GAC? have bad back and broke neck a while back-where do you get it, what does it do?

[cosmocomet]

hi, i am going to visit DW in august and nervous, i have a really bad back and broke neck a while back. anyhow i have 3 kids and they cannot wait.
I cannot go on rides but would like to know about the GAC, what it is and where do you get it????
any info on getting through the trip would be greatthanks

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

First of all; welcome to the board!

Have you read the sticky on the top of the DISability boards? It gives a lot of great info.

What a GAC is? It stands for Guest Assistance Card. What it does? It is a Card that explains to CM's working rides etc. what type of Assistance a Guest needs so the CM can accomodate where possible, no more, no less.

WDW incourages people that have stamina problems to use a wheelchair or ECV, there is no help to be expected on that front from a GAC. You should ask yourself one question; what need might you have that are not met by standard services/not clearly visable for a CM to see?

If you've got an (or more) answer to that question? Go to Guest Services and explain and they'll take it from there. For instance, some people can't wait in the sun. They can get a GAC explaining this, so they can wait in a shaded area. Or for small children that need a wheelchair due to health reasons, but because of their age/height/weight parents using a stroller as a wc. They'll get a GAC stating they use the stroller as a wc, so they can bring it along in the lines for the kid.

Just to stress it again; the GAC is NOT a front in the line pass. Depending on your needs, you'll wait in line just like everybody else and might find you actually wait longer (for instance because you need an accessible vehicle and there are only very little of them, increasing the waittime for them)

If your needs are visable, for instance because you use a wheelchair (that would about scream 'can't walk for mile and miles'), you don't need a GAC for those types of needs. The CM will notice it and if needed sent you to the right spot if a ride doesn't have wheelchair accessible lines.

So, as you can see, a GAC really has very little to do with state of health, but has all to do with what needs a person has that are not visable.

 

[merryweather20]

I'm not sure all what limitations you will have with regards to rides, but likely you will be able to do at least some. The Jungle Cruise and It's A Small World for example are very gentle.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a lot more GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board, including what it is, how it works, how to request one. If a GAC is given, it is based on your needs.
There is a link to that thread in my signature, if you want an easy way to get to the thread.

Here's a list of attractions with warnings, listed by park.
You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

So, even if you skip everything with a warning, there are still a lot of things you can do.
Unless all your children are over the age of 7, they will need an adult to ride with them on anything that you can't go with them on. If not all are over 7, only those who are over 7 will be able to ride without an adult.

 

[mechurchlady]

Also it is one GAC per disabled person. The person who is issued the GAC must ride the ride, see the show, etc. in order for the party to use any services provided by the GAC. In other words, disabled Grandmother's GAC cannot get her two grandsons on Space Mountain without Grandmother. GAC only allow the GAC person and 5 members so all other persons in the party must use fastpass, standby, or single rider lines. Definitely not the fastest way usually as the GAC is help disabled guests have a chance at equal usage of the Disney stuff.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Also it is one GAC per disabled person. The person who is issued the GAC must ride the ride, see the show, etc. in order for the party to use any services provided by the GAC. In other words, disabled Grandmother's GAC cannot get her two grandsons on Space Mountain without Grandmother. GAC only allow the GAC person and 5 members so all other persons in the party must use fastpass, standby, or single rider lines. Definitely not the fastest way usually as the GAC is help disabled guests have a chance at equal usage of the Disney stuff.

Is that true if the person with the GAC has a justifiable reason why they need to wait in the line, even if they aren't riding?

For example, let's say I'm a single mom with an 8 year old. He wants to ride space mountain, and I feel like he's old enough to do it alone, but I don't feel like he's old enough to be in the line alone. I have a "shaded waiting area" GAC. Can I use that for both of us, and then walk him through the line and let him ride alone? Or if I'm a single mom with the same 8 year old, and I want to bring my 3 year old who uses a "stroller as wheelchair" GAC through the SM line, so that I can supervise my 8 year old until he gets on the ride -- can I do that?

Just so you know I have neither a need for a GAC or an 8 year old, I'm just trying to clarify. It sounds like the OP might be in that situation, the she might be taking her kids through the lines for things she won't ride. If so, can she still use an ECV entrance (if that's something she ends up using) for example?

 

[dclfun]

If you have a GAC, the person who is using it, whose name will be on the card, must ride the attraction. If someone who is in an ECV wants to go through a line with their children who will be riding, but they aren't, then they'll go through the regular line or get a Fastpass like everyone else to accompany their children. In this case, an ECV rider doesn't need a GAC anyway but will use the regular queue lines or an alternative line in the rare instances where a queue line isn't accessible, or the ECV rider enters the regular queue line and will then be pulled out of the line into an accessible one further into the queue. In the case of the OP it wasn't mentioned why her three children "can't wait" and it sounds as though it's the adult with the back/neck issue. Fortunately most attractions at WDW won't exclude someone with back/neck problems and if the OP is in an ECV, they won't need a GAC as their need for accomodation will be apparent as an ECV can be brought into the queue lines.---Kathy

 

[Piper]

Is that true if the person with the GAC has a justifiable reason why they need to wait in the line, even if they aren't riding?

