GAC - Getting a Duplicate

[jemiaule]

Does anyone know if you can request two GACs at a time? Here is the situation:

We need to have a GAC for my DS5 each visit. We sometimes split into two groups during the day when we need a break. We switch off who DS5 will be with - me & DH or my mom & dad. It never fails, at least three or more times during our trip one of us will go off with DS5 and forget to get the GAC from the other person.

I was wondering if we explain the situation if they would let us have two GACs so both my mom and I can keep one in our purses and not run into this problem we cause for ourselves.

 

[barrysprot36]

Does anyone know if you can request two GACs at a time? Here is the situation:

We need to have a GAC for my DS5 each visit. We sometimes split into two groups during the day when we need a break. We switch off who DS5 will be with - me & DH or my mom & dad. It never fails, at least three or more times during our trip one of us will go off with DS5 and forget to get the GAC from the other person.

I was wondering if we explain the situation if they would let us have two GACs so both my mom and I can keep one in our purses and not run into this problem we cause for ourselves.

We sometimes split off into two groups with DS2 with one of us. We keep the GAC card with DS2 in a small bum bag (fanny pack) which alleviates the problem of anyone of us not having it with us.

Caron

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Technically the answer would be no. The GAC is issued to the user, no matter what the age. So officially the one GAC will be issued to your son.

 

[Bsbllmom]

It is worth a try asking. My husband has 2 issued to him for 2 different things and they are good until June 08. It doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Tissa]

It is worth a try asking. My husband has 2 issued to him for 2 different things and they are good until June 08. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Your husband has a GAC that doesn't expire until June 08? I thought they were only for the length of your stay? I always get asked when we are checking out. Also why would they issue two for him ? My children have multiple disabilities and one card with different stamps are all we need.

Interesting.

 

[jemiaule]

We sometimes split off into two groups with DS2 with one of us. We keep the GAC card with DS2 in a small bum bag (fanny pack) which alleviates the problem of anyone of us not having it with us.

Caron

Thanks for the suggestion Caron. I wish something like this would work for DS. We have trouble keeping anything on him he feels is binding (backpacks, jackets, even some types of pants!) so I don't think he could cope with a fanny pack on him. I am sure he would love one, he is fond of any type of "container", but I feel he would probably shed it within a few minutes.

 

[jemiaule]

Technically the answer would be no. The GAC is issued to the user, no matter what the age. So officially the one GAC will be issued to your son.

Well bummer. Granted this is our own self-created problem but I still feel inclined to ask in the slim hope they would do this. But if not I can completely understand.

 

[jemiaule]

Your husband has a GAC that doesn't expire until June 08? I thought they were only for the length of your stay? I always get asked when we are checking out. Also why would they issue two for him ? My children have multiple disabilities and one card with different stamps are all we need.

Interesting.

I thought this was the case also. When we got to get ours we bring our old one to speed up the process and are always asked what date we will be leaving WDW. The new GAC is always set to expire on that date.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Your husband has a GAC that doesn't expire until June 08? I thought they were only for the length of your stay? I always get asked when we are checking out. Also why would they issue two for him ? My children have multiple disabilities and one card with different stamps are all we need.

Interesting.

If you notice, Bsbllmom lives in Southern California. More than likely (1) it is for Disneyland, not WDW, and (2) I know of local (to WDW) Annual Passholders who will get a GAC good for several months.

 

[Bsbllmom]

Yes it is for DL, sorry. He gets a stamp on one that allows him to bypass stairs along with 2 other stamps and he has another without the stair bypass. Yes we are AP holders so the manager said that she could make it for an extended amount of time.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Will your son be using a stroller for the trip? If so, is there a pocket in it you could put the GAC in? Or could you have a bag that 'lives' on the stroller, that you can put the GAC in (it could also be used for water bottles, snacks etc that your sone may need)? That way the GAC would always stay with your son, as whoever had him would have the stroller. Of course, if you're not taking the stroller through the queue (using the appropriate GAC), don't leave any bags on it, just to be on the safe side.

 

[jemiaule]

Will your son be using a stroller for the trip? If so, is there a pocket in it you could put the GAC in? Or could you have a bag that 'lives' on the stroller, that you can put the GAC in (it could also be used for water bottles, snacks etc that your sone may need)? That way the GAC would always stay with your son, as whoever had him would have the stroller. Of course, if you're not taking the stroller through the queue (using the appropriate GAC), don't leave any bags on it, just to be on the safe side.

Sometimes, it really depends on the crowds. DS5 is big for his age, about as big as his 7 year old brother, and sometimes I get tired of the crappy looks people give me for having a boy that big in a stroller. But, if it is crowded we get one and I do my best to not let those kind of people bother me.

This trip we will probably have to get the stroller no matter how crowded or non-crowded it is. DS got in an accident at MK in September going thru the exit turnstyle (You can read all the "fun" details here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1576545 ) and now is afraid of all turnstyles and I think carrying him through them continually may be tiring.

Maybe what I should do is get him a special WDW backpack. We could keep the GAC in there along with some other comforting items he might like to have. He won't wear it, but if I get one that is a suitable size (ie: not a tiny kiddie backpack) one of the adults could always carry it.

Thanks so much for your suggestion!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I rented a double stroller for my cousin when we took her to WDW when she was 7, she has really long legs, but they didn't hang out too much and sometimes she would sit with her legs crossed (indian style). Her poor little legs got tired quick, so this helped her alot. I live my the addage that you can't worry about what other people think, do the best that you can for yourself, your family, and your situation. I get alot of strange looks because I use an ECV, but I need it for that much walking and I am at WDW to have a good time.

Sorry I can't offer advice about the GAC, my mom is the only one who needs one of those and I have to keep up with it and she is always with me.

Suzanne

 

[mechurchlady]

The GAC is one per person per day at WDW. If lost a new one can easily be picked up again. I agree that a simple solution is to have the GAC placed in a pouch that is on the stroller or wheelchair.

People cannot know if a kid is disabled or if it is just a lazy parent with lazy kids in a stroller. People cannot know if it is a disabled kid having a meltdown or a spoiled brat having a hissy fit. I can often read a kid but not everyone can.

You can try talking to the Cast Members and asking them politely for an extra GAC. It does not hurt to ask but it is against policy to give out duplicates. If you are with older folks then they might be eligible for a GAC themselves. I think the easiest way is to let the kid hold the GAC if they are older in age or to attach it to the stroller or wheelchair thus no CMs break the rules by giving out duplicates and everyone is happy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Would your son wear a 'grown-up' lanyard with the clear plastic pouch on the end? Or would he tend to object? You could put the GAC in that.

 

[jemiaule]

Would your son wear a 'grown-up' lanyard with the clear plastic pouch on the end? Or would he tend to object? You could put the GAC in that.

Possibly....he has a pin lanyard but usually can only tolerate that for a short while.

Maybe one of us adults should just wear it on a lanyard. Having it right out in front of us might be a good reminder to hand it over to my folks when they take him.

Thanks for this suggestion!!

 

[cmwade77]

If you notice, Bsbllmom lives in Southern California. More than likely (1) it is for Disneyland, not WDW, and (2) I know of local (to WDW) Annual Passholders who will get a GAC good for several months.

Wow, I want to know which CM issued that GAC, I want to go to them, they are only supposed to be issued for 7 days at a time max at DL, or so I am told every time I go in to get one, which is really annoying, as I go fairly often.

As for the OP's question, I would recommend trying to find a way to keep it on the wheel chair, which would solve the problem.