GAC questions

[KittyKat1978]

I am going to DL with my parents in Dec for my Dad's bday. My parents haven't been since 1985.

My dad has complications with legs and stamina from Type 2 diabetes.

About 10 years ago (when my dad was in his 50's) our doctor told him he had the legs of a 90 year old man. He has never recovered. He has to concentrate when he walks or he will fall.

We are going to get him and scooter, which will help with the falling issue, but not with the stamina issue.

The plan is for him to go in the morning and take a break in the afternoon. I am afraid if he does this, he won't be back in the evening which he never does well in.

My question is would a GAC card help him? We are in DL for 5-6 days and I want him to experience everything but not at the expense of his health.

I don't want to take advantage of the "system" I could be making an issue out of something that isn't going to happen but I wanted some feedback on if my dad's issue is worth getting a GAC.

Thanks

 

[skiingfast]

A GAC will help a bit if he is going to get out of the schooter and walk a little.

On some day could he sleep in and go with you in the PM?

 

[KittyKat1978]

He does want to get out and walk a little, but he will probably have to hold on to my mom or myself. Too much going on that will distract him.

I wish he would sleep in but he got up for work at 4:30am for years. I think the latest he will "sleep in" would be 7-8am. If he doesn't get up a move a little he pays for it as well. His feet are completely numb. Actually it's moving into his hands as well

Maybe I should get one and only use it if necessary? Near the end of the trip when his stamina will probably be pretty low.

 

[Malcon10t]

Maybe I should get one and only use it if necessary? Near the end of the trip when his stamina will probably be pretty low.

What they (CMs at Guest Relations) will explain is the scooter is his GAC. Unless you plan to park the scooter and walk through the park, he will not need a GAC. An example, a GAC will allow him to use the handicap entrance to POTC. But so will the scooter. The scooter will actually be better for him as he can take it al the way to the ride.

A reminder that using a GAC without using the scooter can result in some LONG walks. Example, if you were to park his scooter in NOS, the walk to HM has a long walk up to the entrance even in the HA line, then the walk inside where people are bumping into you, the walk down the corridor where people are bumping you, then off the ride on the moving walkways, out of the ride, and back to the scooter. Whereas with the scooter, he can take it to the ride, then circle back to it and back out.

There will be enough going on in the day for him to walk, from your description, he would probably be better just using the scooter.

 

[disneychrista]

Question: What are you wanting to GAC to do?

You will need to be very specific in what your needs are. A GAC is not a one size fits all pass and is not a front of line pass.

I get a GAC to avoid stairs, since stairs agrevate a hip injury. It does not allow me to skip the line and in fact can make the wait longer.

 

[KittyKat1978]

This is why I love these boards

So a GAC is for people who aren't in scooters? If there is no hadicap entrance how does it work?

Thanks

 

[KittyKat1978]

Question: What are you wanting to GAC to do?

You will need to be very specific in what your needs are. A GAC a one size fits all pass and is not a front of line pass.

I get a GAC to avoid stairs, since stairs agrevate a hip injury.

If there is an hour wait for a ride my dad wants to go on (of course we would come back and check at different times and get fast pass when we can) he might not be able to do this near the end of the week. I don't think its a front of the line pass, but a way to not have to wait as long. Because he does have stamina issues.

 

[skiingfast]

This is why I love these boards

So a GAC is for people who aren't in scooters? If there is no hadicap entrance how does it work?

There is always a handcap entrance. Sometimes it's through the exit.

 

[disneychrista]

So a GAC is for people who aren't in scooters? If there is no hadicap entrance how does it work?

The exit to most rides doubles as the accessible enterance.

If there is an hour wait for a ride my dad wants to go on (of course we would come back and check at different times and get fast pass when we can) he might not be able to do this near the end of the week. I don't think its a front of the line pass, but a way to not have to wait as long. Because he does have stamina issues.

But if he is in the wheelchair/scooter isn't an hour in line the same as a hour not in line? I understand you want him to see & do everything and that he may need to go back to the hotel & nap or skip the evenings. But in all honestly, I do not see any issues that a GAC can help with if he is in a scooter or wheelchair. In most cases when a person comes in to get a GAC for stamina issues they will suggest a wheelchair.

 

[Malcon10t]

If there is an hour wait for a ride my dad wants to go on (of course we would come back and check at different times and get fast pass when we can) he might not be able to do this near the end of the week. I don't think its a front of the line pass, but a way to not have to wait as long. Because he does have stamina issues.

An example is Space Mountain. The wait for standby is 45 mins to an hour. The GAC would allow him to wait in the HA line (by the exit.) The wait there is easily 45 mins and can be 90 mins. The wait is usually as long, sometimes longer, but you can wait where you are sitting on the "rock" seats, where it is cooler.

There are a few rides the wait might be shorter, most are about the same, and a few are longer. (POTC and IASW are almost (99%) always longer.) When you say he has stamina issues, they will recommend he use the scooter, and explain the entrances for the scooter.

Also remember, if something happens and a ride goes down, CMs cannot assist your father exiting the ride, that will be up to your family. Make sure you evaluate this when deciding on if he should ride. As an example, BTMRR has a walk out with stairs. The CM will let you know he will have to navigate the steps with your assistance. Radiator Springs Racers can get stuck on a steep incline. He would need to be able to step over the car edge, down onto the track, and walk the track to exit. (I use these 2 as examples as they are the ones frequently breaking down these days. But any ride can break down...)

 

[KittyKat1978]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Sounds like the scooter is the best option.