For example, let's say I'm a single mom with an 8 year old. He wants to ride space mountain, and I feel like he's old enough to do it alone, but I don't feel like he's old enough to be in the line alone. I have a "shaded waiting area" GAC. Can I use that for both of us, and then walk him through the line and let him ride alone? Or if I'm a single mom with the same 8 year old, and I want to bring my 3 year old who uses a "stroller as wheelchair" GAC through the SM line, so that I can supervise my 8 year old until he gets on the ride -- can I do that?

Just so you know I have neither a need for a GAC or an 8 year old, I'm just trying to clarify. It sounds like the OP might be in that situation, the she might be taking her kids through the lines for things she won't ride. If so, can she still use an ECV entrance (if that's something she ends up using) for example?

IMHO, if a child isn't old enough to go through the lines independently, s/he isn't old enough to ride independently. What would happen if the ride was stopped? Would the child wait in the ride vehicle without trying to exit (can happen)----how would the child react if the ride had to be evacuated? Remember that these rides are mostly inside building and the parent will not be able to monitor the child or even see what is happening during the ride.

Just not a good situation.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

All the "more active" rides have a "chicken exit" just prior to the actual boarding area which will lead directly to the unload area where you can meet a child.

 

[mechurchlady]

I have never seen that question posed before. A concerned mom might not want to let her 6 year old in the line but let them ride dumbo for example or in the cage of Casey Junior. I think in that case the GAC could be used. I will wait to see what Sue says as this is a conundrum. I could see the possibility of abuse of the GAC by someone who stands in the disabled lines with their kids to get shorter wait times.

I will not tell you yes or no as i do not know the answer,

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

IMHO, if a child isn't old enough to go through the lines independently, s/he isn't old enough to ride independently. What would happen if the ride was stopped? Would the child wait in the ride vehicle without trying to exit (can happen)----how would the child react if the ride had to be evacuated? Remember that these rides are mostly inside building and the parent will not be able to monitor the child or even see what is happening during the ride.

Just not a good situation.

OK, this is a complete hijack (sorry OP) but I have to say I do this all the time at places like six flags (DS was barely 7 on our last WDW trip and not really ready to ride alone), except that I don't use GAC for either of us. I get dizzy really easily, so if my 9 year old wants to ride something that spins like the teacups I go through the line with him, partially to keep an eye on him, and partially because I'm on vacation to spend time with him, and then I stand to the side and watch. As far as climbing out of a stopped ride -- no, my 9 year wouldn't do it, he just wouldn't. If he needed to be evacuated, he'd follow directions and get out safely. He's not the panicky type. On the other hand, that doesn't mean that he's ready to be alone in a crowded situation such as the line for Space Mountain with a bunch of strangers, where the line can last for an hour. I'm not at all worried about him doing something, but I am worried about someone doing something to him. Strapped into a ride vehicle I'm much less worried about that.

Having said that, even when he's 20 I'll still stand in line with him. I work long hours, and my time with DS is precious. If he's still willing to go to WDW with me at that age, then I'm going to want to spend every moment together. Standing in line alone is boring, standing with someone you love can be a great chance to catch up on conversations, tell silly jokes, etc . . . I wouldn't want to miss that because I was waiting outside. I don't feel like it would be fair to make a parent miss that due to disability, any more than I feel that people should be made to miss the ride itself.

Finally, while I hear concerns about someone using a GAC to avoid lines, there are plenty of times when GAC doesn't shorten lines at all. For example, f I needed to take a wheelchair or a stroller as wheelchair through the line for the Safari, I think I should be allowed to do so, whether or not I planned on riding.

Sorry to take us off track like this.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

In the case of the OP it wasn't mentioned why her three children "can't wait" and it sounds as though it's the adult with the back/neck issue.

I read "can't wait" differently -- I read it as they can't wait to go to WDW. As in, OP isn't sure going is a good idea, but her kids are so excited that she's going anyway. Of course that kind of "can't wait" doesn't qualify one for a GAC!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have never seen that question posed before. A concerned mom might not want to let her 6 year old in the line but let them ride dumbo for example or in the cage of Casey Junior. I think in that case the GAC could be used. I will wait to see what Sue says as this is a conundrum. I could see the possibility of abuse of the GAC by someone who stands in the disabled lines with their kids to get shorter wait times.

I will not tell you yes or no as i do not know the answer,

Most lines are accessible, so there are not that many 'disabled' lines that anyone would be waiting in.

As others have mentioned, the GAC is for the use of the person it is issued to, for attractions they are going. In a case of a single mom going with her children, I don't know if they would make an exception - it's WDW's GAC, so it's their rule to make or bend.
As other mentioned, though, there are things the mom could do - use an ECV, use Fastpass, use a service like TourGuide Mike or RideMax (for Disneyland) that would shorten the wait in line. For most attractions, an ECV can go thru the lines with everyone else and then she would use the chicken exit while the kids board.
I don't know what WDW does in one of the situations someone brought up - a single mom with some children old enough to go on an attraction and some not. That's probably a situation they face fairly often and I'd call it a 'family' situation, rather than a disability situation.

Not knowing the age of the children, I thought of another thing the OP might have to deal with. If the children are young, they will need help getting on and off the rides. That could be a lot of lifting and she may need another person with to help manage that.

We also we assuming the OP is a mom, but it may be a dad, and we've been assuming the OP is alone. THat might not be the case and if the OP is not alone, then other members of the party can go in line with the kids on things the OP is not going to ride.