Gac

[AngieUK]

My 10 year old DS has autism and i use crutches to walk as i only have one leg. This is our first visit to WDW. Will we both need a GAC? our reasons for needing one will be slightly different. There will be 4 other people in our party.
Have i understood right that other people in your party can wait with you if there is a different line for people with problems of one sort or another? if so how many of your party?
Sorry if these questions have been answered before but this is one area that i'm finding a bit difficult finding out all the ins and outs and benefits of having a GAC
Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to see that you found us. Ask as many questions as you like and don't worry if others have asked the same ones before. Each situation is differnt and you might bring up some things that no one else has thought of!

I can only answer quickly right now, but I'm sure you will get more answers as the day goers on.
A GAC (Guest Assistance Card) is a card that tells the CMs what sorts of assistance you might need. This might be a quiet waiting spot or to avoid steps, wait out of the sun or use an alternate entrance. You may go to Guest Services in any of the parks to request a GAC. The person with the disability needs to be there to ask for one - you can't , for example, send someone else in to ask for one while you and DS are somewhere else. It is usually given for the length of your stay and is good in any of the parks. They will usually allow the person with a disability and up to 5 members of their party to remain together (total of 6 people).
Since you have 2 people with very differnt sorts of needs, I would suggest that you ask for 2 cards. It may be that for some attractions, your DS won't really need any special accomidation, but you will. You might also want to split up your party at times.
Have you thought about using an ecv (electric scooter) or wheelchair. I know you said that you walk with crutches, but you probably don't walk the distances that are involved in walking around WDW. Just the distance around the WS is about 1.3 miles!!

 

[s&k'smom]

Hi Angie UK just wanted to welcome you to the Disabilities Post and hope you have a wonderful trip.