GAC Qs

[keishashadow]

Long standing issue has flaired up/gotten worse... @ injection appt dr. suggested cancelling trip on Saturday due to excessive standing/walking involved @ WDW

I don't plan on renting ECV (just 2 half-days & 1 full day @ WDW) & will have the following signed letter in hand...just wondering though...are there places @ the rides where u can sit while waiting in line?

Wondering if i should have phrased the letter differently (too late now i supposeas dr already signed the following )

FYI, once, my youngest was in WC (after long time in cast/bone necrosis, which has since healed ) so i didn't bother getting GAC as need was evident.

as to procedure this time...i take letter to guest services & then what?

I am writing concerning XXXXX who has been diagnosed with XXXXX.

This problem causes an inability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.

This will definitely impact ability to wait in lines.

Please provide an alternative whenever possible that will minimize standing.

Please offer any assistance you can.

 

[merryweather20]

Get yourself a wheel-chair or ECV. It is not a matter of waiting in lines just at rides WDW is huge! The hotels are huge! The wait for buses, food, ticketing can be long as well! There are not always seats when you need them.

If you end up needing a GAC, they will not need to see you Dr's note just tell them yourself what your needs might be.

The general response to stamina problems is to get a wheel-chair or ECV. This is a good policy because standing and walking in line is only a small part of all the time on your feet at Disney a wheel-chair or ECV will help you all the time.

 

[keishashadow]

thanks, for the info i'm determined to try & avoid ECV/WC...both the expense and the ability of family members having to push me around in WC...guess i'll just hand GS the note & see what they say

i was really just hoping to be able to sit down somewhere while rest of party waits in line if need be...maybe they could give me call on cell phone is this feasible/issue?

im not adverse to doubling back & getting WC if need be, just won't be entering the parks 2 days until after 4 & not really worried about covering the whole park this trip

If i get miserable, will just sit down somewhere & let DH & DS run around i suppose; if WDW won't work with me

 

[Talking Hands]

Just get the wheelchair. Disney's policy for mobility issues is to tell you to get a wheelchair. They probably won't even read the letter. They don't care about the diagnosis. They have a standard policy for this and it is a wheelchair.

 

[keishashadow]

Just get the wheelchair. Disney's policy for mobility issues is to tell you to get a wheelchair. They probably won't even read the letter. They don't care about the diagnosis. They have a standard policy for this and it is a wheelchair.

okay, gotcha...the cynic in me thinks it's just another way to make a few bucks

so what if u have nobody physically able to push u in the chair? so sad too bad i suppose , just doesn't seem right to me. Realize that they need to cut down on abuse, etc; yet im just saying.

 

[HGD24]

You can always rent an ECV from an outside company. Their rates are very comparable (sometimes cheaper) to the parks' daily rates and they deliver right to your resort/condo/house. Then you'll have mobility and a place to rest during your entire stay whether you're in a park or not.

 

[Belle1962]

I believe GS is not allowed to read the letter due to privacy type laws. All they need to know from you are what your needs are. "I.E. I have an issue that creates an inability to stand in lines and walk for long periods of time." They are not medical personnel and a diagnosis means nothing to them.

They will then direct you to the appropriate assistance--which by Disney standards is the ecv/wheelchair.

so what if u have nobody physically able to push u in the chair? so sad too bad i suppose , just doesn't seem right to me. Realize that they need to cut down on abuse, etc; yet im just saying.

If you have no one to push you or can not push yourself in a standard wheelchair, (and I never do because I usually travel with a 7 Y.O.) The ecv is your only option and there are some rides you will be unable to do as you have to transfer to a push chair.

I agree with renting from an offsite company--I also find them easier to manuever. I agree with other posters that your main concern should probably be the walking between points a and b.

If i get miserable, will just sit down somewhere & let DH & DS run around i suppose; if WDW won't work with me

It's not a matter of Disney working with you--they will-they provide rental wheelchairs and ecvs for those who have a temporary need. If your doctor has recommended the ecv/wheelchair as medically necssary then your insurance company may/should pick up some of the costs of the medical equipment. I know mine does--I pay up front and then file a claim at home. You can also check with your health savings account--if you have one--for reimbursement.

