GAC - mainstream line or wheelchair line?

[missymj]

If one is given a GAC pass due to medical problems, but is not using a wheelchair, where does one enter the ride? If using a wheelchair, is the line just as long as the mainstream line?

 

[JudithM]

I would say it depends on what your GAC says ... or what you tell the CM you need.

One trip we arrived at the Studios early afternoon, & there were no ECVs available (a big reason I now rent one from off site). I had a GAC which helped with attractions. That evening we went to Fantasmic. Well, without an ECV I didn't know if I could sit in the handicapped section. My GAC says nothing about stairs, but my doctor has said I should avoid them. I explained to a CM & I was allowed to sit in the handicapped section. So in this case my GAC didn't say stairs, & I did not have an ECV, but the CM was very helpful. I did let management know I appreciated the CM's help.

 

[SueM in MN]

Good questions.
As Judith said, the answer depends. This is a little long (and I hope not too confusing). Ask as many questions as you need to clarify things.

There is a general GAC card that has stamps added to it depending on the needs of the person with a disability. The general card has printed on it: This card will allert our Cast Members to provide the assistance you have requested, where applicable. It is NOT intended to provide immediate access. (It actually says that on the back and front of the card). It also says: At attractions offering Disney's FASTPASS, Guests should obtain a FASTPASS return ticket.
The stamps that they can add to the GAC include things like being allowed to use the wheelchair entrance; using a stroller as a wheelchair (so it can go in lines and buildings where strollers are not allowed); allowing an alternate waiting area out of the sun or in a quieter spot.
Many of the standby lines (and almost all of the fastpass lines) at WDW are wheelchair accessible. This is called Mainstream Access. Most of the rides/attractions at AK and at the Studio are Mainstream Access. At Epcot, many of them are or have been adapted to be Mainstream. At MK, the newer rides/attractions are Mainstream, but the older ones (specifically in Fantasyland) are not all accessible and in some of those, wheelchair users or other people with disabilities have a separate entrance, which is usually a shorter distance.
In some cases, boarding of guests with wheelchairs or ecvs is done at the ride exit. The wait will usually be in the regular line and the bypass to go to the exit comes right before boarding. This allows for a little more time and space for boarding and also allows the wheelchair or ecv to be at the exit when you get off. Someone with a wheelchair or ecv and no additional needs would not need a GAC because the CMs can easily see the wheelchair or ecv and route you to the correct place. Someone with an invisible disability that means they need to avoid stairs might have a GAC that says they can use the wheelchair entrances. So they might wait in the regular line until it gets to the wheelchair entrance and then follow that. Often, the line for wheelchair access is the same distance as the regular line (examples would be ITTBAB - which is a long walk thru the pathway around the Tree of Life, The Safari). Sometimes there is an extra wait for people with disabilities; because of fire code/evacuation, each ride/attraction can only have a certain number of special needs guest on/in it at a time. So, if you get there when they are at the limit, you will need to wait for someone to exit before you can go.

Are there specific rides/attractions you are interested in?

 

[hightown]

I hope you don't mind my tagging another question on to this thread. Your information is so helpful but have a couple of questions...

I had posted before about my DM (70) having hard time getting on and off the moving rides quickly. Well, she's seriously thinking of renting an ECV which is a good idea I think. She can walk but just doesn't have much endurance and can't go like she used to. Plus, she can't stand up quickly or easily--sort of has to lunge a few times.

From what you just said, assuming she rents a scooter, she will still need a GAC for things like sitting in handicapped section to avoid stairs; having a ride stopped to allow her to get on and off.
Correct?

Appreciate your advise on this and and other tips you might have.

Thanks, Sharon

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by hightown
From what you just said, assuming she rents a scooter, she will still need a GAC for things like sitting in handicapped section to avoid stairs; having a ride stopped to allow her to get on and off.
Correct?

No, not correct. It is all kind of confusing, so I'll try again to help you figure it out.
As long as she has an ecv (scooter) or wheelchair, they know that she has some sort of mobility problem and she will be sent to the wheelchair accessible area (which includes boarding at the exit which allows the ride to be stopped). She will also be able to sit in the handicapped section for parades and shows like Fantasmic.

If someone needs to avoid stairs or board at the exit because they are unsteady, but they don't have a wheelchair or scooter, they would need a GAC.

Hope it's clear now, but if it's not, just keep asking questions.

 

[hightown]

Thanks SueM, that helps a lot.

It will be a different kind of trip this year but I'm sure we'll have fun...

Sharon

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by hightown
Thanks SueM, that helps a lot. It will be a different kind of trip this year but I'm sure we'll have fun... Sharon

Sharon, yes, it will be a different trip, but hopefully you all will stay positive. Take it one moment at a time & enjoy what can be accomplished. The trip will be different than previous ones when you walked & walked. The pace for the next trip will be slower & you may have more time to "stop & smell the roses!" Enjoy!

 

[hightown]

Thanks Judith....I really do want to slow down this year and not feel that we have to cram everything in. Obviously I should realize (have only to look below) that we'll come back again but the excitement hits and we're off....

Just hope that with Mom in her scooter we're not eating her dust!
VAROOM..

Thanks again, Sharon