Gac's and large families

[MG3G]

I have a question about GAC's and large families.

We are in the early planning stages (REALLY early). We've used a GAC once before but inbetween trips we will have had two more children.

I TOTALLY understand that Disney has to cap the number of people going in on on GAC - however I was wondering if they ever make any exceptions? AND if anyone knows if infants count towards the number of people. (In my mind they do but perhaps in Disney's they don't since they don't need a ticket?)

I know most large groups can just split up into two and take turns and/or have half the group go through another line. I would think that most of these groups have more adults in them then ours does. BUT with a family of two parents and 5 young kids splitting would be pretty difficult and would kind of ruin the entire point of a "family" trip so I was curious what our options may be.

All of this might be a moot point anyway - we could end up with three children all needing different GAC's requiring totally different things - in which case we just can't go. (I am waiting on diagnosis for two of the 5 kids and already have one SN child. Worse case is having one that needs alternate entrances, one that needs a stroller as a wheelchair and one that can't be in the sun. Which I think would just make a trip too complex to manage.)

 

[christymarie]

Depending on what your needs are it may not be a problem at all. If you have a child who needs an alternate entrance then your family can do through the main line and you can meet them at the other end, or you can have your family utilize fastpass if that works better for you. If the child is in a wheelchair or stroller as a wheelchair then you can all go together through most of the main queues. If there is a ride that does not accommodate a stroller/wheelchair chances are they probably wont allow a baby so switch off (ie Splash Mountain). I don't think you will have any major problems some creativity and patience wont fix.

 

[jmartinez1895]

My BIL has 5 kids and he has to get a GAC. They issue his card for 7 and at a few rides he has to explain that the card is for him and that he has 5 kids, he said that CM's at GS do ask to see all the kids to make an exception to the 6 person rule.

 

[bookwormde]

The 6 person rule is a common sense "rule", but cannot be a hard and fast rule. If you have a situation where your 7 person family needs to stay together to provide equal accommodation for the individual(s) with disabilities and it does not create a significant safety hazard, then let them know that at guest services and they are required under ADA to accommodate. It will likely take some explanation as to how splitting up would prevent equal accommodation.
bookwormde

 

[bidnow5]

We have gone during a slow time of year with 7 people and 2 GAC's every ride let us ride together but several told me if it was busy they couldn't do it

 

[Jonell]

I was just about to start a thread with the same question. I just found out that my husband's family will be joining us for our next trip. We will be staying at different resorts so we will only be spending time together at the parks. There will be 7 or 9 of us, I don't know the exact number yet. But my husband gets a GAC, so I'm also wondering do they make exceptions or will we have to split up for attracions? It won't be a "family" vacation if we can't enjoy rides together

 

[jmartinez1895]

I'm not sure if they make exceptions for extended families and for groups with many adults. I know that they will for a mom and dad with a 5 or so kids, but I'm not sure about aunts and uncles and ect. I guess a lot would depend on crowds and the CMs that are working.

 

[Jonell]

Is there a phone number to contact with CMs that have reliable info about GACs and the party size limits. My husband's family is looking to me to know everything about WDW , but I'm really concerned about this. I know my husbands limitations and that he can not enjoy the attrations without his alternative enterance GAC, but I'm now worried that we won't be able to enjoy the attractions with his family due to the limitations on party size of the GAC. Please advise

 

[LilyWDW]

Is there a phone number to contact with CMs that have reliable info about GACs and the party size limits. My husband's family is looking to me to know everything about WDW , but I'm really concerned about this. I know my husbands limitations and that he can not enjoy the attrations without his alternative enterance GAC, but I'm now worried that we won't be able to enjoy the attractions with his family due to the limitations on party size of the GAC. Please advise

Not really because accommodations can also change based off of how crowded the parks are and staffing at any specific attraction at any specific time. The in park CMs can have some leeway when it comes to how many they allow (though never less then stated), but it would be a case by case situation depending on the current conditions. This is, for example, one of the reasons we don't allow discussions of specific stamps and accommodations on the board.

I would honestly plan on having to separate (especially if there is 9 of you). Better to plan for the worst.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The normal rule is the disabled Guest plus up to five people. Normally exceptions are made when there are only two or three adults and the rest are children.

Please be aware that most attractions are "mainstreamed" so a person with a disability will normally go through the regular queue.

Exceptions will be made, but it would have to be done in-person at a Guest Relations location at a Park. This is the type of situation that cannot and will not be handled over the telephone. Note that if you call the main switchboard they will identify themselves as Guest Services. If you even do get transferred to an actual Guest Relations Office a commitment cannot be made over the phone. (Note that I do work at a GRO.)

 

[lanejudy]

I was just about to start a thread with the same question. I just found out that my husband's family will be joining us for our next trip. We will be staying at different resorts so we will only be spending time together at the parks. There will be 7 or 9 of us, I don't know the exact number yet. But my husband gets a GAC, so I'm also wondering do they make exceptions or will we have to split up for attracions? It won't be a "family" vacation if we can't enjoy rides together

Jonell, I'd suggest that your family take advantage of FP whenever possible. With that many people, you wouldn't all be in the same ride vehicle anyway, but most of the time if you use FP you'll be close. There are a few instances where your husband will need to split off from the group to avoid stairs, but you should still be riding within a few minutes of each other for the majority of rides. Good luck, and try not to stress about it - with a positive attitude from all you'll have a good vacation even if you have to split up occasionally.