GAC, manual , or ECV?

[rewardsinlife]

I was thinking about taking a small trip during the day to DL tomorrow. Everyone else is off at work and I was wondering what I should do to help me get through the day. ( p.s. have a movement muscle disorder that has left me with complete foot drop on left side , weakness overall, and easily fatigued when walking short distances. Long distances are almost impossible. Do I...

A. Bring my wheelchair that I use for long trips that is manual and propel myself?
B. Go without the wheelchair and rent one there once I get tired?
C. Pick up a GAC in the beginning of the day and use it when I need it?
D. Rent an ECV in the beginning of the day or when I get tired?
E. something completely different that I haven't thought of yet?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Piper]

I am wondering what you think the GAC will do for you. If you think it will get you a place to sit in line or get you to the front of the line, you are mistaken. It does neither of those things. It says right on the card that it won't shorten wait time.

Since Disney's answer to mobility difficulties is to use a WC or ECV, your best bet is to either use your WC or to rent an ECV. If you read the FAQs at the top of this board, you will learn a lot of things that will help you. It even has lists of places that rent ECVs.

BTW--most lines at WDW are mainstreamed. That means that people with WCs and ECVs go in the same line as others. The few that have a different line usually mean a longer wait than those in the other line because there is usually only one vehicle that is designated for people who might need assistance to exit in case of emergency.

 

[peemagg]

I think if it was me, I would use my wheelchair till I got to the place where you rent ECV's and then I would ask them to store my chair and use the ECV thru the parks.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For DLR, especially the parking distances, I would agree to take your personal chair and immediately rent an ECV. They will store your chair for you. DLR has many fewer ECVs than WDW and are know to run out.

Then when you are ready to leave you can turn in the rental ECV and get your own manual chair to get back to your car.

 

[rewardsinlife]

Peemagg and Cheshire..thank you that is what I needed to know. Wasn't sure if they would hold my chair but now I know they do! Thank you!

Piper, first, I am at Disneyland not WDW. Secondly, I never said anything about wanting a shortcut to the front of lines. My point about the GAC was to use it when I needed it for entrances with stairs since I can't do those...not to take shortcuts.

 

[Piper]

Peemagg and Cheshire..thank you that is what I needed to know. Wasn't sure if they would hold my chair but now I know they do! Thank you!

Piper, first, I am at Disneyland not WDW. Secondly, I never said anything about wanting a shortcut to the front of lines. My point about the GAC was to use it when I needed it for entrances with stairs since I can't do those...not to take shortcuts.

Sorry if I misjudged your intentions. You have a low post count and a lot of people think the GAC will get you front of the line access. I was going by that. Also, in CA, most of the rides are mainstreamed.

 

[tinkerpea]

Sorry if I misjudged your intentions. You have a low post count and a lot of people think the GAC will get you front of the line access. I was going by that. Also, in CA, most of the rides are mainstreamed.

Just curious, So.... Anybody who comes onto the board with a low post count and mentions the Gac you atomatically give them the 1st sentance that you did

You do realise that
1.This can offend people and then make them not want to stick around to read any answers that may have been helpful to them!,OR ask any more questions from fear of being judged.

2.They could have been on the boards a while and just be long term lurkers not posters.

I just think that people that suffer with disabilities have enough judgement put on them with out people on here assuming they just want a quick que fix!
Please just think before having that as your 1st sentance.

 

[rewardsinlife]

Piper...
I only found this forum a couple days ago and was so excited about finding friends who love DL as much as I do, and also to figure out some ways to help others, and find tips on how to make more efficient trips when struggling with a disability. I can't have a high post count if I only started 2 days ago!
I know most lines are mainstreamed..I was no way intending to cut lines.

Tinker pea...thank you.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think it's important for everyone to remember that:
- sometimes things 'sound' different when read on the Internet than if that person said the same words in person.

- in person, there are other cues to the meaning than just the words. Tone of voice, volume, how the person looks at you, 'body language' -as Ursula says it - add tremendous mounts of information to the message.
All of that information is missing when just read.

- in person communication also allows both people to see the reaction of the other person and for things to be clarified right away. People can ask questions or give further information right away. On a message board, it can be many hours or even days after that someone responds.

- what people write makes perfect sense and is probably quite polite to the person writing it because they know exactly what they meant and the tone of voice they would use to say it.

- people may also post quickly - because their time is limited - they may just post and not re- read what they post before posting it. They may not realize that they left out important information that would help other readers or that they wrote something thy may not say in person.

- people may assume other readers know the same things they know - and respond as if that reader does know those things.


Since the original poster was going to DL the day after the first post, there is no reason to keep this thread open.
I would suggest people read Sue's Open Letter, stuck near the top of this board for more information on how what people write and how people read it can interpret it.