GAC? Who i right?

[Jellifer]

I was in magic kingdom on Friday and went to guest services to find out which rides I should avoid with a pacemaker. While there I asked for one of the reflective scripting things for deaf people and explained that I have really restricted vision so need help with stairs, I have stamina issues but I don't feel comfortable using a wheelchair with such limited vision in the park. I asked if Disney could accommodate this and the cast member said no.

That was fine, we went into the park and most of the rides I rode with a friend so they helped me work out where the stairs are and stuff.

I really wanted to do buzz lightyear but no one else did, we asked the cast member if there were any steps or other problems for a VI person and they said no so on I went and everything was ok until they tried to load me onto a ride car and the floor moved out from underneath me. I fell and hit my head off of the car, a person in a different group helped me load onto the car (cast member didn't even ask if I was ok) and at the ride exit the guy behind me helped me off again.

When my friends saw me turned out my head was really bad, it was lumpy, had broken skin etc so we headed out to down town Disney to catch a transfer to our resort.

At DTD it got really painful but since there's no first aid guest services gave me an ice pack. Back at the resort we called a doctor and I ended up in the emergency department at hospital with suspected concussion.

So on Sunday I was better and given the all clear to go to the parks. We went to Epcot and I went to guest services, talked the cast member through all the small difficulties I'd found on the friday, told him about my accident (the lump is very visible) and asked him how I could be accommodated.

He was really nice and got out a map, drew in all the rides with stairs and moving walkways, crossed out where pacemakers shouldn't go and wished me a good day.

As instructed when I got to a ride with stairs/moving walkways I was given help with no bother (spaceship earth) and on the 2nd ride I got told I need a card to use the lift because it's for disabled people! (somewhere in world showcase, possibly America?). The lady was really rude and shouted that you need to take the stairs because the lift is for disabled people. My friends were appalled and told her I'm VI with loads of health problems and a pacemaker and the woman just shrugged and said she didn't see a wheelchair!

So who is right, is it the cast members who say I don't need a card or those who say I do?

I'm off to universal today to visit Harry potter world so I'm hoping no more accidents or rude staff members.

 

[lanejudy]

First let me say I'm so sorry you've had such trouble and were injured. I hope you are feeling better today.

A GAC card is issued for any number of INVISIBLE needs. It is true that cast members will not be able to directly assist you with stairs, on moving walkways, entering/exiting ride cars, etc. - your friends will need to accompany you on such rides. However, there are accommodations that can be noted on a GAC which could provide some added assistance in these situations.

As far as stamina issues - Disney's standard response is to use a wheelchair or ECV. There is really nothing else they can offer to be an equal accommodation - no "front of the line" pass to skip standing in lines, nothing to assist with all the walking between attractions. If you tire very easily, while I recognize your desire to independent it may still be in your best interest to rent a wheelchair. You do not need to ride in it all the time - you could push it empty (or with your bags on it) and/or park it in stroller parking to walk to attractions. A wheelchair will also provide a "visual" clue to CM's that you need to use accessible or alternative entrances; otherwise a GAC card is required to use these entrances.

Unfortunately, there are ignorant people in this world who think "disabled" means in a wheelchair. We try to grow a tough skin and ignore such comments.

Enjoy the rest of your vacation! Hopefully it will be more magical starting today.

 

[ttintagel]

That EPCOT Guest Services CM sounds great!

I've gotten a GAC for visual impairment, but I've still had to spell out to the ride CM's exactly what I need (walkway stopped, extra time to board, etc.). Of course, that doesn't help you at all if you don't know which rides have walkways to begin with! That CM at Buzz Lightyear should have told you about the walkway. What does he think "visually impaired" means?

 

[clanmcculloch]

You should have been given a GAC to avoid stairs if you need to avoid stairs and to slow or stop moving walkways when possible. I don't understand the refusal to give you one. This is what the CM in the American pavillion was referring to, though boy does it sound like that CM was unbelievably rude about it. The GAC would have told the CMs at Buzz that you needed help (I think that walkway can be slowed down, can't it?).

Going forward, I really would recommend that you get a wheelchair even though you'd rather not, unless your friends are unable to push you. You can walk behind it as described by PP and sit down as needed. Also, even if your friends don't want to ride, I would urge you to ask one to escort you through the queues to help you board even if they don't actually get in the ride. CMs aren't supposed to physically help you so you really are dependent upon your friends here.

I'm so sorry to hear about such frustrating experiences. It would be nice if there was some consistency to how these kinds of needs are handled. At least we'd then know what to expect and there would be less chance for injury.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. The standard and official answer from Guest Relations for any mobility or stamina issue is to recommend the rental of a wheelchair or ECV. As a PP mentioned, the GAC is only for invisible disabilities. A person with a wheelchair or ECV or walker or cane is always recognized as disabled.

This is primarily as the GAC does not do anything to reduce the distance between attractions.

2. CMs are prohibited from touching a guest in any way unless there is an emergency situation. This includes not providing any assistance for loading on or unloading from any ride.

