GAC same at each park?

[stephie1012]

Last trip we got a GAC for DS. First let me say, having that made that trip our best one yet. Even if it meant the wait was longer, we were able to see shows and do things we would have never been able to with out it. Hubby got to actually sit through the beauty and the beast show with DD. The first time we tried before the GAC he had to leave with DS bc it was too overwhelming and he took off running. Anyway the GAC really made our trip magical. Now my question is last trip we got the GAC at AK and were able to use it for any park. Is the procedure the same at the other parks? It looks like our first park day will be MK.

 

[Michigan]

Yes, and if you still have the old GAC bring it with you and tell them you need the same one it will make the process of getting it much faster.

 

[dclfun]

Also, just an FYI, but please, please, do NOT put information out as to what your "stamps" were on your GAC. There are those who troll this section to see what they can ask for even without a guest travelling with them who has a disability. It's a shame that people will lie and cheat, but the fact is that they will and it impacts those of us who truly need those services. I know this was not your intention, OP, but lately I've seen a lot of posts/threads where the stamps were mentioned. In the past, we have always discouraged any discussion where specific stamps were shared. You have correct information though as your GAC will be valid for any parks you visit. You will be asked how many Guests are travelling in your party and the length of your visit.

 

[stephie1012]

deleted the stamp info. never even thought people would do that. some people are terrible. i wish we didnt have the need for a GAC. Thanks for the info.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have not checked it out yet, read post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread which is about Guest Assistnce Cards.
You got great answers here, but if you need more information, you will find it there.

 

[dclfun]

deleted the stamp info. never even thought people would do that. some people are terrible. i wish we didnt have the need for a GAC. Thanks for the info.

Thanks, and I never thought people would do those things either, but found out the hard way that they do. There are plenty of abusers out there when it's clear that your child NEEDS the accommodations given. As you know, those of us who have those needs certainly wish we didn't!

 

[Love Tink]

I find it really depressing how hard it is to find out concrete information about what accomodations the GAC offers, because even here - where people are supposed to come for help and information - many people seem more concerned with hiding the information from a shady world of "abusers," than with helping those who really need the information.

I see it time and again here - "Don't give out information." "They will just tell you to get a wheelchair." "It doesn't make waits shorter." "A touring plan is better." A lot of people doing a lot of work to try to discourage people from learning about or using a GAC. (Of course, not everyone here has this attitude...but many do.)

Why such focus on the tiny percentage of cheaters, at the expense of the vast majority who really need information?

 

[ccgirl]

I think the point is, you present to guest services letting them know what kind of accommodations you will need. They will let you know if they can be accommodated with the GAC.

 

[dclfun]

We are just giving advice as we know it...a GAC is NOT intended to shorten wait times, and it says so on the card, it is not a front-of-line pass ( many people have had that misconception), if you have a wheelchair, your needs are apparent and will be accommodated, however if you have invisible needs along with using a w/c or without using a w/c you DO need to be prepared to let Guest Services know what those needs are. We should *not* have to tell anyone what their needs are and what to ask for- only you know that information. There is really no "magic" in the GAC and no mystery either.

 

[mom23kids]

The 2 times we had a GAC, I never saw a "stamp"CS just signed the name and date.

 

[SueM in MN]

Everything you need to know is in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
You do not need a doctor's letter, although some people feel more confident asking for a Guest Assistance Card with one. The disABILITIES FAQs thread is near the top of this board and there is also a link in my signature.

That post also explains WHY people post things like:

• recommending a wheelchair for people who say they can't stand in line or are worried about the distance in line. Most attractions have no place to sit and the distances walked in the parks are just a small amount of the walk during the day. (This is actually what Disney says on their website and printed information). A GAC does not shorten the distance walked. All lines are wheelchair accessible without using a GAC, so someone who needs to sit or is concerned about distance will be accommodated with a wheelchair without a GAC.
• recommending a stroller for children with autism. parents of children with autism have posted this has been th most helpful thing for them, as it provides a 'safe haven' from too much stimulation and separation from other guests. With a sticker or GAC, a stroller can also be used in lines.
• recommending using Fastpass. Many people with special needs who used to use a GAC frequently have posted that using Fastpasses worked much better for them because using a Fastpass is predictable and the same thing happens with each attraction each time. Using a GAC is not necessarily predictable - different things happen on each attraction and different things may occur because Disney changes how they do things. There are 2 current threads about changes in how things are done - one about Haunted Mansion and one about Buzz Lightyear. So, using a GAC does not mean the same thing will always happen.
• Recommending touring plans. Again, recommended by people who used to use a GAC. All parks have different busy times for things, even during busy times like Spring break. Knowing when to go for many attractions can literally mean the difference between waiting in line for 90 minutes and walking right on. Also, GACs only help for attractions, but much of the wait, congestion and busy-ness is OUTSIDE the lines, getting from place to place. GACs don't help at all with that. A touring plan will.

You will have to explain your needs to the CM in Guest Relations and they will determine what accommodatons are available to meet those needs and provide a GAC that covers those accommodations. There is more information in post 6 of the FAQs about this.
There are different stamps that can be put on the GAC to communicate your needs to the CMs at attractions. (They often stamp it 'backstage' out of view, so individual guests may not realize that a stamp was even put on the card).

A particular stamp is not a guarantee that the GAC with that stamp will alway be handled in a particular way at each attraction and is not a guarantee that there will be no wait. (it is actually stamped on the card to say that). Not every attraction has the same 'features' available for guests who need accommodations to use, so your GAC may be handled differently at different attractions, based on what they have. Even coming back to the same attraction at a different time may not be handled exactly the same because of different conditions, like how many people are in line, staffing at the attraction, etc.

That is one of the reasons we don't like people to post exactly what happened with their GAC - first of all, Disney can change the exact things that happen at any time and second, what happened with one person is no guarantee that exactly the same will happen with anyone else.

I can say that your needs will be accommodated, but no guarantee of exactly how - and I don't like the angry PMs I have gotten in the past from people who read what others posted, planned on certain things always happening and were upset when it did not happen exactly that way. They felt the posts they read 'promised' them certain things and having planned for that and gotten something else caused more stress.

 

[stephie1012]

really i felt the same way at first about how hard it was to find info on it. But once i used the GAC and got one i understand it. I just told the CM my concerns with DS and she gave me a GAC with what they thought would help. The CMs are really helpful. And it most definitely doesnt shorten wait times.There were times we had to come back to an attraction. And you know what all that is fine by me, like i said our family experienced things together we never could before.