getting a GAC at DCA

[LavenderPeach]

Where do you go in DCA to get a GAC? I've been thinking about getting one to use a stroller as a wheelchair for my son. He has autism and does pretty well most of the time but sometimes gets overwhelmed in the lines and wants me to hold him so he can hide his face and escape all the stuff going on. It's usually not a big deal but he gets heavy to hold through a long line like TSMM so I was thinking about getting a pass so he could just stay in his stroller to "escape". I don't want to wait in that long line that always forms at city hall but I wasn't sure where to go at DCA. Thanks!

 

[glendalais]

Where do you go in DCA to get a GAC? I've been thinking about getting one to use a stroller as a wheelchair for my son. He has autism and does pretty well most of the time but sometimes gets overwhelmed in the lines and wants me to hold him so he can hide his face and escape all the stuff going on. It's usually not a big deal but he gets heavy to hold through a long line like TSMM so I was thinking about getting a pass so he could just stay in his stroller to "escape". I don't want to wait in that long line that always forms at city hall but I wasn't sure where to go at DCA. Thanks!

If you visit the Guest Relatiosn Lobby at Disney California Adventure Park, located just to the left of the Main Entrance, you can explain your needs to a Guest Relations Host or Hostess, who will determine the best way to meet them.

 

[LavenderPeach]

If you visit the Guest Relatiosn Lobby at Disney California Adventure Park, located just to the left of the Main Entrance, you can explain your needs to a Guest Relations Host or Hostess, who will determine the best way to meet them.

Thank you! Is that inside the park?

 

[skiingfast]

Thank you! Is that inside the park?

Yes. Guest services is just inside a disney park on the left.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Yes. Guest services is just inside a disney park on the left.

Thanks. I always get that mixed up with that Guest something (i forgot what it's called) outside DCA.

 

[poohnpigletCA]

When we went to Disney World they had a sticker that attached to your stroller indicating it was being used as a wheelchair. The last time we were at DCA it was on a card. Using her stroller as a wheelchair helped my dd with ASD to have her space. However, I will suggest that you keep your GAC card in an easy to grab place. We went on Soarin and showed the card to the first 3 CM's we passed. I then put the card away as we were almost on the ride. Sure enough the 5th CM very loudly told us to that we could not have a stroller there. I found the GAC and showed it to the CM but she had been quite loud about it.

I thought it was slightly funny as we had already passed 4 CM's.

 

[LavenderPeach]

When we went to Disney World they had a sticker that attached to your stroller indicating it was being used as a wheelchair. The last time we were at DCA it was on a card. Using her stroller as a wheelchair helped my dd with ASD to have her space. However, I will suggest that you keep your GAC card in an easy to grab place. We went on Soarin and showed the card to the first 3 CM's we passed. I then put the card away as we were almost on the ride. Sure enough the 5th CM very loudly told us to that we could not have a stroller there. I found the GAC and showed it to the CM but she had been quite loud about it.

I thought it was slightly funny as we had already passed 4 CM's.

Thanks for the warning!

 

[disneydreamerbelle]

Just be forewarned that we have always found the wait at Toy Story to be longer with a GAC. However there are benches to sit on.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Just be forewarned that we have always found the wait at Toy Story to be longer with a GAC. However there are benches to sit on.

I don't want to wait in a different line. I just want to see if we can bring the stroller with us through the regular line. I'm assuming they let you do this if you have a stroller as wheelchair pass?

 

[skiingfast]

I don't want to wait in a different line. I just want to see if we can bring the stroller with us through the regular line. I'm assuming they let you do this if you have a stroller as wheelchair pass?

It is going to vary a lot. You will want to mention that you are using the stroller as a wheel chair. Some CMs will ask if you can do stairs, which with a stroller is a no. Other will ask if you can get out to load, which would be a yes. Strollers like chairs can only go in some regular ques, so in some you will need to use a FP entrance or exit.

 

[LavenderPeach]

It is going to vary a lot. You will want to mention that you are using the stroller as a wheel chair. Some CMs will ask if you can do stairs, which with a stroller is a no. Other will ask if you can get out to load, which would be a yes. Strollers like chairs can only go in some regular ques, so in some you will need to use a FP entrance or exit.

Yes, but as I mentioned before, I'm mainly looking to use the stroller for the TSMM line which I'm assuming you can go through the regular line, right? You don't go to the exit if you're in a wheelchair for that one do you, if you can transfer? Holding DS in the other lines usually isn't too bad but carrying 34 pounds for an hour (or more) can be very difficult so that's the main reason I was thinking about getting a pass. He also has more trouble with that line than a lot of other lines because when you go into the inside part i think it gets too loud for him and the stroller would help him have his own space.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think, if they let you go through the main line, at the end you'll have to go to the other area where you can leave your stroller, and then the vehicle will bring you back there so you can retrieve your stroller. It's possible they'll just have you go straight TO that area instead of going into the main line, I think.

For the inside part, that's hard on everyone and I'm sure it's harder on those already more sensitive. I strongly suggest earplugs. I now carry earplugs to Disney in my bag...for WDW I just ordered a tub of them, 50 pairs! I'm set for awhile now.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I think, if they let you go through the main line, at the end you'll have to go to the other area where you can leave your stroller, and then the vehicle will bring you back there so you can retrieve your stroller. It's possible they'll just have you go straight TO that area instead of going into the main line, I think.

For the inside part, that's hard on everyone and I'm sure it's harder on those already more sensitive. I strongly suggest earplugs. I now carry earplugs to Disney in my bag...for WDW I just ordered a tub of them, 50 pairs! I'm set for awhile now.

Hmmm...... so you think that people in wheelchairs and ECVs (EVCs? whatever they're called, lol) don't go through the main line for TSMM? I guess i just assumed that they always went through the main lines at DCA since the lines were built wider but we've never done this before so I have no idea. I wonder where they make you wait if you go straight to the exit area. It might be harder for DS to wait in one spot for a long time, especially if he can see the cars right there, than waiting in the line where he can see the route we have to take until it's our turn.

Earplugs would be a great idea except I highly doubt DS would let us put those in. He's pretty sensitive with his ears and he wouldn't understand that it might make him feel better. Sounds like you're all set for WDW with your tub of 50 pairs!

Oh and speaking of the inside area of the TSMM queue, is it just me or is anyone else bothered by the strobe-like effect that is created by the lights above the ceiling fans? I just find it annoying but I would think that might be hard for people who get migraines or seizures.

 

[Funball]

Hmmm...... so you think that people in wheelchairs and ECVs (EVCs? whatever they're called, lol) don't go through the main line for TSMM? I guess i just assumed that they always went through the main lines at DCA since the lines were built wider but we've never done this before so I have no idea.

no LP, they dont. I have a GAC..and i went through the wheelchair entrance...

 

[Funball]

Just be forewarned that we have always found the wait at Toy Story to be longer with a GAC. However there are benches to sit on.

no its not. you wait with the rest of ECV'S and people with wheelchairs, they take you through the wheel chair entrance off to the side. at least with my GAC they had me do that and everytime i ride it that is what happens..

 

[kiwitravel]

We had a GAC last trip for half of our trip and TSMM was a walk on via the wheelchair access. They asked if we could do steps (which we could) and then depending on whether the wheelchair car was in use or not we would either enter via the normal car or the disabled one.

This was mid to late August, it might be different when the park is busy...