3. I do not know why you did not go to First Aid in MK.

4. I cannot understand why you were going to DTD to transfer to a bus to your resort; from MK not only can you get to any resort directly, but there is no direct transportation to DTD.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

1. The standard and official answer from Guest Relations for any mobility or stamina issue is to recommend the rental of a wheelchair or ECV. As a PP mentioned, the GAC is only for invisible disabilities. A person with a wheelchair or ECV or walker or cane is always recognized as disabled.

This is primarily as the GAC does not do anything to reduce the distance between attractions.

2. CMs are prohibited from touching a guest in any way unless there is an emergency situation. This includes not providing any assistance for loading on or unloading from any ride.

3. I do not know why you did not go to First Aid in MK.

4. I cannot understand why you were going to DTD to transfer to a bus to your resort; from MK not only can you get to any resort directly, but there is no direct transportation to DTD.

I thought the same things. Particularly 3 and 4

 

[Jellifer]

The reason we didn't go to first aid was because I didn't realise how bad it was! My hair is really long and was in the way a bit after the ride, that coupled with shock made me not realise that I was so badly injured until my friend noticed that I was bleeding. I injure myself quite a lot so I have a high threshold for pain.

I'm not staying at a Disney resort, our hotel offers a transfer which was from down town Disney. no idea why as almost every other shuttle seems to take off from ticket and transport centre.

I'm a bit conflicted about the wheelchair, mostly because I've recently started using a long cane and I'm being encouraged to use it as much as possible to work it out. Also the parks are great in the early morning but at mid day and later at night my vision gets progressively worse just as the parks get busier so I'm scared id cause an accident.

In universal today things were a lot easier. I asked at the desk what rides can accommodate a pacemaker and I was handed a map and a card which I gave to staff members, they'd tell me a time to come back and I'd get straight onto the ride. It seemed like a much better system but I could only ride about 5 rides in the whole park! I wish there was a happy medium somewhere with it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 28 on page 2 of that thread has a list of attractions with moving walkways or all the parks.

I'm not sure what attractions the CM marked regarding Pacemakers because WDW doesnt have any specific recommendations regarding rides not to go on with a pacemaker.
My guess is that they just marked the attractions with warnings.
There is a listing of attractions with warnings in post 23 own page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

As far as saying 'visual impairment' to a Cast Member, that doesn't really tell them what your issue is because visual impairment can include a lot of things - some which would make it difficult to use a moving walkway or escalator and others that would not.

I'm quite surprised at what you say happened at Epcot with the elevator. We have to use it because DD is in a wheelchair, but we have been on he elevator many times with people who did not have anyone with them who was visibly disabled. They explained they could not use the stairs or escalator and were allowed on the elevator.

 

[DISNEYWITHCHILDREN]

I have to say I'm surprised the cm at buzz didn't ask f you want the medics to be called. My daughter fell running on the line at Winnie the pooh and they asked if we wanted the medics called. She was completely ok but i appreciated them asking.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have to say I'm surprised the cm at buzz didn't ask f you want the medics to be called. My daughter fell running on the line at Winnie the pooh and they asked if we wanted the medics called. She was completely ok but i appreciated them asking.

I am also surprised.
I scraped my heel on a bus lift and the driver wanted to call for assistance.

We've also seen people trip and fall in the park and CMs came out from all over to offer assistance.

 

[Jellifer]

Aside from the two cast members at buzz and the lady at the elevator in Epcot everyone else has been lovely.

On the Epcot map everything with a walkway or stairs is circled, mission space is crossed out for the pacemaker plus he also crossed out a ride that's closed. That cast member was really helpful and spent ages talking me through the park. I wish I'd got his name, if I wrote to Disney with a description, location and time do you think they'd work out who I'm talking about?

 

[SueM in MN]

I thought from previous posts that you were going to use a wheelchair - with unexpected fainting/collapse, it would be best to have one nearby in case you need it.
Using one would help with the stamina issues and someone else in your group would be pushing you, so you would not be navigating with limited vision.
Even many people who are full time wheelchair users with their own wheelchairs individually fitted to them find it is too much for them to propel their own wheelchair at WDW.

Also, words can make a difference in CMs knowing what guests need.
If someone asks for 'assistance with stairs', the answer will be no because they don't provide assistance. Most people would interpret that to mean someone needs to go with to show where the stairs are and provide a helping hand with getting up the stairs.
If a guest says they need to avoid stairs, the answer would be yes, they have a Guest Assistance Card that allows guests with that sort of problem to use the wheelchair accessible boarding areas. GACs are not needed for guests with visible needs - like a wheelchair, cast, crutches, cane, etc to use them. The CMs can see those things and know the guest needs to board at an accessible place.

But, guests with invisible disabilities need the GAC so CMs can tell what they need.
It will not be a shorter wait - it could even be longer, but stairs would be avoided and you would be boarding at the point where moving walkways can be slowed down or even stopped if necessary. That can't be done at regular boarding areas.

