GAC - Stroller with WC privleges

[Tink316]

Ok, I'm not sure but I thought I read this somewhere on this site previously, but can't seem to find any reference now so hoping someone can help.

My DS will be 8 when we visit WDW. He has Down Syndrome, and although he can walk, he is unable to walk or stand for extended periods of time due to his low muscle tone.

We plan to rent a stroller while at WDW, and I thought I remember reading something about getting a GAC and having the stroller "categorized" as a wheelchair. Does anyone know about that? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!
T.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Hi Tink,

you are correct. What you need to do is; go to Guest Services when you enter the park. Take him with you, otherwise they will not hand out the GAC. You do not need papers, all you need to do is explain his needs. In your case that would be; "he has stamina/mobility problems and we would like to use the stroller as a wheelchair". They'll give you a GAC to accomodate just that, so you can take the stroller with you into the lines so he doesn't have to stand or walk longer than is wise for his health.

Have a great trip!

 

[sl_underwood]

We did this just last week in WDW with our son who can walk but still has some leg pain due to an injury and is on the spectrum. It is a life saver!

 

[Tink316]

Did you rent a WDW stroller or get one through off-site vendor?

Thanks!
T.

 

[sl_underwood]

We rented one for our son. Originally we thought we would have one through another disboard member but it was damaged so we had to rent. Each day we had to go to guest services and get a new tag. It was no big deal, just a tad time consuming. The stroller was a bit small for our son, our next trip we will rent one off site. He has had a broken hip and found it to be uncomfortable. Unless your son is very small, it might be better to rent one off site. My son is 43 inches tall and 42 lbs.
Lora

 

[Tink316]

Appreciate the info. Looks like we will rent from off-site. My son is about 60 lbs...and I'd like him to be comfortable for the week. Thanks again!

T.

 

[scojos]

can you use the double stroller, or does it have to be the single? a double would be easier for us...
thanks
tracy

 

[mechurchlady]

can you use the double stroller, or does it have to be the single? a double would be easier for us...
thanks
tracy

The Stroller as a Wheelchair applies to double strollers also.

 

[SueM in MN]

The Stroller as a Wheelchair applies to double strollers also.

A double stroller might be a bit tight in some of the areas, but people have posted they have used a double stroller as a wheelchair.

The information about "stroller as wheelchair" is posted in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this boars, in the post about GACs in that thread.

 

[jennydep]

We used one of Disney's double strollers for dd10 (with Down syndrome) when we were there last August. She was just under 100 lbs then and was very comfy. We had no problems using it as a wheelchair. We would just hold up the red tag on the handle as we approached a CM and they would wave us through.