Gac

[wilma-bride]

yes, but i think it's more a question of not wanting to draw even more attention to oneself. He's a bit twisted (physically that is) and it is quite noticeable. Going through a special line or sitting in a wheelchair would make people look even more. At least that's how i've interpreted it. I've never asked him why he refuses. (no need to upset him more than i know he already is). In any case, it's his decision.

That's the thing with my DD Beth - chances are she's be more likely to draw attention to herself (and, unfortunately, us ) when she started having a blue fit about having to wait in line. It's something she needs to learn to do though so we certainly intend to make her wait if the line's not too long.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not all GACs have the same message stamped on them. The message stamped on the card is based on the needs the person with a disability told the CMs at Guest Services, so not all GACs "allow" the same things.

www.pixiedustinn.com (which the OP posted a link to) has a lot of good information, but the webmistress has not been updating the site (the last update was in 2002). She used to be a frequent DIS poster and the GAC information on her site was sort of combined info from her esperiences and the experiences that DIS posters had written.

Here is some information about GAC (Guest Assistance Cards) from the disABILITIES Board (which is up to date):
Here's a summary of information about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards):

• To request one, go to Guest Services in any of the parks and talk to the CM there about your problems and needs.
  You don't need a doctor's letter and the CM is likely to not want to look at it. Some people DO feel more confident asking for a GAC if they have a letter, but a letter is not required. If you do have one, it should reflect your needs, not your diagnosis.
  The diagnosis is not really that important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. The GAC is not given based on diagnosis at all (for example, there is not a "list" of appropriate diagnosis for a GAC); the GAC is given based on needs and the accomidations that meet those needs.
  The GAC is usually given for up to 6 people (5 plus the person with a disability) and is valid at all the parks for your length of stay (you don't need to get a new one at each theme park).
  A few other things
• the GAC is not meant to be a pass that gives immediate access. In fact, about 6 years ago, they renamed it to Card because when it was called a Pass, people thought it mean front of the line access. It says right on the card that it will not shorten or eliminate waits in line.
• it is meant as a tool to tell the CMs what the person's needs are so that they can provide appropriate accomidation for the person it was issued to. Some examples of accomidations might be a quieter place to wait, a place out of the sun (for those times when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time), using a stroller as a wheelchair, avoiding stairs.
• even if you have a GAC, not all accomidations are available at each attraction (especially, some may not have a place to sit)
• because what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs, not all GACs say the same thing.
• think of the GAC like an insurance card, not necessarily needed or used all the time, but there for when you need it.
• even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time.
  Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing. Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, occassionally the fastpass line; sometimes the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very occassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence).
• Fastpass is a good way to avoid waits in line. You don't have to be present to get a fastpass, you can send one member of your party ahead with all the park passes to get fastpasses. When you report back to the ride at your fastpass return time, your wait will be 15 minutes or less.
• For people who are concerned about stamina or endurance, Disney suggests a wheelchair renting a motorized scooter (also called ecv; for over 18 yrs and up). The distance and time spent going around the parks is much greater than the time and distance spent in line. With an ecv or wheelchair, you will always have a place to sit and can conserve energy for fun, instead of just getting around. There is information about ecvs/wheelchairs farther up in this disABILITIES FAQs. Most lines are wheelchair/ecv accessible.
• If you get tired and needs to lie down in air conditioning for a while, there is a First Aid station in each park. They have cots in individual cubicles for resting.

 

[alisonbestford]

Thanks for the update Sue

The cots in the first aid stations would have been very useful for DH but, I guess, he wouldn't have asked for one
There were many shady walls where he lay his head over the trip