GAC specifics

[ireland_nicole]

I know this is probably a "dumb" suggestion, but for DS, (and if it helps, he doesn't try the bail on rides thing anymore) we used to keep him exclusively in overalls in the parks. That way, I had one arm wrapped around him, and one tightly gripped around the back of the overalls, there was absolutely no way he could climb out then

 

[SueM in MN]

I know this is probably a "dumb" suggestion, but for DS, (and if it helps, he doesn't try the bail on rides thing anymore) we used to keep him exclusively in overalls in the parks. That way, I had one arm wrapped around him, and one tightly gripped around the back of the overalls, there was absolutely no way he could climb out then

Handy holds - gives me a mental picture of Dennis the Menace because he always wore those pants.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Yeah, that's actually the name several teachers gave to DS because of the similarities... although 4 years ago he wasn't rolling over and we were told he'd never walk or talk, so... I don't really mind chasing him around; we're so grateful and amazed at what he can do; but, those "handy holds" have been a lifesaver on many, many occasions; we still use them in crowded situations; thankfully osh kosh makes them at least as big as 7; we have a few pair...

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Sue: They are no longer using the exit at Small World for the handicapped entrance? The point of the refurbishment (well part of it anyway ) was to allow standby access but the fire department ended up saying no to us because of the design. I know when I worked there after the rehab it was still the exit. I didn't realize they had fixed the problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue: They are no longer using the exit at Small World for the handicapped entrance? The point of the refurbishment (well part of it anyway ) was to allow standby access but the fire department ended up saying no to us because of the design. I know when I worked there after the rehab it was still the exit. I didn't realize they had fixed the problem.

They are still using the exit ramp, but you enter the exit area from inside the line.

WARNING: This explanation may not make sense to anyone who is not familiar with the way the ride was set up and is set up now.

In the past, you went to the actual exit and opened the gate that was the handicapped exit gate. Now, you enter the regular line and go thru the first few turns (exactly how many depends on how they have the line configured with the removable chains). At a point where you are on the side of the regular queue toward the exit, there is a handicapped signed bypass that joins the exit. When we went in October, there was a chain the length of the exit dividing it into a handicapped entrance area and the exit. When we went in March, they had removed the divider, except at the very end where it divided out the people waiting for special needs access from those passengers who were exiting.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Okay, that's what they were doing when I left. I thought you meant people were going in the standby line all the way down.

 

[BeckyScott]

We had several times when we went to rides where you couldn't really see the line-- the line formed inside or there were a bunch of walls or curves-- there are lots of rides like that 'cause I think they do it on purpose-- but I would show the first CM our GAC and they would just point us to the regular line. The first time it happened I thought they'd messed up but I didn't want to say anything.

Turns out that it was because there wasn't much of a line inside to begin with, a couple were walk-on, so the GAC wouldn't have made any difference. After that first time I did decide that the CM's knew what they were doing and it happened several times after that and held true every time.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I now have 2 (teens) with special needs, and sometimes in the past we just had one GAC, it seemed to cover most of the needs for both of them. I guess we could have gotten 2 though. This June, we will get 2, because I think DD will split up and go off with her cousin without us, (Mom and Dad). The cousin will be almost 18, DD will be 17 as well. I worry about her having a GAC without us, will CMs and other guests think it is fishy? I guess she should have ID with her. (she has medical issues only, no behavioral things). She may be using a wheelchair, but hopefully not, she hates it.

My son is one we used to hang on to in the rides, he is autistic and has Down Syndrome, and is not verbal. We now have him in a Convaid chair in the parks (age 19). He is relatively ok on lines, because being in the chair creates somewhat of a safety zone for him, he is not as squished, and can relax and look at WDW maps, play Gameboy, whatever. When he is standing, he loses his balance and bumps people, and touches people, etc. When it is in the August heat, that is not appreciated. He does not last too long in the heat, we always break mid-day, after lunch.

As for extra magic hours?? We avoid them at all costs, they are PACKED, at least in the summer, in our experience. Maybe the morning ones are ok at the rope drop, but by late morning that park will be unbearable.

Have a great time!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Your daughter does not need to carry ID. If the CM expects it is not on the up and up they will simply ask if the person issued the GAC is with them. If you say yes we believe you. There may be people who think she is faking, regardless of whether or not she is using a wheelchair, but that is their issue. Not hers.

Just make sure she has her own GAC so they can split up. Needing a GAC does not mean that she has to stay with mom and dad. We want her to be able to experience the park just like any other teenager.