I know you had written in a previous post that you were going to write out your needs so that the CM would understand when you got to Guest Relations to ask for a GAC. I would suggest writing it out (or look at what you already wrote out) to make it clear.
You need to say that you need to avoid stairs and I suggest you say that you are partially blind (that may not be literally true, but it would make what you need more clear to CMs).
They can't do anything for stamina other than suggest using a wheelchair. GACs don't shorten the distance walked and a lot of walking is getting from place to place outside of attractions.
Same for UV/sun exposure. Most lines are covered or at least partially shaded and having a GAC to avoid sun exposure is usually going to be met by using the regular line. You will get much more sun walking between attractions, so need to plan for sun block, hats, etc.

Hope you have a good rest of your stay.

 

[SueM in MN]

Aside from the two cast members at buzz and the lady at the elevator in Epcot everyone else has been lovely.

On the Epcot map everything with a walkway or stairs is circled, mission space is crossed out for the pacemaker plus he also crossed out a ride that's closed. That cast member was really helpful and spent ages talking me through the park. I wish I'd got his name, if I wrote to Disney with a description, location and time do you think they'd work out who I'm talking about?

Yes.
That is enough information.

 

[QueenElinor]

....
I'm quite surprised at what you say happened at Epcot with the elevator. We have to use it because DD is in a wheelchair, but we have been on he elevator many times with people who did not have anyone with them who was visibly disabled. They explained they could not use the stairs or escalator and were allowed on the elevator.

I'm surprised, too. That CM was pretty close to running afoul of the law, IMHO. The OP has the say over whether she needs the elevator, not the CM. It's not that different from walking up to the wheelchair rental and being turned away because she didn't "look" impaired.

 

[Jellifer]

It was really embarrassing. I'm touring with a large group of 22-28 year olds but we'd split off so only 3 of us were using the elevator so it's not like me plus 20 were asking to use the elevator.

I'm in Epcot again today and heading to the Halloween party tonight. Been better so far today but I've only done soarin and got a fast pass to do that again later.

 

[kamik86]

Some of the things that happened I could understand and some seem a bit more of an issue.

For example not mentioning about the moving walkway on buzz when you said you were visually impaired... Well I have known quite a few people who are visually impaired but can still walk around on their own. Since you were walking on your own I would assume you could see pretty well but maybe couldn't read warnings and instructions little things like that... but since the entire ride vehicles that are quite large are clearly moving I wouldn't think that you didn't realize the walkway moves. Thinking about it AFTER you said this I could see where it may be hard to tell where the moving walkway started which may make you trip though but someone that isn't visually impaired may not think of that right away.

As for the ride elevator. If I was the CM told that the elevator shouldn't be used by anyone that doesn't want to use the stairs but only those that need it so that there aren't huge lines I probably would have said the same thing to you. Probably not as rudely but I would expect you to have a walker/cane/wheelchair or have a GAC. Now if you insisted I probably would have just let you ride anyway instead of fighting with you if it wasn't really busy though.

 

[Jellifer]

I have a long white cane with a red line on it which is what deaf blind people in the UK use, I don't know what the American equivalent is but I'd expect Disney to have trained cast members in how to spot things like this, especially if their job is to guard the disabled lift!

I'm still teething with the cane so I might look more drunk than blind with it but it helps because when I'm having a bad day I have very little peripheral vision and my central vision is blurred and doubled.

I had a much better day today, started in Epcot with my map, a cast member at the gate said that my friends ticket needed magnetised and to go to guest services. At GS I was at the desk with my friend and the CM fixing her ticket asked me how i hurt my head (the bruising has come out now and I'm very colourful. I laughed and told her about buzz and she went away and brought back a GAC and also it says I should sit in front for shows and applicable ride cars.

We didn't use it much as I avoided the American pavilion but we did use it at the NSSHP tonight for small world (it was great, my friend could help me onto the ride car at the boarding area and I didn't feel rushed. We also used it for philharmagic which was wonderful as I could see what was happening for some of it though I'm told I missed loads at the sides.

 

[Absimilliard]

I don't post often on here, but regarding pacemakers, am I right in assuming magnetic fields can cause issues?

If such is the case, then two rides at WDW need to be avoided at all costs because magnets are a big part of them and one will be rather surprising:

- Rock N Roller Coaster. Beside the obvious that it is a thrill coaster, the launch area has a long serie of electric magnets!

- People Mover. The ancestor to Rock n Roller Coaster. The cars are propelled around the track with a huge system of electro magnets.

 

[Jellifer]

Yes to the magnetic fields, my pacemaker is lined with metal to reduce interference from radiation. I'm not a thrill rides person so not doing 2 rides isn't a biggie though I used to like the people mover.

 

[seashoreCM]

I ... I got told I need a card to use the lift because it's for disabled people! (somewhere in world showcase, possibly America?). The lady was really rude and shouted that you need to take the stairs because the lift is for disabled people. My friends were appalled and told her I'm VI with loads of health problems and a pacemaker and the woman just shrugged and said she didn't see a wheelchair! .

The CM was wrong on at least two counts, shouting and rudeness.

Even I am unsure of the answer, does the guest need to have a Guest Assistance Card, or is the CM supposed to accept the guest's oral explanation of what he needs?