FYI - if the handicap line is an hour we will have to re-evaluate if we can do that ride at that particular time.

I really don't know what my dad can do, as I said before, I could be blowing this out of proportion. I was just looking for the best option for the worst case senerio.

And to understand the difference btw using a scooter vs GAC.

 

[KittyKat1978]

Just another thought, can we do Fast pass with a scooter? I was thinking of Space Mountain and I think the path is wide enough but would they let a scooter through?

 

[Malcon10t]

Just another thought, can we do Fast pass with a scooter? I was thinking of Space Mountain and I think the path is wide enough but would they let a scooter through?

No. Remember, it is a long walk too.

 

[disneychrista]

No. Remember, it is a long walk too.

I have read that they are letting people do FP on Space Mountian. You still use the accessible enterance but show your FP to the CM and then you get to skip the line, unless of course there is another FP in front of you.

 

[Eeee-va]

Just another thought, can we do Fast pass with a scooter? I was thinking of Space Mountain and I think the path is wide enough but would they let a scooter through?

I know you can't take the normal queue on Space Mountain with a scooter. Plus, on that particular ride, you have to get into the ride vehicle rather quickly (if you take too long, the ride will back up and emergency stop, shutting down the whole ride for a while). My mom has some more minor mobility problems and is able to load in time, but I don't think I would suggest that for your father.

The alternate boarding on the side is the way to go. That's great news if they're doing what Disneychrista said. I will keep that in mind when I visit with my mom next time!

Many of the queues in DCA, however, are accessible to scooters, either throughout or through the majority of the line. For instance, if your dad can do Soarin', I believe the FP will work great, scooter and all. The FP wait will be WELL under an hour and it's air-conditioned. (And if he can ride, then unless he's terrified of heights, I'll bet he'll love it!)

You do have one advantage that many other special-needs families don't. The park is traditionally MUCH less busy early in the morning than it is the rest of the day (with the possible exception of the last couple hours if the park closes at midnight). This has changed a little with the Magic Mornings being offered so consistently, but still, getting to the parks at opening is probably going to be an advantage.

I don't know how well alternate boarding spots work early in the morning (like do they wait to fill up the alternate car for Space Mountain before they launch it? and how long would that take?). But the lines will almost certainly be shorter earlier in the morning than in the afternoon. Really, aside from entertainment, I'd say the average visitor could probably see as many of the highlights of the parks in 6 days from 8 AM-noon, than in 3 days from 8 AM-8 PM.

If nighttime entertainment is a priority, then maybe you can get him out early in the morning, then some rest, and come back later just one night? Most the viewing options for Fantasmic! and World of Color involve a wait....I hear the wheelchair-accessible section for Fantasmic! isn't good? You can buy the dessert seating and be guaranteed a chair for the showing you purchase...but that's $59 (I think) and non-refundable.

World of Color is kind of tricky to see even if you can stand through the show; you're probably looking at an hour+ wait, even if you get a Fastpass and decide to wait in the special needs line, which gets in to the viewing area before anyone else. I'm not sure I'd try to see it the "right" way (from the viewing area) unless your dad LOVES shows.

There is an interesting/very pretty view from the wrong/back side of the show, though, with no wait. I love to just watch the beginning and the end from that vantage point, with all the gorgeous colorful fountains. You can also try the walk-up viewing near the Little Mermaid ride.

If he wanted to see the fireworks I'd try from the It's a Small World area...it's not crowded so in theory you could get a spot without much of a wait. I don't know if there is a wheelchair area for watching from Main Street, but it would probably require a long wait.

Have a great trip!

 

[Malcon10t]

I have read that they are letting people do FP on Space Mountian. You still use the accessible enterance but show your FP to the CM and then you get to skip the line, unless of course there is another FP in front of you.

I had heard that too. They weren't doing it July 1-4. I am HOPING it has changed.

 

[ArchOwl]

I have read that they are letting people do FP on Space Mountian. You still use the accessible enterance but show your FP to the CM and then you get to skip the line, unless of course there is another FP in front of you.

I had heard that too. They weren't doing it July 1-4. I am HOPING it has changed.

Interesting! I will be in a wheelchair/ECV on my trip next week. I will ask about it and see what happens. Thanks for the tip.

 

[DLRfan31]

Interesting! I will be in a wheelchair/ECV on my trip next week. I will ask about it and see what happens. Thanks for the tip.

We were there in May and you could use FP with a scooter. I guess it all depends.....on what, I don't know.

 

[llump41]

I use a GAC and on most visits I can do almost everything I want by noon in DL. Not DCA. You should still use the FP system. On Star Tours you would still need to wait in the queue until the entrance if you do not have a FP.

 

[smiles33]

World of Color is kind of tricky to see even if you can stand through the show; you're probably looking at an hour+ wait, even if you get a Fastpass and decide to wait in the special needs line, which gets in to the viewing area before anyone else. I'm not sure I'd try to see it the "right" way (from the viewing area) unless your dad LOVES shows.

If your dad has the stamina to stay awake (since he'd remain seated in his ECV), WOC might still be feasible and it's an awesome show. DH was in an ECV last year (we went to DLR right before his hip surgery!) and CM let us into special seating for guests with disabilities near the benches. DH stayed in his ECV, DDs sat in their double stroller, and I stood. It was a long waiting game, as the special seating (abbreviated HC in the map below) is available only on a first-come, first-served basis so you can't wait until the last minute to go. We were just to the left of the number 6 on Hydroguy's map:

You can read about our experience in this post of my TR.