let your DH do the character lines. Bring a plain cloth diaper with you so that you can wet it down and make a cold compress if needed during the day (and if at all possible, wear shoes that can get wet, so that you can detour through the edge of the kiddie splash fountains every once in a while to keep your feet cool.)

BTW, I really recommend one of the rocking chairs in the shop next to the entrance to Splash Mountain; very comfy spot for a rest.

 

[bedogged]

My feeling is that if the OP or any other pregnant woman would be more comfortable using a wheelchair or ECV, they should go for it. I don't think they would need a GAC because it would be obvious as to what their needs are.