GAC Question

[Jonell]

My husband has a medical condition that requires him to make frequent trips to the restroom. He has a very active illeostomy and bladder control issues. This was a problem during this past Feb visit when we encountered long waits for attractions. My question is would he be able to get a GAC in order for him to be able to get onto the attractions faster when there is a long wait? Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

There is more information about GACs in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. GACs are not really meant to shorten the wait in line, more provide conditions to wait that meets the needs of the person with a disability. Some of the accommodations given for disabilities can actually make the wait longer at times (for waiting in a different place).

Many people have posted that using a touring plan like TourGuide Mike or RideMax actually was more helpful than a GAC. Even during very busy times - like Spring break, Christmas and Easter, there are parks that are quieter some days than others and parts of those parks that are quieter than others. For example, if you go to MK almost any day at opening, you will be likely to get on many attractions without waiting more than the time it takes you to walk thru the lines. And, if you go to Epcot in mid-morning, you will find lines of over 1 hour for Spaceship Earth; by mid or late afternoon, you can walk onto Spaceship Earth without a wait at all. Touring plans like TourGuide Mike can help you to know where to go and when to find the smallest crowds and shortest waits. It is much more consistent than a GAC because with a GAC you never know what you will be told to do - the exact ‘what’ depends on things like staff, how many other guests with special needs are waiting, etc.

If you are planning to go in February again, that is usually a very slow time - except for the time around President’s Day (I think the third Monday in Feb).

 

[Jonell]

Thanks, Our last trip was during President's week. The crowds and waits were crazy. We're going back in Sept so maybe this won't be a problem.

 

[tinkerpea]

Hi I have a similar problem to do with my kidneys and having to go to the tolilet way too much and too quick for the rides I also have to take very strong meds at certin times of the day and then after that need to lay down and sleep so when i exlained this to the CM ( i had a load of hospital letters and a doc note but they didnt want to see it) they allowed me the same stamp as my Autistic son has when i take him ( on this occasion i was their with just my hubby ). this met my needs. this means that i can fit in alot of rides inbetween bathroom breaks I dont panick about not making it in time nor do i worry that i would be in the middle of a que Disney are great if you just explain what your problems are and what you think would help you ...one CM put on a stamp and it was not what I needed. when hubby explained that the card was not doing what we needed, we went back and got a different stamp. ...so all the CM kno what the diffrent stamps mean and if thats the one you need then you should do okay. hope this helps you

 

[Melisande]

I just wanted to say yall are brave. I had bladder issues after giving birth to my twins. Mostly minor but every time I laughed they became major. I guess since my Doctor said if it did not go away we would figure something out. I just waited for my body to repair the issue. I could wuss out. I still applaud you for taking life by the horns and jumping in full force.



B

 

[Jonell]

I tried to contact someone at WDW about this since I now how anxious my husband is about our upcoming trip. With the heat next month and his need to drink more to stay hydrated he's worried there will be "leaks". Then he will have to return to the resort and change clothes and his appliance. And it's embarrasing for him.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

If memory serves, I believe the Moderators prefer that specific stamps not be discussed on the boards. It's too easy for people to shop around and say "Oh if I say I have XXXX wrong with me, I'll get this stamp"

 

[Jonell]

I'm sorry to ask I was unaware of that. I'm just curious because my husband is wanting to back out of the trip because of this. I'm trying to reassure him that the GAC will help him.

 

[livndisney]

I'm sorry to ask I was unaware of that. I'm just curious because my husband is wanting to back out of the trip because of this. I'm trying to reassure him that the GAC will help him.

I would suggest you take a look at the Sticky section. You may find some info to help you. Figure out what his needs are and then have him speak to Guest Services.

The PP is correct, the Mods do not want stamp information posted and will delete it so that it is not abused.

I see your trip is in Sept, the lines themselves should be shorter than what you experienced during Presidents's week. If you are staying on property, you may want to make use of EMH and hit attractions when lines are shorter. Also some lines are shorter during the parades.

 

[seashoreCM]

If a stamp that does not meet your needs gets applied to the GAC accidentally, it will not hinder the adding of more stamps that better meet your needs.

 

[Melisande]

I promise you as a mom of two autistic kids that the staff at guest relations do pick well as to which stamp will help you most and in some cases when an attendant thinks they have messed up which happened with me once they will restamp your card or arrange for it to be restamped with the better stamp.

In my case my son had stroller as a wheelchair stamp which a ride manager decided was not the best choice for our situation and added stamps. It solved one issue but created another one. Anyways he took wonderful care of us.

 

[2010Disneymom]

I have to say that the person that helped me at Guest Relations in City Hall on Main Street was very knowledgeable and helpful. He knew exactly which stamp would work best for my family. It was not a problem at all. The GAC worked well for us. Several times my kids asked to go on a ride a second time and I told them we would need to wait and give others a chance to ride. We did not abuse the pass. We found it to be a wonderful thing for us.

The only issue we had the whole trip was getting into Fantasmic. The lines for that are crazy (an hour and a half to 2 hours long). We had relatives go early and save seats, but we could not get in to get to the seats. There is no way my son would be able to wait an hour and a half in a crowd of people. He was totally having a meltdown with the crowds. The Cast Members were really not too nice about it. Anyway, we ended up leaving and going back to the late show another night. Going to the late show we were able to wlk in 5 minutes before the show started. We were able to do this since my kids are older. With little ones, the best option might be to do the dinner package. It seems that a better system should be worked out for this show...maybe tickets could be distributed in advanced. It just seemed crazy. While the show was good, I think that the crowds and lines takes away from the appeal of the show. It is too bad. If I did the show again I would definitely look into the dinner package.