 

[Talking Hands]

okay, gotcha...the cynic in me thinks it's just another way to make a few bucks

so what if u have nobody physically able to push u in the chair? so sad too bad i suppose , just doesn't seem right to me. Realize that they need to cut down on abuse, etc; yet im just saying.

If you have no one to push you, your option is the ECV and missing some rides. I deal with it.

 

[KPeveler]

disney is not trying to make a few bucks, they are providing equal access. If you cannot stand, they provide a way for you to get through the queue while sitting. Contact your doctor - the local hospital or rehab center may well have a chair for you to borrow if you want to save the money.

Yes, things are harder if you cannot push yourself or walk. I cannot push my chair very far, and i cannot walk much, and my disability keeps me from using a ECV as well. But I still had a great time in disney!

 

[keishashadow]

thanks for all the expert advice

i was able to finally talk to a supervisor who was able to let me know how they could handle my situation...

i fully admit that i am scared silly to even think about trying to manuever an ECV in crowded MNSSHP party crowd (afraid i'd hit somebody when they darted in front of me.)..have seen it more than once, not sure my reflexes r that good.

CM supervisor agreed with me, saying that if i had never used one before or was nervous it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

FYI, same CM said it would be no problem at all to get a GAC that would allow for family members to wait in regular line, then step aside & give me a call (sitting on a nearby bench ) to join the line....she said they do this often & appreciate the fact that i wasn't requesting FOTL, etc.

 

[KPeveler]

thanks for all the expert advice

i was able to finally talk to a supervisor who was able to let me know how they could handle my situation...

i fully admit that i am scared silly to even think about trying to manuever an ECV in crowded MNSSHP party crowd (afraid i'd hit somebody when they darted in front of me.)..have seen it more than once, not sure my reflexes r that good.

CM supervisor agreed with me, saying that if i had never used one before or was nervous it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

FYI, same CM said it would be no problem at all to get a GAC that would allow for family members to wait in regular line, then step aside & give me a call (sitting on a nearby bench ) to join the line....she said they do this often & appreciate the fact that i wasn't requesting FOTL, etc.

I am not entirely certain that this CM is entirely "up" on all disney lines. I cannot think of where you would sit at say Buzz Lightyear where your family could see you - all lines are inside...

I guess you may have to figure it out as you go.. Perhaps Sue can help more

 

[keishashadow]

I am not entirely certain that this CM is entirely "up" on all disney lines. I cannot think of where you would sit at say Buzz Lightyear where your family could see you - all lines are inside...

I guess you may have to figure it out as you go.. Perhaps Sue can help more

Sue - any suggestions for me?

FYI, detailed infro from CM follows:

*After I explain myself & showed GS the dr's note; reaching an 'accord' (& she did state that if the CM working didn't understand or wasn't helpful to request a supervisor)...

*I was instructed to approach the CM @ beginning of each line & produce my GAC (which i was told would have the necessary info on it... wouldn't have to explain my needs each time). Family would wait on-line...

*Then, they would call me on my cell to alert me when it was 'our turn' allowing other behind them to pass until i can make my way to join them

Hope she knew what she was talking about im thinking happy thoughts here

 

[zumbergc]

Someone returned from a trip with similiar expectations that you had. That a GAC would help with thier mobiloity issues. Well, they came back and reported that they were treated horribly, and some how they should have been accomidated differently. Even though the disney policy is for a person to rent a ecv or wheelchair to accomodate mobility issues.

People are giving you truthful and helpful information here. I don't remember who the poster was, or when the post happened.
I would encourage you to practice with an ecv at walmart, or other big box stores, so before your trip you will feel comfortable driving and ecv. The big box store ones are harder to drive than the offsite ecv's. Practice parallel parking, practice backing up, etc. Practice when you get to your resort for a little while, until you feel comfortable.

You can ignore the advice people are giving you here. However, bring the phone numbers of some offsite rental places. This way after your first day, if you find out that you really need an ecv, you can call and rent from an offsite ecv location.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm sorry but I think you were misinformed.