 

[dclfun]

Pat- before I started using a w/c I had a GAC that allowed a specific accommodation. I was by myself once actually at Peter Pan and was grilled by a CM that "obviously the card wasn't for me because I was walking". I guess he didn't see the trach tube sticking out of my neck or the fact that my feet were dragging and I lost balance easily. In the end it turned out that his issue was that the card was made out for 6 people( me, my husband, and four kids) and there weren't 6 of us there, just me. My family had gone to a thrill ride and I'd stayed behind in Fantasyland as it was too far for me to walk- he thought the card was for one of the other 5 guests and I was misusing it. By the time he finished grilling me I was too upset to ride. Let Bridget know to use the card and not to hesitate or worry about being questioned- I think CM's are better trained these days as my SIL recently used a card with an invisible disability and had NO problems.---Kathy

 

[PatMcDuck]

Thanks Kathy! Bridget will certainly speak up for herself, that is not a problem. And while it is not her problem, I will explain WHY some people suspect abuse of the GAC. So she is prepared. I will also caution her not to goof around with it, etc. She is very used to having one, for her MAW trip it was all hers (her brother did not come along). She always handed it to the CM herself. I may not even get her one, it all depends on how she is feeling. (she has been sick for 2 1/2 years almost, and it feels like it will never end sometimes. )

One sort of funny thing, on the first day of MAW trip to DL, we went into the park briefly (California Adventure). Bridget and her friend got tired quickly, and wanted to return to the room. I said, "fine, but I will pick up a GAC for tomorrow on my way out". I tried to give the girls some time without MOM, ya know? I made the mistake of trying to get a GAC without my daughter, I thought nothing of it..... They said, she needs to be present to issue the GAC......... I understand WHY, it just never occured to me, I was just trying to save time.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Pat- before I started using a w/c I had a GAC that allowed a specific accommodation. I was by myself once actually at Peter Pan and was grilled by a CM that "obviously the card wasn't for me because I was walking". I guess he didn't see the trach tube sticking out of my neck or the fact that my feet were dragging and I lost balance easily. In the end it turned out that his issue was that the card was made out for 6 people( me, my husband, and four kids) and there weren't 6 of us there, just me. My family had gone to a thrill ride and I'd stayed behind in Fantasyland as it was too far for me to walk- he thought the card was for one of the other 5 guests and I was misusing it. By the time he finished grilling me I was too upset to ride. Let Bridget know to use the card and not to hesitate or worry about being questioned- I think CM's are better trained these days as my SIL recently used a card with an invisible disability and had NO problems.---Kathy

That's horrible. It really burns my butt when I hear of fellow CMs behaving so rudely. Thankfully that behavior is not supposed to occur so tends to be very rare. If the CM questions just say that it is for you and leave it at that. They do not have a right to know your disability or to harass you. We see so many people with invisible disabilities every day, it shouldn't be an issue.

Sure, there are people who fake it. But the way I look at it, karma's a bear. Even if you do not think you will need it, I would get her one anyway. That way you have the insurance of it should you need it. You don't have to use it, but if you find yourself needing it you won't have to go all the way back to guest relations.

 

[sharadoc]

We were very polite with our GAC and only used it when necessary. DS does the "freak out" thing in lines, but was very patient waiting in alternate areas. We tried to get him used to lines where they were outside and easier to handle.

We waited in Snow White for about 4 switchbacks, which was about his "limit" and we saw a family of 5 adults and about 6 kids, all using one little boy's GAC, because the kids were little and the family said they didn't count in the 6 person total.

Boy did that burn me up. Certainly if a family member needs one they are entitled to it, but Aunt Mary, Uncle Joe and the 3 cousins? The Mom was like "yeah, come on, we can get right on this way" and they were laughing and running to the cars. I felt like they were giving me and my family a bad name! I could see the CM felt a little helpless when they all started plowing through the gate, but he didn't want to interfere.

We've used the GAC to request seats near an exit, because DS also likes to stim/talk and if he gets too loud, we want to be prepared to take him out so as not to disturb other guests. But my husband reminded me that there's babies crying and little kids talking all the time, just 'cause DS has a deeper voice doesn't make it bad!

Sometimes the Disney Magic takes over. I know it did when we were there. Have a wonderful trip. Maybe we'll see you there in August. This is our second trip this year, because DS is asking to go back.

The CMs are wonderful - I can't think of one bad experience we had.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

We were very polite with our GAC and only used it when necessary. DS does the "freak out" thing in lines, but was very patient waiting in alternate areas. We tried to get him used to lines where they were outside and easier to handle.

We waited in Snow White for about 4 switchbacks, which was about his "limit" and we saw a family of 5 adults and about 6 kids, all using one little boy's GAC, because the kids were little and the family said they didn't count in the 6 person total.

Boy did that burn me up. Certainly if a family member needs one they are entitled to it, but Aunt Mary, Uncle Joe and the 3 cousins? The Mom was like "yeah, come on, we can get right on this way" and they were laughing and running to the cars. I felt like they were giving me and my family a bad name! I could see the CM felt a little helpless when they all started plowing through the gate, but he didn't want to interfere.

We've used the GAC to request seats near an exit, because DS also likes to stim/talk and if he gets too loud, we want to be prepared to take him out so as not to disturb other guests. But my husband reminded me that there's babies crying and little kids talking all the time, just 'cause DS has a deeper voice doesn't make it bad!

Sometimes the Disney Magic takes over. I know it did when we were there. Have a wonderful trip. Maybe we'll see you there in August. This is our second trip this year, because DS is asking to go back.

The CMs are wonderful - I can't think of one bad experience we had.

Oooo, families like that just burn me up. Ever since the Snow White rehab we no longer have a grouper except during the busiest days which means that the person at the panel has to handle the alternate entrance while trying to get standby to group themselves ahead of time, keep kids from running into the track, and send cars. It gets very hectic and makes it hard to deal with abusers unfortunately.

I'm glad hat you didn't have any problems with the CMs. We do try.