The telephone operators are told to identify themselves as "Guest Services". If you got a supervisor there it was still not a Park Guest Relations Office.

I can think of at least one major attraction at each park where the standby line is usually at least an hour, where the queue is almost entirely indoors, and where there are no benches or waiting areas. And at least two of them do not have a fastpass line.

 

[merryweather20]

Sue - any suggestions for me?

FYI, detailed infro from CM follows:

*After I explain myself & showed GS the dr's note; reaching an 'accord' (& she did state that if the CM working didn't understand or wasn't helpful to request a supervisor)...

*I was instructed to approach the CM @ beginning of each line & produce my GAC (which i was told would have the necessary info on it... wouldn't have to explain my needs each time). Family would wait on-line...

*Then, they would call me on my cell to alert me when it was 'our turn' allowing other behind them to pass until i can make my way to join them

Hope she knew what she was talking about im thinking happy thoughts here

Big NO! I'll try one last time

I suspect much the same as KPeveler that you were talking to one nutty CM.

There are very few rides that have somewhere to sit for a person. This grows even smaller as staffing levels change. What the CM suggested would not even be possible at most rides that I can think of. The construction of the lines, and the building itjust wouldn't be possible.

I have seen numerous posts from angry people who feel they were not accommodated with stamina needs, after they would not rent a wheel-chair. I have also seen many people who rented a wheel-chair and were so greatful they kept their pain at a reasonable level and enjoyed their time at Disney.

The wait at rides is a small part of your concern, again the parks themselves are HUGE. Just getting around Disney is a major deal!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A private message has been sent to the original poster, and this thread is now closed.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for all the expert advice

i was able to finally talk to a supervisor who was able to let me know how they could handle my situation...

i fully admit that i am scared silly to even think about trying to manuever an ECV in crowded MNSSHP party crowd (afraid i'd hit somebody when they darted in front of me.)..have seen it more than once, not sure my reflexes r that good.

CM supervisor agreed with me, saying that if i had never used one before or was nervous it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

FYI, same CM said it would be no problem at all to get a GAC that would allow for family members to wait in regular line, then step aside & give me a call (sitting on a nearby bench ) to join the line....she said they do this often & appreciate the fact that i wasn't requesting FOTL, etc.

Sue - any suggestions for me?

FYI, detailed infro from CM follows:

*After I explain myself & showed GS the dr's note; reaching an 'accord' (& she did state that if the CM working didn't understand or wasn't helpful to request a supervisor)...

*I was instructed to approach the CM @ beginning of each line & produce my GAC (which i was told would have the necessary info on it... wouldn't have to explain my needs each time). Family would wait on-line...

*Then, they would call me on my cell to alert me when it was 'our turn' allowing other behind them to pass until i can make my way to join them

Hope she knew what she was talking about im thinking happy thoughts here

Just a few final things added to what has already been posted.
Cheshire Figment and the other posters were right.
The CM that the OP talked to did not know what she was talking about.

First of all, a letter from a doctor really is not useful for the CMs. They are not allowed to require one (by the ADA and Federal Law). Because most of the letters usually do not have any useful information in them (just kind of a 'generic' letter like the OP quoted), they usually will not read one even if one is presented.
Second, it is not possible in most lines to have part of the party wait in line while another member of the party waits somewhere else. There are very few places where there even is a place that you can get to the boarding area to join the rest of your party.
The reason that Disney suggests a wheelchair or ECV for people who have problems with walking or standing is because there is a lot of walking and standing at WDW, not only in lines, but getting around from one attraction to another. If someone has to limit their walking, just the walking involved in getting from one line to another is probably going to be too much for them. An ECV or wheelchair is what they need.
A GAC will almost never shorten the distance someone walks.

Here's a link the the recent thread I think other posters were thinking about. The OP of that thread had been given some unrealistic expectations of what to expect a GAC could do. She found out that she really needed an ECV if she wanted to avoid walking/standing in lines because there were not places to sit and wait.